USA > Indiana > Kosciusko County > Progressive men and women of Kosciusko County, Indiana : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography > Part 75
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Mr. Hall has been twice married, the first time, April 1, 1847, to Miss Mariah Swihart, who was born in Ohio about the year 1823. She came to Kosciusko county with her mother and grandmother in 1836, her father having died in Ohio some years prior to that time. Mrs. Hall bore her hus- band five children and departed this life in
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the year 1855. The names of the children are as follows: Milton, deceased, Simon. Saras, Emmeline. deceased, and Isaac. On the 2nd day of February. 1857. Mr. Hall married his present companion. Harriet Landis, a union blessed with the birth of six children: Elizabeth. Lucy. Emanuel, Rich- ard. Caroline and Lorenzo, all living at this time.
As a farmer Mr. Hall early took high rank and sustained the reputation of an en- terprising and successful man until advance- ing age admonished him to retire from act- ive labor. From the time when he knew full well what it was to have a home far removed from other settlers, in the midst of a dense forest, through which wolves prowled and deer roamed, to the date of his retirement. his life was characterized by industry and consecutive toil, and his energies, directed and controlled by correct judgment, grad- ually materialized into the comfortable for- tuine which he today enjoys. He continued actively engaged in the management of his agricultural and other business interests un- til 1805, when, finding himself in possession of more than a sufficiency of this world's goods to render the remainder of his life free from care of anxiety, he rented his place and since then has been enjoying the restial quiet which only such as he know fully how to appreciate. He now has a beautiful and comfortable home situated on two acres of ground in the village of Mil- Topl, where, surrounded by all that is cal. chatted to make existence agreeable and happy. he is passing the evening of life at peace with the world and his Maker, receiv- ing day by day the congratulations and well wishes of his many friends, all of whom de- sire that he may be spared many years to
bless the world with his presence. In such lives as that of Mr. Hall there are no start- ling incidents nor any eccentricities of chat- acter. In a quiet manner he has pursued the even tenor of his way, content to cultivate his acres and reap therefrom golden rewards for labors bestowed, taking little part in the active, bustling affairs of the busy world. Recognizing the fact that every citizen is under certain obligations to society and the state. he has kept in touch with public affairs to the extent of exercising the elective iran- chise and using his influence to promote all movements and enterprises having for their end the advancement of the community along social and moral lines. He is a man who strongly attracts the best elements in the community and when he makes friends they are for a life time. Mr. Hall is a zeal- ous Christian and, with his good wife, be- longs to the German Baptist church. Ilis Jong and useful life has been fruitful in good works and his name will long be remem- bered as one of Kosciusko's most exemplary characters and popular citizens.
CURTIS C. FARBER.
By reason of the official position which he has held for a number of years, as well as on account of an unblemished record as one of the brave boys in blue who responded to their country's call in the dark and troublesome days of the Rebellion, the sub- , ject of this sketch has become well known. As an official he has earned more than a : local reputation, and as a soldier, who be- came the target for the missiles of treason on many bloody battle fields, his career was
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such as to place his name high on the roster of the country's gallant and patriotic de- fenders of the national Union.
The Farbers were among the early set- ders of Ohio, from which state came many of Indiana's most enterprising and substan- tial pioneers and citizens. Lewis Farber, father of Curtis C., came with his parents to Jay county, Indiana, when twelve years ok! and was reared to maturity on a farm. Hle was the first mail carrier from the vil- lage of College Corners, Jay county, where his father was postmaster, and shortly after his marriage, which was solemnized with Miss Martha Clark, he entered the ministry of the United Brethren church, to which holy calling the residue of his life was de- voted. Lewis and Martha Farber were the parents of twelve children, Mary .A., Benja- min, Margaret, Curtis C., William, Caro- line, Nancy, Ellen, David, Augustus, Mark- wood and George W.
