Adams County, Indiana - The whole text, 1907 (part 8 of 16)

In addition to his arduous duties as judge and as a practicing attorney the busy brain of Judge Studabaker was concerned with many other tilings. He was engaged in many lines of business and was a prominent figure in ail movements that were destined to promote the commercial interests of Decatur and Adams county. He dealt extensively in real estate and owned much of it in various sections of the country-. He became the wealthiest citizen of his community and owned at his death large interests in producing oil property and bank stock. In 1869 he was one of the promoters of the Fort Wayne & Richmond Railway that later became the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railway and finally passed into the control of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He was a member of the first board of directors of this road and retained this position until his death. He was a director in a number of banks - the Old Adams County Bank, of which he was a stockholder and cue of its founders, serving as vice president and later president when the bank became incorporated at a state bank ; the Bankers' National Bank, of Chicago ; the First National Bank, of Marion, Indiana: the Bank of Geneva and the Bank of Berne, and the First National of Fort Wayne, and the Bank of Wren, Ohio.

Judge Studabaker was twice married. His first marriage occurred October 26, 1854, when he was united to Miss Harriet Evans, a daughter of the Hon. John K. Evans, a prominent figure in the state's history. Mrs. Studabaker died June 7, 1891. One son of this marriage, John E. Studabaker, died May 2, 1S69. The surviving children are: Mary, wife of John Niblick, of Decatur; Airs. Lizzie Morrison, of Decatur; Miss Hattie Studabaker, of Decatur; Mrs. W. J. Yesey, of Fort Wayne, and David E. Studabaker, of Decatur. Judge Studabaker was married for the second time in June, 1895, to Mrs. Jennie Phelps, who survives him.

After a busy, useful and distinguished life, extending over the allotted span, Judge Studabaker died on the evening of Ma}- 3, 1904. His death followed an illness of but two weeks' duration and was due to a complication of causes. He contracted a cold while visiting a farm he owned and he was stricken as the result. He was kept alive through the use of stimulants for several days and retained his consciousness until within a few hours of his death. With his passing Decatur and the entire northeastern section of the state suffered a distinct loss. M his loss was voiced feelingly in a comment appearing in the Decatur Democrat. It follows: a worthy and honored citizen has lived his allotted time and passed to the great beyond. During his long life, covering a period of three score years and ten, we look back upon a busy, useful and active career, in which he rose from a self-educated boy to a school teacher, then a law student, lawyer, judge, banker, and in later years has been as busy and as energetic in the control and management of his many and varied personal interests. All of these he managed and directed to the last days of his last illness, and he died honored and respected to the highest degree. Such a life is worthy of the ambition that is rife in the mad rush of progress, and its simulation should be a high ideal among the youth who are striving to win laurels in the days and years to come. Judge Studabaker's public and private life is an open book, and upon its pages are written many good deeds of charity and encouragement. Public-spirited, kind and observant, his counsel and advice will be severely missed, but, thanks to the seed that has been sown, Judge Studabaker will live for many and many years to come."

The funeral of Judge Studabaker was a most impressive function. It was participated in by the entire city of Decatur. During the hours when the cortege wound its way through the city streets and services were held at the church, the home and the grave, all business in Decatur was suspended. Representatives of the banks of Fort Wayne, Chicago, Bluffton, Huntington. Geneva, Berne and other places in which Judge Studabaker had interests, were present and many other interests paid last and touching tributes. For two days the body of the :;ged jurist laid in state at his home surrounded bv manv beautiful emblems and crowds viewed it. Intimate friends and strangers, rich and poor, gazed on the features of a dead friend and sympathetic counselor. The services were conducted by the Rev. W. H. Daniel, assisted by the Rev. W. E. McCarty. A choir of twenty voices rendered favorite hymns of Judge Studabaker and the services were concluded by the solemn rites of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The funeral procession was over a mile in length and was headed by the Odd Fellows and the members of the Adams County Bar Association. The pall-bearers were: Judge James T. Merryman, T. H. Ernst, J. H. Stone, A. Van Camp, Henry Hite, M. F. Rice, John S. Falk and R. D. Patterson. The honorary- pall-bearers were : George Pixley and B. W. Pixley, of Fort Wayne; Dr. Reasoner, president of the First National Bank of Marion, Indiana; Judge Dailey, of Bluffton; Judge O'Rourke, of Fort Wayne ; R. B. Allison, of Decatur, and Judge D. D. Heller and Judge R. K. Erwin, of Decatur. Resolutions of regret and sympathy were passed by the Decatur Commercial Club and by the Fort Wayne Trust Company at a meeting of the board of directors of these institutions.

Lew G. Ellingham

Lew G. Ellingham, editor and publisher of the Daily and Weekly Democrat, at Decatur, is comparatively a young man, but has had much experience in his line. His parents were Charles and Hannah (Scotton) Ellingham. natives of England, who came to America in early lite. They were married at Huntington, Indiana, and settled on a tract of land in Wells county, which they improved and added thereto until the farm comprised more than two hundred acres. When they were well advanced in years and had accumulated a competency they retired and spent their remaining years as residents of Bluiiton, Indiana. They were the parents of seven children, of whom six are still living.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools at Bluff ton, whither the family removed when he was six years old. When a boy he worked in the office of the Bluffton Banner. At the age of nineteen he purcbased the Geneva Herald and during the four years he published the same he had many valuable experiences which proved profitable. In 1891 he sold the Herald and purchased the Winchester Democrat, which lie conducted for three years. Subsequently of this, he removed to Decatur formed a stock company which founded the Decatur Democratic Press, of which Mr. Ellingham was editor. Shortly after founding this paper the company purchased the subscription list and good will of the Demo- I cratic World and in August, 1896, purchased the Decatur Democrat, thus consolidating tiie home papers and publishing the same under the name of the Decatur Democrat. In July, 1897, the subject of this sketch purchased the entire stock of the company and became sole proprietor. In January, 1903, he founded the Daily Democrat, which was the second daily published in Adams county. In July, 1906, he purchased the daily edition of the Decatur Journal and consolidated it with the Daily Democrat, which is now the only -daily paper published in Adams county. It is a seven-column, four-page paper and has a circulation of more than three thousand.

The weekly edition is a six-column, eightpage paper and has a larger circulation than that of any of its competitors. These papers are staunch supporters of the Democratic party, and Mr. Ellingham devotes his entire time and attention to the publication of same.

On January 2, 1895, Mr. Ellingham married Miss Nellie Miller, the daughter of Colonel M. B. Miller, of Winchester, and they are the parents of two children - Winnifred and Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Ellingham are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally Mr. Ellingham belong? to the Masons, Knights of Pythias and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

Adam J. Bienz

Adam J Bienz, who owns one hundred acres of choice land in section 8, in Union township, Adams county, Indiana, which he maintains at the highest standard of excellence, is a native of Willshire township, Van Wert county, Ohio, where he was born on October 26, 1859. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Pfleger) Bienz, the father a native of Germany, and the mother of Ohio. They are still residents of Van Wert county and are the parents of eight children : Louis, Margaret, George, Adam J., Frederick, Mary, Anna and Emma.

The subject of this sketch, who was the fourth child in order of birth, was reared on his father's farm in Ohio, where he made his home until his marriage, after which he worked on his father's farm on the shares for three years. At the age of eighteen he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed for several years. Car-

'.entering and fanning have been his principal occupations throughout life. Eventually, in 1S92, he moved from Van Wert county, Ohio, to Adams county, Indiana, and located on the farm which he now occupies. "He has erected a number of neat and substantial buildings and has otherwise improved the place so that it is now considered one of the choice farms of the locality. Mr. Bienz has been married three times. His first wife was Pauline German, by whom he had one child, Minnie. This wife died in YVillshire township, Van Wert county, Ohio, at the age of twenty-seven, and Mr. Bienz subsequently married Christina Reinkliug. the daughter of Ferdinand Reinkling. To this marriage was also born one child, Paula. Mrs. Christina Bienz died at the age of thirty-one, and on May 14, 1900, Mr. Bienz married Miss Matilda Bleeke, a native of Union township, who was born on May 29, 1874, and was the daughter of Christian and Mary. (Rupp) Bleeke. Her parents are both now deceased, the father dying at the age of seventy-eight and the mother at sixty-five years old. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Bienz was the ninth child in order of birth. To the subject and his wife have been born three children: Erwin C. F., Amalie A. E., and Martin G. The entire family are members of the Emanual Lutheran church.

most productive and valuable in the locality, was born in Preble township, Adams county, on July 21, 1855. His parents were Conrad and Mary ( Christ ianer) Reinking and of their nine children the subject was fourth in order of birth.

He was reared in Preble township and remained under the parental roof until attaining majority, shortly after which he located on the farm where he now resides. It comprises eighty acres of -choice land, seventy acres of which are under the plow and which are devoted to all crops common to this locality. He has erected substantial buildings and the place is well improved otherwise.

