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 26
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 26
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John M. Miller was born on this farm April 15, 1874. His parents were John A. and Sarah A. (Martin) Miller. The latter was born in Adams County, Indiana, and died in Wells County, February 28, 1915. Her father was Cephas Martin, an early pioneer in Adams County. Eight children were born to John A. and Sarah A. Miller. Two died in infancy and those surviving in 1918 are as follows: Benjamin F .. who is a farmer in Liberty Township: Robert H., who is a resident of California : John M .; Cephas, who is a farmer in Harrison Township; Rufus, who is a farmer near Randall, Kansas; and Harry D., who is a resident of Muncie, Indiana.
John M. Miller has spent his life on the old homestead, which is situ- ated in Harrison Township, three miles south and two and one-half miles east of Bluffton, Indiana. Ile obtained his education in the public schools, attending the East Smoky Run School for many sessions. Farm- ing and stock raising have been the industries he has carried on on his own farm of 160 acres and he is numbered with the first class farmers of this section of the county. He is also rated as a keen and able busi- ness man and in the work of settling up his father's estate, has shown ability and discretion.
Mr. Miller was married September 17, 1911, to Miss Clara Allison, daughter of Melvin and Crissa (Manus) Allison. Her father was born in Missouri and her mother in Jay County, Indiana. Mrs. Miller has two brothers and one sister, namely : William C., who is a resident of South Pekin, Illinois; Ezra, who lives at Pennville, Indiana ; and Flor- ence, who is the wife of Arthur Miller, of Medina County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have a nephew, John D. Miller, who lives with them. He was born April 10, 1902.
Mr. Miller is a republican in politics and gives hearty support to the party measures and candidates, but is no seeker of politieal office for himself. He belongs to Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, and both he and wife are members of the Order of Pythian Sisters. For many years the Miller family has been strong in its support to the Christian Church and John M. Miller and wife are active members of the Six Mile Church in this neighborhood.
LEWIS M. BEERBOWER. One of the enterprising men extensively engaged in farming in the rich and fertile country of Northeastern Indi- ana, Lewis M. Beerbower, of Liberty Township, Wells County, has brought to his calling good business methods and excellent judgment. and his labors are being well rewarded. A son of Moses S. Beerbower. he was born, September 16, 1859, in Huntington County, Indiana, of pioneer stock.
Born in Wayne County, Ohio, Moses S. Beerbower came to Hunt- ington County, Indiana, in early life, and for a time was employed at the old McCoy mill, southeast of Warren. He subsequently purchased
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160 acres of land in Whitley County, Indiana, and embarked in farm- ing on his own account. In the very last months of the year 1863, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served therein until the elose of the war. Returning to Whitley County, he sold his farm, and located in lona County, Mich- igan, where he continued his agricultural labors until his death. He married Cynthia Hubbard, who was born in Huntington County, Indi- ana, and died in Adams County, Indiana, near Geneva. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom died in childhood, and four are now, in 1917, living, as follows: Theodore A., of Adams County; Fred G., living near Columbia, Missouri; John M., of Huntington County ; and Lewis M.
Brought up on a farm in Whitley County, Lewis M. Beerbower was educated in the rural sehools. As a young man, he spent seven years in Michigan, being variously employed while there. Returning to Indiana, he engaged in agricultural pursuits, that being in the fall of 1875, and has since been actively identified with the farming interests of Wells County. After his marriage, he and his bride began housekeeping on the farm they now occupy, on the northeast half of the southeast quar- ter of seetion 18, Liberty Township.
Mr. Beerbower married, July 21, 1889, Miami Bnekner, who was born on seetion 18, Liberty Township, a danghter of William N. Buekner. Her father was born in Bracken County, Kentucky, September 15, 1825, and died on his farm in Liberty Township, Wells County, October 30, 1902. His wife, whose maiden name was Amelia Yelton, was born in Pendleton County, Kentneky, April 17, 1831, and died on the home farm December 20, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Buckner were the parents of nine children, as follows: John T .; Charles N., of Liberty Center; Mil- lie, widow of Joseph Thrailkill, of Liberty Township: Missouri E., liv- ing on the old farm ; Martha, wife of Byron Preble; George W .; Miami M .; F. M .; and B. F. Mrs. Proble, now deceased, was the mother of five children : Addie, wife of Bazel Gordon; Forest ; George; Ardive; and Garrett, now in France. George W. married Emma Adams, of Roekville, Indiana, and at his death, in 1912, left two children, Frank and Mary.
