DeKalb County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1914 (part 11 of 20)

William C. Miller was liorn AjH-il 26. 18.S2, in Stafford township, I\- Kalb county, Indiana, the son of Joseph H. and Ida (Wyckoff) Miller. Joseph Miller was born in the Ke\-stone stale on March 1. i.'^sn, ;md came to Indiana in i^-',7S. locating on a farm in DeKalb county. He marrietl Ida \\'vcko1f in 18S1, she having been born }.[:yy jo. 1800. in DeKalb county. They are at present living on the old farm. To them have been born three children, the subject, and (den and Ray. who are living at home.

On December _'6, ir)(\S. \\'illiani C. Miller w;is united in the bonds of matrimony to Ida L. Kramer, daughter of Michael and Kathrene 1 Chri.stoffel ) Kramer. The father of the subject's wife was born in ( >ermany and her mother was a native of the Moosier stale. To the Mibjeet and wife has l)een born i>ne child, t'harles Russell, whose birth occurred on September 8. 1 906.

schools of DeKall) count}-, this being supplemented bv a course in the Butler high school, louring the ten years from 1900 to iqio Mr. Miller taught in the public schools of .Stafford township and one year in the Butler schools. He purchased his farm of seventy-se\en acres in i')C>^. and is now very .successfully engaged in general farming. He has a nice Iionie and has erected substantial outbuildings, making his place one of the very best in the county. The Democratic party has been the recipient of Mr. Miller's support and franchise, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, L<Hlge No. 2^:2. of Butler, and Fncampment No. 160, also of Butler.

William P. Endicott

The career of William P. Kmlicott happily illustrates the fact that if a young man possesses the proper attributes of mind and heart, with the ability to direct the same in proper channels, he can attain for himself not only material success but gain an honored place among the factors that shape the destinies of communities. His life proves that true success in this world depends upon personal efforts and consecutive industry in the pursuit of some specific and honorable purpose; it also demonstrates that the road to positions of aflfluence among men, whatever the relation of life may be, is open to all who may possess the courage to tread its pathway, besides ser\ing as an incentive to the young of the present generation, teaching by incontrovertible facts that true excellence in any worthy undertaising is ambition's legitimate answer.

W'illiam P. Endicott, a successful lawyer at Butler, Indiana, was born on March 28, 1881, near Galveston, Cass count}-, Indiana, and is a son of Abner M. and Orlie A. (Odell) Endicott, both of whom are natives of Indiana, and who are respected farming people in the community where they live. The subject on the paternal side is descended from sterling old English ancestrv and in him are exhibited the characteristics which have made his progenitors respected and esteemed in their respective communities. To the subject's parents were born the following children: Mrs. Nellie McCool, Mrs. Lida Hyatt, Mrs. (hace Kepner, Ernest, \\'illiam P. and Thomas H.

William P. Endicott secured his education in the public schools, being a graduate of the Galveston high school, and he then entered the law department of the Indiana State LTniversity at Bloomington, where he took the full legal course. In January, 1910, he was admitted to the bar of Cass county, and in the following April was admitted to the DeKalb county bar and ati-once located at Butler, and engaged in the practice of his profession. As a lawyer Mr. Endicott has evinced a familiarity with legal principles and a ready perception of facts, together with the ability to apply one to tlie other which has won him the reputation of a sound, safe practitioner. His zeal for a client has never led him to urge argument not in harmony with the law, and in all the important litigation with wliich he has been connected, no one has ever charged him with anything that would bring discredit upon himself or cast a reflection upon his profession, and today he is an able representative of the legal fraternity in his county.

Politically, the subject of this sketch gives his support to the Progressive party, while fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained to the Royal Arch degree, and to Lodge No. 158. Knights of Pythias, of Butler, oi wliicn he is vice-chancellor. He is also first vice-president of the Commercial Club of Butler and has been a potent factor in advancing the material and civic interests of this enterprising community.

