USA > Indiana > Kosciusko County > Progressive men and women of Kosciusko County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography > Part 28
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HON. WILLIAM DEFREES FRAZER.
examiner for this state, is an Indianian by birth and is one of Kosciusko county's most able native sous. He was born in the city of Warsaw on the 20th day of November, ' 1849, and is a son of Judge Jame- Somer- ville and Caroline ( DeFrees) Frazer. The former was of Scotch descent. his ancestors having immigrated to this country during Colonial days, while the atter was de-cent- ud from French Fragten & ancestry. Judge James Somerville Frazer was a native of Pennsylvania and was born at Holidays- burg July 17, 1824. In 1837 Me accude panied his parents to Wayne county, Indi- ana, and three years later entered the lies office of Hon. Moorman Way, of Winches- ter, where he began reading law. He had been given a good education by his parents and made rapid progress in his law studies. During the winter months he was engaged in teaching school, in which he was eminent- ly successful. In March, 1845. he was ad- mitted to the bar, though lacking nearly four months of having attained, his majority. The following month he opened an office in Warsaw, where he continued to reside and follow the practice of law during the re- mainder of his life. In politics he was in his early days a Whig, but when that party dissolved he became a Republican and al- ways took an active interest in the success of that party. Few men possessed to a greater degree than did Judge Frazer the quality of mind necessary to the making of a great judge, and he is one of the very few men who have vecopied a seat on the beach of our supreme court who have attainel reputations worthy of note extending be- vond the confines of this state. His opinions are models of judicial utterances, devoid of
HI. n. William DeFrees Frazer, one of the mest substantial and successful attorneys of northern Indiana, and now national bank . all unnecessary language, and free from a
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COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
Garney and the Italian, Count Load- Corti. The claims passed upon amounted to at least two hundred and twenty million dollars and occupied the attention of the commissioners during the years 1873, 1874 and 1875. Dur- ing this period judge Frazer resided in, Washington, D. C. In i87y the legislature of this state enacted a law calling for a re- vision of the statutes of the state and pro- viding for the appointment of three com- missioners for this purpose. It was the duty of these commissioners to prepare such laws as they deemed necessary and to present them to the legislature of 1881. The su- preme court appointed Hon. John H. Stot- zenberg, Hon. David Turpie and Judge Frazer. As the result of their labors we have the Revised Civil Code of 1881. the Revised Criminal Code and the Offense Act of the same year, together with many other statutes. After the legislature of 188, ad- journed the commissioners prepared the re- vised statutes of 1881, the most satisfactory statutes this state has ever had. Judge Frazer gave the publication of these statutes his closest attention, spending many months at the capital in their preparation and giv- ing especial attention to the publication of the revision. In 1889 Judge Frazer was ap- pointed by Governor Hovey judge of the Kosciusko circuit court, and he served one year in this position. He was a charter member of Kosciusko Lodge No. 62. I. O. O. F., and always took an active part in lodge work.
Judge Frazer and Miss Caroline De- Frees were united in marriage at Goshen. Indiana, on the 28th of October. 1848. Mrs. Frazer was a daughter of James DeFrees and a sister of John D. DeFrees, at one time printer for the United States, and of
strating a display crudition and breadth reading. The copies of his opinions on the in the ofice of the clerk of the supreme court show that he prepared his opinions with the greatest of care and after most careful consideration. Though usually brief, they contained all that was essential & the disposal of the case. In 1847. 1848 and 1854 he was elected a member of the ,wer house of the state legislature. The Legislature of 1855 was confronted with a Risk of great importance. The school law that been declared unconstitutional and the saate was left without any provision for pub- in schools, Judge Braver took a great in- forest in public education and set about the Grafting of a new school law. The result was the school law of 1855, which, though Shipped and changed toiten without proper asideration and attention to the existing .. . . is substantially the school law of the the today. In 1852 he served as prose- etting attorney and ten years later was ap- : faxed assessor of internal revenue, retir- ly from that office in 1864. The year he rired from this position he was elected Haige of the supreme court, taking his seat January 3. 1865, and served until January 3. 1871. After retiring from the bench he was appointed by President Grant as one · E the three commissioners under the treaty E the United States with Great Britain, dated May 8, 1871. By the terms of this Brady three commissioners, one for this Pastry, one from Great Britain and one .She haly, were appointed to adjust claims mainst the United States held by English stigeets and those held by citizens of the OFited States against Great Britain, arising Hat of the Civil war. The English com- Anioner was Right Honorable Russell
