USA > Indiana > Kosciusko County > Progressive men and women of Kosciusko County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography > Part 72
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Mr. and Mrs. Woods have reared chil- dren who in former days added life and brightness to their home and in later years will no doubt tenderly care for their parents and minister in every way possible to their comfort and enjoyment. Marietta, the oldest, who was born October 15, 1862. died in childhood : Eva, born Jime 14. 1865. was educated at Syracuse. Indiana, and is now an able assistant to her mother : Perry, born April 24. 1868. married Kate Umben- hour, by whom he has two children, Josie Mildred and Lois Evelyn, and now has charge of the home farm : Charles A., whose birth occurred on the 15th of September. 1874. received a superior education, having spent four years at the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, graduating with the class of 1898; he afterwards taught one term of school, but is now engaged with the Inter-State Insurance Company at Indianap- olis: he married Helen Marsh, who has pre- sented him with a daughter. Mary Jose- phine.
Mr. Woods and wife enjoy the respect and friendship of their community in no smal degree : surrounded as they are by an intelligent class of people, the best of neigh- bors and the kindest of friends, they can- not bunt rejoice that their lots have been cast
tions. Their home is a quiet retreat where hospitality and good will reign supreme, and by their generous sympathies, genial man- ners and kindly dispositions, their circle of acquaintances has become greatly enlarged, including the best people in the community for many miles around. Although not iden- tified with any religious organization him- self, Mr. Woods is a friend of the church, supports it with his means and co-operates with it and all other organizations having for their object the uplifting of humanity and the bettering of society. Politically he : has always given loyal support to the Re- publican party, being content to support the nominees and let those who feel so inclined aspire to office. As a man and citizen he has an excellent reputation, being straightfor- ing arms for its heroes ; history's pages may ward and honorable in all of his dealings and fully deserving the confidence reposed in him.
HENRY E. KINSEY.
The gentleman to whom attention is di- rected in this review is an individual who has attained pronounced prestige by reason of native and acquired ability, as also he- cause of his prominence in official position and high standing in the domain of private citizenship. Mr. Kinsey is one of the repre- sentative men of Plain township and for some years past has been prominently iden- tified with the industrial and business in- terests of Leesburg. He takes a deep and abiding interest in everything pertaining to the material advancement of the town and township and every enterprise intended to
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promote the advancement of Kosciusko county is sure to receive his hearty sup- port. He is rated as one of the progressive citizens of the community in which he lives told the high respect in which he is held by all classes of people is a deserving compli- ment to an intelligent, broad-minded and most worthy man.
The subject's paternal grandfather, Francis A. Kinsey, was a native of the state of Delaware. In an early day he migrated to Ohio and was there united in marriage to Esther Cramer, who bore him ten chil- dren, of whom Benjamin D., father of Hen- ry E., was the second in order of birth. After living in Ohio for a number of years he came to Kosciusko county, Indiana, and settled in Clay township, where he still re- sides, as a successful tiller of the soil, hay- ing from his youth followed agricultural pursuits for a livelihood.
Benjamin D. Kinsey was born in Ohio and accompanied his parents to Kosciusko county, where he worked for many years as a carpenter and builder. He became very efficient at his trade and many of the frame dwellings, barns and other buildings in Clay and adjacent townships stand as mon- uments to his skill as an architect and me- chanic.
When a young man Benjamin D. Kin- sey married Miss Mary E. Woodyard, a union which resulted in the birth of four children, namely: Henry E., of this sketch ; Nellie, wife of George Irvine, a farmer and the present trustee of Clay township: Clara B., widow of the late Hiram Norris, and Oliver P., an unmarried man who is still with his parents. Benjamin D. Kinsey is one of the substantial citizens of his part of the county and has always sustained the
reputation of an honest, upright man, who knowing his duty discharges the same with a resoluteness of purpose that wins the high regard of his neighbors and friends. He early impressed his strong individuality upon the community and, heartily seconded by the efforts of his good wife, reared his children for stations of usefulness in the world.
