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 27
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 27
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The people of Jackson Township in Wells County have many times congratulated themselves upon the fortunate choice of Charles W. Plummer for the office of trustee. Mr. Plummer has taken a great deal of pride and given his time unreservedly to the duties of his office, and his record sets a high water mark of administrative efficiency.
Mr. Plummer is also one of the live and progressive farmers of that township, his home being on section 12. He was born in Rush County, Indiana, November 3, 1868, a son of Benjamin and Harriet (Conrad) Plummer. His parents were both born near Maysville, Kentucky, were married there, and later removed to Rush County, Indiana, and in 1876 established their home on a farm near Van Buren in Grant County, Indiana, where the rest of their useful and honorable careers were spent. They were the parents of nine children, and five are still living : Thomas of Van Buren Township, Grant County; Mary S .; Charles W .; Emery J. of Robinson, Illinois; and William H. of Van Buren, Indiana.
Charles W. Plummer was eight years old when his parents moved to Grant County and on the home farm he grew to maturity and acquired an education in the local schools. Abont the time he reached his majority he began doing for himself, and has been dependent upon his own exertions to put him ahead in the race of life.
On December 24, 1894, he married Miss Winnie Steel, who was born in Whitley County, Indiana, June 13, 1872, a daughter of Andrew J. Steel. Her father was at one time proprietor of a saw mill at Warren, Indiana, and in that community Mrs. Plummer spent most of her girl- hood and received her education. After his marriage Mr. Plummer located at Warren for a year, and then moved to a farm in Jefferson Township of Huntington County. In March, 1907, he came to Jackson Township of Wells County and bought the eighty acres comprising his present excellent homestead.
Mr. and Mrs. Plummer have five children : Ruth M., a graduate of the common schools and now the wife of Bascom Kidd of Jackson Town- ship; Mary A., who has finished the work of the common schools and is still at home; Ivan, born March 12, 1905; Esther, born June 17, 1913; and Florence, born September 18, 1917. The family are active members of the United Brethren Church of Mount Zion and Mr. Plummer is one of the trustees of the church.
Politically he has always affiliated with the democratic party. His election to the office of trustee of Jackson Township occurred on Novem- her 3. 1914, and he entered upon his official duties on January 1, 1915.
CHARLES A. PALMER. Prominent among the native born citizens of Wells County, who have spent their lives within its borders and have contributed of their time and energies towards the advancement of its leading interests, is Charles A. Palmer, a well-to-do and enterprising agriculturist whose birth occurred June 1, 1875, in Jackson Township, on the farm which he now owns and occupies.
Mr. Palmer's father, Cassius M. Palmer, was born in Blackford County, Indiana, October 3, 1850, and was there reared to manhood. Becoming a tiller of the soil, he bought land on section 31, Jackson Township, Wells County, and on the farm which he improved was busily employed until his death, February 17, 1914. The maiden name of his wife was Minerva M. Skinner. She was born October 15, 1853, in Lick- ing County, Ohio, and at the age of fourteen years came with her parents,
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John and Sarah (Drum) Skinner, to Blackford County, Indiana, where, on December 28, 1871, she was united in marriage with Cassius M. Palmer. Two children were born of their union, namely: Cora E., wife of Luther Lightle, of Jackson Township; and Charles A.
Brought up on the parental homestead, Charles A. Palmer acquired his early education in the district schools, and on the farm was well drilled in agricultural pursuits. Succeeding to the ownership of the farm on which he has always resided, Mr. Palmer is following his chosen occupation successfully, having 110 acres of choice land, which he culti- vates with good results, the rich soil yielding abundant harvests of hay, grain and other productions common to this section of the country.
The maiden name of the wife of Mr. Palmer was Maude M. MeMil- lan. She was born, November 27, 1880, in Grant County, Indiana. Her father, D. S. MeMillan, was born in 1847, in the same county, in the month of July. He married Hettie F. Shuck, who was born in Muskin- gum County, Ohio, January 16, 1860, and to them eight children were born, as follows: Maude M .; Lulu I .; Archie I., wife of Ned Conwell, of Van Buren, Indiana; Alexander J., of Oklahoma; Bessie, wife of Dr. W. W. Mott, of Van Buren; Ruth L., wife of Charles Curnes, of Huntington, Indiana ; Lida J .; and Madona L., a student in the Van Buren High School. Mr. and Mrs. McMillan are residents of Van Buren.
Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have one child, Dorothy I., born May 11, 1907. Politically Mr. Palmer supports the principles of the republican party by voice and vote. Religiously both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
JOHN F. KREIGH. There are solid and substantial business houses at Echo that were started with small capital and that have been built up into important enterprises through the steady industry and business ability of their owners, without any outside assistance except that com- ing to them through legitimate trade. One such started here in 1889 as a tile manufacturing and milling business, has grown to large propor- tions and has embraced other lines and is still steadily prospering. Reference is made to the industries in which John F. Kreigh is inter- ested.
John F. Kreigh was born in Jefferson Township, Wells County, Indiana, July 5, 1864. His parents were Samuel and Magdalena (Beek) Kreigh. The father was born in 1829 and came to Wells County when he was twenty-three years old, from Pennsylvania. The mother was born in Germany in 1832 and was brought to the United States and to Fort Wayne, Indiana, by her parents, when six years old. They were married in 1847 and the following children were born to them : Martin, who is deceased; Samuel, who married Elizabeth Repright, Rosa, who is deceased; Eliza, who married Isaac Green; Mary, who married Nicholas Shorts ; Rebecca, who is deceased ; John F .: Sarah, who married David White; and Charles, who married Bertha Lechnor.
John F. Kreigh attended the public schools of Williamsport, Indiana, and was variously engaged prior to 1889 when in partnership with his brother Charles he went into a tile manufacturing and milling business at Echo. It required courage and effort to get the business on a sound foundation, but the young men were persevering and enterprising and in ten years' time were ready to widen their field of operations and opened a grocery store in connection. Their business policy has always been the satisfying of their customers and treating them honestly and courteously. They are numbered with the sound business men of this place.
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Jolm F. Kreigh was married September 18, 1889, to Miss Sadie Feighner, who is a daughter of Daniel and Christina Feighner, who have four other children, namely: John; Cora, who married Fenna Platt ; Millard, who married Delay Brubebaker; and George. Mr. and Mrs. Kreigh have had four children, three of whom survive: Wilda, who married Oral Heckley, of Wells County; and Rosa and Warner, both of whom live with their parents. The eldest child, George, is deceased. Mr. Kreigh is known to be a good citizen, a supporter of church and schools and an upholder of the laws. He has never sought any political office for himself, but heartily supports others who are candidates of the republican party, if they meet with the approval of his judgment.
EDWARD NEUENSCHWANDER is a merchant of long and active experi- ence, has been connected with the hardware trade in various localities since early youth, and is now proprietor of the leading store of that kind at the Village of Vera Cruz in Harrison Township of Wells County.
Vera Cruz is his birthplace. He was born April 23, 1856, a son of Ulrich and Anna (Sauer) Neuenschwander. His father was born in Switzerland April 15, 1814, was an early settler in Wells Connty and died at Vera Cruz June 16, 1916, when past ninety years of age. His wife was born in Ohio March 30, 1830, and died October 28, 1864. They had six children : William, of St. Louis, Missouri; Edward; Levi, who was born August 26, 1858, and died January 24, 1900; and Bertha, born December 21, 1860, and died March 4, 1901; Albertine, born May 22, 1862, widow of Charles Waltermath ; and Mabel living at Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Edward Neuenschwander grew up in the Village of Vera Cruz, had a common school education and in 1872 went to Lima, Ohio, and found employment in a hardware store. In 1876 he entered the service of the Prescott Brothers Hardware Company at Fort Wayne, and in 1888 invested his modest capital in a business of his own at Linn Grove. In 1905 Mr. Nenenschwander opened a new stock of goods at Vera Cruz and has since been steadily prospering and extending his trade relations all over that section of Wells County. Mr. Neuenschwander began life with very little capital, and is now head of a successful business and owns property at Linn Grove and several pieces of real estate in Vera Cruz.
May 10, 1894, he married Mary Hilty, who was born at Beaver Dam, Ohio, and died February 13, 1903. In July, 1906, Mr. Neuenschwander married Frances Biberstein. Mrs. Neuenschwander is an active mem- ber of the German Reformed Church. Politically he is a democrat and has performed a yeoman's service in behalf of the party and to the benefit of every worthy movement in his locality.