Mrs. Beerbower received a normal school training, and prior to her marriage tanght school in Rock Creek Township. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Beerbower, namely : Fayetta M., deeeased ; Theodore, a graduate of the Liberty Center High School, is now in Canada . Ora A., who was graduated from the Liberty Center High School with the elass of 1915, subsequently attended Franklin College two years; Hale; and Andra A. Politically Mr. Beerhower is a demoerat. Fraternally he belongs to Liberty Center Lodge No. 747, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and to the eneampment at Bluffton, Indiana.
WILLIAM BROWN. A successful agriculturist of Wells County, Wil- liam Brown is actively following his ehosen voeation in Nottingham Township, cultivating his land with good results, the rich soil readily responding to his magie touch, cach year yielding satisfactory harvests. A son of Jacob B. Brown, he was born, August 20, 1875, in Phoenix, Wells County, Indiana, where he grew to man's estate.
A native of Randolph County, Indiana, Jaeoh B. Brown lived there until after his marriage with Ruth Emery, one of his neighborhood play- mates and schoolmates. Coming from there to Wells County, he located near Phoenix, where he is still living. an esteemed and respected eitizen. His wife died at a comparatively early age. Of the seven children born
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of their union, four are now living, as follows: Philip, residing in Okla- homa ; William ; Ella, wife of Bert Randolph; and Ann.
Obtaining a good common school education, William Brown remained with his parents until attaining his majority. After his marriage he lived in his native township nine months, and then worked in the Indi- ana oil fields for a period of eleven years, spending the first two years of that time in Peru, and nine years in Blackford County, during the entire time that he was thus employed being absent from work but three days, a record of which he may well be proud. Then, wisely investing his money in land, Mr. Brown purchased seventy acres of land in the southwest corner of Nottingham Township, and in the improvement of his present valnable farm has spared neither time nor expense. His improvements, which are of an excellent character, inelnde among other things the fine bank barn, 40 by 60 feet, with a basement, which he erected in 1916. It is of modern construction, and most conveniently arranged for earrying on general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Brown married Pearl Marker, and to them seven children have been born, two of them having died at infancy. The living are: Harold, who was graduated from the Petroleum High School at the age of seven- teen years; Earl ; Howard ; Clyde . and Joy. In his politieal affiliations, Mr. Brown is a steadfast demoerat.
JOHN WEINLAND. Ranking among the prosperous agrieulturists of Wells County, the record of whose lives fills an important place in this volume, John Weinland owns and ocenpies a well-improved and pro- duetive farm in Liberty Township, it being located four miles west of Bluffton. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born, January 9, 1847, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
His father, John Weinland, Sr., was born, reared and married in Lancaster Connty, Pennsylvania. He began life on his own account in Dauphin County, living there until 1856, when he came as far west as Clark County, Ohio, where both he and his wife spent the remainder of their days. A man of much intelligence, he was active in the affairs of the Reformed Mennonite Church. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Farror, eight children were born, three of whom are now, in 1917, living, as follows: Christian, of Clark County, Ohio; Jacob, of Canada ; and John.
Ten years of age when his parents moved to Ohio, John Weinland completed his early education in the common schools of Clark County. Choosing farming for his oceupation, he made a practical study of the different branches of agriculture, which he subsequently pursued for awhile in Darke County, Ohio. In 1880 Mr. Weinland came with his family to Wells County, Indiana, and purchased eighty aeres three miles west of Poneto in Liberty Township. In 1909 he sold that and moved to this farm of forty aeres and has since been industrionsly engaged in his favorite occupation, and as a tiller of the soil has met with exeep- tionally good results. his annual harvests comparing most favorably with those of his neighbors.
