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 74
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 74
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
Brought np in Bluffton, Harry Deam was educated in the public schools, obtaining a practical education. After attaining his majority he became associated with his father, whom he eventually succeeded in business. Enlarging his operations, he added to his livery business that
955
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
of an undertaker, and for many years managed them both successfully and satisfactorily. Ambitious to enter a broader field, Mr. Deam in 1909 took up his residence in Riverside, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, where he established a substantial business which he conducted on a remunera- tive scale for a number of years, through his wise management acquiring a handsome property. He died when scarcely past manhood's prime, his death occurring February 2, 1914, at the age of fifty-seven years. Hle was a steadfast republican in politics, and a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons.
Mr. Deam married, in Decatur, Indiana, Miss Jessie Allison, who was born, in 1860, in Adams County, at Lynn Grove. Her father, Robert Burns Allison, born in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, January 19, 1833, was left fatherless when a small lad. At the age of ten years he became a wage earner, serving as clerk in a general store. Four years later his mother brought him and his two sisters to Adams County, Indiana, com- ing with two of her brothers, John and Josiah Crawford, to Thompson Prairie, where she kept house for her brothers for a number of years after their arrival, in 1847, later living with her children, and now, a bright and active woman of four score years, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Jane Crabb, widow of Perry Crabb, late of Deeatur.
After coming to Adams County with his widowed mother and his sisters Robert Burns Allison was employed as a elerk in the store of James P. Crabb at Deeatur. Later he embarked in mereantile pursuits on his own account, becoming head of the firm of Allison & Crabb. Pros- perous in his undertakings, he subsequently opened a mercantile house at Berne, Adams County, and as head of the firm of Allison & Morrow built up a large trade. Leaving the Berne store in charge of his son, Mr. Allison in 1872 came to Deeatur, and in company with Messrs. Studabaker and Nuttman established the Adams County Bank, of which he was made cashier. In 1883, his health becoming seriously im- paired, he resigned the eashiership of the bank, and thereafter lived re- tired at his pleasant home, 225 Adams Street, until his death, October 16, 1908. Mr. Allison was a well known and highly respected man, and his death was a loss to the entire community as well as to his family and friends. He was a republican in polities but not an office seeker. He belonged to all of the branches of the Masonie Order, having been especially prominent in the Mystie Shrine.
The maiden name of the wife of Robert B. Allison was Catherine Vanee, to whom he was married at Lynn Grove, Adams County. She survived her husband a few years, passing away at her home in De- catur in March, 1914. Both she and her husband were active and valued members of the Presbyterian Church. She reared three children, namely : Frank died at the age of three years ; Rufus King; Mary Vanee ; and Jessie, now Mrs. Deam. Rufus King Allison succeeded to his father's business at Berne, and afterwards was assistant eashier of the old Adams County Bank. He died at Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1916, leaving a widow and two children, V. Marie and Robert B. Mary Vance Allison married Frank G. Maeke, a real estate dealer in Birmingham, Alabama, and they have one son, Robert Burns Maeke.
Mrs. Jessie ( Allison ) Deam and her stepdaughter, Mary Craig Deam, now ocenpy the old Allison homestead in Decatur. The maiden name of the mother of Miss Deam, Mr. Deam's first wife, was Magdale Craig. She was born at Ossian, Wells County, being the only child of David and Elizabeth (Salter) Craig. David Craig, who was of Scotch parentage, was born in Canada, January 1, 1834, and in 1841 came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Craig, to Jefferson Township, Wells County, where lhe spent the larger part of his life, dying in April, 1914. He was a re-
956
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
publican in politics, and cast his first vote at the very first election held in that township. His wife, Elizabeth Salter, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, in 1837, but was reared and married in Jefferson Town- ship, where, on January 1, 1892, her death occurred. They were both Scotch Presbyterians. Miss Deam is a woman of culture and refine- ment and a college-bred girl, having completed her studies at the Glen- dale, Ohio, College. Both Mrs. and Miss Deam are prominent in the social circles of Decatur, and active members of the Presbyterian Church.
ESAIS W. DAILEY has made his success as a practical farmer and is one of the live and progressive citizens of St. Mary's Township in Adams County. He has lived practically all his life in that one locality, and his dependability has been a prominent characteristic in all his rela- tions. His home is in section 9 of St. Mary's Township.
