USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 97
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John Huffman was a lad of ten years when his parents came to Indiana, since which time his life has been closely identi- fied with the material, social and moral ad- vancement of Whitley county. On his fa- ther's farm he early learned lessons of in- dustry and thrift, which had such a marked influence in shaping his subsequent life and character. In such schools as the county afforded, he received a limited education, but his most valuable acquirements were of the practical kind obtained by coming in contact with the world in the stern school of experience. Since beginning business for himself he has always followed agricultural pursuits and now owns a highly improved place of one hundred and twenty acres, of which one hundred and eight are in culti- vation, his buildings of all kinds being well constructed and substantial. He has devoted much time to the improvement of his farm, has beautified his home and made it attract- ive by a judicious expenditure of his means, being now in the evening of a well spent life. surrounded by many comforts and conve- niences, in addition to which he enjoys the confidence and esteem of the large circle of
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friends. He is a self-made man, as he be- years of age, when he engaged in contract- gan the struggle of life with no capital save that with which nature had endowed him, and what he now owns is the result of his unaided industry and excellent management.
In March, 1903. Mr. Huffman was mar- ried to Mrs. Joseph Shaffer, widow of the late Christian Shaffer and daughter of B. F. Strong, of Union county. In politics he is a Democrat of the old school, and as such keeps well informed on the leading questions of the day, but at no time has he aspired to office or manifested any desire for public preferment. In matters of religion he takes the Bible alone for his rule of faith and practice, for a number of years belonging to the Christian church and his daily con- duct having ever been consistent with his profession.
OWEN M. SMITH.
Owen M. Smith was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, November 20, 1864, in the town of Boliver, where his parents, Har- rison and Harriet (Steinmetz) Smith were then residing. In early life the father taught school for a number of years and later opened a meat market, which business he conducted some time in the town of Boliver. Harrison and Harriet Smith had six children : Owen M., John. Franklin, William, Ora and Ber- tha, all living but Franklin.
Owen M. Smith was reared and edu- cated in his native town and remained with his parents until young manhood when he began the struggle of life upon his own re- sponsibility, devoting his energies to various kinds of employment until about twenty-two
ing for railway bridge work, which he fol- lowed during the ensuing eleven years, dis- continuing the business in 1897. In the latter year he came to Indiana and after spending two years in Wabash county, changed his abode to Whitley and pur- chased the beautiful farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Cleveland township, on which he has since lived and prospered, achieving success as an agriculturist and stock raiser and winning prestige as an en- ergetic and public-spirited man.
Mr. Smith stands in the front rank of progressive farmers in Cleveland township, enjoys the esteem of his fellowmen and as a citizen is deservedly popular, ever mani- festing a lively interest in measures that make for the material advancement of the community and the social and moral well- being of the friends and neighbors with whom he is wont to mingle. His political faith is in accord with the Republican party, of the principles of which he has been an ardent supporter since old enough to cast a ballot, but his inclinations have never led him into the arena of partisan politics, nor to aspire to public office.
In 1897, Mr. Smith was united in wed- lock with Miss Hattie, one of the six chil- dren of Raymer and Emma ( Tribit) How- enstine, the marriage resulting in the birth of three children : Nila, Lola and Charles, the latter deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Smith attend the United Brethren church, move in the best social circles of the community and are much esteemed by all with whom they come in contact. Indeed it would be diffi- cult to find a man who stands higher among his neighbors or who takes greater interest
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in the welfare or prosperity of his township and county than Mr. Smith, who since tak- ing up his residence in this part of the state has show himself an honorable man in every walk of life and who well deserves the im- plicit confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens.
NELSON KELLER.
Thomas Keller, who was born in Ohio county, Virginia, August 20, 1810, when a lad of ten years accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, in which state he lived until about 1854, when he decided to try his fortune in the new and sparsely set- tled region of northern Indiana. Accord- ingly, he made his way to Whitley county, where he purchased land. from which in due time he developed a good farm. By his first marriage he had two children, Lewis H. and Ellen : by his second marriage there were five children : Cornelius. Matilda. Martin S., Jasper L. and Nelson. Thomas Keller was a quiet, unassuming man and during his residence in Whitley county exerted a wholesome influence among those with whom he was accustomed to mingle. He departed this life February 6. 1887. la- mented by all who knew him.
