USA > Indiana > Adams County > Standard history of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : An authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume II > Part 11
USA > Indiana > Wells County > Standard history of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : An authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume II > Part 11
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Benjamin P. Smith was five years of age when his parents arrived in Wells County on October 18, 1844. He grew up on the old home- stead, cultivated his mind and body by the heavy work of the woods and the fields, and attended some of the old time subscription schools. In 1870 he married Eliza Davenport, who was born in Wells County in 1851, and was a woman of excellent education and had been a school teacher before her marriage. Benjamin P. Smith spent his last days in Oklahoma, where he died January 25, 1908. The mother died August 12, 1908. She was a native of Chester Township of Wells County.
William R. Smith is the only living child of his parents. His sister, Martha, was born in 1876 and died in 1881. Mr. Smith grew up on the home farm, attended the local schools, and was a progressive and suc- cessful farmer on the old homestead until he was thirty-three years of age. He then entered business in connection with the Farmers Elevator Company at Poneto, and now gives practically all his time to the buying and handling of the immense quantities of grain that go to market through that institution.
Mr. Smith married Mary E. Huffman, who was reared and educated in this county and is a daughter of William and Mary E. (Barton) Huffman. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one daughter, Ruth, horn May 21, 1902. and now a student in the Bluffton High School. Mr. Smith is affiliated with Poneto Lodge No. 752. Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and with the Encampment at Bluffton, and is a past noble grand, past chief patriarch of the order. Politically he is a democrat.
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GEORGE F. CHRISTMAN. Closely identified with the agricultural and industrial affairs of Wells County, George F. Christman is pleasantly located in Liberty Township, where he is profitably engaged in general farming on the old Christman estate, which he is managing with ability and success. His parents, Frederik and Catherine (Grossman) Christ- man, were born and bred in Germany, and from there came to the United States, settling in Bluffton.
Frederick Christman served an apprenticeship at the baker's trade in the fatherland, and after coming to Bluffton was employed as a baker. Beginning life in this new home without other means than strong hands, a willing heart, and an unlimited amount of courage and energy, he labored with a will, and by means of thrift accumulated considerable wealth. When able to afford it, he erected the Christman Block, just east of the MeFarren Block, and there successfully eon- dueted a bakery and a restaurant for many years, continuing in busi- ness in Bluffton until his death. He also made other wise investments, including the purchase of the farm in Liberty Township, now occupied by his son, George. His wife survived him, dying at the home of her son, George. They were the parents of three children, as follows: Frank, living in Indianapolis: John, who died in 1885; and George F.
Brought up in Bluffton. George F. Christman was educated in the public schools, and as a young man assisted in the improvement of the farm which he now occupies. After his marriage, he assumed the man- agement of its 120 aeres, and is now carrying on general farming in a systematic and scientifie manner, under his judicious care his land being as rich and productive as any to be found in the locality.
On October 2, 1882, Mr. Christman was united in marriage with Mary A. Masterson. A daughter of William and Maria (Paron) Mas- terson, she was born, February 28, 1863, in Harrison Township, Wells County, her home having been near Murray. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Christman, five children have been born, of whom one. the fourth child in succession of birth, is dead, and four are living, namely : Maude, at home: Jennie. wife of V. O. Bender, living on the home farm ; Hazel, at home ; and Chloe, also at home. In his political affiliations Mr. Christ- man is a steadfast democrat.
GEORGE T. WOODWARD. One of the early families to settle in Wells County was one that came from Trumbull County, Ohio, named Wood- ward. and this family has been continuously identified with the best interests of Jefferson Township for the past sixty-three years. The present head of the family is George T. Woodward, who is one of the successful farmers and representative citizens of this section.
George T. Woodward was born on his present farm in Jefferson Township, October 26, 1855. His parents were A. W. and Mary (Brick- Jey) Woodward. who were born, reared and married in Trumbull County, Ohio. In 1850 they came to Indiana and settled on a traet of eighty aeres, near Greenwood. The land had been partly cleared and Mr. Woodward completed the clearing, but in 1854 sold to another set- tler and moved to another farm in Jefferson Township, Wells County. For a number of years hard work burdened him, but he was a man of great industry and he persevered until his fine estate was not only cleared, but well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward were widely known and highly esteemed. Their last days were spent in great eom- fort with children and grandchildren around them. Mr. Woodward died July 18. 1906, his wife having passed away in March, 1898. The following children were born to them: Loretta, who is the wife of George Wasson of Union Township, Wells County; Olive Orlina, who
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became the wife of William Beatty of Ossian, Indiana ; Laura, who was married first to William Wilkin, and second, to Dr. William Beatty ; George T .; Samantha E., who married L. T. Fryback: William, who married Mary J. Goshorn; John, who married Dora MeBride, and they live in Union Township: Wilson A., who married Ella Somers, is a farmer in Jefferson Township; and Alda, who is the wife of E. E. Derr of Ossian, Indiana.
