USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Illustrated Atlas and Columbian Souvenir of LaGrange County, Indiana. > Part 15
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Prominent auroug the early settlers of La Grange county was Ralph P. Herbert, boru in Fayette county, Pa., December 11th. 1812. When a boy of eight or uiue years he moved with his parents to Richland county. Ohio, aud thence in 1835 to Lima township. November 25th, 1841. he was married to Sarah, daugh- ter of Jolin Mckinlay. Four children were horn to this union,
Catherine A., wife of R. L. Gibson, John E., deceased. Henry M. and Elizabeth, deceased. Mr. Herbert became a resideut of Clay township, npou a farm adjoining the towu limits, in 1854, and lived there uutil 1886, when he built a fine brick residence in LaGrange. He was a mau of sterling integrity, frugal and industrions in hab- its, and amassed a considerable fortune. He and R. S. Hubbard founded the first bauk in LaGrange in 1872, and in 1874 he became a stockholder in the First National Bauk. His death death ocenr- red April 11, 1892.
E. A. Robinsou, of LaGrange, is a native of the state of New York. Removing to Pennsylvania, he was engaged several years as telegraph operator and agent for the N. Y. L. E. & W. railroad company. Since 1886 he has been a resident of LiGrauge, having beeu married in 1880 to Hattie L., daughter of David and Eliza Smith, of Clay township. Mr. Robiuson has established the La- Grauge Stock Farm, aud is breeding standard-bred trotting horses of the most fashionable families, viz:
Electioneer. 125; Nutwood, 2:183; George Wilkes, 2:22; Mam- brino Patcheu, 58; Almont, 33; Pilot, Jr, 12. etc. The following horses are upon the farm:
La Norval, 16056, by Norral, 2:14%, son of Electioneer, 125, dam Andacity by Onward. 2:2516, 2nd dam, Laura S. (um of Prebule 2:2846 ), by Almont 33, 3d dlain by Black Rat, 4th dam by Mambro Chief, il, 5th dam Leda, damn of Fulgina, 226, by Vermont, 6th dam by Commodore. Shoshone 10405, by Mohlean Gos, sou of Hambletonian 10, dam, Gossip (dam uf Altus 2:30) by Mambrino Patchen 58, 2ud dam, Preceptress (g dam of Tribune 2:25'4), by C. M. Clay, Jr., 22. 3d dam by Bertrand. Wixwood 20005, by Edgewood sor9, son of Nutwood 2: Ist; dam Bay Dixle (dam of Monitor Chilppy 2:27), Monierat 2272, by Abdallah, Jr, 5720; 200 lam, Dixie 2:30 (dam of Dixle Sprague 2:2544) by Pilot, Jr. 12 3d dam. Jennie Lind (dawn of Tackey 2,26. Dixie 9:30 and g dain of Pilot Medium 1597), by Bellefounder. The brood mares are standard bred by Wayne Wilkes 2:16, Grand Seutivel #:2744. Vacher 1502, etc. Town sta- bles on Central avenue, near school millding, LaGrange, Farm, 24 inlles northwest, In Clay township.
Gown of Lima.
HE oldest town in LaGrange county is Lima. Here on the north bank of Pigeou river, a tributary of St. Joseph "du Lac," ou the southwestern verge of a beautiful prairie, two civilizations have had their homes. Loug before the New Englanders came the Pottawotamies had here their village of bark and skins, which they called Mougoquinong. a uame that survives as the title of the prairie. This village had ceased to he important before the New Englanders came, and small bands of red men were scattered along the river, who remoined to trade and huut until 1839. About 1833 the preseut uame of the town was adopted. Its early settlers. whose descendauts are some here, some scattered among the cities of the land, still influence the character of the town, making it a New England home in a westeru prairie. Old residences hallowed by family traditions and romance, are here, and avenues of old shade trees religiously preserved. Elbowing the old homes are beautiful moderu residences. furnished lavishly, for wealth is one of the failings of Lima. Handsomely kept stores, in neat brick blocks, do a thriving trade. One of the leading insti- tutions is the Lima manufacturing company, organized with local capital, of which W. E. Robinson, G. W. Libey, Charles G. Nichols formerly and now his sons, are the moving spirits. It has a large manufacturing plant and sells the best of wind mills, the "Queeu," through all 'parts of the United States. Here too is a fine High School. aud the Howe Grammar school. The most beautiful prairie, river aud lake scenery surrounds Lima.
