USA > Indiana > Memorial record of northeastern Indiana > Part 51
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connection with farming he has also taken some contracts for carpenter work.
Mr. and Mrs. More are the parents of four sons and two daughters, viz .: William A., who married Rachel Hindman and lives in Allegan county, Michigan; Sarah Agnes is the wife of John Lynch, of Columbia City, and has four children and lost two; Mary E. is the wife of Alex Knisely, of Lafayette, Indiana, and has one child; John E., of Princeton, New Jersey, married Estella White. by whom he has one child; Herbert A. married Lizzie Shaffer, of Allegan county, Michigan, and has one child: the eldest died; and Jacob N. completes the family.
Mr. More is a stalwart Republican, in- flexible in his support of the party principles, and though he has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking, he has been elected Justice of the Peace and Assessor. The first time he refused to serve and the second time he deputized another to transact the busi- ness. He is recognized as a most valued citizen, as well as honored pioneer.
R OBERT J. EMERSON, the enter- prising editor of the South Whitley News, South Whitley, Indiana, is a gentleman upon whose life his- tory the biographer is now permitted to touch.
Mr. Emerson is a native of the county in which he lives, born January 9, 1856. His father, Milton B. Emerson, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, but has for many years been identified with Indiana, main- taining his residence in Cleveland township, Whitley county. Robert J. passed his boyhood days in Washington township, this county, receiving his education in the
John 2. Eletts.
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local district schools and later at Hillsdale College, Michigan, and in the Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana. He pre- pared himself for teaching and for a score of years has been identified with educational work. For three years he was employed as teacher in the public schools of Columbia City. He has also taught in South Whitley and at various other points, in the school- room being alike popular and successful.
Mr. Emerson's first experience in the newspaper business was at Orrville, Wayne county, Ohio, where he and his brother pur- chased the Orrville Crescent, which, how- ever, they operated only six months, at the end of that time selling out and returning to Whitley county, Indiana. In January, 1894, Robert J. took charge of his present paper, which he has since owned and pub- lished. This is a breezy, newsy sheet, in- dependent in politics and devoted to local interests, and under Mr. Emerson's able management has a good circulation.
June 16, 1881, Mr. Emerson married Miss Elma Lash, who was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, June 16, 1859, daughter of Simon P. and Mary (Kehler) Lash, early settlers in that county, where she was reared and educated. Two children have been born to them, Mabel Edith and Milton Earl. The former is deceased.
Mr. Emerson has always taken a laud- able interest in public affairs and, while his paper is independent of any political party, he himself affiliates with the Democrats. He was at one time Democratic candidate for County Treasurer, but was defeated, and at this writing is Town Treasurer of South Whitley. Socially, he is a member in good standing of the Knights of Pythias. Both he and his estimable wife are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
J OHN I. METTS, M. D., of Ossian, Indiana, is a prominent physician and the representative of a pioneer family of Wells county that became noted in professional and educational circles. The parents of Dr. Metts, James W. and Miranda (Sutton) Metts, are both deceased, the for- mer dying in 1871, at the age of sixty-seven years, and the latter in 1863, at the age of fifty-five years. Mrs. Metts, nce Sutton, was a daughter of Rev. Elijah Sutton, a Baptist minister, noted for his piety and learning.
It was in 1837 that James W. Metts came with his family to Wells county, locating, the 10th day of September, upon a tract of unimproved land near the present site of Murray. At that time the county contained but few people. A grist mill had been erected a short time before by Noah Tobey and Jesse Whitmer. Mr. Metts had entered a quarter section of land densely covered with heavy timber. He was a man of heroic mold, enterprising and intelligent, in every way well calculated by nature and experience for the work before him. The erection of a comfortable cabin to shield his family from the cold and storms of the approaching winter was his first task, and then he began the slavish toil of clear- ing away the forest and preparing the ground for cultivation.