Mr. Weinland married, in Darke County. Ohio, Margaret A. Dough- erty, a sister of IIon. Hugh Dougherty, their wedding having been solemnized February 22, 1870. He continued his residence in that county for a time, hut afterwards migrated to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he continued as a farmer until coming to Wells County. Of the eight children born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Weinland. three have passed to the life bevond. one having died in infancy, and five are now living, namely : William of Liberty Township: John, Jr., of Harrison Township; Mary, living with her father: Myrtle is the wife Vol. II-12
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of Chester Redding of Liberty Township; and Hugh D. of Dunkirk, Indiana. Mrs. Weinland passed to the life beyond January 26, 1911, at a comparatively early age, her death being a loss not only to her family, for which she had so faithfully lived and lahored, but to a host of warm friends and acquaintances. Religiously Mr. Weinland is an influential member of the Reformed Church, which he is serving as an elder. He is a stanch republican in politics.
Ross DE VORE. One of the substantial farmers and highly respected citizens of Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana, is Ross De Vore, who owns one of the large and valuable farms here and is numbered with the most enterprising agriculturists of this section. Strangers would consider this farm a fine property but to Mr. De Vore it is much more, for it means the result of years of industry and thus is in a posi- tion to really appreciate its value.
Ross De Vore was born in Hardin County, Ohio, December 12, 1857. His parents were Lewis and Rachel (MeNutt) De Vore, both of whom were born in Ohio. They were married there and then came to Indi- ana and settled in Huntington County near Rock Creek Center about 1860. When the Civil war eame on Mr. De Vore enlisted and served as a brave soldier for the Union until its close. He returned then to his home and both he and wife died in Huntington County. They had eight children, six of whom are living, as follows: Mattie, who is the wife of Frank Foster of Warren, Indiana ; Kate. who married Albert Van Dolsen; Caroline and Addie, twins, the former of whom is the wife of Charles Siferd, and the latter the wife of Edward De Vore; George, who is a farmer in Nebraska; Ross, whose home is in Wells County ; Sarah, who is the second wife of Albert Van Dolsen, his first wife being Kate, her sister. now deceased; Lizzie, deceased, was the first wife of Horace Smith of White County, Indiana.
Ross De Vore was two years old when his parents came from Ohio to Huntington County and too young to remember his father's long absence in the army. He attended the district schools until he was thirteen and then began to take eare of himself. hiring out to farmers in the vicinity and giving faithful service, although his wage was small. He was honest and persevering and early learned to be saving and received better wages after he came to Wells County and was employed by D. D. Studabaker, and worked for him from April 13, 1889, until October 4, 1894, after which he worked entirely for him- self. His farm of 100 aeres is situated two miles south of Bluffton, on the Newville turnpike road. Mr. De Vore is a general farmer and devotes his land to grain and also raises good stock. Farming has been his business his entire life and he thoroughly understands every phase of it.
On October 4, 1894, Mr. De Vore was married to Miss Sarah Studa- baker, daughter of David D. Studahaker. She was born in 1868 near Bluffton, Indiana, and has a wide relationship in the county. her people being among the leading families of the state. Mr. and Mrs. De Vore have two sons, namely : Homer, who completed the public school course at Bluffton and then entered Purdue University; and Robert, who at- tends the local school. Mr. De Vore and family are members of the Six-Mile Christian Church, in which he is a deacon and also a member of the board of trustees. and Mrs. De Vore is an active Sunday school worker. In politics he is a republican.
ISRAEL T. ALLEN. One of the early families still represented in Wells County, Indiana, was that of Allen, and it came from Ohio,
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sturdy representatives of the fine old stoek that settled the Northwest Territory. Travel from one state to another in 1851 was attended with both hardships and dangers, but the AAllens were prepared for emer- gencies and endured them as well as did their traveling companions, who later were their neighbors in Grant County. There Israel T. Allen, one of Wells County's substantial citizens of the present day, was born on February 7. 1854. His parents were James M. and Eliza- heth (Martin) Allen. They were natives of Clinton County, Ohio, not far distant from Centerville in Montgomery County, and the father was born February 17, 1822, and the mother was born in 1827.
After their marriage, James M. Allen and wife continued to live in Clinton County, where he was a farmer. until 1851, when they con- eluded to seek a new home farther west. They were quiet, worthy, in- dustrious people, such as are welcome in any neighborhood, and during their many years of residence in Grant County, near Miertown, they became respected and esteemed. The latter part of their lives were passed near Swayzee, Indiana, where they died in advanced age.
