USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Illustrated Atlas and Columbian Souvenir of LaGrange County, Indiana. > Part 12
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Peter Long, one of the leading citizens of Greenfield town- ship. came to this county from Ohio in 1858 and bought the land where he now lives at about 835 an acre. His land has since then doubled in price. He is very pleasantly situated and his farm yields good crops of wheat and corn. The stock kept and raised upon it is of high grade. While a successful farmer, coming here poor and achieving prosperity by industry and prudent manage- ment. he has found time for important public duties. For thirty- two years he has had the oversight of the English Prairie church, of over 150 members, which he was instrumental in founding. He has preached more funeral sermons than any preacher in the connty, never receiving any remuneration for his services, has donated largely to religious work. and has traveled extensively.
D. A. Platz, a prosperous farmer of Newbury township, resid- ing in section 1. is a uative of that towuship. born October 8, 1869, It has ever since been his home. He is a son of George Platz, oue of the pioneers of the township. He was married November 22, 1883, to Hattie Butts, and they have two children, Theron and Pliny.
Daniel S. Kaufman, a well-known farmer of Newbury town- ship, was born in Somerset county, Pa., September 30, 1840. He moved to Newbury township in 1865. and located on the farm where he now resides, which consists of 140 acres of valuable and well-improved land. Mr. Kaufman is a general farmer, and also devotes considerable time to hunting and trapping.
C. R. Allisou, a well-known citizen of Vanburen township. elected in 1892 to the office of sheriff, was born in Chenango county, N. Y., November 27, 1841, residing there until October 1854, when he removed with his parents to Indiana, locating in the township above uamed. His father, William Allison. was one of the prominent meu of the township, hokling official positions for many years. Mr. Allison is the owner of a well-improved farm of 120 acres, and a comfortable home. He was married in 1864 to Sylvia S. Stevens. Mr. Allison held the office of township trustee for the term of four years, and iu December, 1892, was qualified as sheriff of LaGrange county, an office to which he was elected, by a creditable majority, evidenciug the confidence reposed in him.
Lewis Culver, a successful farmer residing in section 21, John- son township, was born in Starke county, Ohio. July II, 1838, and came to Indiana in 1846 with his father, Christopher Culver. The latter was a native of Northumberland county, Pa., who came to Ohio iu 1836 and to Indiana in 1846, and died in 1861 at the age of 81 years. Lewis Culver was married November 6, 1859, to Eme- line Eggleston, and they have lived in this county ever since, except two years in Noble county, 1861 to 1863. Their children are Clara E., Minuie A., Florence M., Ulysses G., Ada A. (died in 1872 ). Ellsworth O., Joshua ( died 1876), Bertha (died 1886). Arly A. ( died 1856), aud Maud M.
A. L. Hinkle, of Vanburen township, is a native of Erie county. Pa., born January 9, 1834. He came to this county with his parents in 1864, and lived with his parents nutil 1872. when he purchased and occupied a farm of 120 acres in section 29. He was married March 10, 1859, iu Crawford county, Pa., to Mary Boyer. He now has a fine farm of 160 acres with a comfortable home in section 29.
Charles E. Talmage, of Springfield township, resides upon the old homestead of his parents, Elisha and Jane ( Griffen ) Talmage. who settled in this township in the spring of 1837, purchasing 120 acres for 8500, and throughout his life was prominent in the affairs of his township. He lived to see the county developed from forest to a land of beautiful homes and fertile farms, and his children prosperous. Charles E. Talmage, the subject of this meution, ranks among the enterprising and successful farmers of the county.
William S. Oley, of Vanburen township, is a son of John and Esther Olney, pioneers of 1830, and was born in the township Sep- tember 16, 1834. After the death of his parents W. S. Olney came into possession of the homestead in section 19, which he has greatly improved, and is now one of the leading farmers of the county. He was married June 10, 1858, to Delilah Sidener, daughter of another pioneer, Nicholas Sidener, and they have one child living, Edward. Mr. Olney has served one term as township trustee, he- ing elected in 1882.
William Dunbar, deceased, one of the leading farmers of Springfield township in his lifetime, was born in Smumit county. Ohio, May 7, 1829. He came to this county in 1853, and resided with his father David, near Wolcottville, until 1862, when he loca- ted on the farm of two bundred acres in Springfield, entered by John B. Clark. It is an historic place in the history of the town- ship, and it is said that from a spring on the farm the township was named. The farm lies in sections 27 and 28. Mr. Dunbar in- creased his land ownings to 280 acres, and in 1875 built one of the best residences in the county at a cost of abont 83.000. His deathi occurred in June. 1884. He-left two sons, Jacob and Newton Dunbar. Newton Dunbar now owns the old homestead and is farming successfully. The land is well adapted to general farming and stock-raising, and yields good crops.
