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 48
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 48
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PHILIP GEPHART has proved himself one of the hustling and energetic citizens of Adams County and starting out with little capital and only such experience as he had acquired on his father's farm he has developed two or three tracts of fine farm land, has provided a valuable country home for himself and family, and at different times has proved his good judgment and ability in other business affairs. Mr. Gephart's farm is on Rural Route No. 1 out of Pleasant Mills in St. Mary's Township.
Ile was born in St. Mary's Township April 26, 1854, son of Ilenry and Mary E. (Winegar) Gephart. His parents were both born in Ilam- burg, Germany, grew up there, married, and one son was born to them in the old country. In 1849 when thousands of Germans were leaving the fatherland to identify themselves with the land of liberty they also emigrated and settled in Ohio and from there came to Adams County,
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Indiana, and settled in the woods near Decatur, where the father bought forty acres in St. Mary's Township. Later he bought eighty aeres in Van Wert County, Ohio. He died in Ohio and his wife in Indiana. Of their nine children, seven are still living: Christ C. of Ohio; Adam of St. Mary's Township; Caroline, wife of Fred Spheuler; John of Van Wert County; Margaret, wife of John Flager; Elizabeth, wife of John Helm ; and Philip.
Philip Gephart grew up in Adams County, attended the district schools and worked at home, and was well qualified by early training for the life of industry he has followed since his marriage.
July 31, 1880, Mr. Gephart married Carrie Blayney. She was born in St. Mary's Township August 31, 1859, and grew up in that rural district and had a common school education. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gephart rented land in St. Mary's Township for a time. They finally bought eighty acres for $1,975. It was their home and the scene of his able management as a farmer for twenty-eight years, at the end of which time they sold the land and its improvements for $10,500, more than five times what they had paid for it. Mr. Gephart then invested in his present farm which also contains eighty acres. For a time he was active in the real estate business and did much leasing of land for oil development.
Eight children were born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gephart, five of whom reached maturity, but only two are now living: Ida A. is the wife of James Dague of Washington Township; and True P., born October 5, 1897, married Charlotte A. Thatcher and has a daughter, Ellen P. The deceased children are John George, Franklin, Harry Al- len, Otho L., and two who died in infancy. Mr. Gephart is a democrat in politics.
HENRY E. KELLER, M. D. An able and successful physician and surgeon of Adams County, Henry E. Keller, M. D., is meeting with flattering results in the exercise of his profession, his reputation for skill in the diagnosis and treatment of disease having won for him an extensive and remunerative patronage in Decatur, where his office is located, and in the surrounding country. His office is, without doubt, one of the finest equipped of any in the county, enabling him to use the most approved seientifie methods in his work. In 1897, when X-ray machines were just coming into use, he installed one in his office, and ten years later he put in another one. He has also a static machine; an instrument for ascer- taining the blood pressure in ease of disturbance in the arterial system ; and various other up-to-date equipments. The doctor has a large gen- eral practice, and is a skilful surgeon doing many minor operations. Ile is a physician of the old school and new schooling, keeping well abreast of the times in everything pertaining to his profession. A native of Indiana, he was born, July 31, 1873, in Pulaski County, of French and German aneestry, his paternal grandparents having been born in Alsace-Lorraine. Emigrating to the United States, they lived for awhile in Seneea County, Ohio, from there moving to Pulaski County, Indiana, where they spent their remaining years, the grandfather dying at the age of eighty-six years, and the grandmother when eighty-five years old.
John M. Keller, the doctor's father, was born in Alsace-Lorraine, in 1842, and two years later was brought by his parents to America. IIe was educated in the publie schools of Ohio and Indiana, and when ready to establish a home for himself located in Pulaski County. He married Elizabeth Snyder, who was born, in 1851, in Berlin, Germany, a daughter of John and Theresa Snyder, who came with their family to this country in 1863, being nine weeks crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel. They
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settled in Pulaski County, Indiana, west of Monterey, and on the farm they improved spent their remaining days, Mr. Snyder passing away at the age of sixty-five years, and Mrs. Snyder living to the age of eighty-six years. The doctor's grandparents on both sides of the house were Catholics in religion, and democrats in polities.
One of a family of five children, one daughter and four sons, Henry E. Keller received excellent educational advantages, and in preparing himself for a professional career was graduated from a medical college in Indianapolis. Locating in Decatur April 24, 1894, Doctor Keller has practiced continually here since, his professional calls taking him over a large part of Eastern Indiana and Western Ohio, in addition to which he has a large office practice.
