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 30
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 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
SAMUEL GEHRETT. Among the citizens of Wells County whose past and present record entitles them to a share in the eredit now being paid the American farmer as one of the principal upholders of liberty and national resources, is Mr. Samuel Gehrett, whose productive and well eultivated estate of eighty acres lies in seetion 16 of Nottingham Town- ship. Mr. Gehrett and family get their daily mail delivery over Rural Route No. 2 ont of Keystone.
Mr. Gehrett was born on seetion 12 in Nottingham Township Novem- ber 18, 1858, and is member of an old and prominent family of the eounty. His parents were Samuel and Sarah (King) Gehrett. His father was born in Ohio, married there, and in the early days came to Wells County and bought land in section 11 of Nottingham Township, where he spent the rest of his days. He died in 1862, and his wife passed away in the same year. Of their ten children one died in infancy, and those living today are Amos, Noah, George, Henry, Sarah and Samuel.
Samuel Gehrett was eight years old when his father died and he grew up in the home of his uncle David King. He remained with Mr. King until he was eighteen and had sneh advantages as the local schools offered and for three months attended school at Ridgeville, Indiana. He acquired a practical knowledge of farming by experience and after his marriage he went to farming for himself.
His first wife was Etna Henly, who died leaving one daughter. Ber- tha. now the wife of Andrew Gottschalk. His second wife was Rachel Tappy, daughter of Simon Tappy. The children of this union are IIngh and Homer, both graduates of the Petroleum High School and now married and living in homes of their own in Nottingham Township. Mr. Gehrett married for his third wife Lney Kemper, a native of Ohio.
653
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
They have one daughter, Magdalene, born May 15, 1907, and now a student in the Petroleum public schools. The family are members of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Gehrett is one of the church trustees and he and his wife take an active part in all the church affairs. The people of Nottingham Township have always esteemed bis judg- ment and ability and for six years they had the benefit of his services as township trustee. Politically he is a democrat.
JOSEPH E. BENNETT. Among Chester Township's substantial citizens, no one is better known or more highly respected than Joseph E. Ben- nett an extensive farmer and grower of high grade stock. For thirty-six years he has been a resident of Wells County and has followed farm pursuits in a thorough and intelligent manner.
Joseph E. Bennett was born in Huntington County, Indiana, on his father's farm in Wayne Township, August 10, 1862. His parents were Isaac and Mary ( Fullhart) Bennett. The father was born in Pennsyl- vania and the mother in Ohio and they were married in the latter state and in 1837 came as pioneers to Jefferson Township, Huntington County. Indiana. Mr. Bennett finally bought a traet of wild land three miles west of Mount Etna, Indiana. It was so heavily timbered that he had to clear a spot before he could get a site on which to build the usual little log cabin of pioneer days. The location was in the depths of the woods, so far from the nearest mill, at Fort Wayne, that frequently four days were consumed in making the trip back and forth. In those early days his wife and children kept themselves closely shut within the cabin while he was absent, as the surrounding timber held deer, wolves and even bear. He blazed the first road that led to civilization there. He was an industrious, hard-working man and in time improved his property and put up new buildings and made a comfortable home. He was in- tensely loyal to his government, however, and when the Civil war came on he entered the army, only to fall a victim, in 1862. He was the father of seven sons and three daughters and died without ever seeing his youngest son. The mother of Joseph E. Bennett, a noble woman, kept her family together, but when she died in 1874 they were separated and each one had to find a new home. Those living in 1917 are the fol- lowing: Sarah, who is the widow of T. A. Ellis; Silas, who lives at Rossville, Illinois; John, William and Joseph E., all living in Wells County, Indiana ; and Isaac, who lives at Robison, Illinois.
Joseph E. Bennett tenderly preserves the memory of a father he was never permitted to see, and equally that of his self-sacrificing mother, from whom he parted when twelve years. She taught him to be honest and industrious and under her discipline he attended school and worked for farmers near his old home until he was nineteen years old and then came to Wells County. Here he entered the employ of farmers and worked steadily for a number of years for others before acquiring land for himself.