Henry E. Kinsey is a native of Koscius- ko county, born upon the homestead in Clay township on the 3rd day of January, 1863. Reared amid the peaceful scenes of rural life, he gave his attention during his youth to the labors of the fields and other duties of the farm and when old enough became a pupil in the district schools near his father's dwelling place. He paid close and diligent attention to his duties and early in life there was enkindled in his mind a strong desire for knowledge and an appreciation of the privileges which a good education would bring to him. Sparing no reason- able effort to enlarge his mental horizon, he soon led his classmates and at the age of nineteen was sufficiently advanced to pass successfully the required examination and obtain a license entitling him to teach in the public schools of Kosciusko county.
Mr. Kinsey entered upon his work as an instructor with the same trepidation which attends the majority of young teach- ers and which is universally conceded to be one of the first precursors of success in the management of pupils and the directing of their minds in the pathway of knowledge. His first attempt proving satisfactory in an eminent degree, induced him to continue in the profession, which he did for a period of twelve years. His frequent retentions in the same district was a compliment to his
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ability and tact as an instructor and it was , compared favorably with that of any of his not long until he attained a reputation as predecessors and which proved him to have one of the ablest and most popular teachers , been one of the most efficient and faithful in the county. Meanwhile, with the land- officials that ever served the people of Kos- ciusko county. alle desire to increase his scholastic knowl- edge and the better to prepare himself for Meantime Mr. Kinsey became a bene- diet, being united in marriage to Miss Mat- tie Uplinger, daughter of Ezra W. Up- linger, a native of Pennsylvania, but for many years an honored resident of this part of the state of Indiana. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Kinsey took possession of his father's farm in Clay township, which he cultivated until his election as county ing a specialty of surveying and civil en- . surveyor, spending the winter seasons teach- successful work in the school room, he spent several of his vacations in the North- ern Indiana Normal University at Valpa- raiso. In.that well known and popular in- stitution he made commendable progress in the various higher branches of learning. paying special attention to mathematics, in which he developed great proficiency. Mak- ginering, with the object in view of ulti- ing in the public schools. Upon his retire- ment from office in 1898 he entered into partnership with D. II. Lessig. D. K. Brown and P. M. Thompson for the pur- pose of erecting a flouring-mill at Leesburg. This enterprise has proved financially suc- cessful beyond the expectations of the pro- moters and is now one of the best paying concerns of the kind in the county. Mr. Kinsey has given the mill his personal at- tention, besides being secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Leesburg Grain and Milling Company, which. in addition to the manufacture of flour, buys and ships grain upon an extensive scale, affording a good and easily accessible market for a large and prosperous section of the country. inately adopting that his life work, he took in addition to the regular course private in- structions under Professor M. E. Bogarte, one of the most profound mathematicians and civil engineers in the state. Thorough- ly fitted for surveying by mental discipline and sound professional training, he an- notneed himself in 1894 a candidate before the Republican convention for nomination as county surveyor. In addition to himself there were three other aspirams for the honor, but on the third ballot he led his com- petitors and became the accepted candidate. In the ensuing election Mr. Kinsey de- feated his opponent by a large majority and in the discharge of his official functions made such a creditable record that at the expiration of his term he was chosen his own successor without opposition. This was a most flattering compliment to his efficiency and a testimony to his popularity with the people of the county irespective of party affiliations. His second term was eminently satisfactory to the public and he retired from the office with a record which
To Mr. Kinsey may aptly be applied the term "hustler." He has long been noted for his remarkable energy which, combined with sound judgment, wise forethought and a keen, discriminating knowledge of affairs, makes him one of the most reliable and progressive business men in the town of his residence. He is a young man, but the wisdom he has displayed as an official and
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in the business and industrial world would ! They have two bright children, Andrey E., born March 12, 1890, and Esther B., whose
be creditable to one many years his senior and of much larger experience. While ex- : birth occurred May 2, 1896. ercising prudence in the management of his own large interests, he has not been unmind- ful of the public good, materially and other- wise. It is a significant fact that ever since arriving at years of manhood he has advo- cated all measures calculated to advance the becoming a resident of Leesburg his voice has been heard with no uncertain sound in advocating needed public improvements. 1
WILLIAM MOORE.
