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 40
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 40
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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
George M. T. Houck, who was the oldest of his parents' children, was four years of age when he came to Indiana. He grew up on the new farm of his parents and found constant occupation for his develop- ing strength in the woods or in the fields. His education was limited to a few terms of winter school and as the oldest of the children the responsibilities of handling the farm devolved upon his youthful shoul- ders at an early age. The homestead comprised eighty acres in section 26 of Kirkland Township. He lived there until he was about twenty- three, married then, and after his marriage bought eighty acres in sec- tion 34, Kirkland Township. There he established his home, improved his land, and still owns sixty acres, which has responded to his efforts as an agriculturist for many successive seasons. He has prospered, and his prosperity is evidenced by a fine modern home, ample barns and other outbuildings, mueh tiled draining where necessary and a highly methodieal and systematic management of all his farming affairs.
Me Houck has regularly affiliated with the democratic party in his
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political relationship. He was justice of the peace eleven years, has served as township supervisor and assessor, and in 1912 came into his present office as township trustee, the most important office in the gift of his fellow citizens in the township. Mr. Houck is affiliated with De- catur Lodge No. 167 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is one of the oldest members of that lodge, his affiliation going back more than thirty years. He and his family are members of the Christian Union Church.
January 21, 1872, Mr. Houck married Miss Mary D. Cline, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Kepple) Cline. Her parents were natives of Penn- sylvania, lived in Trumbull County, Ohio, and in 1843 came to Indiana and bought 240 acres of wild land in section 34 of Kirkland Township, Adams County. Mr. and Mrs. Houck through all their active relations with the community have been great home people, and have given Adams County one of its finest families. They became the parents of eleven children, and the names of these in order of birth are noted as follows: Teresa, born February 22, 1873, deceased; Martha F., born December 21, 1874, deceased; Anna, born September 2, 1876, deceased; Mary M., born January 29, 1878; Charles II., born March 19, 1879; Hattie F., born September 21, 1881; Lillie M., born October 29, 1883; Bessie J., born May 25, 1886; Rolla M., born September 7, 1888; Clayton A., born October 18, 1893; and Olga E., born October 12, 1895.
WILLIAM B. WELDY, who was born in Adams County over sixty-five years ago, represents the second generation of the family in this county and it is a name that deserves honorable mention in connection with pioneer events as well as subsequent development and progress. Some family names have gathered around them associations of special connec- tion with certain lines of industry or certain other dominant character- istics. The name Weldy apparently wherever found or at least when- ever record has been made, is associated with the sturdiest and most productive type of farmers and every farmer who is a Weldy is pre- sumptively a good business man and a most honorable type of citizen.
The founder of the Weldy family in Kirkland Township of Adams County was the late Daniel Weldy, who was lacking in none of the familiar virtues of capable agricultural and business talents and was also notable for his splendid citizenship and the length and vigor of his life. He lived to be more than fourscore and five years of age. It was more than seventy years ago that he invaded the wilderness of Adams County. Daniel Weldy was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, October 3, 1822, son of Peter and Susanna (Huddle) Weldy, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. Peter Weldy was a pioneer in Ohio and lived in that state until his death in 1877. Daniel Weldy grew up in Ohio and in 1845 coming to Adams County, Indiana, secured a wooded tract of eighty acres in Kirkland Township. He was the first owner to attempt to make the land productive. He built a cabin of hewed logs, cleared away the timber for his first field, shot game to supply his table with meat and all in all conducted himself as a most capable pioneer, one who never relied upon his own resources in vain, and was a man of much value to the community. He lived on his farm for a period of more than fifty-five years, and developed it until it ranked second to none in the entire county in point of fertility and productiveness. In 1900 he moved to Decatur, and after that lived re- tired in a fine home which he bought on First Street. At one time Daniel Weldy was regarded as one of the large land owners in Adams County, possessing over 800 acres in three townships. He was not content to own much land and raise crops merely, but from the first appreciated
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and cultivated high class livestock. He made a specialty of Berkshire and l'oland China hogs. In 1863 Damet Weldy became a member of the independent Order of Odd Fellows and retamed his membership throughout the rest of his life.
