Allen County, Indiana - The whole text, 1905 (part 11 of 12)

Albert Emory Carroll, superintendent of the State School for Feeble Minded Youth, was born at North Vernon, Indiana, November 9, 1869, being the son of George and Louisa Carroll, natives of Indiana and Kentucky, respectively. Such education as he received was obtained from the public schools of Somerset, Kentucky, and Indianapolis, Indiana, and on laying aside his books he devoted his attention to various lines of work until 1890, when he became accountant for the Railway Officials and Employees' Association of the latter city, the duties of which position he discharged during the greater part of the ensuing three years, severing his connection with the concern in 1893. In July of the latter year he accepted the position of bookkeeper for the Indiana School for Feeble Minded Youth at Fort Wayne and after holding the same until 1897 was made steward of the institution, a post of great responsibility, requiring sound judgment and wise discretion; both of which, with other equally admirable qualities, he displayed in the discharge of his varied and arduous duties.

institution was conducted and to become acquainted with the working of its every department, this practical knowledge being greatly to his advantage when, in 1897, he was appointed acting superintendent, to take the place of President Johnson, whose resignation went into effect on August 31st of that year. Subsequently, May 25, 1904, he was promoted to the superintendency of the institution, which important and responsible position he has since held with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the management, discharging his duties in an able and business-like manner and doing much to advance the school and increase its efficiency.

Mr. Carroll possesses executive ability of a high order, is eminently practical in his methods and since advanced to the post he now so ably fills, has so administered the affairs of the school as to gain for it an honorable reputation among like institutions of the country and made it a model of its kind. He has also maintained a lively interest in all that pertains to the legitimate advancement and prosperity of the city of Fort Wayne, not permitting himself to be hedged in by the limitations which frequently confine the efforts of those who gain success by means of such lines of endeavor as he has followed. On the contrary he is a wide-awake, public-spirited man, keenly alive to whatever tends to promote the general welfare, but under all circumstances making every other consideration subordinate to duty.

Fraternally Mr. Carroll has been advanced to high degrees in the Masonic order, belonging to Sol D. Bayless Lodge, No. 169, Free and Accepted Masons, Fort Wayne Chapter, No. 19, Royal Arch Masons, and Fort Wayne Lodge of Perfection, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, in addition to which he also holds membership with Harmony Lodge, No. 191, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of this city. In politics he is a Democrat and while earnest in the support of the principles of his party, is not a partisan, much less an aspirant for official honors. His religious creed is represented by the Baptist church, with which body his wife is also identified.

Mr. Carroll was married September 6, 1893, to Miss Mary Erin Fleming, whose birth occurred in the city of Fort Wayne on September 6, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll have an interesting family of three children, whose names are Katherine, Mary Erin and Agnes.

Franklin P. Randall

Franklin P. Randall was born in Madison county, New York, on the 2d day of June, 1812. His ancestors emigrated from England about the year 1638 and he was thus the seventh generation in descent of his family born on American soil. His grandfather was an officer in the Revolutionary war and commanded a regiment at the battle of Saratoga, witnessing the surrender of General Burgoyne. His father also served as an officer in the American army during the war of 1812. After the close of the war, he resumed his occupation as a farmer in Madison county, New York, where the subject of this sketch was born. Mr. Randall's early life was passed on the farm, working in the summer and attending the district school in the winter. After leaving the country schools, he attended the academies of Cortland and Hamilton in pursuit of the higher branches of knowledge obtainable at those institutions. He became a proficient scholar in mathematics, history and other studies. He always had a predilection for botanical studies and even in early life evinced a desire for the study of plants and flowers. After finishing his course in these academies, it was necessary for him to earn his own living and he taught a select school in Oneida county. The school consisted of about sixty pupils, mostly farmers' boys. He taught this school for about two years and saved money enough to make him dream of the west and its possibilities.

In October, 1835, Mr. Randall went to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he entered the law office of Judge Ellis Lewis, who was for about fourteen years chief justice of the supreme court of that state, and under his guidance and tutorship read law. In February, 1838, he was admitted to practice in the courts of Pennsylvania and in April of the same year removed to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and commenced the practice of law. At the time of his arrival in Fort

Wayne the town was then a mere village, there being but few white people and many Indians. As in all early communities, the most important subject was the schools and as Mr. Randall was considered "a smart Eastern chap" he was soon thereafter elected school commissioner of Allen county and for four years had the control of the school funds of that county. In 1847 he was elected state senator for the district composed of the counties of Allen, Adams, Huntington and Wells. At that time one of the most difficult tasks the members of the legislature had, after he had been elected a member, was to find means for transit to Indianapolis. It was necessary for them to go on horseback and the trip occupied about a week. Soon after this he received from Governor Wright the appointment of colonel of the state militia for Allen county and in 1855 was promoted by Governor Hammond to the position of brigadier-general of the Tenth Division of Indiana State Infantry. In 1856 he was appointed director of the state prison by Governor Willard and established many reforms in that institution. The same year he was also elected presidential elector and voted for James Buchanan for President, it being the only instance in which a citizen of Fort Wayne ever voted directly for a President of the United States. For many years Mr. Randall was actively identified with all the public affairs of Fort Wayne and prepared the first city charter, which became a law in 1840. Since that time he was commissioned by the city council to revise the city ordinances at three different periods. He was city recorder in 1840 and 1841, alderman in 1843, and again in 1855. In 1840 he was also elected city attorney for two years and was re-elected in 1853 and 1865. In 1859 he was elected mayor and was elected to the same office in 1861 and 1863 and again in 1869 and 1871, serving five terms of two years each. Mr. Randall was the "War Mayor" of Fort Wayne and contributed largely to the cause of the Union. His family still have in their possession many remembrances of the war times, among them being numerous old battle-scarred flags of regiments entering the service from Fort Wayne while he was mayor of the city.

Not only will Mr. Randall be held in grateful remembrance on account of his long official career, but by his devotion to the interests of his city and county in all projects for their advancement. For many years he was president of the Allen County Agricultural Society and an unremitting worker in its management. He also took great pleasure in horticulture and was considered an authority on this and kindred subjects. The evening of his life was almost entirely given to his flowers and plants, of which he had many choice varieties, and it was always his pleasure to invite his friends to view his collection at his beautiful and attractive residence. His interest in the collection and preservation of the relics of the past has saved to the student many instructing marks of treasure, of anecdote, and reminiscences of the early history of Indiana and Fort Wayne and his antiquarian treasures, his Indian curiosities, old and rare books and papers are among the most valuable in existence.

Mr. Randall was twice married, the first time about 1842, to Miss Mary E. Ried, of Richmond, Indiana, who departed this life after a brief but happy wedded experience of five years' duration, the only surviving issue of the union being Mrs. George B. Dougan, whose home is in the city of Richmond. While serving in the state legislature, Mr. Randall met and became well acquainted with Judge Reid, a fellow member from the Jeffersonville district; the Judge had with him at the capitol his three young and accomplished daughters, between one of whom, Miss Mary J. Reid, and the subject a warm friendship soon sprang up which, ripening into love, finally culminated in marriage, the ceremony being solemnized on November 22, 1849. Mr. Randall at once took his bride to what he called his northern home in Fort Wayne, where in due time children were born to them, of whom the following survive, namely: Frank M., present city engineer of Fort Wayne; Mrs. Clark Fairbank, Irwin and Alfred L., who also reside in this city; Mrs. J. C. Downs, of Danbury, Connecticut; David J. and George E., the last two being residents of the city of New York.

In religion Mr. Randall was an earnest and devout Episcopalian and for over forty years held the positions of vestryman and warden in the local church to which he belonged. Politically, he was a representative Democrat of the old school and as such wielded a strong influence for his party in Fort Wayne and Allen county, contributing greatly to its success by his able counsel and judicious leadership. He acted upon the theory, "Once a Democrat, always a Democrat," and such was his abiding faith in the principles of his party and his respect for its traditions that he was ever ready to fight its battles ánd make sacrifices for its success. Indeed so strong was his political fealty that he held the name of Democracy in high veneration and if perchance a fault was found in any of his party associates he was wont to remark, "that there must of necessity be some good in the man, else he would not be a Democrat." His Democracy was of the sterling character of which the term is a true exponent and while he believed in disciplining the party he thought such needed punishment should be applied by its friends and not its enemies.