Israel T. Allen has been more or less connected with farm pursuits all his life. He early assisted his father and attended the public schools during the winter seasons until he was twenty years old. At that time there were long stretches of timber in this section of the state and in the cutting and hanling of the same many young men found profitable oceupation. Mr. Allen went into the business as did others and ever sinee has been to some extent connected with humber interests and for some years bought timber tracts. He now devotes himself mainly to farming, owning a fine property of 117 acres, which is situated near the old Powell Ford, about two miles east of Bluffton, on Rural Mail Route 4. He has been a very prudent and industrious man all his life and what he now owns he has earned through his own efforts.
Mr. Allen has been twice married. His first wife was Delphina .J. Stanton, who was the mother of three daughters. two of whom survive her in 1917. Ilis second marriage was to Eliza J. Markley of Madison County, Ohio. In polities Mr. Allen is a sound demoerat and a loyal supporter of the present administration at Washington. He has been a resident of Wells County for many years, and is well and favorably known in this and adjoining counties. He has long advocated a system of good roads and at the present time is one of the superintendents of the fine gravel roads in Wells County.
DILMAN MYERS. While Harrison Township, Wells County, is noted for the fertility of its soil, the success which attends the labors of some of the agriculturists here cannot be altogether attributed to this fact. A thorough understanding of the principles of farming and the poss 's- sion of the good judgment and the industry to apply them, are, after all, the biggest factors in making a farmer's life pleasant and profitable. One of the intelligent and well informed farmers of this section is Dil- man Mvers. who owns eighty-seven acres of finely cultivated land. It is favorably situated eight miles east and south of Bluffton, on Rural Route No. 2.
Dilman Myers was born in Harrison Township, Wells County, In- diana, September 18. 1871. His parents were Sylvester and Rebecca (Warner) Myers, both natives of Wells County, the former horn in Harrison and the latter in Nottingham Township. Both spent their long and useful lives in their native county, where the father died August 2, 1912, and the mother April 2, 1888. They attended religious services at Myers Chapel, so named after the Mvers family, and were members of the Methodist Protestant Church. The father was a demo-
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erat in his political opinions. Seven children were born to them and the following are living: Finley, who is a farmer in Jay County, In- diana : Dilman ; Frank, who is a machinist, operates a sawmill, a thresh- ing machine and a clover huller, owns a farm, and lives at Rifesburg ; and Chauney, who lives at Bluffton.
Dilman Myers grew to manhood on the home farm in Harrison Township and attended the Myers Chapel school. He remained at home and assisted his father until he was twenty-eight years of age, thereby gaining experience that has ever since been of value to him. He has his farm well arranged and gives some attention to stock as well as erops and carries out his plans in a thorough and practical way. He has made many excellent improvements and has the satisfaction of knowing that each year his land increases in value.
Mr. Myers was married March 22, 1899, to Miss Effie May Nute, who was born in Wells County, Indiana, February 24, 1875. Mrs. Myers is a well educated lady, having qualified as a teacher and for several terms taught school in this county. She is greatly interested in educational movements and both she and Mr. Myers desire their children to have every possible educational advantage. Six children have been born to them, as follows: Raymond S., who was born January 31, 1900, was a member of the 1918 class in the Bluffton High School, but now in the war: Ruby F .. who was born July 24, 1904, is a student in the high school at Bluffton; and Ralph A., Tamar L., Mary E. and Lorena B. Mr. Myers and family attend the Myers Chapel Church, of which he is one of the trustees. He takes a deep interest in the Sunday school, in which he is a teacher and also is assistant superintendent. He was reared in the democratie political faith but has never taken any active part in campaigns.
CAPT. WILLIAM R. FARLOW. A resident of Wells County many years, a substantial farm proprietor near Poneto in Chester Township, Capt. William R. Farlow led a company of Union soldiers in the Union army during the Civil war, and for that reason alone is entitled to the enviable distinction and esteem in which he has always been held by all who honor the part played by the soldiers of the '60s and his record since that war has been equally ereditable.
