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 39
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 39
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Mrs. Adler was born in Koendringen, Baden, Germany, June 13, 1860. daughter of Jacob and Marie (Engler) Valentine. She came to the United States with her mother and three other children, Katie, Marie and Frederiek. Her father died in Germany, and her mother passed away at Fremont, Ohio, in February, 1907.
Mr. and Mrs. Adler's daughter Louise married N. S. Beavers, and they have two children, Lucille and Harry D. The son Louis married Stella Clopfenstine. Their son William volunteered in the United States Army, was ordered to Douglas, Arizona, on the Mexican border, May 1. 1917, as a member of Battery A. Tenth Field Artillery, and has sinee been promoted to the rank of sergeant. The daughter Lena has two chil- dren, William and Robert. The son Carl has one child. Thomas Wil-
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liam. The son Louis has one child, Louis, Jr. Louis is now cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Preble. The son William, now in the army, taught school for three terms in Preble and for one term in Arizona.
AUGUST CONRAD. One of the foremost farmers and stock raisers of Adams County, August Conrad, of Preble Township, holds high rank among the energetic agrieulturists who thoroughly understand the voca- tion which they follow, and are pursuing it with both profit and pleasure. A son of William Conrad, he is a native born citizen, the date of his entrance into this world having been May 13, 1869.
William Conrad was born, Deeemher 12, 1836, in Fort Wayne, Indi- ana, where his parents settled on coming, by eanal boat, to Indiana from Toledo, Ohio. IIe was educated in the parochial and public schools, and as a young man entered into agricultural pursuits, also having been for a time engaged in mercantile business in Preble Township, where his farm was located. Enterprising and energetic, he purchased a thresh- ing machine, and during the harvest season was kept husily employed among his neighboring farmers. He was a natural lover of horses, and kept several full-blooded stud horses for exhibition and breeding pur- poses, as a stock raiser being quite successful. The first farm which he owned was in section 9, Preble Township, and contained forty acres, all of which he cleared and improved. Later, he bought the eighty-acre farm on which his son Angust now resides, and about the same time he purchased fifty acres lying one mile north, and a half mile west, of that one, it being known as the Yeager farm, thus acquiring title in all to 170 acres of good land. He was active in public affairs, serving as town- ship assessor several years. and also holding various offices in the Ger- man Lutheran Church, with which he and his family were identified.
William Conrad married Minnie Bley, who was born in Germany, and as a girl of twelve years came, in 1853, with her parents to Indiana, the marriage having been solemnized March 15, 1861. Six children were born of their union. as follows: Fred; Carl, deceased; William D .; Louis ; August ; and Ernst.
August Conrad was educated in the public and parochial schools of his native township. He obtained a practical knowledge of the science and art of agriculture when young, and as he reached maturer years decided on farming as his life occupation. With this purpose in view, Mr. Conrad purchased from his father's estate the farm of eighty aeres on which he is now successfully employed in farming and stock raising. It is well improved, and all of it is cleared with the exception of a few aeres of serub brush, and it has a good set of buildings. He has inher- ited his father's love for horses. and at the present time has three of the finest Belgian thoroughbred stallions to be found in this section of the country, the oldest of which is Fornau Dalvonx, twelve years of age ; the others being Rev-d'Or-de Houx, nine years old. and Ardent-D- Filmagne, seven years old. His estate, known as the Belgian Stock Farm, is one of the best in its improvements and equipments in Adams County, giving to the passerby strong evidence of the thrift and wise management of its owner.
Mr. Conrad married. October 18. 1891. Sophia Deeker, daughter of Fred and Maria Decker, who came from Germany to Indiana, locating in Adams County, where Mrs. Conrad. and her brothers and sisters, William, Louise, Annie and Mary, were born and brought up. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad have five children: Marie, Otto, Lawrence, Emma and Annie. Marie married Louis Fuhrmann, of Preble Township, and they have three children : Velma, Elmer and Luella. Otto married Freeda Eickhoff.
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JOHN HILGEMANN. A prosperous and progressive agriculturist of Adams County. John Hilgemann is a well-known and highly esteemed resident of Preble Township, where his fine and well appointed farm gives substantial evidence of the excellent care and skill with which it is managed. A son of William Hilgemann, he was born in Preble Town- ship, December 4, 1887, and was here brought up and educated.
