USA > Indiana > Memorial record of northeastern Indiana > Part 46
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Dr. White was born in Richland county, Ohio, August 30, 1830, and is a son of William and Eliza Ann (Dodge) White. The family on the paternal side is of English origin. The grandfather, Ben- jamin White, was born in Connecticut, and his family numbered the following members, namely: William, Benjamin, Isaac, Harlo, Ephraim, Solomon and Elmira. The daughter became the wife of Thomas Gris- sell. Solomon is now living in Portland, Indiana, and Ephraim also became a resi- dent of this State, his death occurring in Jay county.
The Doctor's father was a native of Con- necticut, born in 1800, but was reared in the Buckeye State, and there met and mar- ried Miss Dodge, whose birth occurred in Ohio. They became the parents of four
children: Thomas Townsend, the eldest, born in 1826, married Elizabeth Patterson, of Elkhart, Indiana, and afterward removed with his wife and children to Emporia, Kansas, where he served as Marshal. His death occurred there in 1885. William Webster, born in 1828, removed to Adair county, lowa, where for many years he fol- lowed farming, being thus engaged at the time of his death in the autumn of 1891. He married Alvinia Hewitt, of Ohio, and their children were Louisa, Daniel, Robert, Lincoln, Maggie, Alice, Thomas, Emma, John, Nora and Mary. Elizabeth Ann, born in 1832, is the wife of Jonathan Bene- dict, a resident of Delaware county, Ohio, and her children are Celia, Flora, Ida, Ella, Letitia, and William, deceased.
In 1837, William White removed with his family to Jay county, Indiana, locating in Penn township, and made the first kiln of brick in the county, but he was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, his death occurring in 1840, after which his widow returned with her children to Ohio.
The Doctor spent the greater part of his childhood and youth in Delaware and Morrow counties, of his native State, and acquired his elementary education in the common schools of the neighborhood, after which he entered Oberlin College, of Ober- lin, Ohio, where he pursued his studies for two years. In the meantime he had re- solved to engage in a professional career and took up the study of medicine under the direction of his uncle, Dr. Timothy White. Subsequently he studied under Dr. S. A. Thomas, of Camden, Jay county, Indiana. In 1850 he returned to this State, spending one year in Elkhart county. The succeed- ing two years were passed in Michigan, after which he again came to Elkhart county,
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and once more went to his native State. After studying with Dr. Thomas he located in Montpelier, in the spring of 1856, where he practiced medicine until 1858, at which time he removed to Jerome, Howard coun- ty, Indiana. Since 1863, however, he has resided continuously in Montpelier and suc- cessfully engaged in practice as a member of the Eclectic school of medicine. Being well skilled in the knowledge of his chosen profession, he has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice; and in many homes, not only in Blackford but in Jay and Wells counties also, the name of Dr. White has become a household term.
On the 26th of March, 1857, was cele- brated the marriage of the Doctor and Miss Ellen Briscoe, who was born in Canada June, 30, 1830, a daughter of Henry Briscoe, who during her girlhood removed with her father's family to Rochester, New York. To Dr and Mrs. White have been born two children, but the elder, Alonzo Perry, born February 13, 1871, died March 2, 1874. Lindoll Ellis, born January 30, 1875, formerly pursued a course in the Valparaiso Normal School, then continued his studies in Ada, Ohio, where he took a degree on the completion of the chem- istry and pharmacy course. He is now con- tinuing his studies and also teaching Latin in the Bennett Medical College of Chicago. The Doctor and his wife also have an adopted daughter, Era Azelia White, who was born January 8, 1883.
As before stated the Doctor has been in- terested in various business enterprises of Montpelier. In connection with L. L. How- ard he established a furniture store under the firm name of Howard & White. This was done principally to furnish employment for his son, who took charge of the business in the Doctor's place. The latter also was
connected with the shoe trade, his partner being Roford Hoffer. The firm of White & Hoffer existed for a year, when the Doctor bought out his partner, continuing the busi- ness alone until he disposed of the stock to J. E. Nelson. He was one of the organiz- ers of the Montpelier Gas & Mining Com- pany, which leased about 300 acres of land and now has two oil-producing and twelve gas wells. From the beginning he has served as president of the company. He has also platted two additions to the city, containing two acres each, known as White's first and second additions to Mont- pelier. He was formerly the owner of a fine farm of 100 acres lying adjacent to the city, on which was a beautiful residence, sur- rounded by shade and ornamental trees and good outbuildings and an orchard. This, however, he has recently sold. Through his well directed business efforts he has ac- quired a handsome competency and has ju- diciously invested this in paying property. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, is now connected with the Odd Fel- lows Lodge of Montpelier, and in politics is identified with the People's party.
