USA > Indiana > Kosciusko County > Progressive men and women of Kosciusko County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography > Part 64
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To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born children as follows: Floyd E., whose birth took place in June, 1882: Amy E .. Septem- ber. 1884: Fred C., August 26. 1886: Ruth C .. April 24, 1892: and Ralph W., who was born on the 19th day of November, 1896.
MRS. MAGGIE ANGLIN.
Wholly devoted to home and domestic duties, doing through all the best years of her life the lowly but sacred work that comes
MRS. MAGGIE ANGLIN
ИШЕИА ЭТОРАМ ЗЯМ
J.G. ANGLIAN
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within her sphere, there is not much to re- cord concerning the life of the average woman. And yet what station so dignified, what relation so loving and endearing, what office so holy, tender and ennobling as those of home-making wifehood and motherhood. A celebrated writer and biographer once said that the future destiny of a great na- tion depended upon its wives and methers. May this not also be said concerning the future that is bone of her bone, blood of her blood and flesh of her flesh, and which is incalculable in its results and will never be fully known until eternity solves the prob- lem? In the settlement of the great middle west woman bore her full share of hardship. sufferings and other vicissitudes, helping man in the rugged toil of wood and field, cheering him when cast down and discour- aged, sharing his dangers, mitigating his sufferings, in the end quietly and unosten- tatiously rejoicing in his success, yet ever keeping herself modestly in the background and permitting her liege lord to enjoy all the glory of their mutual achievements. In a biographical compendium, such as this work is intended to be, woman should have no in- significant representation. As man's equal in every qualification save the physical, and bis superior in the gentle, tender and loving amenities of life, she fully merits a much larger notice than she ordinarily receives, and the writer of these lines is optimistic enough to indulge the prediction that in a :
no distant future she will receive due credit for the important part she acts in life's great Grama and be accorded her proper place in history and biography. The foregoing lines were suggested after a perusal of the leading facts in the life career of the worthy and highly respected lady whose name furnishes'
the caption of this article, a lady who has done well her part in the world and whose career from the beginning has been a simple, but beautiful poem of rugged, toilsome duty faithfully and uncomplainingly per- formed as maiden, wife and mother.
Miss Maggie Zentz, daughter of Chris- tian and Rachael ( Bowers) Zentz, is a na- tive of Stark county, Ohio, where her birth occurred on the 10th day of March, 1844. Originally the Zentzes came from Germany and the name was familiar in various parts of Maryland at an early period in the his- tory of that colony. Mrs. Anglin's father was born in Maryland in 18og and the mother, also a native of that state, first saw the light of day the same year. The Bowers were also of German origina, and, like the Zentz family, lived in Maryland in the time of the colonies. In an early day representa- tives of both families migrated to Stark county. Ohio, in the local annals of which both names are still familiar. They settled in the same locality and in due time an in- timacy sprang up between Christian Zentz and Rachael Bowers which, ripening into love, led to marriage about the year 1837. The fruits of this union were five sons and two daughters, namely: Jeremiah, who married Lucinda MeClintoe: Mrs. Harriet Rose: Mathias L., unmarried : William II. married Margaret Smith: Margaret, the subject of this sketch: Solomon married Lydia Clark; Samuel, who chose a wife in the person of Matilda Ruby ; all are living except William H. The Bowers have long been noted for longevity, the mother of these children dying at the age of eighty-six years, while several of the family almost reached the century mark. The maternal grandia- ther of Mrs. Anglin was Mathias Bowers,
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who was born in Maryland December 13. 1774, and on the 25th of December, 1795. was united in marriage to Catherine Hauck. This union was blessed with the following children : Jacob, born November 1. 1796. married Sarah Talmer: Elizabeth, born June 20, 1798, became the wife of Adam Kimmel: Sarah, born August 16, 1800, wis the wife of Jacob Koontz: Susan, born July 12, 1802. was the wife of David Shrivers; Magaline, born November 26, 1804. WIS united in marriage with Mr. Traster : John. born July 6, 1807. married a Miss Grogg: Rachael, who was born September 14. 1809. and became the wife of Christian Zentz. was the mother of Mrs. Anglin: William. born October 25. 1811. married Sallie Grogg: David, born April 18, 1814, mar- ried: Anna, born November 9. 1815, was the wife of Abraham Grogg: Charlotte. born May 10, 1821, was the wife of Samuel Bogan.