Miis public service is something that deserves a paragraph by itself. Hle was one of those who upheld the necessity of public education in his township. lie was the man who in the capacity of trustee of Kirkland township erected the hrst log schoolhouse. His services to the com- munity were many and varied. He was township trustee fifteen years, Justice of the peace m the township eleven years, a member of the board of county commissioners six years, and for many years a supervisor.
Daniel Weldy married Miss Elizabeth Beery, daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Milier) Beery, her parents spending their lives in Fairfield County, Omo. Daniel weldy and wife nad eleven children : Christian, Seth, william, Barbara, Sarah, Mary, Abraham, Rachel, Ellen, Damel and El.
William B. Weldy was born on his father's old homestead in Kirk- land Township November 12, 1850. As a boy he came to appreciate some of the environment which had enaracterized the earliest pioneer epoch m Adams County, and the many days he spent on his father's land in clearing away the timber and underbrush gave him an under- standing of the ton of the pioneer which he has never lost in all his subsequent prosperity and with the surroundings of modern appliances to which he has become accustomed. His boyhood days atternated be- tween attending the district schools and the work of the household. He has found farming the best and most prontable occupation for his en- ergies, and for many years has had a place of over 200 acres, most of it under cultivation, though a considerable era has been retained in native timber. To put him in the list with the most successful farmers of Adams County is only doing what would be justified in the opinion of all his friends and neighbors.
Mr. Weldy like his honored father has always taken a commendable interest in local affairs, has voted the republican ticket, has served as supervisor and in other local offices of trust. lle and his family are members of the Church of the Brethren in Christ. On April 5, 1877, he married Elizabeth Hartman, daughter of John and Caroline (Steel) Hartman. John Hartman was born in Westmoreland County, Penn- sylvania, in 1792 and moved to Adams County, Indiana, in 1849. The next year he married Caroline Steel, who was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in 1828 and came to Indiana with her parents in 1848. John Hartman settled on land which he took up from the Government and developed a large farm of over 300 aeres. He died in 1870, leaving one of the valuable country estates of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Weldy had four children, two, Eva E. and Stella C., dying in girlhood or young womanhood. The two still living are Oscar D. and Mabel E. Oscar D. married Miss Bessie J. Pease of Adams County and their two ehil- dren are Brice P. and Max William. The daughter Mabel is the wife of Royce Marshall of Wells County and they have no children.
WILLIAM F. JAEBKER. Conspicuously identified with the mercantile affairs of Adams County, William F. Jaebker, of Preble, head of the firm of William F. Jaebker & Son, is carrying on an extensive business as a general merchant, his department store being well stocked with goods of a high grade, his endeavor being to meet the demands of his each and every customer, whether from town or country. A son of G. H. Jaebker, he was born in Preble Township, Adams County, September 28, 1856, coming on both sides of the house of German ancestry.
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Born and reared in Germany, G. H. Jaebker immigrated to the United States as a young man, crossing the ocean in 1836. Coming to Indiana in pioneer days, he settled in Preble Township while the coun- try roundabout was still in its pristine wildness, and in the development of its resources took an active part. Ile was not only a farmer, but he was a clergyman of note, serving for thirty-two years as pastor of the German Lutheran Church in the Village of Freitheim, and at the same time had charge of another church in that vicinity. He was a man of brilliant intellect, and much esteemed, not only by his congregation, but by his fellowmen. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Anna Christian, eight children were born, namely: Louise, deceased ; Eliza- beth; Mary; William F .; August; Henry; Anna, deceased; and Her- man.
Brought up in Preble Township, William F. Jaebker was educated in the parochial and public schools, and as a young man was variously employed. In January, 1898, he embarked in mercantile pursuits, set- tling in the Village of Preble, where he has a most favorable location. Fortunate in his undertakings, Mr. Jaebker has each year enlarged his operations, and is now carrying a full line of the best grade of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, and hardware of all kinds. In addition to this, he is rendering the publie satisfactory service as postmaster. On January 1, 1917, Mr. Jaebker admitted to partnership his son, Robert, the firm name becoming William F. Jaebker & Son. The firm has a good standing in banking and commercial circles, and is everywhere spoken of in terms of commendation. It has a large patronage in both town and country, having an auto delivery route, and has an extensive trade with the farmers, exchanging goods for farm produce, for which the highest market prices are always paid.