Mr. Randall died at his home in Fort Wayne on the morning of May 23, 1892. He had lived nearly eighty years, which long period was filled to repletion with hard work and good deeds and in benevolence to his fellow men. As a father, husband and friend, he was indulgent to a remarkable degree. No expressed wish was ever refused if it were within his power to grant it; no ill-will was harbored against any one. When young men arose to take his place in the arena of public affairs, although he loved the excitement of politics, he resignedly remarked that "he thought he was probably becoming too old and that it was time for him gracefully to retire." To Mr. Randall the future was bright, the past serene. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," was one of his favorite maxims and when a troubled soul sought him he was always ready to volunteer some consoling remark. Through his long and useful life of nearly eighty years no enemy ever arose, and against his character no breath of suspicion was ever known to have been uttered. His passing away was a transition, not a death, for he seemed truly "Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams."

Homer A. Gorsline

It is not always an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led what is popularly termed the strenuous life and by the force of a strong and distinctly marked individuality attained to a position of importance in a service which requires not only sound judgment and keen discrimination, but a fearless physical courage that hesitates at no difficulty and flinches not in the presence of dangers, or even death itself. It is with a full appreciation of all that is demanded that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the career of an individual who has long been prominent in the public affairs of Fort Wayne and who, as head of one of the most important branches of the municipal government, has rendered valuable service to the city as a conservator of the peace and brought the department over which he has control to a state of efficiency greater than that of any other period in its history. This gentleman is Homer A. Gorsline, the courteous and eminently capable superintendent of the Fort Wayne police, whose efforts at reorganizing and disciplining' his subordinates and make the department fully meet every requirement, has been appreciated by the public, as is attested by his long continuance in the position which he so ably and honorably fills.

Mr. Gorsline is a native of Indiana, born in Adams county on the 22d of June, 1857, being the son of Sylvester L. and Maria B. (Bobo) Gorsline, both parents of Ohio birth and descendants of the eatly French Huguenot settlers of the United States. By occupation the elder Gorsline was formerly a farmer. After following his vocation in Adams county a number of years, he moved to Marion township, Allen county, where he continued agricultural pursuits until 1869, when he engaged in railroading, to which line of work he devoted his attention during the ensuing twenty-six years. Retiring from the road in 1895, he again resumed his former vocation, moving in that year to a farm near Danville, Illinois, upon which he and his wife still reside. They are the parents of five children, three of whom are living, namely: Mrs. John Rissing, of Fort Wayne; Frederick T., engaged in railway service at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and Homer A., the subject of this review, who is the oldest of the family.

The early life of Homer A. Gorsline was spent on the home farm in Marion township and at the proper age he became familiar with the duties required of the majority of country lads, making himself useful to his parents in various ways and receiving from the free outdoor life a stock of health and vitality which enabled him in subsequent years to grow up a rugged, well-developed man, capable of enduring the many rough usages that have fallen to his lot. At the age of twelve he removed with his parents to Fort Wayne, where he attended the public and parochial schools until his fifteenth year, when he began working as newsboy, delivering papers morning and evening and devoting the rest of the day to other pursuits. Later, in 1872, he accepted a clerkship in the clothing house of Isaac Lauferty, Fort Wayne, where he remained one year, and during the several succeeding years was similarly employed by different firms of this city, spending in all something like four years behind the counter, during which time he received a pretty thorough discipline in business and learned the value of good habits in the formation of character.

Leaving Fort Wayne in 1876, Mr. Gorsline accepted the position of deputy auditor of Adams county, which position he held until 1879, when he resigned and entered the United States army, enlisting at Columbus, Ohio, in the capacity of a band musician and joining his regiment at the city of New Orleans. His military experience, which covered a period of ten years, was confined principally to the Southwestern states and territories, and during the time thus spent he passed several promotions, receiving his discharge as sergeant major, the highest non-commissioned office in the regiment, at Fort Supply, Indian territory, in

At the expiration of his term of service, Mr. Gorsline returned to Fort Wayne and entered the employ of A. S. Lauferty, with whom he continued for some time, subsequently becoming salesman in the Globe clothing house, where he remained about eight years, during which period he organized the first Retail Clerks' Union in the city and was made its president, holding the position until 1896 and doing much the meanwhile to promote the efficiency of the organization and make it answer the purpose for which designed. - During three years of the time indicated he served as secretary of the Trades and Labor Council of Fort Wayne, besides contributing to its success in divers other ways. In 1896 he was appointed superintendent of the police department of the city, which position he has since held, with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the public, as is attested by his long continuance as the head of this important branch of service. Mr. Gorsline came to his present post amply qualified to discharge its many and arduous duties, his thorough military training eminently fitting him to reorganize and thoroughly reform a department which had long been neglected and which he found in any but a condition of efficiency. On taking charge of the office he at once began introducing a number of much-needed reforms, among which were the weeding out of incompetents and the bringing about of harmonious relations among the members of the force, which condition had hitherto been sadly lacking; also the insistence upon a rigorous discipline, which in due time rendered the force more amenable to instruction and much more easily and effectively handled. By degrees other innovations were made, the value of which has been demonstrated in a more thoroughly organized department and a steady diminution in the amount of disorder and crime, which, under vigorous and tireless surveillance, have been reduced to the lowest possible minimum. Since becoming the head of the department Mr. Gorsline has introduced, among other methods of promoting its efficiency, the Bertillon system of measurements, for the adoption of which he labored strenuously for two years and by means of which a number of noted criminals and crooks have been detected and brought to justice, thus saving the city in the matter of dollars and cents much more than the expense of its maintenance, besides effectually ridding the community of the presence of these bankrupts in character and wholly undesirable gentry. He has also induced the council to purchase an additional horse and wagon for the use of the chief and night captain, and a handsome new patrol wagon, besides adding to the equipment in various other ways, including a complete grappling outfit, consisting of hooks, poles and lines, etc., for the rescue of drowning persons, the apparatus being constructed on scientific principles and of the latest and most approved type of manufacture. In addition to the above, there have been added to the arsenal four riot guns and two extra Savage rifles, to be used in case of riot or emergency; also a regular system of recording the business of the office, together with a personal record of criminals, including prison record, a full photographic outfit and various other improvements and devices, the worth of which has been fully tested and cheerfully admitted. A strict disciplinarian, a watchful and vigilant official, possessing mature judgment, sound discretion and executive ability of a high order, Mr. Gorsline, although exacting in the matter of duty, possesses the confidence and esteem of his subordinates, between whom and himself the most cordial relations obtain, and by the public is held in the highest regard, as he has made his name a terror to evil doers and earned for Fort Wayne the reputation of one of the most quiet and orderly cities of its size in the country. Politically Mr. Gorsline is a Democrat of the orthodox type, though not a bitter partisan, and socially possesses the amiable qualities of head and heart that win and retain warm personal friendships. His fraternal relationships are represented by the Pythian order, Phoenix Lodge, No. 101; Fort Wayne Lodge, No. 155, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Tribe 96, Order of Ben Hur; Kekionga Council, No. 93, National Union; Fort Wayne Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; Sons of Veterans, and the Retail Clerks' Union, which he organized and with which he has since been identified.

On October 28, 1890, Mr. Gorsline was united in marriage to Miss Mary VanZant, of Cleveland, Ohio, the union being blessed with three children, whose names are as follows: Owen Van, deceased, Marguerite, born March 31, 1893, and Mildred, whose birth occurred on May 1, 1896.

This well known citizen has passed practically his entire life in Fort Wayne, and has been prominently identified with its industrial affairs and commercial advancement. At the present time he is president of the C. L. Olds Construction Company, engaged in contracting for and financing water works, electric railroads and electric light plants. Mr. Olds was born in the city of Sandusky, Ohio, on the 17th of April, 1855, and is a son of Noble G. and Elizabeth (Woolsey) Olds, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in New York. The family removed from Ohio to Fort Wayne in 1861, and in Indiana's beautiful "Summit City" continued to reside until their death, the father passing away in the year 1876 and his devoted wife in 1872. Noble G. Olds was a man of high ability and integrity of character, and of prominence in public esteem and confidence in Fort Wayne. He was the head of a large manufacturing business during the greater portion of his residence here. In the family were five children, of whom two are living at the present time.

Charles L. Olds was a lad six years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Fort Wayne. He was educated in the public schools, and, after leaving the high school, continued his studies under private tutorship. He initiated his independent business career at the age of twenty-one, at which time he puchased a controlling interest in what is now known as the Fort Wayne Iron Works. He also organized the Western Bridge Company, and eventually became the sole owner of the enterprise, which grew to be one of wide scope and importance, having contracts for both railroad and highway bridges throughout the middle and western states. In 1885 Mr. Olds disposed of his interests in the property and business. Meanwhile, in 1881, he had given further evidence of his progressive spirit and initiative force by becoming one of the organizers and incorporators of the Fort Wayne Jenney Electric Light Company, of which he was the first secretary, retaining the incumbency about two years, at the end of which time he sold his interest in the concern. In 1887 he again associated himself with the electric light company, in the capacity of general salesman and representative, and he remained in the tenure of this office until 1897. He then organized the C. L. Olds Construction Company, of which he is president and chief stockholder. This company has handled many large contracts in different portions of the county, and its business has no little bearing in the introduction of commercial Fort Wayne to the outside territory.