ON. J. S. SCHRADER, one of the enterprising farmers of Whitley county, and a prominent citizen, was born in 1853, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John and Henrietta (Smith) Schrader, who came from Pennsylvania to Columbia City, Indi- ana, in 1862. They settled on a farm on section 36, Columbia township, and trans- formed the wild land into a richly improved farm. The father was a native of Germany, and the mother of Pennsylvania. They died
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leaving a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters.
The gentleman whose name heads this record was a child of nine summers when with his parents he came to this county. His education was acquired in the district schools, and at the age of eighteen he left the parental roof to make his own way in the world. Going to Illinois, he worked in McLean county for two years, and then re- turned to Whitley county, where he was employed at threshing and other farm work until his marriage.
In 1877 Mr. Schrader was united in matrimony with Miss Hettie A. Bordner, a native of Stark county, Ohio, and a daugh- ter of William Bordner, a leading farmer of Columbia township. Five children have come to bless this union, four of whom are yet living, namely: Orville, Elmer, Frances and Alice. Melvin, the third child, is de- ceased.
Upon his marriage, Mr. Schrader pur- chased forty acres of land on section 26, Columbia township, and subsequently bought of his father an additional forty acres on section 36. Twelve years ago he located upon his present farm, where he now has ninety-three acres of valuable land, the greater part cleared and under a high state of cultivation. The well tilled fields and good improvements make the place one of the best farms in the locality, and the owner is justly ranked among the leading agricul- turists of Whitley county.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Schrader are mem- bers of the Reformed Church, and he has served as its secretary. He has also been School Director of his district, and takes a deep and commendable interest in every- thing pertaining to the educational, social or moral welfare of the community. He is
a member of the Farmers' Alliance, was President of the local Alliance, has been President of the county Alliance since its organization, and for two years was Treas- urer of the State Alliance. He is a pro- gressive man, actively interested in all that will prove of benefit to the farming com- munity. In politics he is a Democrat, -a warm advocate of the principles of his party. He has twice served as delegate to the State conventions, and in 1892 was elected to represent his district in the State Legislature, in which he served as chairman of the drainage committee. His life has been well and worthily passed, and those who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his stanchest friends, -a fact which indicates an honorable career and one worthy of emulation.
A ARON HYRE .- The prosperity of a nation is largely due to the farm- ing class, especially to the intelli- gent and enterprising agriculturists. To this class belongs our subject, one of the most highly esteemed residents of Wash- ington township, Whitley county, Indiana. His father, Wesley Hyre, was a native of North Carolina, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Susannah Van Schoik, was a native of Kentucky. Their marriage was celebrated in Montgomery county, Ohio, after which they located on the old Hyre homestead in that locality which Wesley Hyre purchased from the other heirs. He continued its cultivation until 1849,-the year of his arrival in Whitley county. He located on section 12, Thorn Creek town- ship, where he made a permanent home and improved a good farm. His death occurred in 1890, and his wife died in 1881, their
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remains being interred in Round Lake Ceme- tery. Both were members of the German Baptist Church and the father took a very prominent and important part in church work. In the family were thirteen children, six of whom are now living, namely: Mrs. Sarah Pence, Aaron, Leonard, Joseph, Wes- ley and Mrs. Martha Hamberger. One son, Davis, served as a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, as a member of the Seventeenth Indiana Infantry, and was killed while on a foraging expedition.
Aaron Hyre, the eldest surviving son, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, on the 25th of July, 1830. The school priv- ileges which he received were only those afforded in the neighborhood and his educa- tion was limited. He worked on a farm, clearing and cultivating the land, and was also employed in a sawmill. Thus he got a start in life. He has always been indus- trious and persevering, and the success that has come to him is the reward of his own labors.
