Adams County, Indiana - The whole text, 1907 (part 10 of 16)

Mr. Baumgartner's father died in 1885 and the same year his son was married to Miss Bertha L. Saurer, a daughter of John and Marian (Tschandrey) Saurer. His wife's parents came to this country from Switzerland and were among the older inhabitants of Adams county. Their farm was originally located in a wilderness and under their management and development became in time very valuable. Mr. and Mrs. Baumgartner became the parents of eight children. Four are still living: Homer H, Grover C., lima E., and Carl. Those dead are : Elroy P., Mahala M., Howard and one that died unnamed in infancy.

Since he resumed his hardware business in 1888 it has prospered and developed until today it yields a handsome profit. The store building is admirably adapted to its purpose and a complete line of hardware and implements is carried. Mr. Baumgartner is an aggressive and wide-awake business man who appreciates the value of modern methods and conducts his business accordingly. He is a public-spirited citizen and a man who is interested in all movements for the improvement of Berne and Adams county. He takes a leading part in such matters and contributes his support to them generously. He is a Democrat in politics and is a staunch supporter of his party in his section of the state. He has never aspired to public office but works in harmony with the members of his party. He has accumulated considerable property and is interested in several enterprises. One of his most valued possessions is a summer home at Odin, near Petoskey, Michigan. It is at this place that Mr. Baumgartner spends his summers and he is a keen lover of out of door life and activities. He is an esteemed member of the Reformed church and contributes generously to its support.

Christian Burghalter

Tales of the opportunities that awaited young men in the United States came to the ears of Christian Burghalter in Ins native village in Switzerland and lie was inflamed with a destire to go to the new republic and make his fortune. He was bom in the Swiss village February 5, 1833, and grew to manhood there. He had little money and was poor, but he made up in determination what he lacked in wealth. He succeeded in borrowing enough money to pay his passage to this cduntry and started out. When he landed in this country his funds were about exhausted, but he had sufficient money to carry him to the Swiss community of Wayne county, Ohio. He was a carpenter by trade and followed this employment in his early days in Ohio. Finally he acquired enough money to purchase some land and started as a farmer. His father and mother, Barnhardt and Emily (Worst) .Burghalter, came to this country in 1852. In the year 1859 Christian Burghalter was married. He chose for his wife Mary Hartman, a daughter of Michael Hartman, of Wayne county, Ohio. During the early days of her husband on his farm Mrs. Burghalter proved an able assistant and a faithful wife. The marriage has been blessed by eight children, six of whom are living. These children are: Emma, Amanda. Millie, Daniel, Sarah and Ida. Eli and Leda E. are dead.

As a farmer Mr. Burghalter has been n successful and progressive man. His original place was not large and was uninviting. However, he cleared it and got it under cultivation and he made his farming profitable. He added from time to time improvements and fenced his place. He laid tiling and ditched the land where draining was necessary and he erected suitable buildings. Ikwas engaged in cheese making for four years, but he devoted the greater portion of his time and energies to his farm work and to the cultivation of the soil. He added other tracts to his original purchase and now owns four hundred acres of good land, three hundred of which are under cultivation. Hefinds profit in raising stock for the market and has a number of fine Holsteins and sonic excellent Poland China and Duroc hogs on his place. He employs modern methods in administering the affairs and business of his estate, and in other ways demonstrates the fact that he is a thoroughly wide-awake man. Some years ago he erected a fine brick residence and a large barn. These buildings are among the best and finest in the county. His prosperity today is in strange contrast with his needy condition when he came to Indiana. He delights in telling of his early days and of the time when he hauled his produce forty-eight miles to find a market for it in Fort Wayne.

Mr. Burghalter is a public-spirited man. He takes a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the betterment of the community and has been active in many movements looking toward this end. He is an advocate of good roads and was instrumental in securing the construction of some of the present county pikes. In politics he is a Democrat, but he is not an aggressive partisan. He has not aspired to public office, but served a timber of years as a supervisor. He is a member of the Reformed church and gives [his denomination his support. He and his family are highly esteemed by all who know them, and his home is one of the centers of social interest and activity of the district in which it is situated.

Levi A. Sprunger

Levi A. Sprunger is counted among the substantial and successful business men of Adams county. He was born in Monroe township, Adams county, November 1, j 863, and is a son of that revered veteran of Adams county finance, Abraham A. Sprunger. His father and mother were two of the substantial and hardy Swiss people who migrated to America in an early day and setlied in northeastern Indiana. The elder Sprunger was a farmer and stock shipper and to him Berne is indebted for its strong luiancial institution, the Bank of Berne. Mr. Abraham Sprunger was instrumental in founding that institution and was its president continuously from the day its doors were first thrown open to the farmers of Adams comity to his death. He was a large stockholder in the bank and was represented a number of Berne's leading industries.

Levi was a member of a family of thirteen children, eight of whom are still living. As a boy and young man he worked on his father's farm and secured his early educatK»n in the winter term schools of his neigh-. uorhood. When he reached his majority he ' turned his back on the farm and began business as a clerk in a mercantile establishment in Berne. He was employed in this manner for some time and then severed his connection with the store and interested himself in the lumber business. He operated and managed a lumber business, including a saw and planing mill, for the succeeding five years. He built up a successful enterprise and a large business. After the close of the five years' period he disposed of his mill interests and engaged in the mercantile business. He purchased his present business and has conducted it since. He began his present business in 1S92 and has developed it to its present satisfactory proportions. His store is one of the most attractive and best equipped in Berne and he commands a large trade. His methods are those of a wide-awake, progressive business man and he possesses a large share of business sagacity. His methods are such, that recommends him to his patrons and his store is a trading center for the entire section of the county.

Mr. Sprunger is interested in a number of industries of Berne. He is a stockholder and a director of the Bank of Berne, which institution his father founded. He is a director and stockholder in the Berne Lumber Company and is connected with the Berne Milling Company. He was the manager of this latter concern for five years and did much to place it on the firm footing it enjoys today. He is a public-spirited man and a valuable and useful citizen. He is a leader in municipal affairs and gives his hearty and generous support to all movements that are destined to elevate the general public. In politics he is a Democrat, but is in no sense a seeker of prefermait or a partisan worker. He has served on the school board and is a patron and firm friend of education. With his famiiv he is a member of the Men-

In 1887 he was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Baumgartner, a daughter of Abraham and Caroline (Ellenberger) Baumgartner. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sprunger. These are : Alina, Grover, Lydia, Harry and Leona.

David Bixler

David Bixler has the distinction of being the pioneer jeweler of Berne. He opened the first store of its kind in this section of Adams county in 1872 in his father's home in French township. He began his trade with a relative who had been in the same line of business in Canada. Possessing a natural fondness for mechanics, he proved an intelligent apprentice and is today one of the most skilled men in his business in northeastern Indiana. He was born in French township, Adams county, May 29, 1854. His parents ware John and Maria (Basinger) Bixler. The father was born in Wayne county. Ohio, in 1S28 and came to Indiana in 1853. The elder Bixler purchased eighty acres and cultivated this tract and improved it until 1S93, when he moved to Berne and lived a retired life. His death occurred March 15, 1905. His wife is still living with her son, the subject of this sketch.

David Bixler lived on his father's farm during his youth and early manhood. His youth differed in no respect from that of the other boys of his community. He attended the schools of his neighborhood and secured as good an education as was possible under the conditions. At an early age he showed an aptitude for mechanics and began learning the watchmaker's and jeweler's trade under his relative. He made rapid progress and set up a small establishment at his father's home. He repaired the watches of the farmers of his neighborhood and as his fame as an accomplished workman grew he was patronized by many from a distance. He enlarged his little business and added a stock of jewelry to his equipment as a watchmaker. He continued to conduct his business at the home farm until 18S0, when he removed to Berne and established himself m business there. His store was the first of its kind opened in Berne. Today it is one of the best equipped in the county. Mr. Bixler is a skilled optician, being a graduate, as well as a jeweler, and he enjoys a large and constantly increasing patronage. Of an inventive turn of mind, Mr. Bixler has invented and made a number of the more delicate tools he uses in his work. He has built two fine regulators and a balance that will respond to the two-hundredth part of a grain. He has two sons, Frank and Noah, who are also of their father's inventive turn. The former of these is an assistant in his father's establishment and the other is studying the same trade.