On April 21, 1878, Mr. Reinking married Miss Louise Bleeke, who was born in Union township on March 4, 1S58, the daughter of Frederick and Mary (BieveJheimer) Bleeke, and to this union were born eight children : Gustav C. F., Alvine M. L., the wife of Henry Eix; Lizzie C. M., the wife of Edward Lahnnan; Edwin W. PL, Reinhard IL, George E., Blandine C, Hugo M. Mr. and Mrs. Reinking are members of the Fmanuel Lutheran church and take an active interest in the official and social organisations connected with that church manager of the Decatur Journal, is a native WILLIAM F. REINKING. of this county, having been born on December i6r J859. and is the ^oi\ of Robert N. William F. Reinking, whose farm of and Sophia (Bolinger) Andrews. Mr. Aneighty acres in section 17. in Union town- drews was reared on the paternal farmstead ship, Adams county, Indiana, is among the and attended the common schools of Adams county. He subsequently supplemented this .schooling by attendance at Lebanon, Ohio, and Portland, Indiana, and during the following ten years was engaged in school teaching. He read law and was admitted to the bar, but finding this calling not to his liking, he withdrew from the profession after about two years, and in 1897 he was appointed postmaster at Decatur under President McKinley, which position he filled satisfactorily for Tour years and six months. He went to Missouri at the expiration of his term and engaged there in the manufacture of staves and shingles. Subsequently he returned to Decatur and has since been identified with journalism in the capacity of editor and business manager of the Decatur Journal. This paper, which was founded in 1S76, is an eight-page, seven-column weekly and has been the only paper advocating and supporting the Republican party in Adams county. It enjoys a wide circulation and contains all the current events. Mr. Andrews has always been an active member of the Republican party and takes a deep interest in the general welfare of the community.

On April 8, 1905, he married Miss Laura Marker, who died very suddenly on the 21st of October. 1906. Fraternally Mr. Andrews is a Mason, being a past master of Decatur Lodge, No. 751, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and past high priest of Decatur Chapter, No. 112, Royal Arch Masons.

William P. Barkley

Indiana, is a native Hoosier, having been born in the township where he now resides on the 2d day of February, 1870. He is the son of Elias and Mary (Clam) Barkley, respected and honored early settlers of Union township, the father now deceased, having died in his seventy-second year. The mother is living in Allen county. They were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch was fifth in order of birth.

He received his education in the common schools of Union township and has always applied himself to agricultural pursuits, in which he has been successful to a satisfactory degree He is the owner of sixty acres of as good land as can be found in the township and takes pride in the calling to which he has applied himself. His farm is adorned with a number of neat and substantial buildings and the place is characterized by well-kept fences, up-to-date agricultural implements and other evidences which indicate the owner to be a man of good judgment and splendid ideas. Mr. Barkley is a staunch and enthusiastic Democrat in politics and has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of his township, and has held the office of constable. With his wife Mr. Barkley is affiliated with the United Brethren church.

In Van Wert county, Ohio, on September 2, 1893, Mr. Barkley married Miss Ocie Miller, a native of that county, a daughter of William and Margaret Miller. They are the parents of two children : Ransom E. and Alonzo F. Mr. Barkley has endeavored to so live as to merit the respect of his fellow citizens and iias at all times been considered among the leading' representatives of his township.

Edward C. Bleeke

Edward C. Bleeke, who owns a fine farm of -one hundred and sixty acres of land in Union township, this county, and who is jriFtiy numbered among" the respected agriculturists of his locality, was born in the township where he now resides on the 5th of November, 1S63. His parents were Frederick and Mary (Bevelheimer) Bleeke, the former of whom was born in Prussia and the latter in Pennsylvania. Coming to America al the age of ten years, Frederick Bleeke and his wife located in Adams county, where they were numbered among the early settlers, and here they remained until their deaths, he dying in his seventy-eighth year and she in her fiftyseventh. Their ten children were named as follows: William F. ; Louisa, the wife of William F. Reinking; Caroline, the wife of John A. Ehrman ; Christine, the wife of Henry Bischcfi; Edward C. ; Helena, the wife of Frank Lankeuau; Mary, the wife of George Runge ; Sophia, the wife of Herman Jaebker; Ferdinand, and a daughter, who died in infancy.

The subject of this sketch was reared Under the parental roof and was early inured to the toil and hardships incident to farm life. He gained a fair education in the pub- He schools and has been a close observer and wide reader throughout his life, so that today he is considered among the well read and intelligent men of his community, harming has been his chief occupation and in this he has been eminently successful. He 1? the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of the old homestead farm, on which has been erected a number of good buildings, and he has conducted the place in such a

In Union township, on October 6, 188S, Mr. Bleeke married Miss Pauline Thieme, who was born in Union township, the daughter of Godfrey and Amallca Thieme. To this union have been born six children: Herbert, Reinhold, who died at the age of four years; Ella, Edna, Victor and Herhold. This family are faithful and active members of the Emanuel Lutheran church and command the uniform respect of all with whom they come in contact.

William Schamerloh

William Schamerloh, a respected and progressive citizen of Union township. Adams county, Indiana, was born in the township in which he lives on September 19, 1859, and was reared on the parental farmstead. He has always resided in this township and has merited the high position which he holds among his fellow citizens. He is the son of Christian and Caroline (Kruckeberger) Schamerloh.

William Schamerloh was educated in the German and public schools of his native township and remained at home until his marriage, April 12, 1885, when he engaged in farming for himself, and has been so engaged during the subsequent years. His place is well improved, contains one hundred and twenty acres and is considered among the choice farms of the township.

On April 12. 18S5, he married Miss Anna Bienz, who was born in \\ dlshire township. Van Wert county. Ohio, on March 20, 1866. To this union have been born ihrec children : Adolph C. J., Adelia E. A. and one- who died in infancy. Mr. Schamerloh has taken an active interest in local public' affairs and was a member of the Union township band for twelve years. He and his family are members of the Emanual Lutheran church, in which organizatii >n he holds important offices. Mr. Schamerioh is a Democrat in politics.

Joseph S. Lower

Joseph S. Lower is a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and was born October 2, 1843. He is a son of William and Catherine (Munia) Lower. Both of his parents were born in Virginia. William Lower was born in Brook county, Virginia, in 1814. His father was Samuel Lower, who moved to Ohio and settled in Defiance, where he died. William Lower came to Indiana and settled in Adams county in 1852. He brought his wife and family with him and purchased land in Union township. He was an earnest member of the United Brethren church and in 1S70 was ordained and licensed a preacher of this denomination. He continued to farm and preach until his death. He was a fine example of a Christian man and was an eloquent preacher. He and his wife became the parents of the following eight children : Esther Ann, Catherine, Martha, Joseph, William, Ammistee, Margaret, Joshua, John W. and Sylvester, both of the latter being ministers of the gospel. Another child, the third in order of birth, died in infancy. William Lower died September 10, 1877, and his wife survived until 1899. He was a Republican in politics.

The youthful Joseph Lower was but a small child when he accompanied his parents from Ohio to Indiana. He was educated in the common schools of his neighborhood and among the wholesome influences of his father's home. He lived on the home farm until he became of age. By this time he had saved some of the money he had earned, and with this money he purchased a farm in Union township. He continued to live on this farm with the members of his own family until 1887, when he sold his land and purchased a farm in Root township, on which he is still residing.

The marriage of Joseph Lower and Miss Rebecca Jane Congelton wras solemnized in Root township in 1S67. Mrs. Lower is a daughter of Daniel and Anna (Nelson) Congelton, and was born in Adams county. Her parents came to Indiana and settled in Adams county in 1848 and purchased land. Her father died in 1854 and his wife in 1892. They were the parents of the following children : David, Rachael, Theodore, Jane, Elizabeth, Perry, Hiram, Rebecca, Winfield, Mary, Emily and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lower are the parents of three children : Nora A., the wife of Frederick Linn ; William, who married Dora Peterson, and Homer D., who married Ada Anshbold.

Mr. Lower is counted among the strong and substantial men of his township. He is in eveiy sense of the term a good citizen and is prominent in all movements that have for their object the betterment of the condition of the county and the increase of its prosperity. He is a modem farmer and cultivates his fine tract of one hundred and sixty acres, and he has improved it until it has become one of the mos: attractive, most val- tnible and productive farms in the entire township. He is a Republican so far as his political affiliations are concerned, but although a consistent member of this political party and an earnest worker for its victories, he has never aspired to public office. Like his father before him, he is an earnest Christian, and with his wife and the members of his family, is a supporter of the United Brethren church. He is a trustee of the church of this denomination in his neighborhood. He is everywhere respected and his advice and counsel are frequently sought on matters of the greatest importance. Mr. Lower and Miss Congelton were married by Rev. J. W. Wagoner.