In politics Mr. Olds is a stanch Republican, although he has never been active in political work nor sought preferment from his party. Both he and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian church, also of the Fortnightly Literary Society, of which he was at one time president.

On the 17th of May, 1876, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Olds to Miss Eliza McLachlan, who was born in Fort Wayne and is a daughter of Neil and Jane McLachlan. Concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Olds we enter the following brief record, in conclusion of this sketch: Charles L., Jr., was graduated in Harvard University, class of '05, and now occupies a position as instructor in St. Paul's Academy, Concord, New Hampshire; Percy G. is superintendent of the Olds Construction Company; Norman E. was graduated from Harvard, class of '05, and is now civil engineer 'for the Toledo & Ann Arbor Electric Railway; Marjorie remains at the parental home; Alexander M. is in the surveyors' corps of the Patrick Hirsh Company, of New York city; and Edward C. is a member of the class of 1909 at Princeton University, New Jersey.

The Maumee River Basin Thomas R. Pickard

The record of Mr. Pickard is that of a man who has worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of responsibility and trust: His life has been of unceasing industry and perseverance and the faithful and honorable career which has been his has won for him the unbounded confidence of those with whom he has for so long been associated in a business way, as well as the respect of his fellow citizens.

Thomas Reed Pickard is a native of England, having been born in Cornwall on the 20th day of December, 1829, and is the son of Thomas and Margery Pickard, who were also born in England and whose ancestors for many generations were of the same nativity. The subject of this sketch came to the United States in his youth, locating at Mount Vernon, Ohio, so that his educational training was received both in the land of his nativity and at the place last named. Before attaining his majority, in 1848, at Mount Vernon, he initiated his independent career and became identified with the iron foundry business by apprenticing himself to learn the moulding trade in the Charles Cooper Foundry. He was apt, industrious and ambitious and was soon recognized as one of the best moulders in the shop. His employer, Mr. Cooper, held an interest in the Cooper, Bass & Jones Foundry, at Fort Wayne, Indiana, the predecessors of the present Bass Foundry and Machine Company, and a highgrade moulder being needed in the plant here Mr. Pickard was sent to fill the position, arriving here in May, 1854. His ability was soon recognized by his employers and in January, 1863, he was made superintendent of the foundry department of this plant, and has retained the position to the present time, embracing the long period of over four decades, certainly a marked tribute to his faithfulness and ability. An intimate knowledge of every detail of the work and an ability to direct and control the large force of men constantly employed under him, have rendered his services extremely valuable to the important interests with which he has for so long a time been identified. He holds the entire confidence of the members of the firm, the respect of the men under him and the esteem of all who have in any way come in contact with him.

On November 15, 1854, Mr. Pickard was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Anna Stryker, who is a native of Bound Brook, New Jersey, and the daughter of Jacob P. and Susan Stryker. To Mr. and Mrs. Pickard have been born four children, Thomas, Peter, Harry and Artemas, all of whom are living. The subject is a member of the First Presbyterian church in Fort Wayne, and takes an active interest in the welfare of the society, giving his support to every benevolent or charitable movement connected with the church. In politics he has been a life-long Republican and, though not in any sense a seeker after office, yet he has ever taken a healthy interest in public 'affairs and has valued his right of franchise at its true worth. In all the characteristics that go to make up the successful life the subject has been well equipped and his life career but goes to show what may be accomplished by the man of energy and determination. He has led an eminently honorable life in his community and his influence has ever been exerted on the side of right and morality.

Willis W. Carey, son of William and Ellen O. (Fletcher) Carey, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, March 3, 1869. Before he was a year old his father died and his mother moved to Spencerville, Indiana. There he was educated in the public schools, later attending the Normal School at Valparaiso. In 1890 he entered the medical department of the Western Reserve University, graduating in 1894. During his last two years he was clerk of the John Huntington Dispensary. He located in Auburn, Indiana, and then moved to his old home at Spencerville, Indiana, where he resided until 1904, when he located in Fort Wayne. On the 22d of June, 1898, he was married to Gertrude Shutt and to this union one son, George Fletcher, was born.

Benjamin F. Ogden

A life marked by earnest and indefatigable application has been that of this honored citizen and substantial farmer of Wayne township, Allen county, Indiana, where he has maintained his home for the past quarter of a century. He was a valiant soldier in the Civil war, where his fidelity was of that type which has characterized his life in all its relations and which has gained and retained to him the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.

Benjamin Franklin Ogden is a native of the old Empire state of the Union, having been born in the town of Greece, Monroe county, New York, on the 2d of June, 1835, and being a son of parents who were likewise born in the state of New York, whence they removed to Michigan in an early day, becoming pioneers of that commonwealth, where they passed the remainder of their lives, the father having been a farmer by vocation. The subject of this compend was a lad of twelve years at the time of his parents' removal to Michigan, and his educational training had been inaugurated in the common schools of his native place, while he also attended school in an irregular way for some time after the removal to the Wolverine state. The family settled in Lenawee county, Michigan, where the father secured a farm, only a small part of which had been reclaimed from the virgin forest, and our subject assisted in the clearing of the farm and in the other work pertaining to its improvement and cultivation, remaining on the home place until the death of his honored father, after which he found employment at farm work and other occupations for a number of years, in Michigan and Ohio. In 1860 he purchased a farm in Hillsdale county, Michigan, and there he continued to reside until his removal to Allen county, Indiana.

Volunteer Infantry, which was organized to complement the original regiment of that number, with which it was duly consolidated, becoming a part of the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Ogden continued in active service until the close of the war, having received his honorable discharge, in Nashville, Tennessee, on the 23d of May, 1865. His regiment was stationed at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, during the major portion of the time after his enlistment, being assigned to duty in holding the territory there, and it took part in a number of skirmishes, including a spirited one with General Forrest. During the latter part of his term Mr. Ogden was in the hospital service at Nashville, having been section master in said hospital for a time.

After the close of his honorable and faithful military career Mr. Ogden returned to his farm in Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he continued to make his home until 1880, when he disposed of his property there and came to Allen county, Indiana, where he has since continued to reside. For a time he operated the McKinney farm, in Wayne township, and in 1885 he purchased his present farm, in the same township, the place being eligibly located on the Piqua road, two miles distant from the city limits of Fort Wayne. Here he has forty acres of fine land, which is maintained under effective cultivation, while he has improved the place with good modern buildings, making it one of the attractive rural homesteads of the county. He has given his attention to diversified agriculture and has so regulated his enterprise as to attain to the maximum of success, being one of the reliable and substantial farmers of his township. For several years past he has been agent for the Page wovenwire fence. In politics Mr. Ogden gives an uncompromising allegiance to the Republican party, in whose cause he takes a lively interest, though he has never been imbued with aught of ambition for public office.

On the 3d of November, 1861, Mr. Ogden was united in marriage to Miss Emily L. Downing, who was at the time residing near Bloomingdale, Ohio, and she died in Hillsdale county, Michigan, leaving three childrenn - Agnes, who is the wife of M. U. Philley ; Alice, who is the wife of Freeman Force Miller: and Mary Jane, who is the wife of Jesse Stahler. Mr. Ogden subsequently married Miss Harriet Stahler, who was born in Ohio, and they have one child, Mabel Grace, who remains at the parental home. Alice and Mary were successful teachers in the public schools of Allen county prior to their marriage.

Charles A. Munson

Few men made a stronger impress on the community of a life well spent in active, honest endeavor than the subject of this sketch and few men gave so good an accounting of their opportunities. He died at the time of his greatest usefulness, leaving undone much that lay near a heart that was brimful of good will to those about him. Charles A. Munson was a splendid representative of the business man, who brought to the task before him great courage, keen perception and unwavering loyalty. He was a man of action whose life work was measured by opportunity and which ended only when called to his last account. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, March 27, 1843, and although his office was for many years in Chicago, he always maintained a voting residence here and knew no other home. He was the son of James P. Munson, of Connecticut, who was a pioneer business man of Fort Wayne. His mother was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage, and when six years of age came to America with her parents. In 1840 she was married to Mr. Munson, who died nine years later. In 1851 she married Hon. Henry Cooper, a distinguished lawyer who died in 1853.

Mr. Munson became fatherless at an early age and in after life was fond of crediting to the teachings of a good mother whatever of success in life he achieved. When the war of the Rebellion stirred the hearts of men to action he sought service under the flag when a mere stripling and participated in the Vicksburg campaign on one of Admiral David D. Porter's gun-boats, receiving a promotion to the rank of acting master's mate on his twenty-first birthday. He left the service in broken health.