Curtis C. Farber was born in Jay coun- ty. Indiana, September 18, 1846, and spent his childhood and youth at the various places where his father was stationed while an itinerant preacher. The common schools afforded him the means of a fair English alucation and his early life was spent pretty much like that of the majority of village and country lads, alternating between labor and attendance at school. He remained with his parents until about seventeen years old. meanwhile looking after their interests and contributing with the older brother and sis- ters to the maintenance of the family. At the breaking out of the great Civil war, when a wave of patriotic enthusiasm spread throughout the North, calling upon the brave and sturdy yeomanry to maintain un- stillied the national honor, young Farber be- ' him, and throughout his entire career as a
came imbued with the prevailing spirit and as soon as old enough tendered his services and, if need be, his life to the end that the Union might not be disrupted. It was while his father was stationed at Dunkirk, Ohio, that he entered the army, enlisting Septem- ber 8. 1863. in Company A, Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, for three years' service or during the war: he lacked ten days of his seven- teenth year when his name was enrolled as a volunteer. His command was first as- signed to duty in Virginia and the first en- gagement of any importance in which he participated was at what was known as the Salt Works in that state. Subsequently he took part in a number of battles, minor en- gagements and skirmishes, among which were Wytheville and Orb Oaks, Virginia, Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, and Salsbury, North Carolina, the last-named place being where the Twelfth Cavalry was detached for the purpose of assisting in the pursuit and cap- ture of the president of the Southern Con- federacy, Jefferson Davis. Mr. Farber was within less than a half mile of Davis when the latter was captured and, with others of his command, assisted in guarding the noted prisoner and accompanied him until he was placed in the care of another escort. Mr. Farber saw a great deal of active service and shared with his comrades the excitement and dangers of war in many thrilling situa- tions. He participated in a number of gal- lant charges, during which the air around him resounded with the awful shrieks of bursting shells, mingled with the weird hum of the deadly musket and rifle balls, when it seemed impossible for any one to emerge alive from the terrible ordeal of death. Twice he had two horses shot from under
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soldier his conduct was all that a brave man's could be. At the close of the war he was mustered out of the service at Nashville, Tennessee, his discharge bearing the date of November 14. 1865. By reason of duty faithfully done and broken health, superin- duced by exposure and hardships while in the service, he is now the recipient of a monthly pension of sixteen dollars, a sum 1 far too small in view of the vicissitudes he endured while giving the best years of his life that the government should remain as the fathers founded it.
While in the army Mr. Farber's father was transferred to a church in Jay county, 1 Indiana, and thither the subject proceeded immediately after his discharge. For some ; in the Grand Army of the Republic, being a months after his return he worked as a farm hand for his uncle, Curtis Clark, and later engaged in the insurance business in Port- land, Jay county's seat of justice. He re- mained at that place for a period of fourteen years, seven of which were spent with Gen. J. P. C. Shanks, one of Indiana's leading military men and noted jurists and for some years a representative in the United States congress. He did a thriving business in different lines of insurance and continued to remain in Jay county until 1891, at which time he became a citizen of Kosciusko.
his decisions have invariably been character- ized by fairness, and but little dissatisfaction has ever resulted from his manner of ad- judicating cases involving complex technical points and a sound knowledge of the law.
Mr. Farber was married March 23, 1891, to Mrs. Laura Mahoney, widow of William Mahoney and daughter of Robert and Lavina ( Saxon) Michaels. Immedi- ately thereafter he purchased property in the village of Oswego, Plain township, where he has since lived. He has a pleasant home and is comfortably situated, his place being neat and attractive in appearance, bespeak- ing the presence of people of cultivation and taste. Mr. Farber is an enthusiastic worker charter member of Sylvester J. Bailey Post. No. 154, at Portland. He served as officer of the day four and a half years, two years as adjutant, and was also commander for a considerable length of time. For four years he was second lieutenant in Company A of the state militia and it is conceded by those capable of judging that he is one of the best posted men in military affairs, as well as one of the most thorough drill masters, in this part of the state of Indiana. At the present time he is commander of William Mclaughlin Post at Milford and his sery- ices as such have been eminently satisfactory and greatly appreciated by every member of the organization. By reason of his affilia- tion with the Grand Army of the Republic Mr. Farber has become widely known throughout the state and he enjoys the high esteem and warm personal friendship of many of the leading members of the order in Indiana and elsewhere. To meet with his Fold comrades and recount the thrilling
Shortly after coming to this county Mr. Farber was appointed justice of the peace to fill out an unexpired term, and at the next election was chosen to the office by the vote of the people, of Plain township. He has served continuously to the present time and as a justice has become widely and favorably known, many important cases hay- ing been tried in his court and much busi- ness brought to him from various parts of the country. He possesses a judicial mind, "scenes of yore, when the country was in the
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throes of rebellion. he deems among his most pleasant and agreeable experiences and wherever he sees a worthy soldier he greets him as a brother, bound by no ordinary ties. Mr. Farber is a man of wide and varied in- telligence, a great reader, especially of his- toric and political subjects, upon all of which he has deep and sound convictions. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, the principles of which he believes to be for the best interests of the country ; consequent- ly he is ever ready to put forth his best ei- forts in behalf of the ticket and deems no activity too great if thereby its success may be promoted.
