Allen County, Indiana - The whole text, 1905 (part 10 of 12)

The subject of this sketch received but scant educational advantages in his early youth, as at the age of seven years he found himself on a frontier homestead, where the father needed all the help he could obtain from his sons in order that the land might be cleared and rendered fit for cultivation. As it was, the subject was able to attend the three-months term of school each winter until he was twenty years of age. He then entered McJunkin's private school in Fort Wayne, where he attended two years and also attended the Methodist College here two years, receiving a good practical knowledge of the main branches. In 1853 Mr. Shoaff took up civil engineering as transit man in the employ of the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, in which capacity he performed much arduous and valuable work in the construction of this important line. He located the road from Fort Wayne to Chicago, and had full charge of the construction of two sections of forty miles between Plymouth and Valparaiso, Indiana, also drilling the wells, putting up the grain elevators, etc., for the company. The company was at that time in poor financial condition and Mr. Shoaff relates that at one time he was compelled to wait six months for his salary. He remained with this company for over seven years, which is certainly tangible evidence of the satisfactory character of the service rendered by him. He then engaged in farming and so continued successfully up to the time when he felt justified in laying aside the active duties of life and is now, in his comfortable home at No. 311 Douglas avenue, Fort Wayne, enjoying the closing years of his life in an ideal manner, free from the worries and cares of an active life.

On March 10, 1859, Mr. Shoaff was married to Miss Eliza J. Work, who was born in Dekalb county, Indiana, the daughter of Robert and Sarah Work, and to them have been born two sons, John R., of White Plains, New York, with offices at No. 935 Broadway, New York city, and Joseph Y., of Denver, Colorado, both being engaged in the carpet and rug business. Politically Mr. Shoaff has been a lifelong Democrat, and he says he expects to die one. Fraternally he is a Freemason, while his religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a faithful member for thirty years. A man of fine personal qualities, he has won friends all along the pathway of life and now enjoys the sincere regard and esteem of all who know him.

Fred Stanley Hunting

The gentleman to a brief review of whose life the reader's attention is herewith directed is numbered among the energetic and well-known business men of Fort Wayne and has by his enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the industrial and commercial advancement of the city and county. He has in the course of an honorable career been most successful in all lines in which he has directed his efforts and is well deserving of mention in this work. Mr. Hunting, who is the present capable and popular treasurer and sales manager of the Fort Wayne Electric Works, and who is closely connected with several of the substantial monetary institutions of the city, is a native of the state of Massachusetts, having been born at East Templeton on the 30th of September, 1867. His parents, William and Mary D. Hunting, were also natives of the old Bay state and were descended from English ancestry. The subject was reared under the parental roof and enjoyed excellent educational advantages. After taking the full courses of study in the common and high schools of his native town, he entered the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, at Worcester, Massachusetts, from which he received in 1888 the degree of Bachelor of Science and graduated with honors, entitling him to participation in the Graduates' Aid Fund. On October 8, 1888, Mr. Hunting came to Fort Wayne and has since that time been closely identified with the business and commercial interests of this section. He has evinced marked business and executive ability in every avenue of effort to which he has directed hiniself and stands high in the estimation of those who have come into contact with him, especially those most closely associated with him. He is perhaps best known through his connection with the Fort Wayne Electric Works, one of the largest manufacturing concerns of this city. In the responsible positions of treasurer and sales manager he directs the entire commercial policy of the company, and it is no more than just to say that to a very large degree the success of this enterprise can be attributed to the indefatigable and persistent efforts of Mr. Hunting. The electric machinery and supplies manufactured and sold by the Fort Wayne Electric Works have attained a high reputation throughout this and foreign countries because of their high standard and the growth of the concern has more than kept pace with the remarkable progress of the city along other lines. Besides the interest already mentioned, Mr. Hunting is also a stockholder and director in the First National Bank, the Tri-State Trust Company and the Tri-State Building and Loan Association, all of this city, his counsel and advice being valued by his colleagues in these institutions.

Politically Mr. Hunting is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party, though not in any sense a seeker after the honors and emoluments of public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his varied business interests. Fraternally he is connected with the Free and Accepted Masons, and socially he belongs to the leading clubs of the city. His religious affiliation is with the Plymouth Congregational church, of this city.

A few months after coming to Fort Wayne Mr. Hunting returned to his native town and was united in marriage, on May 1, 1889, to Miss Harriett Alzina Sawyer, a native of Phillipston, Massachusetts. This most happy and congenial union, which was unfortunately broken by the death of Mrs. Hunting on June 26, 1904, was blessed in the birth of three children, Ralph W., Lawrence S. and Harold Stanley. Because of his genuine worth and pleasing address, Mr. Hunting has won and retains a host of warm personal friends.

The Baird Family

At this juncture we are permitted to enter a review concerning one of the old and honored families of Allen county, and the present representatives, none of whom is married, are William H., David W., Mary O. and Robert E., all of whom reside on the old homestead farm, in section 36, Eel River township. Their parents were Robert D. and Mary (Hatfield) Baird, the former of whom was born in Akron, Summit county, Ohio, in 1818, being a son of Robert and Mary (Beard) Baird, the former of whom was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and the latter in Franklin county, that state. He removed to Ohio in the early pioneer days and was a member of an Ohio regiment during the war of 1812, serving along Lake Erie and being stationed with his regiment at Ashtabula during the greater portion of the time. On the last day of May, 1836, he came with his family to Allen county, Indiana, and located on the farm now owned and occupied by his grandchildren. He then had a family of nine children, of whom seven came with him to this county, including two sons, Robert D. and John, the former being in his eighteenth year and the latter about twenty-three. Robert Baird, Sr., entered claim to a considerable tract of land in Eel River and Washington townships, securing about four hundred and eighty acres, practically all of which was in its wild state and covered with heavy timber. He erected his house on the present home of his grandchildren, in the southeast corner of Eel River township. No road had been opened to the land, and he was compelled to cut his way through the forest. He first built a pole shanty, and this constituted the family residence about two years, after which he erected a more commodious house of round logs, the building being one and one-half stories in height, and being one of the largest in the locality at the time of its erection. This was the family home until about

` 1840, when the present homestead was erected, the same being one of the fine old places of the township. A huge chimney was constructed in the center of the building, with fireplace opening in each room, while each was equipped with andirons and cooking apparatus of the type common to the pioneer epoch. The poplar logs utilized in the building of the house were hauled seven miles to be sawed, and the interior is finished in black walnut, all of which was planed out by hand. The grandparents here continued to make their home until death, Robert Baird passing away in October, 1854, at the age of seventy-three years, while his wife died in April, 1868, lacking only ten days of being eighty-five years of age. Of their seven children who came to Allen county all are deceased except one, a brief record concerning them being as follows: Honora died in 1849, at the age of forty-five years, never having married; Matilda married Christian Jourdan and after his death became the wife of Patrick Horn, and she died at the age of sixty-six years; John is individually mentioned further on; Elizabeth became the wife of Payne Osborn and resided in Lagrange county at the time of her death, when about sixty years of age: Robert D. was the father of the subjects of this sketch; Salome married William Wallace and she died at the age of forty-eight years; Agnes, the only survivor, is the widow of William Mason and now lives with her nephew, John Karriger, in Washington township, being seventy-seven years of age at the time of this writing, in 1905. John Baird married Miss Margaret Mc- Nagny, and they had two children, Louise, who married William Carter, now resident of Jonesboro, Grant county; and Julius, who died at the age of fifty, his wife also being deceased, while their son, Clarendon, a railroad man, is now the only one of the Baird name aside from the children of Robert D.

On the 30th of May, 1848, Robert D. Baird was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hatfield, daughter of Joseph and Phoebe (Peppard) Hatfield, of Wells county, this state, whither they removed from Wayne county when she was fourteen years of age, the latter county having been her birthplace. The removal to Wells county occurred in 1839, and there she continued to reside until her marriage to Robert D. Baird, who had remained at home until this time, being thirty-one years of age at the time of his marriage.