John Hendricks

John Hendricks, who formerly was a successful farmer on section 3, Monroe township, but who is now living in the town of Monroe, Monroe township, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Tune 24, 1S39. He is a son of Thomas and Lydda Hendricks. Thomas Hendricks was born in Harrison county, Ohio, on November 22, 181 1, and Lydda Hendricks was born in the state of Maryland on October 12, 181 2, and came with her parents to Ohio, when six years of age. Thomas and Lydda Hendricks were married in July, 1834. The subject's maternal grandfather, John Renecker, was born in Maryland, near the city of Baltimore, April '4. 1788, while his wife, Mar,', was born in Maryland, April 9, 1790. They « ere among the early settlers of Ohio. The paternal grandfather was a native of Penn- 3 5 sylvania, born December 22, 1779, and his wife was born June 26, 1784. Thomas Hendricks died January 13, 1883, at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife on March 2, 1895, at the age of eighty-two. They were the parents of seven children, three boys and four girls, of whom the boys and one girl grew to maturity.

When the subject was nine years of age he accompanied his parents from Ohio to Van Buren county, Iowa, where they remained nearly five years, returning in the spring of 1853 ro Henry county, Ohio. The young lad gained a great deal of pleasure from these trips, the return trip from Iowa being made largely by water by way of the Ohio to Cincinnati, and thence by canal from Delphus to Florida, Henry county, Ohio. After a short sojourn in that locality the family came by way of canal to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Subsequently the family located in Adams county, which at that time was but slightly improved, dense forests and swamps covering nearly all of the territory embraced within the present county lines. They located about one mile south and a quarter of a mile east of what was called Monroe, though it was but a dense wilderness. Here the family resided for a period of almost thirty-four years. The subject remained at home until attaining his majority and in the fall of i860 went to Ottawa county, Ohio, where he obtained employment in a saw mill until the following spring, when he returned home, and during the following summer was employed on the farm. In the spring of 1S62 he took employment at the carpenter's trade, but on Auguth 9th of that year, upon the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, he enlisted in Company H,

Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, in which he served during that terrible conflict, being engaged in all of the battles, skirmishes and marches in which his regiment participated. Among the most important of these may be mentioned Munfordville, Kentucky; Sherman's .March to the Sea ; Pleasant Hill, Louisiana; Bayou Lamare, Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Mississippi; Nashville, Tennessee; Siege of Mobile, and the seven-hundredmile march through Missouri, when Mr. Hendricks traveled with his regiment on foot two thousand three hundred and sixtythree miles, by steamer seven thousand one hundred and thirty-two miles and by rail one thousand two hundred and twelve miles. On August S, 1865, Mr. Hendricks received an honorable discharge and returned to Adams county. From 1866 to 1896 Mr. Hendricks engaged in the cultivation of the soil on the old home farm, his original possession of eighty acres having been augmented by a subsequent purchase of thirtyfive acres. Since 1896 Mr. Hendricks has, as stated at the opening of this sketch, resided in Monroe, where in peace and comfort he is spending the declining years of his life, rich in the regard and esteem of those who know him.

On August 19, 1866, Mr Hendricks married Miss Margaret E. Ray, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio, on July 7, 1845, a daughter of George W. and Eleanor Ray. These parents came to Adams county, Indiana, in 1848 and with the exception of three years spent in Ottawa county, Ohio, lived here during the remainder of their lives, the father dying in November, i860. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks have been born four children : Levi N., James V., George A. and William A., all of whom attained maturity and married. Levi M. died in August, 1902, at the age of thirty-five, leaving a wife and three children; James V. and George A. are living on the old home farm and William A. is engaged as a clerk in a general store in Monroe.

In January, 1896, Mr. Hendricks made a trip over the scenes of the old conflict in the southland, passing over many of the identical roads where as a boy in blue he endured the hardships and privations of the march in defense of Old Glory, his route being between Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; Montgomery, Alabama; Americus, Georgia; Fitzgerald, Georgia; Macon, Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and Chickamauga. Two years later, in 1898, Mr. Hendricks went to Richmond, Virginia, to take a look at the old historic battle fields of that region. He attended several national encampments of the Grand Army of the Republic, including the ones at Indianapolis, Louisville and Cincinnati. Mr. Hendricks has taken an active personal interest in the welfare of his community and served as one of the committee which established the boundary line of the town of Monroe prior to its corporation, and also served as inspector at the first election held by that town in February, 1904. He also had the distinction, in 1905, of putting down the first cement sidewalk in the town, and since that year has continuously served as a member of the town council, and is now serving as president of the board. He is a member of Sam Henry Post, No. 63, Grand Army of the Republic, at Decatur, Indiana, and in politics is a Democrat. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Eli W. Johnson

Eli W. Johnson, who is now successfully conducting a general store in Monroe, is a native of the Hoosier state, having been born in the same locality in which he now resides, on December 19, 1879. He is a son of Joseph P. and Emily (Walton) Johnton, the former of whom was a native of Ohio, coming to Indiana in an early day. They were the parents of six children : R. O., Lena, Eli W., subject of this sketch; Sylvester, Chester and Arden, all of whom are now living except the last named. The father of these children is still living at Monroe, having spent practically his entire life at farming, though in recent years he has engaged in the timber business, buying and selling vast quantities of this product. He is the owner of a splendid farm of one hundred and twenty acres in this county and is considered one of the leading and most progressive citizens of the county.

The subject of this sketch after attaining mature years spent three or four years in the southwestern states, principally Arizona and Old Mexico, where he was engaged in various employments. On returning to his native locality he established his present business, that of a general store, in which he has been successfully engaged ever since. He carries a large and complete line of all the commodities ordinarily carried in a store of this character and his dealings are characterized by the strictest, integrity, commanding -it all times the absolute confidence of all who have dealings with him. He is publicspirited and a deep thinker and exerts his influence in favor of all those things which go to the upbuilding of his community. He -8 also interested in other enterprises, owning stock in a creamery and the bank at Monroe. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 6840, of which he is now serving as clerk, and of Decatur Lodge, No. 15, Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican.

The subject was united in marriage in April, 1907, to Miss Sadie Weldy, a native of Adams county, daughter of Christ Weldy, a retired farmer of Decatur.

William E. Fulk

The subject of this sketch is a native of Adams county, having first seen daylight on February 20, 1869, and therefore is yet in the prime of life. His father, William F. Fulk, is a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, and prior to his coming to this county was a prominent member of the constructional force of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad (now a part of the Erie system), this capacity he creditably filled for several years, or until 1865, when he resigned, came west and bought the two-hundred-and-forty-acre farm which at this time is one of the finest in this county. Soon after coming here he met Miss Emma Sovine, a native of Adams county. They were married soon after and to this union were born six children. Three of whom still survive, as follows: William E. and John H., of Bluffton, Indiana, and Louis P., the youngest, who is a prominent drug clerk, employed with the drug firm of Smith, Yager & Fulk at Decatur. Indiana.

est. Two brothers and a sister next to him died in infancy, therefore the bulk of the labor around the home and on the farm fell to him, and thus he did not have many of the opportunities of the boys of today. But all of this did not get the best of him, as he made good use of his time in various ways, which in later years have been a great credit to him. He mastered the common school course and on April 23, 1SS9, graduated, capturing" the first prize awarded by John F. Snow, the county superintendent of public instruction. After which he successfully taught six terms in the public schools in one room at No. 6, Kirkland township, this county. He had a native talent for mechanics and under the careful instructon of his father, who was an able mechanic, he became not only a workman of ability, but also a first-class designer. At the close of the last term 01 school taught by him he w7as asked to become an aspirant for county surveyor. This he reluctantly consented to after much persuasion, and as a result of his efforts was elected and assumed the duties of this office on November 12, 1894, and became his own successor in 1896 and 1S98 without opposition.

To him the residents of Adams county can well feel proud for the advanced values of their realty, and especially the farmer, since by careful engineering and push he succeeded in having constructed the Decatur and Bluffton macadam road, which is said to be not only the first, but one of the best macadam roads in northeastern Indiana.

Prior to 1S94 there had been an attempt to improve the highway in Adams county by using gravel as an improved surfacing material, but after a few years of trials and enormous costs incurred by continual repairing Mr. Fulk decided to make or attempt a radical departure in the subject of improving the highway with crushed stone or macadam. With various authors or their works in his library, and in contact with various United States Government officials at Washington, D. C, he set to work to create an improvement in the highways of Adams county. The results were so highly satisfactory that before the close of his official career he had over a quarter of a million dollars of the people's money invested in macadam roads, and as a further sanction of his efforts in improving the highways of the county as begun by him is evidenced by the fact that the county commissioners are continually loaded with petitions for macadam roads. Another vital interest that was projected by him during his career as county surveyor and which has placed greater values on farms located in the county was the conversion of open public or located drains into tile drains of large capacity, thereby removing an unsightly scar from farms, adding to their value many bushels of grain, and removing all the serious inconveniences attending the presence of an open ditch. His ability and knowledge of public improvements were honorably recognized by state and national officials, so much so that he has been commissioned by three ex-governors of the state of Indiana on request of the director of the bureau of highway and irrigation at Washington, D. C, to attend the sessions of the National Road and Irrigation Congress in various large cities of the union.