Mr. Dailey was born in that locality in June, 1863, a son of James T. and Mary (Johnson) Dailey. His grandfather, James Thomas Dailey, Sr., was born in County Cork, Ireland, and was ten years old when brought by his parents to the United States. His father was a sea captain and was drowned at sea. James Thomas Dailey soon after coming to America was left an orphan and for a number of years found it a difficult matter to earn a living and uncover pros- peets for the future. At Baltimore, Maryland, he learned the shoe- maker's trade and from there went to Virginia, where he married and where he took up farming. From that state he moved his family to Athens County, Ohio, buying land in Lee Township, and lived there honored and respected until his death at the age of seventy-seven. His children were Eliza, Rebecca, Matilda, Esais, Nimrod, Robert, William, James T. and David.
James T. Dailey, Jr., was born in Virginia, but was reared in Athens County, Ohio, and lived there until he was twenty-two. He then came as a pioneer settler to Adams County, Indiana, locating in St. Mary's Township and bought a portion of the wilderness and con- structed his cabin in the midst of the woods. That land was the scene of his laborious activities the rest of his life. He was reared a democrat but afterwards took up with the republican doctrine. He married Mary Johnson, who was born in Harrison County, Ohio, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Davis) Johnson. Joseph Johnson was born in West Virginia, married there, and in 1836 became an early settler in Van Wert County, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his years. James T. and Mary (Johnson) Dailey had twelve children : Nimrod, Davis, Mary, Joseph, Rebecca, Amy, Samantha, Almina, Emily, Maggie E. and James T., twins, and Esais W. Seven of these are still living, Davis; Mary, a widow living in Van Wert County; J. J. Dailey of Blue Creek Township; Mrs. Emily Moses; Maggie ; James T .; and Esais W.
Esais W. Dailey grew up on the home farm and supplemented his education in the public schools by courses in the National Normal Col- lege at Lebanon, Ohio. With this preparation he became a successful teacher and taught both in Adams County and in Van Wert County, Ohio. Along with teaching he carried on farming and after his mar- riage gave all his time and attention to farming.
March 31, 1903, Mr. Dailey married Laura Bunner. She was born and reared in Adams County, and died February 28, 1914. Mr. Dailey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bobo, Indiana, as was also his wife. Mr. Dailey is a republican in politics and has served as county central committeeman. The fine farm he owns and controls consists of 355 acres, and it has been kept up to a high
957
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
degree of efficiency under his direction. He hreeds and feeds good grades of livestock.
llis older brother, Davis Dailey, a farmer living three miles south- east of Decatur, was born in section 9 of St. Mary's Township, July 2, 1844, was well educated and for twelve years taught school. Ile married for his first wife Almina Lee and they had two children, Cora L. and Lee N. His second wife was Alice C. Smith, who be- came the mother of two children, Rollie and Alice. Davis Dailey mar- ried for his third wife Ellen Kern, and they have one child, Elizabeth. Davis Dailey is a republican but has never held any office. He has been a successful and enterprising farmer and has 240 acres.
PROF. MARTIN F. WORTHMAN. In the history of the public schools of Decatur, Indiana, there is perhaps no man to whom greater credit is due for their development or who has been identified with them in a more important way than Prof. Martin F. Worthman, who now oc- cupies the position of city superintendent. From the year 1908 until the present time he has labored steadily in various capacities, not alone in the instruction of the young, but in endeavoring to elevate the system, and it is to his credit that he has succeeded in attaining many of his ideals and that these have been gained without thought of self- advancement or glorification.
Professor Worthman was born on a farm in Preble Township, Adams County, Indiana, April 20. 1883, a son of Lewis and Sophia (Bloemker) Worthman. His grandfather, Ernest Worthman, was born in Germany, of old Lienen, Kreis Tecklenburg, Westphalen stock, and after marriage immigrated to the United States, arriving after a voyage of fourteen weeks on a sailing vessel at the port of New Orleans, from which city he made his way to Cincinnati, Ohio, then by wagon to Fort Wayne, and finally to Adams County, where he arrived in 1855. He was able to secure a wild farm for a small con- sideration (eighty aeres for $500), and there continued to carry on agricultural pursuits until 1864, clearing his land, cultivating it, and establishing a good home and valuable property. In the year men- tioned he was drafted for service in the Union army during the Civil war, but upon reaching Indianapolis was suddenly stricken with sickness and passed away June 8. 1873, Mrs. Worthman surviving him some thirty years. They were members of the Reformed Church and honest and honorable people who were much esteemed in their com- munity. Of their family of eight sons and three daughters, three children are now deceased.
