USA > Indiana > Kosciusko County > Progressive men and women of Kosciusko County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography > Part 54
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pired, but he enlisted again and after vetero inrlough joined his regiment at Jackson- ville, Florida. He was sent north and was in the many bloody battles of the Richmond and surrounding campaigns: Bermuda Hundred. Foster's Farm. Chester Station. Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom. Chapman's Farm. Fort Fisher and on to the surrender. For gallantry in battle he was promoted. first to corporal, and then to first lieutenant. the latter being made May 1. 1865, and the commission being signed by Governor Oliver P. Morton. He was mustered out at Goldsboro. North Carolina, in September, 1865. having served over four years. He participated in more than thirty different en- gagements, and was in many arduous marches and harassing campaigns. Hle afterward drew a pension of twelve dollar- for his disabilities. After the war he was employed in the fire department at Nastavite. Tennessee, by the government, and later ..; Jeffersonville until August. 1858, when he came to North Manchester, Indiana. Alt this time he married Miss Jenme Klime. He went west in 1869 and worked on the Union Pacific railroad, but the same year returne.i. to Indiana and here he remained until his death. To this marriage two children were born, a son and a daughter, the son being deceased. Ethel, the daughter, was born August 1, 1876, was well educated and mar- Fied Ed Brande, a merchant of Disco. In - ana. Mr. Carr was a strong Republican and was the postmaster at Silver Lake, receivin ; his appointment June 1. Hvor, from Presi- dent Mckinley. He was a member of Pos No. 306. G. A. R .. and his splendid war res- ond was well known to all his associates. He was one of the strongest political die- ments in this part of the county, and one of
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the most prominent citizens. Mr. Carr de- parted this life on the 7th of June, 1902. and his funeral was conducted by the Grand Army of the Republic.
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GIVEN K. SMITIL.
Forty years ago, when the slaveholders rebellion broke out with all its fury at Fort Sumter and when it looked as if the Union that all loved so much would be dissolved. several members of the family to which the subject belongs enlisted to save the federa- tion of the states, even though they had to free the slaves in order to do so. It was a time when there could be no temporizing and no halting,-no half-way position,- for all who were not for the Union were against it, and both sides hated the man who claimed to be neutral because he did not want to risk his skin on the field of battle and had no principles to sustain. The mem- bers of this family were alive to the gravity of the national conflict, and realized that the struggle impending was something more. than a holiday undertaking and knew that it meant great hardship and the shedding of rivers of blood before the dag could again wave from Maine to Florida and from Florida to California. But they did not hesitate, be it said to their everlasting re- now1.
iamilie" of Virginia. These people were famous for their hospitanty, their fine man- ners, the beauty of their women and the gallantry of their men, and for their ski !! in statecraft. Through this particular fam- ily ran a trace of Irish blood, sufficient to sharpen their wits and cause them to be will- ing to fight at any and all times to mam- tain their rights and liberties. The Holmes family were also of the same blood and pos- sessed the same indomitable characteristics. The blending of these two admirable de- ments had an excellent result in the off- spring, as is shown in the lives of the subject of this sketch and his brothers. Frank and Margaret Smith removed to Miami county. Ohio, where they engaged in farming and stock raising. To them nine children were born, as follows: William, Jeannette, Caro- line, John, James, Henry, Given K., sub- ject, Frank and Sammel. William, John, James and Henry are deceased. They and subject served, as before stated, in the Union army during the Rebellion, and the family should be known by all as the "Soldier Family" by reason of their splendid service. John particularly distinguished himself and was promoted to a captaincy. while the others, in a less conspicuous way, were also famed for their gallantry on the field. their intense loyalty and their hardihood on the march and in the hospitals. When to the above are added the names of Frank and Samuel, it will be found that there were seven boys of this splendid family to assist Uncle Sam in maintaining his political Hie. Subject enlisted in Company B. Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was muistered in August 1, 1862. After a brief period in camp of instruction he was sent to Ken-
