USA > Indiana > Kosciusko County > Progressive men and women of Kosciusko County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography > Part 74
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'rithmetic." Young Teeple availed himself ' farms in the community and as a tiller of
Mr. Teeple was seven years old when his parents moved to the new home in the new and sparsely settled township of Jei- ferson and from that time to the present, a period of sixty-four years, he has been an honored and respected citizen of Kosciusko county, actively interested in the growth and development of the county and in every re- spect an enterprising and busy man of af- fairs. He assisted his father until attain- ing his majority and at intervals for several years thereafter contributed to the family's support by working at home and by turn-
ing over his earnings to the common fund when laboring elsewhere. On the 22nd day of October, 1857, he was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Martha Hughes, a native of this county and daugh- ter of Thomas and Peggy Hughes, who were among the early pioneers of this part of the state. Shortly after his marriage he moved to a farm in the township of Jei- ferson, which he had purchased in 1854, the land at that time being an unbroken forest. from which hardly a stick of timber had been ยท removed.
Blessed with good health and rugged , physique, he set manfully to work to clear his place and in due time his labors were rewarded, the forest growth gradually dis- appearing before his strong strokes, and within a few years the wilderness gave place to a very garden of plenty. Here Mr. Teeple spent the best and, in many respects, : the happiest years of his life. He devel- oped one of the finest and most valuable the soil achieved a reputation such as few attain. Industrious and economical, he prospered when many failed and as the years went by found himself the possessor of a competence which placed him in independ- ent circumstances, He continued to prove- cute his labors with liberal financial results until 1890, in which year he turned his ag- ricultural interests over to other hands and took up his residence in the beautiful little town of Milford, where he has since lived a life of retirement.
In common with the major part of poor humanity, Mr. Teeple's pathway has at times led through sorrows and' the deep waters of bereavement. On the 13th of June, 1887, his faithful wife, who had
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scared with him the vicissitudes and hard- ties Mr. People has always been an un- sips of life and later rejoiced with him in swerving Democrat. the success which crowned their mutual Those who know Mr. Teeple best know him to be a man of good common sense. keen of judgment, spotless integrity, possessing strong attachments for friends and bearing the truest and deepest affection toward those who have claims upon his friendship. In all he has been a just man and his deeds are the best line by which to measure his life: in the end his works and wholesome influences will make his enduring monu- ment. labors, was called to the other world. Sub- sequently. May 6, 1890, he chose for a com- panion Susan Bortz, who was born in Mar- Shall county, Indiana, July 24. 1842, the daughter of Michael and Catherine ( Clark ) Bortz. These parents were early settlers of Marshall county and lived there a num- ber of years, later moving to the county of Kosciusko, where the father died Septem- ber 15. 1886, at the age of eighty-seven. and the mother. February 7. 1892, when eighty-five years old. They had a family of eleven children. viz. : Benjamin, Harriet, MOSES F. LENTZ. Maryann. Levi, Daniel, Susan, John, Han- nah. James, Sarah and one that died be- Moses F. Lentz, whose life is given in the following sketch, and his partner, M. P. Wright, are the proprietors of the Mil- ford Planing Company. This business was established in 1899 with about ten thou- sand dollars invested. The plant is sup- plied with machinery for making all kinds of building material and furnishings for offices, business houses and churches, includ- ing altars and seating for churches and pub- lic buildings. They also manufacture onion crates. this branch of the business alone requiring from eighty thousand to one hun- dred thousand feet of timber of each year. These bushel crates are used in handling and shipping the large onion crop grown in this section. From three to twelve men are employed in the plant and the value of the annual output amounts to about fifteen thou- sand dolars. The entire business is under the direct management of Mr. Lentz. who is one of the thoroughly reliable men of Mil- ford and who enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens. fore receiving a name. Neither of Mr. Teeple's marriages resulted in offspring. Not being blessed with children of his own. he has always been mindful of the children of others and in many ways has demonstrat- ed his interest by kindly acts of benevolence and charity to worthy families in needy cir- cumstances. He has been liberal in the ex- renditure of his means to promote all worthy objects and by actions as well as by words has done much to advance the ma- terial and moral interests of the town of which he is an honored and enterprising restent. With prudent forethought, he ac- culated a liberal share of this world's wealth, owning at the present time a finely improved farm of one hundred and thirty- six acres in this county, a number of lots in Milford. besides a valuable personal property and a handsome bank account. Mr. Teeple has a farm in Van Buren town- ship and a third interest in her father's es- tate, which is large and valuable. In poli-
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Jir. Lentz was born in Elkhart county, seven miles northeast of Milford, Novem- her 28. 1860. His father, Cyrus Lentz, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, coming to indiana at the age of eighteen, and was soon married to Mary Whitehead, of Elk- hart county. He became an extensive land owner, improving the farm where his son was born, and later owned other land and was living on his third farm, four and a half miles southeast of Milford at the time of his death. September 27. 1900. being but sixty-six years old. He had lived in Kosciusko county twenty-five years and was well known over the north part of the coun- ty as a business man.