JOHN GREGG. For nearly three score years actively identified with the development and advancement of the agricultural interests of Wells County, the late John Gregg of Liberty Township was an honored rep- resentative of the early pioneers of this section of the state, and a true type of the energetie and enterprising men who, by diligent toil, suc- ceeded in transforming a forest-covered land into a fertile and produe- tive agricultural region. A native of Ireland, he was born in County Donegal, May 9, 1829. Ilis parents, Richard and Fannie (MeClure) Gregg, life-long residents of Ireland, reared several children, three of whom, John, William and Daniel, immigrated in early manhood to America.
Arriving in the United States in June, 1851, John Gregg found his
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first employment in Philadelphia, after which he followed his trade of a bricklayer in Wayne County, Ohio, for a while, in the meantime pur- chasing a traet of wild land in Liberty Township, Wells County, Indiana. In 1855 Mr. Gregg visited his relatives and friends in Ireland, remain- ing there about six months. Returning to this country early in 1856, Mr. Gregg married soon after, and immediately settled on his farm in Liberty Township. He cleared and improved his homestead of 130 aeres, and during his many years of aetive life occupied a leading posi- tion among the skilful and practical agriculturists of his community. In 1879 be again visited his old home in Ireland, remaining a few months. His death, which occurred February 9, 1907, was deemed a loss, not only to his immediate family, but to town and county.
Mr. Gregg married, October 19, 1858, Fannie Wallace, who was born in Roek Creek Township, Wells County, March 28, 1841, a daughter of Samuel and Susanna (Jackson) Wallace. Her father was born in Ireland November 19. 1805, and in 1832 came to the United States, and having settled in Wells County, Indiana, bought land in Rock ('rek Township, where he was for many years extensively engaged in farm- ing, being proprietor of large tracts of land. Mrs. Gregg still occupies the homestead on which she and her husband lived so happily together for forty-nine years. She united when young with the Presbyterian Church at Bluffton, to which her husband also belonged, and is now one of its valued and esteemed members. Thirteen children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gregg, eight of whom are living, namely : Richard S., engaged in farming in Harrison Township; Sarah J., living with her mother: J. W. of Detroit, Michigan; Joseph D. of Liberty Center; Mary E., wife of F. R. Cochran of Missouri; Fannie E., wife of Joseph H. Bumbaugh of Jay County, Indiana ; Thomas D. of Liberty Township; and John W., living with his mother and sister. Mrs. Gregg also reared a grandson, Kenneth E. Gregg, whom she took into her home and heart when he was but five months old, his birth having oe- curred March 12, 1901. He is now a junior in the Liberty Center High School.
1. V. L. GARRETT. Especially worthy of mention in a work of this eharaeter was the late I. V. L. Garrett, a prosperous agrieulturist of Wells County, and a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of Liberty Township. A son of Noah Garrett, he was born, February 13, 1862, in Wayne County, Ohio.
Noah Garrett, a native of Pennsylvania, started westward in early life, going first to Wayne County, Ohio, where he lived and labored a number of years. Later, he came with his family to Wells County, Indiana, where he bought a tract of land, and on the farm which he im- proved spent his remaining years. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Leah Funk, four children were born and reared, as follows: I. V. L., of this brief biography; Aliee, wife of Alonzo Rittenhouse of Liberty Township; Frank C. of Liberty Township; and Walter O., re- siding in Liberty Center.
Coming with his parents to Wells County, Indiana, as a boy I. V. L. Garrett obtained a practical education in the common schools. Selecting farming as his occupation, he remained on the home farm until ready to establish a home of his own, when he assumed possession of the farm of eighty acres now ocenpied by his widow.
Mr. Garrett married. December 24, 1885, Fanny Howard. She was born in Jackson County, Ohio, August 4, 1864, and while yet an infant was brought by her parents to Wells County, the trip having been made with teams. The parents lived for a while in Nottingham Township,
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but in 1868 settled in Liberty Township, on the farm now occupied by Jacob L. Eckhart, and there spent their remaining days. They reared eight children, of whom six are now, in 1917, living, as follows : Emeline, wife of J. W. Collins of Harrison Township; Lindsay, now employed in the Illinois oil fields; Fanny, now Mrs. Garrett; Mary J., wife of Homer Bumgarner of Bluffton : Martha E., wife of Alfred Thompson of Liberty Township; and Anna E., wife of William J. Gavin of Liberty Town- ship. Mrs. Garrett is a woman of culture and ability, and prior to her marriage taught school five terms in Liberty and Jackson townships. She has two daughters, namely: Vera I., born in June, 1888, is living with her mother: and Bertha B., born in 1894, was graduated from the Liberty Center High School, and is now a student at Franklin College. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett united with the Liberty Center Baptist Church many years ago, and towards its support have been generous eon- tributors. Politieally Mr. Garrett was a steadfast republican.