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Isaac Norris, one of the substantial farmers of Clay township, was born May 24th, 1832, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He came to LaGrange county, in 1860, and moved thence to Elkhart county, Indiana, the same year. After a residence of five years in Elkhart county he removed to LaGrange county, settling on his present home farm in Clay township, in the spring of 1865. He was married to Margaret Shonp, of LaGrange county, Jannary 14, 1855. To Mr. and Mrs. Norris were born three children, viz: Alice, wife of I. P. Duck, Wm. J. and Ida, now Mrs. Schwin of Elkhart county. Mr. Norris owns several farms in Clay township, and for several years has made a business of buying and selling draft horses, in which he has been eminently successful. Having commenced at the bottom of the ladder, he has reached the top by perseverance and industry, with practically no help but his own hands.
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Joseph Pickles, of Greenfield township, considered one of the successful farmers of the county, is a native of that township. His parents, who were of English birth, came to the county in 1836, and settled in Greenfield, but the father died soon afterward. At the outbreak of the rebellion Mr. Pickles enlisted in Co. C., of the 100th Regiment Indiana Infantry, and served nine months, then being honorably discharged on account of sickness. In 1864 he again enlisted in the 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery, Battery A, and served until the close of the war. Since then he has given his at- tention to the general farm crops of which his farm yields from 25 to 40 bushels of wheat, and 35 to 70 for corn, per acre, and also breeding short-horn cattle and Poland hogs; he also makes fruit- growing a specialty. His farm is one of the best kept in the county.
Wm. H. Jackson was born in the state of New York in 1839. When less than one year of age he moved with his parents to Del- aware county, Ohio, The earlier years of his life were spent on the farm. At the age of 17 he was apprenticed to a mason to learn the plasterers and brick-layers trades, working as an apprentice for three years. In 1860 he was married to Miss Hannab Moyer, the sister of his employer. In 1862 Mr. Jackson enlisted in Co. E, 93d Regt., Indiana volunteers, and was discharged in the fall of 1864. He then followed working at his trade until 1875, when he purchased the farm on which he now lives, since which time he has given most of his time to general farmning. Mrs. Jackson was born in Michigan, but at an early age moved to Delaware, Ohio. At the time of her marriage her home was in Columbus, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were born seven children, viz: Win. C., Anna MI., Clara L., Florence E., Cora B., George A. and Frank I., all of whom are married except the two latter.
John Q. A. Booth, of Springfield township, is well known throughont the county as a successful farmer and enterprising citizen. He came to this county in 1861, first settling in Clay township, but in 1862 removed to Springfield township. His former home was in Holmes county, Ohio. Mr. Booth has met with snecess in farming, having owned at one time four hundred and sixty acres of land. He has given his attention to general farming rather than specialties. His land devoted to wheat production has given an average of 20 bushels per acre. Mr. Booth has always taken a notable interest in county, state and national affairs, believing that the farmer should have an important part in legislation and admin- istration. His name has been mentioned in connection with some important offices, and at the Republican senatorial convention in 1892, his township offered him its nuanimous vote if he would con- sent to be a candidate.
Russell Brown, deceased, was prominent among the pioneers of agriculture in Springfield township. He was born in Rensselaer connty, N. Y., in 1805, and came to LaGrange county in July, 1836. In the following year he entered a tract of 240 acres near where his son, Warren, now lives. He was the father of four sons and one daughter. Three of his sons are residents of Indiana, and one is a prominent business man of Lincoln. Nebraska. After a successful and honored life, Russell Brown died at Orland, Septem- ber 9, 1888. His son, Warren Brown, who resides in Springfield township, is the second son of the worthy pioneer and is one of the farmers of the county. His farm is well adapted to general farming. The wheat crop averages 15 bushels to the acre, and the yield of corn is large. Mr. Brown is an enterprising man, but his main desire is to be a worthy and honorable citizen.