On December 11, 1900, Mr. Fulk was admitted to the bar as a person able to follow the profession of a lawyer. The Hon. D. D. Heller, then judge of the Adams circuit court, presided. He also acted in the capac:- tv of city civil engineer for some time and on July 5, 1903. accepted the official capacity .is superintendent of the water works at Decatur, Indiana, which position he still occupies. This office he hesi- *tated to assume on account of the financial emharrassment of the plant, which was sadly crippled by bad management in some way or another, but on assuming the management of the same with a debt of several thousand dollars, by careful attention to business he has again placed the water works plant on a profitable basis. On December 23, 1894, the subject of this sketch joined fortune with Miss Lydia E. Ashbaucher, third daughter of Christian and Malena Ashbaucher, residents of French township, Adams county, Indiana. To this union were born six children : Hubert C, deceased by an accident; Mary Irene, Raymond A., Christena A., Mabel E. and Carl \V. He has always moved in the capacity of a public-spirited citizen, always in line for public improvements, bringing values to the highest marketable price so far as the general public is connected with progressive measures of a legitimate purpose. In politics he has always espoused the Democratic faith and has always remained faithful to the trust conferred upon him, being at all times a hard worker for the improvement of public conditions.

Hazel Andrews

Among the earliest of the pioneers who came to Adams county when the country was the wik'.est sort of a wilderness, when the nearest trading post was at Fort Wayne, and Indians and wild beasts contested the ownership of the land with the white men, was Lewis Andrews, father of the subject of this sketch. The elder Andrews came to Adams county in 1837 and located in Washington township. The trip was made from the east to Indiana by wagons, and the pioneer walked every step of the way. At the time of the arrival of the Andrews family in Adams county the land was in a primitive state. Dense woods covered almost ever}' portion and the work of clearing a farm was one of the most arduous that had to be performed. But the indomitable spirit of the pioneer was not easily crushed, and in time the farm was cleared of its timber and a permanent home established. After years of labor Lewis Andrews found himself in possession of a fine estate, well cleared and improved and a fine heritage for the children that had been born to himself and his estimable wife. These children were nine in number and six are still living. Those living are: Martha, H. J., Hattie, James W., Addie and O. P.

H. J. Andrews was the fourth in point of birth of this interesting family. lie spent his boyhood on his father's farm, and when he became old enough to take an active part in the operation of the farm he contributed to the work of clearing the broad acres and in improving the estate. His birth occurred March 17, 1866, and until a few years ago he lived on his parents' farm. He secured a more than ordinarily good education in the schools of his township and under the direction of his father learned the lessons that usually come to a farmer's son. In time he became a skillful farmer, possessing a keen appreciation of the value of modern methods and equipment. Some time after the death of his father the old farm was sold and the family moved to Monroe, Monroe township, Adams county. For a time the subject continued in the business of farming and in 1902 established a livery business in Monroe. This business he has built up until it is successful and on a fine paying basis.

Mr. Andrews never married and lives with his aged mother in a pleasant home in Monroe. He, like his father before him, is a Republican in politics, but does not take an active part in party affairs. He has never been a candidate for official preferment. His mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Fred Rohrer

It is doubtful that any representative of the younger portion of the present generation living in Adams county has gained more distinction of a desirable quality or has to a greater extent the entire esteem of his fellows than Fred Rohrer, the editor and publisher of the Berne Witness. As a citizen he has and does take an active interest in municipal and county affairs and as a man he lives to a very high standard. He is a patron of education and a firm believer in the principle of doing things heartily that will advance the commercial prosperity and the intellectual development of his community. He is one of the bestknown newspaper men of northeastern Indiana and his paper wields a strong influence in shaping the policies of the district it covers. The success as a business venture with which this paper has met and its prestige as a medium for the circulation of news and profound editorial thought are due in large measure to the energy, ability and fearlessness of its owner.

Fred Rohrer is a native of the Swjss republic. He was born near Berne, the capital of the republic, December 9, 1S67. He is the second in point of birth of a family of fourteen children. He is a son of John Christian and Rosina Rohrer, both of whom are still living at Berne, in Adams county. His paternal grandfather was a weaver of linens in Switzerland and spent all of his life in that country. April 26, 1883, the family of John Christian Rohrer, consisting of his wife and six children, left their homes in the little Alpine republic and started for the larger republic on the west side of the Atlantic ocean. The journey was made without incident, and the family landed in safety at New York, May 9, 1S83. They pushed westward and settled in Wayne county, Ohio, where they remained for two years. At the conclusion of this period the eider Rohrer decided to move to Indiana and accordingly he came to Adams county with his wife and four of his children. Two brothers, Fred and Ernest, remained a year longer in Wayne county-, working for farmers on the Sonnenberg. They finally came to Adams county and settled with their parents April 2, 1886.

The early youth of Fred Rohrer was spent in Switzerland. When he was about three years of age his parents moved to the city of Berne. Fred attended the primary schools of Berne and when thirteen years of age passed the examination for admission to the school that corresponds here to a high school. He pursued the course in this insti- union and the last two years of his attendance took special work in the gymnasium and swimming school, anticipating entering the "pontoniers," a division of the Swiss army, after his graduation. He hecame a -very skillful swimmer and on two occasions won the third and the second prizes offered for contestants in public swimming events.

After coming to his father's home in Adams county he supplemented his excellent preliminary education by a thorough fouryears' course at the Tri-State Normal College at Angola, Indiana. His career at this institution was marked by academic successes. He was an earnest student and applied himself with energy and intelligence. He completed the scientific course at the normal college and in addition specialized in the fine arts, commercial department, shorthand and vocal and instrumental music. He was graduated "cum laude" with the class of '96 and left the institution with the best wishes of his professors and with high estimates for his future success. As the result of his final examination and all class work in the commercial department he received an average of 99 1-6 per cent., the second highest ever received at that school up to that time. The highest recorded was 99 J/2 per cent.

However, study was not the one incident of Fred Rohrer's early days in Adams county. He worked on a farm in this county for some months after he arrived and also clerked in the store of Allison, Morrow & Co. for eight months. Following this employment he worked some years for Sprunger, Lehman & Co. before he went to the normal college at Angola. There was one interruption to the school career of Mr. Rohrer. After he had been a student at Angola for two years he was persuaded by the Rev. John A. Sprunger to go to Chicago and engage in missionary work. He went to Chicago and attended the Moody Bible Institute until the spring of 1893. At this time Mr. Rohrer, in connection with the Rev. John Sprunger, Mrs. Sprunger, Miss Mary Gerber and Miss Katie Moser, founded the "Light and Hope Missionary Society." This society established a hospital, deaconess home and a rescue home at the intersection of Harrison and May streets. An orphanage was also established at Berne, Indiana. Mr. Rohrer was chosen secretary of the society and continued as such until October 31, 1893. He then returned to Berne, Indiana, and assumed charge of the orphanage and taught school. After some months in Berne following his marriage Mr. Rohrer again resumed his studies at Angola.

During the days that followed he gained the impetus that finally landed him in the newspaper business. During his last year at Angola he was employed in the composing room of the Steuben Republican and there learned the printer's trade. His idea after returning to Berne following his graduation from the normal school was to return to the missionary society and teach the children of the orphanage printing. However, since Berne was a town with a population of one thousand and without a paper, some of the citizens induced him to give Berne a "mouthpiece." Accordingly he established the Berne Witness. The first issue of this paper appeared September 3, 1S96, and it has become a power in its community. The path of the newspaper publisher is far from a rosy one at best. The Witness had its troubles before it was firmly established. But Mr. Rohrer was a man whom it was diffi- cult to discourage, and he kept at the business of .publishing' his paper until he assured himself that it was on a permanent and paying basis. The paper assisted in driving the saloon element out of Berne and Mr. Rohrer gained such distinction by his virile appeals to public pride and his adoption of a radical public policy that the Witness and the editor had the eyes of thousands upon them. He was assaulted three times and his home was dynamited during his crusade, but in the end was victorious and carried his remonstrances through the highest courts in the state and through the courts of public sentiment with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his friends and the consternation of his enemies. He is a Republican in politics, but he does not allow party considerations to bias his view of the right course to pursue. He supports the man rather than the party and willing!)- votes for Prohibitionists or Democrats if the candidates of these parties seem preferable. He takes an active interest in temperance work and has been a member of the German Temperance Society of Berne since its organization in 1886. He is a consistent member of the Mennonite church and serves as its clerk and is also a teacher in the Sunday-school, and gives this denomination his hearty and substantial support.

The marriage of Mr. Rohrer and Miss Emma Reusser, who was a deaconess in the Chicago establishment of the Light and Hope Mission, occurred November 16, .1893. The wedding was celebrated in the house that is still their home. His wife is a daughter of Jacob Reusser, one of thr three men who named the city of Berne. Mr. and Mrs. Rohrer are the parents of four children: Ira Dwisrht Rohrer, born October 18, 1894; Paul Frederick Rohrer, born July 4, 1S97; Ruth Adina Rohrer, born January 28, 1901, and Margaret Helena Rohrer, born April 29, 1904.

