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 45
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 45
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Mr. and Mrs. Shanks are the parents of three children. Grover C. is unmarried and still at home; Flossie O. is the wife of Aaron Hart of Hartford Township; and Isele, who is a graduate of the common schools and spent one year in the Linn Grove High School. The family are all members of the Christian Church and Mr. Shanks is one of the church trustees. Politically he is a democrat and has served as a member of the advisory board of his township.
C. L. BRENTLINGER. Among the able and prosperous agriculturists of Adams County is C. L. Brentlinger of Kirkland Township, whose well tilled land, comfortable dwelling, good barns, farm machinery, and stock, all bespeak the supervision of an intelligent and progressive busi- ness man, who knows by what means his possessions have been acquired, and properly realizes their value. He was born, December 20, 1844, in Auglaize County, Ohio, a son of Andrew and Margaret ( Evans) Brent- linger. Neither of his parents are living, his mother having died in December, 1865, and his father in June, 1888. He has one brother, Philip, living in Ohio, and one sister, Mrs. Lavine McClure.
Mr. Brentlinger left his native state many years ago, coming to Indiana in search of cheap land. Locating in Kirkland Township, Adams County, he bought the farm he now owns and occupies. The country roundabout was then comparatively new, but the soil was good, yielding readily to cultivation, and in the course of a few years of intensive labor he had a well-improved estate, upon which he is now enjoying life.
Mr. Brentlinger married, March 10, 1871, Margaret Bedford. She was born in Ohio, and was there educated. Her father, Samuel Bed- ford, a native of Pennsylvania, was born and reared in Philadelphia, while his wife, Mary A. Bedford, was born in Ireland, and as a girl came with her parents to America. Mr. Bedford died in August, 1900, aged ninety-one years. His wife died in 1894. They had seven chil- dren, five living and two dead. Those living are: Sarah, Milton, James, William, and Margaret, now Mrs. Brentlinger. Six children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Brentlinger, namely: Flora, wife of Henry Drum, has five children, Dorphes, Effie, Noble, Opal, and Edna; Minnie, wife of Edward Barger. has two children, Grace E. and Theo- dore E .; Arthur married Ethel Smith, and they are the parents of four children, Frank L., Lee, Ruby, and June; Orville, who married Nona Vol. II-20
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Deihls, has two children. Cleo and Lionel; Silvia, wife of Emanuel Miller, has five children, Nina Pearl, Mildred Pauline, Margaret Eliza- beth, Dorothy Blanche and Golda May; Pearl, wife of Chester Booher, has three children, Russell, Raymond and Ruth.
JOHN EVERETT. A man of business tact and judgment, John Everett, of Decatur, holds a position among the successful merchants of Adams County, and as head of the firm of Everett & Hite is carrying on an extensive wholesale business, dealing in fruit and groceries. A son of the late Dr. William Everett, he was born, November 12, 1855, in Van Wert County, Ohio, of Scotch and English ancestry.
Dr. William Everett was born, about 1812, in Pennsylvania, and there grew to man's estate. As a young man, he turned his attention to the study of medicine, and after obtaining his degree he located in Columbiana County, Ohio, where he built up a fine practice. Later in life, Doctor Everett bought 160 acres of land in Harrison Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, and in addition to farming continued his professional labors, having a large medical practice in that and sur- rounding counties. He died at the age of sixty-five years, in 1877. Doctor Everett married a Miss MeDonnell, who was born in Scotland, and when eighteen years old came to the United States with her parents, Gavern and Mary MeDonnell, who settled as farmers in Columbiana County, Ohio, from there settling permanently in Van Wert County.
The doctor's wife preceded him to the better world, dying when but forty-five years old. Of the ten children born of their marriage, nine grew to years of maturity, and married, and seven are still living.
Brought up in his native county, John Everett acquired a practical education in the public schools, and was subsequently variously employed until entering upon a mercantile career. In 1890, he formed a partner- ship with Henry Hite, with whom he has been associated for twenty- seven years, the firm name being Everett & Hite. Locating first on the corner of Second and Madison streets, Decatur, these enterprising gen- tlemen put in a stock of groceries, and in addition to managing the store were for five years also engaged in the manufacture of hoops and staves. They carried on a retail business until 1914, when they moved to their present commodious building on Monroe Street, at the corner of Third Street, since which time they have confined themselves entirely to the wholesale trade, dealing in fruit and groceries. The firm, which has an extensive trade in both Indiana and Ohio, employs several clerks in their store, and keep a representative on the road.