Doctor Keller married Anna C. Omlor, who was born, August 13, 1869, in Decatur, and was educated in the parochial school of Saint Mary's Parish. Five children have brightened the union of Doctor and Mrs. Keller, namely: Lorine E., born August 13, 1895, was educated in the local parochial school, and is now chief operator in the telephone office: Raymond C., born August 2, 1897, was graduated from St. Joseph's College, Rensselaer, Indiana, and is now engaged in the jewelry business in Decatur; Beatrice C., born May 2, 1900, is a student in the International Business College; James died in infancy; and Mildred, born September 1, 1904, is attending a parochial school in Decatur.
The doctor is a republican in politics, and for eight years served as health officer. Religiously he and his family are active members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Doctor Keller is a charter member of Decatur Council, Knights of Columbus.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DECATUR has been an institution in Adams County over thirty years. The men responsible for its success and its administrative management are noted in the following list of its officers :
Presidents : Dr. Thomas T. Dorwin, 1883-1893: P. W. Smith, 1893- -. Vice presidents: Henry Dierkes, 1883-1887; P. W. Smith, 1887- 1893; Daniel Weldy, 1893-1895; J. B. Holthause, 1895-1899; and W. A. Kuebler. 1899- -. Cashiers : Gus Kalke, 1883-86 ; Henry Oberwagner, 1886-1887; R. S. Peterson, 1887-1894; and C. A. Dugan, 1894- -. As- sistant cashiers: R. P. Dorwin, 1886-1887; J. S. Peterson, 1892-1894; E. X. Ehinger. 1894-1906: T. J. Durkin, 1907-1911; F. W. Jaebker, 1908 ---; and T. F. Graliker, 1917- --.
The bank was organized in 1883 by thirty of the most substantial citizens of Adams County and of Delphos, Ohio, with a capital of $50 .- 000, which was increased to meet the business demands in 1895 to $100,- 000. The First National Bank stands out as an example of the high class business institution of its founders. It has paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars to its depositors in interest, over $250,000 in div- idends to its share holders and has helped thousands of farmers and business men on the road to prosperity.
Due to the fact that there have been but few changes in its board and its officers a continuous policy of helpfulness to the community has been followed and today after thirty-four years of existence the names of its first customers appear on its books-sons, grandsons-and this hank is proud of its record in that it has been so much a factor in the affairs of Adams County.
Among those who have served on its board for years were T. T. Dorwin, first president, leading physician and citizen; Henry Dierks, vice president, wealthy and influential pioneer, as were Daniel Weldy, J. H. Hlohbrock, J. B. IIolthause, M. F. Rice. Among its prominent share-
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holders were Frederick Bleeke, Henry Peters, Chris Schamerloh, John Dirkson.
The present board of directors has served for many years and it would be a difficult matter to select better, abler equipped men to deal with the local financial problems. Daniel Sprang, Dymis Schmitl, W. A. Kuebler, Dr. J. W. Vizard, E. C. Bleeke, P. W. Smuh and C. A. Dugan comprise the present board of directors.
P. W. Smith for over thirty years a shareholder and director and since 1893 president, is an ideal officer-is engaged in many enterprises, has the soundest judgment and is kindly disposed to his fellow men.
For nearly twenty-five years the active management of the bank has been in the hands of Charles A. Dugan, whose efforts to make one of the best banks possible have been ably seconded by his directors and of- fice force-F. W. Jaebker, who has been connected with the First Na- tional as bookkeeper, teller and assistant cashier; T. F. Graliker, teller and assistant cashier for seven years; Mrs. Rose Christen and Frances Cole, bookkeepers, and Earl Blackburn, collector.
IRVIN BRANDYBERRY. An active merchant, Irvin Brandyberry, of the firm of Teeple, Brandyberry & Peterson, at Decatur, is identified with one of the best-known and most popular clothing houses of the county, and for many years has been a moving spirit in the management of public affairs. A son of the late Jesse Brandyberry, he was born in Washington Township, Adams County, Indiana, October 3, 1866, of pioneer stock.