On April 27, 1882. Mr. Jaebker married Sophia Buuck, a daughter of Detrich and Mary Buuek. of Adams County, who were the parents of ten children, Eliza, Fred, Mary, Anna, Henry, Albert, Adolph, Charlie. Paul, and Sophia. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jaebker, namely : Rudolph, deceased ; Fred married Emma Heckman, and they have one child, Frederick ; Johanna, wife of Otto Peters, of Fort Wayne. Indiana; Sophia, wife of Martin Meehl, has one child, Mildred; and Robert, who married Amanda Werling. Politically Mr. Jaebker is identified with the democratic party. True to the religious faith in which they were reared, Mr. and Mrs. Jaebker are Lutherans.
RICKLEF B. JOHNSON. Like many of the enterprising and prosperous citizens of Adams County. Ricklef B. Johnson, of Peterson, was born across the sea, and has brought to the country of his adoption those hab- its of industry and thrift that have won him success in the business world, and those sterling traits of character that have given him an assured position among the respected and valued men of his community. He was born, January 22, 1840, in Germany, where his parents, Henry B. and Louise (Baker) Johnson, spent their entire lives.
Brought up and educated in the fatherland, Mr. Johnson served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade when young, making a practical use of his mechanical talent and ability. Sailing for the United States in 1866, he landed at Baltimore in the month of May. Coming from there to Indiana, he established a smithy in the northwest corner of Root Township, Adams County, and conducted it successfully for three years. Moving then to Washington Township. Mr. Johnson invested his money in eighty acres of land, and was there engaged in general farming for about three years. Preferring to expend his time and energies in me- chanical lahor rather than in agricultural pursuits, Mr. Johnson located Vol. 11-18
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in the Village of Peterson, where he is carrying on an extensive and substantial business, being ever busily employed at his blacksmith and general repair shop.
Mr. Johnson married Louisa Baker. She was born in Germany, and has one brother. John, living in Kirkland Township. Adams County. Eight children have been born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, namely: William, who married a Miss Dillman, of Warren County, Indiana : Herman : Clara, wife of Grant Ball, of Wells County, Indiana ; Mary, deceased : Martha. wife of Burt Lenhart, of Decatur, Indiana ; Rosa. deccased : Ida, deceased : and Emma, deceased. Mrs. Johnson was reared in the religious faith of the Brethren in Christ, and Mr. Johnson is a member of the German Lutheran Church. In politics he is a dem- ocrat, and a good worker in party ranks.
SAMUEL A. KINSEY. Enterprising and energetic, Samuel A. Kinsey is actively identified with the mercantile affairs of Wells County, being proprietor of a general store and restaurant in the Village of Curry- ville, where his name is well established, it being synonymous with hon- esty, thrift and prosperity. A native of this state, he was born, October 3. 1874, in Noble County, a son of Henry and Hattie (Amazon) Kinsey, and grandson of Christian and Mary Kinsey, pioneer settlers of North- eastern Indiana.
Henry Kinsey was long engaged in agricultural pursuits, having owned and occupied a farm of forty acres in Whitley County, Indiana, where his death occurred April 24, 1883. His widow survived him many years, dying in 1903. They reared a family of seven children, as fol- lows: William C .; Mary ; Samuel A. : Elizabeth ; Walter, deceased; Ida ; and Jessie.
Having obtained a practical education in the public sehools, Samuel A. Kinsey served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, which he followed successfully for several years, his mechanical ability being recognized. Locating in Curryville in 1913, Mr. Kinsey embarked in mercantile pursuits, and as proprietor of a well managed general store and a popular restaurant, has built up a patronage in both lines of business.
On October 2, 1888, Mr. Kinsey married Hattie J. Plank, a daughter of Enos and Sarah E. Plank. who reared three other children : Oscar, Frank and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey have four children. namely : Mildred Cleo, a high school graduate, married Earl Guy, and has one child. Evelyn, born in 1915: Carl Henry. born in 1901; Roy Enos, born in 1908; and Frances Lucile, born in 1915. Mr. Kinsey is a stanch pro- hibitionist, and an active worker in the temperance cause. Both he and his wife are valned members of the Christian Church, and liberal con- tributors towards its support.