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& Ho Bart Mass Defrees there were both que defen the sea and six daughters. .. .. .. .. William DeFrees, Harriet .... Martin S. Mary C., Nellie K., Fannie and
Hon. William DeFrees Prazer, the Man- Mediare subject of this review, was edaente in the public and high schools of Wars vid ant the Wabash College, being graduated : the latter institution. Shortly afterward he became a law partner with his father. with whom he remained for a number of Jours. From the very first success attended tid, and his ability, industry and sterling Blessing have brought to him a large Conce. In INST he was elected to repre- sent his eventy in the state legislature, and Mas re-elected in 1883, making an excellent acord daring luth terms as one of the lead- as of the Republican minority. In 1800 We serve as a member of the state com- WHee from the thirteenth district and ve an active and eficient organizer. In Sos and 1900 he served as chairman of .... ersty committee and his county never that a better organization than it had dar- ing the year. For years he has headed the Asciusko enanty delegation to the state Gaveations of the Republican party, and Has been influential in the making of tam- Enations and platforms. In March, 1890, he was appointed national bank examiner For the state and is now administering the duties of that office with an efficiency and integrity that is winning for him golden opinions. He has been energetic in the de- velopment of his city, and for years has
marriage September 5. 1876, the ROOM drive being Miss Flora C. Ristine, Di Gre- fordsville, this state, this on white romance of his college Mie. Mrs. Frazer .. „ native of Indian, having been bort at Crawfordsville, Montgomery county. May 6. 1854. She is the daughter of Benjamin "T. and Florinda . Humphryy Ritme. Mi- tives of Kentucky and Connecticut, respect- ively, and very early pioneers of Mont- gomery county, this state. They were the parents of seven children, named as i Hlous: Harley G., Albert La. Theodore 11. Humdry 11 .. Warren IL., Flora C. and Charles W. To the union of our subject and wife two sons were born, viz: James Ristine, born January 4. 1879. was a stu- dent at Wabash College and Bethel Military Academy of Virginia and recently grad :- med from the Indiana Law School at In- dianapolis, and is now a law partner of his Rather. Theodore Clinton, whose birth of- curred on the ist day of December. ISSO, is now a student in Wabash College and will graduate there next year. Mrs. Frazer is a faithful and consistent member of the Pre- byterian church. where Mr. Frazer is ais , an attendant and a liberal contributor. Hon- ured and respected by all who know him. Mr. Frazer has gone along quietly in the world, winning success and substantial ben- ors by the exercise of those qualities which. bring contentment with achievement and leave no pain behind. He is a charter mens- ber of the local lodge. Knights of Pythias. and also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which organization he
COMPENDI'M OF BLOCK. I'MY.
Sauthis might. He is a polished gentleman was stands high in the esteem of all who
MARK SMITHL.
It is proper to judge of the success and the status of a man's life by the estimation h. which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, in his church, at his devotions, hear Hi- views in public questions, observe the itcome of his code of morals, witness how be conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization and thus become competent to judge of his merits and de- mums. Vier a long course of years of such daily observation it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know his 8th, lacause, as has been said, "Actions speak loader than words" In this county there is nothing heard concerning the sub- voici das sketch but good words. He has .... oder many years here that his worth . we known, but it will be of interest in ver the busy events of his hie in these aus. He was born in Medina county. Gilles June 27. 1826, and is the child of Nathan and Mercy ( Hudson ) Smith. The Sala family of which he is a member, as : also the Hudson family. is of English de- cant. Both families came to this country doty years ago and settled in Ohio. Joua- .... Smith and Mercy Hudson met in Ohio .... were married there. They came to vediusko county, Indiana, in 1843 and set- Hum this township on the farm where Mark Smith now resides. It consisted of he hundred and sixty acres, for which they four hundred dollars. The land at that
