Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 62

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 932

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Politically our subject exercises his fran- chise in the support of the Democratic party, while in his fraternal relations he is identi- fied with the Knight Templars, Lodge No. 145, F. & A. M. He takes an active part in giving impetus to all projects and enter- prises which have in view the advancing of the legitimate and higher interests of the community, and is known as a progressive and public-spirited citizen.

Dr. Cook has been twice married, his first union having been consummated on

April 15, 1886, when he wedded Miss Clara Belle Lacy, a daughter of Rev. H. J. and Lizzie Lacy, of Bluffton. Mrs. Cook was summoned into eternal rest only a few months after her marriage, being attacked with typhoid fever, from the ravages of which she expired on the 30th of July, 1886. She was a devoted member of the Bluffton Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a graduate of the Fort Wayne Musical Con- servatory. The Doctor's second marriage was solemnized on the 25th of October, 1887, when he was united to Miss Jessie L. Chaddock, who was born in Waynesburg, Stark county, Ohio, on the 11th of April, 1867), being the only daughter of James H. and Lydia Chaddock. Her father was edu- cated in Mount Union College, where he completed the scientific course. At the time of the late war of the Rebellion he rendered a loyal service to the Union, enlisting as a member of Company A., Third Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. During the first two years he served as Orderly Ser- geant and the last of his three-years term of enlistment as Lieutenant of his company. Mrs. Cook's mother, nee Lydia Croxton Champer, was educated at Dr. Sweeney's Seminary at Carrollton, Ohio, and is descended from the distinguished Croxton and Randolph families, of Eng- land. Her grandfather Champer was an officer in the war of the Revolution, and was with Washington at Valley Forge during the ever memorable winter of 1777.

Mrs. Cook is a woman of gracious and gentle refinement and is an accomplished musician, having studied at the conservatory in Canton, Ohio, under Professor Winne, and also in the Fort Wayne Conservatory, under Professor Morse. She passed one year in study at Mansfield, Ohio, and later

3. 2. Hale.

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received instruction from Professor Leslie and Professor S. B. Mills, the latter being the well known composer, of New York city. Her literary education was received in the high school of Bluffton, but she re- signed her studies here in the junior year in order to devote her attention to her mu- sical work. She is an active member of the Foltz Reading Circle, and has served as As- sociate Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star. Religiously she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Dr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of two interesting little daughters: Justine C., born September 17, 1888; and Irene C., born February 6, 1895.

ON. SILAS W. HALE .- Promi- nently identified with the commer- cial interests of Adams county, who while promoting individual pros- perity has at the same time advanced the general welfare and added to the mate- rial prosperity of the community, is the gentleman whose name introduces this re- view.

He was born in Bluffton, Wells county, Indiana, September 18, 1844, and is a son of Bowen and Mary A. (Deam) Hale, hon- ored pioneers of this section of the State. Under the parental roof the days of his childhood and youth were passed and to the instruction afforded by the common schools he is indebted for his education. He after- ward engaged in teaching school, but aban- doned that profession in order to enter his country's service. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, in December, 1864, at the age of twenty years, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-third Indiana In- 29

fantry. He was soon after made Sergeant, and was assigned to the Quartermaster's de- partment, where he served until mustered out in September, 1865.

The war being over and the country no longer needing his services, Mr. Hale re- turned to his home in Bluffton and secured a clerkship in the employ of Deam & Com- pany, general merchants, with whom he continued for three years. On the expira- tion of that period he began business on his own account. Entering into partnership with his brother, John D. Hale, they began dealing in grain in Bluffton under the firm name of S. W. Hale & Brother, but in 1872 removed their business to Geneva, Adams county, building an elevator at this place. The partnership was continued until 1879, when our subject removed to Portland, Jay county, Indiana, and engaged in the grain business with W. W. Roberts, un- der the firm name of Hale & Rob- erts. A year later Mr. Hale bought out his partner, and carried on business alone until 1883, when he returned to Geneva to take charge of the old plant at this place, for his brother had been elected County Clerk, and could therefore no longer attend to all the business. Here our subject has since carried on operations under the firm name of S. W. Hale & Brother, and has met with excellent success in his undertak- ings. Misfortune, however, visited him on the 11th of June, 1895, when a fire destroyed seventy-six buildings in the town, including the grain elevator and stock of Mr. Hale. Phoenix-like from the ashes, however, arose a new elevator, superior to its predecessor in all respects, with a capacity of 12,000 bushels. He has also built a two-story brick building on the main street, 22 x 80 feet, which he now uses as a sales-room.