Mr. Everett married Eliza Roop, who was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, in 1856, and there grew to womanhood. Her parents, Amos and Rachel (Croninger) Roop, life-long residents of Ohio, spent their last days in Willshire Township, Van Wert County, his death occurring about middle age, while she lived until 1880, dying at an advanced age, in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Roop reared seven children, of whom four sur- vive. They were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and brought up their children in the same religions faith. Mr. and Mrs. Everett have one child, Ina, who was graduated from the Decatur High School, and is now the wife of Calvin Petterson, a prosperous clothing merchant in Decatur. Politically Mr. Everett is identified with the republican party, and though not an office seeker he has served for three years on the local board of education. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, and of the Inde- pentent Order of Odd Fellows. In religion he and his family are Baptists.
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HENRY HITE. Member of the firm of Everett & Hite, wholesale merchants in Decatur, Henry Hite is a representative of one of the longest established mercantile organizations of Adams County, the firm having been in existence for upwards of thirty years, the members thereof working together harmoniously during the time. He was born March 17, 1853, in Mahoning County, Ohio,
Mr. Hite's father, John Hite, was born in Germany, and when a mere child eame with his parents to this country. After living for a while in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he moved to Mahoning County, Ohio, where he drove a stage for a few years. Later in life he came with his wife and children to Indiana, and located in Allen County, near the old Erie Canal. He then bought land in Naples, Allen County, and was there engaged in farming a few years, after which he moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he died when but forty-four years old. The maiden name of the wife of John Ilite was Margaret Young. She, too, was born in Germany, and at the age of fourteen years came to America. While living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she met and mar- ried Mr. Hite. She survived him, dying at her home in Maples. Indi . ana, in 1897, aged seventy-seven years. She was a member of the Preshy- terian Church, to which her husband also belonged.
Ilenry Hite was educated in the common schools of Mahoning County, Ohio, and as a hoy and youth became well acquainted with the many branches of agriculture. About 1887 he formed a co-partnership with John Everett, and as a member of the well-known and prosperous firm of Everett & Ilite has been actively engaged in mercantile pursuits in Decatur ever since. The firm carried on a substantial retail business for many years, in 1914 becoming wholesale dealers in fruit and groceries, lines of merchandise in which they have built up a large and lucrative trade, their business operations extending throughout the eastern part of Indiana and Western Ohio.
Mr. Hite married first Anna Wimer, who was born in Ohio, and died soon after her marriage in Decatur, Indiana, at the early age of twenty- two years, leaving no children. Mr. Hite married for his second wife, in Decatur, Lillie B. Wilson, a native of Decatur, and they are the parents of four children, namely : Hugh, who received a high school and a business education, and is now engaged in the clothing business with Mr. Vanee, married Gertrude Waring, and they have two children, Virginia and Robert; Fannie, a elerk in the office of the Peoples Loan and Trust Company; Margaret, also a high school graduate, is book- keeper for the firm to which her father belongs; and Mary, wife of Oscar Huffman, an architect, has one son, Billy. In politics Mr. Hite is a republican, and for four years was township trustee. He is a mem- ber of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family are church- goers, some being Methodists and some Presbyterians.
CHARLES N. CHRISTEN is a citizen of Adams County who carries a heavy weight of business and civic responsibility. He is the present mayor of Decatur and in the summer of 1917 Governor Goodrich commis- sioned him a member of the Conscription Board for Adams County, and thus he has had an important part and rendered his service to the Government in managing the selective draft of soldiers for the Na- tional army.
