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 9
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 9
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HERBERT KASLER. A man of good business capacity and intelligence, far-sighted, and earnest in purpose, Herbert Kasler, a well-known farmer of Liberty Township, is identified not only with the agricultural develop- ment of Wells County, but with one of the leading industries of this section of the state, being superintendent of the interests of the Holland & St. Louis Sugar Beet Company, a responsible position which he is ably filling. A son of Austin and Jemima (Smith) Kasler, he was born December 2, 1872, in Athens County, Ohio, where his mother died several years ago, and where his father is still living.
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Herbert Kasler was brought up on the home farm in Ohio and ob- tained his edueation in the country schools. Leaving home at the age of fourteen years, he came to Wells County, Indiana, in search of re- muncrative employment, and for about five years was employed on a farm in Liberty Township, receiving for his labor eight dollars a month and his board. Going then to Marion, Indiana, Mr. Kasler entered the rolling mills as a furnace helper, and during the three years he was employed in the mills mastered the details of the trade, having gradually worked his way upward through every department. After his marriage, he worked for awhile in a saw mill, later being employed at his trade. Returning then to Wells County, Mr. Kasler worked as a farm hand five years. Having accumulated some money, he then bought forty acres of land in Liberty Township, and subsequently purchased forty acres more, at the present time having a well-appointed farm of eighty acres, on which he is raising satisfactory crops, his land responding readily to culture. Becoming sure that sugar beets would prove a profitable erop, he began raising them, and others soon followed his example, the venture proving very successful. Subsequently Mr. Kasler was chosen super- intendent of the Holland & St. Louis Sugar Beet Company's interests in the counties above named, and in that capacity is efficiently aiding the development of the industry, which is of great help to the farmers of this vicinity.
Mr. Kasler married Miss Minnie Cole, April 21, 1895, and of their union five sons have been born, namely: Charles, Glenn, Rex, Max, and Dean. The youngest son is now a pupil in the grade schools, and the others have all attended the Liberty Center High School, from which Glenn was graduated. Mr. and Mrs. Kasler are also rearing a boy, Leo Cole, an orphan, and a nephew of Mrs. Kasler. Mr. Kasler and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, of which he is a trustee. He is a prohibitionist, and was the nominee of his party for sheriff of Wells County, receiving a comparatively large number of votes.
ROBERT D. CHALFANT. The business of farming in Wells County has one of its most successful exponents in Robert D. Chalfant, whose home is on Rural Route No. 6 out of Bluffton in Harrison Township.
Mr. Chalfant represents a very old family of the county and was born on the family homestead in Harrison Township February 6, 1869, a son of Reason and Catherine (Valentine) Chalfant. His father was born in Ohio and at the age of three eame to Wells County with his parents The mother was born in Ohio and came to Wells County when a girl. the Valentine family locating a half mile south of where Robert D. Chalfant now has his home. The latter's parents were married on the old farm there, and soon located on the southwest quarter of section 25 in Harrison Township. Later they moved to a place half a mile south of where Robert now lives, and the father was owner and operator of 315 acres of land and was a very prosperous and influential citizen of his time. HIe was an active member of the Bethel Methodist Episco- pal Church and a republican in politics. Of the six children three are still living: Abner, of Bluffton; Robert D .; and Mrs. Alice Gentes of Harrison Township.
Robert D. Chalfant was well trained to the vocation which he has always followed and had a good education in the local schools. He lived at home until his marriage. Besides the district schools he attended graded school and high school and also the Fort Wayne College, and for two terms was a successful teacher in Harrison Township.
Mr. Chalfant married Miss Mary Prillaman, daughter of Lewis
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Prilliman, of a family noted more in detail in later paragraphs. She was educated in the district schools and also in the schools of Bluffton. Mr. and Mrs. Chalfant have three children. Fay is a graduate of the common schools and perfected herself in music, which she taught for a time, and is now the wife of George A. Hauk. Howard R. had a com- mon school education and also attended the Sweeney Automobile School at Kansas City and is an expert mechanic in the automobile line. Cleo C. is a graduate of the common schools and is now attending Bluffton Iligh School.
The family are active members of the Six Mile Christian Church, Mr. Chalfant being one of the church trustees. In politics he is a repub- liean. As a farmer he operates 160 acres of land and has done a good business breeding Shropshire sheep and the better grades of hogs and cattle.