Allen Gount Ys Ndean A.

teen years visited retail dealers throughout northern Indiana and northwestern Ohio, achieving unusual success and wide popularity. He later became a partner in the house he represented and retained his business connection therewith until he received the Democratic nomination for sheriff.

He had long before taken an active interest in politics and had represented the fourth ward in the common council, serving as chairman of the finance committee. In June, 1876, he was nominated 'at the Democratic convention for sheriff of Allen county in an exciting contest of nine ballots over eight opponents, and was elected. Two years later he was re-nominated and was elected by a majority of four thousand three hundred and seventy over the highest competitor, that being five hundred and ninety-three votes over the state ticket and the largest majority ever given to any Indiana sheriff up to that time.

While in office he distinguished himself by his personal courage and activity in criminal matters and by the correct management of his civil duties. As a political organizer he was probably unequaled in his day. He had a wonderful memory, which he trained to hold the names and faces of thousands. His personal popularity gave strength to every ticket that contained his name. He was true to his friends, whom he met with an unaffected, affable manner. At the close of his second term as sheriff he embarked for a short time in the lime and stone business. Mr. Munson had displayed such political strength that he was urged to seek a place on the Democratic state ticket and was twice nominated, in 1886 and 1888, at the state convention at Indianapolis for auditor of state. He made a wonderful race, leading his ticket, but the time was not opportune and twice he was defeated. It was said of him that while he had been a good winner he was also a good loser and bore his defeats with much cheerfulness, being ready for fresh conflicts. .

Business of much importance now engrossed his attention. The Fort Wayne Electric Company was under the management of R. T. McDonald. These two had been life-long friends and between them there had existed the most cordial relations. Mr. McDonald selected Mr. Munson for manager of the Chicago office of the company and installed him there as soon as his technical education was sufficiently far advanced. His success at his new post was marked, as was evidenced by the strength of his business acquaintances and the volume of his sales. -It was said of him that his business deals were always profitable to the company that employed him. He had no bad accounts. His success was due not so much to his technical knowledge of electrical machinery as to his knowledge of men and his ability to strongly imprés others with the excellence of the goods he offered. For years he had personal charge of the company's business not only in Chicago but in the great west, and effected important sales of Fort Wayne machinery at principal points as far west as the Rocky mountains. In manner he was direct and simple, clearly seeing and elucidating the point at issue. He was noted as an entertainer and drew from a fund of information gleaned by study and travel that seemed to be inexhaustible.

He was taken sick on March 21, 1901, with an intestinal disorder which shortly assumed alarming proportions. He was removed from his apartment at the Lexington Hotel to Mercy Hospital and an operation was performed on April 3d, from which he rallied but temporarily, dying on the succeeding day.

Mr. Munson stood high in Masonry, having advanced to the thirty-second degree. He was a member of Summit City Lodge, No. 170, Free and Accepted Masons; of Fort Wayne Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar; of Fort Wayne Lodge of Perfection and of Indiana Consistory, Scottish Rite, of Indianapolis. The funeral services were held at his home, No. 122 West Wayne street, and were conducted by the Knights Templar. The impressive ring service was used at his request at Lindenwood cemetery, where his nephew, Brown Cooper, received his Masonic insignia.

Mr. Munson never married. Of immediate relations there survive him his sister, Mrs. Detrich Meyers, a half-sister, Mrs. Sarah I. Hurtt, of New York city, and a half-brother, William P. Cooper.

Rev. Joseph. Hughes

The subject of this sketch was long a prominent minister of the Presbyterian church, and exercised an influence in the religious circles where he labored second to that of none of his contemporaries. Joseph Hughes was born November 10, 1847, in the town of Dyserth, Flintshire, North Wales. He received his-early training in a Christian home by reverent and devout parents, and after the usual attendance at the parish school became a student in the well-known college of Bala, in his native country. Like many of the intelligent young men of Wales, he left college to come to the United States, arriving at New York on May 1, 1870, and directing his course to Cincinnati, Ohio, he sought out his warm friend and former instructor at the college of Bala, Rev. Dr. Evans. Attracted and aided by his friend's counsel, he decided to enter the ministry of the Presbyterian church, and for this purpose became a student the same autumn of the Lane Theological Seminary, the prescribed course of which he completed with faithful zeal, sharing the honor of his class and delivering one of the commencement addresses. Immediately after finishing his theological studies he visited the Second Presbyterian church of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and as the result of that invitation became settled as the minister during the three years following. Coming as he did among his people when the conditions were sorely perplexing to a young and inexperienced pastor, it is gratifying to remember how hy the quiet dignity and energy both of his character and labor, he was enabled to do a good work, the effects of which are still felt not only in the church, but throughout the community as well. At the expiration of the pericd noted, he determined, in pursuance of a long and ardent desire, to go abroad in order to add to his scholastic training by taking a year of special study in the elective course of one of the foreign universities. Going to Edinburg, Scotland, he entered the Divinity Hall of the university of that city where he spent a year in arduous but happy and profitable work. Immediately after his return, the church of Fostoria, Ohio, being vacant, invited him to visit them, and in due time the congregation extended him a call which was soon followed by his settlement as their regular pastor. The outlook in this field at first, owing to unhappy differences among certain parties, was not auspicious, but by his unwearied toil, tact, practical wisdom, and the blessed presence of the Christ whom he served, the congregation not only healed their differences but became united and a strong and prosperous body. Mr. Hughes' entire ministry among them was increasingly happy as in the very sunshine of human and divine favor, and when he resigned the pastorate the action was greatly regretted by all of his parishioners.

From time to time Mr. Hughes had been annoyed by a bronchial trouble, affecting his voice somewhat, but at length the attacks became more frequent and serious, so much so indeed that the most skillful specialists warned him that he must resist from public speaking or accept the dreaded alternative, the entire loss of speech and permanent loss of health; of both there had already been grave warnings by actual experience. How painful this dark adversity was, not only to him but to his young and enthusiastic wife, who could know? Painful as was the resolve, bitter the regret at parting with the dear church and people of Fostoria, the step was inevitable and in due time he, with his young family, returned to Fort Wayne where he engaged in business and, as the sequel shows, dwelt in their own home and near to the most loving and kindly of friends, unwearying in their helpfulness in the longer and sadder days of subsequent adversities. ,

About the year 1890 Mr. Hughes fell a victim to a tedious, painful and exhausting disorder, which obstinately refused to yield either to the best remedial treatment or to three surgical operations, two of which were performed by distinguished specialists of London and Chicago, respectively. He also tried the virtue of a change of climate in the hope of obtaining relief, but this, too, proved futile. The winter of 1892-3, spent in California, ended in temporary paralysis, only to be followed by embolism, but finally on the Sab- bath, August 26th, his last on earth, he had another paralytic attack from which, owing to his weakened condition and long enfeeblement, he failed to recover. On August 28, 1894, at the age of forty-six years, nine months and eighteen days, this devoted Christian, faithful minister and exemplary citizen closed his earthly career, deeply lamented by a large circle of friends in Fort Wayne and surrounding country.

On June 26, 1877, was solemnized the marriage of Rev. Mr. Hughes and Miss Elnora J. Bash, only daughter of Solomon and Rebecca Bash, of Fort Wayne, a most fortunate and happy union which resulted in the birth of five children, Carrie E., Charles B., Edith R., Herbert and Gladys.

Alfred Daugherty

An honored veteran of the war of the Rebellion and a wellknown pioneer and business man of the city of Fort Wayne, Mr. Daugherty richly merits a place of distinction in this compilation, while he is at the time of this writing serving as trustee of Washington township, while to him have been accorded other marks of high popular confidence and esteem in the community which has been his home for so many years.

Mr. Daugherty is a native of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Stark county, Ohio, on the 9th of May, 1840, and being a son of James and Rebecca Daugherty, the latter of whom is living, at the venerable age of ninety years. The father of the subject died when the latter was an infant, and the circumstances of the widowed mother were such that Alfred was necessarily placed in the care of others. He was reared in the home of a blacksmith in Ashland county, Ohio, and under the direction of this foster parent he learned the blacksmith trade, to which he continued to devote his attention as a journeyman until there came the call of higher duty when the Confederate states inaugurated armed rebellion against the Union. In response to President Lincoln's first call, Mr. Daugherty enlisted as a private in Company D, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, having been a resident of Allen county, Indiana, at the time. He proceeded to the front with his regiment and was an active participant in the battles of Shiloh and Fort Donelson, though his command was principally assigned to scouting service. In the battle of Shiloh the subject received a severe wound in the left leg, the injury being so severe as to necessitate the amputation of the member below the knee. He was confined in the hospital for a period of three months before the amputation was made, and thereafter was for one year a member of the invalid corps, after which he received his honorable discharge, having made a great sacrifice in his country's cause but having gained the honors which will ever redound to his credit as a true patriot.