Lewis Worthman, father of Martin F. Worthman, was born on the homestead place in Preble Township, Adams County, in 1860, and was still a small lad when his father died. He worked hard in his youth, received a common school education, and for years worked on the home farm, which he finally purchased. He still makes his home there and is energetically prosecuting his agricultural labors, in which he has been successful because of his intense industry and good manage- ment. A democrat, he is active in the local councils of his party and is considered an influence in his community, where his sterling integrity counts for much. Both he and his family belong to the Reformed Church. Mr. Worthman married Miss Sophia Bloemker, who was born in Adams County in 1861, of German ancestry. She passed her entire life in Adams County, where her death occurred just before Thanks- giving Day, 1915. Martin F. Worthman is the eldest of eleven chil- dren, of whom eight are living. and four are married. One hrother,
958
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Rev. Edward, is a Reformed minister with a charge at Kaukauna, Wis- consin. He graduated from Mission House College, Plymouth, Wis- consin, and has now preached for several years. Another brother, Reverend Mathew, after a nine-year course, is also a graduate of the col- lege at Plymouth, and is prepared for the Reformed ministry.
Martin F. Worthman attended the public schools of Marion, the Angola Normal School, and the State Normal School at Terre Haute, from which he was graduated with the class of 1910. Prior to this, however, he had entered actively upon his profession, his first experi- ence being gained in the Brandyberry School in Washington Town- ship, where he taught in 1902 and 1903. Later he taught in Preble Township, and in 1908 was made principal of the West Ward School at Decatur. During 1910 and 1911 he was identified with grammar grade and high school work, and in 1912 was made principal of the Deeatur High School, where he taught mathematics. This position he held until 1916, when he became superintendent of city schools, his present position. Under his supervision at this time are the four schools of the city and twenty-nine teachers.
Professor Worthman married a young woman who had grown up in the same neighborhood as her husband, Lydia Freuchte, who was born, reared and edueated in Preble Township, where her father, Henry Freuchte, is still operating his farm at the age of sixty-five years. Mrs. Freuchte died in 1888. Professor and Mrs. Worthman have two daugh- ters : Mildred S. and Lillian S., aged respectively eight and seven years, and both attending school. The family belongs to the Reformed Church. Politically he is a democrat, and his fraternal connections are with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, in the latter of which he is a past chancellor. Professor Worthman comes of a family remarkable for its physical build. His ancestors were all large people, and his brothers and sisters are well built and strong. His brother, Reverend Edward, is over six feet, two inches in height and built proportionately, and he himself stands over six feet, one inch, being large and strong in body.
EDWARD S. CHRISTEN, who was elected to the post of county super- intendent of public schools in 1914, has given the best years of his life to education, having been a teacher or school administrator since 1889. He has taught in country districts, has been principal of ward schools, teacher in high schools, and is a graduate of the State Normal at Terre Haute with the class of 1896. Mr. Christen taught his first school in district No. 1 of Root Township. This school was held in the first brick building in the county, a building erected by his grand- father, John Christen, Sr. Mr. Christen's work as an educator has covered a wide field, and he has had sehools in Allen, Knox, Vigo, Sulli- van. Marion and Carroll counties outside of his native county.
His work as a school man has been done in a period which has in- volved many of the most fundamental and significant phases in the educational system of the country. He has always been an exponent of progressive and practical ideals and by his experience has worked out plans and methods which during the past three years he has applied in making the schools of Adams County vital institutions in the wel- fare of the coming generation. When he began his work nearly thirty years ago there were doubtless several of the old familiar type of log schoolhouses in the county .. At the present time the school equipment of Adams County comprises only nine frame sehoolhouses, while eighty- four of the schools are housed in brick structures and there is one eon- crete building. At the present writing there are under construction
959
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
three township high school buildings, each to contain from five to eight rooms, and an even more notable addition to the school facilities is the splendid $100,000 high school building at Decatur now going up. De- catur has three ward schools. Under Superintendent Christen's super- vision are more than a hundred fifty teachers, including ten or twelve principals. Each year he conduets a county teachers' institute.