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MEMORIAL RECORD OF

He is a man of keen perception, sound judg- ment, sagacity and enterprise, and the pros- perity which has crowned his endeavors is justly merited. In connection with his other interests he was one of the organizers and is now vice-president of the Geneva Bank, an institution which has proved of great benefit in this locality.

In the ranks of the Democracy, Mr. Hale is a recognized leader, and has been honored with election to several offices. In 1886 he was elected to the State Senate, represent- ing Adams, Jay and Blackford counties, and serving in the sessions of 1887 and 1889. While in the Senate he was chairman of the committee on corporations and a member of the committee on military affairs, State banks, legislative appointments and natural gas. In 1891 he was elected by the Legislature a Trustee of the Eastern Indi- ana Insane Asylum, for two years, has been twice re-appointed to the same office by Governor Matthews, and is at the pres- ent time treasurer of the board of trus- tees.

In his social relations he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Odd Fellows society, the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and John P. Porter Post, G. A. R.

Mr. Hale was married in May, 1869, to Miss Phoebe McFadden, daughter of John McFadden, of Bluffton, one of the pioneers of Wells county, who served as Auditor at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Hale have had six children, of whom four are living, name- ly: W. V., of Tipton county, Indiana; Frank, of Geneva; Clara, who is now at- tending the Westminster Seminary of Fort Wayne; and Fred, a student at Geneva. Stella and Winnie were the names of those who died in infancy. The parents are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church.

J AMES P. HALE .- Since pioneer days the Hale family has been con- nected with the history of northeast- ern Indiana; and one of its most es- teemed representatives is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He has been prominently connected with its official business interests, and his straight- forward and manly course of action has commanded the respect and esteein of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

A native of Wells county, Indiana, he was born in Bluffton, on the 15th of April, 1846. When about twelve years of age he accompanied his father, Bowen Hale, on his removal to the farm where the family lived for many years. From that time un- til he had attained the age of twenty-two he worked in the fields during the summer months, and in the winter pursued his edu- cation in the district schools. During that time he taught a four-months term of school and for a short time also attended a private school taught by Professor John S. McCleery. Desirous of procuring a more ad- vanced education he became a student in the State University at Bloomington, Indi- ana, in 1868, and while there took an act- ive part in the literary and scientific socie- ties, became a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and filled all the positions of honor that the students usually have to bestow on each other. He completed the scientific course and on his graduation in 1872 the degree of B. S. was conferred upon him.

In the spring of that year, before com- pleting his college course, Mr. Hale was nominated by the Democratic party of his native town for the office of County Survey- or and was elected the following October, but his term of office did not begin until

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June, 1873. During the winter of 1872-3 he again taught four months of school, and in February of the latter year entered upon the duties of County Surveyor to fill the un- expired term of F. H. Rhodes, who had re- signed. In 1874 he was again nominated by his party as Surveyor, but owing to the position which he then took on the temper- ance question his name was withdrawn from the regular ticket, and though he received a large vote he was not elected.

On his retirement from office, Mr. Hale turned his attention to the study of law, en- tering the office of Todd & Rinehart, and was shortly afterward admitted to the bar. He has since practiced his chosen profession, generally alone, but for a short time was in partnership with W. J. Hilligass. He served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney from 1876 until 1880. In October, 1884, he was elected Mayor of Bluffton to fill an unex- pired term, caused by the resignation of H. L. Martin. The following spring he was elected for a term of two years, and in May, 1887, was re-elected. In the discharge of his official duties he has ever manifested a promptness and fidelity that have won him high regard, and with the reins of the city government in hand he capably directed its policy and guided its course. He is pre- eminently a public-spirited man, deeply in- terested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the community.

On the roth of June, 1880, Mr. Hale was united in marriage with Miss Delia Wilson, daughter of Oscar F. and Cather- ine B. Wilson, formerly of Zanesville, Allen county, Indiana. About 1855, soon after their marriage, her parents removed from Coshocton county, Ohio, to this State. They became numbered among the pioneer settlers of Allen county, and the father was

a well known merchant of Zanesville, Del- phi and Bluffton. The mother died at her home in Bluffton, in September, 1883, and Mr. Wilson passed away at the home of our subject in 1886, leaving two children, -Mrs. Hale, and George M., who resides with his sister.

