USA > Indiana > Kosciusko County > Progressive men and women of Kosciusko County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography > Part 59
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Frank Morehead was born on the orig- inal homestead in Tippecanoe township. May 24. 1842, and spent his childhood and youthful years in close touch with nature as a farmer's boy. In such schools as were then common throughout northern Indiana Mr. Morehead passed through many I dangerous and trying experiences and was he received a limited education, his prin- cipal learning being of an intensely prac- 'twice wounded. the first time in the foot at
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Stone River, and at Chickamauga, where one of his hands was pierced by a musket 1.1. These wounds, though exceedingly painful, were by no means serious, neither did they long incapacitate him from active service. His record as a soldier is without got or blemish, as he was ever ready for duty and was never known to shirk a re- ponsibility or turn his back upon danger in the face of the enemy. On account of wounds received he is now drawing a monthly pension of ten dollars, a sum ridiculously inadequate when his services are compared with those of others who are drawing much larger sums from the gov- ernment.
Since the war Mr. Morehead has carried on farming in Tippecanoe township and now owns a comfortable and well-stocked place, supplied with many of the conven- iences of life. Ilis career as a civilian is equally as honorable as his record on the march, in the trying campaign or on the field of carnage, discharging in full his duty as neighbor and friend and, as nearly as possible, living up to his ideal of citizenship. Through his own exertions and persever- ance he has earned a fair competence, be- sides winning a reputation which places him among the honorable and upright men of his community.
Mr. Morehead was married, March 27. 1887, to Miss Caroline Lesslie, a union Messed with six children, three sons and three daughters; all of the latter are de- ceased, as is also the mother, who departed this life in 1897. The sons are Joseph F .. Everett E. and Lloyd H., the last named married and living at home with his father.
Mr. Morehead is a Republican and as such has rendered his party efficient service
by always voting his principles. In religion he is a Methodist, belonging to the North Webster congregation, with which his wife was also identified. In the year 1865 he joined the Masonic fraternity and has been an enthusiastic member ever since, having filled important positions in the lodge to which he belongs. Mr. Morehead has led a quiet life and his integrity has always been unassailable. He is one of the sub- stantial and worthy men of his community. with no ambition for anything but the sphere of a private citizen, and his many friends bear willing testimony to his amia- ble qualities and sterling characteristics.
ORLANDO F. GERARD.
This well-known citizen of North Webster, Kosciusko county, Indiana, is a native son of this county and dates his birth from the 25th day of March, 1859. Isaac Gerard, the subject's father, was born in Ohio, but when a young man of twenty- three came to Kosciusko county and set- tled in the township of Tippecanoe, where he worked at his trade of carpentering. He was a fine mechanic and nearly all the frame houses on the original plat of Web- ster were erected by him, besides a number of barns, dwellings and other edifices in various parts of the country. He had not been long in the county until he formed the acquaintance of Miss Louisa Kirkpatrick. daughter of one of the early settlers, and the attachment soon ripened into love, which in due season led to marriage. Isaac and Louisa Gerard began housekeeping in North Webster and continued to live there
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about two years, when they took up their abode on a farm in Harrison township. where, in addition to working at his trade. Mr. Gerard also carried on the pursuit of agriculture. He purchased the place, con- sisting of eighty acres, and made it his home until the death of his wife in 1804. at which time he broke up housekeeping and lived among his children. Mr. and Mrs. Gerard had five children: Lawrence R., who married Clara Leslie, is a merchant doing business in Noble county, this state; Orlando F. and Malissa L. are twins, the latter now the widow of O. E. Little, for- merly of this county: she lives in the town of North Webster; Marcellus married Re- becca Cook and lives in South Whitley: William E., the youngest, married Lizzie Koontz and at the present time is engaged in the livery business at Pierceton.