Otto M. Ryf

Among the moulders of public opinion in Adams county, Indiana, the place occupied by Mr. O. M. Ryf is an enviable one. He is a young man, several years this side of thirty, but he is the proprietor of a paper that has become an established institution of his home county and is in every way progressive and aggressive. The owner of this paper, with whom this sketch is concerned, was born in Monroe township of Adams county, July 5, 1884. He is the son of Ferdinand and Lena (Kneuss) Ryf. His parents were born in the Swiss republic and after their marriage came to America. They settled in Berne, where the father began to follow his trade of shoemaker. He also opened a shore store and conducts this business today.

The subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth of nine children that have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ryf. He received his education in the Berne schools and was a satisfactory student. After graduating from the schools he determined to enter the newspaper business. Nothing daunted by the history of the many failures that have come about through newspaper ventures, he secured a small plant and in 1903 published the first edition of "The Berne News." From its start his paper was popular and filled a need of the people of his city and county. Its success was assured and as it is managed along progressive and liberal lines its success is in no jeopardy. An interesting fact in connection with the beginning- of the paper and a fact that demonstrates the ability of its publisher is that within seven months of its beginning the paper had a cir- "culation in Adams county of eight hundred copies. This circulation is growing in a healthy manner.

Mr. Ryf is developing into one of the strong men of the younger generation of Adams county. He takes an active and intelligent part in the affairs of his county and in the workings of the Democratic party, of which he is a member. His fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Pythias, Berne Lodge, No. 398. He is a member of the German Reformed church.

Chris Stengel

Chris Stengel is one of the successful business men and most highly respected citizens of Berne. Comparatively speaking, he is a newcomer to his home city and Adams county, but in the years he has been located ia Berne he has firmly established himself. He was born in Dannenfels, Rheinphalz, Germany, December 13, 1865. His parents, Henry and Catherine Stengel, were natives of the fatherland and lived in their native village until their deaths. Their son lived with them during his childhood and early manhood and acquired a substantial education in the schools of his village. When he was about twenty-two years of age he was impressed with the greater opportunities offered in the American republic to young 'Hen. This thought took firm hold of him and in the end he decided to forsake his fatherland and embark on a venture across the Atlantic. Accordingly, in 1887, he sailed for New York, which city he reached without incident. His first few months in this country were spent in the Atlantic seaboard metropolis. Then he considered that he would still better his fortunes by going westward. This he did, and established himself in Ashland county, Ohio. He lived in Ohio for the succeeding two and onehalf years and then came to Indiana. He came directly to the Adams county village of Berne, where he entered the drug business with Mr. J. F. Lachot, who was already established. He continued in the partnership arrangement with Mr. Lachot until 1892, when he severed his connection with him and formed a partnership with James S. Craig. The new firm became known as Stengel & Craig, and in 1894 James S. Craig sold his interest to his son, John W. Craig, and this firm has since conducted the business.

In 1891 Mr. Stengel was married to Miss Millie E. Craig, a daughter of James S. Craig, his first associate in business. As a result of this marriage three children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stengel. These children are: Auleta, Ernest and Charlotte.

From the inception of his present business venture it has proven highly successful. The store is one of the largest and best equipped in the county and carries between five thousand and six thousand dollars' worth of stock. Mr. Stengel is an able and enterprising business man and the firm's business continues to prosper. He takes a live interest in the affairs of his county and as a Democrat has served his fellow citizens in public offices. He served as a member of the town board for two years and lias been city clerk for seven years, his term beginning in 1901. He is an earnest member of the German Reformed church and with the members of his family contributes to the aims and ambitions of this denomination.

John A. Ehrman

John A. Ehrman, a well-to-do citizen of Union township, Adams county, Indiana, was born on. his father's farm in Van Wert county, Ohio, on July 5, 1S56. His parents were Christian and Margaret (Bienz) Ehrman, the latter of whom died in 1S60, at the early age of thirty-four. The father was a soldier in the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. They were the parents of four children: Ernma, deceased; John A., Catherine, the wife of William Gove, of Plymouth, Indiana, and Lizzie, the wife of Martin Schumm.

The subject of this sketch, at the time of his mother's death and near the time of his father's entrance into the Union army, went to live with Charles Custer, in Root township, this county, where he remained until eight years of age, when he went to live with William Gerke, where he resided until his marriage. He was educated in the German Lutheran school of Root township and in the public schools, and has supplemented this education by a liberal course of reading and close observation of men and events. At the time of his marriage, in 1S80, he settled in Allen county, Indiana, for one year and then removed to Decatur, where he engaged in the implement business for one year. At the end of that time, in the spring of 1884, he settled 011 the farm where he now resides, to which he has devoted his attention with such success that he is now in a comparatively comfortable financial position. His. eighty acres of land are well improved and produce all the crops common to this locality.

On April 3, 18S0, Mr. Ehrman married Miss Caroline Bleeke, who was born in Union township, Adams county, on November 1, 1859, the daughter of Frederick and Mary (Bievelheimer) Bleeke, and third in order of birth in their family of ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Ehrman are the parents of nine living children: Rosa M., the wife of Ernest Gallmeir; Selma K. T., the wife of August Nahrwoid; Nora C. L., the wife cf Otto Hertz; Lawrence W., Lydia S., Mary P., Martin H. F., Edwin H. and Clemeans H. H. Mr. Ehrman has taken a deep interest in all local public affairs and has held the office of justice of the peace for three terms and is the present township assessor. He and his wife are members of the Emanuel Lutheran church, in which organization he has been a trustee for two years.

William Holle

William Holle, of Union township, is a native of the fatherland, having been bom in Prussia, Germany, on November 11, 184S. His parents were Henry and Louise (Kettler) Holle, also natives of Prussia, who emigrated to America in 1S57. They came at once to Adams county and for three years lived on rented land in Root township. In 1861 Mr. Holle purchased eighty acres of timber land, which he cleared and im- proved and developed into one of the best farms of the locality. Here they lived until their deaths, the father dying August 8, 1S97, at the age of seventy-eight years, and the mother in January, 1905, when upwards of eighty years of age. They were the parents of six children : William, Frederick, Engel, who died when about three years old; Louise, the wife of W. F. Bleeke; Sophia, the wife of Frederick Thieme, but who is now deceased, and Emm?, the wife of Martin Bleeke.

The subject of this sketch was nine years of age when the family came to America and he spent his young manhood in Root township, this county, living with his father until 1S75, when he settled on the farm where he now resides. He has devoted much of his attention to the cultivation of his farm, but during the past thirty years has given much attention to the sawmill business, in which he has been equally successful.

On September 19, 1875, Mr. Flolle married Miss Sophia Bleeke, a daughter of Christian and Louise (Fahlsing) Bleeke, and to this union have been born ten children : Johanna, the wife of William Koldewey, but who died at Ft. Wayne, Indiana, on February 12, 1906; Martin, deceased; Henoch, a minister at Omaha, Nebraska ; Charles, who died at the age of four years ; Justinus, Otto, Matilda, Ludella, Lucy and Lona. Mr. and Mrs. Holle are members of the Emanuel Lutheran church, in which he has been trustee, and when the church was erected he was president of the building committee, and thus was closely associated with this enterprise. He has many fine qualities of character and justly merits the high regard which is bestowed upon him by those who know him. Mr. Holle owns one hundred and twenty acres of land in section 16, where he resides, and also owns a farm of one hundred acres in section 9, Union township.

Jesse Rupp

Among the younger men who have taken a high place in the annals of contemporary northeastern Indiana is Jesse Rupp. Comparatively speaking, Mr. Rupp is a newcomer to Indiana, but in the short period he has been located in this section of the state and in Adams county he has come to be considered a strong man and a financier of high order. He was born in Archbold, Fulton county, Ohio, January 22, 1874. He is the son of the Rev. Daniel and Catherine (Short) Rupp. His father is one of the best known and most highly esteemed men of his county. He has been a prosperous farmer for many years and is a minister of the Mennonite denomination. Jesse is one of three sons born to his parents. The eldest, Aaron, is deceased. Daniel follows his father's occupation of farming in Fulton count)', where he was born.

It may have been because Mr. Rupp did not show an early inclination for agricultural pursuits that another sphere of life was planned for him. As a youth he showed aptitude along studious lines and attended the Archbold common and high schools. He graduated from the first high school that community had. Following the completion of his high school course he attended the Northwestern Normal School at Wauseon. Ohio. He then attended the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana, and completed his.

school days with a business course at Peoria. Illinois. He engaged in teaching for the ensuing six years, and during this period taught in schools of three states. Returning to Archbold, he entered the banking business, and* from 1897 until 1904 was associated with the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of that place. He advanced through successive grades of employment until he was chosen cashier of the bank. In 1905 he was offered the position of cashier of the Berne Bank and assumed his duties in that institution. The Bank of Berne was organized in 1891 and has been a sound financial institution since its foundation. It was conceived and organized by leading citizens of Adams county and the original capital was forty thousand dollars. From the first the bank prospered and a short time ago moved into a handsome new building in the very center of the Berne business district. The new building was erected at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars. The bank is conducted along the best lines of modern banking. At present the capital stock is fifty-two thousand dollars; the surplus in excess of thirty thousand dollars and deposits more than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Under the direction of Mr. Rupp the bank has developed and bids fair to continue one of the soundest and most responsible financial institutions of the state.