Nelson Keller was born on the family homestead in Cleveland township, Novem- ber 18, 1860, and has spent his entire life within the borders of Whitley county. He was reared to farm labor, attended the dis- trict schools and on arriving at manhood turned his attention to the pursuit of agri- culture, which he has since carried on with more than ordinary success, being one of the
leading farmers and stockmen of his town- ship. Mr. Keller began life without capital, but gradually surmounted the obstacles that beset his pathway and in due time became the possessor of a tract of land, which he im- proved and to which he has added at inter- vals until he now owns a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres. ninety-five of which are in cultivation. In connection with general farming, which he conducts upon an extensive scale. he is large- ly interested in live stock, devoting special attention to Duroc Jersey hogs and a fine grade of horses, raising the latter prin- cipally for his own use. He also carries on a sucessful dairy business, keeps from ten to twelve cows of the best milking breeds and his patronage has increased to such an ex- tent that he is taxed to the utmost to meet the demands of his numerous customers. On Mr. Keller's farm is perhaps one of the finest sugar orchards in Whitley county, consisting of thirty-six acres, in which are six hundred trees, to the care of which he devotes no little time and attention. His camp is equipped with the latest modern improvements for the manufacture of a high grade of sugar and molasses, for all of which the demand is much greater than he can supply, the superior quality of the product winning much more than local re- pute among the dealers. Mr. Keller pos- sesses good business ability, as the success which he has achieved abundantly testifies. He has a fine home, on which his means have been judiciously expended, a model farm which compares with the best in Whit- ley county and his future is in every re- spect bright and promising.
In September. 1888, Mr. Keller mar-
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ried Miss Josie, daughter of Martin and Barbara ( Loudenbeck) Pence, the union be- ing blessed with three children, Hugh, Clod and Glenn, in addition to whom is Clara White, an orphan girl adopted at an early age, who is treated with the same kindness and consideration as their own offspring.
THOMAS SHECKLER. .
Thomas Sheckler, one of the oldest and best known pioneer farmers of Thorncreek township, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, January 27, 1827, and is the son of John and Rachel (Pettit) Sheckler. John Sheckler was a native of Pennsylvania and removed to Crawford county about 1812 at a time when there were many Indians there. He was reared to the life of a farmer, which pursuit he followed during his entire life- time. In early life he spent a part of his time in the coal mines and thus saved enough money to buy his first tract of wild land. The mother died about 1833. when Thomas was but seven years old and the father survived until about 1856, his death occurring in Crawford county, Ohio. They had eight children : Elizabeth. Catherine, David, Thomas, John P., Christina. James and George.
the farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when he was employed as a farm hand elsewhere. He also devoted some time and attention to the carpenter's trade and about 1854 came to his present farm, which he had purchased some two years previous for six dollars an acre. At that time this land was a dense forest, but Mr. Sheckler at once set to work and almost entirely by his own ef- forts soon made of it one of the most attrac- tive and highly cultivated farms of the local- ity. He is now the owner of three hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in Whitley county and the general appearance and neatness of the place indicates the own- er to be a man of excellent taste and sound judgment. In the early days he aided large- ly in rolling logs and making clearings, that the work of improvement and development might be further carried on.
August 8, 1854, he married Charlotte A. Wilder, daughter of Lyman Wilder, and to them have been born the following named children : James B., deceased at forty-one ; Mary, who died in infancy ; Christina, wife of Nathan Kern, a farmer of Whitley coun- ty: George, who died in the fall of 1905. aged forty; Charles, who married Myrtle Walton and lives on the old homestead : Ed- ward married Alta F. Egolf and operates the old homestead, and has two children, Ruth and Luther: Delbert died in infancy. Mr. Sheckler is a Republican in politics, but are members of Thorncreek Baptist church. located on the corner of his farm, and for which he donated a site. Mr. Sheckler is now living a retired life and enjoys the re- spect and good will of all who know him.