Captain Farlow was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 10, 1843, a sou of Benjamin and Sophia ( Adams) Farlow. His father was born in Delaware, came to Ohio with his parents at the age of eight years, and grew up and married in Ross County, where he and his wife spent their useful years as successful farmers. There were four children in the family, one of whom died in infancy. The other three are still living : Captain Farlow : Sarah, widow of Benjamin Hill; and W. T. Farlow of Bridgeport, Illinois.
Captain Farlow grew up in Ross County, attended the district schools, and in November, 1861, when in his nineteenth year, enlisted in Company ( of the Seventy-third Ohio. He went with the regiment. into the eastern arena of the war, and took part in the second battle of Bull Run, where he was wounded and incapacitated for further active duty. He was given his honorable discharge, but some months later, having recuperated, he went to work and recruited a new com- pany which became Company HI of the 149th Ohio Infantry. He was captain of this company until he was given his final discharge and mustered out of service.
After the war Captain Farlow returned to Ross County, married there, and in the fall of 1870 came to Indiana and soon afterwards
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located on a farm in Chester Township. He leased a tract of land, cul- tivated and cleared it up, and at the end of eight years bought the farm he now owns, comprising 102 acres. Captain Farlow was the father of nine children, seven of whom reached maturity, and six are still living. ITis good wife passed away December 20, 1908. Captain Far- low is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republie and is also affiliated with the Improved Order of Red Men. In politics he has been steadfastly a republican, though the honors of politics have never attracted him to any extent. Ile is a stockholder in the elevator at Poneto and is still active in business though several years past the age of three score and ten.
WILLIAM J. GAVIN. Active, industrious and thrifty, William J. Gavin, of Liberty Township, shows much ability in the management of his agricultural interests, and occupies an assured position among the prosperous farmers of Wells County. A native of Indiana, he was born in the township where he now lives, on the old Gavin homestead, his birth occurring October 22, 1875.
His father, James B. Gavin, a retired farmer, now living in Bluffton, was born in County Galway, Ireland, and when but two years old, in 1848, was brought by his parents, George and Mary (Benton) Gavin, to America, and after living a few years in Ohio came with the family to Wells County, Indiana, where he has since lived. Until his retirement from active business he was extensively engaged in general farming in Liberty Township, where he was a large real estate owner. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Hedges, seven children were born, five of whom are now, in 1917, living, as follows: Charles B., of Liberty Township; William J., of this sketch ; Mary, wife of B. J. Buckner, of Liberty Township; Frank, a farmer, living in Bluffton; and Theophilus, a graduate of Adrian College, in Adrian, Michigan, taught school in Texas and in Kansas, and is now a resident of Liberty Township.
Acquiring his early education in the district schools, William J. Gavin remained at home until attaining his majority. After his mar- riage he settled with his bride on the farm he now owns and oecupies, and for ten years was actively engaged in general farming. Going then to North Dakota, he bought 160 acres of wild land, and at once began its improvement, continuing thus employed for four years. Realizing at the end of that time that no better farming region could be found than that furnished by Indiana, Mr. Gavin returned, November 3, 1910, to Wells County, and resumed possession of the farm on which he and his wife began housekeeping, and here he has since remained. Energetic and wide-awake, he has continued the improvements previously begun, having his eighty acres of rich and fertile land under an excellent state of culture, and in August, 1916, completed the fine, modernly con- structed house now occupied by himself and family.
Mr. Gavin married, June 9, 1896, Anna Howard, who was born on a farm in Liberty Township, Wells County, January 9, 1876. Her parents, John and Mary J. (Prentiss) Howard, were both born and bred in Ohio, and both died at an early age in Liberty Township, the father dying before the birth of his daughter Anna, and the mother a little more than six years later. Mr. and Mrs. Gavin have four children, namely : Vietor F., Mary, Ruth and Ruby. In his political relations Mr. Gavin is a stanch democrat. Religiously Mrs. Gavin is a member of the Liberty Center Baptist Church.
CHARLES W. PLUMMER. In the Indiana plan of local government the most important office is that of township trustee. Through this
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office is administered the business and financial management of the local schools and the condition of the schools, the highways, and other improvements are largely an index of the character of the man chosen to fill that important office.
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