Moses remained with his parents until he was past twenty-one. At that age he , making its advantages free to all the pupils
married Miss Anna M. Ward and took charge of the farm, his parents moving to Milford. Six years after their marriage his wife died and his parents returned to the farm, remaining with him until his second marriage, to Miss Emma Dubbs, daughter of John Dubbs of the vicinity. At the end Mr. Lentz is connected with Milford Camp No. 6373. Modern Woodmen of America, and with Tent No. 71. Knights of the Maccabees. At the death of his old partner. A. J. Young, who was also a mem- 'ber of the Maccabees, he was made admin- istrator of the estate. He has been a man of many business cares, and has discharged them all with faithfulness. establishing a firm reputation for integrity. of ten years on the farm he came to Mil- ford, where he worked with the butter and cheese company as an expert butter maker, remaining with them until the factory closed. He and A. J. Young had taken a mortgage on the plant for a loan of money and when the company failed Mr. Lentz took the buildings to secure himself. With Mr. Young as a partner, he continued to make butter for several years, but not find- ing it particularly profitable they sold the machinery and replaced it with the planing- GEORGE R. OGDEN. naill outfit. Mr. Young remained a partner for a year and was then succeeded by MI. The "Purity" brand of flour is one of the favorite products of northern Indiana B. Jones, who heldt his interest for three years and then sold to M. P. Wright. Since "and is manufactured by George R. Ogden at
that time Mr. Lentz has been in person il charge of the plant. The mill is doing an extensive business, due to the enterprise of Mr. Lentz and his partner.
In the fall of 1900 Mr. Lentz was elect- ed township trustee on the Democratic ticket in a township with a close Democratic majority, but his popularity carried him twenty votes ahead of the ticket. He is act- ive in political affairs, takes a prominent part in conventions and is a member of the party who may always be depended upon. He has attended to the township's interests with commendable care; two-thirds of the roads are graveled and the township schools are in good condition. The township pays one-sixth of the school expenses at Milford. of the township.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Lentz are members of the Progressive Brethren church, he be- mig 'one of the local trustees. They have three children. Mary F .. aged seven. Paul- me, aged three, and Elden J., the youngest.
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Milford. Kosciusko county, where its reput- I change and feed-grinding business outside tation has been steadily maintained for the of the manufacture of its famous "Purity" four.
past fourteen years as being one of the most superior and uniform in quality of any floars placed on the markets of that section of the county, or perhaps of any other section.
George R. Ogden was born in Otisco. Tonia county, Michigan, October 18, 1855, and in 1850 was taken by his parents to Homer, Calhoun county, in the same state. George R. worked in the Homer Flouring Wills until nineteen years old and became a thorough miller. He then worked as a journeyman in Kalamazoo one year, and at Marshall. Michigan, eight years as head miller, and was then placed in charge of Ward & Sons' mills at Battle Creek, Mich :- igan, for some time and then came to Mil- ford, in company with a Mr. Servoss, who Med soon afterwards.