When Thomas was a boy opportunities . is liberal in his views. Both he and his wife were not as now, for the education of youth and he received a very meager schooling. The house he attended was a very crude af- fair, with puncheon floor and home-made scats or benches. He assisted his father on
Thomas schicken
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LEWIS H. KELLER.
Martin Keller, a native of Marshall county, Virginia, and a farmer by occupa- tion, emigrated in 1816 to Licking county, Ohio, where he achieved local influence, prospered fairly, and died about 1855. He married in Virginia and reared a family, among his children being a son by the name of Thomas, who was born August 10, 1810, and who at the age of six years accompanied the family to Ohio, where he grew to ma- turity. Matilda Judge, who became the wife of Thomas Keller, was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1816, and departed this life in May, 1843. After remaining in Ohio until 1854, Thomas Keller moved his family to Whitley county, Indiana, and in October of that year settled on what is locally known as the Edwards farm in Cleveland township. where he resided during the ensuing ten years, at the expiration of which he pur- chased the place where his son Nelson now lives and made it his home the remainder of his days, dying there February 3, 1887. He was a man of considerable influence in his neighborhood and a leader of the Demo- cratic party in his township. He was quite successful in his business affairs, accumu- lated a comfortable competence and at the time of his death was one of the leading farmers and representative citizens of the community. The children of Thomas and Matilda Keller were: Lewis H. and Mar- garet E. Thomas was married a second time to Eliza Ann Smith and by this union the children were Harriet M., deceased ; Martin : Jasper; Nelson, and an infant that died unnamed.
Lewis H. Keller, eldest of the family, 50
was born June 17, 1838, in Licking county, Ohio, and spent his early life in his native state. When a lad of sixteen he accompa- nied his father to Indiana and since then his life has been closely identified with the agri- cultural interests of Whitley county, being at this time one of the leading farmers of Cleveland township, as well as one of the representative citizens of the community in which he resides. Mr. Keller's farm, con- sisting of one hundred and fifty-nine acres, is improved with good buildings and the tillable land is well drained and under a high state of cultivation. In addition to this he owns thirty-six acres of his father's estate, making a total of nearly two hun- dred acres of excellent land, all but twenty acres being under cultivation, the remainder consisting of woodland, on which consider- able first-class timber is still standing. Mr. Keller has made his own way in the world and the fine farm and comfortable home now in his possession is the result of his in- dividual efforts. His success has been merited and the high esteem in which he is held by his neighbors is complimentary to his sterling qualities of manhood and citizen- ship. In politics he votes with the Demo- cratic party on state and national questions, but in local matters usually supports the man instead of the party.
In 1870 Mr. Keller was united in mar- riage with Miss Minerva, daughter of John and Sarah Stoner, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively, four children result- ing from the union : George T., Wiley M., Harley N. and one who died in infancy. Mr. Keller's sons are married, well settled in life and greatly respected in their several places of residence.
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L. E. PLATTNER.
William Plattner was a native of Penn- sylvania who moved to Ohio and from there to Whitley county, where in addition to farming he did a thriving business as a car- penter. having been for many years one of the best known and most successful archi- tects and builders in this part of the state. In the days of his prime, he erected nearly all the churches, schoolhouses and other pub- lic buildings in Whitley county, to say noth- ing of the numerous private dwellings and other edifices in both city and country, many of which still stand as monuments to his ingenuity as a mechanic. On one occasion. while constructing a home, he accidentally stumbled and falling from the roof of the structure to the ground was almost instant- ly killed. He was successful in the accumu- lation of wealth, being in independent cir- cumstances at the time of his death, and as a citizen was public spirited and enterprising, standing high in the confidence of the large circle of friends with whom he mingled. In politics he was an ardent supporter of the Democratic party : in religion a member of the Lutheran church and he is remembered as a kind and obliging neighbor and friend. He married Elizabeth Snyder, born and reared in Ohio, who became the mother of eight children : Jacob, Sophia, Lavina. Lewis, William, John and Levi, and one that died in infancy.