Lewis Prillaman, father of Mrs. Chalfant, was thirteen years of age when he came to Wells County. Ile assisted his father to clear and improve a farm, and gained his education in subscription schools. He made good nse of his opportunities and for a time was a teacher at wages of $12 a month. On May 27, 1847, he married Marie Studabaker, daugh- ter of William and Sarah (Thompson) Studabaker, of one of the oldest families of this part of Indiana. After their marriage they settled on part of his father's estate and later he bought 280 aeres of the farm and made it one of the best improved places in the county. He and his first wife had the following children : Albina, deceased ; Maria, widow of Philo Rogers; William; Sarah J .. wife of John Bixler; Lucinda, wife of ('harles Capp; Cora Bell, wife of Fred MeBride; Caria May, wife of R. A. Brown; Zelda L .; Mary, wife of Mr. Chalfant; and Lewis D. After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Prillaman married Elizabeth M. Bayman, daughter of William Bayman. She died in Sep- tember, 1868. September 1, 1870, he married Maria Masterson, who died January 12, 1873. On June 1, 1885, he married Laura R. Ripple. Lewis Prillaman was a prominent man of the county, filled several town- ship offiees, and in 1868 was elected a county commissioner, being the only republican ever chosen to that office in the county up to that time. He was an active member of the Six Mile Christian Church.
ISAAC L. JACOBS. One of the substantial farmers and highly respected citizens of Wells County is Isaac L. Jacobs, who has been identified with this part of the great State of Indiana for more than forty years. Hle was born in Grant County, Indiana, near Jalapa, in a house that stood on the top of a high hill overlooking the Mississinewa River, Feb- ruary 18, 1853. Ilis parents were Lorenzo D. and Hester A. (Johnson ) Jacobs. His father was born in Vermont and his mother on a farm near the present site of the Capitol at Indianapolis, Indiana.
From Vermont Lorenzo D. Jacobs came as a young man first to Ohio and then to Indiana. IIe was married at North Manchester to Hester A. Johnson and they then came to Grant County where Mr. Jacobs entered land. At one time he owned a traet of 170 acres here and 300 acres west of the National Soldiers' Home at Marion, Indiana. Ile was a millwright by trade and ereeted mills in Grant and Wabash counties, and on his own land built a sawmill, gristmill and carding mill which he operated until his death. Born in 1816, he died in July, 1860, and was survived by his widow until June, 1864. Four of their children are still living, namely : Isaae L .: Curtis E., who is a stationary engineer, lives at Marion, Indiana ; William E., who owns a large body of land in North Dakota, has had a family of fifteen children ; and Milo E., who is a well-to-do business man of Dallas, Texas.
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Isaac L. Jacobs was seven years old when his father died and four years later lost his mother also. He then took his future in his own hands and went to work for farmers, by the mouth, as was the custom. In 1875 he came to Wells County and entered the employ of A. T. Studabaker and for a number of years remained with him, his wages at the start being $16 a month.
Mr. Jacobs was married February 24, 1876, to Miss Lucinda C. Truax, who was born on the farm on which she has always lived, Feb- ruary 25, 1852. Her parents were Caleb and Sarah (Linn) Truax, the former of whom was born in Monroe County, Ohio, February 19, 1816, and the latter February 19, 1820. Both grew up in Monroe County and were married there in November, 1841, and in 1845 they came to Wells County, Indiana. Caleb Truax entered forty acres and bought forty aeres in section 24, Harrison Township, and he improved his land with excellent buildings and invested in additional land. He died there in November, 1901, his wife having passed away in July, 1883. They were good, moral, upright people. They had three children, one daughter and two sons, namely : Joshua, who died when aged eighteen years; Kirk, who died at the age of ten years; and Lucinda C., who is Mrs. Jacobs. The latter was educated in the East Smoky Run School in Har- rison Township. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have two sons : Leroy and Lorenzo D., both of whom are farmers in Harrison Township, the latter operating his father's farm. He married Mary Bugh and they have one child, Bernice L. Isaac L. Jacobs is a democrat in politics and has been a hearty worker in the party but he has never accepted any political office for himself.