The Howe Grammar school was opened in September. 1884. under the rectorship of Rev. C. N. Spalding. D. D., late Rector at Lancaster. Pa. Thirteen acres in Lima had been bequeathed it by Jolin B. Howe, and a fund of $10.000 for boys who studied for the ministry. The site of the school was upon four acres donated by Mrs. Howe aud six acres purchased by Bishop Knickerbacker, and money was raised in the town and county to assist in building. Beginning in a residence, new buildings were added from year to year notil a large group of fine buildings are standing. The latest new building of three stories. heated by steam as is all the group. as called Howe Hall, which is coming to be the popular uame for the school A great bell was donated by James B. Howe, a library
by Mrs. Charles Nichols aud her sister Mrs. Gunther, of Chicago. S. P. Williams has donated spacious grounds for games, Bishop Knickerhacker has established a pleasure ground and resort at Twin Lakes known as Bishopthorpe, and the kindness of Mrs. Howe aud Mr. James B. Howe constantly assists the school. It is now beyond its early days of doubt and is au assured success. Dr. Spalding. in whose hands the enterprise has grown so surely, is an experienced educator. of scholarly attainments, of great influence for good.
Foremost among the citizens whom LaGrange county has lost in the past half century, is the Hon. John B. Howe, born at Boston, March 3. 1813. died at Lima, January 22. 1883. He was the son of Rev. James B. Howe, a graduate of Harvard, aud of Sarah Badlam Howe, daughter of General Badlam, distinguished in the Revolutionary war. He entered Trinity college at 16 and graduated at the age of 19 years, and then came west to the little settlement of eastern people at Lima. Here in the winter of 1833 he studied law and tanght school in a log cabin. After practicing law several years with success, he and Samuel P. Williams and others founded the LaGrange Bank at Lima, and he subsequently continued in banking, acquiring large interests elsewhere in banks and varions corporate institutious. He represented Northeastern Indiana in the legislature of 1841 and in 1850 was a leading meu- ber of the state constitutional convention. In his later years he studied deeply in finance, visiting Europe aud exhausting many sources of information. His results were embodied in several books and pamphlets, now standard authorities, "Political Econo- my of Great Britain, the United States and France," "Monetary and Industrial Fallacies," " Monometalism and Bi-Metalism." "The Common Sense of Money," cte., embodying a complete theory of finance, which . the popular methods are gradually approaching. He was married in 1846 to Miss Frances Glidden, of New Hampshire, who survives. For her he built his magnifi- cent residence at Lima, which becomes eventually the property of the Episcopal church. He and his brother James B. Howe almost eutirely built the St. Marks church at Lima. He donated $2,500 toward the Public School at Lima. Through his bequest was
Portrait and View of Late Residence of Hon. John B. Howe.
Q
Samuel Burnell and Wife.
Chas. G. Nichols.
Burnell Vault Lima Cemetery.
Late Residence of Chas. G. Nichols.
108.
TOWN OF LIMA.
founded the Howe Grammar School. Other munificent gifts per- petnate his memory. He was a devoted member of the Episcopal church. At his death he left living two half- brothers, Rt. Rev. W. B. W. Howe, Bishop of South Carolina, and James B. Howe, of Lima. It was aptly said of him, at his funeral, "The one quality, indeed supreme and most admirable, which penetrated all he did and said, was his Christian manliness, so frne, so brave and gentle; with such grand scorn for all things scoruful; with such hearty praise for all things honorable; with such ready help for all in need; with such tender pity for all in distress; in heart and life a man of God."