Mr. Bixler was married in 1S75 to Miss Anna Luginbill, a daughter of Peter and Barbara (Steincr) Luginbill. Her parents were natives of Switzerland and came to Adams county at an early date. They settled on a farm and were successful tillers ot the soil. Eight children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bixler. These children are: Clara H., the wife of Dr. Atnos Reusser; Mary A., the wife of T. M. Huffmail, connected with the telephone com-

Mr. Bixler is considered one of the best s-itizens of Berne. He is a thoroughly modern and progressive man. In the sense of possessing a competence he has proved a successful business man, but he has not neglected his civic duties in accumulating his possessions. He has always taken an active and aggressive part in municipal and county affairs, and served for fifteen years as treasurer of Berne. He is a Democrat in politics and is a staunch adherent of this party. He owns real estate in Berne, a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Lisbon, North Dakota, and is interested in several financial enterprises.

There is no family more highly esteemed than his own in the whole of Adams county. He has led an exemplar)' life and has contributed his full share to the happiness and welfare of his fellow men. He is a consistent member of the Mennonite church and with his family gives his support to the aims .'nid ambitions of this denomination.

Julius C. Schug

Julius C. Schug is an example of progressive men that it is a good thing for a community to claim as a resident. He is a leader in all things that are for the benefit of Berne and is in every way an exemplary citizen. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, December 20, 1858, and is a son of Karl and Catherine (Roush) Schug. His parents were natives of Germany and came to Indiana from Ohio at an earlv date. Their son Julius was educated in the schools of Adams county, Indiana, whither the family removed in 1862. He experienced a hard struggle when a youth, but he possessed thrift and industry and gained for himself a competence early in life. When he grew to man's estate Julius worked for a time at the trade of carpentering. Following this employment, he engaged in the sale of sewing machines and farm implements. He sold in various parts of Indiana and met with success. His work attracted the attention of the McCormick Harvester Company and they engaged him to represent the firm in this state with headquarters at Indianapolis. He accepted the proposition made him and in 1886, 1887 and 1888 was employed by the company as traveling salesman.

In 1887 Mr. Schug purchased a half interest in the Schug Brothers' Hardware Store in Berne. Since that time he has been identified with this line of business in Berne. The business grew and twelve years later the firm erected the present fine store property. This building is the finest of its kind in Berne and is sixty-six by one hundred and twenty feet, two-story and basement. The display rooms of this store are large and conveniently appointed. A complete line of hardware, builders' materials, farm implements and machinery and vehicles is carried. Their stock is one of the largest and best in this section of the state and a large force of men are employed attending to the large trade they control. In addition to his hardware business Mr. Schug is interested in a number of Berne enterprises and industries. He is a stockholder in both of the Berne banks and is president of the People's State Bank. He is interested financially in the Berne Manufacturing Company at Berne and is one of its organizers, and has since been its president; was secretary of the Berne Stave and Heading Company before that plant was destroyed by fire.

Mr. Schug was married in 1890 to Miss Nanny Burghalter, daughter of Christopher and Burghalter, who came to Carroll county, Indiana, at an early date, where they were early settlers. Mrs. Schug died about a year after her marriage, July 21, 1 89 1. Mr. Schug married again to Miss Emma Frances Kelly, a daughter of Samuel F. and Elizabeth (Deo) Kelly. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schug : Velma T., Catherine E., Walter C. and an infant daughter.

If one characteristic rather than another might be said to be the keynote to a man's character in the case of Mr. Schug it would be his firm integrity and public spirit. He is an active promoter of the welfare of his native city and co-operates heartily in all movements looking toward the advancement of the city's interests. He has the esteem and confidence of all who know him and is reckoned among the most progressive men of his section of the state. In politics he is an adherent of the Democratic party, but is not a man who aspires to public office.

Christian G. Egly

Christian G. Egly, who is conducting a large business in hay and grain at Berne and who is also numbered among the most progressive and up-to-date citizens of this thriving county, is a. native of Adams county, Indiana, having been born in Hartford township on the 10th of April, 1864. He is

Egly, the former a native of Baden, Germany, and the latter of Alsace, France. The father was born April 5, 1S24, and tlic mother June 15, 1827. They were the parents of eight children, namely : Jacob, Magdalene, Henry J., Samuel, Joseph, Abraham, Christian G. and Catherine. The parents of these children came to the United States in 1S37 and located in Butler county, Ohio, where they remained until 1849. when they came to Adams county and located in a woods in Hartford township. The forest was so dense it was almost impossible to erect even the log cabin which they did, but by dint of much labor a comfortable home was established, where they lived until 1865, when a frame house was erected. Henry Egly successfully followed farming and was also engaged as a preacher of the Defenseless Mennonite church for forty years. He was a man of the strictest integrity and highest sense of honor and commanded the absolute respect of his community. He died in 1890 and his wife in February, 1905.

Christian Egly was educated in the common schools of Hartford township, but his education ceased at the age of sixteen, when he went to work on a farm, at which labor he was engaged until 1898, when he came to Berne and engaged in his present business as a dealer in grain and hay. He is associated in business with C. A. Augsburger, but to the subject of this sketch is attributed the management of the business.

In 1SS6 Mr. Egly married Miss Anna Schenbeck, daughter of Daniel and Anna (Klopfenstein) Schenbeck, residents of Holmes county, Ohio. Her father was born in Holmes county, Ohio, and her mothers birth occurred February 12, 1834, in Ger- many. To the subject and his wife have !>ecn born three children, namely: Lillian M.. Henry D., who is attending school at Hi-nic. Indiana, and Catherine A. Lillian M. took a four years' course at a college in Bluffton, Ohio, and later took a musical course at Findlay, Ohio. In politics Mr. iviy is a staunch Republican, though he has never held public office. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Mennonite church, of which they are faithful and active followers.

To Dr. Wilson belongs the distinction of being one of the foremost surgeons of northeastern Indiana and his reputation as a skilled operator has gained him a wide patronage in his own and neighboring counties. He was born June 30, 1S56, in Ross county, Ohio. He is a son of George C. and Eliza A. (Wood) Wilson. His father was born in Ross county in 1835 and is the son of John C. Wilson, a soldier, who received a grant of land in Ohio as a reward for the faithful performance of his military duties. The paternal grandfather of Dr. Wilson was the son of the direct ancestor of the family in this country. He came to Virginia from England at a very early day and the grandfather of Dr. Wilson was born in that state. Dr. Wilson's father lived on his Ross county farm until 1883, when he moved to Van W ert county, where he is still living.

Dr. Wilson spent his youth, and early manhood on his father's farms. He received a good education in the Ohio county schools and later supplemented this preliminary education with a classical course at Taylor University at Fort Wayne. He completed the course at this institution and was graduated "cum laude" with the class of 1884. By this time he had decided to adopt the medical profession for his life work and he entered the medical school at Fort Wayne after his graduation from Taylor University. He pursued his studies in this medical school and received his degree in four years. Following his graduation from the medical college he spent two years in post-graduate work and in hospitals. He was connected with the St. Joseph's Hospital at Fort Wayne and was a student under Dr. C. B. Stemen, a celebrated surgeon of Fort Wayne. He established his first office after completing his hospital work in Scott, Van Wert county, Ohio, where his father was living. He practiced in Ohio until 189S, when he removed to Indiana and settled in Berne. He has built up a large practice and he has been successful in a number of very delicate and critical operations. His successes have gained a wide repute for him and he has become the leading surgeon of his vicinity.

In 1879 Dr. Wilson was married to Miss Elizabeth Eutsler. His wife died in 1S86 and was survived by three children. These are: Edward, a farmer in Scott, Van Wert county, Ohio; William, a railroad engineer, and Minnie, married and a resident of Scott, Van Wert county, Ohio. Two years after the death of his first wife Dr. Wilson married again. His wife this time was Miss Victoria Click. She died a few years after the marriage and bore her husband a daughter, Myrtle, a trained nurse, connected with the Cleveland, Ohio, City Hospital. Dr. Wilson was married for the third time in 1904 to Miss Flossie Dudgeon.

Dr. Wilson has been a busy man. His profession has demanded the major part of his time and attention, but he has found time for studying. He took up the law and completed its study and v,-as admitted to practice in the Adams county courts. However, he has not practiced law. He is a man who keeps fully abreast with his profession. He is a member of and keeps in close touch with the national, state and county medical organizations. He reads extensively and is informed of all the progress, discoveries and developments of his profession. He is a broad-gauge man and is alive to the movements that are for the benefit of Berne. He is public spirited and a hearty colaborer with his fellow townsmen in all matters that are for the general good.