Given K. Smith is the son of Frank and Margaret ( Holmes) Smith, and was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, June 19. 1838. The Smiths of which he is a worthy representative were natives of that state, and of English descent, and were members of what became famous in history as the "first " tucky and there saw his first rebel in arms
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and smelled his first gunpowder. He was of his party. He is prominent in the affairs engaged at Perryville in August, 1862. ere of the township and the county, and the county does not possess a better citizen. he scarcely knew how to march straight, but he showed his pluck under fire and did not falter. Ile was severely wounded at Smoky Hollow, and was discharged for disability after having served honorably and gallantly MRS. RACHEL ROCKHILL. for about two years. Throughout all this bloody warfare he was ever ready for the The life history of the amiable and pop- ular lady whose name heads this sketch most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out noble purposes. It is a story of a life whose success is measured by its usefulness-a life that has made the worki better and brighter. Her career has been dignified and womanly. her manner unaffected, and her actions. springing from a heart charged with love and good feeling for humanity, have been a blessing to all who were within the range of her influence. She is a representative of one of the pioneer families of northern Indiana. and for many years was the wife of one of Kosciusko county's most worthy and honor- able citizens. fray, and was always ready and anxious to strike the enemy a deadly blow. After his discharge he returned home and resumed the work of the farm. A little later he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Long. a native of Ohio and of Germanic descent. To them five children were born, as follows: Ella, who became the wife of Charles Yates and lives in Paducah, Kentucky : Alice, who married Samuel Dontts, resides in Warsaw. Indiana : Clara, who wedded Lawrence Un- derhill, lives at Silver Lake: Myrtie, who became the wife of Charles Pearston, lives at Elkhart; Earl C. is unmarried and lives at Elkhart. In 1866 the subject moved from Ohio to Noble county, Indiana, thence to : Kosciusko county in 1887. He first was in- Rachael Teegarden, daughter of George .and Sarah (Teel) Teegarden, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 22d day of July. 1832. Her paternal grandfather. a native of Germany, came to the United States a great many years ago and settled in Greene county, Pennsylvania, where his son George was born and reared. terested in railroading. being employed for five years on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and later bought a small farm west of Silver Lake, and on the same lived until the death of his wife in June, 1898, when he came to town. His splendid military record makes him a conspicuous character here. He is a member of Post George Teegarden was reared a farmer and when a young man married Sarah Tee .. whose ancestors also came from Germany and in an early day settled in the county and state where the Tecgardens originally lo- cated. Ile engaged in agricultural pursuits in Greene county and continued to live there No. 306, G. A. R., at Silver Lake, and of Lodge No. 576. 1. O. O. F. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. in which and in its Sunday school he has been an active worker. He is an uncompro- mising Republican and an active member
Rockhill
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till he came to Columbiana county, Ohio. He later disposed of his possessions in that county and migrated to Kosciusko county. Indiana, about 1851. settling in the township of Harrison. Here he purchased land, cleared a farm and became one of the sub- stantial and enterprising men of his communi- nity. He was a pronounced Methodist in his religious views and as long as he lived worked zealously to establish organizations of that faith in various parts of the country. : His moral character was pure and clear, his influence was always exercised in behalf of the good of his kind and he left to his chil- dren a name and fame which the tongue of slander never attacked and which today are deemed of far greater worth than a heritage of lands and gold.
George and Sarah Teegarden had nine children, whose names are Eliza, Lavica. Solomon, Thomas, Moses, William, Jere- miah. George and Rachael.
Rachael spent her childhood days and youthful years amid the bracing airs of the country and grew to womanhood among the beautiful rural scenes of her native county of Columbiana and the newer county of Kosciusko. The influence which close com- muumion with nature in its varied loveliness had upon her youthful character was very
dustry and thrift which have had such a marked influence upon her subsequent ca- reer as a maiden and matron.
