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 7
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 7
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Dal Wandel was the only child of his parents. After leaving public school he took up the trade of barber, and followed it actively for about twenty years. In the meantime he began operating in the Indiana oil fields, and his judgment was sufficient to direct his investments and operations in a highly successful degree. Mr. Wandel has always been a democrat, and only once entered polities as a candidate for office. In the democratic primaries when he was an aspirant for the office of clerk of Circuit Court he had four competitors. His popularity enabled him to outdistance all his rivals, and he lacked only twenty-one votes of having a clear majority of the entire field. In the general election which followed he had no opposition, and his offical performance was as credit- able as his best friends expected it would be. After leaving that office he was given an appointment by the Secretary of State as head of the mailing department, a position he filled until December, 1916, when he returned to Bluffton and bought the Central Grocery north of the Court House and is now doing a flourishing business at that stand.
Mr. Wandel married Nellie M. Clayton, who was educated in the grammar and high schools of Bluffton and is a daughter of John Clay- ton. They have one daughter, Florence, born August 6, 1894. She graduated from the Bluffton High School and spent two years in the State University of Indiana. Mr. Wandel is affiliated with the Improved Order of Red Men, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and in the latter organization was captain of the Uniform Rank Company.
GEORGE F. MARKLEY, of the firm of Markley & Son at Bluffton, is one of a number of successful men of the Markley name who from pioneer times to the present have been identified with Wells County.
The history of his branch of the Markley family in Wells County goes back to his grandfather, Gabriel Markley, who was born in Mary- land January 11, 1814, a son of Jonathan Markley, a native of the same state. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Pennsyl- vania, and later to Madison County, Ohio. In 1836 Gabriel Markley married Hannah Tuttle, who was born in Athens County, Ohio, March 30. 1818, a daughter of Solomon Tuttle. In 1837 Gabriel Markley and wife came to Wells County, Indiana, which was then completely covered with the woods and all the wilderness nature. He had a farm in section 18 of Harrison Township, along the Wabash River. Only four white families were to be found in that part of the county. He and his wife endured many privations, but their outlook was promising, and in the course of time Gabriel Markley was the owner of some 1.100 acres of land. It is said that his property when he first arrived in Wells County consisted only of a horse and a cow, and the latter died soon after they came to the county. Gabriel Markley and wife had twelve children.
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They were active members of the Christian Church. Gabriel Markley died June 12, 1873, and his wife on March 30, 1883.
Jonathan Markley, father of the Bluffton merchant, was born in Wells County June 4, 1838, soon after his parents arrived in this wilder- ness. For many years he enjoyed the distinction of being the oldest living white person born in Wells County. He had to be satisfied with such education as was obtainable in the old subscription schools taught in a log cabin. On December 21, 1858, he married Miss Catherine Stur- gis, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Brasier) Sturgis. Following his marriage he worked a farm near the old homestead for several years, continued farming at Newville until the spring of 1882, when he re- turned to Harrison Township and acquired 160 acres of land which he brought under a high state of cultivation. The years brought him pros- perity and the honor paid to a useful citizen, and death came to him in his seventy-ninth year on April 28, 1917. He and his wife were active members of the Six Mile Christian Church and in politics he was a prohibitionist. He and his wife had thirteen children, and eight of the sons and two of the daughters are still living.
One of them was George F. Markley, who was born in Harrison Town- ship of Wells County February 5, 1861. The farm, rural environment and country schools offered the chief experiences of George F. Markley during his boyhood. After work in the County Normal he was qualified as a teacher and he continued teaching in the winter and farming in the summer until he came to Bluffton and engaged in the grocery business in 1893. His store was on Market Street for two years, until it was burned out, and he then moved to Main Street and in 1899 came to his present location at 222 West Market. In 1902 the firm became Markley & Son, and they have long been among the leading purveyors of high class provisions in Bluffton.