The subject of this review was but five years old when deprived of a mother's guidance and solicitude, after which he and his twin sister became inmates of their grandparents' home. Under their hospit- able roof he grew to maturity, meanwhile attending the district schools and when not thus engaged assisted with such work as was required on the farm where his youth- ful years were spent. He remained with his relatives until his marriage, which was solemnized with Miss Lavina Mock, daugh- ter of John Mock, who was one of the early settlers and prominent citizens of the township of Tippecanoe. For one year for- lowing their nuptials Mr. and Mrs. Gerard lived on the Mock farm and at the expira- tion of that period rented a place in Tippe- canoe township, on which they resided about the same length of time, then mov- ing to Whitley county. Mr. Gerard farmed
in that county one season and then pur- chased forty acres in Tippecanoe township. to which he moved in 1883 and which he cultivated until 1885. when he abandoned agricultural pursuits and accepted a clerk- ship with J. F. Bockman, who kept a gen- eral store in the town of North Webster. Viter continuing in the capacity of sales- man three years he and J. A. Mock became partners and soon afterwards erected a large brick block in North Webster, whicht they stocked with a miscellaneous assort- ment of merchandise and the following six or seven years did a large and lucrative business, during four years of which time the subject was assistant postmaster. Sub- scquently Mr. Gerard went to Pierceton and worked for one year in the general store of William McNamara, but afterward returned to North Webster, where, after the resignation of Jacob Dullinger as post- master, he was appointed to fill the vacancy and had charge of the office until June 2. 1902, when he resigned, having been rez- ularly appointed in May. 1896. and reap- pointed in October, 1901, proving himself a most capable and obliging public servant.
Mr. Gerard is a man of splendid busi- ness ability and has managed with judg- ment and skill the various enterprises in which he has been engaged. He has always endeavored to be in sympathy with the best interests of the community in which he lives and his public spirit has prompted him to take a leading part in many movements hay- ing for their object the general good. Not- withstanding a rather unpropitious begin- ning, by assiduous attention to business and probity of life he surmounted many oh- stacles in the pathway of success and grad- ually forged to the front until he not only
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Grand himself the possessor of a handsome property, but occupying a conspicuous place in the confidence and esteem of the public as well. He has assisted in promot- ing the prosperity of the thriving town in which he now resides, at the same time aid- ing greatly in developing the resources of his township and county, using his means a well as his influence to bring this highly Favored section to the notice of investors and home seekers.
Mr. Gerard, although a man of wide information and strong convictions, is not what would be termed a politician, al- though he has always manifested a lively interest in party affairs, voting the Repub- 1
: Hican ticket ever since attaining his majority. He joined the Methodist church a number of years ago and ever since becoming a member has been earnest and zealous in religious work. He has been class leader in the congregation worshipping at North Webster, also superintendent of the Sun- day school. in both of which capacities his services have been very effective in pro- moting the cause of religion in the com- inunity. His daily life, which is in per- fect harmony with the faith he professes, bears eloquent testimony to the genuineness and force of the gospel as a great moral and spiritual agency. As a neighbor and citi- zen he has long enjoyed an enviable reputa- tion and his career throughout has been suc- aussiul and remarkably free from criticism, which fact is due largely to his energy of disposition, uniform probity of character and an earnest desire to discharge his every day as he shall answer to his conscience and his God.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerard have not been Fessed with any children of their own, but
they have furnished a home for an adopted daughter. Bertha Gerard, who was born in the year 1887. This young lady has been reared and educated under their care and she is the recipient of the same favors and solicitude that would be meted out to a child of their own flesh and blood. Mrs. Gerard is her husband's able and faithful assistant in his religious and moral work for the good of the community.
NAT. W. KLINE.
The history of Kosciusko county is not a very old one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community planted in the wilderness within the last century and has reached its magnitude of today without other aids than those of industry. The peo- ple who redeemed its wilderness fastnesses were strong-armed, hardy sons of the soil who hesitated at no difficulty and for whom hardships had little to appall. The early pioneers, having blazed the path of civili- zation to this part of the state, finished their labors and passed from the scene, leaving the country to the possession of their de- scendants and to others who came at a later period and builded on the foundation which they laid so broad and deep. Among the latter class is the prominent farmer and en- terprising citizen by whose name this article is introduced. While his arrival was not as early as some, yet he came in the forma- tive period and has done much to develop and advertise to the world the wonderful resources of a county that now occupies a proud position among the most progressive and enlightened sections of Indiana.