time was covered with a cure pret of heech, bak, walnut, hickory, etc., al di which had to be removed before a chy could be raised thereen. At that time the entry was so wild that wolves fast ether dangerous animals roamed through the the- ber and fell upon such animals as sheep. calves, etc., and devoured them, causing great destruction in a single night. Stock had to be guarded at first of mil trong sheds and yards could be built for them. When these pioneers first came there was not a stick out on the place. At the start they were obliged to remain at the home of Mark Smith, St., an undle of the subject. until a rude log cabin could be built. . small clearing was made, a log cabin erected. and a small crop of corn was planted. The father was a blacksmith by trade. In the fall of 1847 he was taken sick and died. and the responsibility was thus largely thrown upon the subject. The kater bought the farm and began to work out by the meath to pay for it. At that time hogy were worth about two cents per pound and other things in proportion. So the payment was a show process, but was ace mplisted in. the course of time. Mr. Smith has always been closely identified with his business and has made it his duty to make the most of Mie and of his opportunities. He is now past seventy-five years of age and realized that the span of his life is drawing to its close. He is one of three boys and three girls bern to his parents, as follows: Julia M .. who became the wife of Asa Dancer, In the de- ceased ; Mark, subject : Fannie, who became the wife of Joseph Reed and is deceased : Sarah B., who wedded Joseph G. Higgins and is deceased : Jonathan, who married Lavina Hurlbert and lives in Arkansas :
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COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
Henry G. deceased, who married Lucy Hill him, for such experiments amount to what and lived in Arizona. Mark Smith was married, October 12, 1850, to Miss Nancy Garyin, and has five children, as follows: Stearns E., born in 1851, married Miss Lucy Etter and fives in Texas; Arthur, born in 1859. married Miss Semantha Harrold! and lives with his father ; jonathan, born in 1864, married Miss Clora Mattox and re- sides in this township. Mrs. Smith dying June 12. 1864, Mr. Smith married a second time, in 1865. this time to Nancy Liggett. There has been no issue to this marriage. Mr. Smith is one of the most prominent men in this part of the county. He is well known and has the highest respect of every one who knows him. He has been a mem- ber of the Baptist church for sixty-eight years. Hle is a Republican. Ile is one of the old pioneers who are fast disappearing. 1 and his good name and honesty are above question.
WILLIAM STOUT.
is the same as his own experiments through many years and with the expenditure of a large sum of money. But many farmers and stock raisers have grown up in the rearing of stock and know as much or more than the experts. One of these farmers is the subject of this memoir. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, June 13, 1856, and is the son of Christian and Sarah ( Haas) Stout. The father, Christian, was a native of Pennsylvania, was of Germanic descent. and came to Ohio with his father when he was a boy. The grandfather was a farmer and young Christian was reared to that hon- orable occupation. He passed through the usual experiences of pioneer days, going in the winter time to the old subscription schools and working hard during the sum- mers in the forests and on the farm. In early life he married Miss Sarah Haas, who was a native of Ohio, and to this marriage were born six children : Adam, who wedded Sarah Blue and is the owner of the Com- mercial Bank, of Silver Lake. Indiana; Amanda, who became the wife of William Whitterberger, and now lives in Seward township: Marilda, who died when a young girl ; Elizabeth, who wedded William Haines and resides in this township: William, sub- ject ; Rosella M., who died at the age of five years. Soon after his marriage Christian Stout moved from Ohio to Wabash county "and rented a farm for a few years. While thus engaged his wife died and he soon afterward married again. About this time ( 1868) also he bought a farm in this coun- ty, and upon this he passed the remainder of his days. He was a man who possessed
The best farmers of the present day do not confine their whole time and attention to the cultivation of the soil, but vary their operations , raising stock of the better grades for the market and for sale to other farmers. The rearing of fancy stock, or of stock for the market only, may be made very profitable by the farmer who will take the time to study the stock question as it deserves. It is easy to obtain from the gov- | ernment the reports of the experts whose business it is to investigate every phase of the stock question, with unlimited means it hand to experiment with. The result of these experiments should be known to every , many admirable traits of character and was farmer. It would be worth a great deal to ' highly esteemed by all who knew him. For
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Billy years pelor to his death he had been a member of the Lutheran church. He was prominent in local affairs affecting the wel- fare of the community, and was a Demo- erat in politics. He died well advanced in years and in honors in 1896, being yet sur- vived by his widow.
