USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of the Maumee River basin, Allen County, Indiana > Part 36
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484
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
JACOB MARQUARDT.
We now take under review the career of one of the sterling pioneer citizens of Allen county, where he has passed his entire life and where he has ever commanded the unequivocal confidence and esteem of his fellow men. The name which he bears has been prominently identified with the annals of the county since the early days when the work of reclaiming the sylvan wilds of this section was inaugurated, and here he is now known as one of the large land- holders and successful farmers of the county, his finely improved es- tate being located in Madison township, section II. He rendered valiant service to the Union during the war of the Rebellion, and during his entire life he has manifested the same loyalty of spirit that led him to follow the old flag on the battle fields of the south. His character, services and long residence render him peculiarly worthy of representation in the Allen county division of this history of the Maumee basin.
Jacob Marquardt was born on the farm which is now his home, in Madison township, Allen county, Indiana, on the 31st of May, 1844, and was the eighth in order of birth of the twelve children of Jacob and Anna E. (Hoffenberger) Marquardt, both of whom were born in Germany, near the French border, while the paternal lineage traces back to French derivation. Of the children six are living, and of this number all still reside in Allen county. The parents of the subject came to America when young, and the father settled in Allen county in the early '30s, taking up a tract of govern- ment land in Madison township and being one of the early settlers in this part of the county. He reclaimed a considerable portion of his land from the virgin wilds and became one of the well-to-do and honored farmers of the county. The farm now owned by our subject is a portion of the original estate, and other valuable farms
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ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
in the township are likewise owned by representatives of the family. The father died in 1852, and his devoted wife passed away in 1888, while the names of both merit a place on the roll of the honored pioneers of this now favored section of the state.
The subject was reared on the old homestead, early beginning to assist in its work, while his educational advantages were those af- forded in the common schools of the locality and period. He con- tinued to be associated with his father in the operation of the home farm until he had attained to the age of eighteen years, when he initiated his independent career, securing a portion of the home- stead and settling himself vigorously to the task of reclaiming the same from the forest, the major portion of his land having been a veritable wilderness at the time when he assumed the work of hew- ing out a farm. He now has a well improved estate of three hun- dred and twenty acres, nearly all of which he has cleared and placed under the highest state of cultivation, while the passing years have brought to him a generous prosperity and made him one of the substantial farmers of the county, while he is one of the popular and influential citizens of his native township. He has ever been a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party and is loyal in his support of its cause, while he has been called upon to serve in various offices of local trust. In a fraternal way he is identified with William Link Post, No. 301, Grand Army of the Republic, in Monroeville, while both he and his wife are zealous members of the Lutheran church, in whose faith they have reared their children, all of whom were baptized in the same.
In February, 1865, at Kendallville, this state, Mr. Marquardt enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, joining his regiment in the city of Indianapolis and thence proceeding with his command to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, and from that point to Charleston and into the Shenan- doah valley, where he was taken severely ill, being sent to the Cum- berland hospital, where he remained incapacitated until the close of the war, having received his honorable discharge in August, 1865, while still in the hospital. After the close of the war he returned to his farm and here has ever since given his attention to diversified agriculture and stock growing.
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THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
On the IIth of October, 1868, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Marquardt to Miss Susan Pyle, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, on the 3d of December, 1848, being a daughter of Isaac N. and Hannah A. (Lake) Pyle, of English and Scotch lineage, re- spectively, and she was a child at the time of her parents' removal to Allen county, where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Marquardt have thirteen children, all of whom were born on the old homestead farm which was the birthplace of their father, and their names are here entered in order of birth: Rosanna, who is single and resides at home; Daniel A. is a train inspector for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and resides at Hamlet, Indiana ; Susan S. V. and Martha E. are deceased; Mary E. is the wife of August Miller, of Monroeville, Indiana; Samuel J. is a veterinary surgeon at Monroeville, Indiana, being a graduate of the Ohio State University; Daisy E. is the wife of Conrad Brouwer, of Monroe- ville, Indiana; Jasper E. resides on his father's farm and cultivates part of the homestead in Madison township; Dora E. is the wife of Frank Gable, farmer and school teacher, who resides on part of his father-in-law's farm in Madison township; Washington, Robert R. and Rufus R. are deceased; Huldah F. is still single and resides at home.