Since his twenty-first year Mr. Farber has been in office almost continuously and that he has been so long thus honored is proof that his duties have been discharged in a manner highly creditable to himself and satisfactory to the public. Although not a member of any religious organization, he is a liberal contributor to the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which his wife is an active member, and to all matters of charity and benevolence he gives with a free and open hand. As a man he is a creditable repre- sentative of the highest order of American citizenship and in every relation of life his conduct has been that of a liberal minded, intelligent and courteous gentleman. In brief, he is a type of the strong and virile class through whose efforts the great com- monwealth of Indiana is indebted for its splendid achievements of the past and for the large measure of success and prosperity which it enjoys at the present time.
Mr. and Mrs. Farber have two daugh- ters, Ethel, born August 3, 1895, and Su- siama P., whose birth took place March 30, 1899. By her previous marriage Mrs. Far-
ber is the mother of a son, Luther Mahoney, who was born on the 14th day of Septem- ber, 1884.
JOSEPH S. ARMEY.
The well-known subject of this review is one of Jefferson township's highly es- teemed citizens and. as a farmer occupies a place in the front rank of Kosciusko coun- ty's successful agriculturists. In his veins flows the blood of a long line of German, Scotch and Irish ancestors and it can be truthfully said that he combines in his men- tal and physical make-up many of the char- acteristics for which those sturdy peoples have long been noted. Family history re- veals the fact that the Armeys were among the early settlers of Virginia, in which state the subject's grandfather. Abraham Armey, was born, reared and married. He served in the war of 1812 as private in a Virginia regiment and after the cessation of hostil- ities engaged in farming, which vocation he carried on all his life. The maiden name of his wife was Anna France: she was also a native of the Old Dominion. About the year 1825 he left his Virginia home and mi- grated to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying there at a good old age. The seven chil- dren born to Abraham and Anna Armey were as follows: Jacob, John, Henry, Susan, Magdalena, Elizabeth and one that died before receiving a name.
The oldest of the children, Jacob Armey, was born in Virginia and accompanied his parents to Ohio when fourteen years of age. Hle was reared a farmer and, with the ex- ception of a limited period spent in the tan-
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ning business when a young man, made the in 1851 and, with the exception of a few pursuit of agriculture his life work. In an years, has made this part of the state his home to the present day, the exception re- ferred to being the time he lived in the coun- ty of Wabash, which covered a period of nearly ten years. carly day he went to Union county. Indi- ana, where he met and married Miss Amy Stevenson, who was born in Warren county, Ohio, June 20, 1813. She was the daughter of John Stevenson, who moved from eastern Mr. Armey remained with his parents until of a legal age, but it was not until 1860 that he bought land of his own, which he began to improve in 1863. His first pur- chase consisted of eighty acres in section 6, Jefferson township, to which he afterwards made an addition of four and a half acres adjoining, the two tracts combined forming the nucleus of his present estate of four hun- dred acres. From his boyhood Mr. Armey was trained to habits of industry and he found his early lessons of great practical value when he began the work of clearing ! his land and fitting it for cultivation. He erected comfortable buildings on his place, gradually extended the area of tillable land until he found himself in the possession of a beautiful farm, which for general agri- cultural purposes is not excelled by any like number of acres in the township in which it is situated. Ohio to indiana in pioneer times and be- came a well-known citizen and successful farmer of Union county. Jacob Armey con- tinted to reside in Union county until about the year 1838, when he went back to his old Ohio home, where he remained till 1851, at which time he returned to Indiana and lo- cated in the county of Kosciusko. He set- tled temporarily in Clay township, where he rented land, and also cultivated a farm in Wabash county, living on leased land un- til 1803. when he moved to Scott township and took possession of a farm which he had purchased the previous year. Subsequently he bought other real estate in section I of the same township, to which he removed and on which his death took place in Au- gast. 1874: Mrs. Armey survived her hus- band till 1898, at which time she was called to the other life. Eight children were born to this worthy couple, namely: Joseph S., Margaret A., William S., Lydia, Hannah J., Susannah. Martha and Abraham. :