The birth of William Hilgemann occurred in Adams County, Indi- ana, May 31, 1845. Starting as a farmer on his own account, he first purchased eighty acres of land in Preble Township, and began the improvement of a homestead. Industrious, enterprising and thrifty, he succeeded in his undertakings, and subsequently bought other nearby land, and on the homestead which he cleared and improved he and his wife are living in peace and plenty. Both are faithful members of the Reformed Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Lesitia Lammert, was born in Germany, and as a small child erossed the ocean with her parents, coming to Indiana with them. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hilgemann, as follows: Martin, Lydia, Annie, Martha, Ida, John and Emma.
When ready to settle in life, John Hilgemann received as a gift seventy-seven aeres of the parental homestead, and has since managed it with unquestioned success. Having by means of thrift accumulated considerable means. he invested in other lands, buying, January 15, 1911, eighty acres adjoining his own property, and is now the owner of a rich and finely-managed farm of 157 acres, in the improvement of which he takes pride and pleasure. In addition to carrying on general farming, Mr. Hilgemann is interested to some extent in stoek raising, although he does not specialize in that branch of industry.
On June 12, 1912, Mr. Hilgemann was united in marriage with Miss Lena Worthman, a danghter of Lewis and Sophia Worthman, who were the parents of seven other children, namely : Martin ; Louis J .; Ernst ; Matthew. who is studying for the ministry ; Manda; Edward, a clergy- man ; and Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Hilgemann have one ehild, Emma, born in 1914. In polities Mr. Hilgemann is independent, voting for the best men and measures, regardless of party restrictions. He and his wife are both members of the Reformed Church.
AUGUST SCHEUMANN. An enterprising and prosperous agrieulturist of Adams County, August Sehenmann, of Preble Township, owns and occupies a valuable farm, on which he has a tasteful and conveniently arranged residence, a good barn, and all the outbuildings and machin- ery required by a first-elass modern farmer. A native of Preble Town- ship, he was born August 29, 1869, of German ancestry, it having been taken up from the Government by his grandparents, Conrad and Chris- tina Seheumann.
Mr. Scheumann's parents, C. C. D. and Mary Seheumann, were born in Indiana, the father in 1846, in Adams County, and the mother in Allen County, in 1849. Soon after his marriage. the father purchased eighty aeres of the parental homestead, and by dint of industry eleared and improved a part of the land, and carried on general farming with good results. The mother died December 23, 1896, leaving eight ehil- dren, as follows: Ernst; Conrad; Chris, deceased; Eliza: Sophia : Clara : Mary : and Bertha. Both she and her husband were active mem- bers of the German Lutheran Church, and bronght up their children in that faith.
Brought up on the home farm, August Seheumann was educated in the parochial and public schools, and by his father was well trained in agricultural pursuits, thus becoming while young amply fitted for his
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future ocenpation. In 1896 he purchased sixty acres of his father's estate, and has since been actively engaged in his chosen vocation, his land being under excellent cultivation, and yielding abundant harvests.
Mr. Seheumann married. December 13, 1896, Hannah Eickhoff, a native of Adams County. Her parents, Ernst and Wilhelmina Eiek- hoff, reared eight other children, namely: William, Christ, Ernst, Fred, Louise, Mina, Mary and Sophia. Six children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Scheumann, namely : Herman ; Albert, deceased ; Annie; Martha : Edna : and Linda. Politically Mr. Scheumann is iden- tified with the democratic party, and religiously he and his family are German Lutherans.
GEORGE F. GLENDENING. About the best means by which a man can establish the highest credit for integrity and good citizenship is to main- tain a long residence in one locality where all his neighbors know him under a great variety of circumstances, tests his reliability and still con- tinne to sustain him as a valued and valnable citizen. It is through this test that George F. Glendening has been judged one of the leading farm- ers and citizens of Adams County. He owns one of the good farms in Hartford Township, located three miles west of Geneva, and the farm is a practical monument to his industry and represents more than a business, and is also one of the good homes. It consists of eighty acres and is in section 26 of Hartford Township.