By occupation Christian Zentz was a farmer and in addition to his labors as such he operated for a number of years a saw- mill on what was formerly known as Beech creek. After living in Ohio until 1857 he disposed of his farm and other property in- terets there and came to Kosciusko coun- ty. Indiana. At that time there was still considerable government land remaining in this part of the state and Mr. Zentz at once entered eighty acres in Etna township, on which he erected a comfortable plank house and began clearing the dense timber with which his place was overgrown. He suc- ceeded in his purpose of making a good farm and in due time became quite well situated. but did not long remain to enjoy the fruits of his off, departing this life in 1869.
Maggie Zentz was a strong little miss of
thirteen when the family moved to the new home in the woods of Kosciusko county. . Is all possible help was needed in developing the farm, she hesitated not to go into the clearing and bear her part in the hard work required. It was not long until she learned to wield the ax and grubbing hoe with great dexterity and when fourteen of fifteen years old could easily do an ordinary hand's work in gathering and piling brush, grubbing and tending to the burning logheaps. She helped grub the undergrowth from the spot on which the original plank dwelling stood. and, after its destruction by fire. labore ! equally as hard on the frame building by which the first was replaced. For a couple of years she attended the public schools and availed herself of every meager advantage which they afforded. After her sixteenth year she never, as a student, saw the interior of a school room, but subsequently by much reading made up in a large measure her early educational deficiencies. Her ac- quaintance with good literature is wide, in addition to which she has always kept in close touch with current events and is now a well informed woman of much more than ordinary culture. From the age of sixteen years she worked out and made her own living until the time of her marriage to John Granvil Anglin, to a brief review of whose life the reader's attention is herewith re- spectfully invited.
Mr. Anglin was a native of Kosciusko county, Indiana, born in the township of Etna on the 20th day of January. 1842. His father. Isaac Anglin, one of the coun- ty's earliest pioneers, came here from Bar- bour county, West Virginia, and took an active and prominent part in the develop- ment of the country. He married in his na-
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tive state Miss Catherine Briggs, who bore him children as follows: John G .: Mary, wife of Jacob Ringenberg, both deceased ; William B. married Ellen Rusher: Hiram died in infancy : and Elam IL., who married Cassie Thomas. The children born to the parents of Isaac Anglin were as follows: Nancy ( Mrs. James Heatherly ). Jane ( Mrs. David O'Neal). AAbigail (Mrs. John O'Neal), Sarah (Mrs. Bennet Hudkins), Mary ( Mrs. Samuel Crit ), Catherine ( Mrs. Samuel D. Hall). William (married Sophia Philips), James (married Matilda Hall ). John (married Sarah Johnson), Elizabeth ( Mrs. Joel Martin), Rachel ( unmarried ). Addred ( married Rachel Neter ), Isaac ( fa- ther of John G. Anglin, married Catherine Biggs), David ( married Harriet Wheeler). To the parents of Mrs. Isaac Anglin were born these children : Catherine ( Mrs. Isaac Anglin ), Elijah (married Elmina Miner). William (married Ellenor Moore), John (married Mary Harlan). Rachel (Mrs. Adrian Anglin ), Fredrig ( unmarried), Levi (unmarried ), Milton ( unmarried), Hiram (married Alice Frazier ), Harrison ( unmar- ried ).