After the close of his military service Mr. Daugherty returned to Indiana, and in 1864 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Johnston, daughter of David Johnston, who was at that time engaged in the grocery business in Logansport, this state, both he and his wife having died forty years ago. Of the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty we record that Ulysses E. is identified with a large wholesale business in the city of Portland, Oregon, where he was formerly secretary of the Commercial Club; Walter W., who is a contracting plasterer of Fort Wayne, remains at the parental home; and Nellie M. is the wife of John Vought, a contractor and builder of this city. In 1864 Mr. Daugherty took up his residence in Fort Wayne, which was then a town of about eight thousand population, and here he has ever since maintained his home, having resided for thirty years in his present attractive homestead, at 1821 Wells street, where he has also conducted a shoe shop for many years, though now practically retired from active business, aside from that involved in his official duties as township trustee. For nine years he was a mail carrier in connection with the local postoffice, and he thus formed a wide acquaintance in the city, where he has a host of loyal and prized friends. In 1880 he was first elected to the office of trustee of Washington township, and he has served in this capacity for somewhat more than eight years in all, having been re-elected at varying intervals and his present term extending to January, 1905.

In politics Mr. Daugherty has ever been a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and he is an influential factor in its local ranks. At the time of this writing, in 1905, he is president of the "Teddy" Republican Club, the largest organization of the sort in the city, while at one time he served as chairman of the Republican central committee of the county, ever taking an active interest in the party cause. In a fraternal way he is one of the valued and popular comrades of Sion S. Bass Post, No. 40, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is past commander, while his is also the distinction of being a charter member of Camp No.

61, Union Veteran Legion. Mrs. Daugherty is a devoted member of the Free Methodist church. Mr. Daugherty is a man of genial nature and sterling attributes of character, and during the long years of his residence in Fort Wayne he has held the unqualified esteem and good will of our people and stands as a worthy and loyal citizen.

David Krill

Amid the stress and turmoil of the "madding crowd's ignoble strife," he may consider himself fortunate who is removed therefrom and is identified safely and independently with the great fundamental industry of agriculture, whose rewards are generous and whose influences beneficent in all ways. Among the representative agriculturists of Allen county is numbered Mr. Krill, whose well improved and attractive homestead is located in section 34, Wayne township.

Mr. Krill is a member of one of the fine old pioneer families of Indiana, of which he is a native son. He was born on a farm near Murray, Wells county, Indiana, on the 7th of November, 1856, and is a son of John and Sophia (Henline) Krill, the former of whom was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, of stanch German ancestry, while the latter was born in Stark county, Ohio, their marriage being solemnized in Wells county, Indiana, about 1850, so that it is shown that the name borne by the subject has been identified with the annals of our great commonwealth for more than half a century. The Henline family came to the state in 1848, and the father of the subject took up his abode here about the same time. He was a miller by trade and followed this vocation prior to coming to Indiana, where he turned his attention to farming. In 1866 he came to Allen county and purchased a tract of partially improved land in Wayne township, paying six thousand five hundred dollars for one hundred and forty acres. This was known as the old Fairfield farm, and was later traded to the county for use by the county infirmary as a poor farm. Three years later the county purchased its present poor farm, two and one-half miles nearer the city of Fort Wayne, and Mr. Krill again secured possession of his original place, to which he later added forty-two acres. He assumed a burden of debt to about one-half the value of the farm at the time of purchase, but by good management soon cleared this indebtedness, while he eventually became one of the substantial farmers of the county, his landed estate being one of the valuable ones of Wayne township at the time of his death. He passed away on the 23d of January, 1889, at the age of sixty-seven years, and his widow still resides on the old homestead, being eighty years of age at the time of this writing, in 1905, and being in somewhat delicate health. In politics Mr. Krill was originally a Whig and later a Republican, but he never sought office and was not active in public affairs. He and his wife became the parents of four children: William H., who owns and operates sixty-three and one-half acres of the old homestead; David, the subject of this sketch, who owns a similar portion of the old farm; James, who died at the age of twenty years; and Samuel, who is a successful farmer near Decatur, Adams county, this state.

David Krill was associated with his father in the work and management of the home farm until the death of the latter, when he received sixty-three and one-half acres of the land, and here he has ever since continued to reside, while he has made his farm one of the best in this section of the county. The farm is equipped with one thousand rods of tile drain, and the improvements throughout are of the best, including good buildings. The farm lies five and one-half miles south of Fort Wayne, is well supplied with water and as reclaimed represents as fertile farming land as can be found in Allen county. Mr. Krill brings to bear progressive methods in his farm work, devoting his attention to diversified agriculture and to the raising of live stock of excellent grade, while he stands high in popular esteem in the community which has long been his home and in which he has won a success of no indefinite order. In politics he accords allegiance to the Republican party, but he has never allowed his name to be considered in connection with public office. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, being identified with the Union chapel, located about one-half mile distant from their home.

county, being a daughter of David Greider, a prominent farmer of Pleasant township. She was born in Pleasant township, on the 24th of June, 1863, and while she was a child her parents removed to the vicinity of the Krill homestead, in Wayne township. Mr. and Mrs. Krill have three sons, all of whom remain at home, Charles, Frank and Albert. David Greider came from Pennsylvania to Allen county, Indiana, in 1822, his wife coming some time later. They resided in Pleasant township up to the time of their death, the father dying on the 26th of June, 1905, and the mother on July 24, 1896. They were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity, and nine are still living. Mrs. Krill was the ninth in order of birth.

Sheriod Bradbury

This honored citizen and progressive farmer of Wayne township is a representative of one of the well-known pioneer families of Allen county, where he has lived from the time of his birth. His personal standing in the community entitles him to consideration in this compilation, as does also his worthy genealogical history, which bespeaks intimate identification with the industrial and civic upbuilding of this favored section of the old Hoosier state.

Thomas Bradbury, father of the subject, was born in England, and came to America about the year 1831, when about twenty years of age. He made Indiana his destination and located in Allen county soon after his arrival in the United States. Here he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Cooper, who was born in Ohio and who came with her parents to Allen county when a child. Her father, Cornelius Cooper, was one of the early settlers in Pleasant township, and in that same section Mr. Bradbury took up his residence after his marriage, locating in the midst of the virgin forest and erecting a log cabin as his place of abode. During the construction of the Wabash & Erie canal he worked on the same, and in the meanwhile he instituted the development of his farm, which lies along the line of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, in Pleasant township, seven miles distant from the city of Fort Wayne. This original homestead comprised one hundred and sixty acres, and he eventually accumulated two other quarter sections of good land in the county, so that he was enabled to give a good eighty-acre farm to each of his eight children, besides devising to each a considerable sum of money. He was a man of energy and ability and was thus able to attain marked success in temporal affairs, while his life was so ordered in all its relations that he commanded the uniform confidence and respect of his fellow men. He was one of the most extensive farmers of the county and also gave much attention to the raising of high-grade live stock. He died in 1870, and his widow survived until 1899, when she passed away at the age of sixty-seven years, having been a revered member of the family circle of the subject of this sketch during the closing years of her life. Of the eight children only two remain resident of Allen county - Sheriod and his sister Mary, the latter being the wife of William Dalman, a wellknown farmer of Pleasant township. The father of the subject was a great student of the Bible, reading the sacred pages time and again and being familiar with all portions of the book. In politics he was a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, ever taking a loyal interest in public affairs, especially those of a local nature. Sheriod Bradbury, the immediate subject of this review, was born on the old homestead farm in Pleasant township, this county, on the 12th of February, 1852, and his educational advantages were those afforded in the public schools of the locality and period. He remained associated in the management of the home farm until the death of his honored father, and upon attaining his legal majority had been presented with a farm of eighty acres, partially improved. After the death of his father he remained with his mother on the old homestead, to whose operation he gave his attention, as well as to that of his own farm. In 1899 he disposed of his holdings in Pleasant township and purchased his present fine farm, in section 12, Wayne township, where he has ninety acres of excellent land, eligibly located and maintained under a high state of cultivation. On the place he has made the best of improvements, including the erection of substantial buildings. His attractive and commodious farm residence, of nine rooms, was builded in 1903, and is modern in design and appointments. He devotes his attention to diversified agriculture and also raises a good grade of live stock, in the feeding of which he utilizes much of the produce of the farm. Though never aspiring to the honors or emoluments of public office, Mr. Bradbury has ever been mindful of the duties of citizenship, exercising his franchise in support of the principles of the Democratic party and being essentially progressive and public-spirited in his attitude. His wife is a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church. On the 3d of March, 1878, Mr. Bradbury was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Koons, who was born and reared in Pleasant township, this county, being a daughter of George and Harriet (Richard) Koons, who were married in that township, where the respective families settled in an early day, in the same neighborhood as did the Bradburys. Both Mr. and Mrs. Koons were born in Pennsylvania, and they were young folk at the time of the immigration to Allen county. Mr. Koons settled in the woods and there reclaimed a good farm, upon which both he and his wife continued to reside. Mrs. Koons died nearly thirty years ago, and her husband survived her by many years, his death occurring in 1898, in Fort Wayne, where he passed the last decade of his life, retired from active labors and enjoying the well-earned rewards of. his former years of toil and endeavor. Mr. and Mrs. Bradbury have two children, Cora, who is the wife of Samuel Smith, a commercial traveler, residing in the southern section of the city of Fort Wayne, and Herschel, who remains at the parental home, assisting his father in his farming operations.