Mr. Bennett was married in 1887, to Miss Mary Miller, who died without children, in 1910. His second marriage was to Mrs. May (Swear- inger) Noble, widow of George Noble. They have a finely improved farm of 155 acres in Chester Township, Mr. Bennett having done much improving and he and wife now have one of the beautiful farms in this neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are active members and liberal supporters of the Christian Church at Chester Center and he is one of the trustees. In polities he is a republican. He is a stockholder in the Poneto Elevator.
ROBERT K. SOUDER. Americans are beginning to realize the moral as well as the historical significance of genealogical foundations. A nation
654
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
which relies upon the records of its homes for its national character, cannot afford to ignore the value of genealogical investigation, as one of the truest sources of patriotism. The love of home inspires the love of country. There is a wholesome influence in genealogical research which cannot be over-estimated. Moreover there is a deep human in- terest to it.
Martin Souder, founder of the Sonder family in America, was a native of England, where he was reared and married and whence he immigrated to the United States in an early day. He and his wife settled in New Jersey and there resided until about 1835, when they emigrated to Wells County, Indiana, here purchasing a tract of 450 acres of land, on which the only improvement was a diminutive log cabin. He cleared the land and improved the same and resided on it until his demise. He was active in politics and was a man of influence in his home com- munity. Mrs. Souder died in Rock Creek Township. She bore her hus- band one son, Robert, whose birth occurred in New Jersey, February 14. 1827. He was twenty-two years of age on his arrival in Wells County and here he married Elizabeth Watson, who was born in England and came to America with her parents at the age of thirteen years: she was reared to maturity and educated in Rock Creek Township. After mar- riage they located in Lancaster Township, where they passed the rest of their lives. They were the parents of five children, three of whom died in infancy : Alice married Andrew Reed and is now deceased ; and Thomas M. is the next in line of descent. He was reared on his parents' farm in Lancaster Township and there attended the district schools. He married Lydia M. Kunkel, a daughter of Michael and Mary (Kleinknecht ) Kunkel. His birth occurred in Lancaster Township, July 8, 1852. He was a farmer during the greater part of his active career. The following children were born to him and his wife: George T., Robert K., Minnie, wife of Earl Waugh, and ITugh M. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Souder are still living, and are now residents of Bluffton.
Robert K. Souder was born on the old homestead in Lancaster Town- ship, Wells County, Indiana, December 6, 1880. As a boy he assisted his father on the farm and attended the local schools. At the age of fifteen years he came to Bluffton, attended high school here for a time, and then became associated with his uncle, W. A. Kunkel, in different lines of work. In recent years they have had extensive interests in the oil fields of Indiana, Illinois and Oklahoma, and Mr. Souder has spent much of his time as superintendent of these interests in Oklahoma. He is a good mixer, is well liked by his fellow men and is recognized as one of the prosperous and honorable citizens of Wells County.
In 1911 Mr. Sonder was united in marriage to Miss Zada Sprowl, a daughter of George M. and Kittie (Johnston) Sprowl, residents of Warren, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Souder have one daughter, Janet Craig.
Mr. Souder is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He has for many years past been a prominent citizen of Bluffton and his activity in business affairs, his co-operation in public interests and his zealous support of all objects that he believes will con- tribute to the material, social or moral improvement of the community keeps him in the foremost rank of those to whom the city owes its de- velopment. His life has been characterized by upright honorable prin- ciples and his genial manner wins him the kind regard of all with whom he comes in contact.
DAVID M. LOWDERMILK. For many years a resident of the Village of Liberty Center, David M. Lowdermilk is a man of recognized ability
655
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
and worth, and by his careful attention to those things that contribute to the welfare and progress of society has shown himself a public-spirited and useful member of his community. A son of the late Alfred B. Lowdermilk, he was born in Huntington County, Indiana, near Warren; July 15, 1875.