On August 2, 1909, Mr. Endicott married Nellie Davisson, of Miami county, Indiana, and thev have one daughter, Anna May. Mr. Endicott is a most genial and companionable gentleman and has a host of warm and admiring friends amorig the residents of his adopted city. All who come within the range of his influence are profuse in their praise of his admirable qualities, and the high regard in wliich he is held, not ijnly professionally but socially, indicates the possession of attributes and characteristics that fully entitle him to the respect and admiration of his fellow men.

Edward M. Brumback

.\griculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energ)' and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free, out-door life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterize true manhood, and no truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country", and the majority (43) of the nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were indebted largely to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.

Edward M. Brumback was born on April 5, 1853, in Fairfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana, and is the son of Jesse M. and Jane (Showers) Brumback. Jesse M. Brumback was born in Huron county, O'hio, on April 2, 1823, a son of Daniel and Sarah (Gulp) Brumback. He remained with his parents until his majority, when he engaged in farming in his native county, where he remained until October, 1846, when he came to DeKalb county. Indiana, locating in Fairfield township, where he began the clearing of one hundred and sixty acres of heavily timbered land. His means were limited, but by industry and good management he was successful and eventually acquired the ownership of over three hundred acres of land, a part of which he gave to his son, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Brumback was married on .April 7, 1850, to Melissa J. Showers, the daughter of Solomon Showers, of Richland township, DeKalb county, though she was born in Michigan. To them were born three children, namely: Celia R.. the wife of John F. Walters, of Kendallville, Indiana ; Edward M., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Cornelia J., who died in infancy. The mother of these children -died on March 9. 1853. and on November 2. 1856, Mr. Brumback married Lucinda Gloid. a native of Richland county, Ohio, and the daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Smith) Gloid. In politics Mr. Brumback was a Democrat and served his fellow citizens in public capacity, having been a justice of the peace for a short time, and in 1862 was elected county clerk, in which position he served three years.

The subject of this sketch attended the common schools of his home vicinity and also attended the high school at Auburn. He was reared to the life of a farmer, a vocation to which he has devoted himself throughout his active life. He is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and si.xty acres in Richland township, on which he resides and on which he is engaged in -general farming and stock raising, and he also has an interest in the old home place. He carries on a general line of farming and his home place embraces some of the best improvements in the locality, his buildings of all; kinds being first class and in excellent repair, everything about the premises indicating the close attenti9n and progressive spirit manifested by the proprietor in the prosecution of his labors. ^Mr. Brumliack is a good .bu.-iipqss, man and is well read and widely informed, keepjng in tpuch with th^ leac;!- i'ng 'questions of the (la)- and abreast pf the times op all. matters in public is likely to be interested. Personally, he is held in high esteem by his neighbors and fellow citizens, his character and integrity having ever been above criticism, while his relations with his fellow men are such as to win for him the friendship of all who know him. Politically, he gives his support to the Democratic party, though he is too busy a man to aspire to public office.

On March 5. 1891. Mr. Brumback was united in marriage to Lottie Smith, a lady of charming personality, who is held in the highest esteem by all who know her. She is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (McLain) Smith. he a native of Carroll county. Ohio, and she from Columbiana county, Ohio. They moved from eastern Ohio to western Ohio, and then, in 1870, came to Sedan, DeKalb county, Indiana. Later they went to Nebraska, where he died.

Daniel Thomas

The specihc history of the great Middle West was made by the pioneers: it was emblazoned on tlie forest trees by the strength of sturdy arms and a gleaming ax, and written on the surface of the earth Ijy the track of the primitive plow. There were strong men and true who came to found the empire of the West - those hardy settlers who builded their rude domiciles, grappled with the giants of the forest, and from the sylvan wilds evolved the fertile and productive fields which have these many years been furrowed and refurrowed by the plowshare. The trackless prairie was made to yield its tribute under the effective endeavors of the pioneer, and slowly but .surelv were laid the steadfast foundations upon which has been builded the magnificent superstructure of an opulent and enlightened commonwealth. To establish a home amid such surroundings, and to cope with the many privations and hardships which were the inevitable concomitants, demanded an invincible courage and fortitude, strong hearts and willing hands. All those were characteristics of the pioneers, whose names and deeds should be held in perpetual reverence by those who enjoy the fruits of their toil, and among that number is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch and who for many years has lieen numbered among the most prominent citizens of DeKalb county. - one years. They settled first in Stark county, Ohio, where they remained until 1849, when they came to DeKalb county, Indiana, where they followed farming. David Thomas, who was reared in Pennsylvania, came to Stark county in young manhood, was there married and then came with his family to DeKalb county, settling in Richland township, where he remained until his death, after which his widow moved to Auburn, where she died. They were the parents of the following children : John, Sarah, Daniel, Levi, Susan. Anna, David' and Solonifm, of whom the onlv survivors are Daniel and Solomon.