Philip Schug

Several members of the family bearing the name of the subject of this sketch have achieved success and prominence in northeastern Indiana. In Berne several are living at this time and are successful and respected business men. Among this number is Philip Schug. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, May 30, 1861. His parents were Karl and Catherine (Roush) Schug. They were natives of Germany and came to the United States at an early time, settling in Ohio, where they lived until 1864. In this year the elder Schug came to Indiana and settled on a farm in French township, Adams county. Philip Schug was a small boy when his parents brought him to Indiana, and he has spent all of his subsequent life in this state. Philip was one of a family of eight children that were left fatherless soon after the family came to Indiana. The early life of the boy was a hard one. It meant an uncompromising struggle for existence in a new country and against overwhelming odds. However, the mother and children were industrious and at length firmly established themselves. Philip attended the common schools of the neighborhood and obtained a fair English education. He worked on the family farm until he reached his twenty-third year. He came to Berne and established himself in the implement business. He also handled and sold sewing machines. His venture was a success and he increased his business and prospered. He continued in this line for a number of years and then he disposed of the business and went into the insurance business. He represented a number of strong and popular fire insurance companies and was rewarded with a fair degree of success. He gave up his insurance business after a few years and entered the employ of a local firm of hardware merchants. He was connected with this concern for three years and then engaged in the sewing machine business. He sold insurance later for a short period and then purchased his present retail shoe business. This purchase was consummated in 1905. He secured his interest in the shoe business known under the firm name of Ryf & Schug by purchasing the interest held by Samuel Schindler. The store occupied by this concern is one of the handsomest and best appointed in Berne and the annual business is large. A full line of shoes is carried and represents an investment of approximately ten thousand dollars. A repair shop is operated in connection with the retail business. In 18S4 Mr. Schug married Anna Strik- t-r, a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Striker. Her father was born in Germany and her mother in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Schug are the parents of four children. The children are: Otto F., who died July 8, 1907, being killed by a train, aged twenty-two years; Cora P., Jesse A., and Everett J.

Besides being one of the aggressive and substantial business men of Berne, Mr. Schug is one of the leading citizens. He has taken an active part in public affairs all his life and served as one of the earlier marshals of the town. He was a member of the town board for a period of five years and was twice a candidate for the office of county auditor. He was defeated but the majorities secured against him were not large. He is a Democrat and takes an active and intelligent interest in the affairs of his party in Adams county. He is a member of Berne Lodge, No. 398, Knights of Pythias. He owns considerable town property and lives in a comfortable home. He and his family are among the most highly respected people of the community.

It is justly said that the medical profession of northeastern Indiana has among it some physicians of note. These men have made places for themselves in the confidence of their fellows and are highly esteemed both as physicians and citizens. Prominent among the number is Dr. Ernest Franz, with, whom this sketch is concerned. He is a native of Switzerland, having been born in Bubendorf, canton of Basel, in that republic, April 14, 1865. He is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Schaad) Franz and came to this countiy with his parents in 1879. He lived with his father and mother in various sections of the country until he grew to manhood. His early education was secured in the schools of his native village and this he added to after reaching America.

When his parents landed here they went to New Martinsville, West Virginia. His father was a cheesemaker and followed this trade in West Virginia for a year. The family then moved to Ohio and again back to West Virginia. After a year of residence in this state a third trip was made. This time the family went to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and after a year to New Glarus, one of the greatest cheese-making towns in the country. Another year found the family in Adams county, Indiana, where the father is still living. The elder Franz followed his trade until 1894, when he retired and livesin his home about one and one half mileseast of Berne. To Daniel and Elizabeth Franz five children were born, of whom four are living. These children were named : Ernest, Jacob, deceased ; Julia, the wife of Peter E. Habegger; Emil and Otto. Emil is a practicing attorney of Berne and Otto is in the rural mail service as a carrier.

Dr. Franz assisted his father in the cheesemaking until he grew to manhood. He decided to take up the study of medicine, meaning to adopt it as a profession. November 14, 1887, he began his studies in the office of Dr. Peter A. Sprunger, one of the older physicians of Berne. Dr. Franz was associated with Dr. Sprunger until 1S00, when his mother died. He then entered the Hahnemannain Medical College at Chicago and was graduated from this institution

March 23, 1893. During his first summer vacation he assisted in the office of Dr. Sprunger and the second summer he was connected with the office of Dr. Neueuschwander. Following his graduation he returned to Berne and began the active practice of his profession. He was a successful practitioner from the start and has built up a fine and profitable practice. He is a man who believes in keeping clear of rust and in not permitting himself to drift or to fall behind the discoveries or advancement made in his profession. He is an earnest reader of professional literature and is a member of the state, county and national medical associations. He attends the annual conventions of his own school and is an important member of his associations.

The marriage of Dr. Franz and Miss Lea Neuenschwander occurred March 9, 1890. His wife is a daughter of Christian and Anna (Lehman) Neuenschwander. Like her husband's parents, her own were natives of Switzerland and came to the United States about the middle of the last century. Nine children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Franz. These are all living at home and are: Anna E., Franklin, Ernestine E., Elfriede E., Gerhard E., Irlene E., lima E., Agnes E. and Flora E.

Dr. Franz is a progressive citizen and takes an interest in the affairs of his adopted city. He is a leader in movements destined to promote the general good or to advance the interests of Berne. He is a member of the Mennonite church and with his family contributes to the support of this denomination. He cannot be said to be a public man. His profession keeps him busy, and he has not time to engage in politics. However, he is keenly alive to what is happening in county, state and national politics, and has well founded, accurate opinions on measures of this nature.

P. A. Macklin is a farmer of Wabash township, Adams county, and is one of the successful and esteemed men of his section. Fie is a native of Indiana and was born in Bear Creek township, Jay county, July 7, 185S. His parents were Philip and Mahala (Cole) Macklin. They were natives of Ohio, his father being born in Fairfield county and his mother in Franklin county. They were fanners and came from Ohio to Indiana years ago and settled in Jay county, where the father died October 30, 189S. The mother died October 1, 1893. Their son, P. A. Macklin, was reared on the family homestead in Jay county. His boyhood was not unlike that of any other boys who were reared on the farms of the period. He attended the sessions of the district schools during the winter months and at other times of the year assisted his father in the work of cultivating the farm. He secured as good a general education as was possible at the time and became expert in farm cultivation and management. After he grew to manhood he engaged in work independent of his family. He was variously employed for some years and then decided to move to another part of the state. In 1880 he came to Adams county and purchased land in W abash township. This is a tract of seventyseven acres and was but partially cleared. He addressed himself to the work of clearing all of his laud and improving it, and after .some time found himself in possession of a rood farm, well cleared and improved to a point of profitable productiveness. The old buildings he first used on the place were replaced with new and modem ones, and in many ways the entire estate was transformed.

Two years before his removal from Jay county to Adams county Mr. Macklin was married to Miss Mary Siberry, a daughter of John and Sarah (An ties) Siberry. His wife's parents were natives of Ohio and came to Jay county at an early date. Her father died in 1862, but her mother is still living at Bryant, Jay county, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Macklin have become the parents of eight children. These are: Bertha, the wife of Bertis Fifer, a farmer; Philip, Troy, Haze!, Haskel, Israel, deceased; Orena and Mark. Five of these children are living at their parents' home.

Mr. Macklin is one of the best known men in his township. He is a progressive farmer and believes in modern methods and modern machinery. He cultivates his farm .in an approved manner and makes it a paying proposition. His crops are satisfactory, and he markets much of his crop each year at a profit. He raises Duroc hogs and his breed of these animals is one of the best in the county. He is a member of the Geneva Masonic lodge and is respected and esteemed. He is not a public man in the sense that he is a politician. However, as a Democrat he has well-grounded opinions on matters of genera! and local political interest.

The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Pleasant Grove church. He has served as trustee and assessor. He has five producing oil wells.

Jacob A. Habegger

Jacob A. Habegger, the subject of this sketch, has done much to improve the breeds of horses in Adams county. His efforts have met with acknowledgment and reward, and today the value and quality of horses owned by Adams county farmers is very high. He was born - in Switzerland September 9, 1870. He is the son of Abraham and Lena (Moser) Habegger. His parents came to the United States when he was but five years of age. They settled in Adams county, and here the youth of Mr. Habegger was spent. His father owned and operated a good farm in Monroe township, and this homestead of one hundred acres is still in his possession. He had twelve children, nine of whom are still living.

Mr. J. A. Habegger was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the schools of Monroe township. He spent his time on the farm until he was grown and assisted in improving and cultivating the land. He continued to farm until 1901, when he engaged in the livery business at Berne. A good feeding barn had long been needed in Berne. The farmers and residents of the town realized this, but the attempts to conduct one had failed repeatedly until Mr. Habegger opened his present establishment under the firm name of J. A. Habegger & Company. From the beginning of the enterprise it was a financial success. The management and methods of Mr. Habegger were such that guaranteed the success of the business, and much of the credit for its success can be rightly given to him. The building which the business occupies is large and admirably adapted to the feeding and livery business. It is equipped in a most

Much of Mr. Habcgger's time is devoted to breeding fine horses. Some time ago he imported four Belgian stallions of a very fine strain and in addition he owns a highly bred Percheron Norman stallion.