A native of Randolph County, North Carolina, Alfred B. Lowder- milk was there reared and educated. Soon after the close of the Civil war, he came with his family to Hamilton County, Indiana, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. Moving to Huntington County, this state, in 1873, he was for fifteen years a resident of Salamonie Township. In 1888 he settled in Liberty Township, Wells County, and there resided until his death, April 15, 1910. ITis wife, whose maiden name was Mary J. Cox, was born in North Carolina, and is now living in Liberty Center. Seven children were born of their union, namely: Luella, widow of William Kain, of Liberty Center; Anna, wife of George W. Niblick ; Emma and Rosa, deceased; David M., with whom this brief sketch is chiefly concerned; John E., of Frankfort, Indiana; and Maggie, wife of Charles O. Curran, of Liberty Center.
Brought up in Wells County, Indiana, David M. Lowdermilk was educated in the public schools, and as a young man became familiar with the various branches of agriculture. Leaving at the age of twenty years, he followed farming to some extent, and for many years operated a threshing machine, carrying on an extensive and lucrative business with the farmers of Wells County, and at present is one of the largest hay dealers in Northern Indiana.
Mr. Lowdermilk married, in 1900, Anna Michael. She passed to the life beyond January 17, 1917, leaving two children, Herman and Louis. A stanch advocate of the principles of the democratic party, Mr. Lowdermilk is prominent in public affairs, and as candidate for county treasurer received a goodly number of the votes cast. Fraternally he is a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons ; of the Improved Order of Red Men, Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 747, and Loyal Order of Moose, Bluffton Lodge No. 242.
JAMES A. McBRIDE. In view of the nomadic spirit which dominates the American public and causes its citizens to wander restlessly about from one place to another it is most gratifying to come in contact with a man who has passed practically his entire life in the place where he was born and reared. Mr. MeBride is a public-spirited citizen and has served his community in various official positions of trust and responsi- bility. He has been county coroner, was treasurer of Wells County for a term of four years, and is now devoting the major portion of his time and attention to the management of his fine undertaking and furni- ture establishment at Bluffton.
James Alfred MeBride was born in Bluffton. Indiana, December 13, 1869, and he is a son of William Warren and Mary ( Miller) MeBride. The father was born at Salem, in Montgomery County, Ohio, Decem- ber 24, 1838, and he was summoned to the life eternal in Bluffton, on the 30th of June, 1909. He was a son of William and Barbara (Har- baugh) MeBride, who were natives of Lewiston, Pennsylvania, later moving to Ohio, whence they emigrated to the State of Indiana and lo- cated in Bluffton, Wells County, February 22. 1841, at which early day this place was a mere hamlet. Here Mr. McBride established a furniture and undertaking business, which has continued down through four gen- erations of the name. William McBride was born in 1805 and he died May 15, 1871. He was a stanch democrat in politics and in religious
656
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
faith was a devout Methodist. His cherished and devoted wife, whose maiden name was Barbara Harbaugh, was born in 1813, and passed to the life eternal November 3, 1853.
William Warren McBride grew to maturity in Bluffton and at an early age was enrolled as a pupil in the first subscription school taught in Wells County. On leaving school he entered his father's store and by diligent application soon became expert in the business he was to fol- low all his life. After his father's demise he became sole proprietor of the business and extended the same until it became known as one of the substantial mercantile establishments of Wells County. Mr. McBride was one of the honorable and upright citizens who helped materially to build up this section of the state. His word was as good as his bond. He was a firm believer in the principles of the democratic party and was elected coroner of Wells County, serving in that capacity with the ntmost efficiency until 1904. Fraternally, he was a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his religious faith coincided with the doctrines set forth by the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was an active worker. Ile married Mary Miller, December 5, 1861, and to them were born the following children: Mary E., born January 8. 1863, was the wife of H. H. Deam at the time of her death, on the 30th of September, 1902; James A. is the subject of this review ; and Maude, born April 22, 1876, is now a resident of Bluff- ton. Mrs. McBride was a woman of attractive personality and she is af- fectionately remembered by all who knew her.