Fame may look to the clash of resound- county and develop its resources and since : ing arms for its heroes : history's pages may [ be filled with a record of the deeds of the great who have deluged the world with blood, destroyed kingdoms, created dynas- ties and left their names as plague spots upon civilization's escutcheon ; the poet may embalm in deathless song the short and simple annals of the poor ; but there have been few to sound the praise of the brave and sturdy pioneer who among the truly great and noble is certainly deserving of at least a little space on the category of the immortals." To him more than to any other is civilization indebted for the brightest jewel in its diadem, for it was he that blazed the way and acted as vanguard for the mighty army of progress that within the last century has conquered the wilderness and transformed it into one of the fairest and most enlightened of the American com- monwealth's domains. .
Mr. Kinsey is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, to which he has given much of his energies and from which, as already stated, he has received marks of favor. He enters into political work with the same force and energy that characterize his efforts in business affairs, notwithstand- ing which he stands well with the opposi- tion and numbers among his closest per- sonal friends and warmest admirers many who are as radically Democratic as he is Republican. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, aside from which he is not connected with any secret or benevolent organization. In mat- ters religious he is bound by no church or creed, but believes in the church as a great moral and spiritual force and is a liberal contributor to its maintenance.
Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey are well liked so- cially and move in the best of society in the town of Leesburg. With an ample com- petence, a comfortable home and all the necessities and hixuries which money can procure, they live happily and contentedly and exercise a potent influence in behalf of 1 every object calculated to promote the so- cial and moral condition of the community. "of new homes and new destinies. Among
Nearly all the early pioneers of Kosci- usko county have rested from their labor, and gone to their reward, but here and there a scattered few remain, honorable heroes of a former day and generation, bent Under time's autograph indelibly stamped upon their brows, but still sturdy and in- dependent of spirit as when in the long ago they cut loose from the moorings of civili- zation and penetrated the woods in quest
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those who bore an active part in the pioneer . but by far the greater part of his education period of this county is the well-known and ' is of the stern, practical kind obtained in venerated subject of this sketch, whom to : the rugged school of experience. Hle re- know is to honor and respect. William | mained at home until his mother's death and about the year 1850 began life for him- self as a farmer, a vocation to which he 1 has since devoted his time and energies.
Moore has long been one of the highly es- i teemed citizens of the township of his resi- dence and it is with pleasure that the fol- lowing brief outline of his life and achieve- ments is accorded a place in this volume de- Voted to a review of Kosciusko's representa- tive men.
Mr. Moore was born May 1. 1825, and since his eleventh year has been living at or within a few miles of his present place of abode. His parents were among the coun- ty's early settlers, moving here in 1836, pur- chasing land from the government and bear- ing their share of the rough usages which it was the lot of the pioneers to experience. They finished their life work where they originally settled and with others of the carly comers now rest from their labors in the peaceful sleep that knows no waking. Jo- seph and Patience Moore had six children, namely : Milton, deceased: Sarah, de- ceased : John A., a resident of Noble coun- ty: Maria, widow of Allen Richart, resid- ing in Turkey Creek township: Joseph, who lives in the county of Noble, and William, ; whose name introduces this sketch.