Mr. Glendening was born in the same township October 30, 1861, a son of James and Lydia (Pontius) Glendening. His father was a native of Darke County, Ohio, and his mother of Pickaway County, that state. Their respective families were among the pioneers of Adams County, locating in Hartford Township, where many worthy men and women of the name have since lived. James Glendening married in this township, and was one of the highly respected farmers here for many years. He also made a record as a soldier which is cherished by his descendants. For over three years he was in the Union army. He and his wife had nine children : George F., J. C., W. A., R. W., L. H., Perry B., Joseph N., Emma J., and Ezra J. All are still living except Emma.
George F. Glendening lived at home with his parents on a farm until he was past twenty-nine years of age. His preparation and training for life was a combination of the facilities furnished by the common schools and the work and discipline of the farm.
On May 3, 1891, Mr. Glendening married Rebecca Sakemiller, who was born in Putnam County, Ohio, August 21, 1865, and was reared and educated in that part of the state. While Mr. Glendening lived for two years at Delphos, Ohio, he has been for much the greater part of his life hoth before and since his marriage identified with farming in Adams County. A number of years ago he established his home where he now lives, and taking the land in a rough condition he has worked out various plans of improvements and has made one of the exceptionally good farms of his neighborhood. It is now well equipped with buildings, a large barn having been constructed in 1900, and the house rebuilt and refur- nished in 1903. Mr. Glendening is a republican in politics and he and family are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Hart- ford. He is one of the church official board and assistant superintend- out of the Sunday school.
Mr. and Mrs. Glendening had eight children, and six of them died in infancy or early childhood. The only living son is William A., who was born August 2. 1894, graduated from the Geneva High School in 1913, then attended business college at Lima, Ohio, and after one year as bookkeeper in the offices of the New York Central Railway returned
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home where he still resides. The daughter Mary L., born October 14, 1907, is now in the fourth grade of the district school.
FRED J. ISCH, of French Township, well merits mention in this vol- ume, which gives a brief account of the lives of many of the citizens of Adams and Wells counties. A son of Jacob Isch, he was born in Liv- ingston County, Illinois, June 5, 1875, and was there educated.
Born in Switzerland in 1844, Jacob Isch grew to manhood in his native country, receiving good educational advantages. He there married Mary Shaller, whose birth also occurred in 1844, and after the birth of their first child, a son, named Alfred, he came with his family to America, locating first in Woodford County, Illinois. Subsequently, with the limited amount of money that he possessed, bought land in Liv- ingston County, Illinois, and was there employed in tilling the soil a few years. Selling that property, he came to Adams County, Indiana, and having purchased 575 acres of land on section 12, French Township, was successfully engaged in farming until his death, in 1909. His wife survived him a short time, dying in 1910. Of the seven children born of their marriage, six are living.
As a young man Fred J. Isch turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits, remaining with his father, and assisting in the care of the home farm until twenty-five years of age. Coming then to Adams County, Indiana, Mr. Isch first located on section 11, French Township, but later moved to section 12, in the same township, where he has 200 acres of choice land, which he is managing with characteristic skill, reaping rich annual harvests from his well-tilled farm. Mr. Isch also finds profit in the buying and feeding of stock, a business in which he has been successfully employed for a number of years.
Mr. Isch married, in 1900, in Wells County, Indiana, Elizabeth Kaehr, and into their home five children made their advent, namely : John, Amos, Mary, Esther and Ralph S. The mother of these children died in 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Isch are members of the Christian Apostolic Church. Politically Mr. Isch is identified with the republican party. In June, 1912, Mr. Isch married Emma Aeschliman and to this marriage there has been born two children, Edward S. and Alice.
JESSE A. RAY is industriously engaged in his peaceful and profitable occupation in Kirkland Township, Wells County, where he holds an assured position among the substantial business men of his community. A son of Cyrus W. Ray, he was born, January 1, 1870, in Monroe Town- ship, Adams County, Indiana.
Born September 2, 1837, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Cyrus W. Ray grew to manhood on the parental homestead, and there acquired a broad knowledge of the science of agriculture. After farming there for a few years on his own behalf, he migrated with his family to Iowa, where he was engaged as a tiller of the soil for five years. Disappointed in the results of his toil, he came back as far as Indiana, and settled in Adams County, where he carried on general farming successfully until his death, April 22, 1906. He was a man of sterling worth, and one of the more highly respected men of his community. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary J. Hendricks, was born in Tusearawas County, Ohio. December 8, 1843, and died in Adams County, Indiana, June 10, 1914. They were the parents of six children, as follows : John M., Lydia E., Thomas F., Jesse A., Josiah B., and IIosea O. Both parents were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and reared their children in the same religious faith.