The marriage of Mr. Habegger and Miss Lavina Neuenschwander, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Stauffer) Neuenschwander, was celebrated in 1896. His wife's parents were natives of Adams county, where their daughter was born. Mr. and Mrs. Habegger have an interesting family of six children. These children are: Clarence, Albert, Delia, Alma, Wilbert and Edison. His home is a fine cement block residence and is one of the handsomest and most attractive in Berne.

In politics Mr. Habegger is a Democrat, but he has never aspired to office or sought preferment at the hands of his party. He is a well-balanced and active business man and is generally esteemed. He and the members -of his family' are communicants of the Mennonite church, to which they give their help and constant support. He owns about eight acres in his home place.

Vernon L. Snow

Vernon L. Snow is a type of man who has achieved a comfortable living and accumulated much of the world's goods through his own unaided efforts. He is the only survivor of his father's family and was born m Jay county. Indiana, March. _>(>, J859. His father was Dr. J. B. Snow, a practicing physician all of his life, a native of Pennsylvania. His mother was Eliza J. Lyon. After his marriage Dr. Snow moved to Jay county, later Randolph, and later came to Adams county. His wife died in 1864 and his own death occurred in 1876. His son, Vernon L. Snow, did not follow in his father's footsteps and take up medicine as a profession. He was raised in this county and attended the county schools. However, he decided to adopt agriculture as his life work, and to this pursuit he has since devoted himself with all of his energies. The present farm of Mr. Snow consists of eighty acres bordering on the corporation limits of Geneva. It is a fine tract of land and is one of the best improved in the district where it is located. Mr. Snow is a progressive man and believes thoroughly in the advantages of modern methods and modern machinery. He adopts these methods and devices in operating his farm and his crops each year are among the largest and best raised on any similar tract of land in Adams county. He has made all of the improvements that are on his place and his residence, barns and other necessary buildings are substantial and in every respect admirably adapted to the purposes for which they were erected. His land is well fenced and drained and in all respects is a handsome and valuable estate.

In 18S0 Mr. Snow married Miss Mary C. Vance, a daughter of Marshall and Arabella (Diffenbaugh) Vance. His wife's parents were among the early arrivals in Indiana. They came to this state from Ohio, where they were reared, and settled in Adams county on a farm still in the family's possession. Her mother's people were natives of Marvland and came west at a very early date in the last century. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Snow : Jessie, deceased ; Grace and Bertha. The latter children are living at home.

Mr. Snow has been an active and busy man all of his life. He has devoted the greater portion of his time and attention to the cultivation of his farm, but as an exemplary citizen he has taken a live interest in the affairs of the county. He co-operates with other residents of the county in all movements that have as their object the betterment of the county and his advice and counsel is frequently sought on matters of importance. He is a Republican so far as his political affiliations are concerned and supports this party in national questions. However, he reserves the right to vote independently on matters affecting the county and is to be found on the side of the candidate whom he considers best fitted for the office regardless of party lines. He is not a member of any fraternal organization. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and with his family gives his moral and financial support to this denomination. His home is one of the pleasantest in the county and his family is highly esteemed. In business he is looked upon as a successful man, and in 1900 he had his fortunes bettered by the finding of oil on his place. He now has four producing wells.

Emil Franz

rhere are many residents of Adams county, particularly in the vicinity of Berne, who are either natives or descended from natives of Switzerland. This section of the county was practically settled by Swiss people, and the Swiss names are frequently heard. Among the residents of Berne who came from the little republic perched among the Alps is Emil Franz. He was bom in sight of the beautiful Alps, March 29, 1869. He came to the United States with his parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Schaad) Franz, when a lad of ten years. The family first lived in Monroe county, Ohio, then removed to Winnebago county, Wisconsin, and in 1883 came to Indiana and settled on a farm in Monroe township, Adams county. The elder Franz took up his trade of cheese making in his new home, and for forty years followed this employment. The combined work of farming and cheese making was followed by Daniel Franz until 1896, when he retired from active business and is now living on a small farm. He had a family of five children, all of whom are living.

Emil Franz received his early education in the schools of his native village in Switzerland. When he came with his parents to this country he studied the language and picked up a smattering of an English education. He was an industrious boy and assisted in the work of cheese making. He lived at his father's home until he grew to manhood. He was studious and conceived a liking for law, which profession he determined to make his life work. He read such law books as he could get and finally secured a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the law. He was variously employed in his early manhood and took an active part in politics. In 1S94 he was elected town marshal and served in this capacity for four years. He discharged the duties of his office with ability and to the entire satisfaction of the public he served. He completed his preparatory law studies in 1900 and that year was admitted to practice in the Adams county courts. Following his admission to practice he established an office and has since devoted much of his time to his profession. In addition to his law business Mr. Franz conducted a fire insurance business until 1905. He was the local representative of a number of the older and more substantial companies, and made this branch of his business profitable. In the year mentioned he gave up his fire insurance work and engaged in life insurance work. He has also been a notary public for eight years and his practice is among the more prominent and profitable in the count)7.

In the course of his busy life he has found time to establish a home, and was married to Miss Katie Lehman, a daughter of Abraham and Mary A. (Sprunger) Lehman. His wife's parents formerly lived in Wayne county, Ohio, where the daughter was born, bat they now reside in Adams county. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Franz: Bertha E., Rosa E., Elma E., Daniel E. and Viola E. The family are members of the Mennonite church and to this religious institution Mr. Franz gives his support. He is looked upon as a public-spirited man, and is an active worker in all things that have the betterment and uplifting of the community as an object.

Dr. Reuben Sprunger, V. S., is a young man and has been engaged in his profession but a few years. Still in a short period of active practice of his profession as a veterinarian he has achieved much prominence and established himself as an able and conscientious member of his profession. Hewas born in Monroe township October 27, 1875. His father" was one of the pioneer physicians of Adams county, and the name Peter A. Sprunger became a household word in the homes of many of the older residents of the county. A native of Switzerland, from which so many came to Adams county, Dr. Sprunger came to Indiana when a mere youth. He began the study of medicine in about the year 1876, studying with Dr. Daniel Neuenschwander, a pioneer physician. In a few years he was actively engaged in his profession, and his buggy or horse were a familiar sight along the county roads. He built up a large practice and was almost continuously on the road. At times he would fall asleep from sheer physical exhaustion, and his faithful horse would take him safely to his home. He continued to practice until his sudden death in November, 1895.

It will be seen that his son Reuben comes naturally by his desire to practice medicine. As a youth Reuben Sprunger attended the county schools and later spent one year in the Berne schools. By this time he had made up his mind to study veterinary surgery and so he journeyed to Toronto, Ontario, where he studied for a year. The following year he entered the veterinary college at Indianapolis and graduated from this institution in 1903. He returned to Berne and began the practice of his profession.

Dr. Sprunger was married to Miss Laura Fuhrman, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Beck) Fuhrman, February 24, 1906. He is a successful man and is one of a type of progressive business men who are a distinct benefit to a community. His practice is constantly increasing, and although he has been in business in Berne but a short time he has become the proprietor of a fine business. He is wide-awake to all matters that have a reasonable certainty of benefiting Berne and Adams county. He takes an active part in -ucli projects and gives them his hearty cooperation. Politically he is a member of the Democratic party. He is an enthusiastic party worker. His religious affiliations are with the Evangelical church.

Adams county numbers among its citizens members of the medical profession who have attained prominence and note among the leading physicians of the state. Of the number none stands higher than Dr. C. H. Schenk. This physician, whose career is briefly outlined in this sketch, is an able man and has reached an enviable position in the ranks of his fellow practitioners. He is a native Hoosier and was born in Jay county Octuber 30, 1870. He is a son of G. F. and Christina (Ruckweidt) Schenk. Both of his parents were born in Wurtemburg, Germany, his father in 1S32 and his mother in 1835. They came to the United States in early life and were married in Cincinnati, Ohio. They located first in Kentucky in - 862 and then came to Indiana, selecting Jay county as their home. They secured land and took up the work of cultivating the sou. As the years passed they became one 01 the most successful and progressive farmer families in their section of the state, and added additional land to their holdings.

Finally they found themselves in possession of three hundred acres, which they still own and on which was their home until the death of Mrs. Schenk in 1902. Since that time Mr. Schenk has traveled much for his health and spends a part of each year with Dr. Schenk.