487
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
JOHN CASSELMAN.
Mr. Casselman's first knowledge of Allen county was gained more than fifty years ago, when he came here as a boy, his parents residing in the county a few years and then returning to Ohio, where he grew to manhood. However, it was his good fortune to return to the county about thirty years ago, and here he has ever since maintained his home, while he is one of the representative business men of Monroeville, where he conducts a finely equipped meat market, having previously been identified with farming and stock growing in the county and being a citizen who commands the respect of all.
Mr. Casselman was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 28th of December, 1838, and is a son of David and Elizabeth ( Brande- berry) Casselman, both of whom were born and reared in the old Buckeye state, where the respective families were founded in the pioneer era, the paternal lineage being traced back to stanch Holland stock and the maternal to Scotch derivation. In 1852 the family came to Allen county, Indiana, where they remained four years, at the expiration of which they returned to the old home in Carroll county, Ohio, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives, the father having been a successful farmer and substantial citizen. The subject of this review secured his educational training in the common schools of Ohio and Indiana, and from his youth up was familiar with the details involved in the operation of a farm, having been associated in the work of his father's farmstead until he had attained to his legal majority, when he initiated his independent career, continuing to be concerned in the field of enterprise in which he had been reared. In May, 1864, he became a member of the local militia or home guard of Carroll county, Ohio, and he was called into the service of his country for a period of one hundred
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THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
days. He took part in no active engagements but was assigned to guard duty, keeping ward over prisoners. He received his honor- able discharge in September, 1864, his command having been a part of the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His patriotism was insistent and he did all in his power to aid the Union cause during the turbulent and critical era of the Civil war.
After the war Mr. Casselman continued to be engaged in farm- ing in Carroll county, Ohio, until 1870, in November of which year he came to Indiana and took up his residence in Allen county. Here he purchased a farm, in Madison township, the land being only partially reclaimed, and on this place he continued to reside for the ensuing twelve years. He then disposed of the property and purchased a farm in Monroe township, where he lived for six years and then sold the place, in order to turn his attention to another line of enterprise. At this time he located in Monroeville and engaged in the butchering business, in which he has ever since continued, being now one of the oldest merchants of the town in point of consecutive business association, while he has so ordered his course as to gain the high regard of the community and has long controlled a large and representative trade, while his establishment is modern in its equipment and service. Mr. Casselman is a stalwart advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and both he and his wife are valued members of the Christian church.
On the 14th of October, 1862, Mr. Casselman was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Reed, who was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 9th of January, 1834, being a daughter of Robert and Mary (Baughman) Reed, both of whom died in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Casselman have four children, Marvilla J., Lewis H., William B. and Emmett F.
Lewis Homer Casselman, the eldest of the three sons of John and Mary E. (Reed) Casselman, was born in Rochester, Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 9th of January, 1867, and he was thus about four years of age at the time of the family removal to Allen county, where he was reared and educated, having been afforded the ad- vantages of the public schools, while he early began to lend his aid in the work of the home farm. At the age of seventeen years he gave
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ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
inception to his independent business career, which has been one marked by energy, ability and worthy success. He began buying and selling live stock, and has ever since continued in this important branch of industry, in which he is an acknowledged authority, while he has built up a large and profitable enterprise, making extensive shipments of live stock each year and having his business head- quarters in Monroeville. Like his honored father he is found stanchly arrayed as a supporter of the cause of the Republican party, and both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, in whose work they take an active part.