Mr. Markley married for his first wife Ellen Arnold, who died in 1888. Their three children were Jessie, Vernon C. and Augusta. They were all educated in the Bluffton public schools. In 1893 Mr. Markley married Lillian Gettle, who was born in Bluffton, daughter of Sarah Gettle. Mr. and Mrs. Markley have four children: Harold, who is a graduate of the Bluffton High School, is married and is now connected with the Leader Company Store at Bluffton ; Paul, a graduate of the high school, who has enlisted in the army and is now serving in the United States at Fort Dupont, Delaware; Edna is the wife of Claude Farling ; Herman completed the course of the Bluffton High School in 1917.
The family are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Markley is a member of its official board. Fraternally he is identified with Bluffton Lodge No. 114 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a past noble grand of the lodge, and belongs to both the En- campment and Canton of Odd Fellowship. Mr. Markley is an active democrat, but his chief public service has been rendered to the public schools of Bluffton. For twelve years he was a member of the board, three years its secretary, was treasurer six years, and president three years.
CHARLES KALTWASSER. The name of Charles Kaltwasser is signifi- cant of all that is honorable and good in connection with the mercantile activities of Bluffton, and it is not difficult to understand the esteem he enjoys in the community when it is recalled that for thirty-three con- secutive years he has catered to the demands of the community with high class fresh meats and general market supplies. Mr. Kaltwasser learned his trade when a boy in Germany and his success is largely due
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to the fact that he kept strictly in one line and has performed the service for which he is best fitted.
He was born in Germany May 13, 1854, and grew up in one of the German cities. As is customary in the Fatherland, he was a student in the common schools until the age of fourteen and then began learning a trade. He served as a butcher's apprentice three years and as a journey- man traveled and worked in Berlin and in many other large cities. He was also called upon to serve in the regular army and put in twenty-six months with the German cavalry. On leaving the army he worked at his trade in Luxemberg for a couple of months, then by way of Antwerp proceeded to Liverpool and thence a vessel carried him across the Atlan- tie to Boston, Massachusetts. He has been a resident of the United States and a loyal American citizen since 1877. His first location was at Wooster, Ohio, where he followed his trade 21% years, and in 1881 located at Bluffton. He first worked as a journeyman in this city but since 1884 has been in business for himself and all that time on West Market Street. He owns the building in which his shop is located and also owns a good substantial home on East Washington Street.
Mr. Kaltwasser married for his first wife Fannie Bowman, a native of Wayne County, Ohio. She became the mother of three children, but the only one now living is William of Bluffton. For his second wife Mr. Kaltwasser married Lizzie Bentz, who was born in Adams County, Indiana. Mr. Kaltwasser is an active member of the Reformed Church, is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the Encampment No. 141. He also belongs to the Tribe of Ben Hur, being a charter member. Politically he is a democrat, contenting himself merely with casting his vote.
SAMUEL M. SNIDER, head of the firm of Snider Brothers, plumbing and heating, at Bluffton, educated himself for the law, practiced several years, but has found his chief field of effort in practical business affairs, in which he has made a decided success.
Mr. Snider was born in Jefferson Township of Allen County, Indiana, February 27, 1877, but most of his life has been spent in Adams or Wells counties. His parents were James M. and Sarah C. (Weldy) Snider. James M. Snider was born in Ohio September 25, 1852, and was brought to Allen County, Indiana, in 1854. He grew up there, attending the common schools. In 1876 he married Miss Weldy in Adams County. She was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 11, 1852, and her parents were early settlers of Adams County, Indiana. After their marriage James M. Snider and wife settled on the old Snider farm, but some years later came to Adams County and bought the old Weldy farm in 1885. That was their home until 1896, when they acquired the old Samuel Mills farm in Lancaster Township, a mile east of the Eagleville school house, and they still reside there, having surrounded themselves with comforts sufficient for all their future needs. They are active members of the Church of the Brethren at Pleasantdale in Adams County. James M. Suider is a republican, and has been an ardent supporter of that party for many years. There were six children, five sons and one daughter : Samuel M .; William K., who married Myrtle Howley, now deceased, and he follows the business of shooting oil wells at Tulsa, Oklahoma : Miriam 11., wife of E. E. Rupright of Adams County, Indiana; Seth W., who graduated from the Theological Seminary at Upland, Indiana, but is now associated with his brother as junior member of the firm Snider Brothers at Bluffton, his wife's maiden name being Mabel Owens; George A. Snider, who graduated from the Bluffton Business College and in the classical course from Taylor University, is now a Methodist
ORLO E. LESH
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Episcopal minister in the Geneva Circuit ; Philip S. Snider is unmarried and a farmer at home.