As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey Mr. Hyre chose Miss Catherine Egolf, the wedding being celebrated in June, 1853. The lady is a native of Fair- field, Ohio, and a daughter of Josepn Egolf, one of the pioneers of Whitley county, who on his arrival took up his residence in Thorn Creek township. The young couple took up their residence upon his father's farm and lived there until Mr. Hyre purchased a tract of wooded land in Thorn Creek town- ship. He cut away the trees, plowed and planted the ground and in course of time abundant harvests were garnered. When he had continued its development for some years he sold out, and in September, 1882, moved to his present farm, then but par- tially improved, and through his labors it has
been placed under its present high state of cultivation. It is to-day one of the finest farms in the township, comprising 150 acres of rich and arable land, of which 104 acres have been reclaimed from the state of nature and transformed into fertile and productive fields.
Mr. and Mrs. Hyre are the parents of three living children and have lost two. Those who still abide are Amanda, wife of James Coulter, of Thorn Creek township, by whom she has two children; Alonzo, who married Loretta Kauffman and with his three children resides on the old home place; and Araminda. The children were provid- ed with good educational privileges and thus fitted for the practical and responsible duties of life.
Mr. Hyre is a Republican, but has never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests. He has conducted his affairs in a methodical and systematic manner and his good man- agement, his enterprise and perseverance have been the means of bringing to him a deserved competence, and he is now num- bered among the substantial citizens of the community.
K. STRONG, of Columbia City, is one of the younger members of the bar of northeastern Indiana but is rapidly winning a place in the fore- mnost rank among the leading practitioners in this section of the State. He was born in Whitley county, October 10, 1865, a son of Ephraim and Eleanor (Kyler) Strong, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. The father came to Whitley county in 1837 and the mother in 1836. In his younger
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years the father carried on stock-raising and farming to a large extent, but engaged in merchandising in the latter part of his life. His death occurred in 1888, after more than fifty years' residence in this county, the growth and development of which he had witnessed, bearing his part in the work of progress and upbuilding. He was twice married and had a family of nine children, of whom E. K. Strong is the youngest : Sev- en are now living.
This gentleman was only four years of age when he removed with his parents to Columbia City, where he was educated, in the high school, graduating in the class of 1884. He taught school one winter and then took up the study of law in the office of Judge Adair, for which his tastes and in- clinations fitted him. After pursuing a thorough course he was admitted to the bar, in 1887, and was admitted to partnership, by the Hon. Judge J. W. Adair. This con- nection continued until 1889, when the Judge was elected to the bench, since which time Mr. Strong has been alone in business. He has built up a lucrative practice and his liberal clientage is a just tribute to his mer- its. He is a close student, very familiar with all legal authorities, and his abilities, both natural and acquired, have given him a prominence that many an older practitioner might well envy. He recognizes the fact that success is achieved through earnest la- bor, and therefore fully masters any case with which he is connected, fortifying the strong and protecting the weak points in his side of the argument and quick to notice the assailable points in the opponent's plea.
In 1891 Mr. Strong led to the marriage altar Miss Jessie Adair, daughter of Judge Adair, and they now have one child, Robin Adair Strong. Mrs. Strong is a member of
the Lutheran Church and an intelligent, cul- tured lady, who presides with grace over her home, which is noted for its hospitality. Both Mr. and Mrs. Strong occupy a high po- sition in social circles in Columbia City.
In his political views Mr. Strong is a stalwart Democrat, and for four years served as Deputy County Surveyor of Whitley county, while for six years he has been City Civil Engineer. He holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, having taken the Knight Templar and Scottish Rite degrees; and also belongs to the Knights of the Mac- cabees. He is a genial, affable gentleman, of pleasing address, and in the community where his entire life has been passed he is held in the highest regard. His many friends are familiar with his career from his early childhood, and his honorable, straight-for- ward life merits their confidence and esteem.