JAMES N. SHIADLE is a native son of Chester Township, Wells County, and for over forty years has applied his energies to the business of farming and stock raising and is easily one of the most substantial busi- ness men and citizens of that community. Ilis farm is in section 8 of Chester Township.
He was born in that township October 26, 1854, a son of Philip and Margaret (Donnelly) Shadle. Philip Shadle is a remarkable instance of longevity, and despite his hardships and experiences as a pioneer in Wells County is still living at the venerable age of ninety-two. He was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1825, son of Philip and Mary (MeGlade) Shadle. His father was a native of Center County, Pennsylvania, while Mary McGlade was two years old when her parents came from Ireland. The grandparents married in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and for twenty-five years made their home in Lebanon County. In 1836 they removed to Wayne County, Ohio, a year later to Holmes County, and in the fall of 1847 traded the Ohio farm for 110 aeres of wild land in Wells County, Indiana. Philip Shadle, Sr., was a carpenter by trade and hewed out the logs for his home in Wells County and made the first substantial house of the kind in Ches- ter Township. His wife died in Wells County in January, 1855. and he passed away in 1874.
The venerable Philip Shadle was reared and educated in Ohio, and in Wayne County, that state, married August 7, 1845, Miss Margaret Donnelly, a native of Pennsylvania and daughter of John and Fannie (Singer) Donnelly, also natives of Pennsylvania. The Donnelly family moved from Pennsylvania to Wayne County, Ohio, about 1835, and in 1850 went to Holmes County, Ohio. Philip Shadle brought his family to Wells County the year after his father's settlement, and located on a tract of sixty-five acres of the old homestead. He looked after the farm while his father followed his trade as a carpenter, and being a man of great strength and industry he cleared up with the assistance of his children fully 150 acres of the virgin land of Chester Township. Ile beeame owner of a fine farm and he kept in elose touch with its operation until advanced years. His good wife was born JJanuary 14, 1829, and their companionship was one of remarkable length, being ter- minated after more than seventy years by her death on January 21, 1917. For years they were faithful members and active workers in the United Presbyterian Church. Philip Shadle was a man of affairs in his township and county, was township trustee six years, and as a republiean at one time was chairman of the Republican Committee in his home township. He and his wife had a large family of fifteen
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children, and six sons and two daughters are still living: William A .. James N., Lucetta, wife of John Godfrey; Reason, Samuel, John, Eli and Ada, wife of Frank Stair.
As member of such a family, James N. Shadle naturally learned habits of industry and thrift when a boy, and those were perhaps more important to his later life than the formal instruction he acquired in the neighboring district schools. He assisted his father in clearing away some of the land, in getting the farm into cultivation, and was well prepared to assume the serious responsibilities of making a home when he married.
In 1875 Mr. Shadle married Miss Caroline Penrod. They are the parents of three children. Oscar lives near the old home and is mar- ried: Mertie is the wife of Lester Clark; and Maude married John Osborn.
The Shadle family are active members of the Christian Church. Politically Mr. Shadle votes as a republican. He is a publie spirited man in his community, and has allied himself with various movements for general advancement in addition to the responsibilities he has long carried as a farmer. Mr. Shadle's farm comprises 220 acres, and he has always used it for breeding and raising of good grades of livestock of all kinds.
EDGAR N. CASSELL. The agricultural development of any county or township does not depend upon the efforts of any one individual, but results from the combined labors and enterprise of many. There are, however, usually a few who are leaders and who know best not only how to utilize their own labors but to so direct the energies of others as to produce results of far-reaching importance in agricultural life. Among those who are prominently connected with movements making for progress in Chester Township, Wells County, one who is well known, is Edgar N. Cassell, whose finely developed farm is located on Poneto Rural Route No. 1.