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The early life of John G. Anglin was pretty much like that of all lads raised amid the stirring scenes of a new country. When old enough to work he bore his full share in the woods and fields and grew up a strong, active young man. At the age of twelve he received his first instruction in the mystery of books, walking three and a half miles to a little school which he attended about two or three months of the winter season. In addition to the daily walk of seven miles and the long hours of study he was obliged to assist in starting the fire in the morning when his turn came, and in this way what
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education he acquired was obtained. Ile grew up an increasing help to his father un- til attaining his majority, when he began earning money for himself by farming on his father's land, continuing this kind of em- ployment until his marriage, at the age of twenty-five. Shortly after marriage he set up his first domestic establishment on eighty acres of land in Prairie township given him by his father and at once addressed himself to the task of its development. In addition to agricultural pursuits he carly began deal- mg in all kinds of live stock, buying and shipping to the eastern and western mar- kets. He followed this line of business for about eighteen years with most satisfactory financial results, accumulating thereby a for- tune which placed him among the wealthiest men of the county. In 1891 Mr. Anglin purchased a third interest in the Etna Green Flouring Mill and later became sole owner of the property. This enterprise, like his other business affairs, proved largely suc- cessful and returned him no small part of his income.
Mr. Anglin had a natural aptitude for business and a capacity for inaugurating and carrying to successful conclusion large undertakings. By keen. discriminating judgment and executive ability of a high order he added to his possessions from time to time until he became, as already stated, one of Kosciusko county's largest property holders and successful men of affairs. In addition to his real estate, which consisted of six hundred acres of choice land, he ac- cumulated much valuable personal property, his fortune at the time of his death being conservatively estimated at forty-five thou- sand dollars. He was essentially a self- made man and earned every dollar in his
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possession by fair dealing and legitimate means, never having resorted to question- able schemes or speculative methods. A few weeks prior to his death he divided the greater part of his property among his chil- dren, reserving sufficient to make the re- mainder of his own and his wife's days com- fortable and free from care.
Of Mr. Anglin, personally, much in the way of praise can be said. Strictly honest. he never defrauded a fellow man to the value of a penny and throughout a very active business career none of his motives were ever impugned nor was there ever a breath of suspicion against his integrity or private character. . In the largest sense of the term he was a Christian 'and demonstrated by word and act the genuineness of the faith he professed. Discarding all human creeds and statements of doctrine, he united with the Christian church, which takes the Bible alone as its rule of faith and practice, and remained loyal and true to the same until called from the church militant to the church triumphant. He was a liberal sup- porter of the good work both at home and abroad, but made no ostentatious display of his piety or benevolence, performing his kindly deeds in a quiet and unobtrusive way, as became a true disciple of the Nazarene. Measured by the highest standard of excel- lence, his life was a noble success and emi- nently worthy of emulation. His activity was uninterrupted until a short time before his departure and as long as he lived he did with his might what his hand and brain found to do. In politics he supported the principles of Democracy and while an ar- dent believer in the traditions and doctrines of his party and active in promoting its suc- cess he was not a partisan nor in any sense
ambitious for official or public distinction. Ile enjoyed popularity with all classes and his reputation as a neighbor, friend and citi- zen was such as to gain a large share of public esteem, all who knew him respecting him for his many sterling qualities of head and heart. Mr. Anglin lived on his farm m Prairie township until 1867. at which time he changed his residence to the village of Etna Green, where. after a short illness, he fearlessly but trustfully yielded up his life on the 7th day of June, 1899, the pri- mary cause of his death being cancer.
Mr. and Mrs. Anglin reared a family consisting of two sons and three daughters. namely: Louemma C., wife of J. Burkett. of Wisconsin ; Annetta E., now Mrs. Charles Klinger, living in Scott township, this coun- ty: Melvin J. married Sarah Estep and re- sides in Milford : Edward W., who married Florence Ganhorn. lives in Etna Green : the youngest of the family. Matilda E., wife of John Wesley Stackhouse, is also a resident of the above village. Since her husband's death Mrs. Anglin has continued to live in Etna Green, where her beautiful Christian character and useful life have won for her an abiding place in the confidence and es- teem of the populace.
She has the unbounded love and affection of her children and is also highly esteemed by a large circle of warm personal friends in Etna Green and elsewhere. In her beauti- ful home she dispenses with free hand a genuine hospitality which sweetens the wel- come accorded her guests and in a spirit of charity she contributes liberally of her means to benevolent objects. No worthy person applying to her for aid is ever turned empty-handed away, and. like the village preacher of whom Goldsmith speaks, her
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house is known to all the poor and unfor- tomate. She has frequently responded with liberal donations to religious purposes and the Christian church, of which she is an humble and faithful member. has often profited by her benefactions.