George T. Woodward was reared on the old homestead which is now his own property. He obtained his education in the schools of Jefferson Township and has always taken a great interest in the same and has given his own children school advantages in District No. 13, Jefferson Township. His life work has been carrying on farm industries on the homestead, which he inherited when his father died. Ile owns 160 acres, which he devotes to general farming and stoek raising. He as made many excellent improvements, in the way of commodious and substantial buildings, and an air of thrift prevails that indicates good management. Mr. Woodward was married in December, 1879, to Miss Mary J. Glass, who is a daughter of James W. and Rebecca Glass, for many years people of prominence in Wells County. The father of Mrs. Woodward came with his family to this county in 1845 and lived here until his death, on March 14, 1909. Ile, like the Woodwards, was identified with the development of this seetion. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Woodward, died January 11, 1880. They had children as follows: Mary J., who is Mrs. Woodward; Dorcas; Jennie, who is deceased : Catherine, who married Horace Henry ; James, who married Ida Archibald ; Frank, who married Cora McBride; and Marion.
Mr. and Mrs. Woodward have eight children, namely: Clinton, who lives in Jefferson Township, married Eva Mills: Alva, who is a resident of Wolf Lake, Indiana, married Lucile Foster: Irene, who lives at Decatur, Michigan, is the wife of Gilpin Oshorn, who is in busi- ness there ; Doreas, who is the wife of Jesse Newhard, living in Georgia ; Alice, who is the wife of Hassel Mahnensmith; Annis, who is the wife of Edgar Hunter of Jefferson Township; Alda. who is a student in the Indiana State University; and Roscoe, at home. Mr. Woodward and family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and they are not only active in their church connection, but also in the pleasant neigh- borhood social life, where good feeling and hospitality prevail. Mr. Woodward has always given his political support to the principles and candidates of the democratic party.
PATRICK CURRAN. Busily employed in one of the most important of all occupations, Patrick Curran, a well-known farmer of Liberty Township, Wells County, has displayed excellent judgment in his un- dertakings, and in addition to being a successful tiller of the soil is profitably engaged in stock raising. A son of John and Elizabeth (Fling) Curran, he was horn April 22, 1852, in Hocking County, Ohio, of Irish ancestry.
His grandfather. Michael Curran, was born and reared in Ireland. After his marriage, he came with his wife to the United States, locating first in Pennsylvania. Migrating to Ohio a few years later, he settled permanently in Perry County, and there continued a resident the re- mainder of his life.
Born in Pennsylvania, Jolin Curran grew to manhood in Perry County, Ohio, where he began the battle of life as a tiller of the soil. After his marriage to Elizabeth Fling, he bought land in Hocking County, Ohio, and on the homestead which he cleared and improved spent his remaining days. He was the father of fifteen children, of
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whom the following named are now, in 1917, living: John, of Ohio; Patrick, of whom we write ; Mary, living in Ohio : Douglas, of Columbus, Ohio: Sarah, wife of Daniel Harsch of Lancaster Township, Wells County : Francis M. of Hocking County, Ohio; James, residing in Ohio; and Alexander of Hocking County, Ohio.
Brought up in his native county, Patrick Curran was educated in the district schools, and until twenty-one years of age remained beneath the parental roof-tree. Finding employment then on a near-by farm, he worked for one man for five years, a record of service bearing evi- dence of his industry and fidelity. About three years after his mar- riage, Mr. Curran came to Indiana in search of a favorable place in which to invest his hard-earned savings. Locating in Wells County, he bought eighty acres of land in Liberty Township, and immediately assumed its possession. The major part of it was heavily timbered at the time, but by energetic and well-directed toil he has since cleared and improved his present handsome estate, and is prosperously engaged in farming and stock raising.