He erected a log house on the site of his father's first residence, and about 1859 he came to the old home place, where he passed the remainder of his life and where his children still reside. He came into possession of the home place through gift from his father, and he supported and cared for his parents during their declining years. He devoted his entire attention to the improvement and cultivation of this fine farm and was one of the highly esteemed and substantial citizens of his township, of which he served as trustee in the early days. He was originally a Democrat in politics, but gave his support to Gen. William H. Harrison for the Presidency and later became a Whig, but his strong abolition principles did not coincide with the policy of the party and he refused to vote for President until 1856 on this account. At the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion he offered to enlist, but was rejected by reason of his teeth being unsound. He was one of the most enthusiastic members of the Republican party from the time of its organization until his death, taking a deep aud intelligent interest in public affairs and always being ready to defend his position and opinions and discuss affairs of public polity. He was summoned to his reward on the 31st of March, 1899, in the eighty-first year of his age. The family has long been identified with the Presbyterian church, and he and his wife were numbered among the founders of the Cedar Creek Presbyterian church, in Huntington county, and his father was an elder in said church for many years, while in its cemetery his remains lie at rest, as do also those of his wife and his parents. His wife died on the 2d of April, 1883, her life having been one of signal devotion to home and family, while her memory remains as a benediction upon her children and all others who come within the sphere of her gentle and kindly influence. She and her husband were in close touch with church doctrines and their lives were constant exemplification of the faith which they professed. The nearest Presbyterian church was six miles distant, and in view of this fact services were frequently held in their home by the Presbyterian families of the neighborhood, while on such occasions Revs. Wolf, Forbes, Martin, Maxwell and others officiated. Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Baird became the parents of three sons and one daughter, all of whom reside in the old homestead except one daughter, who died in early childhood. The three sons and one daughter have passed their entire lives on the old farm, to which they have added by the purchase of an adjoining tract of forty acres, so that the area of the estate is now two hundred acres. The farm is devoted to diversified agriculture and to the raising of high-grade live stock, especially the thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle, of which they keep a herd of from twenty to forty head, of the Cruikshank line, having many fine specimens and making exhibits at the state and county fairs. On their farm they also hold annual sales of stock, the sales being largely to local buyers, and the brothers have done much to improve the grade of cattle raised in the county and vicinity.

David W. Baird secured good educational advantages in his youth, having completed the curriculum of the high school, after which he attended the old Methodist Episcopal College in Fort Wayne, and Hillsdale College, Michigan. He thereafter made teaching his profession for a number of years, after which he took up the study of law with the well-known firm of Robertson & O'Rourke, of Fort Wayne. He then completed the course of the law department of the Indiana State University, at Bloomington, and he was duly admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession in Fort Wayne. In 1884 he went to Oskaloosa, Kansas, where he remained three years, at the expiration of which he returned to his native county and resumed teaching, in which work he was thereafter engaged during each school year until 1903. He taught for six years in Wayne township, and one year in Huntington county. He has been a most popular and effective worker in connection with teachers' institutes, and for three years was chairman of the Eel River township institute. He has taken a lively interest in local affairs of a public nature and is a stalwart adherent of the Republican party. In 1878 he was the nominee of his party for prosecuting attorney of his county, but was defeated. In November, 1904, he was elected trustee of Eel River township, and his election to the office stands in evidence of his popularity, since only one other Republican (John Holmes) has been elected to this position in the township since the war of the Rebellion. The township has twenty-five miles of gravel road, has nine school houses and nine teachers, with an enrollment list of one hundred and eighty pupils, while all but two of the teachers are residents of the township. The school houses are all of brick and compare favorably with those in other townships of the county, while the standard of the schools is high, enabling the students to prepare for teaching. Mr. Baird is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

William H. Baird was also a successful and popular teacher, devoting his attention to the pedagogic profession for six years. As a Republican he has been a candidate for representative in the state legislature and also for township trustee, while in 1894 he received the nomination of his party for county commissioner. All

Thomas Covington

In section 13, Aboit township, is located the fine homestead farm of this well known and highly honored pioneer of Allen county, and it is interesting to record that his farm was secured by his father more than half a century ago and has ever since remained in the possession of the family, while the name has been intimately and loyally identified with the civic and industrial history of this section of. the state during the long intervening years.

In tracing the genealogy of the subject we must needs revert to that cradle of so much of our national history, New England, for the family was established on American soil in the early colonial era. Mr. Covington was born in Plymouth county, Massachusetts, on the 18th of December, 1836, and is a son of Thomas and Mahala (Holmes) Covington. The grandfather was a sea captain and sailing master from historic old Plymouth, and he made numerous voyages to the principal ports of the old world. His father likewise bore the name of Thomas, and the ancestry is traced back to stanch English extraction, while the family was one of the earliest to be founded in the Massachusetts colony, in whose annals the name is frequently mentioned, especially in the Plymouth records, while the name was long linked with the seafaring life of the New England coast. The Holmes family is also one of the oldest of New England, and there many representatives in a direct and collateral way are yet to be found. Jonathan King, maternal uncle of Mrs. Mahala (Holmes) Covington, was a valiant soldier in the Continental line during the war of the Revolution, and he lived to attain the patriarchal age of ninety-two years.

The father of the subject was for a time engaged in mercantile pursuits in South Carolina, whence he returned to Massachusetts. From Middleboro, that state, the family came to Indiana in 1850, settling on the fine old homestead farm now occupied by him whose name initiates this sketch. The father here purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, whose reclamation from the virgin forest he forthwith instituted, though during the earlier years of his residence here he was engaged in the shoe business in Fort Wayne, which was then scarcely more than a trading post, with a few hundreds of people constituting its population. He finally took up his permanent abode on his farm, where he continued to reside until he was summoned from the scene of life's endeavors, having been seventy-nine years of age at the time of his demise, while his cherished and devoted wife lived to attain the age of eighty-four years. In politics the father was originally a Whig and later a Republican. He was a man of marked force of character, unbending in his integrity, broad-minded and liheral in his views, and he commanded a high place in the esteem of the community, where he wielded unmistakable influence in public affairs. Of the six children the subject of this sketch was the only son, and of the daughters we enter the following brief data: Elizabeth is the wife of Joshua W. Davis and resides in Newton, Massachusetts; Mary is the widow of Rev. Samuel A. Collins, a clergyman of the Baptist church, and resides near the city of Cincinnati, Ohio; Louise is the widow of Rev. John D. Messon and resides in Newton Center, Massachusetts; Mahala is the widow of Dr. Justin P. Garvin, late of Elkhart, Indiana, and she now makes her home with her only brother, the subject of this review; and Prudence died in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of sixty-five years; she was a talented artist and made many fine productions in oils and water colors, as well as in china painting; she maintained a studio in Fort Wayne for a number of years and many of her paintings are to be found in the best homes of the city, while she attained a specially high reputation as a landscape artist.

homas Covington was fourteen years of age at the time of the family removal from the old Bay state to Indiana, and he had previously received good educational advantages, thus laying an excellent foundation for that broad and practical knowledge which so denotes the man of the later years of earnest endeavor. He assisted in the reclaiming of the home farm, and has here resided during the major portion of his long and useful life. The farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres, and of the same fifty-five acres are maintained under effective cultivation. The original family residence was a log cabin, sixteen feet square. This gave place to a two-story dwelling of hewed logs, and the latter building continued to be the family domicile until the erection of the present substantial and commodious brick residence, about thirty years ago. In addition to general agriculture Mr. Covington has given special attention to horticulture and the raising of small fruits, and his vegetables and fruits are sold in the city market of Fort Wayne, where he has displayed and sold his products for many years. On the walls of the pleasant residence may be found a most pleasing water-color painting depicting the old homestead of hewed logs and also a picture of the first school house on the site of the present No. 4, in Wayne township, the one depicted having been erected in 1851, of round logs, and having been fourteen feet square. The primitive structure was equipped with a shake roof, floors and slab benches, while the windows were made by cutting through logs on each of three sides of the building and inserting a sash of glass in each opening, said sash being moved back and forth transversely to afford ventilation or insure required warmth from the huge stove. Mrs. Garvin taught in this building the second term of school, in 1852, her honored father having taught in the preceding year. She recalls that her pupils numbered about twenty-five and that the accessories of the "institution of learning"? were meager in the extreme. Mr. Covington is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and he served two terms as township trustee, receiving a majority of twenty-six votes at a time when the two parties as represented in the township constituted a tie in ballots. He has taken an active interest in the party work and has been a frequent delegate to the county conventions.

In 1859 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Covington to Miss Adeline Burk, who died ten years later, leaving four children, namely: Elizabeth D., and Katherine May, both of whom have remained at the parental home, joint housekeepers for their father, and also engaged in the cultivation of flowers, and for outside work the Sunday school, Elizabeth having been, for ten years, superintendent of the West Wayne Sunday school, situated near her home;

Thomas E., who is a Baptist minister, but now engaged in business in Lagrange, Indiana; and Mary Louise, who is the wife of Bertrand Early, of Fort Collins, Colorado.