Mr. Christen is identified with Adams County by many family asso- ciations. He was born on a farm in Root Township and acquired his early training in the local district schools. He is of Swiss ancestry. His great-grandparents were John and Elizabeth (Segerzer) Christen, who spent all their lives in Switzerland. The grandfather, John Chris- ten, Sr., was one of the notable pioneers of Adams County. He was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, August 9, 1812, and as a vouth learned the trade of baker. In July. 1835. he married Miss Eliza- beth Shaad, who was born in Switzerland January 17, 1814, daugh- ter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Christen) Shaad.
In 1850 the Christen family came to America and soon afterwards settled on a farm in Root Township of Adams Countv. This land was partly improved, about fifteen acres having been cleared and a log cabin and a log stable erected. The family lived in the one room log cabin nine years, when John Christen, Sr., constructed an addition of hewed logs, giving them two rooms on the ground and a half story upper room. In 1875 he erected a fine brick house, regarded at that time as one of the most complete and substantial dwelling houses in the county. John Christen, Sr., was a very active citizen, a democrat in politics. served as township trustee ten years, and he and his family were members of the Reformed Church. He and his wife had twelve children, all but two of whom were born before the family came to America. John Christen, Sr., and wife died in Root Township when nearly ninety years of age.
They reared their children on the old farm, and several of their sons and daughters are still living. John Christen, Jr .. father of the county superintendent, was born in Switzerland October 5, 1844, and was six years of age when he came with his parents to America. He grew up on the old homestead in Root Township, had a common school education, and in the winter of 1871 taught his first term of school. Altogether he taught for about fourteen years during the winter, but throughout this time and later made farming his chief occupation. He finally retired from the farm and is now living retired at Decatur quite feeble from the weight of more than three score and ten years. He has been a life-long democrat, very active in the councils of his party and a citizen whose influence has always been for good. John Christen. Jr., married July 22. 1870. Miss Catherine Magley. She was born in Root Township December 25. 1850, daughter of Christian and Mary Magley, her parents natives of Switzerland coming to Adams County from Licking County. Ohio. They were members of the English Lutheran Church. Christian Magley died in Angust, 1861, at the age of thirty- nine, as the result of an accident. He had cleared up a good farm in Root Township. His widow was faithful to her first love through all the remaining years of her life, and died at the age of ninetv. John Christen, Jr .. and wife had the following children: Edward S., born December 13. 1871: Arthur A., born October 12, 1873: Minnie C., born October 14, 1875; Henry W .. horn November 25. 1877: Wilburt C., horn January 21, 1884; and Raymond D .. born September 19, 1885.
Edward S. Christen married in Adams County Fannie Marlow. She was born in Sullivan County, Indiana, and is the same age as her hus- band. She grew up in her native county and was a teacher there he-
960
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
fore her marriage. IIer parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Marlow, spent their active lives in Sullivan County, where her father died at the age of eighty-seven and her mother when past seventy. They were members of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Christen are active in the English Lutheran Church. He belongs to the Subordinate and Encampment degrees of Odd Fellowship, has filled various chairs in the order, has been district deputy and has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge. He is also a working member of the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic Order.
Mr. and Mrs. Christen have a family of children who have shown excellent ability in their studies and are all earnestly contemplating useful careers in the world. The oldest, Ellis M., born April 13, 1897, graduated from the Decatur High School in 1915, and is now preparing for a career as a scientific farmer, being a student in the agricultural department of Purdue University. The second child, Catherine, grad- uated from high school in 1915, taught two years and is now a student of domestic science at Purdue University. Naomi Ruth, aged seventeen, is a student in the city high school, and Ferguson E., aged fifteen, is in the sophomore class of the high school. The youngest is Margaret L., now in the eighth grade of the grammar schools.
JACOB J. LIECHTY. Occupying a noteworthy position among the practical and skillful agriculturists of Adams County, Jacob J. Liechty is the owner of a well equipped and valuable farming estate in Monroe Township, his comfortable dwelling, his barns, farm machinery and stock all bespeaking the supervision of an intelligent and progressive business man. He was born June 22, 1854, in Switzerland, a son of Jacob and Mary Liechty, and a grandson of Peter and Mary Liechty, who were life-long residents of their native land.