Mr. Christen was elected mayor of Decatur in November, 1913, for a term of four years. He has fully justified the confidence of his friends and supporters by his business like administration of affairs. In a business way Mr. Christen is well known as a building contractor all
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over this section of Indiana. He has fulfilled a large number of im- portant contracts, in the construction of schoolhouses, churches, private homes and other buildings. This business is conducted by the firm of Christen & Company which was established in 1915. Prior to that for fifteen years he was in partnership of Mann & Christen. Mr. Christen is also member of the firm Christen & Smith, plumbing contractors. Both these firms are distinct and have separate offices on Monroe street. During his long experience as a building contractor Mr. Christen has constructed the Presbyterian and Lutheran churches at Decatur, the Lutheran Church at Freidheim in Adams County, the Lutheran Church at Napoleon, Ohio, the Episcopal Church in Wells County, the Lutheran Church at Chattanooga, the high school at LaGrange and Howe, and also at Liberty in Union County, Indiana. The large Schafer Hardware Block at Decatur, the Studabaker Block and the Morrison Building in Decatur are also monuments to his work. This brief list, by no means conclusive, illustrates the character of the building contract- ing business of Mr. Christen.
Mr. Christen has spent all his active life in the building trade. His father before him was a building contractor and Charles N. at the age of fifteen began mechanical employment in the various departments of building work. He was born in Adams County forty-five years ago and grew up and received his education in the county schools.
He comes of old Swiss stock, pioneers in Adams County. Grand- father John Christen, Sr., was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, August 9, 1812, and was reared on a farm and also for a time followed the baking business. July 17, 1835, he married Miss Elizabeth Schaad, who was born in Canton Berne, January 7, 1814. In 1850 the family eame to America, proceeding direct from New York to Adams County and there settling on a farm in section 16 and section 15 of Root Township. The land was partly improved, and John Christen moved his family into a log cabin and lived in one room for nine years. He then built an addition also of logs, giving them two rooms on the ground floor and an upper room. In 1875 the circumstances of the family per- mitted the erection of a fine brick house, which at that time was equal in point of construction and conveniences to any house in the township. John and Elizabeth Christen were the parents of twelve children, all but one born in Switzerland. Two of the sons, Godfrey and Albright, were soldiers with an Indiana regiment during the Civil war. Godfrey was promoted to captain.
The father of Charles N. Christen was Albright Christen, who was born in Berne, Switzerland, November 23, 1840, and was ten years of age when brought to Adams County. His parents lived long and useful lives in this county, John Christen, Sr., dying at the age of eighty-one and his wife at eighty-three. They were active members of the Re- formed Church and reared their children to be law-abiding, good Chris- tian people and industrious workers. The old homestead in Root Town- ship is now owned by Edward Christen, county superintendent of schools, and a grandson of the original settler.
It was in this pioneer environment of Adams County that Albright Christen grew to manhood, and he remained at home until the out- break of the war. He then enlisted in the Eighty-ninth Indiana In- fantry and saw three years of active service. Among other campaigns he was in the expedition under Banks up the Red River, and though constantly exposed to danger and hardship he escaped capture or wounds. After his return from the army he took up the trade of car- penter and subsequently began building as an individual contractor and in 1874 he removed to Decatur, and continued active in his work until
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his death in 1905. He was a democrat, but had no aspirations for office and never held one. In 1868 he married a neighbor girl in Root Town- ship, Mary O. Lord, who was born in 1853 in Adams County of old New England stock, a family that has lived in this country for many genera- tions. Her father, Reuben Lord, who died at his old home in Root Township five years ago, was born in Vermont July 15, 1807, and came to Adams County in the fall of 1836, entering eighty acres of Govern- ment land in Root Township. Later he bought another farm. In 1830 he married Sabrina Benson, who was born in New York State December 25, 1812, and died in 1869. Mrs. Mary O. (Lord) Christen died at Decatur, Indiana, in July, 1917.
Charles N. Christen was the second of the five children of his parents to grow up. His brother, William, is married and lives in Rockford, Ohio, and is mayor of that town. Engene is unmarried and lives at Bakersfield, California. Elizabeth is the widow of Fred Vaughn and lives in Evanston, Illinois, having one son, Creed. Maud is the wife of Guy Johnson, living at Columbus, Ohio, and their children are Eugene, Elizabeth and an infant not yet named.
Mr. Charles N. Christen married at Decatur Amelia Smith, who was born in Decatur, and grew up here, obtaining her education in the parochial schools. They have two children, Germain and Bernadine, both students in the parochial schools. Mr. and Mrs. Christen are active members of the Catholic Church, and he was second grand knight of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Christen has always been a stanch demo- erat and for eight years prior to his election as mayor was a member of the city council.