Acquiring his early edneation in the schools of Monroe Township,
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Jesse A. Ray began as a boy to assist his father on the home farm, ob- taining a practical knowledge of agriculture that has since been of inestimable value to him in his favorite pursuit. Becoming a farmer from inclination and choice, Mr. Ray has now a half interest in a ninety-five acre farm, pleasantly located three miles southeast of Decatur. This farm is under a good state of culture, and constitutes with its sub- stantial improvements one of the most desirable pieces of property in the neighborhood.
Mr. Ray has been twiee married. He married first, April 22. 1892, Lucretia Smith, daughter of Barclay and Amanda Smith. She died in early womanhood, leaving four children, Grover, Loma, Homer P., and Burman C. Mr. Ray married second, March 16, 1908, Edith Beaber, who was born in Huntington Township, Huntington County, Indiana. Ilere parents. Rev. Thomas and Emma A. Beaber, were natives of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, but spent the larger part of their married life in Indiana, both dying in this state. Beside their daughter, Edith, Rev. Thomas and Mrs. Beaber reared four other children, Ralph V., Elsie L., Grace E., and Milton F. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ray, four children have been born, namely: Charles Doyle, born in 1910; Gerald Albert, born in 1911; Osear Thomas, born in 1913; and Floyd J., born in 1915. Politically Mr. Ray is a democrat, and religiously he and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church.
P. M. FULK. Occupying a prominent position among the enterprising and thriving agrieulturists of Kirkland Township, P. M. Fulk has spared neither time nor expense in the improvement of his property, which is one of the most valuable and attractive in the county, every thing about the premises indicating the care and supervision of an excellent manager, and a skilful farmer. A son of Jacob Fulk, he was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, March 25, 1848.
A native of Pennsylvania, Jaeob Fulk was born in that state Feb- ruary 21, 1815. While yet a young man he went to Ohio, locating in Mahoning County. After his marriage he purchased from a Mr. Cling- man forty acres of heavily timbered land, paying $200 for the tract. Clearing a space in the woods, he built the enstomary log cabin, and began the pioneer task of clearing a farm from its original wildness. Ile afterwards sold that land, and purchased eighty acres in the same county, and continued his agricultural labors. After he had placed a large part of that under cultivation, he disposed of it at an advantage, and moved to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he resided until his death, forty-six years later, on August 2. 1897. A man of great intelligence, and good business judgment, he was influential in public affairs, and for many years served as a trustee of Lordstown Township. He was an active member of the German Reformed Church, in which he held nu- merous offices.
The maiden name of the wife of Jacob Fulk was Susan Kale. She was born, about 1819, in Ohio, and died in 1899, in Trumbull County, that state. Eight children were born of their marriage, as follows : Sarah, deceased ; William, deceased ; Henry; Catherine; P. M., of this sketch ; Peter : Charles ; and Andrew.
Brought up on the home farm in Ohio, P. M. Fulk obtained a good common school education, and while assisting his father acquired a prac- tical knowledge of agriculture. In November. 1873, he assumed pos- session of eighty acres of his present farm in Kirkland Township, it hav- ing been deeded to him by his father. Clearing a space in the forest, he erected a typical pioneer frame house, 16 by 24 feet. and a wagon shed 24 feet by 30 feet, and a little later built a barn 36 feet by 72 feet,
C. G. WOODWARD
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and all of these buildings are still standing, in 1917, and are in good condition. In 1900 Mr. Fulk erected the conveniently arranged dwelling house which he and his family now occupy. A man of indomitable reso- lution and perseverance, Mr. Fulk has met with signal success in his undertakings, his farm being well improved, and the larger part of its rich and fertile land under a high state of cultivation, his homestead of 200 aeres being one of the most desirable in the community.