On the 10th of November, 1901, Lewis H. Casselman was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Geyer, who was born and reared in this county, being a daughter of Ferdinand and Augusta (Wol- lenholp) Geyer, well known residents of Monroeville, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Casselman have two children, Miriam and William Maurice.
490
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
ALFRED H. BATES.
The subject of this memoir was one of the representative farm- ers of Aboit township and was a citizen of worth and influence, com- manding the unqualified confidence and regard of all who knew him.
Mr. Bates was born in Oswego county, New York, on the 23d of October, 1836, being the second in order of birth of the six sons of Jeremiah and Lucy (Norton) Bates. The paternal grandparents, Ephraim and Melvina (Hopkins) Bates, were native of Massachu- setts and representatives of families early founded in New England, that cradle of so much of our national history. In the maternal line of the Bates family the genealogy is traced to the de Norville family, of patrician French stock, the records extant showing that one of the name was a signer of the death warrant of King Charles I of France. Jeremiah Bates died in 1869, and his widow passed away in 1884, at the venerable age of eighty-one years, both having con- tinued resident of the old Empire state, where the father followed agricultural pursuits.
Alfred H. Bates passed his youthful days in his native county, completing the curriculum of the common schools and supplementing this discipline by a course in an academy at Mexico, New York. He remained at the parental home until he had attained to the age of eighteen years, when he set forth for the west, arriving in South Bend, Indiana, in October, 1854, while later he visited various parts of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. He finally took up his resi- dence in Allen county, Indiana, where he was engaged in teaching school for a time, and he identified himself permanently with the civic and industrial affairs of the county by purchasing the present Bates homestead farm, in sections 4 and 5, Aboit township, the place comprising one hundred and six acres of fine land. At the time when he took up his residence on the farm it was practically
491
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
without improvements, being largely covered with the heavy growth of native timber, while the original residence of the family was a log cabin of the type so common to the pioneer era. He reclaimed about ninety acres of the land to cultivation and added to the area of his estate until it comprised one hundred and fifty acres. The present substantial and commodious frame residence was erected in the early '70s, while the other buildings on the place are of excellent order. Mr. Bates not only carried on his general farming operations with vigor and discrimination, but also gave special attention to the raising of high-grade live stock and was at one time one of the leading poultry fanciers and breeders of the county, raising principally the Barred Plymouth Rocks, Buff Cochins and Light Brahmas, while he made numerous exhibitions at the various poultry shows, securing many prizes in the connection, while the eggs from his farm commanded fancy prices for breeding purposes. Mr. Bates was a natural enthusiast, and as such was not satisfied with less than the ultimate attainment in any work or enterprise to which he directed his energies, so that he was very successful in the several departments of his business undertakings. He conducted a high- class butter dairy, keeping an average herd of twenty-five milch cows and manufacturing from one hundred and fifty to two hun- dred pounds of butter a week, while the entire product was sold to appreciative private customers. This enterprise he continued until the death of his wife. Mr. Bates introduced the first DeLaval cream separator in the county, and at the time the same attracted much attention, persons coming from long distances to witness its operation.
Mr. Bates was one of the honored and influential citizens of Aboit township, and though he took a lively interest in public affairs he never sought official preferment. He was a stalwart Re- publican in his political proclivities, and both he and his wife held membership in the Christian church at Dunfee, Whitley county, about two miles distant from their home. Mrs. Bates died on the 14th of June, 1902, and he was summoned to the life eternal on the 6th of July, 1904, so that in death they were not long divided. The remains of both rest in the beautiful Lindenwood cemetery, in Fort Wayne, in which city Mr. Bates resided during the last two years of his life, though continuing to supervise his business interests until practically the time of his death.