? ILLIAM WALKER, a representa- tive of the farming interests of Whitley county, living on section 14, Union township, is of Irish lineage. His father, George Walker, was a native of Londonderry, Ireland, and when sixteen years of age he crossed the Atlantic to America. For a time he then engaged in teaming over the mountains, and subse- quently made a location in Richland county, Ohio. In the Buckeye State he married Ruth Park, a native of the same county in Ireland and a daughter of William Park, one of the pioneer settlers of Richland county, where he made his home until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Walker resided upon a farm in that locality until the autumn of 1838, when they emigrated to Whitley county, Indiana, then a sparsely settled region, the land all being wild, while in the forests were
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all kinds of wild game native of this region, and the Indians were frequently seen calling at the homes of the settlers. Mr. Walker made a claim and at once began the devel- opment of a farm, for not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon his land. He at first erected a log cabin, which some years later was replaced by a substantial frame residence, this being the first frame building in the township. An active and useful life well spent won him the respect of all who knew him. He was a well educated man and wrote a beautiful hand, but in man- ner was unpretentious and retiring. He was also public-spirited and progressive, taking a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community. In politics he was a Democrat until the breaking out of the late war, when he joined the ranks of the Republican party. He served as trus- tee of his township, and was also township Treasurer. He was a Deacon in the Pres- byterian Church, of which both he and his wife were faithful members.
Mr. Walker died in May, 1867, and his wife passed away September 11, 1854. This worthy couple were the parents of seven children, but our subject is now the only surviving member of the family, although three grew to mature years. Matthew P. married Margaret Ann Thompson, now de- ceased, and they had one child. He was killed by a threshing machine. Mary Ann became the wife of J. L. Frost.
county, where in the district schools of the neighborhood he began his education. His playmates were frequently the little Indian boys, and he early became familiar with the experiences and hardships of life on the frontier. He was reared to manhood upon his father's farm and is now the oldest resi- dent of Union township, having made his home within its boarders for fifty-seven years. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until his marriage. His farm comprises 259 acres, of which 175 acres is under cultivation.
In April, 1855, Mr. Walker was joined in wedlock with Miss Dorothy J. McGinley, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Michael and Rosanna (Edgar) McGinley, who also were born in the Keystone State, the father in 1803 and the mother in 1806. They resided in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, until 1852, when they be- come residents of Whitley county, which was their home until called to their final rest. They were the parents of six chil- dren, but Mrs. Walker is now the only sur- vivor. They were members of the Presby- terian Church, in which Mr. McGinley served as Elder, and he also filled the office of Justice of the Peace in Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Walker was born July 11, 1840, and by her marriage she became the mother of ten children, of whom two died in early childhood. The living are Massey Edgar of Colorado, who married Grace Clark, and has four children; Annie M. ; Effie; John M., who wedded Ida J. Burt, and has one child; Alice; Fred A. M .; William, who died in the fall of 1884, at the age of fifteen years; and Bertha.
We now resume the personal history of William Walker, which we feel assured will prove of interest to many of our readers, for he has a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances in northeastern Indiana. He was born on the 3d of December, 1832, in Richland In his political views, Mr. Walker has been a stalwart Republican since the organ- county, Ohio, and when a child of six years was brought by his parents to Whitley ization of the party, and does all in his
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power to promote its growth and insure its success. He has frequently been a delegate to the conventions of his party, for many years has been a member of the county cen- tral committee, and in 1894 was elected to the office of County Commissioner for a term that will continue until December, 1899. He is a most faithful and able offi- cial, and discharges his duties with a promptness and fidelity that has won him the highest commendation of all concerned. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he has served as a Deacon for several years.
J OHN B. STERLING, who devotes his time and energies to agricultural pursuits, making his home on sec- tion 31, Columbia township, Whit- ley county, was born on the 23d of April, 1828, in Holmes county, Ohio, and is the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven children. The father, James Sterling, was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, born about the beginning of the cen- tury, and he too carried on agricultural pur- suits. He was a son of William and Jane (McQuestion) Sterling, who were of Scotch descent. James Ster ing was joined in wedlock with Mary Beatty, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Ecas Beatty, of German de- scent. Their marriage was celebrated in the county of their nativity, and soon after- ward they removed to Holmes county, Ohio, where they spent their remaining days. The father secured a tract of wild land and cleared and improved a farm. In the family were seven children, but only two are now living. Mrs. Sarah Starrett, William, Robert and Jane are all deceased.