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Nat. W. Kline was born May 13, 1831, ceived a good education in the best schools that part of the state afforded. in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Kline, natives of Pennsylvania and New York, respectively. In an early day the ancestors of the Kline family in America came from Germany and settled in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. where the subject's father was born and grew to young manhood. With his parents he then went to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, when that part of the state was a new and comparatively undeveloped country and there lived the life of a successful farmer, marrying Elizabeth Musser, whose parents were also among the early pioneers. Sub- sequently he bought the old Musser home- stead, consisting of one hundred and fifty acres, where he reared his family and upon which both he and his wife afterwards died. Eleven children were born to John and Eliz- abeth Kline. Timothy. Samuel C., John. Philip. Jacob, Michael, Daniel. Nat. W. and . been made prior to his taking possession. three, one son and two daughters, that died in infancy.
In the fall of 1854 Mr. Kline moved to Kosciusko county, Indiana, and settled in Turkey Creek township on a piece of land which he received in exchange for his in- terest in a saw-mill in Fulton county, Ohio. He at that time also owned eighty acres of land in Fulton county, Ohio, forty of which were received by his father as a grant for services as a soldier in the war of 1812 and which he had purchased from his father. Subsequently Mr. Kline traded his land in Ohio for eighty acres adjoining his original eighty in this county, making in all a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and in one body, and in 1864 he purchased eighty acres more adjoining this on the east. His place in Turkey Creek township consisted of two hundred and forty acres, upon which bat little improvement worthy of mention had In due time, by hard and long-continued toil, he cleared and fitted for cultivation seventy acres and built a fine residence. which was destroyed by fire while he was absent in the army. Some time after his return from the war Mr. Kline sold the place and purchased a fine farm of one hun- dred and seventy-four acres a short dis- tance south of North Webster, on which he erected a good dwelling and other build- ings, making it one of the best cultivated and most valuable farms in that part of the county. Subsequently be bought an addi- tional hundred and forty acres and still later, by trading two hundred and sixty-nine acres for eighty acres, he received four thousand dollars in cash, and from the sale of another hundred-and-twenty-acre tract he received
Nat. W. Kline was reared to manhood in his native county and state and early de- cided to follow agriculture for a life work. When a young man he married Miss Hen- rietta Van Dawson, of Stark county. Ohio, and for one and a half years thereafter lived on the home place which he cultivates on the shares. At the expiration of that time his wife was called to the other world, and subsequently, March, 1853, he entered into the marriage relation with Miss Cath- erine Zintsmaster, daughter of John and Philipine ( Tice) Zintsmaster, who came to this country from Germany when Mrs. Kline was one year old. These parents set- ted in Stark county, Ohio, and there the subject's wife grew to maturity and re- ' eight thousand dollars in money. Meantime
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Mr. Kline came into possession of land in Missouri and in the spring of 1883 he moved to Jasper county, that state, where he continued to reside until 1900, when he returned to Kosciusko county and pur- desed the home in North Webster which he now occupies.
Mr. Kline has been a successful farmer and stock raiser, everything prospering to which he turned his hand. By skillful man- agement he acquired a large amount of val- table land in this county and elsewhere. He possesses ability of a high order and the prosperity which has always attended him demonstrates a sound judgment and clear insight into financial matters such as few farmers attain.
When the great Civil war broke out Mr. Kline showed his patriotism and love of country by enlisting in Company B. This- tieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, mustering at Fort Wayne and proceeding via Louis- ville to Tennessee, where the regiment joined the command under General Buell in time to take part in the bloody battle of Shiloh. On the 7th day of April. 1862. . siderable attention to the highways, bridges, ne received a painful wound on the left leg ; etc., besides building and equipping some which disabled him for further active sery- , of the best schoolhouses in the county. His ice: as soon as sufficiently recovered he was official record is without a blemish and the public, irrespective of political affiliations. bears testimony to the able and impartial manner with which he looked after the peo- pie's interests . sent to Indiana to recruit for the regiment and while thas engaged secured twenty-www. men from North Webster and vicinity and sent them to the front. He did this work while suffering greatly from his injury, be- Mr. Kline's first marriage was without issue. His present wife has borne him seven children, namely: Alice C., wife of T. E. Megranahan, of Joplin, Missouri: ung obliged to use crutches at the time and with the aid of these getting about only with much difficulty. By reason of his disability he did not complete his term of enlistment. . John R. married Fannie Gawthrop and lives receiving his discharge at Indianapolis on . the 15th day of January, 1863. Mr. Kline 1
proved a brave soldier and his record is re-
plete with duty gallantly performed. He suffered much for his country, having never recovered from his wound, and at the pres- ent time he receives from the government a pension of ten dollars per month.