In his social relations our subject is a Mason. He was initiated into the order in 1874 and is now a member of Bluffton Chapter, No. 95, R. A. M. ; Bluffton Coun- cil, No. 63, R. & S. M .; Bluffton Comman- dery, No. 38, K. T .; Fort Wayne Lodge of Perfection, A. & A. S. R .; and Crescent Chapter, No. . 48, O. E. S. He received the degree of the order of the High Priest- hood in 1876 in Indianapolis. Since 1875 he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a gentleman of high standing in his profession, and the com- munity in which his entire life has been passed numbers him among its valued and esteemed citizens.

S YLVANUS F. BAKER, who figures as one of the leading farmers of Allen county, Indiana, has for forty years maintained his residence on his present farm on section 27 of Monroe township. Of his life and family history we are pleased to present in this connection the following review:

John Baker, the father of our subject, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, March 29, 1800, son of Michael and Ragena (Hose) Baker, both natives of Germany, early set- tlers of Maryland, and the former a partici- pant in the war of 1812. John Baker came West in early life, and in Columbiana coun- ty, Ohio, in 1822, was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Miller, a native of Cumber-

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MEMORIAL RECORD OF

land county, Pennsylvania, born May 10, 1803, daughter of John and Susan (Barlett) Miller, who were of German descent. For three years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Baker made their home in Columbiana county, then moved to Portage county, and in 1837 to Stark county, and two years later they left Ohio and came over into Indiana, settling in Allen county. That was in 1839. They owned land in both Allen county, Indi- ana, and the adjoining county of Van Wert in Ohio. He built his house in Van Wert county about three rods from the State line. At that time the most of the country in northern Ohio and northeastern Indiana was in its primitive state. He cleared up and improved a fine farm, helped to organize the township in which he lived, and was for many years a useful and valued citizen. His farm is now owned by our subject and his brother, W. D. Baker. Here the father died November 19, 1885, his good wife hav- ing preceded him a few years, the date of her death being August 7, 1882. They were the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom reached maturity, and of this number we make brief record as follows: Susana, deceased wife of Azariah Magner, left the following named children: Amelia, Nancy, Sarah, Sylvanus, Henry, William, Saman- tha, Jennie and Levi; Sylvanus F., whose name heads this sketch; Michael L., who was twice married, his first wife being Mar- garet Sheehan and his second wife Edith Bell, the children by the former being Tru- man, Clara, Mahala, Elizabeth and John, and those by the latter Estella, Milton, Daisy and Leola; W. D., mention of whom will be found elsewhere in this work; Simon S., a resident of this township; Samantha, de- ceased wife of Oswell Baker, left no chil- dren; Catherine, deceased wife of Daniel

Mercer, had six children, Flora, Anna, Will- iam, Perry, Edith and Finn; Francis M., now deceased, married Miss Ellen Parker and had four children, Margaret, Mellie, El- wood and Martha; and Emanuel, deceased The parents were members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics the father was a Democrat. He was County Commissioner of Van Wert county two terms and for twenty years served as Justice of the Peace. From this sketch of his parentage, we now turn to the life of Sylvanus F. Baker, our immediate subject.

Sylvanus F. Baker, the eldest of the sur- viving children in his father's family, was born in Portage county, Ohio, May 1, 1831, and was eight years old when he came with his parents to northern Indiana. Although so young at that time, he distinctly remem- bers all their pioneer surroundings. The settlers here were few and far apart, but the Indians and wild animals were plenty on all sides. On the west their nearest white neighbor lived ten miles away, on the east it was five miles before they reached a neighbor's house, while to the south there was one family lived a mile distant, and the next eight miles. To the north there was not a white man's habitation between them and the Maumee river, which was fifteen miles away. For some years a log shanty served as a home for the Baker family, the children attending school in one of the early schoolhouses, which was eight miles from their place. Sylvanus F. helped his father in clearing and working on a farm as soon as he was old enough and remained at home until he was twenty-one, with the exception of one summer when he was employed on the canal. After attaining his majority he worked out as a farm hand and in this way saved the money with which he purchased the

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land he now occupies. His settlement here was January 29, 1855, when he and his wife moved into the little log cabin he had built, he having married the previous year; and here he has resided ever since, with the ex- ception of eleven months when he was sup- erintendent of the Empire Factory at Mon- roeville, this county. His home farm com- prises 230 acres, 195 of which are cleared, and he also owns forty acres on section 10 of this township and has a half interest in 120 acres in Ohio.