Leroy Jacobs, the elder of two sons born to his parents Isaac L. and Lucinda C. (Truax) Jacobs, is one of Harrison Township's well known and representative men. He was born in Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana, September 8, 1878, and has spent his life in this county. He attended the district schools and completed the school course and worked for his father on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He was married March 31, 1901, to Miss Jennie A. French, who was also born in Harrison Township, January 14, 1878. She is a daughter of Eli and Eliza (Risley) French, and was educated in the public schools.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs lived on the old Jacobs home- stead for one year but in June, 1902, they came to Mr. Jacobs' present farm, a valuable property of 100 acres. Here he carries on general farming with very satisfactory results and also keeps a good grade of stock of all kinds. On public questions Mr. Jacobs takes a firm stand in favor of prohibition and cannot help feeling that his party has had much to do with bringing about the encouraging attitude of the public on the question of temperance, the value of which he illustrates by lead- ing a wholesome, honest life. Both he and estimable wife are members of the Salem Evangelical Church in Nottingham Township, Wells County. They are active church workers and liberal contributors to the benevolent movements which the church undertakes.
JOHN T. BUCKNER. Owning and occupying a well-kept and well- managed farm in Liberty Township, John T. Buckner is numbered among the intelligent and enterprising agriculturists that are so ably conducting the farming interests of Wells County, everything about his premises indicating the energy, industry and good judgment of the pro- prietor. He was born in Campbell County, Kentucky, a son of William N. Buckner, coming from pioneer stock.
Born in Bracken County, Kentucky, William N. Buckner grew to
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manhood in his native state, and after his marriage settled on a farmi in Campbell County. In 1855 he came with his family to Wells County, Indiana, and having bought land lying one mile north, and two miles west, of Liberty Center, was there a resident until his death. He was a steadfast democrat in politics, and both he and his wife were active members of the Church of Christ. His wife, whose maiden name was Amelia M. Yeton, was a native of Pendleton County, Kentucky. Their family consisted of nine children, of whom seven are living, namely : John T., of this sketch ; Charles, of Liberty Center; Jane, wife of Joseph Thrailkill, of Liberty Township; Ella, living at home; Miami, wife of Lewis Beerbower, of Liberty Township; N. F., of Harrison Township ; and B. F., of Liberty Township.
Three years old when brought by his parents to Wells County, John T. Buckner was educated in the rural schools, and until twenty-four years old assisted in the management of the home farm. Beginning then his career as an independent farmer, Mr. Buckner bought 120 acres of land in Liberty Township, and immediately began its improvement. It was heavily timbered, and soon the ringing strokes of his axe could be heard as he leveled the giants of the forest. By means of determined energy and industry, he cleared the land, placed it in a yielding condi- tion, and as a general farmer has met with very satisfactory success. Mr. Buckner now owns eighty acres of land, he having deeded forty acres of his original tract to his daughter.
Mr. Buckner has been twice married. He married first Lorana Prib- ble, who hore him one child, Minnie F., wife of W. H. Day. Mr. Buck- ner married second Mrs. Emma ( Adams) Buckner, widow of Dr. G. W. Buckner. Mrs. Buckner had two children by her first marriage: Frank, a graduate of the local high school ; and Mary, a school girl. Politically Mr. Buckner is a democrat, and religiously he and his family are mem- bers of the Church of Christ.
THOMAS F. SCHWARTZ. The lumber industry is one of the important business lines at Uniondale, Wells County, and probably no other man than Thomas F. Schwartz is so well known in the same in this vicinity. Now manager of the Uniondale Lumber Company, he has had many years of lumber experience and has been identified with this business since boyhood and his judgment in this particular field is considered that of an expert.
Thomas F. Schwartz is a native of Wells County, Indiana, born December 5, 1876, and is a son of Levi and Harriet (Farling) Schwartz, both of whom were born at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The father sur- vives and resides in Rock Creek Township, Wells County, but the mother is deceased. They had seven children, the survivors being: Edward, who resides in Rock Creek Township, married Mary Luca- baugh ; Annie, who is the wife of Albert Price, of Rock Creek Township; Effa, who is the wife of Orbe Davis, of Union Township; Margaret, who lives with her father; and Thomas F.