Since the war Mr. Kline has devoted himself closely to his business affairs, with results already indicated. He is now one of the financially strong and reliable men of the county, also one of its most intelli- , gent and enterprising citizens. Deeply in- " terested in the material development of his township. he takes an active part in public affairs and lends his influence to any and all enterprises which promise to promote the general prosperity of the community. He has been a supporter of the Republican party ever since old enough to vote and in his younger days took quite an active part in politics, but of late contents himself with merely exercising the elective franchise. He served four years as justice of the peace and filled the office of township trustee eight terms, during which time he did much in the way of improvements, devoting con-
in the town of North Webster; Nathaniel J., an attorney at law, practicing his pro- fession at North Webster. married Susan
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Brower; Lincoln Il., who was married to Safrona Grindle, is a stone mason living in North Webster: Charles P. lives in the In- chan Territory, his wife's maiden name having been Mattie Hopkins: William, who married Mary Galantine, lives in the city of Carthage, Missouri ; Franklin L. lives in Missouri : his wife's maiden name was Etta Osborn.
Mrs. Kline is a most estimable and zeal- ous Christian woman. Mr. Kline has never made a public profession of religion, but is a liberal supporter to the cause of religion. also contributing to other ecclesiastical and benevolent organizations, all of which he believes to be potential forces in helping man to a higher plane of living. He is a man of firm convictions and well grounded opinions, a reader and thinker and remark- ably well informed upon the great questions and events of the day. His popularity in the community was never more signally `demonstrated than upon his return to his old home from Missouri some years ago. the event being marked by many demonstra- tions of joy and satisfaction on the part of his old friends and neighbors, all of whom welcomed him and his good wife with open army and open hearts. In a pleasant home, surrounded by such agreeable associations, and in possession of ample means to render the remainder of their earthly pilgrimages free from care, this excellent couple are now quietly enjoying the seclusion and rest of private life, esteemed by all who know :Nem and honored for their many fine qual- ities of head and heart. That they may be spared many years to make glad the com- munity with their presence and bless the world by their words of cheer and kindly I Lake township for the ensuing four years.
deeds is the earnest and heartich wish of their friends throughout the county of Kos- ciusko.
WILLIAM WILBUR WORLEY.
The Worley family comes of the sturdy and genial Irish stock which made such worthy pioneers of the new country. The grandparents of W. W. Worley came to the great Northwest in early days and settled in that section which afterwards became Ashland county. Ohio. Their son George was an infant in arms at that time, but grew to manhood, learned the harnessmaker's trade, married and moved on farther west to Silver Lake, Indiana. His wife's maiden name was Sarah Stecher. Four children were born to them, of whom W. W. Worley, the subject, is one. His father lived again in Ohio for a tinte, but returned in 1885 to Silver Lake and in 1889 settled on the farm at Claypool, where his son William now lives, and has recently retired from activity' as a farmer to his present home. For about fifteen years he has served as a local preacher in the United Brethren church, doing evangelistic work, and the last six years he has been in charge of a regular circuit.