Jesse Brandyberry was born and educated in Carroll County, Ohio, and lived there until young manhood, coming to Indiana in search of a favorable location. Settling in Adams County, he took up a tract of virgin land in Washington Township, paying therefor the Government price. Clearing an opening in the forest, he built a log cabin for him- self and wife, and by dint of sturdy labor improved a good farm. A few years later, he moved to a farm in St. Mary's Township, and there his wife died, in 1889, at the age of fifty-six years. On retiring from active pursuits, he moved to Decatur, where his death occurred, in 1905, at the good old age of seventy-seven years. He was a democrat in politics, and he and his family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The maiden name of his wife was Catherine Stults. Of the children horn of their union, the following named are living: Mary E., wife of S. B. Fordyce, of Decatur, has one child, Margaret, wife of Charles D. Teeple, member of the firm of Teeple, Brandyberry & Peterson; Ida, wife of H. A. Hartman, superintendent of the public schools of Marion, Ohio, has four sons and one daughter; Irvin, with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned ; and Noah, a retired farmer at Boulder, Colo- rado, is married.
Irvin Brandyberry was brought up on the old homestead in Wash- ington Township, where, after his graduation from the East Indiana Normal School, in Portland, he began his career as a teacher, having charge of the school in District No. 6. Ile subsequently entered the normal school at Angola, Indiana, as a pupil-teacher, and there com- pleted his early education. Becoming somewhat prominent in public affairs, he was appointed deputy county auditor under W. H. H. France, and at the death of Mr. France, Mr. Brandyberry was appointed to fill out the unexpired term. Mr. Brandyberry was then elected county superintendent of public schools, and filled the position so ably and satis- factorily that he was continued in that office for nine consecutive years.
In September, 1907, Mr. Brandyberry, in company with Messrs. Teeple and Peterson, established himself in the clothing business at the
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corner of Second and Main streets, Decatur, where, in a building 22 feet by 100 feet, with a basement for storing goods, the firm have ample room for caring for the large business now carried on, the stock of men's and boys' clothing, and furnishings.
Mr. Brandyberry married, in Decatur, Maggie Sweigart, who was graduated from the Decatur High School in 1889, and at the time of her marriage was one of its successful teachers in Willshire, Ohio. She was born in Ohio, and came to Decatur with her parents, neither of whom are now living. She has two brothers, namely: Samuel, living in Portland, Indiana, is married, and has two sons and a daughter; and Herman A., a farmer in Boulder, Colorado, is married, and has a son and a daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Brandyberry have two children, Neva and Geraldine. Neva was graduated from the Decatur High School with the class of 1912, and after taking special studies in Terre Haute and Bloomington educational institutions accepted her present position as a teacher in the Decatur schools, in the Riley Building of the city. Ger- aldine attends the Decatur High School, being a member of the class of 1918. Mr. Brandyberry has ever evinced an intelligent interest in educational matters, and for three years served as a member of the local school board. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Order of Masons. He and his family are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
HENRY MARBAUGH is one of the leading citizens and successful farm- ers of Blue Creek Township in Adams County, his home being in the Pleasant Mills locality. He located on his farm of sixty acres there May 10, 1908. He has good soil, first class buildings, and has become a factor of importance in that prosperous agricultural community.
Mr. Marhangh was born in Mercer County, Ohio, May 31, 1862, of an old and well known family of that section. His parents were Gottlieb and Cordelia (Cook) Marbaugh, the latter a native of Mercer County. Gottlieb Marbangh and Cordelia Cook were married in Ohio and the Mary Marbangh, and on coming to America settled in Ohio and lived in Tuscarawas County of that state until his death on September 27, 1910. Gottlieb Marbaugh and Cordelia Cook were married in Ohio and the latter is still living. Their children were: Ilenry; John; Edward; Emma ; Frederick; Amos, who was buried November 28, 1917; Anna, deceased : and James.
On January 5, 1888, Mr. Marbaugh married Margaret Meyers, daugh- ter of Ilenry and Barbara (Shrank) Meyers, of Adams County, Indi- ana. Her parents are both now deceased. Mrs. Marbaugh's brothers and sisters were: Emma, Lena, George, Lewis, Alice, Frederick, Henry and William, all deceased except Emma, Lena and George. Mr. and Mrs. Marbaugh have a family of eight children : Aldah, born February 10, 1889, married Allen Wolf, of Adams County, and has one child, Herman : Franeis, born October 22, 1890, married Margaret Lynch, of Adams County, and has one child, Vern de Loyd; Clara, born October 8, 1892, wife of Ralph Stutler, of Mercer County, Ohio; Floyd, born October 18, 1894, now in the United States Army stationed at Camp Taylor : Fred, born February 27, 1897; Mary, born April 28, 1900, now deceased; Annie, born April 26, 1903; and Naomi, born July 2, 1905. The children have all received good advantages in the local public schools.