Mr. Baker was married October 26, 1854, to Miss Delilah Crabill, who was born in Champaign county, Ohio, January 7, 1833, daughter of David and Sophia (Riden- over) Crabill, both natives of Shenandoah county, Virginia. Her father was a son of John Crabill, who was of German birth, and her grandfather Ridenover also was a native of Germany. The latter served in the war of 1812. David Crabill and his family emigrated to Allen county, Indiana, about 1847 and settled on section 33 of Monroe township, where he died some years ago. His wife passed away October 11, 1892. In their family were eleven children, nine of whom are living, their names being Jacob, Mrs. Baker, Eliza, Mary Friedline, Susan Pancake, David H., Sarah Barkley, Rebecca Fenton and Levi. The mother was a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have had four children, namely: Warren H., who married Sarah Notestine and has three children, Charles S., Plinna B. and Kirby H .; Mary, deceased wife of Isaac M. Bailey, left five children, Amber- son P., Sylvanus F., Della M., Clarence L. and William; John D., deceased; and Emma E.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the English Lutheran Church. Mr. Baker has

ever taken a commendable interest in all that pertains to the welfare of his com- munity. He served as Trustee of Monroe township four years, as Township Assessor twelve years, one term as constable of the township, and in the fall of 1894 was hon- ored by election to the position of County Commissioner, his term in this office to extend to December, 1898.

a H. FERREE, Clerk of Grant coun- ty, Indiana, is a native of this coun- ty and has for a number of years been prominently identified with its interests. Before proceeding to a sketch of his life, we wish to refer briefly to this an- cestry. Mr. Ferree's father, John Ferree, was born in Morgan county, Indiana, De- cember 17, 1828, son of Daniel and Lydia (Elliott) Ferree. Daniel Ferree was born in North Carolina, came to Morgan county, Indiana, when a young man, and was one of its prominent pioneer citizens. He was an officer in the State Militia, and also filled the office of Justice of the Peace. The Ferrees are of French origin. Tra- dition has it that they were a family of French Huguenots and their first repre- sentatives in America consisted of a widow and three sons. One of these sons settled in New York, another in Ohio, and the third in the South. From the one who located in the South is our subject descended. Mr. Ferree's mother was before her marriage Miss Rebecca Harvey. She was born in Ohio, April 16, 1828, daughter of William and Ruth Harvey, natives of the " Buckeye State." Her parents removed with their family to Morgan county, Indiana, as early as 1830 and some years later-along in the '40S ---

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MEMORIAL RECORD OF

settled in Liberty township, Grant county, where they improved a farm and on it passed the residue of their lives and died. The Harveys are of English origin. It was in Morgan county in 1848 that John Ferree and Rebecca Harvey were married. In 1851 they came to Grant county and took up their abode on a farm in Liberty township. Here Mr. Ferree improved eighty acres of land, lived on it a number of years, and finally sold out and removed to Fairmount, where he and his good wife now live retired. He is a man of strong individuality and has al- ways exerted an influence for good in his community. He has been a stanch Re- publican and an earnest temperance worker, and he and all his family are members of the Society of Friends, he being an Elder in the local organization. Following are the names of the children born to this worthy couple: Alvin; E. H., whose name appears at the head of this article; Sarah, deceased; Lydia, wife of M. Aurelius Hiatt, Fairmount, Indiana; and Charles A., -all of whom are married; and William E., un- married, who is employed in the machine shops at Torrington, Connecticut; and John D., who graduated last year at Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana.