Edgar N. Cassell was born at Hartford City, Indiana, July 23, 1874, a son of Dr. G. W. and Arabella (Moorman) Cassell. The family was one of the most prominently known at Hartford City, which was laid ont by Abram Cassell, the grandfather of Edgar N., in the capacity of county surveyor of Blackford County, Indiana. Abram Cassell had come as a pioneer to Blackford County and owned much land in the locality in which Hartford City was situated. He rounded out his life in agricultural pursuits and became one of the well-to-do men of his community. Dr. G. W. Cassell was born at Hartford City, was thoroughly prepared for the profession of medicine, and for many years practiced as a physician and surgeon. During a long period he prac- tieed at Hartford City, where he was widely and favorably known. but in later years centered his professional business in the communities of Keystone and Poneto, and his death occurred at Hartford City, Indi- ana. Doctor Cassell was one of the skilled men of his calling and was highly regarded by his professional associates and by the publie in general. His ability and industry combined to gain him a handsome material competency, and at his death his property was divided among his children. He was a church member, and in addition to the organiza- tions of his calling belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Of his six children three are living at this time: Edgar N .: Ida, who is the wife of Guy Mahoney of Hartford City, Indiana; and Bonnie, the wife of Jesse Craft. also of that city.
Edgar N. Cassell was reared at Hartford City, in Chester Township, and at Keystone and Poneto, and attended school in all of these com-
PRIVATE LIBRARI 0 GEO. J. TRIBOLET. BLUFFTON. IND PLEASE RETURN PROMAT ILY.
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munities. While his father was a professional man, the family home was on a farm during a large part of the time, and thus it was that Edgar N. Cassell grew up more as an agriculturist than anything else and that he turned his attention naturally to that vocation when he entered upon his life's work. When still a young man he was united in marriage with Miss Blanche Starr, daughter of B. F. Starr, and they have since resided on the old Starr homestead place, which had been originally settled by Mrs. Cassell's grandfather, B. F. Starr, Sr. Mr. Cassell carries on general farming, but like many others in the county specializes to some extent, particularly in the way of breeding Aberdeen- Angus cattle. Of this stock he has a herd of twenty head, at the head of which is the individual Duck Creek Phelps. Ile has also other good grades of stock, and is a director in the Farmers Co-Operative Elevator Company at Poneto, and a director in the Farmers State Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. In politics he is a republican, but not active.
Mr. and Mrs. Cassell are the parents of three children: Mazie, a graduate of the Hartford City High School, class of 1917; and Madge and George, who are both attending the Keystone High School.
DAVID H. MORRIS. An esteemed and highly respected citizen of Wells County, and one of its enterprising and progressive farmers, David H. Morris has for many years been intimately associated with the development and promotion of the agricultural interests of Liberty Township, his well-kept and finely-managed estate being located on the Smoky Row Pike, in Liberty Township, five miles west of Bluffton. He was born, August 7, 1845, in Highland County, Ohio, where his ehild- hood days were spent.
Isaac Morris, his father, was born in Highland County, Ohio, August 29, 1820, and was there actively engaged in agricultural pur- snits for many years. He was twice married. He married first Jane Martin, a native of Ohio. She died April 17, 1847, leaving but one child, David H., of this sketch, who subsequently lived with an aunt until his father remarried. In the winter of 1851-2 Isaac Morris came with his family to Indiana, and having purchased a tract of wild land in Ran- dolph County began the pioneer task of redeeming a farm from the wilderness. Successful in his task, he continued a resident of that county until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-three years.
But seven years of age when brought to Indiana, David H. Morris was educated in the district schools, and throughout his earlier life as- sisted his father in clearing a homestead, laboring courageously and perseveringly. Reared to habits of industry and economy, he was wise in his savings, and prudent in his expenditures, and after his marriage bought a farm on White River, Randolph County, where he lived about five years and then bought the farm he now owns in Liberty Township. Wells County. Laboring with characteristie energy and foresight, Mr. Morris has now one of the best and most desirable pieces of property in his community, his farm being under a good state of cultivation, and yielding abundantly of the crops commonly grown in this section of the state. Mr. Morris moved to Bluffton in the spring of 1918 and re- tired from active work, giving his son, Isaae, full charge of the home farm.
Mr. Morris married March 28, 1874, Lochie A. Taylor, who spent her entire life in Wells County except for the five years spent in Randolph County. Her death occurred on the home farm, in Liberty Township. March 10, 1896. Seven children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Morris, namely : Elmer E., who is married and lives in Liberty Township; Mary J., living at home; Ida I., wife of Thomas Gregg of
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