Samuel Burnell, farmer and banker, late of Lima, was born December 24, 1809. in Yorkshire, England, the son of William and Aun ( Haller ) Burnell. He came to America ia 1829, and was joined at White Pigeon in 1830 by his father and family. William Burnell settled at that town and died there in 1837, followed by his widow three years later. Young Samuel Burnell turned at once to the opportunities of the new country. In 1831 he pre- empted 160 acres on English Prairie and began tilling it. Next year he located 160 acres more, and both tracts he continued to owu, and for twenty-five years occupied as his homestead, with the exception of two ( 1836-37) spent as a contractor at Milwaukee. In 1858, with S. P. Williams, John B. and James B. Howe and others he organized the Indiana State bank at Lima, which was afterward chartered as a National Bank, and still later made a private institu- tion with Mr. Burnell, the Howe brothers and S. P. Williams as sole owners. It was and is famed as one of the most substantial
banks of Indiana. He was also a director of the First National bank of Sturgis, and engaged extensively iu real estate transac- tions. In 1862 he removed to Lima, subsequently his home, and thereafter took more leisure, devoting some time to travel in this country, England and France. His career was remarkable. Land- ing in New York with 826, he lived to gain great wealth. Settling in an uninhabited land, he lived to see it under the complete dominion of civilization. He was married April 4, 1839, to Mary Mason, of English Prairie, a warm hearted and benevolent lady. Their children are Ella, widow of C. G. Nichols, born May 8, 1840; Jolin, born April 20, 1842; and Jennie, wife of C. F. Gunther, of ('hiengo, born September 1, 1849. Mr. Burnell died Jannary 7, 1889, his wife having passed away in the April preceding.
A name prominent in the history of Lima is that of Charles (. Nichols, one of a family identified with the early history of the coanty. He was a son of Drnsus and Rebecca ( Graves) Nichols, who not long after their marriage in Connecticut removed to this county. Among those who were instrumental in laying the fouu- (ation of the Protestant Episcopal church in Connecticut, and .pastor of the same church fifty years, was the Rev. John Beach, grandfather of Drusns Nichols. Drusus Nichols operated the Mongo mill from 1834 to 1836, at one time owned a commission house in Fort Wayne and promoted the building of the Fort Wayne plank road. Charles G. was born in Litchfield county, Conn., September 13, 1835, and was educated there. He engaged in farming in Greenfield township until 1880 when he moved to Lima. In partnership with George Libey he conducted the foundry, and he was prominent in the establishment of the Lima manufacturing company, of which he was a stockholder and officer. and a warm friend of the Howe Grammar school. His home just east of Lima. elsewhere illustrated, is one of the best in the county, and is now occupied by his widow and children. He was married June 21, 1860, to Elleu, daughter of Samuel Burnell, an l six children were born to them, Drusus (deceased ), Mary. Charles S., Simnel B .. F. Morse and Gunther. Mr. Nichols died suddenly July 21st, 1890, and so lovable was his character that his funeral was memorable among such occasions of sadness.
S. B. McManus, who resides upon a farm near Lima, is the senator elect of LaGrange and Stenben counties for the general assemblies of 1893 and 1895. He was in former years connected with the press of Fort Wayne and other cities, and contributes to several leading papers and magazines. In poetry of child life and pastoral nature he ranks high. His ballad, "Papa, Fot will you T'ake for Me," has been sung to many thousands of people by the famons Chaplain MeCabe, the Methodist "million dollar raiser." He is a worthy member of the literary fraternity LaGrange county claims, which includes such illustrious names as Johu B. Howe and John McGovern.