The methods of making money by the farmer are not confined to the cultivation of the soil merely, not to the rearing of sa- perior grades of stock, although both of these are of the first importance. Very William Stout remained at home with is parents until he attained the age of Bienty -the years. He received a fair edu- colon and learned the art of farming in all be best prices. In the spring of 1882 he ... united in marriage with Miss Mary top. Wie was born October 12, 1858, the daughter of Moses and Jane ( Sands ) Loop. Her parents were among the pioneers, hay- Hag come to this county from Ohio at a very carly day, and were most estimable people. To the subject's marriage were born these often an excellent opportunity is offered to make several hundred dollars, or even sev- crai thousand dollars, in one transaction by the judicious buying and selling of offer farms. But in order that the farmer amy is this it will be necessary for him to keep a good bank account, so as to be able to buy on short notice some farm that is offered at a sacrifice, which quite often occurs. The farmer of large means can do this without much trouble, but the small ones must keep back near the shore. One of the most pro- Children: Elsie M., born September 7. . gressive farmers of this county is the sub- :SS4 : Roswell, born July 17, 1886: Walter ject of this memorial. .... bort March 11, 1889; and Wilber, born March 28, 1804. Soon after his marriage abject moved to his present farm, where he has resided continuously since. He is an expert stock dealer and learned the business brian actual and practical experience with stock. It may be said that he makes the most of his money in that line. He is well- : - do and is probably the leading stock man of the southern part of the county, certainly so far as knowledge of the subject is con- corned. In politics he is a Democrat and takes a deep interest in the success of his Marty. He is a member of the advisory board of this township, has served as dele- gate of his party in the county conventions and was once a state delegate. He has re- fused small local political honors. The fam- ily is well known and respected by every-
ALBERT MAGEE.
Albert Magee was born February 13. 1866, and is the son of John W. and Anna (.Abbey) Magee. The Magee family is of Scotch descent, and numbers among its members some of the most distinguished citizens of the country. Senator Magee, of Pittsburg, recently deceased, was a distant member of this family. The immediate an- cestors of subject emigrated from Se Hland and settled in New York state and fonowed the occupation of farming there. John Ma- gee, the grandfather of subject, came from New York to Ohio at an early day and pur- sued the occupation of farming, and in coll- nection with the same plied the carpenter's trade. He was a man of excellent reputa- tion and passed the remainder of his life in Ohio. The Abbey family came many years ago from England and settled in Ohio, and there Anna Abbey met John W. Magee and
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
married 1.3. Two years after their mar- rage, desiring to better their condition in point of this world's goods, they came to this costy and settled on section 3. Clay township. Where Mr. Magee bought the hundred and sixty acres of land and began! in form the same. After living there many years he moved to Warsaw, where he nell' Amies. Joan W. Magce was married twice. Best to Miss Anna Abbey, as before stated. and to this marriage the following children Were born: Nettie, Greased: George, Who married Miss Alice Ingalls and resides in Sikkert, indiana: Frank, who wedded Miss Vary Mayers and lives in Wayne township ; WiMan W .. who married Miss Jennie Wil- tout and resides in Wayne township, serval Four years as treasurer of this county, a Just signal honor to him and his family ; Norte, the wife of John Kelley, lives in Wiggle township: . Abert, subject : Della. reversed. His first wife having died, Mr. Mace married, two years afterward, or in São, Miss Mary Danner, and by her has Me to thewing children : Nellie is unmarried and Hver at home: Herbert, deceased ; stacie is anmarried and lives with her par- enits in Warsaw.
Albert Magce grew up on his father's harm and received the education afforded by the school of the neighborhood, finishing Mis education at the schools of Warsaw. He tight one term in this county. In 1880 We married Miss Lou Barr, daughter of Jaunes and Julia ( Funk) Barr, her birth having occurred July 11, 1865. One child was born to this marriage. Leone, born Ne- vember 19. 1898. Mrs. Magee's ancestors cine originally from the Emerald Isle. She and her husband are members of the Meth- maist Episcopal church. Mr. Magee believes
in the principles of the party wide enrolled among its standard bearer, such men as Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant. James A. Garfield. Benjamin Harrison, James C. Blaine anal William MeKindley. Hetakes an active and intelligent interest in local per- ities particularly, and in national politics generally. All the members of this well- known family are stanch Republicans, and are so from motives of high principle. The subject and his wife possess the highest re- spect of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
ELIJAH HAYS.
Some of the wealthiest men of today who Have their homes in Warsaw. K. sein-ko o ny, Indiana, came here in very medier- ate circumstances, as far as the world's goods are concerned, and those who calle earliest were generally the poorest. but 1 their skilt in their specht callings and by their frugality and industry not only aldo. to build up the town and county, but suc- ceedel in making for themselves empe- tences that enabled them before many years had passed to live in case with little or no further care or labor. Of these fortunate men Elijah Hays is one, and he is the only man now living in Warsaw who was in business here in 1843. Mr. Hays arrived here June 2. of that year, which was hi- twenty-fourth birthday, and having here some relatives who had preceded him. he was not altogether among strangers.