The family at that time, besides the par- ents, consisted of three sons, all of tender years, -William H., John I. and Milton S., who were born in Licking county, Ohio. Unassisted, Mr. Metts toiled early and late on his farm in the subjugation of nature, which gradually gave way to his persistent efforts. Cleared fields soon began to appear and yield tribute to reward his labor. For a few years progress was slow, but, accord-
MEMORIAL RECORD OF
ing to an old maxim, keeping everlastingly at a thing is sure to bring success in the end: perseverance conquered all things in Mr. Metts' casc. He acquired a competency which he lived to enjoy amid the scenes of his early struggles for more than thirty-four years.
After the settlement of the family in Wells county other children were born, -Alfred H., Norville W., Mary E., Eliza B., Miranda D., and Sarepta L. Mr. Metts and his wife both realized the importance of education to their children, and inany were the sac- rifices they made in order to realize their long cherished wishes. Both were intelli- gent in a large degree, and both had had some advantages in the way of obtaining a limited education. To this end were all their energies bent, and they lived to see the assurance of culmination to their plans. William, the eldest son, entered Franklin College, taking a collegiate course, and afterward studied theology, fitting himself for the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, by which he was subsequently or- daincd. He was a young man of great promise. His natural abilities were of a high order and his brief career in the pulpit was eminently successful. Possessing a pleasing personality and charm of manner and address, he drew all men unto him. While serving in one of his early charges- Dublin, Indiana-he was stricken with a fatal sickness and died, at the age of twenty- eight years.
James E., the second child, a bright, vivacious youth, was kicked by a horse and instantly killed, at the age of five years. ana & Northern Railroad. Miranda D. was Milton S. was the fourth child. He, too, had been carefully educated in the Fort Wayne College, and subsequently studied for the ministry of the Methodist Church,
by which he was ordained and entered upon the general work in 1860. As a preacher he ranked with the ablest, and his influence for good was great. He possessed fine attainments; was modest and unassuming in manner; in speech forcible and eloquent, enforcing conviction upon his hearers. He was also a physician, having studied under the direction of his brother, Dr. John I. His death occurred in 1893, when he was aged about fifty-seven years.
Alfred H., the next in order of birth, studied medicine in the office of his brother, Dr. John I., under whose preceptorship he was fitted for medical college, and he was subsequently matriculated at Rush Medical College, of Chicago. After taking a course of lectures, he enlisted in the One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry. At the close of his term of enlistment, in 1865, he began practice in partnership with his brother at Ossian, of which place he is now a resident, and is an eminently successful physician and prominent citizen.
Mary E., the next, is the wife of Thomas Doan, a highly respected citizen of Wells county. Before her marriage she was a prominent teacher in the county. Then comes Norville, who died in infancy. Elza B. was educated for the law, was admitted to the bar and is at present practicing in Oklahoma, Indian Territory, and has be- come prominent in the legal profession. He served during the war in Company A, Thirty- fourth Indiana Infantry. While living in St. Mary's parish, Louisiana, he was elected Judge, and was also attorney for the Louisi- a popular and efficient teacher in the public schools before her marriage. She is now the wife of Robert Archibald, a well known citizen of Ossian. Sarepta L. was also a
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teacher of most excellent repute and is now the widow of Dr. George N. Worley.
Dr. John I. Metts was the third child in order of birth in this family. He was as carefully trained in his early education as were his brothers and sisters. In the com- mon schools he fitted himself to teach, and taught during the winter months. In 1852 he entered the Fort Wayne College, where he finished his literary education. During this same year he began the study of medi- cine under the direction of Dr. Adam David- son, a well known physician of Murray, and subsequently attended lectures in the medi- cal colleges of Louisville, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio, and was graduated at the reputable Miami College of Medicine and Surgery of the latter place in 1855. He has also taken an honorary degree at the Fort Wayne Medical College. He located in the practice at Ossian May 6, 1855.
In 1859 he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy C., daughter of John and Mar- garet (McCorkle) Cartwright, who were among the early settlers of Wells county. To the Doctor and his estimable wife have been born five children: William E., who died in his nineteenth year; Josephine; John W .; Robert E., who died in 1890, aged eighteen years; and Fred A. Dr. Metts' children have been thoroughly educated, all being graduates and all move in the highest social circles.