Daniel Thomas received his education in the district schools of DeKalb county, and was reared to the life of a farmer, which vocation he never forsook, following it with great energy and considerable success up to the time of his retirement from active pursuits in 1892, when he moved to the town of Corunna, where he now resides.

Mr. Thomas was thrice married, first on October 14, 1858, to Elizabeth Rectenwalt, the daughter of Jacob and Anna (Koontz) Rectenwalt, both of whpm were natives of Germany, but who oh their emigration to America located first in Ohio, and later came to DeKalli cixuity, of which they were eaifly and prominent settlers. To tliis first union of the subject of this sketch were born two children: Almira, deceased, and Milo J., who is represented elsewhere in this work. Mr. Thdmas' first wife died in 1901, at the age of sixty-two years, and in 1902 he married Emmeline King, the daughter of John and Katherine (Rebber) King. Her parents were natives of Maryland, but became early settlers of DeKalb county, settling in Vernon township. Mrs. Emmeline Thomas died in 1905, at the age of sixty-two years, and subsequently Mr. Thomas married Sarah Rodenbaugh, the daughter of Adam Rodenbaugh, who was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he moved to Stark county, Ohio, and then to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his daughter, Mrs. Thomas, was a successful nurse for eighteen years. Her death occurred on June 30, 1913, at the age of seventy years.

Politically, Daniel Thomas has been a life-long supporter of the Democratic party, but has not been a seeker after public office, his only official service being as supervisor of his township, in which he rendered efficient service. Religiously, he is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, to the support of which he contributes liberally. During the long period of his residence in DeKalb county, Mr. Thomas has been an eye witness of and a participant in the wonderful development which has characterized this section of the state, and in everything affecting the general welfare of the people he has been deeply interested, giving his support to those movements which have promised to advance the interests of his fellow^ men educationallv, morally, socially or materially. His life has ever been characterized by the strictest integrity of word and action and among those who have known him long and intimately he is held in the most affectionate regard, because of his high personal character and his .genial qualities.

Thomas C. Stafford

Success is onl}' achieved by the e.xercise of certain distinguishing qualities and it cannot be retained without effort. Those by whom great epoch changes have been made in the political and industrial world began early in life to prepare themselves for their peculiar duties and responsibilities and it was only by the most persevering and continuous endeavor that they succeeded in rising superior to the f)bstac]es in their way and reaching the goal of their ambition. Such lives are an inspiration to others who are less courageous and more prone to give up the fight before their ideal is reached or definite success in any chosen field has been attained. In the life history of the honorable gentleman whose name forms the caption of tliis article we find evidence of a peculiar characteristic that always makes for achievement - persistency, coupled with fortitude and lofty traits, and as a result (if such a life is one of the best known and most highly respected men.

The subject was born in DeKalb county on June 8, 1834, his parents Ijeing James and Anna (McClure) Stafford, natives of Ashland county, Ohio, who came to DeKalb county ten. years before the subject's birth, in 1844, and settled in Jackson township, entering land from the government. The subject still has the original deed to this land, signed by President John Tyler. Nine children were born to James and Anna Stafford, as follows: Samuel, -deceased; John, deceased; J. K., Emanuel, Jane, Rebecca, Thomas C, Ella, and Melinda. Both parents have long since passed to their reward.