On the 7th day of April. 1853. two years after coming to Indiana, she was happily ! married to Mr. Aaron Rockhill, a young gentleman of blameless character, where ar- rival in Kosciusko county antedated that of her father's family about one year. He also settled in Harrison township, but purchased an eighty-acre farm one mile west of Etna Green, Marshall county, and it was on this place that the young couple set up their domestic establishment and began married life. Mr. Rockhill was a man of much more than ordinary energy and but few years elapsed before he began adding to his orig- inal purchase. He possessed sound judg- ment and superior business abilities, and as a farmer took high rank among his neigh- bors, nearly all of whom looked upon him as a model agriculturist and regarded hits with favor as a man of broad intelligence and a leader in enterprises for the general prosperity of the community. He continued from time to time to purchase real estate im- til he became the owner of two hundred aeres of as rich and valuable land as northern In- diana could boast of, part of which lay in ! Kosciusko county and part just across the
1 marked and the early religious impressions i line in the county of Marshall. He was made upon her mind and heart by the teach- very fortunate in all of his business trans- ings of godly parents had a decided ten- , actions and everything in which he engaged deney in moulding her life for good and , seemed to prosper. By successful manage- shaping her destiny towards high ideals. In ment and continual industry he acquired quite a respectable fortune, his real estate cation and while attending them made ac- alone representing a value of over twelve quaintances and formed ties which time has Ithousand dollars. the common schools she received a fair edu- not dimmed nor circumstances severed. She Mrs. Rockhill proved an able and valu- grew up strong and healthful in body and ; able assistant to her husband in the labor of mind and was early taught the lessons of in- clearing the farm, and deemed it not be-
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neath her womanly dignity to go into the ffice of class leader, besides filling off; clearing and gather and pile brush and attend important official positions in the church to firing the log heaps. She also made a fat Etna Green. To him religion was seem full hand in the harvesting and haymaking, ingly as essential as the food he ate and the air he breathed; he was a close student of the Holy Scriptures and by living a life con- secrated to the service of the Most Hig !: was inspired to noble deeds and great ac- tivities in his life and amply prepared to "see the King in His beauty and behold the land that is afar off" when the time came to exchange the church militant for the church triumphant. He was a good man and a just one and when the final summons came. November 7. 1899. he fearlessly entered the valley of shadows, cheered by the presence of Him who is the "resurrection and the life." at the same time looking after her household affairs with the most serupulous care, never neglecting a single domestic duty. Always cheerful and kindly disposed, she labored by the side of her husband and made the time pass merrily while engaged in the most se- vere and exacting toil. Much of the success which Mr. Rockhill attained is directly at- tributable to the willingness and self-sacri- fice of his companion, and when the bright day of prosperity finally dawned she shared with him its welcome rays and together they enjoyed the ample fortime which in the end crowned their mutual efforts.
Mrs. Rockhill bore her husband six chil- dren: Anna, born April 19. 1854. is the wife of Henry Plummer and lives in Etna Green : George, born February 7, 1858, mar- ried Amanda Beck and resides in Marshail county: Nathan F., whose birth occurred June 3. 1861, married Minnie Porter and is a business man of Plymouth: Solomon was born June 16, 1863, and died October 10. 1893: Homer, born October 24, 1866, 1 married Lillian Hayherst and resides in the town of Knox. this state: Nora, the young- et of the family, was born on the 28th day of October. 1869. "She became the wife of William Wissler, who died February 21, ' 1894, since which time she has lived with her mother in Etna Green.
In his political affiliations Aaron Rock- hill was a Republican, later a Prohibitionist. and in religion he was a zealous member of the Methodlist Episcopal church. He was quite active in religious work and for a period of about twenty-five years held the
Since her husband's death Mrs. Rocks!" has manifested fine business abilities in fe management of the large estate fund sie looks carefully after the interests left in het charge. In the year 1800 Mr. and Mrs. Rockhill turned the farm over to other handis and retired from active life, purchasing a neat and comfortable home in the beautiful village of Etna Green, where she now re- sides. Like her husband, she. too, is of a sincerely religious nature and her life has abounded in good works in the church and among the deserving poor in the world oni- side. Among her neighbors she is held in the highest esteem and she numbers warm- hearted friends by the score in the town where she is spending her declining years She has experienced many of life's vicis .;- tudes, enjoyed many of its triumphs and is now surrounded by those who have long known and respected her for her kindly di- position and sweep moral nature. She i- passing down the shady side towards the
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journey's end, honored by all and cheered by a living faith in Him who in the after- while, when "life's fitful fever is over," will welcome her with the sweet plaudit, "Come thou blessed of the Father, enter into the joys of thy Lord."
FRANCIS M. METHENY.