Mrs. Garvin has presided over the domestic economies of her brother's home since 1875, and is most popular in the social life of the community, being a woman of fine intellectuality and gracious presence. She has three children, two of whom are missionaries in foreign lands; - Ann Eliza, who was formerly a teacher in Allen county, is now a missionary teacher in Osaka, Japan; and Rev. James F. Garvin is a .missionary clergyman of the Presbyterian church in Valparaiso, Chili; Emma, the youngest, died at the age of eight years.

The Corbat brothers are numbered among the representative farmers of Allen county, their landed estate being a large and well-improved one, ranking among the best in this favored section of the state, while the homestead place has been in the possession of the family for nearly two score of years, having been secured by the honored father of the brothers whose names initiate this paragraph. This attractive farmstead is located in section 3, Aboit township and is looked upon as a model in all respects, while the evidences of intelligent and progressive ideas are manifest on every side.

Alphonse Corbat was born in canton Berne, Switzerland, on the 13th of February, 1854, and Frank was born in Huntington county, Indiana, on the 20th of October, 1859. They are sons of Vandelin and Rose Corbat, who immigrated to America in the year 1857, making Indiana their destination. The family located near Huntington, Huntington county, where the father secured employment in operating a boat on the old Wabash and Erie canal, the boat being owned by two Fort Wayne men and being run between Fort Wayne and Wabash. In 1868 the family removed to the present homestead farm, the original purchase being a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, while the major portion of the place had been reclaimed to cultivation and otherwise improved. This has ever since been the family home and here the venerable father still lives, honored by all who know him and revered in true filial devotion by his sons. He is seventy-seven years of age at the time of this writing, in 1905, and for the past fifteen years he has lived essentially retired from active labor, his sons ably carrying forward the work which he inaugurated so many years ago as one of the energetic and trustworthy farmers of the county. His cherished wife died in

1868, only one month after the family came to the present homestead. She was a devoted member of the Catholic church, with which he also has long been identified. They became the parents of eight children, five of whom attained to years of maturity and four of whom are still living, namely: Joseph, who is engaged in the mercantile business in Mishawaka, this state; Alphonse and Frank, who are the immediate subjects of this sketch; and Louisa, who is the wife of Ernest Stutts, of South Bend, Indiana. Ellen, who became the wife of Henry Braenf, died at the age of thirty-two years.

Alphonse and Frank Corbat have been associated as partners for the past quarter of a century, both having been reared to manhood on the home farm and both having received good educational advantages in the common and parochial schools of Allen county. When they initiated their partnership they rented land, continuing operations in this way for three years, at the expiration of which they purchased a tract of fifty acres, to which they have added from time to time until they now have in joint ownership a fine estate of two hundred and thirty-three acres, while they have had charge of the old homestead for nearly twenty-five years, and now own the property, which was deeded to them by their father in 1903, so that the aggregate area of their farm in Aboit township is three hundred and fifty acres, all in one body. They also own sixty acres in Lake township, and this farm also is improved with excellent buildings. The present family residence was erected by their father in 1885, while the fine bank barn, forty by seventy feet in dimensions, was builded in 1882. The farm is devoted to diversified agriculture, wheat and corn being the principal products, while the brothers also raise a considerable amount of high-grade live stock. Frank remains a bachelor and resides with his brother and partner, Alphonse. The latter was married, in 1876, to Miss Elizabeth Manier, who died in October, igor, being survived by nine of her ten children, namely: Celia (wife of Frank Conners, of Erie, Pennsylvania),; Frank, Joseph, Rose (deceased at the age of two years), Julian, Florence, Albert, James, Mary and Robert. On the 12th of January, 1904, Alphonse Corbat consummated a second marriage, being then united to Mrs. Catherine Golden, widow of Samuel

Golden, of Fort Wayne. She was born and reared in Aboit township, being a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Shadle) Stahl, who were honored pioneers of this part of the county, where her father was a representative farmer. Mrs. Corbat had three children by her first marriage, and two are living, Bertha and Amanda, the latter being the wife of William Wolf.

In politics the Corbat brothers are stanch adherents of the Democratic party, as is also their venerable father, and they take a lively interest in public affairs of a local nature, while both brothers have served as delegates to the state and congressional conventions of their party. They are communicants of the Catholic church, being identified with the parish of St. Patrick's church, at Arcola.

The brothers have shown marked capacity and acumen as business men and have demonstrated the expediency of utilizing scientific methods in carrying on their farming operations. They have personally reclaimed to cultivation fully one hundred acres of brush land, besides much marsh land. They have their farm equipped with a most perfect system of tile drainage, having installed the tile by degrees and having secured the best of results through the territory covered, one field alone having one hundred and sixty rods of the tiling. The buildings are of high type and rank among the best in the county, while in the matter of insurance indemnity they stand second in amount on the books of the Allen County Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

Kilian Baker

Among the old and influential citizens of Fort Wayne, and for many years one of the city's leading manufacturers, is Kilian Baker, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, where his birth occurred on December 15, 1830, being one of eight children whose parents were George and Catherine (Baschinger) Baker. Five years after the above date Mr. and Mrs. Baker, with their family, emigrated to the United States, going at once to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where they remained until 1836, when the elder Baker came to Allen county, Indiana, and entered a tract of government land in Cedar Creek township. After entering the land he returned to Pittsburg and remained until 1838, when he left Pittsburg with his family and started westward, consuming two weeks in the journey that brought them to Fort Wayne, then a small backwoods hamlet of about three hundred and fifty or four hundred inhabitants. Here he started a wagon-making shop, which, under his judicious management, soon became one of the leading manufacturing establishments of the place. After working at his trade for a period of ten years, he discontinued wagonmaking and in 1848 erected a saw-mill and began the manufacture of lumber on quite an extensive scale, in which enterprise he was associated with his sons John, Jacob, Henry and Kilian, the firm as thus constituted becoming prominent in the industrial affairs of the new town, the demand for the output soon taxing the mill to its utmost capacity. Two years after commencing operations the father and John disposed of their interests to the other brothers and retired from the business. Henry sold out in 1867 and Jacob in 1878, leaving Kilian sole proprietor, and as such he continued with the most encouraging success until 1903, when, by reason of an ample competency acquired the meantime, as well as by the need of rest from such a busy and exacting life, he closed

Kilian Baker was a lad of eight years when he came to Allen county and his childhood and youth were spent in Fort Wayne, where he received a fair education in the parochial schools under the supervision of the Catholic church. He grew up with the city, contributed largely to its development along industrial lines and in due time became an influential factor in promoting its varied interests. Energetic and public spirited, he soon took an active part in all enterprises for the common good, gave countenance and support to every laudable undertaking for the advancement of both city and county, and in many matters his judgment was consulted and his opinions ever carried weight in the councils of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Baker is essentially a business man and as such achieved a high and enviable standing in the community for the best interests of which the greater part of his life has been devoted. Unflagging industry, discriminating judgment and wise foresight have been among his chief characteristics and during the years of his prime his strength and vitality, as well as those clearer mental qualities which enabled their possessor to take advantage of opportunities, stood him well, in pushing to the largest success the important undertaking in which he was engaged. Coming to the state in the pioneer period and witnessing the phenomenal growth of the city. with which his life has been so closely interwoven, he has ever been a close and critical observer of events, and today there are in Fort Wayne few if any whose minds are so fully stored with valuable historical reminiscences or who are more frequently consulted on matters concerning the past. Until recently he retained to a marked degree the possession of his splendid physical powers, but of late the infirmities incident to advancing age have to a certain extent undermined his vitality, although his memory is clear and his mental powers keen and alert as in the days of his prime.

The father of Mr. Baker, from whom he inherited much of his physical energy, died February 29, 1870, at the good old age of eighty years, the mother departing this life some time in the "50s, while in the prime of her womanhood. The marriage of Kilian Baker was solemnized in 1859 with Miss Anna Dougherty, whose birth occurred in 1840, her parents, John and Marcella (Lyons) Dougherty, being among the pioneers of Fort Wayne, where they settled as early as the year 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty were natives of county West Meath, Ireland, but came to the United States in 1835 and spent the remainder of their days in Allen county, having long been residents of Arcola, where they are still gratefully remembered for their many acts of kindness, as well as for those qualities of mind and heart that win and retain confidence.

The union of Kilian and Anna Baker has been blessed with the following children: John G., of Missouri; Frank J., of Fort Wayne; Mary, wife of Latham F. Blee, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Agnes, now Mrs. Henry J. Taylor, of Fort Wayne; Margaret A., who married William D. Gordon, their home being now in Peoria, Illinois ; Charles H., who died in early childhood; Catherine A., now known as Sister St. Euphrasie, of the Sisters of Providence; Rosella M., Alfred K., Grace A., who reside with their parents, and Herbert W., the last named dying when quite young.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Baker were reared in the Catholic faith and have ever been loyal members of the holy mother church, belonging to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Fort Wayne. Believing every other consideration subordinate to the claims of religion, they have been untiring in their devotion to its duties and, like all true Catholics, have spared no pains in the rearing of their children according to the principles and precepts of the church, which they consider life's greatest and best safeguard.