Thomas C. Stafford, after receiving a good common school education in the DeKalb countv schools, took up the vocation of tilling the soil, which he has followed all his life. He now owns the old home farm of eighty acres. On June 15. 1872, he was united in marriage to Celia Miller, daughter of Thomas and Marv (McCrory) Miller. This marriage was l)lessed by no children and the wife died on June 15, 1874. Subsecjuently, on March 6, 1878, the subject was again married to Ida A. Moore, daughter of Jolnn P.

and Rachel (Likens) Moore, who were natives of the Buckeye state, he of Ashland county and siie of Seneca county. The>' came with their parents to DeKalb county and settled in Jackson township in 1842. The subject's second wife was Iiorn on No\-em1)er \2. ]86[, she being one of three children, the others being Sarah, who married Lucien Provines, and Ella J., who married Joseph E. Kester. Her parents are both deceased. To the subject and wife ha\e lieen born three children: James E., deceased in infanc}', and John L. and Nellie E.. who are still under the parental roof tree, both educated in home schools. Mr. Stafff)rd has served very acceptably as a member of the advisory board four years and as supervisor of Jackson township for six vears. Politicalh, lie is allied with the Democratic party, and religiously, Mrs. Stafford is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. Mrs. Stafford taught school five years in Jackson township.

Isaac Miller Jackman

A rexiew of the life of the honored subject of this sketch must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of his career touching the struggles of his early manhood and successes of later days would far transcend the limits of this article. He filled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising and public-spirited men of his day and generation and the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable chapter in the history of the community where he did his work and achieved his success. Sufficient is submitted, however, to prove him entitled to the honorable position he long occupied among the brave and energetic self-made men of Indiana, who by enterprise and unswerving integrity forged to the front despite all obstacles and helped win for the grand old Hoosier commonwealth a place second to none other in the bright constellation of American states.

Isaac Miller Jackman was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on June 21, 182 1, and was. a son of Adam and Mary (Miller) Jackman. Adam Jackman was born in what is now \Vest Virginia during the latter part of the eighteenth century and when about fourteen years of age ran away from home, coming to Carroll county, Ohio, about the beginning of the nineteenth century. He lived about seven years with the Indians, hunting and trapping, and when he attained his majority he entered one hundred and sixt}- acres of land in Carroll count}'. AVhen about twenty-two years old he returned to his boyhood home and there gave a good account of the new countn in which he had settled. The resuh was that a numl>er of his old neighbors moved to Carroll county, among whom was the Miller family, a memljer of which, 'Sla.ry. afterwards became his wife. He was a typical frDutiersman, more of a hunter and fisherman than farmer.

Isaac Miller Jackman was reared on the Carrcjll count)' homestead and secured his education in the district schools of thai locality. In 1847 '""^ walked all the way to DeKalb county, Indiana, and bought a tract of land in the northwest comer of Wilmington townsliip. Later he returned to Ohio and married Jane Whitia, wlio also was a native of Carroll county, and they returned to DeKalb count}-, arriving at their new home on Ma\' 10, 1850. The trip was a long and tiresome one, there being jjractically no roads or bridges., Mr. Jacl^man had, during his former visits here, cleared a small portion of his land, but he later moved to what is now the eastern edge of Grant township, where he bought a good farm and there spent the remainder of his life, dying February 9, 1899. ^

Jane Whitia Jackman was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on February 23, 1830, the daughter of William and Margariet/)( Steele) Whitia. and her death occurred near Waterloo, Indiana, on July 24, 1903, at the age of se\- enty-three years. Her marriage to Mr. Jackman occurred on January 29, 1850. She possessed to a remarkable degree those cfualities which characterized the pioneers of this locality, and slie was to her husband a helpmate in the truest sense of the word. Their early experiences iiere w ere fraught with many incidents which seem strangely primitive to the pre.sent generation. Their first cabin home had no floor and during the first summer Mrs. Jackman cooked their meals o\er a stumpside fire. However, they enjoyed their life, being filled with energy, ambition and hope. She was a faithful wife, a devoted mother and a kind and generous neighbor, and her children scarcely remember a time wlien their home was not a refuge for some homeless one. She was always called on in sickness and death by her neighbors, sometimes walking a distance of fi\e miles to perfo'^m her ministrations of ln\e. In early life she joined tiie I'resb_\terian church and was e\ er afterwards a faithful and earnest member of that society.