Samuel M. Snider was five years of age when brought to Adams County, and he acquired his early education in the old Peterson school house there. In early manhood he entered the office of the late J. J. Todd and applied himself to his law studies until admitted to the bar before the Wells Circuit Court in 1899. He at once located in Ossian, and had a considerable law practice there for five years. He gave up law to engage in farming in Adams County for a couple of years, follow- ing which he came to Bluffton and was employed by a local sawmilling concern for two years. From that he entered the plumbing and heating business, and after about four years alone associated with him his brother Seth in 1915. They have the reputation of being thoroughly reliable men in their business and carry a complete line of goods and also furnish a prompt and thoroughly competent service.
Mr. Snider married, December 25, 1896, Miss Mina May Beery. She was born in Darke County, Ohio, but was educated in the schools of Indiana. They have had three children : Lloyd D., born July 29, 1898, and now employed by the G. R. Kinney Shoe Company of Dayton, Ohio; Martha F., who was born June 26, 1901, and died August 3, 1914; and James H., born January 29, 1905, and still attending the local schools of Bluffton.
The family are members of the Reformed Church. Mr. Snider is a deacon in the church. Fraternally he is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, and is a past chancellor of Ossian Lodge No. 343 of the same order. He has done all he could to promote the interests of the republican party and of public spirited movements at Bluffton. Not long ago he was defeated by a narrow margin for the office of county recorder.
ORLO ERVIN LESH, supervising editor of this publication for Wells County, is thoroughly imbued with the life and affairs of Wells County, where he has spent practically all. his years since birth. His family associations with the county go back sixty or seventy years and his interest in the county and its people has led him to cherish and store up in his mind many stories of pioneer things he has heard from the lips of his own people and of other early settlers. Mr. Lesh is one of the scholarly men of Wells County, has for a number of years been prom- inent in educational affairs, and is now serving as county treasurer.
He was born in Rock Creek Township of Wells County December 1, 1872, a son of James and Sarah (Staver) Lesh. He is of old Pennsyl- vania stock, of German Lutheran ancestry, and the family first became acquainted with the new and somewhat crude district of Rock Creek Township along in the late '40s. James Lesh was born in Rock Creek Township, had only the advantages of the rural schools, and applied himself with great industry to his business as a farmer. He was a democrat in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife, Sarah Staver, who was born near Dayton, Ohio, was brought when a small child to Indiana by her parents, Jonathan Staver and wife. Her childhood was not free from cares and responsibilities much in advance of her years and she assumed an important part in her father's house- hold.
Orlo E. Lesh received most of his early training in the common schools, and while living on the home farm. For a short time he attended the Central Normal College preparatory for teaching, and did his first work in that profession in 1891 at the age of eighteen. From that time forward he was continuously engaged in the school-
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room until 1904. At that date he moved to Bluffton to become deputy county anditor of Wells County, but in 1907 resigned to again take up teaching and became instructor of history in the Bluffton public schools for five years. He resigned this position to become deputy county treasurer in 1913, and was still in that office when in 1916 he was nominated and elected county treasurer, beginning his official term on January 1, 1917. Mr. Lesh was elected as a democrat and has been one of the influential workers in that party for a number of years. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and for three years was chairman of the Board of Associated Charities of Bluffton.
Among the various fraternities Mr. Lesh has concentrated his chief enthusiasm upon the Knights of Pythias. He became a member of the local Bluffton lodge in 1904, has filled all the chairs and is now president of the county organization of Knights of Pythias lodges in Wells County, and is also district deputy grand chancellor of the Ninth District of Indiana.