Mr. Marhangh himself was educated in the public schools of Mereer and Van Wert counties, Ohio. Mrs. Marbaugh was educated in Adams County. Mr. and Mrs. Marhangh are members of the Progressive Breth- ren Church and he is a republican in politics.
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WILLIAM J. HUNT. A capable and industrious young man, full of vim, William J. Hunt, of Adams County, is carrying on general farming with unquestioned ability and suecess, during the comparatively short time that he has occupied his homestead in Blue Creek Township having increased its agricultural and financial value. A native of Indiana, he was born, September 23, 1886, in Lancaster Township. Wells County, where his earlier life was spent.
His father, Alexander Hunt, was born and bred in Ohio. As a young man he migrated to Indiana, settling first in Huntington County, but later buying land in Lancaster Township, Wells County, where he eleared and improved the excellent farming estate ou which he has since lived and labored, being a well-known member of the farming com- munity. He married Rachael Triplett, a native of Randolph County, Indiana, and to them eight children have been born, as follows: Nora, James, Oscar, Agnes, Alexander, Theodore, William J., and Millie.
Obtaining his early education in the common schools of his native county, William J. Hunt acquired a practical knowledge of general hus- handry on the home farm, remaining beneath the parental roof-tree until coming to Blue Creek Township, in the spring of 1915. He then bought his present farm of eighty acres, and in its improvement has labored with characteristic energy and perseverance, its thrifty appear- ance showing that he takes pride in his chosen occupation. Mr. Hunt's land is under a good state of culture, and well supplied with all the necessary machinery and buildings for facilitating the otherwise slow and tedious work of a farmer.
Mr. Hunt married, November 12, 1913, Laura Thompson, a native of Allen County, Indiana. Her father, William Thompson, a well- known and prosperous agriculturist of Allen County, Indiana, where he has a farm of 130 acres, married Katherine Meriden, and to them five children have been born, Mrs. Hunt and four others, Harry, George, Letta and Daisy. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are the parents of two children, namely : Byrl, born November 27, 1914; and Dale W., born November 25, 1916. Fraternally Mr. Hunt is a member of Toesin Lodge No. 468, Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a firm supporter of the principles of the democratic party.
ALBERT SHELL. Through more than sixty-five years of residence members of the Shell family have accomplished a great deal for the development and improvement of Adams County. Mr. Albert Shell is an honored veteran of the Civil war and for the past half century has been one of the leading farmers of the county. His farm is a well devel- oped place of 129 acres located five and a half miles southeast of Decatur, in St. Mary's Township.
Mr. Shell was born in Wayne County, Ohio, September 25, 1847, a son of John and Naney (Kariger) Shell. John Shell was a son of Adam and Mary Shell, both born in Germany and accompanying their respective families to the United States. They married and first lived in Pennsylvania and afterwards settled in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and from there moved to Stark County in that state, where they spent the rest of their days. Adam and Mary Shell had four sons and three daughters: George, Adam. John, Henry, Elizabeth, Mary and Catherine.
John Shell was reared in Ohio, married in that state, and after sey- eral years of residence in Stark County moved to Wayne County, and from there came to Indiana in 1852, locating near Pleasant Mills. In this community his sturdy efforts resulted in the building of a home and the clearing of much of the wild land, and he and his wife spent their
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last years in a comfortable prosperity. They were active members of the United Brethren Church. Of their twelve children seven grew to maturity and two are still living: Cordelia, widow of Hugh Bay, who was a soldier in the Union Army and gave his life to his country in the battle of Nashville; and Albert.
Albert Shell was five years old when the family came to Adams County While attaining the strength of manhood he worked with his father in clearing and cultivating the land, and attended the public schools. On March 4, 1864, at the age of seventeen he enlisted in the Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, and saw much hard service during the last year of the war. He was at the battle of Nashville and did not receive his honorable discharge until December, 1865. Returning home from the war he took up farming in Adams County and has continued it steadily to the present time.