JOHN O. FISHER. A widely-known and prosperous dealer in staple aud fancy groceries, John O. Fisher is numbered among the prominent business men of Decatur, Adams County, where, in 1915, the firm of Fisher & Ilarris, of which he is senior member, established a business that is constantly growing in extent and value, its volume of trade be- ing large, and eminently satisfactory. He was born in 1878 in Indian- apolis, Indiana, of Irish ancestry.
Ilis father, Frank Fisher, was born and educated in Ireland. Com- ing to this country when young, he subsequently met and married Bridget Carr, also a native of the Emerald Isle. He settled first in Indianapolis, where he worked as a contractor for a number of years, from there going to Peru, Indiana, where he continued at his occupation until his death, in 1897, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife sur- vived him, dying at the same age, in 1900. The father was a democrat and both were members of the Catholic Church. They reared seven sons and one daughter, and of these children one son is dead.
His parents having removed from Indianapolis to Peru, Indiana, when he was but six months old. John O. Fisher was there brought up, and in the parochial schools obtained his education. Soon after leaving school, he entered the employ of McCaffrey & Company, the leading grocers of Peru, and remained with the firm many years, and serving in all the positions from errand boy to manager of the concern. Form- ing a partnership with Mathew F. Harris in 1909, Mr. Fisher embarked in the furniture business in Peru, a corporation heing formed with Mr. Fisher as president ; Mr. Harris, vice president; P. J. Burke, secre- tary; and Hugh MeCaffrey, treasurer. Starting with a capital of $25,000, a large stock of furniture was put in, and a successful business was established, and has since been carried on, the concern being one of the largest of its kind in that locality. In 1915 Mr. Fisher was made its vice president, Mr. Harris assuming the secretaryship, and the entire
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business was placed under the supervision of a competent manager. On April 10. 1915, Messrs. Ilarris and Fisher, under their present firm name, established themselves in Decatur, opening a cash grocery store on Second Street, near Court Street, and have here built up a substan- tial trade in staple and fancy groceries. The building which the firm occupies is well adapted for the business, the store being 22 by 100 feet, with two large basements for storage.
Mr. Fisher married, in Peru, Indiana, Margaret Hartman, whose father, a contractor in Peru, was of German birth, while her mother was born in Ireland. Both of her parents were Roman Catholics, and reared their family in the same faith. Mrs. Fisher died February 7, 1917, leaving Mr. Fisher with two interesting children, Mary C., six years of age, and James, two years younger. Mr. Fisher is a democrat in polities, and a Catholic in religion. Fraternally he belongs to the Decatur Council, Knights of Columbus; to the Decatur Rotary Club and to the Peru Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
BENJAMIN J. SMITH. As head of the firm of Smith, Yager & Falk, Benjamin J. Smith of Decatur is intimately associated with the drug business of Adams County, being one of the proprietors of the "Rexall" Store, formerly known as the "Red Front Drug Store," which has the distinction of being one of the oldest established houses of the kind in this part of the state, while Mr. Smith is a registered pharmacist, having taken a position in this same store building upwards of thirty-three years ago. A son of Joseph Smith, Jr., he was born in Decatur, Febru- ary 2, 1868.
Joseph Smith, Sr., grandfather of Mr. Smith, whose surname was originally Schmidt, came from Germany, his native land, to America in early life, crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel. Locating in Adams County, Indiana, he entered a tract of heavily timbered land in Wash- ington Township, and soon the merry ring of his axe was heard as he began the clearing of a homestead. He was successful in his farming operations, and continued his labors until accidentally killed by a run- away team, while yet in the prime of life. He married a Miss Heutker and they reared three sons, Theodore, Henry, and Joseph, Jr. They were both members of the Roman Catholic Church, and reared their family in the same religions faith. Mrs. Smith later married Garrett Hessler. There were six children by that marriage, John, Garrett, Frank, August, Elizabeth, and Anna.