On July 31, 1912, at Bluffton he married Margaret J. Stine, daughter of David and Mary Ann Stine. Her father spent three years in the Union army during the Civil war as a fifer, and subsequently followed his trade as a blacksmith at Ossian. Mrs. Lesh is a graduate of the Ossian High School and later graduated from the Indiana State Normal. She taught in Muncie, Indianapolis and Bluffton until her marriage in 1912. In 1917 she became Mr. Lesh's chief deputy in the treasurer's office.
COL. W. L. KIGER has been known in Bluffton business circles for many years, is manager of the Williamson Hardware Company of Bluff- ton, and has always been keenly interested in military affairs and made a splendid record with the Indiana National Guard both when it was on a peace footing and during the Spanish-American war.
Colonel Kiger was born at Lancaster, Ohio, February 3, 1861, a son of Jesse H. and Margaret (Halderman) Kiger. Colonel Kiger was reared on a farm, and acquired a liberal education, first in the common and high schools of Chillicothe, Ohio, and later in the Ohio State Uni- versity. While in university he secured his first technical knowledge of military tactics and training. For a time he was in the hardware busi- ness at Williamsburg, Iowa, but on June 8, 1886, came to Bluffton and for ten years was employed in the hardware business of the Williamson Brothers. He acquired an interest in the store and when the William- son Hardware Company was organized January 1, 1896, he was elected its manager. The other members of the firm, all now deceased, were L. A. and George T. Williamson. Colonel Kiger is also a stockholder in the Wells County Bank and one of the directors of the Union Trust and Savings Company.
Soon after he left the Ohio State University Colonel Kiger entered the Ohio National Guard as a private and in 1890 became identified with the Indiana National Guard at the time Company E was organized. He was elected its first captain and two years later was appointed major, and after another year was promoted to colonel of the Indiana National Guard. He was mustered into the service of the United States as a lieu- tenant colonel in the 160th Regiment on April 26, 1898, only two or three days after the war was declared. with Spain. He went with the regiment to Chickamauga Park, was next ordered to Porto Rico, thence to Newport News, and to Lexington, Kentucky. In November, 1898, the regiment was moved to Columbus, Georgia, and on January 6, 1899. embarked for Cuba, Colonel Kiger having command of the First Detachment of the 160th Regiment. He continued in command of
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this detachment until the entire regiment was landed. He saw much active duty in Cuba, where he remained until March 27. 1899, and then returned to Savannah, Georgia, and was mustered out April 26. 1899. Colonel Kiger is now on the retired list of the Indiana National Guard.
He was first married in 1884, and had two children by that union. His son Bruce Kiger was graduated from the Bluffton High School and secured his higher education in the Ohio State University. He be- came prominent as a newspaper man, was connected with the Arkansas Gazette at Little Rock four years and subsequently with the Detroit News. His death in April, 1914, cut short a most promising career. The other child of Colonel Kiger was a daughter who died in infancy. In November, 1912, he married Ruth Barringer. She was born in Cov- ington, Ohio, graduated from the Union City, Indiana, High School, and was a graduate nurse of the Protestant Hospital of Columbus, Ohio. She followed her profession actively for eight years. Colonel and Mrs. Kiger are active members of the Presbyterian Church of Bluffton. He is a republican in polities, and is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Royal Arch Chapter No. 95, Council No. 63, Royal and Select Masters, and Bluffton Commandery No. 38, Knights Templar, of which he is past eminent commander.
B. C. KELLEY is head of the firm of B. C. Kelley & Son, manufac- turers of granite and marble monuments at Bluffton. It is a business which has been developed through successive years, and the present firm has been in existence almost twenty years.
Mr. B. C. Kelley was born at Zanesville, Ohio, April 30, 1857. His father, Patrick Kelley, was a native of Dublin, Ireland, coming to the United States and first settling in Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Axe. After their marriage they moved to Ohio. They were the parents of five children : James Kelley, of Kentucky : George Kelley, of Topeka, Kansas; John W. Kelley, of Geneva, Adams County, Indiana; Samuel F. Kelley, who died in 1917; and B. C. Kelley.
B. C. Kelley grew to manhood in Ohio, and had to be satisfied with a common school education. He came to Adams County, Indiana, in early life, and at Geneva married Rebecca J. Nelson. After his marriage he took up farming near Geneva and lived on a farm for a time, until the death of his wife in 1892.