Jacob Marquardt

We now take under review the career of one of the sterling pioneer citizens of Allen county, where he has passed his entire life and where he has ever commanded the unequivocal confidence and esteem of his fellow men. The name which he bears has been prominently identified with the annals of the county since the early days when the work of reclaiming the sylvan wilds of this section was inaugurated, and here he is now known as one of the large landholders and successful farmers of the county, his finely improved estate being located in Madison township, section 11. He rendered valiant service to the Union during the war of the Rebellion, and during his entire life he has manifested the same loyalty of spirit that led him to follow the old flag on the battle fields of the south. His character, services and long residence render him peculiarly worthy of representation in the Allen county division of this history of the Maumee basin.

Jacob Marquardt was born on the farm which is now his home, in Madison township, Allen county, Indiana, on the 31st of May, 1844, and was the eighth in order of birth of the twelve children of Jacob and Anna E. (Hoffenberger) Marquardt, both of whom were born in Germany, near the French border, while the paternal lineage traces back to French derivation. Of the children six are living, and of this number all still reside in Allen county. The parents of the subject came to America when young, and the father settled in Allen county in the early '30s, taking up a tract of government land in Madison township and being one of the early settlers in this part of the county. He reclaimed a considerable portion of his land from the virgin wilds and became one of the well-to-do and honored farmers of the county. The farm now owned by our subject is a portion of the original estate, and other valuable farms in the township are likewise owned by representatives of the family. The father died in 1852, and his devoted wife passed away in 1888, while the names of both merit a place on the roll of the honored pioneers of this now favored section of the state.

The subject was reared on the old homestead, early beginning to assist in its work, while his educational advantages were those afforded in the common schools of the locality and period. He continued to be associated with his father in the operation of the home farm until he had attained to the age of eighteen years, when he initiated his independent career, securing a portion of the homestead and settling himself vigorously to the task of reclaiming the same from the forest, the major portion of his land having been a veritable wilderness at the time when he assumed the work of hewing out a farm. He now has a well improved estate of three hundred and twenty acres, nearly all of which he has cleared and placed under the highest state of cultivation, while the passing years have brought to him a generous prosperity and made him one of the substantial farmers of the county, while he is one of the popular and influential citizens of his native township. He has ever been a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party and is loyal in his support of its cause, while he has been called upon to serve in various offices of local trust. In a fraternal way he is identified with William Link Post, No. 301, Grand Army of the Republic, in Monroeville, while both he and his wife are zealous members of the Lutheran church, in whose faith they have reared their children, all of whom were baptized in the same.

In February, 1865, at Kendallville, this state, Mr. Marquardt enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, joining his regiment in the city of Indianapolis and thence proceeding with his command to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, and from that point to Charleston and into the Shenandoah valley, where he was taken severely ill, being sent to the Cumberland hospital, where he remained incapacitated until the close of the war, having received his honorable discharge in August, 1865, while still in the hospital. After the close of the war he returned to his farm and here has ever since given his attention to diversified agriculture and stock growing.

On the 11th of October, 1868, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Marquardt to Miss Susan Pyle, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, on the 3d of December, 1848, being a daughter of Isaac N. and Hannah A. (Lake) Pyle, of English and Scotch lineage, respectively, and she was a child at the time of her parents' removal to Allen county, where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Marquardt have thirteen children, all of whom were born on the old homestead farm which was the birthplace of their father, and their names are here entered in order of birth: Rosanna, who is single and resides at home; Daniel A. is a train inspector for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and resides at Hamlet, Indiana; Susan S. V. and Martha E. are deceased; Mary E. is the wife of August Miller, of Monroeville, Indiana; Samuel J. is a veterinary surgeon at Monroeville, Indiana, being a graduate of the Ohio State University; Daisy E. is the wife of Conrad Brouwer, of Monroeville, Indiana; Jasper E. resides on his father's farm and cultivates part of the homestead in Madison township; Dora E. is the wife of Frank Gable, farmer and school teacher, who resides on part of his father-in-law's farm in Madison township; Washington, Robert R. and Rufus R. are deceased; Huldah F. is still single and resides at home.

Allen Count Eindanna John Casselman

Mr. Casselman's first knowledge of Allen county was gained more than fifty years ago, when he came here as a boy, his parents residing in the county a few years and then returning to Ohio, where he grew to manhood. However, it was his good fortune to return to the county about thirty years ago, and here he has ever since maintained his home, while he is one of the representative business men of Monroeville, where he conducts a finely equipped meat market, having previously been identified with farming and stock growing in the county and being a citizen who commands the respect of all.

Mr. Casselman was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 28th of December, 1838, and is a son of David and Elizabeth ( Brandeberry) Casselman, both of whom were born and reared in the. old Buckeye state, where the respective families were founded in the pioneer era, the paternal lineage being traced back to stanch Holland stock and the maternal to Scotch derivation. In 1852 the family came to Allen county, Indiana, where they remained four years, at the expiration of which they returned to the old home in Carroll county, Ohio, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives, the father having been a successful farmer and substantial citizen. The subject of this review secured his educational training in the common schools of Ohio and Indiana, and from his youth up was fainiliar with the details involved in the operation of a farm, having been associated in the work of his father's farmstead until he had attained to his legal majority, when he initiated his independent career, continuing to be concerned in the field of enterprise in which he had been reared. In May, 1864, he became a member of the local militia or home guard of Carroll county, Ohio, and he was called into the service of his country for a period of:one hundred days. He took part in no active engagements but was assigned to guard duty, keeping ward over prisoners. He received his honorable discharge in September, 1864, his command having been a part of the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His patriotism was insistent and he did all in his power to aid the Union cause during the turbulent and critical era of the Civil war.

After the war Mr. Casselman continued to be engaged in farming in Carroll county, Ohio, until 1870, in November of which year he came to Indiana and took up his residence in Allen county. Here he purchased a farm, in Madison township, the land being only partially reclaimed, and on this place he continued to reside for the ensuing twelve years. He then disposed of the property and purchased a farm in Monroe township, where he lived for six years and then sold the place, in order to turn his attention to another line of enterprise. At this time he located in Monroeville and engaged in the butchering business, in which he has ever since continued, being now one of the oldest merchants of the town in point of consecutive business association, while he has so ordered his course as to gain the high regard of the community and has long controlled a large and representative trade, while his establishment is modern in its equipment and service. Mr. Casselman is a stalwart advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and both he and his wife are valued members of the Christian church.

On the 14th of October, 1862, Mr. Casselman was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Reed, who was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the oth of January, 1834, being a daughter of Robert and Mary (Baughman) Reed, both of whom died in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Casselman have four children, Marvilla J., Lewis H, William B. and Emmett F.

Lewis Homer Casselman, the eldest of the three sons of John and Mary E. (Reed) Casselman, was born in Rochester, Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 9th of January, 1867, and he was thus about four years of age at the time of the family removal to Allen county, where he was reared and educated, having been afforded the advantages of the public schools, while he early began to lend his aid in the work of the home farm. At the age of seventeen years he gave inception to his independent business career, which has been one marked by energy, ability and worthy success. He began buying and selling live stock, and has ever since continued in this important branch of industry, in which he is an acknowledged authority, while he has built up a large and profitable enterprise, making extensive shipments of live stock each year and having his business headquarters in Monroeville. Like his honored father he is found stanchly arrayed as a supporter of the cause of the Republican party, and both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, in whose work they take an active part.

On the roth of November, 1901, Lewis H. Casselman was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Geyer, who was born and reared in this county, being a daughter of Ferdinand and Augusta (Wollenholp) Geyer, well known residents of Monroeville, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Casselman have two children, Miriam and William Maurice.

Alfred H. Bates

The subject of this memoir was one of the representative farmers of Aboit township and was a citizen of worth and influence, commanding the unqualified confidence and regard of all who knew him.

Mr. Bates was born in Oswego county, New York, on the 23d of October, 1836, being the second in order of birth of the six sons of Jeremiah and Lucy (Norton) Bates. The paternal grandparents, Ephraim and Melvina (Hopkins) Bates, were native of Massachusetts and representatives of families early founded in New England, that cradle of so much of our national history. In the maternal line of the Bates family the genealogy is traced to the de Norville family, of patrician French stock, the records extant showing that one of the name was a signer of the death warrant of King Charles I of France. Jeremiah Bates died in 1869, and his widow passed away in 1884, at the venerable age of eighty-one years, both having continued resident of the old Empire state, where the father followed agricultural pursuits.