L. E. Plattner was born in Whitley county, Indiana, January 16. 1857. on the family homestead in Columbia township. He was educated in the country schools, grew to manhood on the farm and after leaving home engaged in agriculture, which
vocation he has since conducted with suc- cess and financial profits.
Mr. Plattner's farm in Cleveland town- ship contains one hundred and twenty acres of fertile and productive land which is well drained and in a high state of tillage, and the buildings thereon are modern, substan- tial and always kept in repair. The other improvements are such as enter into the makeup of a comfortable home, with all the necessities and some of the luxuries of life. This place compares with the best in the township, being tastefully as well as conveniently arranged, so as easily to meet the needs and desires of the occupants.
March 27, 1869, Mr. Plattner married Miss Frances, daughter of John and Hen- rietta Schrader, by whom he has five chil- dren : Otis, a resident of Washington town- ship and one of Whitley county's successful and popular teachers; Vernon and Fermer, who are still members of the home circle : Lee, a student of the Indiana Business Col- lege at Fort Wayne : and Clarence, at home.
Mrs. Plattner's parents moved to Whit- ley county in 1870 from Pennsylvania and located in Columbia City, where they became well known and much esteemed. Mr. Platt- ner and wife are respected members of the best social circles of the community in which they reside and all who come within the sphere of their influence speak in compli- mentary terms of their many admirable qualities. They are interested in everything that makes for the advancement of their neighborhood along material lines, lend their names to all measures that tend to the moral welfare of their friends and associates and their home life has been beautiful as well as useful.
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DAVID SPOHNHAUER.
Samuel and Mary (Koch) Spohnhauer moved from Ohio to Whitley county in the early 'forties and settled on a farm in Cleve- land township where, in addition to tilling the soil, the father preached for a number of years throughout the country, having been duly ordained to the ministry of the Church of God in his native state. Samuel and Mary Spohnhauer had seven children : Mary, Rebecca, Leah, Kate. Lydia, David and Warren.
David Spohnhauer was born in Cleve- land township, Whitley county, Indiana, October 22, 1853, attended the public schools and assisted in the farm work until he reached his majority. When old enough to begin life upon his own responsibility, he decided to become a farmer and by making the most of his opportunities eventually be- came the possessor of a tract of land, which was soon brought under cultivation and gradually improved. Mr. Spohnhauer's farm now contains one hundred and sixty- four acres of as fertile land as can be found within the bounds of Whitley county, one hundred and twenty being in cultivation. the rest consisting of timber and pasturage. All the improvements were made by himself. and he can show, as the result of his labor and thrift, an elegant brick residence of modern design, a large and commodious barn, substantial outbuildings, . fine fences and a thorough system of tile drainage, all these with other improvements going to make up one of the most valuable farms, as well as one of the most beautiful and de- sirable country 'homes in this section of the :state.
Mr. Spohnhauer is a supporter of the Democratic party and a member of the Church of God, of which he has long been a faithful and consistent adherent. He dis- charges the duties of citizenship in the in- telligent manner and liberal spirit character- istic of the more advanced American farm- er. In addition to his farming interests, he has dealt quite extensively in lands in Whitley and other counties, not only buying and selling in his own name, but investing considerable capital for other parties. He has accumulated a handsome property in real estate, besides other valuable interests, and stands today among the financially substan- tial men of the county.
In 1875 Mr. Spohnhauer married Miss Eliza, daughter of Andrew and Mary ( Phil- lips) Shorb, and they have an only child, Niles, who married Miss Klessa Harter, of Whitley county, and assists in the manage- ment of the home farm.
Mrs. Spohnhauer's parents were natives of Pennsylvania, but moved to Ohio and from there in 1842 to Whitley county, In- diana. where the mother died in 1894, and the father five years later. Mr. and Mrs. Shorb had ten children: Lavina, Nathaniel, Jessie, Jane, Amanda, Mary, Ella, Thomas, Jackson and Henry. .
JOHN F. BENTZ.