A native of Bluffton, as previously noted, James Alfred, or "Fred" McBride, as he is better known, has spent his entire life in this city. As a boy he attended the public schools and the high school of Bluffton and he initiated his business career as an assistant in his father's store. He early familiarized himself with the furniture and undertaking busi- ness and on his father's death inherited the large establishment built up by him. In 1915 the old furniture store that was built in 1863, was torn down and a fine, up-to-date structure was erected on the west side of Main Street, opposite the Elks' Home. In order to render his serv- ices more valuable to the community he pursned a course of study in an embalming school in Chicago, being graduated in the same. Like his father and grandfather before him, he is a democrat iu politics and he has served with marked efficiency as county coroner and as treasurer of Wells County, retiring from the latter office January 1, 1917, after a term of four years. Mr. McBride is a man of marked enterprise and initiative. Strictly honest and straightforward in his business methods, he commands the unalloyed confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. He was reared a Methodist and is a prominent mem- ber of the local church of that denomination. Fraternally, he affiliates with the time-honored Masonic order, being Thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Shrine. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Improved Order of Red Men, and Junior Order of Amer- ican Mechanics.
In 190I was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McBride to Miss Cora B. Prillaman, a daughter of Lewis Prillaman, a substantial farmer and an ex-county commissioner of Wells County. This union has been pro- lifie of one son. William Warren McBride, who was born in Bluffton October 20, 1895. He was graduated in the local high school and in an embalming school in Chicago and was associated with his father in business, being the fourth generation in this line. Young Mr. McBride. like his immediate ancestors, was a credit to the business life of this com- munity and he well upholds the prestige of the honored name he bears.
657
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Ile is now in the United States Army, being a member of the Hospital Corps.
GEORGE W. WATSON. The Watsons came to Wells County as early settlers and for many years have been identified with the agricultural development of this section. A worthy representative of this fine old family is found in George W. Watson, who was born in Nottingham Township, Wells County. Indiana, April 7, 1855, and is a son of John M. and Elenore ( Winfield ) Watson. Both parents were born in Penn- sylvania and went to Ohio in their youth and were married there and about 1850 came to Wells County.
When the parents of Mr. Watson came to Indiana they found pioneer conditions prevailing through all this part of the state. There were many tracts of land yet uncleared and wild game was plentiful where now towns stand and richly cultivated fields lie. They located on a traet of land in Nottingham Township and the father had to clear a spot on which to ereet his log cabin. Ile developed a fine farm here and this continued the homestead and here the parents died. They were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of their eleven children nine grew to maturity and the following survive: Mark, who is a resident of Domestic, Indiana; George W .; John E., who lives at Vera Cruz; Amanda, deceased, was the wife of Ephraim Reynolds.
George W. Watson was reared in his native township and obtained his education in the public schools. . He remained on the home farm until he was twenty-three years old and then was married and settled on his present home farm of eighty acres. He also owned another farm of eighty aeres located in Adams County, Indiana, which he sold in 1918. Mr. Watson has been a farmer all his mature life and carries on his op- erations with the good judgment that experience has ripened.
Mr. Watson was married September 30, 1877, to Miss Sarah A. Gott- schalk, who was born on a farm adjoining the one on which she now lives, June 18, 1851, and is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine ( Heller) Gottschalk. Both were born in Ohio and were brought to Indiana in childhood and grew up and were married here. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have three children : Lawrence E., who was born April 3, 1878, is a buyer of horses and lives in Bluffton; Lewis E., who was born January 10, 1880, is in the auto truck sales business in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania ; and Ada M., who was born December 8, 1882, is the wife of Ervin D. Miller and they reside in Nottingham Township. There are eleven grandchildren in the family.
In polities Mr. Watson is a republican. With his family he belongs to the Evangelical Church which is situated not far distant. Both he and wife are active members and he is one of the church trustees and a class leader. They are kind, friendly, hospitable people and have a wide cirele of acquaintances and take part in the pleasant social affairs which bind the neighborhood together.
ALBERT N. STEELE. In the course of a long and active career Albert N. Steele handled many business interests and responsibilities in Adams County, and is still to some extent engaged in looking after his private affairs and investments, even though he regards himself as retired. He is well known throughout the length and breadth of Adams County, where he has spent most of his life. He is enjoying the comforts of a well appointed home at 503 West Madison Street.