Mr. Curran married, September 28, 1876, Margaret Eckhart, a native of Hocking County, Ohio, and into their home two children have been born, namely : Charles, who married Maggie Laudermilk, has nine children, Thelma, Vaughn, Devona, Harold, Neoma, Waneta, Jannette, Mildred, and Mary; and Orpha, a pupil in the Liberty Center High School. Charles is manager of an elevator in Liberty Center. Politic- ally Mr. Curran is an earnest supporter of the principles of the demo- cratie party. Fraternally he belongs to Liberty Center Lodge No. 747, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Curran are members of the Methodist Protestant Church at Liberty Center.
N. E. WAIT. A well-known and respected citizen of Liberty Town- ship, Wells County, N. E. Wait is a representative agriculturist of this section of the state, his fine and well appointed farm giving sub- stantial evidence of the excellent care and skill with which it is man- aged, and of the thrift and prosperity of its owner. A son of William Wait, he was born in Pulaski County, Indiana, June 2, 1854, and was there bred and educated.
William Wait was born and reared in Ohio. Coming from there to Indiana in 1841, he took up a homestead claim in Pulaski County, and in the years that followed cleared and improved the farm upon which he and his wife spent their last years. He married. in Pulaski County, Susan Justice, a native of Pennsylvania. and of their five children three are living, as follows: Jennie A .. wife of Ira Maddox of Marshal County, Indiana : Mary L., wife of Joseph Brooks of Starke County, Indiana : and N. E., the special subject of this brief sketch.
After completing his studies in the public schools, N. E. Wait worked with his father on the home farm, and finding the occupation congenial to his tastes, as well as profitable, he concluded to adopt it, and began his career as a farmer in Miami County. He subsequently spent a year in North Dakota, but not liking the country, Mr. Wait re- turned to Indiana, and settled in Wells County. After living for awhile on the first farm that he bought, he sold out, and bought ninety-two acres of land in Liberty Township, and in its improvement has taken much pride and pleasure, his estate in its appointments and improvements comparing favorably with any in the locality.
Mr. Wait married Emma Sands, who was born in Pennsylvania, but. was brought up in Pulaski County, Indiana, where her parents settled when she was a girl. Mr. and Mrs. Wait have three children, namely : William H., living at home: Calvert, who is married, and lives at Fort
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Wayne; and Jesse D., also married, and a resident of Fort Wayne. Politically Mr. Wait is a republican, and religiously he and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church.
ERNEST E. THOMPSON. Numbered among the progressive agricul- turists of Wells County, Ernest E. Thompson of Liberty Township is the owner of a fine and well-appointed farin, which is now in an ad- mirable state of cultivation, and, owing to the sound judgment and persistent energy with which he has devoted himself to its management, is a valuable piece of property. He is a native, and to the "manner born," his birth having occurred November 11, 1869, on the farm of his father, Robert H. Thompson.
His paternal grandfather, John HI. Thompson, was born in Virginia, where his father, Ebenezer Thompson, located on coming to America from Scotland, his native country. He married Mary Thompson, who was born in Kentucky, a daughter of James Thompson, a native of Vir- ginia. A few years after his marriage, he came with his family to In- diana, and having entered from the Government 320 acres of land in Iluntington County, was there actively engaged in its improvement until his death. He reared twelve children, of whom Robert HI. was the fifth son in succession of birth, and the seventh child.
Robert H. Thompson was born January 10, 1840, in Bracken County, Kentucky, and at the age of eight months was brought by his parents to Huntington County, Indiana, where he was reared and educated. He assisted his father during the days of his boyhood and youth in clearing the home farm, remaining beneath the parental roof tree until the out- break of the Civil war.
Enlisting, August 28, 1861, in Company C, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Robert H. Thompson went with his regiment to Camp Wickliffe, Kentucky, from there proceeding to New Madrid, Mis- souri. He was subsequently sent with his command to Reddlesport, and was later located in Memphis, Tennessee. Unfortunate enough to lose his eye-sight, he spent ten months in the Good Samaritan Eye and Ear Sanitarium, at St. Louis, and on leaving that institution went to Jefferson Barracks, where, on April 4, 1864, he was honorably dis- charged from the service. The ensuing three years, being unable to pursue any vocation, he remained at home. Recovering his health, he came, soon after his marriage, to Wells County, settling in Liberty Township, where he purchased a tract of heavily timbered land, and at once began its improvement. He succeeded well in his efforts, by dint of hard labor converting his many acres into one of the best farms of the township, and also becoming owner, by purchase, of two other val- uable tracts of land. Since retiring from active pursuits, he has made his home in Warren, Indiana, where he is now enjoying a well-earned leisure. He is a stanch republican in politics, and a member of the Christian Church, to which his wife also belonged.