It is nearing forty-one years since Dr. Metts located in Ossian, in the practice of medicine, a length of time in continuous practice not exceeded by another physician in Wells county. He has won success both as a physician and as a man of general af- fairs. He is a close student in the profes- sion, being thoroughly informed upon all the latest discoveries in the science of medicine. 24
He is firmly established in the confidence of the people among whom he has lived and practiced so long. His beautiful and well appointed home is upon his farm, near the village of Ossian. He owns 356 acres of excellent land, all in a perfect state of culti- vation, and he is interested largely in rais- ing the best grades of stock. For twenty- one consecutive years he has served the people of Jefferson township in the office of Trustee.
Socially he is connected with Ossian Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 245, being a charter member; and is also a member and a Trustee of the Ossian Methodist Episcopal Church. Of the Ossian Driving Associa- tion he is also a director, and has recently built a half-mile track on his farm for diver- sion and the improvement of road horses. From 1878 to 1888 he served as a Trustee of the Fort Wayne Medical College.
Dr. Mett's life has been a busy one. The years of labor sit lightly upon him, ap- parently having made but little inroad upon his vigorous constitution. In speech and manner he is agreeable and pleasant, and his companionable nature with a ripe knowl- edge of men and things generally gives him a deserved popularity among his numerous friends and acquaintances.
A NDREW J. BRIGGS, a well- known and highly respected farmer of Union township, Whitley coun- ty, residing on section 3, descend- ed from an old Virginian family. His par- ents, Samuel and Agnes (Shepard) Briggs, were both natives of the Old Dominion, and on leaving that State took up their residence in Ross county, Ohio, where their remaining days were passed. The father was an agri-
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chilturist, and cleared and improved a good farm there. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a loyal and devoted citizen, faithful to the best interests of the com- munity in which he made his home. He took quite an active interest in political affairs, and was a supporter of the Democ- racy. Both he and his wife held member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In their family were nine children, who grew to years of maturity, namely: William, who died at the age of eighty-four years; Sarah, who is the widow of Hugh McLain, and is residing in Smith township, Whitley county, at the advanced age of eighty-four years; Jesse, who died at the age of forty- nine years; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Jacob Nickey, and died at the age of twenty- seven; James, who died at the age of sixty- six; Samuel, who died at the age of sixty- three; Robert, who is living in Iowa; Silas, who makes his home in Union township, Whitley county; Andrew J., of this sketch.
The last named, the youngest of the family, was born on the old homestead farm in Ross county, Ohio, on the 5th of April, 1829. There his childhood days were passed until eleven years of age, when, his parents having died, he came to live in Whitley county with his brother-in-law, Jacob Nickey, who was his guardian. He continued with that gentleman until sixteen years of age, when, in 1840, he came to Whitley county, Indiana, one of its pioneer settlers. He has witnessed its growth for more than half a century, has seen its wild lands transformed into beautiful homes and farms, while towns and villages have sprung up, and the work of progress and civilization has been carried forward until the county to-day bears little resemblance to that in which he located some fifty-five years ago.
Until he had attained his majority Mr. Briggs lived with his brother Jesse and went through the usual experiences and hardships incident to life on the frontier. He pursued his education in a log schoolhouse with puncheon floor and stick chimney, and when he had reached man's estate settled upon the farm which is still his home and which his guardian had purchased for him. He built a log house in the midst of the forest and at once began the work of clearing and developing a farm. He at first put in four acres of wheat and as acre after acre was placed under the plow other crops were planted and the farm became one of the best in the neighborhood. He to-day owns 244 acres of rich and arable land, the greater part under cultivation, and of this he him- self cleared 140 acres. It will thus be seen that his life has been a busy one, inter- spersed with few idle moments, and his en- terprise has been the means of bringing to him a well deserved success. In 1870 he erected his substantial brick residence and has made other excellent improvements, such as are found on a model farm of the nineteenth century.