As stated in another paragraph, Will- iam Moore was a lad of eleven years when his parents moved to the county of Kosci- usko. The country being new and the place on which the family settled unimproved. much hard labor fell to the boys as soon as they were old enough to be of any serv- ice. the subject bearing his full share of the common toil. What knowledge of books he received was acquired by a couple of months each year in the indifferent schools,
Miss Catherine Weaver, the only child of Isaac and Elizabeth ( Akers) Weaver. was born in Tippecanoe county. Indiana, on 1 the 27th day of February, 1831. Her par- ents were early settlers of Kosciusko coun- ty, both living to a ripe old age, the father having been three times married. Miss Weaver and William Moore were made hus- band and wife on the 4th of March, 1852, and they set up their first domestic estab- lishment on a farm in Turkey Creek town- ship, which Mr. Moore and his brother had purchased in partnership some time before. Later the subject bought his brother's in- terest and has made the place his home ever since. It is now one of the finest and most highly improved farms in the town- ship, containing a beautiful and commo- dions residence. large barn, good outbuild- , ings with fences and other accessories in keeping therewith, the prosperous condition of the place indicating the home of an intel- ligent, enterprising and successful tiller of the soil. This farm is admirably situated in one of the most beautiful and attractive sections of Kosciusko county, the noted sum- mer resort. "Wawasee," being a part of the original place. Mr. Moore sold this portion of the farm in 1879 and the pro- prietors have since made it one of the favor- ite resorts of summer tourists in northern Indiana.
Mr. Moore has been engaged in gen- eral farming for a number of years, but
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at present does little besides managing his agricultural interests and look after his other large business affairs. He has raised a great deal of fine live stock and dealt ex .- tensively in real estate, owning at this time over seven hundred acres in this county. also vadcable property in the town of Syra- case and a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Woodbury county, lowa. Mrs. Moore has considerable land in the counties of Kosciusko and Noble, and alto- gether the family is remarkably well situ- ated in the way of material wealth. Mr. Moore has always been successful in busi- ness, honorable and upright in his dealings, with much more than local reputation as an enterprising and progressive man of affairs. Ilis judgment is sound and discriminating. his insight shrewd and penetrating and his integrity of that lofty kind that disdains any- thing narrow and recoils from transactions in the slightest degree questionable. Back of these and other qualities equally admir- able is a large fund of good common sense which he manifests in all of his undertak- ings and shines with peculiar luster in his daily life as a neighbor and citizen.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore are the parents of eight children: Isaac W. died when eight -; ven months old: Joseph married Margaret Showers and lives in this county: John F.
is a married man and lives in the county of Noble; Mary E., wife of John F. Riddle, resides in Kosciusko county; William E ... a farmer of this county, married Anna Mc- Mann: Martha J., now Mrs. Francis M. Out, who lives in the town of Syracuse; the other two, twins, died in infancy.
In the foregoing brief review only par- tial justice has been rendered to one of Kosciusko county's oldest and most worthy citizens. To write in detail a full account of his long and useful life would require a much more elaborate article than the na- ture of the work admits or requires. Suffi- cient has been said, however, to form a correct conception of the man and his ca- reer, a career affording many valuable les- sons to the young of the rising generation.
FRANCIS MARION OTT.
Francis M. Ott, proprietor of the most extensive lumber and planing-mill in north- ern Indiana, situated at Syracuse, Koscius- ko county, was born in Elkhart county, this Mr. Moore has given loyal support to the Republican party ever since its organiza- tion and it is a fact worthy of note that all of his sons and sons-in-law subscribe to state. September 22, 1858, and is a son of Samuel and Rebecca ( Van Asdal) Ott, who came from Ohio some years before their son. Francis M., was born, and settled on the same political creed that he accepts. In "a farm in Elkhart county, two and one-half matters religious he is well read and for miles north of Syracuse, which lies but a a mulher of years has been an humble and devout member of the Church of God. his wile also belonging to the same body of worshipers.
short distance south of the boundary line between the two counties. These parents are now living in retirement in the village of Syracuse, the father being seventy years old, the mother sixty-eight, and among the most highly respected elderly persons resid- ing either north or south of the line.
Francis M. Ott remained on the home
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jarm until twenty years of age, when he be- gan to buy standing timber, which he hired saved at local mills and afterward disposed of at a profit until he acquired funds suffi- cent to purchase a mill for himself. He Candlel walnut and cherry chiefly, person- ally selecting the trees all through the sur- rounding country and at times sold the sawell cherry as high as ninety dollars per thousand feet, but the demand for cherry Long since ceased to be of any importance in the lumber markets and the feeling of it may be considered a thing of the past un- Less a change takes place in the popalar taste of fancy for the lumber in the manu- facture of furniture, etc., for which it is well adapted.