It was on this farm that eight children born to the elder Schenks lived and were reared. Of this family six; boys are living. Two daughters are deceased. Dr. C. H. Schenk was one of this family of children and received his early education in the schools of Jay county. He was an industrious youth and an apt student. He was also an able and earnest assistant to his father in cultivating the homestead. After he completed his course of study in the primary schools of Jay county he attended the Portland normal school. He was a close student and gained knowledge with ease and rapidity. After finishing his work in the normal school he decided to take up medicine as a profession. To this end he matriculated in the Physo Medical College at Indianapolis and studied at this institution for four years. He was graduated with the class of 1894 and returned to his home for a short time. He entered on the active practice of his profession at Oakville, Delaware county, where he remained for two years. Circumstances shaped themselves so that he made up his mind to give up his office in Oakville and to remove to Berne. He did this and formed a partnership for the practicing of medicine with Dr. W. F. Schenk. This arrangement lasted for about a year when Dr. W. F. Schenk was compelled to abandon his active work. Later, however, he established himself in practice at New Corydon, Indiana. With the withdrawal of Dr. W. F. Schenk from the partnership Dr. C. H. Schenk took over the entire business and has continued to practice in Berne. He now enjoys a fine practice and is considered one of the leading and able members of his profession in his section of the state. Dr. Schenk is a broad-gauge man in all respects. He as a public-spirited citizen and takes a live part in matters that affect the prosperity of Berne. He is a member of the Democratic party and an active worker. He has never asked for public office but has served as the health officer of Berne and as coroner of Adams county.

In 1895 Dr. Schenk was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Atkinson. His wife is a daughter cf J. R. and Margaret (Theurer) Atkinson. Her parents came to Indiana from Wayne county, O'aio, and are residents of Jay county. Dc. and Mrs. Schenk are the parents of one daughter, Agnes, attending the Berne schools. Dr. Schenk is a member of Geneva Lodge, No. 621. A. F. & A. M., and of the Berne Lodge, No. 39S, Knights of Pythias, and is a keen sportsman. He spends a month or more of each year in the Michigan woods.

Amos Hirschy

When but a boy of eleven years of age Philip Hirschy left his home in Switzerland and in company with his mother came across the Atlantic to find a home in the new republic. The boy grew to manhood and prospered and in time married. Amos Hirschy is the son of this Swiss emigrant and was born in Wabash township in Ad:ims county, Indiana, September 25. 1S70. His parents were Philip and Mary (Richer) Hirschy. After reaching this country the elder Hirschy lived in Ohio until he attained his majority when he came westward and settled in Indiana. He purchased land one mile south of Berne, where his son was born, and remained on the farm until his death in 1S99. He was a successful farmer and at his death was the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of fine land, all well improved. He was survived by a family of nine children, all of whom are still living.

Amos Hirschy grew up on his father's farm and attended the schools of the district, where he obtained his early education. When three years of age he passed through an illness which left him physically disabled for manual labor. He attended common schools and later entered the Tri-State Normal College at Angola and took a business course. He completed this course in 1890 and then engaged in commercial pursuits. He was assistant postmaster at Berne over two years, then took a position with the Bank of Berne, with which financial institution he was connected in various capacities for eleven years, finally serving as teller. Plis connection with the bank gave him a wide acquaintance throughout the county and he developed into one of the best known and most highly respected men of the county. His dealings with the customers of the bank were uniformly courteous and when he resigned his position to engage in other business his absence from the institution was regretted by many.

. After severing his connection with the bank Mr. Hirschy en<rae;ed in the insurance business in Berne. He formed a partnership with Joseph D. YViutertgg and established an office. This business he has built up from a modest beginning- until it is one of the largest and most substantial and profitable .of its kind in northeastern Indiana. The partnership represents a number of the older and stronger insurance companies of the country, and the volume of business done annually is constantly increasing-. The firm enjoys the confidence of the business men of Berue and the residents of the county, and a large part of the insurance business of the county is transacted through the offices of this concern.

Mr. Hirschy was united in marriage with Miss Emma Schenbeck in 1S92. His wife is a daughter of John J. and Barbara Schenbeck. Her parents came to Indiana from Pennsylvania, where they were born, and settled on a farm in Wabash township within three and one-half miles of Berne. Three children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. Hirschy. These are: Gertrude, Irvin Arbor and Willard S. The children are attending the Berne schools and live with their parents.

Mr. Hirschy is one of the most progressive citizens of Berne. He is a man who takes an active part in municipal affairs and is foremost in all movements looking toward the improvement of the community in which lie lives. He is a member of the Democratic party in his count)' and is an earnest party worker. He served seven years as town clerk of Berne and discharged the duties and responsibilities of his office in a manner that was highly satisfactory to his constituents, and demonstrated the wisdom of their course when they elected him to the office. He and the members of his family are suppotters of the Mennonite church and are active in Uic work of this denomination in Adams courrtv. His home is one of the

Samuel Egly

Samuel Egly was born in Hartford township, Adams county, Indiana, April 6, 1S57. He is the son of Henry and Catherine (Goldsmith) Egly. His father was born in Germany and after coming to the United States settled in Butler county, Ohio. He took up the occupation of fanning and was a prosperous man. In time he believed that Indiana offered greater opportunities for successful and profitable farming and in 1S46 he removed to the Hoosier state. He purchased land in Hartford township, Adams county. This was a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, heavily covered with timber. He built a log cabin to serve as a temporary home for his family and began clearing his farm. The land gave promise of being exceedingly fertile and he labored hard for several years. In this time he succeeded in clearing a large portion and bringing it under productive and profitable cultivation. He erected several other log buildings and replaced them with better and more modern structures as the years wore on. In 1S65 he erected a fine, comfortable residence, which is still the home building on the farm. During his residence on this farm eight children were bom to himself and wife. Of these children seven are still living. He lived a most exemplary- life and for a number of years was a preacher and later a bishop of the Mennonite church. He died in 1892.

youth and young manhood. He was educated in the schools of his neighborhood and obtained as good an education as was possible in that district. He was married to Miss Fanny Schindler, a daughter of Christian and Barbara (Leichty) Schindler. Her father was born in France. Her mother was a native of Ohio. To this union five children have been born : Albert, employed in a bank in Grabil, Allen county; Katie E., at home; Adam, who assists in operating his father's business ; William and Rachael, both at home.

Mr. Egly is the owner and operator of a flour mill in the town of Geneva. His mill is equipped with the most modern machinery and he does a large business. His products have a wide popularity and find a ready sale in the markets of the northern part of the state. In 1901 he became connected with the Berne Grain and Hay Company, but later sold out his interests. But before engaging in the milling business or connecting himself with the grain and hay company he operated his farm, to which he still devotes some of his time and attention. Now, however, he has given up the active work and management of his farm, which is located in Hartford township, and consists of eighty acres of excellent land, and rents the property.

In every respect Mr. Egly is a model citizen. He takes an active interest in all things and movements that are for the advancement of the material prosperity of his town and county and is a wide-awake man in all particulars. He is an adherent of the Democratic party and although he has not been an aspirant for party or public preferment, is high in the councils of his party in his district. With his wife and family he worships

Clark J. Lutz

Clark J. Lutz, a leading member of the bar of Adams county, where he has resided a number of years, was born in Williamsport, Allen county, Indiana, on the 14th of March, 1S63. His parents, Samuel and Luanda Lutz, were natives of Starke county, Ohio.

When the subject was a young man of sixteen years and after the completion of his common school education he formed a partnership with his brother, Jacob S. Lutz, and engaged in the mercantile and drug business in Williamsport. They were successful in this line, in which they continued until 18S2, when the subject came to Decatur and in the following year engaged in the real estate business in partnership with the late J. F. France. A year later Mr. Lutz took up the study of law in the office of France & Merryman and in 1S85 was admitted to the bar and entered upon the active practice of his profession the following year. His course has been honorable and consistent from the outstart and he now ranks as one of the ablest lawyers in the Adams county bar, being held in high esteem not only by his fellow practitioners, but also by the citizens of the community. Mr. Lutz has a fine residence in the outskirts of Decatur.

On the 14th of October, 1885, the subject married Miss Anna M. Lewis, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio, being the daughter of Dr. J. V. Lewis. To them one daughter has been born, Miss Jean B. Lutz.

Among the members of the medical profession of Adams county Dr. Amos Reusser occupies a high position. He is a man who inspires confidence, and as this is a preeminent requirement of the successful physician, his success is not a source of wonder or remark. He was born in Berne December 21, 1869. His father was one of the first druggists of Berne and one of its leading business men. He was born in Canton, Ohio, and grew to manhood in that city. Later he removed to Hancock county in the same state, and at a still later date moved to Iowa. Leaving Iowa, he returned to Indiana and took up his residence in Berne. He was engaged in the saw-mill business until 1871, when he opened a drug store. Dr. Reusser received his early education in the Berne schools and later took a classical course for two years at the Tri-State Normal School at Angola. After finishing this course he taught school for three years. Casting about for a profession other than that of an educator, he decided to take up medicine. Accordingly he entered the Homeopathic Medical College at Chicago and pursued his studies in that institution for thiee years. During his summer vacations he read in the office of Dr. Ernest Franz, whom he selected as his practicing preceptor. In March, 1897, he completed his course in the medical school and was graduated and returned to Berne and commenced active practice of his profession.