In 1852 Mr. Briggs was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah Ann More, a sister of Alex. More, a resident of this county. She was born in the Buckeye State, February 14, 1833, and by her marriage has become the mother of seven children, five of whom are yet living. Mary Agnes is the wife of Abram T. Hull, a resident of Liberty Mills, Indiana, and has six children. Elizabeth Jane is the wife of William Gregg, a farmer of Union township, Whitley county, by whom she has five children. Anna is the wife of Charles Reese, of Cleveland town- ship, and has four children. Sarah Millie I is the wife of John Digby, and with their
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one child they live in Kansas. Florence Annette married Parker More and has one child; they reside on the old homestead farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Briggs are honorable, up- right people whose consistent Christian lives have won for them the respect and high regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. They gave their chil- dren good educational privileges and thus fitted them for the practical and responsible duties of life. In his political views Mr. Briggs is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of pub- lic office. He belongs to the Grange, but the greater part of his time and attention has been given to his farm. As a valued citizen of the community and one of the honored pioneers of Whitley county, we present to our readers the record of his life.
J OSEPH MYERS, an industrious and progressive farmer of Cleveland township, Whitley county, residing on section 7, was born in Montgom- ery county, Ohio, on the 10th of May, 1829, and is a son of Henry Myers, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, whose par- ents were Christopher and Margaret Myers, the former a native of Germany and the latter of the Keystone State. On leaving the land of his birth the grandfather of our subject crossed the Atlantic to America and took up his residence in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. When the Colonies made an attempt to throw off the yoke of British tyr- anny, he joined the Colonial army and was a valiant soldier of the Revolution.
Henry Myers spent the days of his boy- hood and youth in Pennsylvania, and hav- ing arrived at years of maturity wedded
Mary Wirick, a native of South Carolina. Subseqently he removed to Montgomery, Ohio, settling upon a farm which was at that time a tract of wild land, not a furrow hav- ing been turned or an improvement made upon the place. With characteristic energy he began its development and transformed it into valuable property, the rich and fer- tile fields yielding to the owner a good in- come. In 1838 he came to Indiana and settled upon the farm which is now the property of our subject. It, too, was in its primitive condition, improved only with a rude log cabin, which had been built by Mr. Chatlin. Into this he moved his family and began life in true pioneer style. Neighbors were widely scattered, but the Indians were still numerous in the neighborhood and wild game of all kinds was to be had in abun- dance. Mr. Myers had to go to Leesburg to mill, a distance of forty miles, and went to Michigan City for salt, -an eight-day trip. Mr. Myers built the first frame house in Whitley county and with the work of de- velopment and improvement was prominent- ly identified, taking a deep interest in all that pertains to the general welfare. He located upon 320 acres of land, and as his financial resources increased made additional purchases until he was the owner of exten- sive tracts. As his children started out in life he gave to each a good farm. In his business dealings he was very successful, making the most of his opportunities, and by good management and enterprise secur- ing a handsome property. His well spent life was ended in 1849, when he was borne to his last resting place in Sugar Grove cemetery. Seven years later his wife was laid by his side, and thus two of the most honored pioneers of Whitley county passed away. They were the parents of nine chil-
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dren, aght of whom grew to maturity, but only Christopher and Joseph are now living. Elizabeth became the wife of Louis Kinsey and both are now deceased, having left two children to mourn their loss. Fannie be- came the wife of Daniel Bowser, and one child, Ellen Ludwic, survives the parents. Christopher married Catherine Abbott and has four children. Susan is the deceased wife of Reuben Abbott, and the mother of two children. David married Nancy Blunk, and died leaving five children. Nancy be- came the wife of Abram Cuppy, and one child survives the death of this couple. Joseph is the seventh in order of birth. Lucy, the youngest of the family, is also de- ceased. The parents were both members of the German Baptist Church, and took a very active part in church work. In poli- tics, Mr. Myers was a Whig and served as Road Supervisor in Whitley county in an carly day.
Our subject spent the first ten years of his life in the county of his nativity and was then brought by his parents to Indiana. He acquired his education in the primitive schools of this locality and was a student in only one schoolhouse that contained a glass window. His training, at farm labor, how- wver, was not meager, and from early life he was familiar with the arduous duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. For fifty- seven years he has lived upon the farm which is still his home, and which he aided to clear preparatory to its cultivation. The work of development and improvement he lins since continued, and to-day is the owner of one of the finest farming properties in his adopted county. It comprises 248 acres of rich land, of which 175 acres is under culti- vation and all the buildings and improve- ments upon the place are the work of his
hands and indicate his careful management, business ability and sound judgment.