March 15, 1873, Mr. Shell married Margaret Koos. Mrs. Shell was born in Tusearawas County, Ohio, March 23, 1853, and came with her parents to Adams County. Mr. and Mrs. Shell enjoyed a happy mar- ried life of nearly forty-five years. She passed away May 10, 1917. Two years after his marriage Mr. Shell located on the farm that he still owns and occupies. He and his wife had eight children, seven of whom reached maturity : Anna M., wife of Pierce Worklinger: Jacob, of Van Wert County, Ohio; Clara E., wife of James McCullough ; Cora, wife of Clarence Broadbeck ; Benjamin, a resident of Bobo ; Ella, wife of Samuel Finkhouse ; and Harvey I., who lives at home with his father, and John, who is deceased. The family are members of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Shell is an honored member of Post No. 63, Grand Army of the Republic, at Decatur. In politics he has always voted the republican ticket.
WILLIAM W. MILLER has given many years of an industrious and honorable career to the business of farming in St. Mary's Township, where he is one of the most esteemed residents. Not only his work as a farmer and stockman but his attitude on questions of public concern and his citizenship has commended him to the favor of all the people in this community.
Mr. Miller has spent most of his life in Adams County, but was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1872, son of James and Mary (Reinhardt ) Miller. Ilis parents were natives of the same county and state, were married there, lived on a farm and in 1875 moved to Van Wert County, Ohio, where they continned their residence for five years and in 1880 came into St. Mary's Township of Adams County, loeating in section 3. This was their home throughout the remaining years of their worthy lives. The father died in 1912 and the mother in 1917. Both were active members of Calvary Church of the Evangelical Association, and the father was long one of the church trustees. In poli- ties he became a republican at the time of the Blaine campaign of 1884. There were eight children in the family, seven living: Charles A., a step-son : Emma, wife of Emanuel Hart. of Union Township: Sudie, wife of J. J. Good, of Marion, Ohio: Elmore, of Van Wert County ; Cora, wife of Albert Springer, of Marion, Ohio: William W .; and Ed, of Preble Township, of Adams County : Sadie, deceased: Dillie, wife of Andrew Hill. of Marion, Ohio.
William W. Miller spent his boyhood days chiefly on a farm in Adams County, and acquired his education by attending the district schools of the locality. At the age of twenty-one he left home and for four years was an employe by the month of C. II. Snyder in Van Wert County, Ohio. He also worked for two years for F. M. Lash, of Craw-
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ford County, Ohio. About that time Mr. Miller married Miss Ettie L. Springer and then bought and located on a farm in Mercer County, Ohio, living there five years. He sold out and returning to his native eounty bought the old homestead of eighty acres in St. Mary's Town- ship. At the present time he also owns fifty acres in Union Township adjoining. Most of his property and suecess has come as a result of Mr. Miller's unaided efforts. lle has put his land in splendid condition, is an intelligent farmer, and much of his money and his reputation among the farmers of this region is based upon his success as a breeder of Poland China hogs and Shorthorn eattle. He has done probably more in the breeding of hogs than any other man in St. Mary's Township.
Mr. Miller has three sons: Roland, a graduate of the common schools; Lee, aged thirteen; and Royal, aged ten. Mr. Miller votes the republican ticket.
OTTO BLEEKE. The experiences and fortunes of the Bleeke family have been the subject of much of the interesting history connected with Union Township in Adams County. In former publications the name has frequently appeared erroneously as Blakey. The old homestead in that township, seven miles northeast of Decatur and on Rural Route No. 8, is now occupied by Mr. Otto Bleeke, who was born there May 25, 1876.
His grandfather John H. Bleeke was born in Prussia, Germany, November 3, 1797, and died March 8, 1883. He married Christina Schwer, who was born in Prussia May 11, 1798, and died March 6, 1869. It was in the fall of 1834 that John II. Bleeke started for the New World alone and the following year he was joined by his wife and six children. They landed at Baltimore and joined the father in West Vir- ginia, where he was working as a farm hand. Two years later they moved to Cincinnati and during the three and a half years spent in that city practically all members of the family were doing something to contribute to the upkeep of the home.
In the fall of 1838 John H. Bleeke came to Adams County, Indiana, and after borrowing some money from a friend entered the northwest quarter of section 21 in Union Township. Having made this provision for a future home he returned to Cincinnati and remained until the fall of 1840, when with one horse and an ox team and aecompanied by his family he came over roads that were almost impassable toward Adams County. Some of the household goods had to be abandoned at New Bremen. Ohio. A rude cart was substituted for the wagon, and with this equipage they journeyed on, camping by the roadside at night, and reached their new home November 27th. The wagon eover was stretched over some poles to make a tent for their first shelter and it was not until the day before Christmas that they moved into the rough log house which had neither roof nor floor. The house with subsequent improve- ments and changes served the family as a residence umtil 1852, when a newer and better home was provided.
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