The gentleman whose name appears above is the descendant of a distinguished Scottish ancestry, in which country, Scot- land, his people had resided from very re- mote times. They were no doubt members of one of the famous highland clans, and took part in the wars by which Scotland tried for so many bloody years to maintain itself against the inroads of the British peo- ple. William Metheny, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was himself born in that country, and possessed all the char- acteristics of his historie race. When a young man he became convinced that he could do better in the new world, and ac- cordingly he boarded a sailing vessel and after a few weeks of tossing on the billowy Atlantic was landed safe and sound, though considerably shaken up, in New York har- bor. He made his way to Virginia and en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, and there be met the lady who a little later became his wife. After their marriage they engaged in farming, and in the course of time the fol- lowing children came to bless them: Ben- jamin. James, John, George. Andrew, Nancy, Mary and Lutha. William Metheny in time found that he could do better in the great West, and accordingly he first moved to Pennsylvania, where he remained for four
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years, and then came to Jay county, Indiana, in 1838, when the country was very new and full of wild animals and almost as wild In- dians. He entered eighty acres of land in the deep woods and began with the help of his boys to clear off the heavy timber that covered the soil. There he passed the re- mainder of his days. His son. Andrew, who became the father of subject, was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the .
old subscription schools of the neighborhood. During the war of the Rebellion he served for about four months as a member of Com- pany I, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry, being mustered out July 12. 1865. He married Miss Lucretia Oler, who presented him with five children. as follows: William, Enos, Frank, Sarah A. and Mary L. Upon the death of his first wife he married Miss Cynthia Spohn and by her has four children: Ellen, Jesse, Edgar and Edith. In 1856 he removed to Marshall county, where he rented land and there he still resides. He is now diving upon eighty acres which he bought. He is a prominent citizen of that county and an in- fluential Republican, but in recent years has voted and worked with the Prohibitionists. He is a man of strong convictions and high principles and would like above all things to see the sale of liquor forever stopped. He has been a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church since he was sixteen years old, and is a consistent Christian and an hon- est man. His son, Francis M., or "Frank." as he is familiarly called, was reared to farm life by his father and received a fair edu- cation in the district schools. He remained at home until he was twenty years old. On December 25, 1883. he wedded Miss Emma E. Geiger, a native of this county, but to this
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marriage there are no children. They have reared one child, a girl named Loylie P. ilaney. After their marriage they moved to Dakota and remained there four years. but in 1888 they returned to this county and bought ninety-one and a half acres of the old Geiger homestead. Recently they sold this place and bought eighty acres in section 36. Seward township, which they propose to im- prove and make their future home. They are members of the United Brethren church. in which he has been class leader, superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. delegate to the conference, president of the township Sunday school association, etc. He is a Pro- hibitionist and takes an active part for the principles in which he believes. He and his excellent wife are well known, and have the highest respect of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
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MRS. SUSAN SARBER.
This lady is the daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth ( Keister ) Hartman, and was born in Richland county, Ohio, February 19, 1831. John Hartman, her grandfather, was a native of Germany, but came to America and settled in Pennsylvania. He was mar- ried in the latter state and to him were born these children : Samuel, John Henry, Isaac. Simon and one daughter. Isaac Hartman. who had in his early manhood learned the cooper's trade. married Elizabeth Keister and to them were born five children, as fol- lows: Isaac, who died when only nineteen years old : Julia, who became the wife of E. M. Baker'and is deceased; Elizabeth, who married William Mollenhour and now re-
sides in Mentone; Susan, subject : Simon. who married Miss Martin and after her death married Catherine Deardorff. lives in Warsaw : Jacob, who died when he was nine- teen years old. Isaac Hartman came from Hancock county. Ohio, to Kosciusko conn- ty, Indiana, in the year 1850 and settled o. a farm in Seward township. His daughter; Susan received a fair education in Ohio, an : after coming to this state was unted in marriage with Lyman Latimer on June ;. 1853. She lived happily with him until hs death in 1802. On March 11. 1866, She was united in marriage with Christian Sar- ber. The Sarber family is of German de- scent, but in this country hails from Penn- sylvania. They resided in Kosciusko coun- ty, where they had one hundred and sixty acres on section 35 in Harrison township. To Mr. and Mrs. Sarber five children were born, as follows: Nettie, born July 1. 1868, who became the wife of Austin Blue and lives in Franklin township: Anna, born March '8, 1870, became the wife of W. J. Blue and resides in Harrison township: Julia, born December 27, 1871, married .MI- bert Whetstone and lives in Jonesboro. Grant county, Indiana : Isaac, born Septem- ber 13, 1873. married Miss Myrtle Rock- , hill and lives in Mentone.