Joseph S. Armey, the first born of the family, is a native of Union county, Indi- ana, and dates his birth from the 17th day of February, 1836. He attended the schools in the neighborhood of the home farm when a boy, and spent the first fifteen years of his Nie in the county of Montgomery, Ohio, meanwhile assisting his father with the farm work, not a little of which fell to him by reason of his being the oldest son. He ac- companied the family to Kosciusko county
As a farmer and business man Mr. Armey has always been regarded as a rep- resentative citizen of his township and coun- ty. He is a careful manager and a good financier, and his judgment is seldom wrong on matters coming within his sphere as an agriculturist and stock raiser. His life has been characterized by consecutive toil and well-directed effort and the success which has crowned his labors mark him as a man of sound judgment, keen discernment and prudent forethought. He is methodical in his work, prompt in meeting all obligations, not given to speculation of any kind, but
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satisfied with the gradual but sure gains wi ich result from legitimate labor. Per- sonally he has many friends in his township and the high esteem in which he is held proves him to be the possessor of those cor- rect moral principles which make men worthy of public as well as private con- fidence.
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Mr. Armey has been twice married, the first time in May. 1870, to Miss Thursey E. Snyder, who bore him the following chil- dren : William W .. deceased ; Amy C., de- ceased : Jacob F. Lewis, deceased : Adam and Aaron, twins, the former dead; Eva, de- ceased : Emma J., Joseph M. and Noah E. The second marriage was solemnized March 5. 1867. with Mrs. Sallie M. French, widow of the late Carnelius French, a union with- out issue.
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CHARLES T. DVE.
For many years the well-known subject of this sketch has been engaged in agricult-
In the year 1872 Mr. Dye and Miss Evi- eral pursuits in Kosciusko county and is ; line Robinson, daughter of an early settler well entitled to representation with the en- ' of Tippecanoe township, were united in the terprising and progressive men of the town- holy bonds of wedlock, a union resulting in ship of which he is an honored citizen. He : the birth of three children, Charies M., comes from good old Revolutionary stock, his great-grandfather having been a hero of the colonial struggle for independence, and later his father fought for three years in the army which crushed forever the armed hosts of treason in one of the greatest wars known to history.
Marshall A. Dye, the subject's father, was born in 1821. In an early day he en- tered land in Kosciusko county through an thiele and came to his possession in Tippe- canoe township in the year 1859. Hle re-
sided on his original purchase until 1892, at which time he took up his abode in the town- ship of Plain, where he now lives. As al- ready stated, he was a veteran of the late Civil war, serving three years as private in Company G, Second Indiana Cavalry, and carning the reputation of a brave defender of the okl flag. He is the father of four children, Alexander, Charles T., Edgar and William, ali deceased but the subject of this review. Alexander was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion and died while in the service.
Charles T. Dye is a native of Miami county, Ohio, and dates his birth from the 27th day of January, 1851. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, secured a good ed- ucation in the common schools and remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age. Ile assisted his father on the farm and on attaining his majority decided to follow tilling the soil for a life work, a resolution which he has since carried out with satis-, factory financial results.
Thomas W. and John W. The first two are married, Charles M. living in North Web- ster and Thomas in the village of Oswego. The mother of these children died Novem- ber 8, 1885, and in February of the year following Mr. Dye was united in marriage to Irene F. Bartholomew, daughter of Levi Bartholomew, one of the early settlers of Kosciusko county. Five children have been born to Mr. Dye's second marriage, name- ly : Rosella M., Clarence A., Levi L., Alta and Le Roy.