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George Smith, the present trustee of Springfield township, is counted as one of the leading citizens of the county, and holds high rank as a successful farmer. He is the son of George W. Smith, who came to this county from his native state of New York in 1837, and bought land almost entirely covered with timber, which is now in a highly improved condition, the property of the subject of this mention, Some 83,500 has been invested in build- ings, and the farm is in every way well kept, and affords excellent crops. Mr. Smith, in addition to the office of trustee, has pre- viously served the people as justice of the peace.
Harrison Deal, widely known as an enterprising citizen and prosperous farmer, owns a fertile farm of 320 acres in Springfield township, residing upon Section 28. He is the oldest son of Con- rad and Elizabeth Deal, with whom he came to this connty in 1835. Though only seven years of age at that time, he is to be counted as one of the old settlers, and he has ever since taken a part in the development of the county. Few men are more highly esteemed. His wife, Ellen, is the daughter of Benjamin and Mary Jones, who settled in Greenfield in 1829, and later became early settlers of Springfield. Mr. Jones was a prominent man, a leader in the "Phalanx" society, and a pioneer in breeding thoroughbred cattle.
Charles W. Wade, of Springfield township, is the owner of a well improved farm of 180 acres, and is generally regarded as one of the leading farmers of the county. His buikdlings are well located and commodious, costing some $3,000. The farm yields from 15 to 25 bushels of wheat per acre, and from 40 to 60 bushels of corn. Mr. Wade also gives attention to the raising of sheep, and feeds a large number for market. Mr. Wade owns the old homestead farm of Robert and Jane ( Giles ) Wade. The former was lost at sea on his return from California, where he went in 1853, and the latter who survived him many years was widely known and highly esteemed. Her parents were early settlers on English Prairie, and came from Yorkshire, England, in the year 1832.
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John Steinagle, a prominent farmer of Greenfield township, was born in Somerset county, Pa., and came to Indiana in 1853. He was first a resident of Clay county for fifteen years, and then made his home in Kansas two years, where he made his start in finance, after which he returned to Indiana in 1867 and purchased land in this county. Since then he has followed farming and stock-raising here with snecess. He purchased land without im- provements for $40 an acre which will now sell for 875. The con- dition of his farm is a testimonial of his industry and good man- agement. He has given special attention to fruit-raising and has one of the best orchards in the county.
John Whitlock, a popular and enterprising farmer of Green- field township, was born in New York and came to Indiana in 1857, settling in Greenfield at that time. At the outbreak of the war of the rebellion he enlisted in Co. C, 100th Indiana Volunteers, and served in the army three years, two years of that time being en- gaged in the perilons duty of a seont. At the close of the war he came home and in 1871 bought land and engaged in farming. He has met with success and now has 200 acres of land well adapted to general farming. He has given some time to the raising of Jersey cattle and Hambletonian horses, meeting with success in both lines. He has twice filled the office of assessor for his town- ship. He is a firm believer in his home county and holds it second to none in the state for agriculture.
G. F. Hall, an enterprising citizen of Springfield township, is well known as one of the leading farmers of Brushy Prairie, owning about 260 acres in the township of valnable land. He is enterprising and public spirited, and was the owner of the first brick house in the township, built at a cost of over 83,000. His father, William H. Hall, settled on Brushy Prairie in 1835, and subsequently was the owner of over 600 acres in Greenfield town- ship. "G. F. Hall is a native of Clark county, Ohio, born April 12, 1832, and came to this county with his parents in 1835.
Edwin Dyer, one of the pioneers of LaGrange county, was born in Canton township, Hartford county, Connectient, in 1814. At the age of seven years he moved with his parents to Trumbull county, Ohio, where he resided for fifteen years. In the antunm of 1836 he came to this county and purchased the farm on which he now resides, consisting of 160 acres, for which he paid $15 per
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nere. He harvested the first crop of wheat raised on this land. He has improved the land so that it is now one of the hest eulti- vated farms in the county. The buildings cost about three thousand dollars. The wheat erops yield from 20 to 40 bushels per acre. Mr. Dyer was nited in marriage to Marietta Bigelow, October 22. 1857. Mr. Dyer has never taken any active part in polities nor songht public office. He has served as supervisor of roads several terms.
Charles W. Stroud, of Greenfield township, hegan his career as a farmer upon eighty acres of land, first settled, in 1832, hy David Miller. He has since added 100 acres of fertile land to his possessions. He devotes most of his land to the culture of corn and wheat. the yield of the latter averaging over twenty bushels per acre. He also gives considerable attention to fruit enture. Mr. Stroud is one of the leading citizens of his township, influential and respected by all as a man of sound judgment and discretion. He has twice served as trustee of the township, closing his second term in 1891.