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THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
Mr. Bates was twice married. On the 29th of September, 1859, he wedded Miss Ann J. Turner, daughter of Enoch Turner, and she passed away on the 15th of June, 1865, leaving three daughters, Lucy A., wife of Henry Gunder; Rose E., wife of Rollin Ellison; and Ann J., wife of Edward P. Scheuler. On the 21st of October, 1865, Mr. Bates was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Stirk, daughter of William and Jane Stirk, the former of whom died in 1884 and the latter in 1887. Three children were born of the second marriage, namely: Frank M. is the wife of Louis J. Eme and they reside on a part of the old homestead, Mr. Eme being personally mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Eudora, who is the wife of John F. Traster, of Whitley county ; and Arthur M., who has charge of the home farm and who is administrator of the estate. He was born on the old homestead, on the 23d of January, 1878, and was here reared to maturity, receiving his educational training in the public schools. At the age of twenty-one years he became a fire- man on the Pennsylvania Railroad, retaining this position eight months and then returning to the home farm, to which he has ever since given his attention. On the 29th of April, 1902, he was united in marriage to Miss Della E. Schinbeckler, of Whitley county, and they have one child, Herbert Russell. Mr. Bates is a Republican in politics and is one of the progressive young farmers of the county.
493
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
JOHN W. EDWARDS.
One of the prominent and influential business men of Monroe- ville, Allen county, is he whose name initiates this sketch and who is senior member of the firm of Edwards Brothers, who here con- duct a large department store, which represents the leading enter- prise of the kind in this part of the county.
John W. Edwards was born in a hewed-log house on the Edwards homestead, in Madison township, Allen county, Indiana, on the 16th of August, 1850, being the eldest son of Samuel and Lucinda (Eagy) Edwards. Samuel Edwards was born in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1826, of Welsh parentage, and his wife was a native of Carroll county, Ohio, where she was born in 1832, her lineage tracing back to stanch German and Irish derivation. Samuel and Lucinda (Eagy) Edwards came with their respective parents to Madison township, Allen county, Indiana, in the year 1836, and here they were reared to maturity under the in- fluences of the pioneer era, while their marriage was here solem- nized in April, 1849. In this township they continued to reside after their marriage, the father devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in November, 1864. The devoted wife and mother is still living, maintaining her home in Monroeville, Monroe township, and being hale and hearty, while she is held in affectionate regard by all who know her, being one of the honored pioneer women of the county. She has the distinction of having lived in Madison and Monroe townships for a longer period than any other person who is now living or any who has ever lived in said townships.
John W. Edwards grew to manhood on the homestead farm, in Madison township, while his early educational discipline was se- cured in the common schools of the locality and period, the same
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THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
being in session from three to four months in the year. As a youth he supplemented this training by a course of study in the old Methodist Episcopal college in the city of Fort Wayne, and he later entered the Miami Commercial College, in Dayton, Ohio, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1872, so that his edu- cation was of a liberal and practical order. For a number of years Mr. Edwards was a successful and popular teacher in the public schools of Madison and Monroe townships.
In Huntertown, this county, on the 16th of September, 1875, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Annetta L. Barnhart, daughter of Rev. A. C. Barnhart. Mrs. Edwards was born in Sigourney, Iowa, in 1858. At the close of the term of school he was teaching Mr. Edwards removed with his young wife to Edwards county, Kansas, where he entered government land and engaged in farming and teaching school. He also served as postmaster at Offerle, Kansas, for four years, and within this time he was elected county commissioner, in which office he served two years, being president of the board during the last year. In 1882 Mr. Edwards removed from Kansas to Florida, where he resided until the death of his wife, in May, 1887. Left with four small children, he was compelled to return to Indiana, coming to Monroeville, where he has ever since maintained his home. On the 16th of August, 1888, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Fannie Reed Philley, at Monroeville, she being the eldest daughter of Sanford and Mary Philley and a rep- resentative of one of the old and prominent families of Fort Wayne. Of the children of Mr. Edwards, two daughters and one son are married and reside in the city of Fort Wayne, namely : Artie L., the wife of W. Carey Ewing; Verne P., the wife of George Pantazin; and Almond A. Edwards. Another daughter of the first marriage, Miss Annetta L., resides in Kansas; and the two daughters of the second marriage, Cleo and Eva, remain at the parental home.