Alfred H. Bates passed his youthful days in his native county, completing the curriculum of the common schools and supplementing this discipline by a course in an academy at Mexico, New York. He remained at the parental home until he had attained to the age of eighteen years, when he set forth for the west, arriving in South Bend, Indiana, in October, 1854, while later he visited various parts of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. He finally took up his residence in Allen county, Indiana, where he was engaged in teaching school for a time, and he identified himself permanently with the civic and industrial affairs of the county by purchasing the present Bates homestead farm, in sections 4 and 5, Aboit township, the place comprising one hundred and six acres of fine land. At the time when he took up his residence on the farm it was practically without improvements, being largely covered with the heavy growth of native timber, while the original residence of the family was a log cabin of the type so common to the pioneer era. He reclaimed about ninety acres of the land to cultivation and added to the area of his estate until it comprised one hundred and fifty acres. The present substantial and commodious frame residence was erected in the early '708, while the other buildings on the place are of excellent order. Mr. Bates not only carried on his general farming operations with vigor and discrimination, but also gave special attention to the raising of high-grade live stock and was at one time one of the leading poultry fanciers and breeders of the county, raising principally the Barred, Plymouth Rocks, Buff Cochins and Light Brahmas, while he made numerous exhibitions at the various poultry shows, securing many prizes in the connection, while the eggs from his farm commanded fancy prices for breeding purposes. Mr. Bates was a natural enthusiast, and as such was not satisfied with less than the ultimate attainment in any work or enterprise to which he directed his energies, so that he was very successful in the several departments of his business undertakings. He conducted a highclass butter dairy, keeping an average herd of twenty-five milch cows and manufacturing from one hundred and fifty to two hundred pounds of butter a week, while the entire product was sold to appreciative private customers. This enterprise he continued until the death of his wife. Mr. Bates introduced the first DeLaval cream separator in the county, and at the time the same attracted much attention, persons coming from long distances to witness its operation.

Mr. Bates was one of the honored and influential citizens of Aboit township, and though he took a lively interest in public affairs he never sought official preferment. He was a stalwart Republican in his political proclivities, and both he and his wife held membership in the Christian church at Dunfee, Whitley county, about two miles distant from their home. Mrs. Bates died on the 14th of June, 1902, and he was summoned to the life eternal on the 6th of July, 1904, so that in death they were not long divided. The remains of both rest in the beautiful Lindenwood cemetery, in Fort Wayne, in which city Mr. Bates resided during the last two years of his life, though continuing to supervise his business interests until practically the time of his death.

Mr. Bates was twice married. On the 29th of September, 1859, he wedded Miss Ann J. Turner, daughter of Enoch Turner, and she passed away on the 15th of June, 1865, leaving three daughters, Lucy A., wife of Henry Gunder; Rose E., wife of Rollin Ellison; and Ann J., wife of Edward P. Scheuler. On the 21st of October, 1865, Mr. Bates was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Stirk, daughter of William and Jane Stirk, the former of whom died in 1884 and the latter in 1887. Three children were born of the second marriage, namely: Frank M. is the wife of Louis J. Eme and they reside on a part of the old homestead, Mr. Eme being personally mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Eudora, who is the wife of John F. Traster, of Whitley county ; and Arthur M., who has charge of the home farm and who is administrator of the estate. He was born on the old homestead, on the 23d of January, 1878, and was here reared to maturity, receiving his educational training in the public schools. At the age of twenty-one years he became a fireman on the Pennsylvania Railroad, retaining this position eight months and then returning to the home farm, to which he has ever since given his attention. On the 29th of April, 1902, he was united in marriage to Miss Della E. Schinbeckler, of Whitley county, and they have one child, Herbert Russell. Mr. Bates is a Republican in politics and is one of the progressive young farmers of the county.

John W. Edwards

One of the prominent and influential business men of Monroeville, Allen county, is he whose name initiates this sketch and who is senior member of the firm of Edwards Brothers, who here conduct a large department store, which represents the leading enterprise of the kind in this part of the county.

John W. Edwards was born in a hewed-log house on the Edwards homestead, in Madison township, Allen county, Indiana, on the 16th of August, 1850, being the eldest son of Samuel and Lucinda (Eagy) Edwards. Samuel Edwards was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1826, of Welsh parentage, and his wife was a native of Carroll county, Ohio, where she was born in 1832, her lineage tracing back to stanch German and Irish derivation. Samuel and Lucinda (Eagy) Edwards came with their respective parents to Madison township, Allen county, Indiana, in the year 1836, and here they were reared to maturity under the influences of the pioneer era, while their marriage was here solemnized in April, 1849. In this township they continued to reside after their marriage, the father devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in November, 1864. The devoted wife and mother is still living, maintaining her home in Monroeville, Monroe township, and being hale and hearty, while she is held in affectionate regard by all who know her, being one of the honored pioneer women of the county. She has the distinction of having lived in Madison and Monroe townships for a longer period than any other person who is now living or any who has ever lived in said townships.

John W. Edwards grew to manhood on the homestead farm, in Madison township, while his early educational discipline was secured in the common schools of the locality and period, the same being in session from three to four months in the year. As a youth he supplemented this training by a course of study in the old Methodist Episcopal college in the city of Fort Wayne, and he later entered the Miami Commercial College, in Dayton, Ohio, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1872, so that his education was of a liberal and practical order. For a number of years Mr. Edwards was a successful and popular teacher in the public schools of Madison and Monroe townships.

In Huntertown, this county, on the 16th of September, 1875, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Annetta L. Barnhart, daughter of Rev. A. C. Barnhart. Mrs. Edwards was born in Sigourney, Iowa, in 1858. At the close of the term of school he was teaching Mr. Edwards removed with his young wife to Edwards county, Kansas, where he entered government land and engaged in farming and teaching school. He also served as postmaster at Offerle, Kansas, for four years, and within this time he was elected county commissioner, in which office he served two years, being president of the board during the last year. In 1882 Mr. Edwards removed from Kansas to Florida, where he resided until the death of his wife, in May, 1887. Left with four small children, he was compelled to return to Indiana, coming to Monroeville, where he has ever since maintained his home. On the 16th of August, 1888, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Fannie Reed Philley, at Monroeville, she being the eldest daughter of Sanford and Mary Philley and a representative of one of the old and prominent families of Fort Wayne. Of the children of Mr. Edwards, two daughters and one son are married and reside in the city of Fort Wayne, namely: Artie L., the wife of W. Carey Ewing; Verne P., the wife of George Pantazin; and Almond A. Edwards. Another daughter of the first marriage, Miss Annetta L., resides in Kansas; and the two daughters of the second marriage, Cleo and Eva, remain at the parental home.

As before stated, Mr. Edwards is now the senior member of the firm of Edwards Brothers, who are conducting a large department store and are the leading firm in their line in 'Monroeville. They are enjoying a large and representative trade and are noted for their business enterprise, and honorable dealings, having the unqualified confidence and esteem of the people of this section.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are active and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a member since he was a youth of eighteen years. He has served as superintendent of the Sunday school and also as steward, class-leader and trustee, while at the present time he is the teacher of the largest class of young ladies to be found in the Sunday schools of the town, having thus served for the past five years. He is not only active in all departments of church work, but is one of the most liberal supporters of the church in a financial way. He has represented the Monroeville church on three occasions as lay delegate to the annual conference.

In politics Mr. Edwards has given an unqualified allegiance to the Republican party ever since attaining his majority, and while he is not taking an active part in politics he keeps in close and intelligent touch with the questions and issues of the hour and is well fortified in his political faith. He is not insistently partisan, however, to the extent of supporting unworthy candidates or measures, preferring honest and upright men in office, regardless of party affiliation, and acting in accordance with such preference. He is essentially public spirited and progressive, and is ever found ready to lend his aid and influence in supporting worthy measures for the general good of the community.

Henry A. Wiebke

Among the successful and popular business men of Fort Wayne is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch and who conducts one of the leading sample rooms of the city, the same being located at No. 625 Calhoun street. Mr. Wiebke was born in this city on September 1, 1867, and is the son of Henry and Wilhemina (Hoffmeyer) Wiebke. The former was born on February 26, 1839, at Lahde, near Minden, Prussia, and lived in his native country until twenty years of age. He then emigrated to America and first located at Indianapolis, Indiana, where for a short time he engaged at the carpenter's trade. He then removed to Fort Wayne and on March 15, 1862, he embarked in the grocery business at the corner of Calhoun and Columbia streets. He was successful in business, figuring as one of the enterprising and progressive business men of the city. He continued actively engaged in business until the time of his retirement, in 1886. His wife, whose maiden name was Wilhemina Hoffmeyer, was born December 7, 1845, at Masslingen, near Minden, Prussia, and in childhood was brought to this country. She made her home at Indianapolis until March 18, 1886, at which time occurred her marriage to Henry Wiebke and her consequent removal to Fort Wayne. To this couple were born five children, three sons and two daughters, namely: Henry A., Florence, William, August and Bertha.

The subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof and received his education in St. Paul's Lutheran parochial school, after which he attended the business college conducted by Colonel Powers, where he took a complete course in bookkeeping. On the 18th of December, 1888, he entered into partnership with W. T. Mannix and opened a sample room on Calhoun street, this city, but two years later he purchased his partner's interest and has since con- ducted it alone. The place has the reputation of being one of the most orderly and best conducted in the city and the proprietor has long enjoyed a well merited popularity among those who know him.

On the 13th of January, 1896, Mr. Wiebke was united in marriage with Mrs. Louise Mosshammer (nee Ritter), the widow of August Mosshammer. She was born in this city and is the daughter of Anthony and Barbara (Straus) Ritter, and by her union with her former husband she became the mother of two children, Franklin M. and Arthur S. No children have been born to the present union. Politically Mr. Wiebke is a Democrat and in May, 1903, he was elected a member of the city council, his ward being the only one to go Democratic that year, this being the first time in over thirty years that the Democrats have failed to carry the city by a large majority. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 155, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie No. 248, the Commercial Club, a social member of the Corner Rod and Gun Club, and also belongs to the Concordia Singing Society and the Kreuz Stolzenau. In religion, he was baptized and confirmed in St. Paul's Lutheran church. Mr. Wiebke possesses a social disposition and courteous manner, and because of his many fine personal qualities he has won a host of warm friends.

Louis J. Eme

A well-known and popular citizen of Aboit township and a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Allen county is Louis J. Eme, who is a skilled carpenter and identified with the work of railroad bridge building.

Mr. Eme was born in Lake township, this county, on the 24th of August, 1865, and is a son of Ferdinand and Josephine (Parnin) Eme, both of whom were born in France, whence they came to America with their respective families as children, the two families being members of the French colony which came to Allen county and settled in Washington township. Ferdinand Eme and his wife reside in Lake township, where he is a prosperous farmer. His father, Humbert Eme, was likewise a farmer of the county and here continued to reside until death. The subject of this review was reared in Lake township, and his educational advantages were those afforded by the public schools in the village of Arcola. When about twenty years of age he entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, with his brother Julian. For the past five years Louis Eme has devoted his attention almost exclusively to work as a carpenter, in which line he has done a large amount of constructing and repairing. For a time he retained his residence in the city of Fort Wayne, after which he passed about eight years on the well-equipped dairy farm of his father-in-law. Since that time he has been concerned in the work of his trade as a carpenter. He is held in high regard in Aboit township, as is evident when we revert to the fact that he was chosen to serve as township assessor and for one term was incumbent of the office of township supervisor, in which connection he made an excellent record and gained unqualified approval from his constituency. In politics he is a stalwart adherent of the Republican party, of whose principles and policies he is a stanch

On the 27th of September, 1888, Mr. Eme was united in marriage to Miss Frank M. Bates, who was born in the family homestead, in Aboit township, being a daughter of Alfred H. Bates, concerning whom individual mention is made on other pages of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Eme have two sons, Hubert Bates and Glenn Louis.

William T. Wybourn

One of the fine farm properties of Madison township, Allen county, Indiana, is that owned by Mr. Wybourn, who has here maintained his home since his boyhood days and who has gained recognition as one of the progressive and successful husbandmen of the county and as a citizen whose life has been dominated by high principles and a determination to achieve a success worthy of the name, so that he has not been denied the fullest measure of popular confidence and esteem in the county in which he has lived and labored for a half century. Such are the men who are particularly worthy of consideration in a publication of this nature, for though they have not stood forth in the "great white light" of publicity, they have been numbered among the rank and file of the world's workers and have played well their assigned parts on the stage of action to which they have been summoned. Mr. Wybourn is one of the intelligent and enterprising men who have successfully directed their attention and labors to the noble and fundamental industry of agriculture and is one whose success has been due entirely to his own efforts. On his attractive landed estate, comprising one hundred and twenty acres, he is abiding in peace, contentment and plenty, honored by those among whom so many years of his life have been passed and ever doing all in his power to conserve the best interests of the community.

William T. Wybourn was born in the city of Albany, New York, on the 18th of September, 1848, and is a son of John O. and Matilda (Bush) Wybourn, both of whom were born in county Kent, England, whence they came to America, locating in Albany, New York. Here they were married and remained until the subject was five years of age, when they came to Allen county, Indiana, where both died the following year, on the same day of August,

1854, leaving William doubly orphaned when but a lad of six years. For a few weeks after his parents' demise he was cared for in the home of a family friend and he then found a home with the family of William Hammond, a well-known pioneer farmer of Madison township, this county. He was reared to maturity under the discipline of the farm and his educational opportunities in his youth were those afforded in the common schools of the locality, which he was enabled to attend during only six weeks of the year, walking two miles back and forth to the school each day and making the best use of the somewhat meager advantages thus gained, while he has effectively supplemented this early discipline by that gained under the direction of that wisest of all headmasters, experience. He continued to reside in the home of his foster-father until he had attained to the age of twenty years, and upon reaching his legal majority he initiated his independent career, which has been one of consecutive endeavor along those well defined lines which lead to success. He gave himself zealously to the work in hand, principally that of farming, and within three years had saved from his earnings a sufficient amount of money to justify him in the purchasing of a farm of fifty-six acres, partially improved. He continued his labors with much energy and discrimination and prosperity was not denied him as the years passed by, while his present finely improved homestead, which comprises one hundred and twenty acres of most productive land, in Madison township, stands in permanent evidence of his industry and good management, his farm being one of the model places of this section of the county. Mr. Wybourn is one of the influential citizens of his township and has always shown a loyal interest in public affairs of a local nature, while in politics he is an uncompromising advocate of the principles of the Prohibition party, with which he has been identified from practically the time of its organization. His exalted principles are indicated by this allegiance, and they have dominated his course in all the relations of life, so that he has held the esteem of his fellow men on the simple scare that he has deserved it. Both he and his wife are worthy and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

city of Albany, New York, on the 20th of July, 1853, being a daughter of David and Margaret (McConaha) McKeeman, who were born in Ireland, and who came from the state of New York to Allen county, Indiana, when she was a child, here passing the remainder of their lives, the father having been a prosperous farmer of Madison township. Mr. and Mrs. Wybourn have two sons, John A. and David C., who are well known and popular young men of their native county. Miss Mary Peters, daughter of Ephraim and Mary (Barnes) Peters, has had her home with Mr. and Mrs. Wybourn since 1890, her mother having died about two years before.

John A. Wybourn, the elder of the two sons, was born in Madison township, this county, on the roth of May, 1876, and was educated in the public schools, having been a student for one year in the high school at Monroeville. In 1897 he became salesman for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, by which he was employed four years, being successful in his efforts. He then established himself in the buggy and harness business in Monroeville, where he now has a well equipped repository, handling an excellent line of carriages, buggies and wagons, and being one of the representative young business men of the town. On the 30th of March, 1902, John A. Wybourn wedded Miss Rose E. Barkley, who was born and reared in Adams county, this state.

David C. Wybourn was born on the homestead farm, on the 4th of November, 1878, and after completing the curriculum of the district schools he continued his studies in the public schools of Monroeville, being there graduated in the high school in the class of 1896, after which he was successfully engaged in teaching for two years. He then entered the Fort Wayne Medical College, where he completed the prescribed four-years course and was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, as a member of the class of 1902. After graduation he received the appointment of assistant physician and surgeon at the Indiana School for Feeble Minded Youths at Fort Wayne, which he continued to fill for some time. He is now successfully established in the practice of his profession in Sheldon, this county. On the 4th of August, 1903, he

Reuben Rousseau

A scion of one of the sterling pioneer families of the Hoosier state is Reuben Rousseau, who has been a resident of Allen county for more than half a century, being one of the honored pioneer citizens of Aboit township, where he has long been engaged in farming and gardening, being one of the substantial men of the township and commanding high esteem in the community in which he has so long lived and labored. His memory forms a link between the pioneer epoch in Allen county. and the latter days of opulent advancement and prosperity, while his reminiscences are thus interesting in the extreme and should be perpetuated for future generations, since but a few years more may pass before there will be none left to tell the stirring tales of the early days.