Daniel Long, now deceased, was one of the leading farmers of (freenfield township. He was a native of Somerset county, Pa .. and was married in 1860, in Holmes county, Ohio, to Sarah Bear. They settled in Greenfield township, on the 110 acres now owned by his widow, in 1860. To this they added by purchase over 400 Heres at $32 an aere, which is now valued at more than $65 per acre. It is one of the best farms in the county, averaging about 25 bushels of wheat and 55 bushel of corn to the acre. Mr. Long took considerable interest in sheep and cattle raising and hog breeding. and at various times soll stock in $3.000 lots, so extensive was his interests. To fruit raising he also gave attention and established several perch orchards Socially he was generons aud public spirited, and for forty-three years was a member of the German Baptist church. He died September 14. 1889.
E. T. MeCredlie, a leading farmer of Greenfield township, is a native of Canada, of which country he was a citizen nntil at thirty years of age he settled in the township named. He was married to Catharine Blasens, and they have improved the farm owned hy her. and have added thirty acres to it. The farm yields good crops of the usual grains, and besides this Mr. McCredie has given special attention to the breeding of fine stock, especially short horns. He has for several years fed over 300 sheep. Mrs. McCredie gives considerable attention to poultry, raising over 200 chickens a year. They are pleasantly located, are highly esteemed, and can be connted among those who have prospered in agriculture.
A. E. Keagy, postmaster at Greenfield Mills, is well known as an active and influential citizen. He is a native of Ohio, hut has been a resident of Indiana since his fourth year, his home heing first iu Owen county. Thence he came to LaGrange county in 1>74, and engaged in the carpentry trade which had his attention for the ensuing seven years, He has served his township, Green- field. as justice of the peace for eight years, from 1882 to 1890, und was again elected. bnt declined the office. For several years past he has been engaged in farming. His farm is well located, yields good wheat and corn erops, and is well adapted to general agriculture.
Frank R. Smith. son of the late David Smith. deceased, and Eliza J. Smith ( now Mrs. J. F. Clugston ), was born October 20, 1>61. in Bloomfield township. His father was the largest land owner in Clay township at the time of his death. Mr. Frank Smith inherited 160 veres of the home farm. Since the death of his father he has by industry and jndicions management added considerable to his possessions, and is now the owner of 210 acres. His farm is well improved, and the soil is of superior quality. Mr. Smith is largely engaged in purchasing and selling horses. He was nnited in marriage February 15th, 1886 to Miss Ada E. Hen- lerson, daughter of Anthony and Nancy Henderson, of Clearspring township.
Milton Bingham. one of the prominent farmers of Clay town- ship. has been a resident of the county for half a century, and is identified with its wonderful agricultural advancement. He was born in Alleghany county, N. Y .. December 18, 1837, came to LaGrange county with his mother and sister in 1842 and settled on the farm he now occupies. which he assisted in clearing. He was married in 1875 to Elmira. danghter of (. Plank, and they have had five sons and three dangliters.
George Haskins, one of the successful farmers of Greenfield township, is a native of that township, a son of Willis Haskins, a well known citizen. Mr. Haskins has made agriculture his life work, and his intelligent pursuit of this occupation has been rewarded with good returns. His farm of 180 acres, which he has owned for fifteen years, is well kept and fertile. It is well adapted to the culture of wheat and corn, the yield of the first averaging over 20 bushels, and of the latter 35 to 70 bushels per acre. He has also given attention to the raising of short horn eattle which he finds profitable, and also to the raising of sheep. He is an enterprising citizen, and he and family are highly regarded.
Sammel H. Newnam, one of the most prosperons farmers of Springfield township, was born on the farm of which he is now the owner September 17, 1841, and on which he has continuonsly resided. His father, Nicholas B. Newnam, a resident of Maryland. came to this county in 1836 and died in 1876. Mr. Newnam is largely engaged in farming and stock raising, which business he has pursned from early life. He makes a specialty of raising. buying and selling sheep. His farm is well adapted to general farming and is considered one of the best in the county, consisting of 320 acres. Mr. Newuam was united in marriage Dec. 28, 1870. to Miss Emma Faulkner. They have a plensant home to which their many friends always are cordially welcomed. Mr. Newnam was elected to the office of county commissioner in 1886. in 1888 and was elected to a third term in 1892.