Until he was fifteen years old, Thomas F. Schwartz attended the public schools. He then went to work in a sawmill, beginning with a boy's tasks, at the bottom of the ladder. Ile found that he liked the business and continued to be associated with lumber, in various capacities until he accepted the position of manager of the Uniondale Lumber Company, a large concern that has interests over a wide territory, and much of its effectiveness is due to the ability and efficiency of Mr. Schwartz.
Mr. Schwartz was married to Miss Lulu Meyers, who is a daughter of Leonard Meyers, a well known resident of Markle, Huntington
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County, Indiana. They have one daughter, Harriet Jean, who was born in 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz are members of the Lutheran Church and are interested in its various avenues of usefulness. In politics he is a democrat, and for many years has been a member of the Masonic fraternity.
CAPOLIS LAIRD BLUE, M. D. One of the most instructive and enter- taining personal sketches found in this publication is that dealing with the life and experiences and career of the venerable M. C. Blue. Some appropriate space must also be devoted to his son, Dr. Capolis Laird, who for many years has been a prominent physician in Wells County and is especially honored and respected in his home locality of Toesin in Jefferson Township.
Doctor Blue was born in Jefferson Township of Wells County Decem- ber 16, 1868. He grew up. on his father's farm, was educated in the district schools, also attended the Ossian graded schools and spent three years in the Ossian High School. Before completing his high school course he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School and Business College at Valparaiso. where he took work in preparation for teaching and also graduated from the business department, on February 24, 1891. With this schooling he returned to his father's home, taught two terms, and then entered the School of Pharmacy at Chicago, where he graduated with the class of 1895. From there he entered the Fort Wayne Medical College, and at the end of three years graduated M. D. in the spring of 1898 and in the same class with Dr. Fred Metts of Bluffton.
Thus for twenty years Doctor Blue's skill, learning, growing expe- rience and fine natural ability have been at the service of the people and of a constantly enlarging patronage in and around Tocsin. He has always remained a student and has been growing in his own capabilities in proportion to his widening practice. In 1901 he took post-graduate work in the Chicago Polyclinic and is a constant reader of the best literature of his profession, both periodical and the standard works, most of which are found in his own private library. Doctor Blue is a member of the Wells County and Indiana State Medical Societies, the Fort Wayne Academy of Medicine and the American Medical Associa- tion. He has filled the office of deputy health officer of Wells County.
Doctor Blue is a prominent Mason, being affiliated with Bluffton Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and with Fort Wayne Con- sisterv of the Thirty-second degree Scottish Rite. He is also affiliated with Toesin Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and Toesin Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a democrat but his time has been too thoroughly taken up with the work of his profession and with other matters to allow him to enter the field of polities to any extent.
On June 8, 1904. Doctor Blue married Nettie Clowser, daughter of Isaac and Maria (Randall) Clowser of Lancaster Township, Wells County. Mrs. Blue has a brother and sisters named: Clara. wife of Walter Reed: Ira, unmarried; Alta, wife of Shirley Hartman; and Velma, who married Alvin Troutman of Bluffton. Doctor and Mrs. Blue have two children: Elizabeth Leone, born October 12, 1905: and Miles Clair, born April 20, 1910.
CHARLES CHALFANT is a member of an old family in Harrison Town- ship of Wells County, where the people of that name have lived since Wells County was almost a total wilderness of woods and swamp. Mr. Chalfant has for thirty years been pursuing his regular calling as a farmer and stockman and has a highly developed farm comprising the west half of the northeast quarter section 35.
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He was born not far from his present residence on January 27, 1856. His parents were Robert and Mary (Melick) Chalfant. Robert Chal- fant was born in Ohio and came to Wells County with his father, Chads Chalfant, the family settling on land where Charles Gentis now lives. At that time Harrison Township was completely covered with heavy timber and the grandfather exerted his energies as a pioneer to eut down the trees, grub the stumps and put his land into a state of cultivation. He lived out his life in this community. Robert Chalfant grew up here, made the best of his advantages in the early schools, and took up the same vocation as his father, buying a tract of land adjoining the old homestead. He lived there until his death. He was a very regular attendant and a worshiper in the services of the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church. There were four children in the family: Charles; Nathan, of Harrison Township; Henry, now deceased; and Frank, who lives on the old farm.