He then began learning the trade of marble cutter and in 1897 entered business for himself at Geneva. Soon afterward he established a branch shop at Berne, and in 1906 removed to Bluffton and bought the old established business of W. S. Kapps. Since 1897 his son John W. Kelley has been associated with him.
By his first wife B. C. Kelley had six children, and the four still living are: John W. : George H., a railroad man with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Plymouth, Indiana; Louise, wife of Joe Klug, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Susie, wife of Albert Boseker, of Fort Wayne. Mr. B. C. Kelley owns a home at 315 Miller Street in Bluffton.
His son and business partner. John W. Kelley, was born near Geneva in Adams County, April 16, 1882. He grew up on a farm, was educated in the high school at Geneva and at the early age of fifteen went into busi- ness with his father. In June, 1902, John W. Kelley married Bessie M. Kelly. Though of the same family name they were not relatives. Mrs. Kelley was born near Geneva, Indiana, and was educated in the com- mon schools there. They have a family of bright and attractive chil- dren. Madeline M., Helen L., Susie Marie, Joseph W., and Martha E. This family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Bluffton. Vol. II-4
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Politically Mr. Kelley is a democrat and has taken an active part in local affairs. He owns his home at 633 South Marion Street. The busi- ness building occupied by B. C. Kelley & Son belongs to both partners. B. C. Kelley also owns a farm of forty aeres in Union Township and his son is interested in real estate at Fort Wayne and Bluffton, Indiana.
CHARLES J. BLACKMAN, Doctor of Osteopathy, entered upon the work of his profession at Bluffton about fifteen years ago and in addition to the prestige he has gained through his individual work is especially well known as founder and proprietor of the Blackman Sanitarium. Doctor Blackman is a physician of splendid qualifications, and is a very useful man when anything that concerns the welfare of the community is at stake, as has been proved on numerous occasions.
Doctor Blackman is a native of Ohio and when an infant his parents removed to Toledo, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. He gradu- ated from the high school, and later entered the Still College of Oste- opathy at Des Moines, Iowa, where he pursued the full five years' course and from which he was graduated with the degree D. O. in 1903. For a time he was in Chicago, also in Toledo, but made his permanent location in Bluffton, where he conducted a growing office practice for fourteen years. Recognizing the opportunity and the broad usefulness of a properly conducted institution of the kind, he then established his sani- tarium. For this purpose he bought the old Deam residence at the corner of Wabash and Main Streets, had it completely remodeled and adapted for his purposes, and through this institution has since handled much of his splendid practice.
Doctor Blackman is a member of the First Reformed Church and has been especially helpful to the church through his talent as a musician. He is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and also belongs to the Royal Arch Chapter and Council and the Bluffton Commandery No. 38, Knights Templar. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Des Moines Lodge No. 981. Politically Doctor Blaekman is an independent repub- liean.
JAMES S. CLARK has done his principal work in connection with the traction companies of Indiana, and is now secretary and general man- ager of the Marion & Bluffton Traction Company.
He was born at Bluffton March 15, 1887, a son of D. W. and Ella (Stewart ) Clark. His father was reared in Wells County, Indiana, and about the elose of the Civil war removed to Ohio, where he remained some years. Returning to Bluffton, he learned the trade of tinner and has been steadily engaged in that line most of his active life. He became connected with the Williamson Hardware Company at the time that company was organized at Bluffton. His wife was born in Ohio. but was reared in Adams County. Indiana. D. W. Clark and wife had four sons and two daughters: Allen W., who is agent at Bluffton for both the traction companies; Bessie, who died at the age of three years ; James S. ; Harry, manager of the Morris 5 and 10-cent store at Hart- ford City, Indiana; Jennie, wife of John Tudor, of New Orleans: and Fred, who is connected with the General Electric Company at Fort Wayne.
James S. Clark grew up in his native city of Bluffton and secured his early education in the grammar and high schools. following which he worked as elerk in a grocery store for several years. He then took the combined course in bookkeeping and stenography at the Indiana Business College at Muncie, and left school to become bookkeeper and
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