Samnel P. Williams, of Lima, is widely known as one of the ablest financiers of the northern Indiana and southern Michigan region. He is a pioneer of this region, having come to White Pigeou from Lebanon, Conn., his native place, in 1832, being theu seventeen years of age. He then came to Lima and founded a famous general store, one of the largest ever kept in the connty. About that time he purchased 160 acres of land, part of which became an addition to Lima. From 1848 to 1855 he also owned a brauch store at MeDonough, Ill. He was one of the founders of the first bank at Lima, contributed largely toward the building of the Grand Rapids and Indiana railroad, founded a female semi- uary at Lima, has dealt largely in real estate, and has large bank- ing interests in several towns in this region. He has taken a valuable part in political life. was at the treaty of Fort Dearborn now Chicago, iu 1833, was a delegate to the River aud Harbor convention at Chicago in 1847, was representative in the state legislature in 1857, and was delegate to two Republican national conventions. In many ways he has been public spiritel and generons. For many years he has been one of the trustees of Wabash college; to which he recently made a donation of $20,000. He was married in 1843 to Miss Jane Hume, and five children were born to them.
William H. Duff, one of the leading young men of the county, and well known as an educator, was elected in November. 1892, to the responsible office of Clerk of the Circuit Court. Mr. Duff was born December 26, 1852, at Rochester, N. Y., and lived in that state until 1872. when he moved with his parents to this county. settling in Greenfield township. During eighteen years he has been a teacher in the county schools and for the past eleven years has been the principal of the Lima school. Mr. Duff was married March 30, 1876, to Harriet M. Keith, of Lima, and they have two sons and two danghters.
O. P. McKee. proprietor of the Lima lumber yard. and well known throughout the county as a successful business man and enterprising citizen, was born in Montour conuty, Penn., Septem- ber 1, 1846. where he was reared upon a farm to the age of nine- teen years, when he accompanied his parents to Lima. He subse- quently took a trip through the west. and returned to Lima in 1873. Engaging in the contract trade in 1883 he added the Inmber yard, and is now doing an extensive business. Mr. McKee is a carpenter by trade, and has followed the business successfully at different places. He was married November 24, 1874, to Mary A. Smith, of Lima, and they have two children, Ray and Harold.
One of the best known livery men in Northern Indiana is Frank C. Abbott, who has been engaged in the business here since 1874. He has a well-equipped stable, and is a favorite with the traveling public, and popular with all. Mr. Abbott was born March 29. 1835, at Columbus, Ohio, and resided at Detroit and Cleveland until 1851 when he moved to Buffalo, where he began the trade of machinist in the Buffalo locomotive works. For some time he was an engineer on a branch of the New York and Eric railroad. In 1871 he settled at Orland and took charge of the old stage and mail route between that place and Bronson. Mich. Mr. Abbott wais married in February, 1858, to Elsie A. Dunlap. of Bethel, Mich. They have two sons, hoth practicing physicians.
Sammel E. Kimmel, of Lima, son of John Kimmel and Catha- rine Kimmel, natives of Erie county, Pennsylvania, was born in Erie county. September 6. 1861. He came with his parents to LaGrange county abont 27 years ago. He has principally been engaged in farming from early life. In Angust last he purchased the livery business of Silas Hardesty. at Lima. in which he is at prosent engaged.
Jacob Yeagla, a leading business mau, is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Yearla. deceased. natives of Germany, who came to Erie vonnty. Pennsylvania, where their son Jacob was born February 6. 1838. Mr. Yeagla enlisted September 15. 1861, in Co. C, 111th Pennsylvania Reg. Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Atlanta, Georgia, May, 1864. he was shot through the right log, which was afterwards amputated. He was honorably discharged February 8. 1865. Mr. Yeagla was married in Erie county, Penn., to Mary Wood, by whom he has one son. A. L., living at Lima. Mrs. Yeagla died in 1876. Mr. Yeagla held the office of treasurer of
,10-1
TOWN OF LIMA.
Erie county oue term. He came to Lima iu 1878, and engaged in the hardware business, in which he is at present engaged. Mr. Yeagla's preseut wife was Miss Ella Crane, whom he married at. Lima iu 1879. They have oue danghter.