William Wilbur Worley was born in Ashland county, Ohio, May 31, 1860. He grew up near Silver Lake, Indiana, and was educated in the public schools of Lake town- ship and the high school at Warsaw. When a child of but four years he suffered a dis- location of the hip bone which left him a cripple for life. After leaving school as a student he taught in the country schools of
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W. W. WORLEY FAMILY GROUP
QUOHO YJIMAT YHIHOW .W .W
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When branched out into the railroad busi- ness. He learned telegraphy in Silver Lake and worked as supply operator and agent in various towns on what is now the Michigan division of the Big Four railroad for about a year. He then took an agency at Urbana. next at Silver Lake and then accepted the agency at Claypool, in which position he re- mained for twelve years. During all this time he was especially favored with success and health, which allowed him to be on duty constantly, never losing a month's pay. lie was shipping agent also and in reward for his faithful attention to all duties he was held in high esteem by the officials. He re- signed this position to accept the office of trustee of Clay township, having been easily elected to that place on the Republican ticket. His term of five years and three months ex- Aired in September, 1900. During this time be built the new school house in Claypool, a high school was added and the school graded, making the educational advantages of Claypool second to none in the county, excepting those of Warsaw. In the im- provement of roads he erected the first stone arch bridges ever used in the township, and his example is still followed.
He has been active in political work for years and is considered one of the public- spirited men of the town. In April, 1889. he invested in his home farm, which, with hired help, he has improved and cultivated. having cleared considerable of the land and laid tile drain. This farm contains one hundred and forty-five acres. He owns a second farm of eighty acres, both being de- voted to stock farming. This business has become Mr. Worley's specialty and he takes great pride in raising fine cattle, sheep and logs. As a member of the firm of Cald-
well, Leigh & Worley, he has handled a great deal of stock, buying, selling and ship- ping. He is also a member of the firm of Worley, Rhoades & Jamisen, which deals in horses. Their barns are located on a farm and they buy horses for the eastern mar- ket, which has proven a profitable business. During 1900 the firm handled seven hun- dred horses.
Mr. Worley was married, February 20, 1886, to Miss Angynettie Bloom, of Clay- pool. She was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, November 24, 1864, her parents be- ing John and Nancy (Berkstresser ) Bloom, both now deceased. Her father was born in Hollensberg, Germany, April 22, 1820. and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Worley, in February, 1901. He followed the pursuit of farming, and in politics was a Democrat. Mrs. Bloom was born in Yates county, New York, September 18, 1825, and died March 31, 1894. Both were members of the German Lutheran church. Mrs. Worley was educated in the common schools of this county and is a lady of marked intelligence and genuine worth. By her wise counsel and encouragement she has proven a true helpmate to her husband, as- sisting him nobly in the establishment and beautifying of their home. She is a mem- ber of the United Brethren church, with which he is also in sympathy. They have four children, Winnie Winona, Faun Edna, Frankie Foss and George Eleanora. Win- me will graduate in the class of 1902 at Claypool, Faun is a member of the seventh grade, Frankie is a member of the fourth grade and all have taken musical instruc- tion.
Mr. and Mrs. Worley possess one of the most complete and best-selected family li-
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braries in the southern part of the county. Encyclopedias, histories, biographies and works by all the leading authors grace the shelves of their library and prove an im- . of mankind. portant adjunct to the education of their caliGren. Fraternally Mr. Worley belongs to Longe No. 73. F. & A. M. at Warsaw. and is also a charter member of Tent No .. 83. K. O. T. M., at Claypool, having hell at offices of record keeper, chaplain and ser- geant. Mrs. Worley is a charter member of Tent No. 103. L. O. T. M .. at Claypool. and has held the positions of chaplain and past commander, being at present inside guard.
DAVID HAMMAN.
The gentleman whose name initiates this article is a native of Ohio, a state which has been the cradle of much of our western civilization and upon which the common- wealth of Indiana hs largely drawn for its most enlightened, enterprising and pro- gressive citizenship.
Going still further back in the family history, it is learned that his paternal grand- father in an early day left the vine-clad hill of Germany and joined the tide of emigra- don to the free land of America, settling in Pennsylvania, where Jacob Hamman, fa- ther of the subject, was born and reared. 'a young manhood Jacob took up his abode in Tuscarawas county. Ohio, and there met and married Elizabeth Mock, who bore him eleven children, nearly all of whom grew to mature years and became useful men and women. In 1849 he came to Kosciusko County and settled in Turkey Creek town- ship. where he purchased a farm upon
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