Robert H. Thompson married, February 20, 1867, Eliza C. Stroup, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Oldaper) Stroup, who came from High- land County, Ohio, to Indiana in 1842. and settled in Huntington County. She was born in Salmon Township, Iluntington County, In- diana, and died September 10, 1910, in Liberty Township. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Laura G., deceased; Ernest E., the subject of this brief sketch ; Alfred P .; Annie M., deceased : John J., deceased ; Arman E., deceased : and Robert M., deceased.
Brought up on the home farm, and educated in the district schools, Ernest E. Thompson has sneceeded to the ancestral occupation. Pros- perity has seemingly smiled on his every effort, his farm of 262 acres
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being advantageously located in Liberty Township, where he has spent his entire life.
Mr. Thompson married, May 2, 1891, Etta M. Burman, a daughter of George W. Burman of Warren, Indiana. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, namely; Mabel, a graduate of the Liberty Center High School, is the wife of Don G. Merriman ; Ches- ter, also a graduate of Liberty Center High School; Beulah, a high school student ; and Kenneth. Having never swerved from the political faith in which he was reared, Mr. Thompson is a straight-forward repub- lican. He is serving as a deacon in the Baptist Church, of which both he and his wife are consistent members. Fraternally Mr. Thompson is a member of Liberty Center Lodge No. 747, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
JOSEPH W. WARNER has actively followed the vocation of farming for a great many years, and represents a family name that has been identified with Wells County seventy-five years. Mr. Warner's fine country home is in section 26, Harrison Township, on Rural Route No. 2 ont of Bluffton.
He was born on the same section September 26, 1863, a son of Amos and Martha E. (Cabburn) Warner. His father was born near Circleville, Ohio, in 1840, and was brought by his parents to Wells County, Indiana, in 1842. He became a man of property and of in- fluence and lived a long and active career until his death in April. 1913. He was active in the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church and served as superintendent of the Wells County Infirmary for two years. 1871-72. His wife was born on section 26 of Harrison Township and died April 11, 1893. Their two children were Joseph W. and Sarah E., now deceased, who was Mrs. Lewis Arnold.
Joseph W. Warner grew up on the old homestead farm. attended the common schools of Bluffton, spent two years in the Portland Normal School in 1887-88 and completed the course in oratory. His early am- bition was to become a lawyer. but circumstances and other things caused him eventually to settle down to farming, and in that voca- tion he has made an honorable success. Mr. Warner has done much in the breeding of Chester White and Poland China hogs, and also handles a number of Durham cattle. His farm comprises 121 acres of land.
He married Miss Emma Myers, daughter of J. C. Myers. She was educated in the district schools of the county. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Warner settled down to farming on the home where they still live. Five children were born to them: Howard, Clarence, Lelia. Earl and Mary. Howard is now a locomotive fireman with a run ont of Chicago over the Baltimore & Ohio Road. Clarence has finished his education in the common schools, while the other children are still at- tending school.
Mr. Warner hos done much in behalf of the democratic party in Wells County and has been called upon as a speaker and has made campaign addresses in nearly every locality of the county. At one time he was a candidate for representative in the Legislature.
JOHN W. BAY. Owning and occupying a well improved farm in Liberty Township, John W. Bay has been intimately associated with the agricultural affairs of this part of Wells County for many years, and since attaining manhood has contributed, as a successful farmer, his full share toward the welfare of the community in which he has spent his life, his birth having occurred here September 11, 1861.
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William H. Bay, his father, a native of Indiana, eame to Wells County in early manhood, and engaged in farming. After his marriage he bought land in Liberty Township, and immediately began the improve- ment of the estate now owned and occupied by his son John. Successful as an agrieulturist, he remained here, an esteemed and respected citizen until his death in 1901. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Shoe- maker, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, and as a girl eame with her parents to Liberty Township, Wells County, where she married. She passed to the life beyond on August 2, 1917. They were the parents of eight children, namely: John W., the speeial subject of this brief sketch : Rosa, wife of George Rife, of Bluffton, Wells County; Mollie, wife of John Gordon; Charles, of Bluffton; Lydia, wife of Charles B. Gavin, of Liberty Township; Edward H., of the same township ; Rachel ; and Rebecca, wife of Charles Dalrymple.