In 1855 Jacob Liechty came with his wife and children to this coun- try, and for a number of years thereafter lived in Wayne County, Ohio. Removing from there to Adams County, Indiana, he bought forty acres of timbered land lying about four miles northwest of Berne, and there, in common with his pioneer neighbors, he bravely and cheerfully labored to clear and improve the homestead.
Spending the days of his childhood in Wayne County, Ohio, Jacob J. Liechty was educated in the common schools, and after coming with his parents to Monroe Township assisted his father in the arduous task of reclaiming a farm from its original wilderness. Finding farming to be a congenial occupation, he has made it his chief pursuit in life. In 1903 Mr. Liechty bought eighty acres of his present farm, and with undaunted energy began its improvement. Successful in his efforts, he subsequently bought twenty-five and one-half acres of adjoining land, and now has a fine farm of 1051% acres that in size, location, fertility and prodnetiveness compares favorably with any in the vicinity.
Mr. Liechty married Regina Luginbill and into their pleasant home nine children have been born, namely: Amanda, born January 28, 1885; Rhoda, born September 4, 1887, married Robert Sprunger and has three children, Donald, Edgar,. and Powell; Hiram, born October 28, 1880; Elmer, born January 6, 1892. and his twin brother, Wilbert, de- ceased; Oswald, born April 26, 1894; Dennis, born May 7, 1896; Clif- ton, born December 9, 1898; and Franklin, born February 2, 1901. Re- ligiously Mr. and Mrs. Liechty are faithful members of the Mennonite Church. In politics Mr. Leichty is independent, voting without regard to party prejudices.
961
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
DELMER F. LEONARD is one of the progressive business men of De- catur, and has utilized his experience and abilities to successful ad- vantage in the real estate field. He is head of the firm Leonard & Oliver, with offices in the Peoples Loan & Trust Building and handling general real estate. The business was established in 1912 under the name Leonard & Harvey. In the fall of 1915 Mr. Harvey removed to Mercer, Ohio, and was succeeded by Marion Oliver. The business of the firm has been built up on substantial lines and on the basis of fair dealings. They handle farm lands throughout Adams County, also in Western Ohio and Southern Michigan, and are the leading local representatives for lands in Western Canada. A large amount of city property in Decatur has passed through their hands as real estate brokers.
Mr. Leonard has had an experience which entitles him to respect for his fine judgment and reliability in all matters of real estate. Ile was born in Vermilion County, Illinois, September 12, 1874, and was reared and educated in that county. His people came from New York State. He is a son of James and Sarah (Chambers) Leonard, the for- mer a native of Illinois and the latter of Indiana. They married and started as farmers in Vermilion County, Illinois, near Potomac, where they were successfully engaged in farming until the death of James Leonard on September 4, 1913, at the age of sixty-seven. His widow is still living at the age of sixty-six in the town of Potomac. Both parents were active members of the United Brethren Church, the father was a democrat and was honored with several local offices in his town- ship. Delmer F. Leonard was the second child in the family. The oldest, William C., is a farmer in his native county and has a family. Lydia died at the age of thirteen. Frank E. is a farmer at Thorn- town, Illinois, and is married and has a family. Emil is a business man at Tiffin, Ohio, and also has a family.
Delmer F. Leonard after completing his education applied himself to the business of farming and other pursuits and thereby laid up a fund of experience which proved of the greatest value to him since en- tering the real estate field. Ile has been a resident of Decatur since 1911. In Illinois in 1896 he married Miss Bird Helvie, who is several years younger than her husband and was horn and reared and educated in Vermilion County, Illinois. Her parents are still living at Potomac, her father being a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have one of the good homes on First Street in Decatur. They have children: Muriel M., horn November 24, 1897, a graduate of the Decatur High School and hy her marriage to Virgil M. Krick, manager of a tile factory at Auburn. Iowa, is the mother of two young children, Barbara, aged 3, and Phyllis ; Alla A., born November 20. 1900, is a student in the Decatur High School with the class of 1918; Bernice M. horn August 5, 1902, in the class of 1920 in the local high school; Mildred I., born November 25. 1904, in the eighth grade of the public schools; and James A., horn November 21, 1906. The family are all members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. Leonard is affiliated with Lodge No. 65, Knights of Pythias.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.