Prominent in the medical profession of Northern Indiana is George H. Dayton, M. D., of Lima. He has practiced medicine iu this county since 1846, in which year he located at Ontario, then a promising town. In 1879 he made his home at Lima, and has np to this time continued his practice, which has a wide field.
as the doctor is extensively known as a skillful physician. He received a thorough literary education in the University of New York, and after the study of medicine under the eminent Dr. Valentine Mott he was gradnated in his profession. He was born at Newark, N. J., January 15, 1824, the ouly son of George C. Dayton, a desceudant of Ralph Daytou, who came to this country from Eng- land in 1673. The family is a distinguished one in the history of the conntry. Dr. Dayton was married to Louisa Thompson September 20, 1864. They have two children, George and Mary.
Wolcottville ..
OLCOTTVILLE may be said to have been founded by George Wolcott, Philo Taylor aud L. L. Wiklman. Mr. Wolcott established the willing interests, and about all the industries that were available, besides. Mr. Taylor was a farmer who worked in many ways for the advancement of the settlement. Wolcott established the first store about 1839; the second was started by Mr. Wildman, who has been prominent in connection with the business interests siuce. Notably associated with business are (). B. Taylor, H. L. Taylor and O. L. Woodruff, in the earlier days. For several years past the burdeu has been upon other shoulders, and the men of today are not wanting in the push and enterprise necessary to give Wolcottville a uew birth as a railroad town. 1n 1892 the Detroit and Chicago Short Line of the Wabash system was constructed through Wolcottville, and the road has built spacions depots aud sidings to accommodate an expected
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large traffic. This and the Grand Rapids and Indiana railroad give Wolcottville splendid railroad facilities. The lumber and siw mill establishment of Yeager & Son is one of the largest in the region. Onr illustration catches only a glimpse of it. Re- eently the foundry of Morel & Son was established as a forerunner of development. A creamery recently built, burned and rebuilt, is helping in the work. A large number of thriving retail stores are in operation. The town has a good water power in the npper Elkhart river. now used by the flouring mill. Beautiful lake scenery surrounds the place. To the south is the famous summer resort, Island Park, and a short distance west one may start on a boat voyage of several miles through varied lake scenery. The society and social institutions of the town are of the best.
Philo Taylor was born in Connecticut in 1796. His wife. Orabell ( Harmon ) Taylor, was born in Vermont in 1795. They were married November 22. 1818, in Lawrence county, Ohio, The father of Philo was a native of England. who came to the colonies abont the time of the revolutionary war. Philo learned the car- penter's trade and moved to Lawrence county, Ohio, where for six years he was employed as a mill wright. He then moved to Portage county. and ten years later located at Wolcottville, pur- chasing 320 acres of land. and becoming one of the early settlers of Wolcottville. He was awarded many positions of honor, serv. ing one term as county commissioner. Socially he was a leader and he was prominent in the Baptist church. He died February 16. 1876, his wife having passed away June 13, 1856. As he was in his later days a portrait upon another page illustrates. The children of this venerated conple are Sylvester (deceased ), Vanor- ris R., who resides in the Noble county side of Wolcottville, and
has served his connty in the legislature, O. B., Louisa M., else- where spoken of, William (deceased ), and Heury L.
Henry L. Taylor, now a prominent citizen of Wolcottville. was born iu Portage county, Ohio, December 1, 1835. In 1867 he built a store in Wolcottville and engaged in business with O. B. Taylor, who sold his interest two years later to O. L. Woodruff. The litter partnership continued six years, when he engaged in the grain trade, with which he was occupied until 1889, building the new elevator in 1871. He has always been influential in public affairs, is active in the Baptist church, has been superintendent of the Sunday school fourteen years, is a member of the 1. O.O. F., is an officer of the Island Park Assembly, and has served as commis- sioner for the southern district for LaGrange county since 1882. He was married April 19, 1860, to Jane Nicholson, who died September 7, 1861. His present wife is Eliza J. Stevenson, daugh- ter of Martin L. and Laura A. Stevenson, born April 3, 1843, in Villanova, Chautanqna county. N. Y. They have three children. Charles H .. Archie S., and Ruth.