In the fall of 1888 Mr. Ogden, in com- pany with James M. Secross, erected the present mill at a cost of fourteen thousand dollars. This is a seventy-five-barrel roller :fl and is constructed on the Nordyke-Mar- Mr. Ogden was married August 31, 1881. to Miss Nora R. Bennett, of Homer. Michigan, and a family of five children is the result. viz: Arba J., George B., Bruce, Bertha L. and Russell, all of whom are at home with their parents, the eldest son being an assistant of his father in the mill. men system. An elevator, constructed by Withan .Faulkner, has been added and do- nated to the firm. In 1800 James M. Se- cross retired from the firm and P. F. Miles assume : his interest in the firm. under the name of Odgen & Whetten Company, car- died on the business for three years. Then R. L. Miles became a partner and the busi- Hess Was carried on three years longer. when Mr. Ogden became the sole operator, al- though Mir. Miles owns one-half interest in the real estate. Mr. Ogden employs three hands, the elevator has a capacity of eight thousand bushels, and eighty to one hundred thousand bushels are handled annually. The 1 mill is a custom or local mili and does an ex- "to Encampment No. 242; Canton No. 4. at
Mr. Ogden was reared a Republican, but the tariff agitation of 1880 resulted in his casting his first presidential vote for General Winfield Scott Hancock, the Democratic nominee for the chief magistracy of the United States, and he has since been loyal to this party. In 1890 he took an active part in various committees, was later elected dele- gate to sundry conventions, and was finally elected chairman of the Democratic county central committee in 19oo and still fills that Very onerous and exalted position. A radical change has taken place in Kosciusko county politics since 1890. Mr. Ogden was nomi- nated. for instance, for county commissioner in 1894, but the Republican majority was still too large; but now, of the seventeen township trustees in the county, nine are Democrats, although the usual Republican majority throughout the county had been about one thousand.
Fraternally Mr. Ogden is connected with the Masonic order, belonging to Lodge No .. 418, in which he has filled all the chairs and represented it in the grand lodge, and to Chapter No. 160, Order of the Eastern Star. in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he belongs to Lodge No. 478 at Milford. In- diana, in which also he has passed all the " chairs and represented it in the grand lodge:
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Manhall, Michigan, and to Lodge No. 460, Rebekahs, at Milford. He is also a member of Lodge No. 451. B. P. O. E. at Ligonier. and Tem No. 170, K. O. T. M., at Milford. Mrs. Ogden is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, in which she is now hold- ing the office of worthy matron.
Mr. Ogden is regarded as one of the en- terprising citizens of Milford who has done much to advance the prosperity of the vil- lage and who has been active, ever since he settled here, in doing his part, financially and otherwise, toward bettering the condi- tion of public works and conveniences such as conduce to or are necessary for the com- fort and health of the community. He is recognized as a gentleman of strict integrity and business honor, and his social standing and that of his wife and family is with the best people of Milford and the surrounding territory.
WILLIAM C. DAVISSON.
The gentleman whose name appears above is a retired farmer living in Milford. one of the worthy old citizens of Kosciusko county. The mantle of a well-spent life hangs comfortably about him and as the evening of his earthly pilgrimage is passing calmy away the hallowed recollections and tender memories of other days, when he was wont to mingle in the busy affairs of life and bear his part amid the ceaseless activities of the farm and business, come back to him in His hours of quiet to cheer and make bright the remainder of the pathway leading on- ward to the twilight and the journey's end. Mr. Davisson was born in Preble county, Olio, December 12, 1833, the son of Ab- salom and Balinda (Adams) Davisson, the
father a native of Virginia and the mother of New Jersey. The father and mother, with their respective parents were among the pioneers of Ohio and their marriage took place a number of years ago in Preble coun- ty. The mother died there in 1846 and later Absalom Davisson chose for his com- panion Huldah Benson, whose people were also early settlers of the county of Preble. By occupation Mr. Davisson was a farmer and followed his chosen calling until his death, which occurred in the year 1873. By his first wife he was the father of chil- diren as follows: Josiah, John, William C., Eliza J., George, Mary, AAllen, Samuel, Levi and one that died in infancy. His second marriage resulted in the birth of two chil- dren, Balinda and Johial.