Among the emigrants from Germany to the United States in the early part of the nineteenth century were George and Mary Bentz, who settled in Ashland county, Ohio. and there ended their days. Their son,
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Jacob, born in 1833, married Nancy Singer, born in 1837, became a prosperous farmer and grain thresher and after his removal to Whitley county operated a separator for twenty-nine years. He came to this state in 1862. purchased a farm in section 33. Cleve- land township, and lived on the same until his death, which occurred January 22, 1903. He was a man of intelligence and ripe judg- ment, remarkably successful in business mat- ters and in addition to a fine farm accumu- lated considerable personal property, being one of the substantial men of his township. He had six children: William, deceased; John, Mary J., wife of W. E. Harsbarger, of the state of Washington ; Laura, deceased ; Dora and Perry L.
John F. Bentz, second of this family, was born April 23, 1858, in Ashland coun- ty, Ohio, and hence was but four years old when his parents removed to Indiana. After reaching manhood he engaged in agricul- ture and has met with gratifying success. In 1901, Mr. Bentz moved to his present beautiful and attractive home in Cleveland township and since has added many sub- stantial improvements to his farm in the way of fencing, drainage and buildings, the latter including a fine brick residence of modern design, a large, well constructed barn and the usual outbuildings found on first-class estates, all in excellent repair and fully answering the various purposes for which they were designed. Of the one hundred and four acres which the farm contains, eighty-five are in cultivation, the remainder being largely devoted to pasturage, for which the soil seems peculiarly adapted. Mr. Bentz is recognized as one of the prom- ment farmers and stock raisers of Cleve-
land township and as a citizen is enterpris- ing and up-to-date, lending his support to- all measures of public utility and taking an active interest in every movement having for its object the social and moral well-being of liis fellowmen. Fraternally he is con- nected with Lodge No. 222, Knights of Pythias, at South Whitley and politcially is a Democrat, being an influential adviser in the counsels of his party and an efficient worker with the rank and file.
In 1883, Mr. Bentz was married to Miss Mary Emma, daughter of Adam and Mary (Holem) Warner, natives of Stark county, Ohio, three children being born of this. union : Linnie S., wife of Evert Stumfph; Sylvan, who is engaged in the railway ser- vice at South Whitley; and Gladys, who is still an inmate of the paternal home.
PERRY L. BENTZ.
The emigrant ancestors of the family of this man were Germans, who settled in Ash- land county, Ohio, when that state was still young and there remained until the end of their lives. (See sketch of John F. Bentz. ) Jacob Bentz, one of their sons, born and reared in Ohio, was married in early man- hood to Nancy Singer, of the same state. In 1862, this couple removed to Whitley county and settled on a farm in Cleveland township, where in connection with agri- cultural pursuits Mr. Bentz engaged in the threshing of grain, following the latter line of work for a period of twenty-five years and becoming widely known throughout the country as a skillful operator of threshing
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machinery. He came to this county one year in advance of his family, purchased a tract of wild land on which he erected a rude log cabin and cleared a few acres of ground. This done he returned to Ohio and, dis- posing of his interests there, loaded his few effects on a wagon and accompanied by his wife and children drove to the new home in the midst of the Whitley county forest. He succeeded in the course of years in de- veloping a good farm and also achieved hon- orable repute as an enterprising and public- spirited citizen. He was an ardent Demo- crat and influential in party and public affairs, having filled several local offices, and he also took a leading part in all measures having for their object the material advance- ment of his township and county. After a long and useful life, he was called from the scenes of earth January 22, 1903, leaving to his family an honorable name and to the community an example of good citizenship. Jacob and Nancy Bentz had six children : William (deceased) ; John F., a farmer of Cleveland township: Mary J., wife of W. E. Harsbarger, a farmer in the state of Washington : Laura, deceased: Dora, wife of Harvey Kaler, who lives with his mother on the home place; and Perry L.
Perry L. Bentz was born in Cleveland township, Whitley county, in 1876, and after receiving a common school education turned his attention to agriculture, which has been his life work and in the prosecution of which he has achieved well merited suc- cess, owning at this time a well developed farm of seventy acres, containing substan- tial buildings, excellent fencing and other improvements in keeping therewith. He has a good modern dwelling, a fine farm and,
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