John B. and Samuel are the surviving mem- bers of the family, and George has also passed away.
John B. Sterling was reared in the coun- ty of his nativity, and received but limited educational privileges, for his services were needed upon the farm and his attendance at the public schools of the neighborhood was therefore of short duration. He is num- bered among the pioneer settlers of Whit- ley county of 1850, at which time he came to this place to help his brother William, who operated a mill in the neighborhood of Columbia City. This region was then but sparsely settled, and was largely covered with an unbroken forest, through which the Indians roamed at will. Wild game could easily be procured and the greater part of the land was still in its primitive condition.
In February, 1852, Mr. Sterling mar- ried Miss Sarah Wantz, a native of Darke county, Ohio. The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm which is still his home, and Mr. Sterling commenced to hew out a farm from the forest. Three years later his wife died, leaving two chil- dren, but both are now deceased. One son, John, who was an exceptionally bright student in the college of Hayesville, Ohio, died at the age of seventeen years. For his second wife, Mr. Sterling chose Miss Bar- bara Brenneman, a native of Champaign county, Ohio, and a daughter of Abraham Brenneman, one of the pioneer settlers of Whitley county. Her death occurred Sep- tember 22, 1862. One of the two children of this marriage died at the age of twenty- one years. The other, Abraham F., mar- ried Grace Moore, and is residing in De- fiance, Ohio. For his next wife, Mr. Ster- ling chose Eliza Stoner, a native of Darke county, Ohio, who was called to her final
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rest August 15, 1885, leaving two daughters, Ida and Cora. The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Sterling was formerly Mrs. Melissa (Arlen) Miner, a native of Fremont, Ohio.
The farm which our subject now owns and operates comprises 130 acres of land, of which ninety acres is now in a high state of cultivation. All of this he has himself cleared, and the waving fields of grain indi- cate his careful supervision, while the build- ings upon the place stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He erected his residence in 1875,-a brick structure, one of the finest homes in Columbia township. Socially, Mr. Sterling is connected with the Knights of Pythias, is a member of Spring Run Grange, and was Master of the Grange at South Whitley. In politics he is an ar- dent advocate of the principles of the Dem- ocracy, has frequently been a delegate to the conventions of his party, has served as Director of School District No. 3, has been Justice of the Peace, and for six years was Township Assessor.
J OHN EBERHART is a worthy rep- resentative of the agricultural inter- ests of Whitley county. He owns and operates a farm on section 31, Columbia township, where he has made his home for many years, and developed one of the finest farming properties in this locality. We take pleasure in presenting this record of his life to our readers, for his well spent life has won him high regard and he has many friends.
His father and his grandfather both bore the name of George Eberhart, and the fam- ily originated in Germany, and was estab- lished on American soil in Pennsylvania.
The father, who was born in Maryland, September 15, 1806, on arriving at years of maturity married Catherine Snyder, a native of the same State and a daughter of John Snyder. With their respective fam- ilies they removed to Ohio, during their younger years, and settled in Stark county, where they were married and began their domestic life. For a time the father worked for others during the hours of day and at night would clear his own land. After he had gone to work in the morning his wife would pile together and burn the brush. He cleared two good farms in that county, but at length sold out and in 1850 came to Whitley county, locating on section 32, Co- lumbia township, where he purchased land of Henry Sell. It was but partially cleared, but with characteristic energy he began its further development, and made it his per- manent home. He died in April, 1882, and his wife departed this life in February, 1870. They were the parents of a family of seven children who grew to mature years, while five are yet living, namely: Rebecca Shook; Mrs. Annie Heimback, a widow; John, of this sketch; Mrs. Elizabeth Nolt, a widow; and Mrs. Catherine Wolf, a widow. The parents were members of the Reformed Church and very active workers in its inter- est. The father built one church in Ohio, another in this locality, and gave the two acres of land on which are located the church and cemetery. In politics he was a stal- wart advocate of the Democracy, and was honored with an election to the office of County Commissioner. On coming to this county he had some available means, and, there being very little money in circulation at that time, he put his money into circulation and thus improved the times. He had the first three bridges across the Eel river in this
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