Mr. Sarber was a kind husband and a useful citizen. He possessed excellent prin- ciples and good morals and the world wa. better for his having lived in it. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopai church, as is also Mrs. Sarber, and he was trustee of the church at the time of his death. September 1. 1880. He was a Dem ?- ocrat in politics and took much interest in the affairs of his party. He was well re- spected by all who had the honor of his ac-
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quantance. He was a farmer and stock raiser and was more than ordinarily success- inl, and at the time of his death left an e- tate valued at about thirty thousand dollars. After his death Mrs. Sarber moved from the farm to Mentone, moving in 1894, and her daughter lives with her there at this time. She has a large circle of friends and takes much interest in the work of her church.
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ELMER M. EDDINGER.
In these days of large commercial trans- actions, when credits cut a large factor in the daily round of business, the province of the banker is very wide and very important. The excellence of the banks of the present as compared with those of the past gives to all classes of business men first-class se- i had such perfect control of himself that he curity for their deposits, assistance when they are in need of ready money to move their business, and a means of exchanging credits that could be accomplished in safety no other way. In a large measure the suc- cess of the present time in all branches of business is largely the result of the present linking methods. It is quite common for the stockholders of the banks to be business mien of prominence in the community- farmers, merchants, manufacturers and pro- iessional men, all of whom are known to the depositors and their standing well estab- lished. This gives stability to the bank and confidence to the community. Such is the confidence in the bank of which the subject of this sketch is cashier.
Elmer M. Eddinger was born in Fulton county, Indiana, March 20, 1864, and is the son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Burgh)
Erdinger. The Eddinger family are of Germanie descent and originated in this country in the Keystone state, where the father of subject was born and passed his early youth. He was brought to Fulton county, Indiana, when yet a boy and there he grew to manhood. He made the ac- quantance of and married Miss Elizabeth Brugh, who had lived in the same neigh- borhood and had attended the same school. Their marriage occurred in February, 1863. and to them were born three children, two boys and one girl, the latter dying. The two sons were the subject and his brother. Alvin E., who was born November 9. 1869. The latter married Miss Georgia Ferguson and they reside at Logansport, Indiana, he be- ing a conductor on the Panhandle railroad. The father was a man of learning and piety. having joined church in his boyhood, and was never known to lose his temper. He was of a buoyant disposition and aiways looked on the bright side of things. ile died when the subject of this memoir was six years of age, July 3. 1870. and his funeral was attended by a large concourse of people, for he had many friends. After his death the efforts of the subject were di- reeted mainly toward assisting his mother. Ile remained with her until he was sixteen years old, securing, in the meantime, a good education at the common schools. Ile learned the trade of milling from his step- father, for whom he worked for five years for his board and clothes, receiving ten do !- lars per month. He worked four months for this wages, but in March, 18St. he started for Illinois, having at the time about twenty-five dollars. He secured a job with a miller at Parkville, Illinois, for ten dollars
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per week and board, which was much bet- is a member of the Masonic fraternity, hat - ter than he had done at home. He worked thus for two years, and then came to Sevas- topol in the spring of 1883 and found em- 1 ployment in a grist-mill at thirty dollars per 1 month and board. In September, 188.4. he secured employment in the grist-mill at Mentone, the one now standing, which he assisted in equipping. There he remained until October, 1887, when he bought a one- third interest in the mill, the firm name be- ing Mentzer, Tucker & Company. In Feb- LYMAN L. MOLLENHOUR. ruary. 1890, Mentzer sold out to John W. Nichols and the firm name became Eddinger. Tucker & Company. February 20, 1892. Mr. Eddinger sold his interest in the mill and June 21, 1892, opened the Farmers' Bank of Mentone, the officers of which were as follows: A. C. Manwaring, president ; M. E. Hise, vice-president ; E. M. Eddinger, cashier : 1. D. Manwaring, assistant cashier. In 1894 this bank bought out the Citizens' Bank, and then the officers became L. D. Manwaring. president ; M. E. Hise, vice- president ; E. M. Eddinger, cashier ; Allen Bybce, assistant cashier. The bank has a paid-up capital of twenty thousand dollars and is in first-class shape. In his responsible position of cashier, much of the burden of the success of the bank falls on Mr. Eddin- ger's shoulders, but the responsibility could not be better placed.
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