JAY B. STOUTENBERY, one of the able veterinary surgeons of Adams County, is widely and favorably known throughout this section of the country, and through his successful professional labors has gained a well-merited reputation for skill and ability. He was horn in Ross County, Ohio, September 5, 1849, a son of Jacob Stontenbery, and grandson of Henry and Rachael Stoutenhery.
Born in the State of New York. Jaeoh Stoutenbery started westward soon after his marriage. and settled with his bride on 160 acres of wild land in Ross County, Ohio. The land was in its original wildness, and his first work was to clear a space in which to rear the log cabin for himself and wife. He improved a homestead, and in addition to farm- ing was for some years pastor of a Methodist Episcopal Church in
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Marion County, Ohio. His closing years, however, were spent in Indi- ana, at the home of his son, Jay B. Stoutenbery, with whom he lived for nineteen years. He married Elizabeth Crider, who was born in the Empire State, a daughter of George Crider. Three children were born to them, namely: Sarah, who married Peter Porough, of Delphi, Indi- ana ; Matilda A., wife of A. M. Abrams, of Mendota, Illinois; and Jay B.
Laying a substantial foundation for his future education in the pub- lie schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jay B. Stoutenbery fitted himself for a professional career at the Baker College of Veterinary Science, acquir- ing a thorough knowledge of his chosen profession. Coming to Adams County, Indiana, with a view of buying land, he settled in Kirkland Township on November 17, 1882, and in the time that has since inter- vened he has cleared and improved a fine farm of eighty acres, it now being one of the best in its appointments of any in the township, and a credit to him, bearing evidence in its general appearance of the thrift and excellent management of the owner. In addition to his agricultural operations, Mr. Stoutenbery has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in this vicinity for upwards of thirty years, being well patronized in his own and nearby townships.
Mr. Stoutenbery married, June 27, 1876, Rachel Shannon. Her parents, Andrew C. and Mary (Haley) Shannon, natives of Darke County, Ohio, reared seven children, as follows: Sarah ; Hugh Alexan- der; Julius; Rachel, now Mrs. Stoutenbery; Henrietta; Mary; and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Stoutenbery have three children, namely : Emma May, born August 3, 1882, married Alfred Beavers, and has three chil- dren, Ida Cleo, Alfred K., and Clarence J .; Eldora, born August 19, 1884, is the wife of W. M. Douglas, of Darke County, Ohio, and has two children, Harold B. and Warren W .; and Leona, born June 21, 1896, married Amos K. Stoneburner, and they have four children, Eva May, Helen L., Ralph J., and Mabel Marie. Politically Mr. Stoutenbery invariably supports the principles of the republican party. Fraternally he is a member of Galion, Ohio, Lodge No. 414, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; and of Galion Chapter No. 327, Royal Arch Masons.
ERNST FUELLING. This is one of the honored names in the history of Adams County and is especially well known in Root Township, where the Fuellings have been substantial farmers and public spirited citizens from early times to the present.
It was on the old homestead in Root Township that Ernst Fuelling was born on March 26, 1867. His parents were Fred and Lizetta Fuel- ling, who came to Indiana from Maryland. The mother was a native of Germany and was brought to this country at the age of three years. After their marriage they settled on eighty acres of wild land in Root Township, and the father was able to clear and improve it and put it in good condition before his death, which occurred in 1870. His widow survived him many years and passed away in 1901. Their first home was a log house, and that building is still an interesting structure because of its family associations and is still standing on the farm. Both parents were connected with the German Lutheran Church. Their children were Fred. William, Sophia, Lizetta and Ernst.
Mr. Ernst Fuelling grew up in the same locality where he was born, was educated in the public schools and also in the German parochial school and has spent most of the years of his life on the old homestead. In 1900 he inherited the 150 acres comprising his present farm. The resources thus placed in his hands he has managed with profit and advantage and is one of Adams County's farmers who are helping to
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feed the world. All his buildings are very substantial and attractive. Mr. Fuelling is a democrat and a member of the Lutheran Church, and his children were educated in the Lutheran parochial sehools and in the public schools.
On December 16, 1900, he married Sophia Busick, daughter of Fred- erick and Sophia Busiek, of Root Township. Mrs. Fuelling has six brothers living, William, Fred, Henry, August, Edward and Theodore, and one sister and one brother dead, Lizzie and Martin. The three ehil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Fuelling are Arthur, aged eleven; Alma, aged nine ; and Louis, aged seven.