Since his establishment in Berne Dr. Reusser has come to be recognized as one of the leading members of his school of medicine of northern Indiana. He is a progressive man and is in complete harmony with the idea that a professional man to be a successful man must keep abreast with the developments of his profession. Dr. Reusser does this and is posted on the newest methods and discoveries in the realm of medicine and surgery. But his interest in life and its activities is not limited by his interest in his profession. His progressive spirit finds much for it to do in connection with the business and social affairs of his fellow man. He is, therefore, one of the public-spirited men of Berne and a mover in all things that are designed to improve or uplift the community. His business connections are varied and he is interested in a number of different lines.

His political affiliations are with the Republican party. However, like other men, he reserves the right to vote for the man best fitted for the particular county office rather than the party candidate. On national issues he votes with his party. With his wife and the members of his family he is a consistent and faithful member of the Mennonite church.

Nathan B. Shepherd

One of the successful business men who have contributed much to the financial development of his section of Indiana is Nathan B. Shepherd, a successful and esteemed resident of Geneva, Adams county. He is engaged in the grain business as a member of the Berne Grain and Hay Company. He was born on a farm occupied by his father in Adams county that had been in the family since the grandfather of Nathan - William Shepherd - entered the land from the government. Nathan Shepherd's father was Edward Shepherd, who married Lucy A. Buckingham. He was a native of Franklin county, Ohio, where he was bom in 1826. The elder Shepherd was a son of William and Olevia (Emory) Shepherd, natives of Virginia. After a residence of some years in Ohio Edward Shepherd and his parents removed to Adams county in 1836 and settled on a farm. Here William Shepherd died in 1863. His wife died in 1856. Edward Shepherd and his wife had nine children, five of whom are still living: Emery, Margaret E., Nathan B., Martha A. and Morton G.

Nathan B. Shepherd spent his early life on his father's farm and grew to manhood there. In 1S77 he started out for himself and engaged in the grain business with J. D. and O. W. Hale at his present location in Geneva as an employe. He continued in this business until 1898, when he was appointed postmaster of Geneva. This office he filled with credit and discharged all of its duties and obligations with intelligence and to the satisfaction of the citizens of his native town. In 1901 he engaged in his present business. Under his able maangement and attention this business has grown until it is one of the most important and largest of its kind in the county. He has of recent years enlarged the scope of his business and includes in his grain business dealing in hay, coal, cement and other similar products. He is a member of the Berne Grain and Hay Company. This concern was organized in igoi and stock in it is held by a number of farmei -. and dealers of Adams county. It has been developed from a comparatively small concern to a large business and the annual business done is gratifying to those who are interested in the company and who have been instrumental in promoting its prosperity.

In 1879 Mr. Shepherd married Miss Sarah C. Conner. His wife is a daughter of William and Catherine (Farber) Conner, natives of Jay county, Indiana, where her father was a carpenter and joiner. Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd are the parents of four children, all boys. Earl is employed in the railway mail service, William is in a railway office at Fort Wayne and Charles and Clarence are in school at their home.

Mr. Shepherd has been a consistent voter of the Republican ticket and gives that party organization his loyal support. He served for a time as a member of the board of trustees. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities and is enthusiastic in the interests and work of these bodies. In religious matters he and his family support the Methodist church. His grandfather had the distinction of being the first member of this faith in Adams county and the first services of this denomination in the county were held at the grandfather's home and in his log cabin the first church was organized.

Lew Holthouse

he now resides, having been bora on the 6th day of July, 1SS2. He is a son of John B. and Mary (Gast) Holthouse, the former also a native of Adams county and the latter born in Louisville, Kentucky. John and Mary Holthouse were the parents of six children, all of whom are living, namely : Lev.-, the subject of this sketch; Clarence, May, Frances, Felix and Catherine. Ey a second marriage John Holthouse had four children, viz. : Jesse, John, Margaret and Hugh. The subject's paternal grandfather, Bernard Holthouse, was a native of Germany, but in an early day came to this locality and engaged in farming, which pursuit he followed during the remainder of his life. His son, father of the subject, then took up the work, which he followed until young manhood, when he came to Decatur and engaged in the drug business, which he has always followed. He is now the senior member of the firm known as the Holthouse Drug Company, of which he was the founder. The subject's mother died December 21, 1896.

The subject of this sketch received a common school education and received two terms of instruction in the military college at Rensselaer, Indiana, subsequently graduating at the International Business College at Fort Wayne. After this he was employed as bookkeeper at the Old Adams County Bank for two years, after which he engaged in the horse business, buying and shipping horses from all over the west. In 1902 he engaged in the livery business, which he has since followed successfully, being now considered one of the leading concerns of this character here. In politics he is a staunch Democrat and religiously is affiliated with the Catholic church. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Eagles at Fort Wayne.

J. H. Hardison, the gentleman about whose career this brief sketch is concerned, is one of the men who have developed and made profitable the northeastern Indiana oil field. He is a resident of Geneva, Adams county, and is one of the substantial and esteemed men of his community. He was born in the state of Maine, February 5, 1 84 1. He is the son of Ivory and Dorcas (Abbott) Hardison. His father was a farmer in that eastern state and spent his life in cultivating the soil. He died in Maine. His son was reared on his father's place and secured his education in the schools of his neighborhood. When he was still a young man the stories that reached him of the fortunes to be made in the oil fields of the country attracted him. He was one of a family of eleven children, six of whom are still living, and his services were not needed at his home. Accordingly in his twenty-second year he went west to Pennsylvania and began business in the oil fields of that state. His efforts were successful and he continued to operate in Pennsylvania for the following twenty-two years. In 1883 he went to Kansas, in which state he remained for six years. He was variously interested for an interval of a few years and in 1S92 came to Indiana. After reaching this state he decided to locate in Geneva, Adams county. In 1892 he entered into partnership with C. P. Collins and J. R. Leonard. These men later added Harry Heasley and J. H. Evans and formed the Superior Oil Company. In

In 1876 Mr. Hardison was united in marriage to Miss Maiy E. Brooking. His wife is a daughter of John Brooking, who was a sea captain. She was born in Newfoundland, where her father's home was located and where he lived. Two children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hardison : Bertha A., now the wife of H. O. Butler, engaged in the oil business at Geneva, and a son, Wallace B., living at his father's home.

Mr. Hardison is a man who takes an interest in public affairs, and has contributed to the development of his adopted home. He is a member of the Republican party, but has not held public office. His fraternal affiliations are represented by the Masons, of which he is a member, having attained the thiry-second degree, and by membership in the Salina (Kansas) Lodge, No. 28, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He owns considerable property in Geneva.

Wallace L. Hardison, a younger brother of the subject of this sketch, lived for some time in Los Angeles, where he owned the Los Angeles Herald. He built this paper up to a very high standard and invested more than three hundred thousand dollars in it. He still lives in California. A nephew, C. P. Collins, is president of the largest oil producing company in the Indian Territory. Another brother of the subject of these lines. Harvey Hardison, was killed in a tunnel while exploring for oil by an explosion in 1 890.

arc: C. P. Collins, president; J. R. Leonard, treasurer, and Harry Heasley, secretary. The directors are: C. P. Collins, J. H. Hardison, J. R. Leonard, Harry Heasley and J. H. Evans.

Charles Stavart Niblick

Contemporary financiers of Indiana have a large amount of responsibility and a great trust imposed on them. The banks of the state, whether national or state institutions, are managing and conducting vast enterprises and a full share of the responsibility and integrity of these enterprises falls on the banks of the northeastern section of the state. The growth of the commercial importance of the state has developed men of unusual strength of character and financial ability and among them, occupying a trusted and honored place, is Charles Stavart Niblick, president of the Old Adams County Bank of Decatur.

Mr. Niblick was born in Decatur October 19, 1866. He is a member of a famliy that has been aggressively and prominently connected with the development of Adams county and long identified with its banking interests. He is a son of Jesse Niblick, who was a pioneer banker and merchant of Decatur, and who attained a high standing in the commercial life of his community. His father began his business life in a modest and small way. He conducted a small store for a number of years and later engaged in partnership in a general store that grew to large proportions. He also was instrumental in founding and organizing the O'd Adams County Bank and was its president after its organization. He continued to act as president of the bank for a number of years and then resigned to devote his attention to his crowing store. He was succeeded in the presidency of the bank by David Studabaker, but retained his place on the bank's directorate and was chosen vice president of the invtitution.