Isaiah Weaver

This honored pioneer citizen of Wayne township has been closely identified with the material and civic development of this section of Allen county and is one of that sturdy type of men to whom Allen county owes much, since in his career is represented earnest and well-directed endeavor, though there have been no spectacular features nor thrilling incidents. Such lives are the ones which have most to do with maintaining the prosperity and general well-being of every community, and a record concerning them is properly perpetuated in such publications as the one at hand.

Isaiah Weaver claims the old Buckeye state as the place of his nativity, having been born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 7th of October, 1837, and having been there reared to maturity, receiving a good common-school education, while in his youth he served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, becoming a skilled artisan in the line. He is a son of Oliver and Azubah (Lord) Weaver, the former of whom was born in Vermont, of English lineage, while the latter was likewise a representative of one of the old families of New England, whither the original American ancestors came from Scotland. Oliver Weaver was a pioneer of the state of Ohio, where he reclaimed a considerable tract of wild forest land, continuing to be identified with agricultural pursuits until the time of his death. He served for a number of years as captain in the Ohio militia and was a man of inflexible integrity and strong and virile personality. Of the twelve children in the family the subject of this sketch was the youngest and he is the only one of the number living. One of his brothers was captain on canal boats when the same furnished the principal means of transportation through the interior of Ohio and Indiana; another brother was a practicing physician at Clyde, Ohio, and the third brother was a wagonmaker by trade and vocation.

Isaiah Weaver served a three-years apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, in Navarre, Stark county, Ohio, completing said training at the age of nineteen years. During the first years of his apprenticeship he received in compensation for his services his board and the sum of thirty-five dollars, while his financial stipend the second year was fifty dollars and the third year sixty dollars. He worked as a journeyman for some time, having come to Indiana about 1858 and having worked at his trade in the towns of Wabash and Roanoke. After about one year he located in the village of Zanesville, on the line between Wells and Allen counties, and there opened a shop, the town at the time having been a thriving little place. In the autumn of 1860 Mr. Weaver removed his shop to the Allen county side of the town, and there continued work at his trade for the ensuing six years, at the expiration of which, in January, 1866, he located upon his present farm, in Wayne township. Here he purchased thirty-one acres, partially reclaimed to cultivation and otherwise improved, the original residence on the place having been a log house of the type common to the pioneer era in this section. The place had been the home of Henry Robertson, one of the honored pioneers of the county. On the farm Mr. Robertson had set out an orchard, the same being for many years one of the best in the county, while two of the original trees are still standing, "bringing forth in due time their kindly fruits." On this place Mr. Weaver has ever since maintained his residence and he has made the farmstead one of the most attractive in the township. The present dwelling was erected in 1873 and the commodious and substantial barn was builded in 1887. Mr. Weaver gives almost his entire attention to horticulture, though he devotes a portion of the place to general farm crops and also raises more or less live stock of good grade. He formerly sold his products in the general city market in Fort Wayne, but he gradually built up a trade of private character and of such proportions as to demand the entire products of his finely kept truck farm. He raises all kinds of vegetables, for which his place is finely adapted, while he has a good orchard and also raises the smaller fruits, for which he finds a ready local market and the highest prices.

of Wayne township, and during the long years of his residence in the county he has exerted a helpful influence in connection with the material and social development and upbuilding of the community, taking an active interest in local affairs, though never aspiring to political office of any description. He has never been a party in any lawsuit and has never been called upon for jury service. In politics he gives his support to the Republican party, of whose principles he is a stanch advocate. Mrs. Weaver is a zealous member of the Wayne Street Methodist Episcopal church, in the city of Fort Wayne, the family home being two and one-half miles distant from the city limits.

On the 17th of October, 1861, Mr. Weaver was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Harter, the ceremony being performed in the home of the bride, in Fort Wayne. She was born in Stark county, Ohio, being a daughter of George and Sarah (Reed) Harter, who passed the closing years of their lives in Fort Wayne. Mrs. Weaver came to Fort Wayne when a girl and here resided for some time in the home of her brother Philip, whose name is well remembered here. Her uncle, Jacob Harter, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was a survivor of the memorable massacre at river Raisin, where he was severely wounded, six months elapsing before he was able to rejoin his comrades in the ranks. The Harter family was early established in Stark county, Ohio, in whose history the name is a most prominent and honored one. Philip Harter, brother of Mrs. Weaver, was for many years identified with the dry-goods business in Fort Wayne, in which city his death occurred. Concerning the six children of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver we enter the following brief record, in conclusion of this sketch: Nellie H. is the wife of Judson B. Emrick, a representative farmer of Pleasant township, where he is also incumbent of the office of justice of the peace; Lida remains at the parental home; Sarah is the wife of Cornelius A. Miller, a locomotive engineer, and they reside in the city of Fort Wayne; Gertrude is the wife of Arthur E. Jacoby, chief clerk in the trainmaster's office of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad in the city of Chicago; and Florence and Clyde still remain beneath the home rooftree.

Elva C. Kelsey

One of the native sons of Allen county who is here successfully engaged in farming and stock growing, is Mr. Kelsey, whose wellimproved and attractive farm property is eligibly located in section 3, Wayne township, five and one-half miles southwest of the city of Fort Wayne. He is a representative of one of the old and honored families of the county, where his parents took up their residence in the early pioneer days, and thus there is double consistency in according him recognition in this compilation.

Elva C. Kelsey was born on the old homestead farm, in Lafayette township, Allen county, Indiana, on the 17th of July, 1856, and is a son of James H. and Sarah E. (Beach) Kelsey, the former of whom was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and the latter in Rush county, Indiana. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Kelsey, who was a pioneer of Montgomery county, Ohio, where he was a prominent hotel keeper, while he also operated a stage line in the early days, being a man of influence in his community. About 1845 he removed to Rush county, Indiana, where he became the owner of a large landed estate and where he continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits until his retirement from active business. He passed the closing years of his life in Zanesville, Wells county, this state, where he died at the patriarchal age of ninety-three years. James H. Kelsey accompanied his parents on their removal to Rush county, this state, and there his marriage was solemnized. Later he came to Allen county and secured eighty acres of government land, in Lafayette township, while later he added to his homestead an adjoining tract of forty acres. The land was heavily timbered when he located on the same and he reclaimed the farm and made good improvements on the esteem of all who knew him. He was successful in his endeavors during the long intervening years and was one of the substantial farmers of Lafayette township at the time of his death, which occurred in 1882. His wife survived him by more than a decade, her death occurring in 1894. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, while his religious faith was that of the Baptist church. In politics he was a stalwart Democrat, taking a proper interest in public affairs of a local nature but never being a seeker or holder of office. Concerning the ten children in the family we incorporate the following brief record: George is a successful farmer of Rush county, this state; Elias M. is engaged in farming near Zanesville, Wells county; Ann is the wife of William Smith, of Fort Wayne; Elva C. is the immediate subject of this sketch; Sebell is the wife of Fred Kensinger, of Richmond, Indiana; Della is the wife of Branson Wickliff, of Wells county; Emma, now deceased, was the wife of Newton Richards, a merchant of Roanoke, Huntington county; Charles B. resides in Wayne township, Allen county, and is a carpenter by vocation; Oscar R. is engaged in the grocery business in Fort Wayne; and Arthur is a representative farmer of Lafayette township.