Mr. Steele is of old Pennsylvania stock. His grandfather, Jacob Steele, was a Pennsylvanian and when his son, Levi, father of Albert, was quite young moved with wagons and teams to Ashland County, Ohio,
658
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
The grandfather developed a tract of new land, cleared away the forest, and there he and his wife died when they were not yet seventy years of age. They had a large family, the sons being Levi, Adam, John, George, Samuel, Jacob, Jr., and David. Among the daughters were Mrs. Maria Boyd, Sophia Stoler and Mrs. David Stiefers. Of the sons Levi and David Steele were twins and were born February 9, 1818. They grew up in Ashland County, aud David became a carpenter while Levi learned the trade of tanner. In. Ashland County he worked at his trade and married Sarah Valentine, who was born in Pennsylvania February 15, 1819, but was reared in Ashland County, where her parents spent many years of their lives. After marriage Levi Steele and wife continued to reside in Ashland County, and all their children were born there. In the fall of 1861 they moved to Adams County, Indiana, and located in the woods in Union Township. Levi had charge of a tannery for George Benders, his son-in-law, during the Civil war, and at the same time managed to put in some hard work in clearing up his forty acres of land. Later he bought another place of sixty acres, and lived on that farm until his death in 1885 at the age of sixty-seven. His widow survived him and died at Decatur at the age of seventy-seven. Both were very active and prominent members of the Church of God and did much to sustain that denomination in the county. Levi Steele was a republican in politics.
Albert N. Steele, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, March 21, 1842, was one of a family three sons and one daughter of which are still living, all in Adams County, and one, Samuel L., died in the army. Mr. Steele was nineteen years of age when the family came to Adams County, and besides the lessons he learned from books and schools in his native lo- eality he acquired a full and thorough proficiency in the tanning trade. He worked as a tanner when all leather was tanned by the old processes, including a liberal use of tanbark. For some years he worked as a tanner for Levi Bartlett, was in business as a partner with him, and learned the butcher's trade. In 1875 he engaged in the butcher business with a shop on Second Street in Decatur, and a year later Mr. Bartlett became his partner. After two years Mr. Steele sold his interests and subse- quently engaged in the wind mill and pump business, and still later took in his brother, George E., as a partner. They added a plumbing depart- ment, and Mr. Steele was one of the familiar figures of this branch of business in Adams County for fully thirty years. In 1911 he sold his interests to his brother George and then retired to look after his private affairs. Mr. Steele owns five fine residence properties in Decatur. In polities he is a republican. He has been a member of the Church of God since boyhood.
His first wife was Julia Stephens, a member of the Church of God. She was born in Pennsylvania but was reared and educated at Moline, Illinois, where she lived in the home of an unele, George Stephens. Mrs. Steele died at Decatur in the prime of life at the age of thirty-three. She left no children, and was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For his second wife Mr. Steele married at Decatur Mrs. Elizabeth Marquart. She was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Feb- rnary 19, 1842, was educated there, and her first husband was Jacob Marquart. Mrs. Steele died August 15, 1914. By her first marriage she had one daughter, Anna M., who was born in 1872 and was reared and educated in Decatur. She married Samuel Laman of Adams County. Mr. Laman is now deceased, and he left a valuable estate worth more than $25,000. Mrs. Laman had two children, Neva and Naomi, aged fourteen and eleven years, respectively, and now attending school at
659
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Battle Creek, Michigan. Mr. Steele is guardian and trustee for these two girls and also for their property.
HARRY R. MOLTZ. It is not possible to overestimate the value of an active and directing intelligence as a factor in business success or ad- vancement in any line. Without this quality, no man, however skilled or however industrious, can expect to attain the full rewards and achieve- ments that constitute even a reasonable degree of commercial achieve- ment.
This quality has been a preeminent trait of one of Decatur's oldest and best known business men, Harry R. Moltz. Mr. Moltz is now sec- retary and treasurer and is giving most of his time to the business of the Decatur Produce Company. For a number of years he was also a dry goods merchant at Decatur. He possesses a fine and active mind and his superior judgment in business affairs has brought him a high position of esteem among his fellow associates, by whom he is frequently consulted.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.