Andrew MeCally, of Clay township. was born in Logan county, Ohio, April 19, 1854. and at six months of age, accom- panied his parents to Mongogninong prairie, their first home in this county. He bought the farm he now owns in 1880, which he has improved and made a good property. He was married Nov. 24. 1880, to Anna Gallup, of LaGrange, a native of New York, and a successful teacher in the connty schools. They have two sons and a daughter.
David J. Norris was horn July 1, 1847, in Huntingdon county. Pennsyvania, on his father's farm. He followed farming during his earlier years. His educational advantages heing limited, he acquired his knowle;lge more in the school of experience than otherwise. In 1876 Mr. Norris came to LaGrange county and purchased the farm on which he now resides in Clay township. clearing and improving the greater part thereof himself. He was united in marriage January 6. 1870. to Miss Mary J. Heffner, of Pennsylvania. To them were boru two sons and one daughter. Mr. Norris was elected trustee of Clay township in 1890, and is a capahle and efficient officer. He huilt the first district school honse in the county heated by a furnace. The buikling is a model of beanty and convenience.
Charles A. MeCally, son of Samnel and Elizabeth MeCally was horn in Bloomfield township, LaGrange county, Indiana, June 30, 1858. He was reared on his father's farm and became famil- iar with the various duties of farmer hoys. In the autumn of 1877 he commenced teaching in the district schools, which vocation he followed for several years. Mr. McCally was married to Miss Emma LaRue, of Mongo, in March, 1886. They have one child. born March 26. 1887. At the county convention in May last Mr. McCally was nominated hy his party, on the first ballot, for county treasurer, and was elected to that office in November last.
Frank M. Smith son of James and Sarah Smith, of Greenfield township, was born January 16, 1854, and was brought up on his father's farm, being educated at the district school, the high school at Orland. the LaGrange Collegiate Institute, at Ontario, and was gradnated at Hillsdale college, Michigan, 1873. Mr. Smith has heen engaged in farming since leaving school. He purchased 80 acres of the Spanlding farm in Lima township ahout eight years ago, and now has the Clark farm, making in all 240 acres, a well cultivated and prodnetive farm. Mr. Smith deals largely in live stock, aud feeds annually from 300 to 500 sheep. He was married January 15. 1878, to Angusta, danghter of Elisha Deal, of Spring- field township.
Henry Eshelman, of Johnson township, is a native of the connty, and a representative farmer and stock raiser. His farm is well located, and handsomely improved and is a valnable property. Mr. Eshelman was born in 1851, and was married in March, 1876. to Dilley Seagly, a native of Whitley county, Indiana. They have two children, a son and daughter.
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Frederick A. Bush, a well-known farmer of Lima township, was born in Saxon Weimar, Germany, December 20, 1829. He came to the United States in 1847 and settled in Erie county, Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Bush was united in marriage in 1859 to Miss Sithora Zook, of Erie county, Pennsylvania. They soon afterwards came to LaGrange county and are now residing on their farm about four miles west of Lima village. They have two children, a son and daughter.
Squire Beach, of Clay township, is a native of the county, born in 1854, and was reared to the occupation, farming, which he has ever since successfully followed. Mr. Beach was married in 1875. to Mary E., daughter of Samuel and Sarah Garmire, and they have one danghter, Grace ..
Eden Craig, of Eden township, was born on the family home- stead February 14, 1869. His father, a native of Ireland, came to Canada when three years old, and thence to Ohio, where he married Jane Thompson, and they came to this county in 1854. ('ircumstances deprived Edeu of much school advantages but his native intelligence and wide reading has well equipped him for life. In the fall of 1892 he engaged in the manufacture and sale of road carts, becoming president of the Keasey cart works com- pamny, of Ligonier.
Pliny E. Hudson, trustee of Lima township is as on of Isaac and Sarah A. Hudson, natives of the state of New York. He was born in Wayne county New York, January 31st, 1852. and came with his parents in 1851 to Lima township. His father purchased the Thompson aud West farm, one mile east of Lima, afterwards adding forty acres of farm land adjoining. Mr. Hudsou has followed farming and stock raising the most of his life, and devotes much attention to buying and feeding sheep. He was elected trustee of Lima township in 1888, and was re-elected in 1890. He and his mother own the homestead farm where they now reside, and have also 80 acres of land in Clay township. He was married Dec. 26, 1882, to Gertrude, daughter of William and Sarah Walker. of Lima township. They have three children.
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