Charles Chalfant while a hoy attended school in the Myers Chapel school house. He was trained to his future vocation by discipline on the home farm and he lived with his parents until his marriage in 1886 to Miss Laura Hill. She was born in Ohio and was brought to Wells County when a girl.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Chalfant located on the farm they still own, and this is widely known as the Sunnyside Farm. Mr. Chal- fant has always kept good grades of livestock and feeds most of his erops on his own farm. He is also interested in a threshing outfit.
He and his wife, who have no children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Ricetown, Indiana. Politically he is a republican with only a nominal interest in politics.
GEORGE W. TABER. A prominent agriculturist, and an extensive landholder of Wells County, George W. Taher, of Liberty Township, is a man of influence, having ever been the encourager and supporter of all projects ealeulated to benefit his community, and is held in high esteem by his fellow-eitizens. A native of Indiana, he was born in Jasper County April 8, 1877.
His father, O. P. Taber, was born and bred in New York State, and there at the age of nineteen years he took unto himself a wife. Coming soon after that important event to Indiana, he rented a farm in Jasper County, and in addition to farming worked at the carpenter's trade, as a contractor and builder, erecting a schoolhouse in the township. Subse- quently he engaged in the grain business at Remington, where he built two of the finest elevators in that section of the state. While thus occu- pied. he chtained a good start in life, and afterwards as a contractor in the graveling of roads he accumulated a handsome property, at his death, November 22, 1915, leaving an estate valued at about $80.000. He was an active member of the republican party, and served as county com- missioner of Jasper County three terms, a record of service not equalled by any other man. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias. and was active in the work of the lodge. He married Fannie J. Tammey, of New York State, who passed away August 20, 1899. Five children were born of their union, three of whom are living now, in 1918, as follows: George W .: Lois R., a graduate of the Remington High School, is the wife of Dr. P. J. Pothuisje, of Denver, Colorado, now serving in the United States Army, being lieutenant of his company : and Albert P., of Bluff- ton, who is also a graduate of the Remington High School.
Reared on a farm. and educated in the Remington graded and high schools. George W. Taber remained under the parental roof-tree until his marriage. Assuming possession then of his present farm, which is
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located on the Gregg Pike, three and a half miles west of Bluffton, he has since been actively engaged in farming, stoek breeding, stoek rais- ing and stock feeding, making a specialty of Hereford cattle. He also feeds some hogs and ships them and the cattle in ear loads receiving invariably the highest market price. Mr. Taber has 200 acres of land in his home place, in Liberty Township, and 80 acres of good land in Rock Creek Township.
Mr. Taber married June 28, 1903, Etta MI. Pugh, who was born in White County, Indiana, and was graduated from the Wolcott High School. Their union has been brightened by the birth of four children, namely : Oliver P., born May 8, 1904; Alden P., born May 21, 1907; Mary Jane, born June 3, 1910, and Martha Renette, born August 29, 1915. Mrs. Taber is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Taber is a republican, and fraternally he is a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias.
DAVID S. JOHNSON. A fine representative of the native born citizens of Wells County. David S. Johnson holds high rank among the pros- perous agrieulturists of Liberty Township, where he is carrying on general farming, with unquestioned ability, his property being numbered among the valuable and well-kept estates of the vicinity. A son of the late Rev. Abel Johnson, he was born on the farm he now owns and ocen- pies, December 16, 1857.
Rev. Abel Johnson was born and bred in Pennsylvania, and as a young man eame to Indiana first living in Huntington County and then eoming to Wells County. Locating in Liberty Township, he bought 240 aeres of land lying one mile south of Liberty Center, and began its improvement. He was widely known as the founder of the Baptist Church at Liberty Center, and for many years served as its pastor. He married Sarah Smith, a native of Ohio, and of their ten children five are living, as follows: Themas, living near Sioux City, Iowa; B. F., of Crawfordsville, Indiana, was formerly state statistician; A. J., of Liberty Township; Mary, widow of James Cotton, lives in New Castle, Indiana; and David S., the subject of this sketeh.
Growing to man's estate on the home farm, David S. Johnson attended the distriet sehools regularly when young, and until his mar- riage assisted in the care of the home farm, and later, his father removing to Liberty Center, he assumed entire charge of the parental estate, which consisted of 240 acres of good land. Mr. Johnson has since purchased eighty acres of the old farm and is managing it with ehar- acteristie skill and suceess.
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