Mr. Fulk married, March 3, 1889. Emma Bernhard, a native of South Bend, Indiana. Her father, Adam Bernhard, was born in Ger- many, and as a young man emigrated to this country, settling in In- diana. To him and his wife Elizabeth, five children were born, as fol- lows: Rose; George; Fred; Melvin; and Emma, Mrs. Fulk. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Fulk has been blessed by the birth of four children, namely : Murl, a physician and surgeon, employed in the Charity Hos- pital at Cleveland, Ohio, married Lucile Worley, of Bloomington, In- diana ; John married Nora Norris, of Kirkland Township, and has three children, Helen, Marie, and Lueile; Jacob, deceased; and Arthur, born in 1899, living with his father. Mrs. Fulk died in August, 1907. Trne to the religious faith in which she was reared, Mrs. Fulk was a member of the Evangelical Church, and Mr. Fulk belongs to the German Re- form Church, having been baptized by the Rev. Dan Byerly. Politically Mr. Fulk is independent, casting his vote for what he deems the best men and measures, regardless of party restrictions.
C. G. WOODWARD. As proprietor of the Elmwood Stock Farm, C. G. Woodward, of Jefferson Township, Wells County, Indiana, has built up a reputation for fine cattle and stock that extends over the state. Mr. Woodward is one of the thoroughly experienced young men in this busi- ness in this section, and his enterprise and progressiveness have had much to do with raising stock standards in Wells County. Mr. Wood- ward belongs to one of the old county families that have been identified with development here for many years, and was born in Jefferson Town- ship October 21, 1880. His parents were George T. and Mary (Glass) Woodward.
After completing his education Mr. Woodward decided to turn his attention to the producing of the finest cattle and hogs that could be raised in this section. He was led thereto, perhaps through an in- herited instinct, for it is remembered that his grandfather, James Wil- son Glass, was one of the most extensive stock breeders and buyers in the country and forty-six years ago exhibited prize cattle of his own breeding. His grandson went into the business probably better equipped scientifically than he, and his success during the last twelve years shows that he thoroughly understands the business.
Mr. Woodward came to his present farm, where he has eighty acres, in March, 1913. While he engages in general farming to some extent, the main business is the scientific breeding of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, and his industry is so carefully and methodically carried on that he has his product ready for the market at all times. Mr. Woodward has made adequate provision for the furtherance of his business and his barns and stables are of modern sanitary construc- tion and equipped with conveniences that once would have been con- sidered luxuries for the family. Surely this might have been so in the pioneer days when a primitive log cabin gave the family shelter but very often little else. The high-bred animals handled by Mr. Woodward are too valuable to be subjected to any such hardship. He has made a elose study of his work and is considered an authority by the different breeders' associations in the country.
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Mr. Woodward was married to Miss Eva May Mills, who was born in Jefferson Township, Wells County, and is a daughter of Alfred and Catherine Mills. Mrs. Woodward had one brother, Fred, who is de- ceased, and has two sisters: Minnie, who is the wife of James Archi- bold, of Jefferson Township; and Nellie, who is the wife of W. Wasson. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward had four children, Edith, Mary Veronica, aged respectively seven and three years, and a baby named Dorothy Marie; the first born was a boy, Clarence, who died aged two years and two months.
In his political views Mr. Woodward has always been a democrat and is a loyal supporter of his party's candidates but has never been willing to accept public office for himself. In his church relation he is a Presbyterian. He is one of the county's representative business men and his honorable methods have won him the respect and confidence of the business world.
GEORGE M. T. HOUCK. In Kirkland Township of Adams County, where he played as a boy, where his productive years as a farmer have been passed, and where the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens have grown in concentrated power, George M. T. Houck has served for the past five years as township trustee, and has used the partial leisure from his former strenuous occupation as a farmer to make this office an opportunity of the greatest possible service to his home community. That the affairs of the township, especially the schools, were ever in better or more efficient hands is extremely doubtful.
Mr. Houck has lived in Adams County nearly all his life but was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, July 19, 1849, son of Henry and Nancy (Cronk) Houck. His parents were also natives of Ohio and in 1853 brought their family from Mahoning County to Indiana. Adams County had been settled and organized nearly twenty years but still was far from a completely developed region. Perhaps the greater part of the land was still uncleared and either heavily timbered or swampy and poorly drained. It was on a traet of this type of wild land that the Houck family settled in Kirkland Township. Henry Houck provided a log cabin and a log barn as his first preparations for living on the land, and after that he kept up his systematic industry until nearly all the acres were cleared and under cultivation and all of the low ground was thoroughly tiled and drained. He had also replaced his log houses with a good residence and barns. He and his wife had seven children, George, Alice L., Effie, Curtis, Mary, Rosa and Anna. The last four named died while comparatively young.
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