Elva C. Kelsey was reared on the old home farm, to whose work he early began to contribute his quota, while he secured his educational training in the public schools. He continued to be associated in the work of the home farm until his first marriage, in 1871, to Miss Arabella Michaels, who was born and reared in this county, and whose death occurred in 1889. She left three children, Dessie, who resides in Fort Wayne; Glenn, who remains with his father on the farm; and Morton, who is in the employ of the American Express Company in the city of Chicago. After his marriage Mr. Kelsey located in Zanesville, Wells county, where he engaged in the meat-market business, and also bought and sold live stock, which he shipped to the metropolitan markets. He continued in these lines of enterprise in Zanesville for a period of seven years, and in 1890 he and his brother Elias located in Fort Wayne, where they established themselves in the grocery and meat business, in which they continued to be associated for four years, at the expiration of which our subject disposed of his interest and pur- chased his present fine farm property, known as the Mason farm and comprising one hundred and thirty-one acres of the most fertile land, improved with good buildings and well equipped in all respects. Mr. Kelsey still continues to devote much attention to dealing in live stock, of which he raises high-grade lines on his home farm, having at the time of this writing eight head of thoroughbred Galloway cattle as well as other stock of fine type. Practically his entire farm is available for cultivation and is devoted to diversified agriculture. He enjoys marked popularity in his community and has been called upon to serve in various local offices, the principal one being that of township supervisor, of which he was incumbent five years. In politics he gives an unequivocal allegiance to the Democratic party and fraternally he is identified with the Knights of the Maccabees, while both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church.

In 1891 Mr. Kelsey consummated a second marriage, being then united to Mrs. Anna Evans, widow of Calvin Evans, of Warsaw, this state. She was born and reared in Indiana and is a daughter of John and Urania (Browning) Starr, the former of whom was born in the province of Quebec, Canada. He came to Allen county in 1848, being a millwright by trade and vocation, and the closing years of his life were passed in Lagrange, this state. His widow now resides in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Kelsey.

John C. Meyer

This honored citizen is now living practically retired, having a fine little homestead in Wayne township, while he has long been identified with the agricultural industry in Allen county, where he accumulated a large landed estate, a portion of which he has devised to his sons, who are proving able successors to him in this important field of enterprise.

Mr. Meyer was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, on the 20th of December, 1838, his birthplace being in the vicinity of the city of Bremen. He is a son of John Henry Meyer, and the maiden name of his mother was Katherine Bishop. His father was a skilled blacksmith, having served the thorough apprenticeship required in the fatherland and having been a foreman in large shops prior to his immigration to America. On the 2oth of June, 1845, in company with his wife and their two sons and two daughters, as well as the venerable mother of his wife, he arrived in what is now the city of Fort Wayne. Soon afterward he expended all his available funds in the purchase of forty acres of land, in Adams township, paying three dollars an acre for the property. The original family dwelling was one of the primitive log cabins of round logs, and the father soon erected a little blacksmith shop on his farm and there devoted the major portion of his time to work at the forge, having previously been employed at his trade in Fort Wayne. While there he ironed a buggy for the late and honored pioneer, the Hon. Allen Hamilton, and this was in all probability the first buggy ever manufactured in Fort Wayne. While he worked at his anvil for his neighbors, they would recompense him by attending to his farm work, so that he was able to reclaim his land and improve the property in other ways. He continued to reside on this homestead, five miles southeast of Fort Wayne, on the Decatur road, until his death, which occurred on the 20th of December, 1868. His wife long survived him, being summoned to the life eternal on the 12th of May, 1884, three days before attaining the age of eighty years. Both were consistent members of the Lutheran church. Of their children we enter brief record, as follows: John C. is the immediate subject of this sketch; Henry was never married and was practically an invalid during the closing years of his life, having been for several years a valued member of the home circle of our subject and having died at the age of fifty-six years; Mary became the wife of John Rodewald, and both are now deceased, she having attained the age of about sixty years, while they reared several children; Katherine is the wife of Herman Torbeck and they reside in Fayette county, Illinois.

John C. Meyer received a good common-school education and in his youth learned the blacksmith's trade under the able direction of his father, with whom he worked at the forge for seventeen years, while also associated with the reclaiming and cultivation of the farm, which came into his possession upon the death of his father. This farm comprised eighty acres, and in 1874 our subject sold the property and purchased two hundred and forty acres in Pleasant township, paying thirty dollars an acre. He improved this place and continued to reside on the same until 1898, making the property one of the best in the township. He added twenty-five acres to the place and also inherited one hundred acres which had been owned by his brother, so that the estate was increased to an aggregate area of three hundred and sixty-five acres. In 1878 Mr. Meyer built a large brick house and a fine large barn, while about fourteen years ago he erected a second house and barn, cutting the place into parts, in order that he might give his two sons an opportunity to carry forward their independent efforts as farmers. The subject was actively concerned in the operation of his fine estate until 1898, when he purchased his present attractive little homestead of thirty-one acres, on St. Mary's river, three miles south of Fort Wayne, in Wayne township, paying sixty dollars an acre. He has erected a good house and barn and has a most attractive home, while in his orchard and garden and at other duties about the place he finds ample: scope for his active labors, though he is practically retired. He also owns a store building on Columbia street in the city of Fort Wayne. He is one of the substantial men of the county and his life record has been one of consecutive application and one of unbending integrity, so that he has ever held the confidence and regard of his fellow men. He is a stanch Democrat in his political proclivities and is a member of the Lutheran church, as was also his wife.

On the 15th of November, 1866, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Schroeder, who was born in Marion township, this county, on the 5th of February, 1849, and whose death occurred on the 26th of November, 1904, involving the greatest bereavement and loss which our subject has ever suffered. Mrs. Meyer was a daughter of Frederick Schroeder, one of the pioneers of Marion township, and in said township her brothers, William and Augustus, still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer became the parents of two sons and six daughters, concerning whom we enter the following data : Frederick H. married Bernardine Mayland, and he resides on a portion of the old homestead in Pleasant township; Henry J. married Louisa Trier, and they reside on the other division of the homestead; Joanna is the wife of Charles Mayland, of Marion township; Marie is the wife of Rev. Gustave Eifrig, of Ottawa, Canada; Sophia is the wife of Edward Koenemann, of Hoagland, Indiana; Louisa is the wife of Rev. George Blievernicht, of Accident, Maryland; and Emma and Matilda remain with their father. All of the children received good educational advantages.

Charles Stellhorn

Another of the native sons of Allen county who has here passed his entire life and who has attained a high degree of success through energy, integrity and progressive methods, is Mr. Stellhorn, whose fine farm property lies in section 26, Wayne township, four and one-half miles distant from the city of Fort Wayne. He was born on the farm which is now his home, on the 25th of July, 1862, and is a son of Frederick and Frederika (Moellering) Stellhorn, both of whom represented sterling German ancestry. The father of our subject resided in Fort Wayne for a number of years, and in 1860 he removed thence to the present homestead farm of his son Charles, where he continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred on the 5th of August, 1898, only fifteen days before his eightieth birthday anniversary. His widow is still living on the home farm and is eighty years of age at the time of this writing, in the spring of 1905.

Frederick Stellhorn originally purchased one hundred acres, and to this he added from time to time until his farm comprised two hundred and twenty-two acres, all in one body. The old homestead stood on the banks of the St. Mary's river, but owing to the rise of the water in the river in the spring seasons it was found necessary to remove the building to the present location of the residence, on higher land, the house having been practically rebuilt by our subject a few years ago. Other excellent improvements have been made on the farm since he came into possession of the property, upon the death of his honored father, and he is known as one of the progressive farmers and substantial citizens of the county, commanding the same high regard as did his father, who here lived and labored to goodly ends. The father was a Democrat in his political proclivities, and his son Charles adheres to the same faith, while the family have long been prominent and valued members of the local Lutheran church, which was here organized only the year prior to the removal of Frederick Stellhorn to the farm. Of the ten children three sons and three daughters are living, and the subject of this sketch is the youngest son. He was reared on the home farm and early began to aid materially in its work, while he received good educational training in both German and English schools. He has had entire charge of the homestead farm for the past seventeen years.

On the 27th of September, 1889, Mr. Stellhorn was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Lang, daughter of Henry Lang, the pioneer grocer and baker in Fort Wayne, where she was reared and educated, her birth having occurred on a farm in Wayne township. Mr. and Mrs. Stellhorn have no children. Both are zealous members of the Lutheran church and take an active part in the work and support of the local organization of the same.

This well-known farmer and popular citizen of Pleasant township is recognized as one of the progressive agriculturists of Allen county, and his finely improved landed estate indicates the careful and effective methods which he has brought to bear on the management of his farm. Mr. McKee is a native of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Trumbull county, Ohio, on the 4th of April, 1849, and being a son of John and Emeline (Beston) McKee. The father of the subject was born in the state of Pennsylvania, being of Scotch lineage, and as a young man took up his residence in Ohio, which ever afterward continued to be his home. He was identified with farming for many years, and before the war traveled through the south as a salesman of carriages and other vehicles, while for a time he was also engaged in the butchering business.