Mr. Rousseau comes of French lineage on the paternal side, as the name indicates, but the name which he bears has long been identified with the history of America, since his grandfather, David R. Rousseau, having been a native of France and having been the original representative of the immediate family in the new world. Reuben Rousseau was born in Henry county, Indiana, on the 6th of June, 1834, and is a son of William and Ruth (McBride) Rousseau, both of whom were born and bred in North Carolina, the former in Wilks county, on December 27, 1807. They were the parents of twelve children, six of whom are living. The subject of this sketch is the eldest son, Frank M., the second born, and James H., the youngest. The latter was born in Wells county, Indiana, in 1854, and bought the home farm in Aboit township, Allen county, where he resided until 1885. He then moved to Dakota, where he lived until 1887! and there homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land. During this period he was visited by the subject of this sketch, who was engaged on a hunting expedition. They visited Fort Yates and La Grace and at the latter place saw the great Indian chief, Sitting Bull, and his band, who were engaged in a war dance. Mr.-Rousseau hunted and fished along the Missouri river, killing black and gray wolves, a mountain lion, several deer and much smaller game. James M. Rousseau moved back to Allen county and, selling the old homestead, bought three hundred and twenty acres in the same township, of which he has since sold all but sixty acres. He bought the Lillie homestead addition to the city of Fort Wayne, where he now resides, being engaged in the real-estate business. F. M. Rousseau, who was born at New Castle, Indiana, August 20, 1836, has resided in Allen county for fifty years, being occupied as a farmer, gardener and dairyman. He has been a lifelong Republican, and is an elder in the Christian church at Fort Wayne. The maternal grandfather of the subject was of Irish nativity, while the grandmother was of German lineage, having been born in the city of Bonn, Germany. David R. Rousseau was a successful farmer in North Carolina, where he operated a plantation and owned a considerable number of slaves. He came to Indiana in the early pioneer days, and lived in turn in Henry, Wayne, Blackford, Wells and Allen counties, while he passed the closing years of his life in Whitley county, both he and his wife having been laid to rest in a little private cemetery plot between Blue River lake and Round lake. The grandfather was a typical pioneer, being a man of energy and sturdy integrity and taking great delight in hunting and fishing, a predilection which seems to have been inherited by not a few of his descendants. The parents of the subject came to Indiana in the early "30s, and they encountered their full share of the experiences and vicissitudes of pioneer life, while the father devoted his attention principally to farming, having settled on wild land and reclaimed much of the same to cultivation. He continued his residence in Allen county for many years and both he and his wife died in Aboit township, where their mortal remains lie at rest in the old Bullard cemetery. They were folk of sterling worth and it is fitting that in this compilation be accorded a brief tribute to their memories, for they were numbered among those who aided in the founding of the industrial and civic structure of Allen county.

Reuben Rousseau, the immediate subject of this review, accompanied his parents on their various removals to different counties in Indiana, and his early educational advantages were limited, owing to the conditions which prevailed. He attended the old log school house in Hartford City, Blackford county, and well recalls the primitive facilities afforded, both in the equipment of the building and in the scope of the curriculum. He was able, however, to lay the foundation on which to upbuild the excellent practical education which he has gained in the great school of experience. Mr. Rousseau was about sixteen years of age at the time of the family removal to Allen county, in 1850, and he was reared to the herculean work of the pioneer farm, waxing strong in mind and body and finding due recreation in his hunting and fishing and in the other sports common to the period and locality. At the age of eighteen years he practicaily initiated his independent career, since at that tinie he took charge of the homestead farm and virtually became the head of the family in the matter of managing all business affairs. He was thus engaged at the time of the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, and he served for a short time in the Union ranks during the closing days of the great conflict. In February, 1865, he enlisted as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Fiftysecond Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he proceeded to the front, remaining in service until the close of the war and having received his honorable discharge in Charleston, West Virginia, on the 30th of August, 1865.

Upon his return from the army, in 1865, Mr. Rousseau, with his wife and son, started westward, eventually arriving at Humansville, Missouri, in 1870, where he took up some land. The following fall he sold out and went to Sumner county, Kansas, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land, paying the regulation price of one dollar and a quarter per acre. He also assisted in laying out the town of Belleplaine. The first winter was spent in a dug-out and during this time he was very successful as a hunter, killing much game, large and small. However, in the spring of 1871 they got short of fresh meat and Mr. Rosseau proposed that he go out to the buffalo grounds. Others joined him on the expedition and, taking their teams and a boy as driver, they crossed the

Marquard river, crossing also the Charles river, ten miles beyond. Five miles further brought them to the Panhandle Texas trail, which was occupied by herds of cattle on their way to Wichita for shipment. The animals had cut the trail up so badly the hunters could hardly get their wagons across, and besides they were pretty badly scared by the cowboys, who were armed to the teeth. However, they continued on their way and the subject, who was in the lead, saw ahead of them on the trail two men, with a small wagon drawn by a span o mules. Mr. Rousseau overtook them and asked, "Which way, boys?" "Well, we thought we would go out and take a little buffalo hunt. Which way are you heading for?' "Buffalo hunt too." "Well, did you ever kill one?' "No, never saw a wild one. Just going out to see one." "Well, you will not do much." Mr. Rousseau replied that he had killed much other game and was a fairly good shot. They soon reached the buffalo grounds and camped in a ravine, the new acquaintances remaining with them. After supper the stranger, who had given his name as John Degolia, from Wichita, produced an old Spencer carbine, with which he intended to do his buffalo hunting. During conversation he stated there was not much danger from Indians and that he had lived with the Osages and Cheyennes. After these statements, Mr. Rousseau asked him to remain with the party, to which arrangements he consented. Mr. Rousseau then showed his armament, which consisted of a doublebarrel shotgun, a big Colt's revolver, Spencer rifle and target rifle, the Spencer having a range of a mile. In the morning some of the party made boast of their ability to kill buffaloes, to which the newcomer replied that if one was good enough shot to kill deer he could also kill buffaloes. They soon discovered their game ahead of them. The strangers asked Mr. Rousseau to remain a little to the rear while they shot first. They fired several rounds, the result being one animal down about a half mile away. Mr. Rousseau then went to the front and, with the remark, "Why don't you shoot that big bull?" he fired, his first shot bringing down the animal to which he referred. His second and third shots likewise brought down others that had started to run. He afterwards counted the empty shells and found that the strangers had expended twenty shots apiece in their efforts to pull down the one animal, a poor showing for men who had previously boasted of their skill. In 1872 Mr. Rousseau again went on several hunting expeditions, taking with him his hunting dogs. On one of these trips he went to the Salt Fork and Red river districts in the Oklahoma region, and there unexpectedly ran into a band of Osage Indians, who were on a big hunt. Mr. Rousseau camped with them over night, and in the morning saw them kill twenty buffaloes with no other weapons than bows and arrows. Mr. Rousseau was also busy in the same line and upon the conclusion of the hunt he and the Indians assisted each other in cutting up the carcasses, loading them on ponies and carrying them back to camp. Mr. Rousseau returned home without mishap, and later went on another trip up the river, where the Cheyenne Indians were engaged in a big hunt. He went out about seventy-five miles on the Wichita trail, meeting on the way many hunting parties, one of them from as far away as New York. The latter party, with their blooded horses and army guns, were met with just at the edge of the buffalo grounds. About sundown a herd of buffaloes were seen crossing the trail and the easterners were at once wild to get at them, saying they would give a hundred dollars for the chance. Mr. Rousseau volunteered to stop the animals and, going back to his wagon, he loosened and brought to the front his big Newfoundland dog Dash, whom he asked if he could see the buffaloes. He nodded his head, and Mr. Rousseau instructed him to go and stop the animals, warning the men to be careful and avoid shooting the dog. The dog, well trained as he was, rounded the buffaloes like so many sheep and twenty of them were killed by the hunters, one of whom offered Mr. Rousseau a one hundred dollar bill for the dog, which offer, it is needless to say, was refused. In 1874 Mr. Rousseau engaged in several successful hunts. He then returned to the old Allen county farm, after proving up on his western land, and here engaged in fine stock raising, but later sold out and went to Toledo, Ohio, where he remained for two years, being engaged in the bookcanvassing business. He then returned to Fort Wayne, from there moved to Monroeville, back again to Fort Wayne, and thence to Indianapolis. A year later he returned to Monroeville, where he | settled down to gardening and the raising of fine chickens, pigeons, Belgian hares, rabbits, Italian bees, in which he has been successful to a very gratifying degree. He has put forth his best energies and has thus gained a competency, having been the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Aboit township, and being one of the popular and influential citizens of this section of the county. He has ever been a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and has held various offices of local trust and responsibility. For fully fifty years he has been a consistent and active member of the Christian church, of which his wife also is a member, and he is a man of clean and upright character, charitable in his judgment and kindly in his association with his fellow men. He has never used tobacco in any form and is also an uncompromising temperance advocate. In a fraternal way he keeps alive the more grateful memories of his military service by retaining membership in William Link Post, No. 301, Grand Army of the Republic, at Monroeville.