The childhood and youthful years of William C. Davisson were spent on the old homestead in Preble county and his early ed- ucational training was limited to a few months' attendance each winter upon the in- different subscription schools which were prevalent throughout the Buckeye state fifty and sixty years ago. By far the greater part of his instruction was of an intensely prac- tical nature, received from active contract with the rude implements of husbandry in general use when he was a lad. Later, by associating with his fellow men in various business transactions he laid by a store of valuable knowledge which has enabled him to discharge successfully the duties of a very active life. Mr. Davisson remained with his parents until attaining his majority and then started into the world for himself as an agri- culturist a vocation which he carried on with enterprise and success until advancing years and sufficiency of worldly wealth rendered future active labor unnecessary,
William b. Davisson Sarah Davisdor
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On the 22nd of March. 1857, Mr. Davis- son was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Wehrley, of Preble county, daughter of John J. and Margaret Wehrley, both parents natives of Virginia and among the pioneers of Ohio. They moved in 1865 to Koscius- ko county, Indiana, and here the rest of their lives were spent, both dying at ripe old ages. Their children's names were as follows : Sarah, Eli, Nelson, William Wesley and John, of whom the last named and William are deceased.
ists of Kosciusko county. At the present time his real estate interests are represented by three hundred and twenty acres of fine. farm lands, containing many valuable im- provements, also a beautiful home and num- ber of lots in Milford, all of which came with his possession as a result of his indus- trial and superior management. While act- ively prosecuting his agricultural interests there were few men the equal of Mr. Davis- son as a farmer and none his superior. De- voting himself assiduously to his vocation, he rarely failed to reap abundant harvests, while his various other business enterprises were uniformly successful. His sound judg- ment, wise forethought, quiet manner, and unexcitable temperament, which left the mind unbiased and free to act, were largely
In 1862 Mr. Davisson moved to Darke county, Ohio, where he purchased land and followed agriculture until 1865, at which time he sold his farm and. coming to Kos- ! ciusko county, Indiana, bought a place in the township of Van Buren, moving to the same in the spring of the following year. On ' the secret of his success and made him this farm he lived and prospered until the , known and felt in the busy affairs of life. spring of 1885. when he discontinued agri- culture temporarily and took up his resi- dence in Milford, which place he made his home about one year. Returning to the farm at the expiration of that time he re- samed his chosen calling and continued the same with most encouraging results until 1889, when, finding himself the possessor of a comfortable fortune, he wisely concluded to rent his land and spend the remainder of his days in honorable retirement. Mr. Davisson arranged his affairs satisfactorily and, moving to Milford, has since spent his time practically retired from active life, though still looking after his large agricult- ural and other interests and in many ways keeping in touch with the business world. He has been remarkably fortunate in a finan- cial sense and has long been counted one of the large land owners of his township, as ! well as one of the most successful agricultur- 1 In every relation with his fellow man he is a model of kindness and generosity. His home has always been open to his many friends and the stranger never failed to share his entertainment when such was requested. His name has been identified almost with- out exception with every undertaking cal- culated to foster the growth and develop the resources of his township and county and improve the condition of the citizens in pub- lic improvements of which all classes alike reap the benefit and in the promotion of in- dustries which furnish employment to many and thus stimulate the energies of the peo- ple. In his business matters he is sagacious, prompt, diligent and thorough and not a shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil has ever rested upon him. Socially he is a genial and intelligent companion, in his domestic relations a model husband and father, his home life affording rare pleasure to those
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who have enjoyed its comfortable and cheer- ini atmosphere. Mr. Davisson has been a Republican since the organization of the party and believes its principles, although not entirely free from fault, to be on the whole letter than those of any other polit- ical party in this or any other country. Tak- ing an active interest in the party's success. he is by no means a politician, preferring the oule: Wie of private citizenship to the an- novances and distraction which necessarily come to the professional partisan or office seeker.
Mr. and Mrs. Davisson have had five children born to them, viz: Anderson L., deceased ; John F., a farmer of this county ; Margaret J., wife of Wesley Webster ; Will- iam O .. also an agriculturist of Kosciusko County, and Charles M., a resident of Mil- ford.
In the foregoing lines have been briefly set forth the salient facts and some of the leading characteristics in the life of one of Kosciusko county's most enterprising and highly respected citizens. Commencing with a lintited capital. but with an inborn deter- mination to succeed and paving the way to prosperity only with the solid rocks of hon- est industry, true stability of character and correct conduct, he has achieved success in the face of every obstacle and won a name which when transmitted to posterity will ever shine with a radiance emanating from a life of honor and integrity.