Prominent among the institutions of Wolcottville and of the county is Wildman's Exchange Bank. founded by Levi L. Wild. man in 1873. Levi L. Wildman, a native of Litchfield county, Conn., boru Jaunary 25, 1821, accompanied his parents to this county in 1838, aud was reared awid the privations of pioneer life on a farm one mile uorth of Wolcottville. He was educated at the Institute at Ontario, and taught school several years before em- barking iu the mercantile business. He was iu business at Wright's Corners, Rome City, South Milford, Kendallville, and came to Wolcottville in 1849 and continued in the mercantile business until 1866, and succeeded iu all his ventures. Before opening his bank at Wolcottville he was a stockholder and director of the First National Bank at LaGrange. He was a man of earnest convic- tions, strength of character, aud uprightuess. In 1858 he was elected representative in the General Assembly, aud again received that honor in 1884. Of the Baptist church he was a faithful mem- ber aud a generous supporter. Mr. Wikhan was married Deceni- ber 31, 1831, to Lonisa M., daughter of Philo and Orabel ( Kent ) Taylor. She was born June 13, 1829, at Brimfield, Ohio. When four years of age she was taken to Panlet, Vt., to live with her grandparents until 15 years of age. Her parents meanwhile had made a home at Wolcottville, where she came in October, 1844. She received her education at the Ontario institute aud at Fort Wayue college. She has been active in church work, acting as president of the W. C. T. U. and the W. F. M. S. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs, Wildman were born four children, Angeline G .. (Eva O. and William W., deceased ), and Herbert H. Mr. Wild- man died July 12. 1892.
Herbert H. Wildman, uow conducting the bank, was born April 5, 1860, at Wolcottville. On reaching manhood he engaged in the grocery business. Soon after he aud W. E. Yeager put in a general stock. Three years later he purchased the business and after continuing one year sold it to O. L. Hall. He entered the banking business with his father in JJune, 1884, and in the fall of that year they built the bank building. At the death of his father the bank was bequeathed to him. He was married May 26, 1878, to Minnie C., daughter of Firman W. and Cynthia A. Parks, and they have four children.
0
Hon. Levi L. Wildman.
Mrs. Louisa M. Wildman.
Late Residence of L. L. Wildman, and Exchange Bank, Wolcottville.
105. 4
TOWN OF WOLCOTTVILLE.
O. B. Taylor, who was born in Portage county, Ohio, in 1827, began his business career as a clerk for Wildman & Taylor, then went into business at South Milford in 1852. Subsequently he went into business at Wolcottville with Mr. Wildman as a partner, and in 1867 became a partner of his brother H. L., and finally a partner of O. L. Woodruff. His career was eminently snecesstul. In 1878 Mr. Taylor was elected representative of LaGrange county in the legislature, and re-elected, being instrumental in the passage of the drainage law. He moved to Tulare, California, in 1885. He was married to Catherine, danghter of Francis Henry. She died in California in 1889, and his son Frank in 1891. He has living one son, Albert H., a physician at San Francisco.
One of the foremost industries of LaGrange county is the lumber mill of A. R. Yeager & Son, Wolcottville. The mill is completely equipped in every respect for a large business, and the extensive buildings are illustrated on another page of this work. The firm was established in 1883, but Mr. A. R. Yeager has been engaged in the milling business for a much longer period. Andrew R. Yeager, whose name is familiar in the history of Wolcottville, was born in Lancaster county, Pa. His parents were farmers, and when he was eighteen months old the family removed to Portage county, Ohio, and resided at various places in Ohio until they came to Wolcottville, February 15, 1844. At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Yeager engaged in the saw and grist mill business, in which he has passed a successful life, e irning prosperity and the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. During the last four years the firm has been extensively engaged in contracting and building in LaGrange and Noble connties. Mr. Yeiger was married July 18, 1854, to Rebecca M. Stroman, who died Decem- ber 18, 1858. March 10, 1861, he was married to Francis Shanower, of Wolcottville. Four children are living, Edwin, Dora A., Johu H. and Lorna.
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