In 1858 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Myers and Miss Melinda Banta, a na- tive of Cass county, Indiana. She has traveled over the greater part of the United States, for her father did not long tarry in one locality. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have become the parents of seven children: W. Scott, a resident of Cleveland township, married Alice Faulkner, and has six children. Mary is the wife of Aaron Cory, a resident of Collamer, Whitley county, and has five children. Eldora is the wife of Seth Eason, of Valparaiso, Indiana, by whom she has one child, and by a former marriage she had three children. Emma is the wife of George Foster, a resident of South Whitley, by whom she has two children. Warren wed- ded Mary Pult, and resides on the old homestead farm. Jennie is the wife of Charles Plank, of Adena, Ohio, and has three children. The eldest of the family, Frances, is deceased.
In his political views, Mr. Myers is a Republican, warmly advocating the princi- ples of his party, and has survived as Super- visor of his township. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church and are prominent and highly respected people. Mr. Myers is one of the most honored pioneers of Whitley county, having for more than half a century resided within its borders, and in its development has been an import- ant factor.
ICHAEL B. HARE is numbered among the representative and highly esteemed agriculturists of Whitley county, his home being on section 20, Cleveland township. He
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owns an extensive tract of land, and in his business operations has attained a creditable success which has come to him as a reward of industry and perseverance. The history of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers, for he is both widely and favor- ably known in northeastern Indiana.
His father, Michael Hare, was a native of Maryland, and his mother, Catherine (Baublitz) Hare, was also born in the same State, a daughter of Stauffle Baublitz, of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Hare began their domestic life in Baltimore county, Maryland, where they spent their remaining days, the former following the occupation of farming as a means of livelihood. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are now living, as follows: Michael B .; Mrs. Sarah Wilson, who is living in Cleveland township, Whitley county; Mrs. Mary Weakley, of Huntington county, Indi- ana; and Mrs. Katie Hedrick, of Pennsylvania.
Michael B. Hare was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, September 18, 1818, and the days of his boyhood and youth were passed on his father's farm, while in the schools of the neighborhood he acquired his education. In 1839, having arrived at man's estate, he left his parental roof and came West, locating first in Darke county, Ohio, where he worked by the month, and and later came to Wabash county, Indiana. He was married there, on the 31st of De- cember, 1846, to Miss Susanna Eby, a na- tive of Baltimore county, Maryland, born on the 15th of June, 1826, and a daughter of John and Nancy (Davis) Eby, who were also natives of the same State, and were farming people. In their family were four children; but John Eby, a resident of Mont- gomery county, Ohio, is now the only sur- vivor.
In January, 1847, Mr. Hare brought his bride to Whitley county, Indiana, and took up his residence upon the farm which has since been his home. It was then all cov- ered with woods, and the settlements in the neighborhood were few and far between. Those who sought homes in this locality at that time had to undergo the usual experi- ences and hardships incident to pioneer life. Mr. Hare was at that time in very limited circumstances. He secured eighty acres of raw land, on which he built a log cabin, and in that primitive home began life in the Hoosier State. His farm implements were crude and the arduous task of clearing and developing the farm was carried forward slowly but steadily. As time passed he was enabled to add to his property until he now has 655 acres of valuable land, of which 300 acres is cleared and under the plow, yield- ing to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon it. His present residence was erected in 1873, and all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm have been added.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hare were born six children, three of whom are now living. John M., the eldest, wedded Hannah Web- ster, by whom he has three children and makes his home in Kosciusko county, Indi- ana; Martha E. is the wife of Alonzo Baugher, a resident of Liberty Mills, Indi- ana; Susan A. is the wife of Lyman Phil- lips, of Kosciusko county, Indiana, and their family numbers four children. The mother of this family died on the Ist of September, 1892, and was laid to rest in Baron's cemetery, in Kosciusko county, In- diana. Her well spent life and her many excellencies of character won her high re- gard and her death was deeply mourned.
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