SYLVESTER HALL.
In this sketch is given a brief synopsis of the life of one who holds precedence as one of the oldest living settlers of Koscius-
ko county. So far as active and consecutive effort is concerned. he has been closely iden- tified with this part of the commonwealth since the carly pioneer days, when were es- sayed the initial efforts looking to a reclam- ation of the country from its sylvan wilds. His long residence in the county and the conspicuous part he has taken in all work and important movements for the advance- ment of the general good and the develop- ment of the country's resources have gained him a personal acquaintanceship that makes his name a familiar one in every household in the community. His active connection with the history and growth of Kosciusko transcends the limits of sixty years and within this time he has been not only an eye witness of the many remarkable changes that have taken place, but an active partici- pant in the same, nobly bearing his part in winning for the county a proud position among the most enterprising and enlight- ened sections of the Hoosier state.
Sylvester Hall is the son of Isaac and Prudence ( Huff) Hall, the father a native of Ohio and the mother born in York state. These parents were married in Knox coun- ty. Ohio, about the year 1833 moved to the county of Seneca, where they resided till 1837. in June of which year they loaded their household effects and a few agricultural im- plements on a wagon and started for north- ern Indiana, their objective point being Kos- ciusko county. After a trip of over a month's duration, attended with many diff- culties and hardships, they finally reache.l their destination and located temporarily with a family by the name of Tusong, liv- ing about three miles south of Warsaw. For some weeks thereafter Isaac Hall trav- eled over the county quite extensively in
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search of a favorable location, and finding the land in Jefferson township coming near- est His ideal concluded to purchase a farm there and make that section his home. In the time he invested in a tract of one hun- dred and sixty acres and as soon as he could conveniently do so moved his family to the samme and at once began improving the land, in which he was assisted by his older sons. ile cleared and developed a good farm and lived upon the same a number of years, later purchasing a place in the township of Van Buren to which he changed his residence. Here. about 1864. the wife died and a few years later Mr. Hall chose for a companion & Mrs. Baker, of Milford, moving sometime thereafter to Marshall county where he spent the remainder of his life, dying there m the year 1800.
Isaac Hlad was the father of the follow- ing children: John, deceased ; Sylvester, Whose name introduces this review; Lor- enzo; Charles M., deceased ; Richard H., a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, killed at the battle of Chickamauga ; Sarah, deceased ;. George, deceased; Eliza, deceased ; Eliza- beth, widow of the late Cyrus Fuller ; Isaac B. and Isaac 1L., the last two dead, and one that died in infancy.
Sylvester Hall was born October 2. 1825, in Knox county, Ohio, and accom- panied his parents to Indiana when twelve years of age. From that time until reach- ing the years of manhood he bore his part in Clearing and fitting the farm for cultivation and early learned by practical experience the true meaning of honest toil. Reared amid the stirring scenes of the pioneer period. he had little time for acquiring an education, Sis training in that direction being confined to a couple of months attendance of winter
seasons upon such inferior subscription schools as the country at that time afforded. lle remained with his father until twenty I years of age and then took up carpentery, in which he soon acquired great proficiency and for a period of sixteen years thereafter worked at the trade in various parts of the country, husbanding his earnings with the most scrupulous care, with the object in view of ultimately purchasing a farm and engaging in agricultural pursuits.
In 1858 Mr. Hall bought one hundred and sixty acres of woodland in section 9. Jefferson township, but did not immediately move to the same, continuing at his trade until about the year 1862 when he began his first efforts towards making a home. At that time his place was thickly covered with tall forests and dense undergrowth and the outlook was anything but encouraging. Strong arms, backed by a strong and deter- mined will, in due season overcame the diffi- culty and within a few years Mr. Hall found Himself the possessor of a good farm, which, gradually increasing in value, with the en- largement of its tillable acreage, in time be- . came one of the best and most desirable places in the township of Jefferson. To his original purchase he afterwards added forty acres adjoining and at the present time the two hundred acres in one body is one of the best cultivated and most highly improved places of the same area in the county.
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