Mr. Ott had accumulated considerable cash when he purchased his mill and paid for the greater part of it at once, but it required about seven years to pay off the indebtedness incurred for the balance and the many improvements introduced by him- self. It was about the year 1880 when Mr. Ou invested twenty-six hundred dollars in this property ; it is now worth ten thousand dollars and over. Mr. Ott also owns an entire section of land, on which he grows the timber for the mill. in the sawing and planing of which he employs at all times fifteen hands, and very often ten to fifteen extras, and thirteen mules are in constant use. The capacity of the mill is twelve thousand feet per day. Circular saws are :sel and are driven by steam from two thirty-five horse-power engines fed from one boiler, the capacity of the mill being doable that which it had at the start. The machinery and implements are all of modern and up-to-date patterns. The business done is principally that of filling orders, car work
being a specialty, and the woods used are chiefly red and white oak, but ehm and maple are also employed and the business done amounts to about twenty-five thousand dol- lars per annum. Mr. Ott purchases stand- ing timber within a radius of about nine miles of the mill. often investing twenty- five hundred dollars in one purchase, and at present has six thousand dollars so in- vested. As a rule these purchases are made in order to fill contracts made in advance to supply dressed lumber.
Mr. Ott is very public spirited and does a great deal toward enhancing the value of village lots by improving them with neat and comfortable cottages and other build- ings, thus making Syracuse a desirable resi- dence place. He has now fourteen such Houses scattered throughout the village, and as he has lost no money through such in- vestments, he still continues to make them. That he is kind and generous, however, out- side of any scheme for making money for himself, is shown by the fact that in build- ing houses he furnishes employment to many mechanics, and it may further be stated that several of his mill hands have been in his employment for fourteen years consecutively, many others also having worked for him for long periods.
The marriage of Mr. Out took place about twenty years since to Miss Mattie Moore, and to this congenial union have been born four children, namely : Lina, Willie, Mary and Clifford, all of whom are still under the parental roof. Mr. and Mrs. Ott are members of the Church of God at Syracuse, and the children have been or are being reared in the same faith. In politics Mr. Ott is a Republican.
Francis M. Ott has shown himself to
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be one of the most enterprising business men of northern Indiana and a man of nat- wally sound judgment and shrewd percep- tion. He has risen through his strictly moral habits, his attention to business and his desire to please his patrons by prompt- ness in filling orders and by always fur- nishing strictly sound and reliable material, and his name stands high to-day for integ- rity in : R business circles with which he has come into relationship. His domestic and social connections are of the most pleas- ant character, and the fact that his sur- roandings are such as to make life enjoy- able is due solely to his individual merits, his affable and courteous treatment of others and his strict adherence to justice in all his dealings.
RICHARD GUY.
The gentleman whose name introduces this article is one of Kosciusko county's young, energetic and enterprising men, a na- tive born Indianian, having first seen the light of day April 10, 1860. on the farm in Turkey Creek township which he now owns and cultivates. The parents from whom he is descended were Andrew and Rebecca (Stuard) Guy, natives of Ohio and Indi- ana respectively, the former born in 1821 tand the latter in the year 1828. Andrew Guy came from Ohio to Kosciusko county. Indiana, and with his parents, Andrew and Eliza ( Lockridge) Guy, when about eleven or twelve years old and spent the remainder of his life in this part of the state. His parents were natives of Virginia and early settlers of Ohio and may also be classed with the pioneers of Kosciusko county.
They had six children: Sarah. Wilson, Andrew, Samuel, William and Harvey.
Andrew Guy, Jr., father of the subject, was a farmer and in many respect a most exemplary and praiseworthy citizen. He stood high in the esteem of his neighbors and friends, was for many years a leading member of the German Baptist church and took an active interest in political affairs as a Republican. He was twice married, his first wife, formerly a Miss Bowers, dy- ing after a brief wedded life, leaving one daughter, Emeline. By his second com- panion. Rebecca Stuard. he had the follow- ing children: Charity A., deceased. Janiza, Richard. George, deceased, and Anna.
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