In 189S Mr. Rupp married Miss Clara a daughter of Amos and Ellen Stauffer. Both of her parents were among the pioneer settlers of Adams county and settled and established a farm home in Hartford township. To Mr. and Mrs. Rupp three children have been born. These are: Allen E., Grace L. and Emerson J. Mr. Rupp is a fine type of the modern, young, aggressive business man. He is alive to all that makes for the betterment of his fellow citizens and takes an active part in promoting live ideas and sane projects. He is a Democrat in politics. With his family he takes part in the social and religious life of Berne and is esteemed by all who know him.

Mr. Rupp, since coming to Indiana, has been active in Sunday-school work and is now serving his third term as president of the Adams County Sunday- School Association.

Rudolph Schug

While it may be as the immortal bard said, "There's a destiny that shapes our ends, rough hew them though we may," to the unimaginative, practical man of affairs of today more potent seem the qualities of integrity, ambition, industry and confidence in one's self in making for and in guaranteeing permanent success. It is the rugged man, the wide-awake man and the man who makes every thought and effort count for its utmost that is headed toward business or any other kind of worldly success. Such a man as distinguished from many others is Rudolph Schug. Still a young man, measured by modern standards, he stands high in the business world of successful men of his community and state, and his success and prominence were achieved through his own efforts without help from individuals or outside sources. Left fatherless at the tender age of four years, Mr. Schug was deprived of the advantages of a father's counsel and advice. He was born in French township, Adams county, Indiana. August 13, 1864. His parents were Karl and Catherine (Roush) Schug\ His father was born in Germany and in early life he came to this country. He lived for a time in Ohio, where he followed his trade pf wagon-making. After removing to Indiana, in 1864, he took up the business of farming, which he followed successfully until his death, four years and six months later. He was the father of eight children, seven of whom arc still living.

Young Schug experienced many hardships during his youth, but was determined to surmount circumstances regardless of how adverse they might be. He obtained a meager education in the schools of his township and supplemented this through his own ingenuity. He was a hard worker and ambitious. Reaching manhood, he continued in the farming business and made it a paying enterprise. When oil was discovered in northeastern Indiana he caused wells to be put down on his farm and there are today nine producing wells. His various other business enterprises prospered and his wealth increased. He interested himself in politics and as a Democrat was chosen township assessor for French township, which office he ably filled for five years. Then lie was elected a township trustee for the same township and served in this capacity for four years. In 1889 he was married to Miss Mina Reppert, a daughter of Frederick and Eliza (Sellemeyer) Reppert. His wife's father and mother were among the older settlers in Adams county, and her mother is still living at the advanced age of ninety-five years.

During the decade that preceded the year 1903 the prosperity of Berne and surrounding territory had grown wonderfully. The necessity of an additional bank became apparent to many. This necessity proved the opportunity for which the active brain of Rudolph Schug was looking. He began at once to organize a bank. Taking the idea as his own and working out the details of a new banking institution, he personally solicited stock subscriptions among his neighbors and business men of Adams county and was rewarded in February, 1903, by seeing the People's State Bank a realized and active institution. The bank was capitalized at forty thousand dollars, and three years later increased to fifty thousand. Mr. Schug became its first cashier, which position he still holds. The bank has grown to a strong and reliable institution, even when measured by the older and more pretentious institutions of the state. There are seventy-three stockholders in the bank, representing more than a million and a half dollars in personal wealth and all reside in Adams county.

But Mr. Schug is interested in other business enterprises than the bank he founded. He was treasurer and secretary of the Berne Artificial Stone Company two years; is a director in the Berne Manufacturing Company and served three years as treasurer of the Great Northern Indiana Fair Association.

Mr. Schug and his family live in the handsomest home in Berne. It is a large elevenroom house, built of artificial stone and entirely modern. It is a center of local social life and its hospitality is lavishly extended. Mr. and Mrs. Schug have become the parents of seven children, all of whom live with their parents. The children are : Stella May, Oliver Perry, Urban D., Luster, Homer, Nelson R. and Emma.

Clarence O. Rayn

Clarence O. Rayn was born in Bear Creek township, Jay county, Indiana, February 7, 1873. ^IS parents were Alexander and Caroline (Mendcnhall) Rayn. The father is now a resident of Portland. The mother died when Clarence was about four years old. He has one sister living at Winchester, Indiana. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and attended school regularly and finished his schooling at the university at Ada, Ohio. He began the printer's trade at the age of seventeen, working in the News office at Ridgeville, which was then owned by his brother-in-law, W. L. Day. By working at the trade he made much of the money that made it possible for him to attend various normal schools and prepare himself for his chosen profession, that of newspaper work. At the age of twenty-two he bought a second-hand print -shop at Portland and moved it on wagons to Mendon, Ohio, where he launched his first newspaper, and the first in that town. He remained there until 1S96 and then sold it to O. F. Geiger, the present owner. He then returned to Geneva and worked in the office cf the Geneva Herald for his brother, O. G. Rayn, now deceased, and in April, 1897, he purchased the Herald office and by hard work and skillful management has it and a snug little home paid for. He also owns the brick building in which the Geneva Herald office is located.

On September 19, 1S97, he married Miss Pearl Leota Dutton, youngest daughter of five children born to James W. and Sarah (Grant) Dutton, two highly respected people. Mrs. Rayn was born May 7, 1876, in

Mendon, Mercer county, Ohio. She was one of the best known and most highly respected young ladies of that community. She was a member of the Church of God, but now belongs to the M. E. church of Geneva, of which Mr. Rayn is also a member. He at present is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Daughters of Rcbekah and Pythian Sisters. Mrs. Rayn is also a member of the two latter orders, in good standing, and at this time is noble grand of Sylvia Rebekah Lodge, No. 327.

William B. Drew

The legal profession in Adams county, Indiana, has no more respected or abler member than William B. Drew. As an attorney who has created an enviable place among his fellows for himself much interest centers about him. Never having had the advantages of a course in an established college of law, Mr. Drew gathered his large fund of legal knowledge through his own unaided efforts and prepared himself in a thorough manner to practice his profession.

He is the son of Rufus B. and Mary A. (Buck) Drew. His father was born in Maine and his mother is a native of New York. The grandfather of William B. Drew was the Rev. John Drew, who preached the gospel in Maine near the city of Bath for a number of years and then removed to Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, where he also preached. The family is of English descent and is one of the distinguished "down east" families. After living with his father in Pennsvlvania for some vears, Rufus Drew moved to Steuben county, New York. He followed the pursuits of a farmer in the New York county until his death in 1889. Mrs. Rufus Drew the following year removed to the home of a daughter in Indiana, where she died after a few months.

William B. Drew was born near Elkland, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1833. He removed with his father to New York, where he lived until twenty years of age. In 1853 he went west and settled in Fayette county, Ohio. For the next three years he was employed as a cierk in a hotel, and then he pushed farther west, coming to Randolph county, Indiana. While living in Steuben county Mr. Drew studied in the county schools and took a course for two years in an academy at Knoxville, Pennsylvania. Here he acquired a smattering of law, and when he came to Indiana he pursued his reading of law during the six years he taught in the Randolph county schools. He was chosen a justice of the peace and filled this office and practiced law in said county for thirteen years. His practical work while in office, supplemented by his industrious and careful reading, gave him a grasp of the principles of his profession few men have.

In 1856 Mr. Drew married Miss Rebecca Vorhis, daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Large) Vorhis. Mr. Vorhis and his wife were natives of New Jersey who came to Indiana early in the fifties and settled in Randolph county, where they devoted themselves to farming. Following his marriage Mr. Drew successfully practiced his profession and at the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted in the Eigthy-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His command was attached to the Army of the Cumberland under General Granger. Mr. Drew saw much active service until his discharge in 1863 because of ill health. He then returned to his home in Randolph county and again took up the practice of law and in 1876 removed to Geneva, Adams county. During their married life a number of children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Drew. These were named: Rufus, since dead; Anna, the wife of James Lindsay, of Alexandria, Indiana ; Bessie, the wife of Felton D. Garrison, who during his life was employed by a railroad, his widow now a resident of Kalamazoo, Michigan ; Thomas, who conducts a harness store at Geneva and is married to Delia Buckingham; Willard, a farmer of Butler county, Missouri, and the husband of Lucy Carpenter; Charlotte, the wife of Robert B. Black, an oil man of Geneva ; Charles, in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and Moore and Adelbert, who died in infancy. Mrs. Drew died in 1898.