Mrs. Anglin is a lady of culture and re- finement and her years set lightly upon her. time having been very miserly in her case in the matter of ailments which are consid- ered the sure precursors of advancing age. She possesses, as in the days of her prime. her physical and mental powers and bids fair to remain many years to make the work! brighter and better because of her presence. All who know her praise her as she cheer- fully makes any sacrifice to promote the hap- piness of others, modestly keeping herself from the public gaze while performing the many noble charities and kindly deeds with which her name has long associated. She is one of nature's true noble women, a modern Dorcas in her works of faith and labors of love, and the great future, whose doors do not outward swing. has nothing which she need fear.
THOMAS J. WRIGHT.
The gentleman whose brief life record is herewith presented is a leading agriculturist of Prairie township and belongs to one of the first pioneer families that effected a set- tlement in Kosciusko county in the early years of its history. He was born near the town of Milford, this county, on the 4th day of October. 1833, and is the son of John and Mary ( Goodnight) Wright, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Maryland. His ancestors on both sides of the house were among the early settlers of
those two states and later the name became widely known in the middle West, especially throughout northern Indiana, where many of the name are now living. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Good- night. Many years ago her father's family moved to Virginia and located not far from where the Wrights resided and Mary Good- night met and married. Some time later they migrated to Union county, Indiana, thence, about 1832, settled in the county of Kosciusko, locating in the woods near the present site of Milford Junction. Van Buren township. Mr. Wright pre-empted land there and when this part of the state was pit upon the market in 1836 he went to the land office at Winamac and entered one hundred and sixty acres, from which he afterwards cleared and developed a fine farm. He made many substantial improve- ments, experienced all the hardships and vicissitudes of pioneer times and became one of the leading farmers and stock men in his community, earning the reputation of an enterprising citizen. He continued to live on the farm where he settled until about the year 1861, at which time he retired from active life and changed his residence to Mil- ford. where his death occurred four years later.
John Wright was an influential man and a most exemplary citizen. Industrious and economical. he acquired an ample com- petence and for many years was classed with the most successful farmers of Kosciusko county. He was a leading member of the Baptist church and as such was instrumental in planting several local societies of that de- nomination among the sparse settlements of Kosciusko county. Nine children were born to John and Mary Wright, namely : Newell,
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Oliver, John, Thomas J., Cynthia, Sarah, 1 Hannah, Nancy A., Mahala and George W.
When a young man he married Miss Rebekkah Fuller, daughter of Miner and Mary ( Mayor) Fuller, the father born in Pennsylvania, the mother a native of Eng- land. The Fullers were descendants of General Ethan Allen, the hero of Ticonder- oga, and the Major family came from Eng- land in an early day and settled in that part of Pennsylvania where the former had re- sided since before the Revolutionary strug- gie. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller moved to Kosci- usko county, Indiana, and settled at Milford. at which place and elsewhere in Van Buren township Mrs. Wright taught school for several years before her marriage.