Returning now to the immediate subject of our sketch, E. H. Ferree, we record that he was born on his father's farm in Liberty township, July 12, 1854, and was there reared to manhood, working on the farm and attending the district schools, his boyhood days being spent not unlike those of other farmer boys. The summer he reached his majority he attended T. D. Tharp's Normal School, the next winter he taught school in the home district, District No. 12, and in 1876 attended the summer term at Earlham College. The following

winter he again taught at his home district, in 1877 at District No. 10, and in 1878 at District No. 1, all in Liberty township. The year 1879 he spent as a student at Earlham College. The next year he mar- ried and settled down on a farm, and he farmed and taught school alternately until 1884, when he became Deputy Sheriff under Orange R. Holman, serving as such until 1886. In the winter of 1886-7 we find him employed as teacher in the graded school at Mississinewa. In the spring he moved to Fairmount and became associated with Mr. M. A. Hiatt in business, dealing in farming implements and buggies. About this time he was offered the principalship of the Fair- mount schools, which he accepted, and in which capacity he served efficiently for three years. During this time he was also secretary of the Fairmount Fair Association. In 1890 he was employed as deputy in the office of the County Clerk, Wilson Adding- ton, under whom he served four years, at the end of which time he was elected to the office, being elected on the Republican ticket and, what was indeed complimentary to him, receiving the highest vote on the entire ticket.

July 1, 1891, Mr. Ferree moved his family to Marion, where they have since resided. He was married August 20, 1880, to Miss Flora A. Cammack, a native of Liberty township, this county, born April 14, 1861, daughter of Willis and Sarah (Jay) Cammack. Her grandfather, James Cammack, was one of the early pioneers of Grant county. Mr. and Mrs. Ferree have one child, Edna S., born September 16, 1883.

Fraternally, Mr. Ferree is associated with both the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P. In the former he has passed all the chairs in

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both the subordinate lodge and encamp- ment. He and his family are active mem- bers of the Friends' Church.

EV. CYRUS U. WADE .- In no field of human endeavor is there given to the world a clearer assur- ance of a man and a man's appre- ciation of the higher ethics of life than when cognizance is taken of the efforts of one who has consecrated his life to the work of the Christian ministry and who has labored to goodly ends. There is then an eminent degree of satisfaction in direct- ing attention at this point to the pas- tor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bluffton, Indiana, and to reviewing his career succinctly and with due regard to the innate modesty of the man, who has ever endeavored to follow the divine behest and not allow his left hand to know what his right hand is doing.

Cyrus U. Wade is a native son of the State in which he now labors so zealously, having been born in La Grange county, on the 16th of March, 1849, the second in or- der of the eight children of Joseph B. and Louisa (Warner) Wade. Joseph B. Wade was born near the city of Alexandria, Vir- ginia, but in the year 1829 he accompanied his stepmother on her emigration to La Grange county, Indiana, being at the time but three years of age. He there grew to maturity, devoted his attention to the reading of law, and in due course of time was admitted to the bar of the State. Vig- orous both in mind and body, he continued in the practice of his profession up to the time of his death, which occurred in Feb- ruary, 1894. At the time of his demise he was the oldest resident in La Grange coun-

ty. He had been during his later years a devoted and earnest worker in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, while in his polit- ical adherency he originally supported the Whig, but eventually transferred his al- legiance to the Republican party, which was the natural successor of the former. His marriage to Miss Louisa Warner was solemnized in 1845, she having been a na- tive of Ohio, where she was born in the year 1831. She is still living in La Grange county, and though of venerable age still continues her active efforts in the cause of the Master, being a devout member of the Methodist Church.

Our subject was reared in his native county, and was there enabled in his youth to take advantage of the educational oppor- tunities afforded by the common schools, the La Grange Academy and the La Grange high school. At the age of twenty years he put his requirements to practical test by teaching a district school, in Noble county, Indiana, and at an early age he entered the office of his father and began a course of reading in the law, it having been the wish of his parents that he should adopt his pa- ternal profession as his vocation in life. He secured admission to the bar in 1870, and shortly afterward entered into a professional association with W. C. Glasgow, under the firm name of Glasgow & Wade, and this partnership was maintained for seven years, at La Grange, Indiana, our subject in the meanwhile attaining recognition as an able and discriminating practitioner and securing a due prestige and a representative client- age. When the court of common pleas was abolished Mr. Wade was appointed Prose- cuting Attorney, by Governor Hendricks, for the Thirty-fourth Judicial circuit, and at the annual election following was elected to

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Memorial record of northeastern Indiana, Part 62

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 932

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 932