Warren McKee passed his boyhood days in Ohio, in whose common schools he secured his early educational discipline, while he completed his scholastic work by taking a course of study in the high school at Lordstown Center, Ohio. At the age of twenty years he associated himself with two of his brothers in the butchering business, at Niles, Ohio. He was identified with this enterprise for nine years, meeting with success, but in 1881 his health became so greatly impaired that a change of climate and occupation became imperative. He accordingly disposed of his business interests and removed to Cheboygan county, Michigan, where he took up timbered land and initiated the development of a farm, his place being twenty miles distant from the nearest town, Petoskey, while in the township, whose area was as great as three of ordinary size, there were but five white families at the time he located therein. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, for which he paid ten dollars an acre, and within the ensuing twelve years he had reclaimed sixty

The father of the subject had loaned money in ES and finally took property on a mortgage, said property being the farm now owned and occupied by Warren. His father deeded the place to him, the same comprising one hundred and fifty-one acres of fine land, and here he took up his. residence in 1893, his health having in the meanwhile been fully restored by his residence in the bracing climate of northern Michigan. The original village of Sheldon was laid out on one corner of the farm owned by the subject. The place was comparatively well improved at the time Mr. McKee took up his residence here, but he has made many modern improvements since that time, installing an excellent system of tile drainage and remodeling the buildings, ete. The farm is now one of the best in Pleasant township, and is eligibly located, being eleven miles south of the city of Fort Wayne. Mr. McKee devotes his attention to general farming and stock growing and is one of 'the leading farmers and citizens of this section of the county. In politics he accords a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, but he has no office-seeking proclivities. Mr. McKee is a devotee of the sports of the forest and stream, and only once in the past thirty-six years has he missed making an annual deer hunt, generally in northern Michigan. In 1904 he made such a trip to the south shore of Lake Superior, and he customarily passed the heated term of each summer in fishing and hunting in that attactive section.

On the goth of September, 1871, Mr. McKee was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Anderson, who was born and reared in Trumbull county, Ohio, and to their children we enter brief record as follows: Virgie, who was graduated in the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana, was a successful and popular teacher in the public schools of Allen county, and later became assistant superintendent of a college at Bloomington, Illinois, where she met Hanson T. Mace, editor and publisher of the Pantagraph, one of the leading newspapers of central Illinois; John was likewise graduated in the Valparaiso Normal School, as well as Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, while he was also engaged in teaching in the schools of Allen county for some time, and is now a leading merchant of Belleplaine, Iowa; Harry was graduated in the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso, and in Purdue University, at Lafayette, where he is now professor of mechanical engineering; and Ethel and Paul remain at the parental home.

John S. Poinsett

We here enter brief memoir concerning one of the sterling pioneers of Allen county, where he lived and labored to goodly ends, having been one of the successful and influential farmers of Washington township, where he died in 1892, at the venerable age of seventy-three years.

Mr. Poinsett was a native of the old Buckeye state, having been born on a farm in Hanover township, Montgomery county, Ohio, on the 23d of November, 1818, and having been a son of Peter and Mary (Rockhill) Poinsett, both of whom were born in the state of New Jersey, while both represented early pioneer families of Ohio, where their marriage was solemnized. In 1828 the family came to Allen county, Indiana, but remained only one season, then returning to their old home in Ohio. In 1834, however, they again came to Allen county and made permanent settlement, the parents here passing the remainder of their lives and each living to attain the age of about fifty-two years. Of their three children the subject of this memoir was the eldest, and all are now deceased. John S. Poinsett was reared on the pioneer farmstead and his youthful years were filled with hard work, while his educational advantages were necessarily limited, owing to the exigencies of time and place. A vigorous mental and physical equipment was his, however, and he developed a symmetrical character and became a power for good in the various relations of life, being sincere and straightforward, animated by a spirit of utmost integrity and ever commanding the high regard of all with whom he came in contact. He never abated his allegiance to the great fundamental industry of agriculture, and through his association with the same he gained a high degree of success and prosperity. His farm, the scene of his many years of earnest endeavor, stands today as one of the model places of the county, having fine improvements and comprising two hundred and twenty acres of most arable land. The old homestead is eligibly located in Washington township, and is now the home of his widow, who has there resided for fully half a century. He took up his abode on this farm in 1855 and there remained until he was summoned to the life eternal, while he is held in grateful and affectionate memory in the community in which he so long lived and labored and where his sterling qualities were fully appreciated. In politics he was originally an adherent of the Whig party, having cast his vote in support of General William Henry Harrison for the presidency, but upon the birth of the Republican party he espoused its cause and ever afterward gave to it his unqualified allegiance.

In 1845 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Poinsett to Miss Ellen Rockhill, who survives him and who likewise is a member of one of the honored pioneer families of Allen county. She was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and was a child at the time of her parents' removal to Allen county, while her memory links the early pioneer epoch with the latter-day epoch of opulent prosperity in this favored section of the Hoosier state. She is a daughter of Edward and Rebecca (Richardson) Rockhill, who reared a family of seven children. The parents came to Allen county in 1826, and Mr. Rockhill took up a large tract of land north of Fort Wayne, the section being at the time essentially a sylvan wilderness. Mr. Rockhill reclaimed much land to cultivation and was one of the influential and honored citizens of the county, where both he and his wife died, when well advanced in years. Mrs. Poinsett well recalls the fact that at the time when her parents came to the county the Indians were still much in evidence, and she personally knew a number of them, while the family did no little amount of trading with the aborigines. Mrs. Poinsett has lived on her present homestead for a half century, and it is needless to say that it is endeared to her by the memories and hallowed associations of the past, while it should further be noted that she has resided in Washington township for a longer period than any other person now abiding within its confines, while she is held in affectionate regard by a wide circle of friends, both old and young, so that the evening of her life is being passed under most gracious influences and conditions. To Mr. and Mrs. Poinsett were born eight children, two of whom died in infancy, while John died in 1903. Those living are as follows: William, a farmer in Aboit township; Harriet J., _ the wife of William Knepper, a farmer of Aboit township; Joseph lives in Aboit township; Mary E., the wife of George Thumm, a farmer of Washington township; Edward, a farmer of Washington township.

Christian Baade

Among the first German families to settle within the confines of Allen county was that of which the subject of this sketch is a member, and the name has been closely and worthily linked with the industrial and civic development and progress of this section of the state, while it has ever stood synonymous of integrity and honor in all the relations of life. He whose name initiates this review is one of the sterling pioneers and prominent and substantial farmers of Wayne township, where he has made his home for more than sixty years.

Christian Baade was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 14th of August, 1828, and bears the full patronymic of his honored father, Christian, Sr., who immigrated with his family to America in 1844, in which year he took up his residence in Allen county, where he died less than a year afterward. He had purchased eightynine acres of wild land on the St. Mary's river, south of Fort Wayne, in Wayne township, paying seven dollars and eighty cents an acre for the property. His money was all in the German double gold pieces, each worth at that time seven dollars and eighty cents, so that each piece of gold used exactly paid for one acre of land. He was a carpenter and wagonmaker by trade and had accumulated a considerable sum of money prior to coming to America. He was accompanied also by Diedrich Hartman, a brother of his wife, and Heinrich Menzing and family were also numbered among the early German families to locate on the banks of St. Mary's river. Mr. Hartman, just mentioned, settled on land now owned and occupied by his son William. Among the other sturdy German settlers of those pioneer days was Ernest Nieman, who located on the farm now owned by Henry Wiebke, who purchased the property from the original owner, who left no children. Frederick Wiebke, father of

Henry, also settled here in an early day, his farm being now owned by his son Frederick. All of these farms are contiguous to or in the immediate vicinity of that owned by the subject of this sketch, so that the settlement has been distinctively German in certain of its characteristics from the time when the reclamation of this section of the county was inaugurated. All these families came from the same district of Germany and all became representative in the social and industrial life of Wayne township, where the respective heads of each died at advanced age, while all left children except Mr. Nieman and all are here represented at the present time save that of Menzing. Henry Korte located in the same neighborhood somewhat later.

When Christian Baade, Sr., died he left his widow with five children, of whom the subject was the eldest, being at the time about sixteen years of age. Under these imperative exigencies he assumed the practical charge of the farm and undertook the herculean labors demanded in its development. Four or five acres had been cleared, and the original family residence was a log cabin, constructed of small logs and having only one room. Ten years elapsed before a new house was built, and that continued to be the family home until the present comfortable and commodious brick residence was built, about thirty years ago. The loved and devoted mother continued to reside on the old homestead until her death, at the age of seventy-seven years, having married a second time, becoming the wife of Frederick Gehle. Of the children we record that Wilhelmina is the wife of Conrad Tielker, and Louise is the wife of his brother, Henry Tielker; William Baade was a well-known truckman of Fort Wayne, where he died in 1904; Frederick Gehle, a half-brother to the subject, removed to Illinois, where he died.