Mr. Drew has ever been a man who took a keen interest in the affairs of his county =ind neighborhood. He has long been an ardent Prohibitionist, and was among those who organized the party in Adams county. He has been a successful business man and owns several fine residence properties in his town and some vacant property. He has been a notary public for more than twenty years and has been prominent in public affairs. He is one of the men of the county who can view his achievements and then say with honesty that what he has accumulated has been done through his own unaided efforts. He is a man universally esteemed by all who know him and enjoys the fullest confidence of his neighbors and fellow residents of Adams county.

Aaron Irlan

Aaron Irian, who conducts a well-stocked and well-patronized livery stable at Geneva, Wabash township, Adams county, Indiana, is a native of the old Buckeye Stale, having been born in Dark county, Ohio, on July 20, 1857. His parents were Gilbert and Polly (Bingham) Irian, the former of whom was a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were successful and respected people and were the parents of nine children, of whom the first born was the subject of this sketch, the others being Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rose, Iona, Sarah, Robert and Anna, deceased. The parents were both members of the Dunkard church and are both now deceased, the father dying in i3S2 and the mother ten years later.

Mr. Irian came to Adams county in 1902 and engaged in the livery business, which he has since successfully conducted. Prior to this time he was engaged in various occupations, having been a teamster for ten years, farming five years in Willshife, Ohio, and two years in Van Wert county, Ohio. In all of his various occupations he has been successful and now owns his residence in town, besides his liven' barn. He is a Democrat in politics, though not a seeker of emoluments. Fraternally he belongs to the Woodmen of the World at Salina, Ohio, and the Knights of Pythias at Geneva. He and his family attend the United Brethren church.

In 1880 Mr. Irian married Miss Rachael Beem, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Riffle) Beem, residents of Dark county, Ohio. To the subject and his wife have been born three children: James, who is married and makes his home with his father;

Nellie, who became the wife of Frank Berg-el, a harness-maker of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Cecil, the wife of Karl Ford, a lumberman, also at Fort Wayne. Mr. Irian so far has performed well his part in life and is enjoying the regard and esteem of all who know him.

Conditions at the birth of S. II. Teeple did not argue a very bright future for an interesting youth. His parents, James B. and Mary (Smith) Teeple, were very poor. The father came to Indiana and settled in Adams county at an early date and followed farming and carpenter work. The success of the elder Teeple was but moderate and their son was not given the advantages even of that poor day. He was born on his father's farm in Adams county July 19, 1S57. His youth was hard and filled with toil. He was one of a family of nine children and shared with them the poor comforts of his parental home. Of the family four are living: Isaac, S. H., Sarah and Mary C. It will be seen that our subject was the second of these children in order of birth. He received a poor education in the common schools of his district, but his duties at his home compelled him to forego all but a few terms in the schools. His education during his youth was necessarily incomplete, but in his after life he improved his fund of knowledge by a liberal and intelligent course of independent reading. He spent his life on the farm until 1S86, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Geneva. He opened a store and it- proved a successful venture. He continued to conduct the affairs of his store during the six years that followed its founding and he gained much in patronage and in material wealth. But the fascinations of farm life proved too strong for him to resist and at the end of the six years' period he retired from active connection with his store and returned to his farm. This estate he improved from time to time. It consists of one hundred and eighty-five acres and is considered one of the most attractive and productive farms in its immediate section of the county. When oil was discovered in northeastern Indiana this farm lay directly in the most productive belt. " At intervals wells were drilled until a total of fourteen had been put down on the Teeple farm. Eleven of these proved productive to a marked extent and are still pumped. Three others that were among the number originally drilled have become unproductive.

Mr. Teeple has been an active partisan in politics and has been one of the staunchest supporters of the Republican party in his county. He has taken an interested part in his section of the state when matters affecting his political affiliations were considered. His reward for his faithful party work came a year ago, when he was appointed postmaster of Geneva. Until receiving this appointment he had lived on and tilled his farm since retiring from his mercantile business in Geneva. He assumed the duties of postmaster July 1, 1906.

Mr. Teeple was married in 1885 to Miss I ora A. McCollam, a daughter of Jesse and Charlotte (Kelly) McCollam, who were farmers cf Adams county. Mr. and Mrs.

tile establishment at Geneva and Myrle resides at home. Mr. Teeple is a member of the Geneva Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and with his family worships at the United Brethren church.

The name of the subject of this sketch is one of the best known among the physicians of northeastern Indiana. He has been in active practice of his profession in Geneva, Adams county, for about thirty years and has gained enviable prominence and patronage. He was born in Wabash township, Adams county, December 23, 1850. He is the son of Mark and Elsie A. (Short) Aspy. His father was born in Rush county, Indiana, in 1823 and his mother, who was born in Virginia, came to Indiana with her parents when but three years of age. The elder Aspy was a farmer, who developed his land and improved it until it became one of the best and most productive tracts in the county. In addition to his profession of farming he manufactured coffins and conducted an undertaking business. The first coffins made in Adams county were manufactured on the elder Aspy's farm about three miles east of the present village of Geneva. A brother of Dr. Aspy still lives on the old farm of his grandfather. The death of the subject's father occurred July 2j, 1885, and he was mourned as one of the most respected residents of the entire community. He was the father of seven children, six of whom survive him. His wife lived until October, 1903, when she died at the age of eighty-two years. She was dis-

Dr. Aspy was reared on his father's farm and obtained his early education in the common schools of the district. He decided to take up the medical profession and entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, from which institution he was graduated in 1876. He returned at once to Geneva, where he began the practice of his profession. In this he has been engaged ever since and has built up a large and remunerative clientage. He is a physician who believes in keeping fully abreast with the developments and progress of his profession, and does this to a marked extent. However, although his profession has claimed a major portion of his time and attention, he has interested himself in other commercial enterprises. He is secretary and manager of the Geneva Telephone Company, which was organized in 1900 by Geneva people, where all the stock is held, and has done much to put this company on a paying basis. In addition he owns thirty-two acres of farm land, a part of his father's farm.

In 1879 he niarried Miss Elizabeth Burke, a daughter of William Burke, who came to Adams county from Ohio, and is one of the older settlers of the county: Three children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Aspy. They are: Blanche, who is in the millinery business at Geneva ; Gladys and Floyd. The latter children reside with their parents.

Dr. Aspy is an enthusiastic Republican and has served as town treasurer and as a member of the Board of Health. He is a member of the Geneva Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was one of the first members the lodge initiated. He has a comfortable home and other property and is counted among the substantial men of Geneva. He and his iamily are popular and their home is one of the most delightful in the neighborhood.

Dr. Lemuel Lewis Mattax

Dr. Lemuel Lewis Mattax was born in Adams county, Indiana, September 5, 1862. He is a son of William L. and Bersheba (Coverdale) Mattax. Both his father and mother were natives of Ohio. The former was born in Tuscarawas county in 1838 and the latter in Muskingum county in the same year. W. L. Mattax came to Indiana and settled in Adams county with his parents, who entered a farm in Monroe township in 1840. The parents are still living in Blue Creek township, Adams county. Dr. Mattax is one of two children of his father's family who are still living. A sister is the wife of Virgil Mercer, living on the old homestead. Two other children died in youth. These were Bertie and Lida.

Like almost every other country boy of the period, Dr. Mattax was reared on a farm and learned the meaning and responsibilities of a farmer's life. He attended the schools of his township and picked up as good an early education as was possible. He worked on his father's farm and assisted in cultivating this tract. After he had completed his studies in the common schools lie read medicine in the office of Dr. Coverdale for three summers. This study gave him a decided preference for medicine as a profession, opposed to a farmer's life, and he entered the Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio. On March 7, 1891, he gradu- ntcd from this institution, standing high in his class. He returned to his home at Geneva and at once took up the active practice of his chosen profession.

A year following his graduation he was married to Miss Sophia Eocher, a daughter of John and Louise (Seaman) Eocher. His wife's parents were born in Germany and came to Indiana and settled at Bluffton in an early day. Mr. Eocher followed the employment of a cooper.

To Dr. and Mrs. Mattax have been born four children, all of whom are at their parents' home. These children are: Harold, John Lee, Louise V. and Lavone B.

Dr. Mattax has led an active life. He stands high in his profession and has taken an interest at all times in matters that meant the betterment of his community. He is a Democrat in politics and has served as town treasurer and as health officer. He is a member of Geneva lodge, No. 514, Knights of Pythias, of which he has been chancellor commander. He is public spirited and a man who believes thoroughly in progression.