Elijah Hays was born at York, Penn- sylvania, June 2. INty, and when two years Told was taken to Wayne county, Ohio, by
Elizale. Honys
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Me Back. Andrew Yocum, who lived at Mili- Mak Bis miles south of Wooster. Robert Ings, the father of Elijah, died in Pennsyt- att when the latter was of the age just .. tror of Elijah, was left with five chili- three hundred dollars in cash. We had bong desired to secure an education, and so well & Norwalk, Olio, secured a room in the Vicchodit Episcopal Seminary batt ling. brought in his wood and counddias himself, and purposed to depend on the trade eu. when Mr. hays died, of which five for hi- expenses while earning geography. there were three horn of a former husband. arithmetic, grammar, natural patr phy and. Chemistry, of all of which he in the time acquired a fair knowledge. : Mr. Nichols, Elijah was the elder of the He by the second marriage, and Joe, the Estager, was but an infant in arms at the Menstime, in the fall of 1842. Thomas Buyeston, the brother-in-law of Mr. Hay -. hai come to Kosciusko county, had first le- cated at Leesburg and then rented to Webster, where he operated a raw and grist- mill until 1849. when he went to California. and three years later returned to Webster. where he passed the remainder of his life. dying in 1800 when he was about sixty- years old and while a member of the state legislature. fatih of his father. Two years after the ar- Heat of Andrew Yocum and the child Elijah MHMbrook, John Yocum, maternal grand- Master ci Elijah, and his daughter, Mrs. Hays, mother of Elijah, also reached Ohio and settled at Waynesboro. Wayne county. When six years old Elijah Hays was re- turned to his mother, and later went to live with this half-sister and her husband, Mir. Ad Mis. Thomas Boydston, who resided at Colar Valley, Ohio. Mr. Boydston later became a representative in the Indiana state legislature from Kosciusko county. Ha- refer to farming, but afterwards be- calle a manufacturer of woolen goods.
In 1830, when seventeen years old, EX- B. Hayes went out to work on a farm for a Short time and was then apprenticed to Pemberton Pancoast, at Congress. Wayne i anty. Ohio, to learn blacksmithing. served three years and one month and fut i- services received his board and one hun- are. dollars, together with three months' scholing after having learned the trade, but m. Diged to pay for his clothing. At the ... of his apprenticeship he was the water i Hy Gilars, besides a sound knowledge : Blacksmithing, and at once set up a shop Have to the mill of his brother-in-law. .Wilson, conducted it one year and saved 14
In 1843 Elijah Hays and his uncle, Jeei Fisk, decided to Follow Mr. Boydston 20 Kosciusko county and reached Leesburg in a two-horse wagon in June. 1843. Mr. Fisk purchased land just north of Centre Lake. cleared up a farm and lived upon it & nimm- ber of years, when he removed to Green- castle, Indiana, that he might give his sa better educational advantages. He had served as township trustee and died at that city when about sixty years old. The sun of Jed Fisk, alluded to above, was grad- uated from the Depauw University, and of returning to Kosciusko county sid the owl homestead and located in Franklin a winship. He later enlisted in the Calon army and it is supposed that he sacrificed his life in the country's cause, as he was never afterwards heard from.
Elijah Hays had soll his tools in Ohis
£
2.50
COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY.
amiga Kosciusko county, Indiana, and at dessa arranged with a gunsmith. by the way of fleming, to work at the ku- Here's hogy went to use the latter's tools and vive ig Rac tive being. Business opened up wait and in about a year Mr. Mays started a shop of his own on lot too, where the Ways Have now stands, and there be continued at his trade for fourteen years. Trade in these days was conducted npor flere principles of va diferent plans from what it is now. Horseshoe malls were made by the user himself, Mr. Hays worked Som four A. M. until nine P. M., mer- chants frosted their customers for twelve months er lenger, and Mr. Hays wouk! make wagons in payment for land, and was mace fered the lot where the Phillips store How stands for a seventy five-dollar wagon. Finally Mr. Hays sold his blacksmithing o de and engaged in the dry goods basi- ness in partnership with Joseph Funk. now decried. The new firm erected a store which they called the Crystal Palace, on the site where White's restaurant now stands. and employed five of six clerks, a large force For those days. The firm did a credit trade. and at the case of about two years dis- covered that they were about ten thousand dollars in debt. The firm then dissolved and Mr. Mays as his share of the assets accepted : Rom in Franklin township and also some business lots and the book accounts, but also. assumed the debts due by the concern, and # t k him the next three years to adjust affairs. For nine years he owned the farm and did general farming and stock raising. and the last year of his occupancy sold wheat at two dollars per bushel and cleared four- ten hundred dollars on grain and stock. Eventually be sold his farm and settled on
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