As before stated, Mr. Edwards is now the senior member of the firm of Edwards Brothers, who are conducting a large depart- ment store and are the leading firm in their line in Monroeville. They are enjoying a large and representative trade and are noted for their business enterprise, and honorable dealings, having the unqualified confidence and esteem of the people of this section.
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ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are active and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a member since he was a youth of eighteen years. He has served as superintendent of the Sunday school and also as steward, class-leader and trustee, while at the present time he is the teacher of the largest class of young ladies to be found in the Sunday schools of the town, having thus served for the past five years. He is not only active in all departments of church work, but is one of the most liberal supporters of the church in a financial way. He has represented the Monroe- ville church on three occasions as lay delegate to the annual con- ference.
In politics Mr. Edwards has given an unqualified allegiance to the Republican party ever since attaining his majority, and while he is not taking an active part in politics he keeps in close and in- telligent touch with the questions and issues of the hour and is well fortified in his political faith. He is not insistently partisan, how- ever, to the extent of supporting unworthy candidates or measures, preferring honest and upright men in office, regardless of party affiliation, and acting in accordance with such preference. He is essentially public spirited and progressive, and is ever found ready to lend his aid and influence in supporting worthy measures for the general good of the community.
496
THE MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
HENRY A. WIEBKE.
Among the successful and popular business men of Fort Wayne is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch and who conducts one of the leading sample rooms of the city, the same being located at No. 625 Calhoun street. Mr. Wiebke was born in this city on September 1, 1867, and is the son of Henry and Wil- hemina (Hoffmeyer) Wiebke. The former was born on February 26, 1839, at Lahde, near Minden, Prussia, and lived in his native country until twenty years of age. He then emigrated to America and first located at Indianapolis, Indiana, where for a short time he engaged at the carpenter's trade. He then removed to Fort Wayne and on March 15, 1862, he embarked in the grocery business at the corner of Calhoun and Columbia streets. He was successful in business, figuring as one of the enterprising and progressive business men of the city. He continued actively engaged in business until the time of his retirement, in 1886. His wife, whose maiden name was Wilhemina Hoffmeyer, was born December 7, 1845, at Mass- lingen, near Minden, Prussia, and in childhood was brought to this country. She made her home at Indianapolis until March 18, 1886, at which time occurred her marriage to Henry Wiebke and her con- sequent removal to Fort Wayne. To this couple were born five chil- dren, three sons and two daughters, namely: Henry A., Florence, William, August and Bertha.
The subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof and received his education in St. Paul's Lutheran parochial school, after which he attended the business college conducted by Colonel Powers, where he took a complete course in bookkeeping. On the 18th of December, 1888, he entered into partnership with W. T. Mannix and opened a sample room on Calhoun street, this city, but two years later he purchased his partner's interest and has since con-
ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA. 497
ducted it alone. The place has the reputation of being one of the most orderly and best conducted in the city and the proprietor has long enjoyed a well merited popularity among those who know him.
On the 13th of January, 1896, Mr. Wiebke was united in mar- riage with Mrs. Louise Mosshammer (nee Ritter), the widow of August Mosshammer. She was born in this city and is the daughter of Anthony and Barbara (Straus) Ritter, and by her union with her former husband she became the mother of two children, Franklin M. and Arthur S. No children have been born to the present union. Politically Mr. Wiebke is a Democrat and in May, 1903, he was elected a member of the city council, his ward being the only one to go Democratic that year, this being the first time in over thirty years that the Democrats have failed to carry the city by a large majority. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 155, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie No. 248, the Commercial Club, a social member of the Corner Rod and Gun Club, and also belongs to the Concordia Singing Society and the Kreuz Stolzenau. In religion, he was baptized and confirmed in St. Paul's Lutheran church. Mr. Wiebke possesses a social disposition and courteous manner, and because of his many fine personal qualities he has won a host of warm friends.
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