Brought up on the parental homestead, John W. Bay received ample opportunities for obtaining a good common school education, and after completing his studies assisted his father in the management of the farm, which he subsequently rented for a few years. Finding the occupation congenial as well as profitable, Mr. Bay has continued a tiller of the soil. He is a skillful and praetieal farmer, systematic and thorough in his methods, and, needless to say, is quite prosperous. He is a loyal repub- lican in politics, and fraternally is a member of Bluffton Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose.
Mr. Bay married Effie J. Thompson, and they have one ehild, Hen- rietta R., wife of Marion C. Bohr. Mr. and Mrs. Bohr are living with Mr. Bay; they are the parents of four children, John, Russell, Ruth and Catherine.
FRANK C. GARRETT has long enjoyed a substantial position in the community of Liberty Township of Wells County, where he has spent praetieally all the years of his life, and in the last ten or fifteen years especially has become more than locally known as a sueeessful breeder and raiser of the big type of Poland China hogs. He has a fine farm, well adapted for his special purposes of stock raising.
Mr. Garrett was born on a farm in Liberty Township July 11, 1866, a son of Noah and Leah (Funk) Garrett. His father was in many ways a distinguished eitizen of Wells County. Born in Mahoning County, Ohio, December 17, 1839, oldest son of Joseph Garrett, he had only the advantages of the common schools and at the age of sixteen began learn- ing the earpenter's trade. His apprenticeship consisted of six years, after which he became sueeessful as a contractor and builder. In January, 1861, he removed to Indiana, and a year of so later brought his family to Wells County. On December 25, 1860, he married Miss Leah Funk, of Wayne County, Ohio, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Rouch ) Funk. On coming to Wells County Noah Garrett bought eighty aeres of timber land for $800. He paid $300 in cash and employed him- self at his trade to pay the balanee. For a number of years he continued farming in connection with his mechanical industry, and as his resources and experience grew likewise his sueeess seemed to multiply. He was a splendid judge of live stock, very eapable in handling them, and in the course of time he had a farm of 330 aeres, all highly improved. For a brief time he served in the Civil war, enlisting October 30, 1864, in Com- pany A of the Fifty-third Indiana Infantry. IIe saw some of the hard fighting toward the elose of Sherman's brilliant campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas, and was a participant in the battles of Kings- ton and Goldsboro, North Carolina. He remained with the army until the surrender of Johnston's army, and was honorably discharged at Louis-
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ville, Kentucky, July 21, 1865. Noah Garrett was an active republican and he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. For a number of years he was a member of the Shorthorn Association of Wells County. He and his wife had four children: I. V. Lester, deceased; Alice, wife of Alonzo F. Rittenhouse; Frank C., and Walter O., of Liberty Center, Indiana.
Frank C. Garrett grew up on a farm adjoining the one which he now owns, acquired his education in the local district schools, and since attain- ing manhood has found his energies fully employed with his business as a farmer and stockman. He followed the example of his father as a factor in the livestock industry, and for the past fifteen years has specialized with high grade Poland China hogs. Every year he has had a sale of his animals, and from these fifteen sales his stock has been distributed and served to raise the standard of good swine industry throughout this sec- tion of Indiana. Mr. Garrett is a stockholder in the Keystone Bank and is a director in the Farmers Insurance Company. His farm comprises 120 acres in Liberty Township. Mr. Garrett is a republican in polities, and he and his family are members of the Baptist Church in Liberty Center.
On January 31, 1888, he married Miss Elizabeth Boltin. She was born in Liberty Township of Wells County. Mrs. Garrett is the daughter of Wm. J. and Mary A. (Richardson) Boltin. The mother was born in Ohio and the father in Wells County, Indiana. Mr. Boltin died Sep- tember, 1914, aged seventy-three years. His wife is living, being sixty- nine years of age, at Liberty Center, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett have had five children, namely : Lola M., wife of H. H. Ellis; Alonzo B., who is married and living in Huntington County, Indiana ; Flo, who died at the age of three and a half years; N. Mount, and Mary A.
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