Mr. Rousseau was married to Miss Caroline E. Houseman, who was born in Huntington county, Indiana, in 1840, being a daughter of John Houseman. The children of this union are as follows: James A., Ruth E- Charlotte A., Queenie B., Mary H. and Dora M.

Gabriel Fair

More than sixty-five years have elapsed since the Fair family was founded in Allen county, and thus the subject of this sketch is a representative of sterling pioneer stock, while he is to be considered as one of the substantial farmers and progressive citizens of Eel River township, while he has made his home in the county during practically his entire life.

Mr. Fair was born in Champaign county, Ohio, on the rith of September, 1838, being a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Norman) Fair, the former of whom was born in Maryland and the latter in Ohio. At the age of sixteen years Henry Fair accompanied his parents on their removal to Champaign county, Ohio. The Norman family was early founded in Rockingham county, Virginia, whence the immigration to Ohio was made in the year 1804.

In 1839 the parents of the subject came from Ohio to Allen county and located in Perry township, on the farm now owned by Matthias Fitch. Henry Fair erected on his farm a saw-mill and carding mill, also installing a turning lathe, while power was secured from the creek which traversed the farm. This was the first mill of this description in this part of the county, and a large amount of work was done in the same, especially in the fulling of cloth and coloring the same, the weaving in those days being done in the pioneer homes. He had served an apprenticeship in this line of enterprise while in Ohio, but the mill mentioned was the first to be individually operated by him. He continued the operation of the mill until 1852, having in the meanwhile reclaimed a considerable portion of his farm, and on the 30th of March, 1852, he started overland to California with a party of five men, each paying him one hundred and twenty-five dollars for transportation. He got as far as the junction of the North and South Platte rivers, in Nebraska, where he was taken with cholera and died in a few hours, his remains being interred at the place of his death. Peter Fair, a halfbrother, took charge of the outfit and continued their trip to California. Henry Fair's widow purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Eel River township in 1856. She then moved there with her three sons and two daughters. Gabriel Fair now resides on this farm, he having purchased it in 1884, after his mother's death.

On the 5th of November, 1872, Mr. Fair was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Fleming, of Perry township, a daughter of the late Rev. James W. Fleming, who was a member of the clergy of the Evangelical Lutheran church, while he also owned and operated a farm in the township mentioned, being one of the county's well known and honored citizens. Mrs. Fair was born in Perry township, on the 15th of June, 1841, and was reared and educated in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Fair have four children, Frank V., who is associated with his father in the operation of the home farm; two daughters, Mrs. Lyman Griffis and Mrs. C. E. Hadsell, are residents of Fort Wayne, while Gladys M. remains in the parental home.

Fred Eckart

The oldest concern'of the kind in Fort Wayne is the Fred Eckart Packing Company, whose packing house is located at the west end of Main street, and which has had a prosperous and honorable career of nearly half a century. The industry was started here by the subjects father, Fred Eckart, and the business has always been in the hands of the Eckart family, it being now considered one of the leading packing houses of the state. The plant, in which an average of eighty men are employed, is eligibly located and covers about two and a half acres of land. The business is at this time owned and managed by two brothers and the mother, namely: Fred Eckart, who is president of the concern, Elizabeth Eckart, who is vice-president, and Henry Eckart, who holds the dual office of secretary and treasurer.

Fred Eckart is a native of Fort Wayne and was born on the 7th of December, 1859, being a son of Fred and Elizabeth Eckart, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Fort Wayne. The subject was reared under the parental roof and received his elementary education in the German school of this city. Upon attaining his majority, in 1880, he at once became identified with the concern of which he is now the executive head and has since given to it his best efforts, the result being the constant and steady growth of the business until it is now among the leading enterprises of the Summit city.

On June 28, 1878, Mr. Eckart was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Leonora Hostman, who was born in Fort Wayne in 1854, a daughter of Christopher Hostman. To this union was born one child, Elva, who died three days after birth. In matters political Mr. Eckart assumes an independent attitude, preferring to vote only for those men and measures which meet with his approval, regard- less of party lines. Fraternally he is a member of Wayne Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons, Fort Wayne Lodge, No. 116, Knights of Pythias, and Lodge No. 155, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A man of sterling character and possessing business qualifications of a high order, Mr. Eckart commands at once the respect and confidence of his business associates. He takes a commendable interest in every movement having for its object the advancement of the best interests of the community, and personally is well liked by all who know him.

Gharees A. Phelps

In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence on the part of the ordinary man there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational chapter; but to a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who without other means than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity and, toiling on, finally wins, not only financial success, but, what is far greater and higher, the deserved respect and confidence of those who have been daily witnesses of the struggles and efforts that he has put forth. It affords peculiar pleasure to the biographer to refer to the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and though confined to brevity by the limits of his work, yet to one who can read between the lines there will be found much of incentive and encouragement.

Charles Andrew Phelps is a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he was born on the gth day of May, 1882, and is the son of Whitcomb and Mary (Bramblee) Phelps. The father, who was a physician by profession, was born at Burlington, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, on April 26, 1830, and in 1849 he removed to Ohio. He received a fair common-school education and then took up the study of medicine, graduating from the Ohio Medical College. In 1875 he removed to Indiana, locating at Fort Wayne, where he has resided for thirty years, having now retired from the active practice of his profession. On January 2, 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Bramblee, who was born in Buffalo, New York, April 7, 1845, the daughter of Morgan and Mary Bramblee, of Meadville, Pennsylvania, but later of Pine Grove, Michigan.

of Fort Wayne and also took a course in the International Business College of this city. His active business career commenced at a tender age, as at the age of five years he became a newsboy in this city and has ever since that time been associated with newspapers in one capacity or another, though mainly as a circulator. He has been energetic and pushing in his methods and has won a reputation for his success along his lines of effort. He rose step by step from the very beginning and at the age of twelve years he opened a small news stand, which soon became so popular that he took in a partner, Alfred L. Haddon, and they opened and have since conducted one of the best news and book stands in this section of the state. They are located in the Arcade building and their sales average more than three thousand daily papers and ten thousand Sunday papers, besides large sales of books, magazines and stationery, of which they carry a large and comprehensive stock. Mr. Phelps is also representative in the state of Indiana for the Chicago American.

One of Mr. Phelps' achievements worthy of special mention was the organization of the first newsboys' union in the world, known as the Union Newsboys' Association, which is composed of about one hundred and fifty newsboys, ranging in age from five to eighteen years, and with many well-known newspaper and other prominent men as honorary members. The organization was effected on the 15th of February, 1896, through the efforts of Mr. Phelps and has had a most beneficial effect on the general morale of the profession in this city. The original organization comprised sixteen members and has gradually grown to be a factor in Fort Wayne newspaper circles. Mr. Phelps has been the president since it was first organized. It has a full set of officers and holds regular monthly meetings, having also a dancing school and drum corps. Organized for the purpose of making all newsboys of the city first-class, clean and honest newspaper hustlers, its most rigid rule is that any newsboy found smoking or chewing tobacco or using bad language is suspended and cut off from selling papers. A second offense is expulsion from the association. The results have been that Fort Wayne has become the best newsboy community and has the largest sale of newspapers - daily and Sunday - of any city of its size in the United States. The newsboys have two excursions every year, of one of which Mr. Phelps stands the entire expense, as he does also of their New Year's dinner.

Fraternally Mr. Phelps is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while socially, he is well known in musical circles. In religion he is a Baptist and in national political matters supports the Republican party, though taking an independent attitude in local elections. Because of his courteous manners, genial disposition and genuine worth he has won and retains a host of warm personal friends.

Charles Emory Carroll

For a young man to overcome an unfavorable environment and within a comparatively brief period rise from humble circumstances to become the head of one of the state's most important educational institutions, and that too without the advantages of scholastic training, the prestige of family or the assistance of influential friends, bespeak not only a strong and forceful personality, but also the possession of those elements of character which inspire confidence and command respect. Such in brief is the record of the gentleman whose name introduces this article and to a review of whose career the following lines are devoted.