H. P. Bradford

H. P. Bradford, about whom the interest in this sketch centers, was born in Adams county, Indiana, April 20, 1S67. He is a son of Peter and Martha (Cornelius) Bradford. His parents were natives of Ohio and were reared and married in Muskingum county of that state. They removed from Muskingum county to Indiana in 1S56 and settled on a farm in Wabash township, Adams county. They followed the occupation of farming: until their deaths. Peter

Bradford was a soldier in the Union army during the early years of the Civil war and died while in the army as a result of disease and exposure endured in the line of his duty. Plis death occurred in 1S62. His widow survived him a number of years and finally passed away on the home farm in Wabash township in 1887. Four children were born to this estimable couple. Of this number two survive. Those living are: Reuben and H. P., the subject of this sketch. Two sons are dead. These were : William and John.

The youth of H. P. Bradford was spent on his father's farm in Adams county. He attended the winter sessions of the schools of his neighborhood and secured a fair English education. In the milder months of the year he assisted in the cultivation of the home farm and lived on it" for a number of years after reaching manhood. After the death of his father much of the care and responsibility of cultivating and managing the family homestead fell upon his shoulders. He continued to operate the farm and lived on it, caring for his mother until her death. After his mother died he married Miss Rosie Wible. His wife is a native of Jay county, Indiana, and is a daughter of Samuel and Jane (Burris) Wible. She was reared and educated in Jay county and lived with her parents until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Bradford are the parents of thee children. These children are: Inez I.. Vera and Jane, and are residing with their parents on the home place.

Mr. Bradford is the owner of a tract of thirty-five acres inside the corporation limits of the town of Geneva. He has always lived on this place and it descended to him from his father. He conducted a general farming business and is a prosperous and successful man. However, he sold out his interests in both of these businesses and now devotes himself to the cultivation of his place and to dealing in Adams county real estate. In addition to his farm in Geneva he is the owner of other real estate that is increasing in value as the years pass. Although Mr. Bradford is an enthusiastic member of the Democratic party, he is not a public man in the sense that he aspires to office and he has never held public office of any kind. He is not affiliated with any fraternal bodies. He is an excellent example of a good citizen and a progressive, wide-awake man and is esteemed and trusted by all who know him.

Henry Decker

Henry Decker, than whom no man in Wabash township, Adams county, Indiana, is more highly respected and esteemed, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on March 15, 1854. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Zieg) Decker, who subsequently came to Ripley county, Indiana, and located on a farm, where the father died shortly afterwards. They were the parents of nine children.

Henry Decker attended the common schools of the locality in which he was reared and his early years were given to the pursuit of agriculture, to which he has devoted the subsequent years of his life. He is now the owner of sixty-five acres of splendidly improved land, a part of which is in Jay county and the balance in Wabash township, Adams county. His first experience in anything was as a laborer in Decatur county, Indiana, after which, in 1874, he came to Wabash county, where he lived until locating on his present homestead. He soon reclaimed his farm from the forests which originally covered this section and has made many substantial and permanent improvements. He has given considerable attention to the breeding of stock, especially Chester White hogs, in which line he has achieved a distinctive success. Mr. Decker is public spirited and takes an active interest in local public affairs, having served as supervisor of his township for two years, and in 1904 was elected trustee, in which capacity he is now serving. Mr. Decker is an ardent sportsman and annually spends thirty days in hunting deer in Michigan and the Dakotas. He is a good shot and possesses many trophies of his skill.

In 1885 the subject was married to Miss Frances Bucher, daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Eckrote) Bucher, who came to Adams county, Indiana, and settled on a farm in Wabash township, where they still reside. To the subject and his wife have been born three children : Guy, deceased ; Bessie and Lucy, who both attend school. Mr. Decker is public spirited in his attitude toward all things that tend to promote the material prosperity of his community and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him.

Willis C. Glendening

active one, it lias been uniformly successful ;uiJ lias gained much enviable repute. Mr. Glendening is today one of the substantial men of this section of the state, and he is widely and favorably known. He was born in Adams county, May 27, 1862. He is the son of John and Rachel (Pontius) Glendening. His father was born in England, and when he left the old country he came direct to Indiana. He settled in Hartford township and purchased land, which he farmed until his death, March 15. 1876. Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Glendening married Thomas Uptgraft, who died in 1897. She contracted a third marriage with John Mason, a Wells county farmer, and lives with this husband on his farm.

YV. C. Glendening was the second in order of birth of a family of four children. The others are: William, a farmer living in Hartford township; Charles, living at Geneva, and Sherman, living in Hartford township. The early life of the subject of this sketch was spent on his father's farm. He attended the district schools and at intervals assisted in the farm work. When he reached his twenty-first year he engaged in the drug business in Geneva, in which business he continued for the following four years. At the end of this period he disposed of his interest in the drug business and engaged in farming in Jay county. After three years spent in fanning his Jay county place he was attracted by the opening of the Indiana oil fields and formed a business arrangement with the Bolds brothers, with whom he was associated for two years. He again changed the nature of his business after this arrangement was concluded and entered the general merchandise business at Geneva, having the Bolds brothers as associates. This business was managed by Mr. Glendening for about three years and grew to be one of the most profitable enterprises of Geneva. At the expiration of three years he entered the general merchandise business with Fields & Company, and still later became associated with the firm of Minch & Company. But the oil business attracted him again, and he once more embarked in it. This time he interested himself in the new field discovered and opened near Robinson, Illinois, and he retains his interests in this field to this day. At present he is a clerk with the firm of Acker & Teeple, of Geneva. This firm does a general merchandise business and Mr. Glendening became connected with this store September 15, 1905. The following year after he became associated with the last named firm he fitted out the Shamrock Hotel in a modem manner. All the fittings and furnishings were new, and the place was brought to a modern standard. This property he subsequently traded for a farm in Ohio in January, 1907. From these foregoing facts it will be seen that the business career of Mr. Glendening has been an active one. Throughout his career he has been an able and aggressive man. His methods have been progressive and satisfactory to all connected with the enterprises in which he was interested.

He was married to Miss Ella Darr, a daughter of Patton and Elizabeth Darr, in 1885. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Glendening: Lake E., Bertie R. and Willis D. Mrs. Glendening died in September. 1902. The home life of the family is ideal and the home is the center of much of the social life and wholesome gaiety of the town.

He takes an active part in the affairs of his community and is identified with all movements to help the community. He votes the Republican ticket but is not a partisan politician. He is a member of Geneva Lodge, No. 514, Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees and Sons of Veterans. For two years he served as town clerk. He is an ardent hunter and. spends a month each year in the woods of northern Michigan in search of deer. He is usually successful and the venison he sends home is much enjoyed.

John C. Augsburger

John C. Augsburger was born in French township, Adams county, Indiana, in 1876. He was one of a family of sixteen children who were born to Christian and Barbara (Liechty) Augsburger. His parents were of sturdy German stock. His father was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1821, and his mother in Adams county, Indiana, in 1S41.

The elder Augsburger came to Indiana from his Pennsylvania birthplace with his parents in 1S41. A farm had been operated in Ohio before the final move to Indiana was made, but the Ohio conditions did not please the emigrants and they pushed on westward. Reaching this state, the Augsburgers settled on a tract of land in section 35, of French township. The tract comprised one hundred and sixty acres, all of which was heavily timbered. The parents, with the aid of their children, cleared the land and lived on the farm until their deaths. The elder Augsburger died in 1855 and his wife survived him more than two decades, dying in

The elder Augsburger grew to manhood in Ohio and received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. He taught school for several terms in his native Ohio county and also after he had moved to Adams county. He was one of the earlier educators of Adams county, and to him many of the successful farmers of the county are indebted for their knowledge of the first principles of learning. He seems to have played an important part in the affairs of his section of the state in his day, and was chosen to hold important offices. For a time before he was married he served his fellow residents of Adams county in the capacity of township clerk and following his marriage he was an assessor for two years. The records show that he was a faithful official and discharged all of his duties with skill and discrimination. He was a man of keenly religious tendencies, and was a minister of the Mennonite faith for thirty-six years. He was an eloquent preacher and served many congregations intelligently and added to the lustre of his good name.

He took as his wife in 1859 Barbara Liechty, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Wenger) Liechty, both natives of Switzerland, who came to America in 1832. Mrs. Augsburger's parents lived in Wayne county, Ohio, where they were married. In 1840 they moved to Indiana and settled on a farm in French township, Adams county. Her father died in 1883 and his wife seven years later.

The subject of this sketch, John C. Augsburger. was married in 1904 to Amelia A. Ashbaucher, a daughter of Christian and Malina (Arnold) Ashbaucher, natives of

Switzerland. Her parents came to the United States in 1850 and after living for a time in Oiiio moved to Indiana and took up fand in Adams county. John Augsburger took charge of his father's farm after the Litter's death and has continued to operate it. It is one of the largest in the township and has been brought to a high state of fertility and productiveness. The residence and buildings devoted to farm uses are modem and comfortable and the air of the place indicates progressiveness and thrift. Mr. Augsburger is the only member of his father's large family to live continually on the homestead tract. The other children of his parents are living with the exception of four. Those living are: Catherine, Mary, Moses, Aaron, David, Amos, Jacob, Verena, Lydia, John, Elizabeth and Daniel. The children dead were : David, Christian and twin infants, who died unnamed.