PHILIP BAKER's recollections of this county go back to the time of his boyhood, more than sixty years ago. The family is a numerous one and they have always borne the reputation of honest and substantial citizens and for the most part have been splendid representatives of the agricultural type.
Mr. Baker was born in Champaign County, Ohio, March 15, 1846, a son of Jacob and Sarah ( Hower) Baker. His parents came originally from York County, Pennsylvania, were pioneers in Clark County, Ohio, and about 1828 settled in Champaign County of that state. On both sides the family is of German stoek. When Philip Baker was ten years old, in August, 1856, his parents moved to Adams County and a year later settled upon the farm in Root Township where Mr. Baker now lives. This was a traet of wild land comprising eighty aeres, and its ยท improvements as well as its subsequent eare and productive development have been the work and result of constant expenditure of labor upon the part of the Baker family.
Jaeoh Baker was long and prominently known in Adams County, and died here in July, 1893. He had survived his wife many years, her death having occurred in 1863, when Philip was seventeen years old. They had a large family of children, named : Susanna, deceased ; Phillip; Joseph, deceased ; William H. ; Mary E., deceased; John M .; Sarah E., deceased ; and Thomas A., deeeased.
Mr. Philip Baker was reared and educated in Adams County, attended the common schools of Root Township, and his early training and discipline on the home farm fitted him for the vocation which he followed for many years. For fourteen years Mr. Baker lived in Deeatur and was engaged in the manufacture of saddle stirrups. In January, 1894. he bought the old homestead from his father's estate and has man- aged it so as to provide amply for the needs of his family and to produce a reasonable competence for his later years. Mr. Baker is a democrat in polities, though more and more inclined to independenee in casting his vote. Ile is affiliated with St. Mary's Lodge No. 167 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Deeatur. Hle and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
November 18. 1877. Mr. Baker married Nancy B. Kimsey, daughter of William and Naney Kimsey. Her brothers and sisters were: John. deceased ; Sarah E .: William T .: Robert N., deceased: Joseph F., deceased ; Mary E., deceased : and Emma. deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Baker's children are Bertha A., who married Emerson Elzey and lives in Van Wert County. Ohio: Charles E., who married Flossie Bolinger and lives at Decatur ; Ilarvy M .. who married Augusta Ketchum : Alva D., who married Annota M. Dailey, of Root Township: Franklin O., who married Opal Butcher. of Root Township; Lola D. and Lulu B .. twins: and Carl. deceased. Of the twin daughters. Lola married William A. Me- ('ague, and Lulu is now deceased. The grandchildren are: The two children of Alva D. are Philip D. and Forest ; Franklin O. has three children. Otis Melroy, Kenneth C. and Vernon M. ; Mrs. Lola D. MeCagne
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has two children, Frances B. and Philip A. ; Mrs. Bertha Elzey has one child, Dorothy L .; Charles Edward has two children, Mildred and Charles E., Jr .; Harvy M. has one child, Marion II.
PHIL L. SCHIEFERSTEIN is one of the prominent residents of Root Township and has spent nearly all the years of his active manhood in cultivating one of the admirably situated and fine farms of that vicinity.
Ile and his family are well known in Adams and Allen counties. Mr. Schieferstein was born in Marion Township of Allen County, January 9, 1872. He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Brown) Schieferstein. old time residents of Allen County. George Schieferstein came to the United States from Prussia, Germany, in 1850. He was a single man then, had given service for three years in the German army, and came to this country in company with the Brown family, whose daughter he afterward married. ITis first home in Indiana was a small log cabin about five miles from Fort Wayne on the Peter Smith farm. He lived there about two years, and his principal occupation was cutting cord wood at 20 cents a cord. Ile was poor but industrions, a man of strict probity, got along well with his neighbors, and in the course of time his lahors began to show fruit. In 1861 he bought a farm of his own, con- sisting of eighty aeres, and from that time forward his prosperity has been on the increase. The land which he bought was acquired by Gov- ernment title and was in an absolutely primitive condition. He cleared away a few acres and built the humble home in which his son Phil and six other children were born. Four of the family are still living : Harry, Fred, Phil and George. The daughter Christina died several years ago.
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