Born on the parental homestead about 1845, Joseph Smith, Jr., learned the trade of a wagon maker when young, he and his brothers all serving apprenticeships at that trade, and later started in business on his own account, opening a shop in Decatur, where he was pros- peronsly engaged in the manufacture of wagons until the year preced- ing his death, which occurred in 1907. The maiden name of his first wife was Anna Wemhoff. She was born in Westphalia, Germany, and as a girl came to this country with her brother, Rev. John Wemhoff, a Catholic priest. She died when forty-four years of age at the birth of her youngest child. She was the mother of the following children, Ben- jamin .J., Caroline, Leo, Amelia, Alvine, Lawrence. Nettie, Mamie, Joseph and Vincent. For his second wife Joseph Smith married Mary Bosse and they had one child, Margaret.
Benjamin J. Smith acquired his preliminary education in Decatur. attending the parochial schools. At the age of sixteen years, he secured a position as clerk in the drug store, which now, after passing through many changes, is known as the "Rexall Store." This store was estab- lished by T. T. Darwin in 1861, who admitted his brother to partner-
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ship, when the firm name became Darwin Brothers, later being changed to Darwin & Holthouse, and then to Holthouse & Blackburn, with whom Mr. Smith began his elerkship in 1884. In 1891, Mr. Smith was admit- ted to partnership in the business of Holthouse & Blackburn. Changes in the firm subsequently necessitated changes of name, which became Holthouse & Smith, then Smith & Callow, then Smith & Yager, and after the admission of Mr. Falk as a partner, sixteen years ago, the firm assumed its present name, Smith, Yager & Falk. The large building occupied by the firm is located in the heart of the city, on Second Street, and is well filled from end to end with a full stock of everything kept in a first class drug store.
Mr. Smith married, in Decatur, Elizabeth Forbing, daughter of Peter and Mary Forbing, her father having been of German descent, and her mother of French ancestry. Mrs. Forbing died in Decatur in 1912, but Mr. Forbing for many years a prominent real estate dealer, still lives in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five children living, namely : Estella; Elmo, who was graduated from St. Joseph's school, in Rensselaer, Indiana, is a soldier in the National Army, and expects to go to France in the near future; Virginia, educated in the parochial and high school; Othmen ; and Rosemana. Religiously Mr. Smith and all of his family are faithful members of the Roman Catholic Church, having been ever true to the faith in which they were reared. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, in which he has taken the fourth degree, and of Decatur Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
JULIUS ERHART. A worthy representative of the native-born citizens of Adams County, where his birth occurred September 16, 1867, Julius Erhart has spent his entire life in French Township, and in the devel- opment and promotion of its agricultural interests has been a prominent and important factor.
His parents, David and Anna (Stalter) Erhart, were born, educated and married in Switzerland. Lured across the ocean by the glowing reports of the industrial activities of the United States, they came directly from their native land to Indiana, locating in French Township. Buying a tract of land, they lived on the farm they improved during the remainder of their years, their homestead having been on section 11. Four sons and one daughter blessed their marriage, namely: Henry, of New Castle, Indiana; Albert, engaged in farming in French Township ; Emel, of Pullman, Arizona; Rosa, wife of Edward Cratzer, of Blue Creek Township; and Julius.
Spending his earlier years on the parental homestead, Julius Erhart obtained his elementary education in the rural schools, and under his father's instruction gained a practical knowledge of the agricultural arts. Thus equipped, he began life for himself at the age of twenty-one years with fair prospects for a prosperous future, his undoubted energy, ability and business taet being valuable assets. Becoming owner of a part of the home estate, Mr. Erhart has met with most satisfactory results as a farmer, and by purchase has acquired title to an additional traet of land consisting of 120 acres, and now owns and operates 200 acres in French Township, the greater part of which is under cultiva- tion. He is an exceedingly skillful farmer, and is in all respects a valuable citizen of his community, fulfilling his obligations and duties as such with fidelity.
Mr. Erhart married, October 23, 1893, Emma Zangg. She was born in French Township, October 17, 1868, and was educated in the district schools. Six children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Er-
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hart, namely : Dula, wife of William Prestlorf; Harry; Lester; Mary ; Frieda, and Gorman. Politically Mr. Erhart is a sound republican, and has rendered appreciated service as township supervisor. Relig- iously Mr. and Mrs. Erhart are active members of the Reformed Church at Honduras, in which he has served as deacon for ten years, and has also been prominent in the work of its Sunday school.
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