Charles S. Niblick was educated in the schools of Decatur and grew to manhood there. March 15, 1881, he entered the bank of which his father was the head in the capacity of a clerk. He had gained some commercial experience during the school vacations by clerking in his father's store. He filled various positions in the bank's employ for several years and was made assistant cashier. He learned the duties of a cashier under the able instruction of R. K. Allison, and when that gentleman resigned as cashier of the bank to engage in the lumber business Charles S. Niblick succeeded him. He assumed his duties as cashier of the bank November 12, 1906.

During the time he had been associated in the bank with others a number of changes had taken place. David Studabaker, who w as elected president of the bank to succeed Jesse Niblick, was in turn succeeded by William H. Niblick, August 1, 1894. Decerning 26, 1906, Mr. R. K. Allison resigned his jwsition as president of the bank, to which «'hicc he had been elected after his resignation as cashier in November of the same >ear. and Charles S. Niblick was selected as his successor. This position he is still hold- -ng and in addition takes an active part in the management of the bank's affairs. On Mr. Niblick's elevation to the presidency of ">e hank he was succeeded as cashier by E. X. Ehinger.

During the years previous to and during the connection of Mr. Niblick with this bank it has grown to be one of the most important financial institutions in the northern section of the state. Its present capitalization is one hundred and twenty thousand dollars and its surplus is in excess of twenty thousand dollars. It is managed and conducted along the most conservative lines. The stock is held closely and a majority of it is in possession of the Niblick and Studabaker families.

In addition to his interest in the Adams County Bank Mr. Niblick is interested in a number of financial enterprises of the county. He is a stockholder and director in the bank of Wren, Ohio; a director of the German Building', Loan and Savings Association of Decatur, and a member of the Decatur Commercial Club. He is an active citizen and is interested in all movements to improve the city of Decatur and to advance its commercial interests. Although he is an adherent of the Democratic party, he is not in any sense a politician. He is essentially a business man, but finds enjoyment in his membership in the Knights of Columbus ; also a charter- member of No. 993, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is treasurer, and it is no detraction from his standing as a financier to say that he enjoys a game of baseball and is an enthusiastic "fan."

Mr. Niblick was married to Miss Minnie Waldron, of Niagara Falls, New York, January 8, 18S9. For a short time before her marriage Miss Waldron was a resident of Decatur. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Niblick. These children form a delightful family. They are: Naomi, Stewart, James, Charlotte and Margaret.

Mrs. Niblick is a cultured woman and was educated in the best schools of Niagara Falls and Buffalo. She takes an active part in the intellectual life of Decatur and is a member of the city's literary clubs. Both Mr. and Mrs. Niblick are members of Saint Mary's Roman Catholic church and are devout and consistent Christians. Their home is one of the most attractive in Decatur and is a center of much social life and reflects an environment of culture and refinement.

Tohn Niblick

John Niblick, with whose career this sketch is concerned, is one of the substantial business men of Adams county and one of the best known throughout northeastern Indiana. He was born in Adams county and has spent his life in that county. His connection with the business life of the county and particularly with the business life of Decatur and Berne, have left indelible impresses on the development and success of the locality. He was born in Decatur, January 8, 1853. His bitrh occurred in a house that occupied the site of the present Journal office. From his thirteenth year he has been engaged in business and lias had an active career. He engaged in the general mercantile business at Decatur in 1866 and began to learn a business of which he has made a distinct success. The story of the development of the mercantile establishment in Decatur bearing his name is the story of the development of the business life of John Niblick.

sold his interests to his brother, John Nuttman, and John Crawford. The business was then conducted under the firm name of Nuttman & Crawford until 1S66, when le^- Niblick purchased the interest held by Mr. Nuttman. Again the firm name was change!, and this time became Niblick & Crawford. In 1874 Frank Crawford, a son of John Crawford, and John Niblick, a son of Jesse Niblick, were taken into the partnership ami the firm continued to do business under the new name of Niblick, Crawford & Sons. Another change came about in 1SS8, when bull; of the Crawfords retired from the partnership and the Niblicks secured the entire bu>iness. This necessitated another change in the name of the firm and Jesse Niblick & Son appeared on the sign above the store. This last partnership arrangement was continued until the death of Jesse Niblick, October 6, 1895. The business was operated by John and William H. Niblick as executors of their father's estate until 1897, when the business was incorporated as Niblick & Company. John was chosen president of the company formed in this manner to opera;'- the business and he is serving the compan; in that capacity today. Since the incorporation two of the original stockholders and partners in the business have died. These are Charles P. Ehinger, who was manager of the store from its incorporation, and W iliam H. Niblick. Mr. Niblick was secretary of the company and president of the bank The deceased partners were succeeded u\ Daniel M. Niblick, who is the manager the store and secretary of the company.

Niblick & Company represents the large*'' enterprise of its kind in Adams county. 1 '" store carries a large and varied stock of »rj goods, notions, 'carpets, rugs, curtains.

qiirc-nsware, groceries and the like, and the annual volume of business done exceeds one hundred thousand dollars. A force of twelve people is constantly employed and John and Daniel Niblick give their personal attention to the operation and management of the growing business. The store building is owned by the Jesse Niblick estate and was erected by Jesse Niblick in 1876 at an original cost of twelve thousand dollars. This includes the cost of the bank building adjoin- ' ing. The store has approximately seventyfive thousand square feet of floor space and is a building admirably adapted to the display and sale of goods.

Mr. Niblick is an active business man. He is interested in a number of Decatur enterprises and is considered an able financier. He is a director of the Old Adams County Bank and has taken an active part in the management of its affairs and contributed largely to its growth into a sound and substantial financial institution. For a time, from 1890 to 1S96, he managed a grain business in Decatur and made it a successful enterprise. He is a man who believes in doing thoroughly that which he undertakes to advance the interests of his city. He is in the van of movements to build up the city and to increase its commercial significance. He is public spirited and a firm friend of education. He served for a number of years as a member of the Decatur school board and has always taken a keen and active interest in the educational progress of the city.

May 18, 1S76, Mr. Niblick was married to Miss Mary J. Studabaker, a daughter of Judge David S. Studabaker. She is an accomplished and highly educated woman arid is a gradiiate of the Glendale Female College in the class of '75. Mrs. Niblick is prominent in the social life of Decatur. She is interested in movements started by women and is active in local and stale women's clubwork. She is president of the Eighth District Federation of Women's Clubs and has been instrumental in bringing peace out of chaos when the women's club life of Indiana was threatened by dissensions and factional disagreements. With her husband and family, she is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which denomination and its work both Mr. and Mrs. Niblick take leading and active parts. Mr. Niblick has been an officer of the Decatur church for many years and was secretary of the board for twenty-one years. In addition he is a delegate to the conferences of the church.

The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Niblick is most attractive. Their home is one of the social centers of Decatur and is characterized by refinement and culture. They are the parents of a number of most interesting children. These children are: Hattie, the wife of A. D. Suttles, a principal in one of the Decatur schools; Josephine, the wife of O. P. Edwards, of Leipsic, Ohio, where he is interested in a brokerage stone business and a bank ; Burton S., a student at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and Helen, attending the Decatur high schools.

C. Lee Walters

C. Lee Walters, an able and prominent attorney of Adams county, although still a young man has had a most active and varied business career since he passed from his youth to young manhhod. He was born

January 10, 1869. His parents, William M. and Martha A. (Drummond) Walters, were long" residents of Adams county. William Walters was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Adams county when a boy of thirteen. He was educated in the common schools of the county and began teaching school when still young. He gained much -popularity as a teacher and after a few years was chosen county superintendent of schools. He served in this capacity from 1S75 to 1879. In this latter year he removed to Clay county, Nebraska, where he resumed teaching. In a short time he was elected county treasurer of Clay county. He is a Democrat and has always been active in politics. He removed to Thomas county and "was elected probate judge. After serving two terms he retired from active life. Martha A, Walters, the wife of William Walters, is a daughter of Robert Drummond, a native -of Ohio, and one of the pioneers of Adams county. Her father came to Indiana at an early date and settled on a farm in Root township, where he became a prominent farmer and cultivated a large tract of land. He raised a large family and lived in Adams county until his death at his home in 1875. His sons settled in Adams county. The -death of Mrs. Walters occurred in Ohio and she is survived by two children, C. L. Walters and a daughter, Alice, the wife of William Tuohy, who lives with her husband in Gladwin county, Michigan.