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Mr. Dye made his home in Tippecanoe township for a number of years and met with encouraging success as a farmer and stock raiser. In 1886 he purchased his pres- ent farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres, partly in Tippecanoe, Plain and Van Buren townships. Industrious, frugal and energetic, he has prosecuted his labors in such a manner as to win an enviable repu- tation as an enterprising agriculturist and cars for himself a comfortable competency, being now in independent circumstances. He believes in the dignity of the farmer's vocation, keeps abreast the times in all that pertains to agricultural science and man- ages his place in such a way as to insure the largest possible returns in exchange for the time and labor expended upon the soil. His place bears every evidence of thrift and good taste, the buildings and fences being in first-class condition, while the appearance of the well-cultivated fields testify to the care and labor devoted to them.
As a neighbor and citizen the county has no better or more worthy men than Charles T. Dye. Honest and upright in all of his dealings, courteous in his relations with his fellow men and of unsullied char- acter, he has borne well his part in life and his influence in the community has always been potent for good. He is a reader and observer, familiar with current events, and has well-grounded opinions relative to every great public or political question now be- fore the American people. A stanch ad- herent of the Republican party and taking an active interest in its behalf, he is by no means narrow or prejudiced in his views, nor has he ever been a partisan in the sense of seeking office at the hands of his fellow citizens. At the present time he is a mem-
ber of the township advisory board and as such has rendered efficient service, his judg- ment being sound and his opinions having much weight with his associates.
Mr. Dye is identified with the Pythian fraternity, holding membership with the lodge at Leesburg. He and wife move in the best social circles of the community and are among the most intelligent and popular people of their neighborhood. Personally Mr. Dye is of pleasing address, easily ap- proachable and he numbers his friends by the score wherever he is known. All enter- prises and movements for the public good find in him a zealous friend and liberal patron.
JOHN C. BEAGLE.
The history of the loyal sons and repre- sentative citizens of Kosciusko county would not be complete should the name that heads this review be omitted. When the fierce fire of rebellion was raging throughout the Southland, threatening to destroy the Union, he responded with patriotic fervor to the call for volunteers and in some of the bloodiest battles for which that great war was noted proved his loyalty to the government he loved so well. During a useful life in the region where he lives he has labored dili- gently to promote the interests of the people, working earnestly and with little regard for his personal advancement or ease. He has been devoted to the public welfare and in all of his relations his highest ambition has been to benefit the community and advance its standard of citizenship.
The birth of John Beagle occurred in Kosciusko county, Indiana. April 7, 1840.
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He is the son of Calvin and Isabella ( Walker ) Beagle, the former a native of New York and the latter descended from an old Scotch family that settled many years ago in that state. Stephen Beagle, the sub- ject's grandfather. a New Yorker, was a cooper by trade. He married, near the place of his nativity, Elizabeth Dobin, and in June, 1836, sold his farm and migrated to Michigan, where he entered and improved one hundred and sixty acres of land. He made good improvements, became a success- ful tiller of the soil and spent the remainder of his life on the land which he bought from the government, dying there a num- ber of years ago. His first wife died in New York and later he again married, the latter companion departing this life in Michigan. Stephen Beagle was the father of fourteen children, whose names are as follows : Amos, Leonard, Almon, Phoebe, Calvin, Sarah, Emily, Clarissa, Eliza, Nancy, Abigail, Anna. John and Luther.
Calvin, the fifth son and father of the subject of this sketch, was born October 21, ISTI, in New York, and inherited to a marked degree many of the sturdy charac- teristics of the Irish and Welsh nationalities, from which his parents were descended. On the 27th day of November, 1837, he was united in marriage to Isabella Walker and Immediately thereafter arranged his affairs so as to move west, where land could be cheaply procured. Kosciusko county was in its infancy when Mr. Beagle cast his lot i his twenty-ninth year an active and consist- with its fortunes, as a resident of what is How the township of Washington. His ar- rival here dates from 1838, in which year he entered one hundred and twenty acres of hand, erected a small log cabin, sixteen by John C. Beagle was reared in Kosciusko eighteen fect in size, and began life as a "county, and remembers well when the coun-
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