The childhood and youthful years of Thomas J. Wright were spent on the home place in the woods of Van Buren township and by reason of the absence of schools he grew up without the educational facilities which the majority of boys enjoy. As soon as old enough he was put to work with the ax, an implement which he learned to wield with great dexterity, and while a boy in his early 'teens he worked alongside of men and did the same amount of labor which they performed. Living remote from : neighbors, he had few associates and so sadly were his educational privileges After his marriage Mr. Wright began farming as a renter on his father's farm and subsequently moved to Prairie township. where he also cultivated the soil on land leased for the purpose. He began life in very limited circumstances, but by energy and perseverance gradually surmounted tie many obstacles by which he was beset and in due time found himself the possessor of sufficient means to make a payment of an eighty-acre tract of wild land to which he at once moved and which has since been , his home. His experience in telling the for- ests and developing his farm was similar in all respects to the hard work which the cari settlers in all new countries were obliged to perform, and need not be described in de- tail in this connection. Hard and long-con- tinued toil was his lot. and, cheered and en- couraged by his faithful helpmate, he grad- ually extended the area of his cultivable land until he had one of the best improved farms and most valuable in the township of Prai- rie. He has added to his possessions at dif- neglected that at the time of his marriage he could not write. Later in life he made up for this denciency by diligent private study under the direction of his wife, who had been a successful school teacher ; he not only became well acquainted with the or- dinary branches, but obtained a wide and varied knowledge of history and general lit- erature and became well informed upon cur- rent events. He was especially apt in or- thography and it was almost impossible to find a word in the English language that he could not spell correctly and that, too, upon the impulse of the moment. In years gone by the old-fashioned spelling school was a pop- ular institution socially as well as education- ally, and to it is traceable the knowledge of orthography which the majority of young men and women of the early times possessed. Mr. Wright was accustomed to attend these popular gatherings and invariably carried off the honors as the champion speller, being always the first one chosen and the last to take his seat in the final contest of the ferent times and today is classed with the evening. 'most enterprising and successful farmers
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and stock raisers in the community, owning property conservatively estimated to be worth over ten thousand dollars, every cent of which has been earned by his own efforts.
Mr. Wright has been a hard-working man and he attributes his success to con- secutive industry and careful management. As a tiller of the soil he ranks with the most progressive of his fellow citizens and in the matter of live stock. especially the breeding and raising of fine Berkshire hogs, his suc- cess has long been assured. He keeps him- self well posted in everything relating to agricultural science and puts his knowledge to practical use in the cultivation of his crops, being considered one of the most suc- cessful corn raisers in the county of Kos- ciusko.
In his political affiliations Mr. Wright is a pronounced Republican, and since attain- ing his majority has never failed to cast a ballot in behalf of his party at any election. He has frequently represented his township and county in conventions. During his in- cumbency he took great interest in educa- tional matters, especially in beautifying school property ; he erected several fine buildings and added to the attractiveness of all schoolhouses within his jurisdiction. On account of his own limited intellectual ad- vantages in youth, he has always taken a lively interest in educational matters and uses his influence to advance the standard of professional excellence among the teachers of the township in which he lives.
Mr. Wright has a beautiful and attract- ive home, every feature of which indicates the presence of contentment and thrift. He believes in using the good things of this
possible. Among his neighbors he is high- ly regarded as a citizen and discharges every duty incumbent upon him with the object in view of promoting the general welfare of the community, materially and morally. Mrs. Wright was a zealous member of the United Brethren church. While not con- nected with any church organization Mr. Wright has profound respect for religion and is liberal in the support of the congre- ; gation with which his wife is identified. He exerts a wholesome influence in behalf of all moral reforms and movements which promise to benefit humanity and speaks with ! no uncertain meaning when the good of the community is under consideration.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wright has been brightened by the presence of seven children, all of whom have left the family fireside and started in the world upon their own responsibility. Ella, the first born, married Eli Klinger, a well-known farmer of Harrison township: Lewis F. married Em- ma Orcut and lives in Colorado: Thomas N .. of Rochester. Indiana, married Ada Yager, of this county ; Albert married Mat- tie Burt and is a liveryman at Etna Green : Myrtle is the wife of William Crayton and lives on a farm in the township of Harri- son: Harry lives in Tippecanoe township, this state, and is also married. his wife be- ing formerly Miss Elsie V. NicCruen ; Charles, the youngest of the family, is de- ceased.
DAVID S. WELCH.
David S. Welch, grain buyer and local world and has lived so as to get from life ; agent of the Pennsylvania railroad at At- the greatest amount of pleasure and profit ' wood, is a gentleman of marked business
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ability, qualified in every way for the im- portant position he occupies and it is but just that specific recognition be accorded him in the pages of this volume. Back to stanch old Irish and German stock does he trace his Imeage and that in his character abide the sterling qualities that have ever marked the true types of those nationalities is manifest when the more salient points of his life's history are considered. Consecu- tive industry, invincible spirit and unwaver- ing honor are among his prominent charac- teristics, and these, with many other admir- able traits, have naturally secured him a po- sition in the respect and esteem of his fel- low men and won for him a commendable standing in the business world.
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