The boyhood of Clement Lee Walters was spent in Decatur. He was educated in the schools of the county, completing the regular course. He attended the normal -schools at Angola and Valparaiso and Blackbum University at Carlinville, Illinois. When he was twenty years of age he began teaching and taught continuously for eight years. He taught in all the grades of the common schools and was selected as assistant principal of the Decatur high school, in which city he taught five years in the grades and high school. In the intervals between his school duties he read law and passing the bar examinations, he was admitted to practice in the Adams county courts.

Following the conclusion of his teaching period he engaged in the boot and shoe business. He continued in this business and in the general merchandise business until 1903, and then formed a partnership with Mr. John E. Kern to conduct a real estate business. This business was established in connection with a general mercantile business at Midland, Michigan, and it was in successful operation under the direction of these two men for three years. Mr. Walters then decided to take up his profession of law and to devote all of his attention to it. Accordingly he returned to Decatur and in September, 1906, he established his office. During the comparatively short time he has been engaged in practicing law he has built up a good practice and has gained much prominence. He is a man who, like his father, takes an active interest in politics. However, unlike his father, he is an adherent of the Republican party. He is an active and able worker for his party and has received honor at the hands of his fellow Republicans. He has served as chairman of his party organization in Adams county and was appointed a deputy interna! revenue collector for the northeastern district of Indiana. He held this office for a year and then resigned.

u>r liis party's interests and an able and wise counselor. He is still actively engaged in politics, but in business devotes himself exclusively to the practice of his profession.

The marriage of Mr. Walters and Miss Grace E. McConnehey was solemnized in 1S96. Three children have been born to these parents : Robert K., Helen and Dorothy. Mr. and Mrs. Walters are devout members of the Methodist church and are among the most highly respected residents of their community. Both are educated people and their home is one of the most delightful in Decatur. Their social position in the community is exceptional and their home is the center of much of the social gayety of the city.

Mr. Walters is a thirty-second-degree Mason, being a member of the Bay City, Michigan, consistory; Elf Khurafeh temple of the Mystic Shrine at Saginaw, Michigan. Both Mr. and Mrs. Walters are members of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Matthias Kirsch

Among the leading financiers of Adams county and the men who are contributing to the sustained commercial growth and development of this section of northeastern Indiana properly may be numbered Matthias Kirsch, the vice president of the Old Adams County Bank. He was born in the university town of Heidelberg, on the banks of the German Rhine. August 17, 1856. He is a son of Christopher and Catherine (Stern) 'Mrsch. His parents grew to maturity and were mai ried in the quaint German college town and Christopher Kirsch was a merchant there for a number of years. After a few years of successful business in Heidelberg he decided to migrate to America and seek his fortune in the United States. Accordingly he sold his business interests in Germany and embarked with his family for . New York. The journey across the Atlantic was made in safety and without incident and the family reached Indiana in 1S67. Christopher Kirsch purchased a tract of new land in Preble township, Adams county, and settled on it. It was unimproved, but after a few years of industry and frugality he found himself in possession of a good farm, well cleared and improved and affording a comfortable income. He continued to live on his farm until a few years before his death, which occurred about the year 1899. His wife survived him several years and died in 1902. Both he and his wife were members of the German Reformed church and he was a successful farmer and accumulated considerable property. He was eminently respected and enjoyed the esteem and confidnece of all who knew him and were associated with him in a business and social way.

Of a family of eight children born to this estimable couple and consisting of Barbara, Matthias, Peter (deceased), Peter (living), Catherine (deceased), Catherine (living), John (deceased) and John (living), it will be seen that Matthias was the second in point of birth. He was eleven years of age when his parents decided to forsake their home along the Rhine and migrate to the United States. His youth was, accordingly, spent in the fatherland and he was educated in the parochial schools of his neighborhood. After coming1 to Adams countv he attended the common schools of his district and se- cured as good an English education as the circumstances and his environment warranted. In addition to his studies he assisted in the work of clearing and cultivating his father's farm and in time became a skilled agriculturist. He continued to live -on the home estate and to assist in its culti- . vation and management until 1875, when he removed to Belmont, Illinois, and engaged in the mercantile business in that city. He spent the following twelve years in Illinois and in 1S87 he returned to Indiana and settled in Decatur. He engaged in the lumber business after returning to Adams county, the firm name being Fritzinger & Kirsch. This partnership arrangement continued for the next two years, when Mr. Fritzinger sold his interest to A. H. Sellemeyer and the firm then became known under the name of Kirsch & Sellemeyer. This business is continued today. In addition to his lumber business Mr. Kirsch is interested in other commercial enterprises of Adams county. He is a stockholder in the Old Adams County Bank and in 1906 was elected vice president of this strong financial institution. He takes more than a passive interest in the affairs of the bank and is active to an extent in its management.

The marriage of Mr. Kirsch and Miss Amanda Langenbacher occurred in 1878. Mrs. Kirsch is a native of Preble township, Adams county, and is a daughter of Matthias and Harriet Langenbacher, who were early settlers of Adams county. Three chil- have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirsch : Delia, the wife of Frederick Reppert, one of the best known auctioneers of Adams county, and Otto L. and Harold, both at home with their parents.

Mr. Kirsch is one of the most highly esteemed men of his city and community ami a man whose advice is often sought on matters of importance. He is a shrewd and successful business man and one who takes an active part in furthering the interests of Decatur and Adams county. He is a director in the following companies: The Cement Roof and Block Company, Furnace Com pany, the Packing Company and the Automobile Works. In politics he is a Democrat and consistently votes the ticket of this party and works for its success. With his wife and the members of his family, litis a member of the German Reformed church and accords this denomination his hearty and generous support.

Daniel M. Niblick

Daniel M. Niblick is a member of the younger generation of a family that has for many years been intimately connected with the commercial development and the industrial history of Adams county. His father and grandfather gained prominent places inthe financial world of northeastern Indiana. and the success and present prestige of existing financial institutions can be attributed directly to their efforts and to their sagacity.

Daniel Niblick was born at the old family homestead in Decatur. Adams county. January 10, 1870. He spent his early life at his parents' home, where his mother is still living, and was educated in the Decatur schools. He was an earnest student anil gained the esteem of his fellow students and his instructors. After finishing his studies in the Decatur schools he decided to take up a commercial life. Accordingly lie entered the store of Niblick & Company as a clerk. In this move he laid the foundation of a successful career. The store of Niblick & Company has become an institution in Adams county. It has had a career of many years of successful business, having grown to be ihe most important general merchandise establishment in the county. It was founded years ago by Jesse Niblick, father of the subject of this sketch, and has been in the family since. When Daniel Niblick entered the store, February 1, 1887, he was seventeen years of age. He learned the business conducted by the store in a most thorough manner. He began at the bottom and familiarized himself with all the many details of the business. He progressed rapidly and March 3, 1897, ten years after he entered the store, he became a stockholder.

Since the death of Mr. Charles P. Ehinger, August 18, 1902, he has been manager of the enterprise and succeeded his brother, William H. Niblick, as secretary of the company operating the store.

June 20, 1894, Mr. Niblick was united in marriage to Miss Minnie D. Eiting, who had been an employe of the store for four years previous to her marriage. She was a native of Minster, Ohio. A family of four children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. Niblick. 1 hree of these children are living with their parents. They are: Omar John, Mildred and Harold. Velma, a daughter, died in childhood.

Mr. Niblick is a successful business man. He is a type of progressive merchant, and under his management the store of Niblick & Company has increased its business materially. It is a large establishment and is h'nser' in an excellent and commodious building-. It controls a large proportion of the trade of Decatur and Adams county and is managed and operated along the most modern lines of merchandising, as its standing in the financial circles of northeastern Indiana is exceptional. In addition to his exacting responsibilities in connection with the store Mr. Niblick takes an interested and active part in the affairs of the county and his home city. He is a leader in movements designed to increase the commercial importance of Decatur and Adams county, and gives all such movements his hearty and liberal support. He is a Democrat in politics, but is not an aspirant for public office. With his wife and the members of his family, he is a member of the Saint Mary's Roman Catholic church and gives this church his earnest and liberal support.

William H. Niblick

For more than a half century the name of Niblick has been closely identified with the commercial growth and development of Adams county. It was members of this family who individually contributed much to the financial development of the county, and who were largely instrumental in bringing it before the rest of the state because of its commercial prominence and industrial significance. Among the strong men of this family who aided in no mean way to promote the interests of Decatur and Adams county none stands out more prominently, although now in memory, than William H. Niblick. In all matters of public need or public work he was ever to be found in the van. and he is remembered today as an aggressive, intelligent, clean-lived and honest financier and citizen. ,