William Whitia, Mrs. Jackman"s fatiier, was born in Ohio, but his father, \\'illiam, was born near Belfast, Ireland. The family name was originally Whitelaw, later abljreviated to Whitia. Tlie family was descended from a Scottish chief named William the White, who was very large and tall above all his fellows. His law was so just and ecjuitable as to lie called Wln'te law, from which term the familv name was formed. The Whitlas went from Scotland to Ireland, and eventually to America. Margaret Steele also was a nati\e of Ireland, and came to America with her parents and a number of other families, including those of Whitla and Snodgrass.

To Isaac M. and Jane Jackman were born the following children : Mrs. Mary Kiplinger, of Smithfield township, this county; J. W., of Grant township; I. M., of Wilmington township; Amos, of Wilmington township, and John, of Grant township, all of whom have in their own lives perpetuated the sterling qualities which characterized their honored parents.

Clarence Blaine Hamilton

There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that come in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differing but slightly, and when one man passes another on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity lief ore others who perhaps started out before him. it is because he ha? the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. Today among the prominent citizens and successful business men of Garrett stands Clarence Blaine Hamilton. The qualities of keen discrimination, sound judgment and executive ability enter \ery largely into his make-up and have been contributing elements to the material success which has come to him.

Clarence Blaine Hamilton, publisher of the Garrett JJ'rckly Clipper, and one of the most public-s])irited citizens of this community, was born in Wood count}-. Ohio, on February 7, 1887, and is the sun of S. E. Hamilton. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Eostoria, Ohio, in 1899, and there secured his education in the public schools. At the early age of sixteen years the subject, ambitious to make a start in life, became a reporter for the Fostoria Daily Times, in which he made good to such a degree that he was soon given the title of city editor and retained the position five years, or until December 16. 1907. He then came to Garrett and entered the employ of the late Tracy C. Little, publisher of the Garrett Clipper, and on Jutie I, 1908, Mr. Hamilton became editor and manager of this paper, which he now publishes and which has now become, under his management and direction, one of the influential and prosperous newspapers of DeKalb county. Mr. Hamilton is a graceful and forceful writer, having the genuine journalistic instinct for news, and he has made his paper indispensable in hundreds of homes in his locality. Through the columns of the Clipper earnest support is given to every worthy movement for the upbuilding of the best interests of the community, and Mr. Hamilton's personal influence is given to the highest standard of living, so that he has earned the respect and confidence of the people with whom he mingles. The Clipper office is well equipped, not only for successful newspaper printing, but also for commercial job printing, in which Mr. Hamilton has enjoyed a large and profitable patronage.

On December 25, 1910, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage to Margaret May Hatchet, of Fostoria. and to them have been born two daughters, Thais Hatchet and Gretchen.

Fraternally. Mr. Hamilton is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Tribe of Ben-Hur. the Knights of the Maccabees and the (Ireek-letter high school fraternity. Phi Delta Kappa. He enjoys a large acquaintance, among whom are many warm and loyal friends, and throughout the community with which he has identified himself he enjoys that standing which can ht gained only by those who possess qualities and attributes of a high order.

Jacob N. Olinger

To write the personal record of men who raised themselves from humble circumstances to a jjosition of responsiljility and trust in a community is no ordinarx- pleasure. Self-made men, men who have achieved success by reason of their personal qualities, and left the impress of their individuality upon the business and growth of their place of residence, and affect for good such institutions as are embraced in the sphere of their usefulness, unwittingly, perhaps, built monuments more enduring than marble obelisk or granite shaft. Of such we have the unquestionable right to say belonged the gentlernan whose name appears above.

Jacob N. Olinger. who during his lifetime was one of the respected and influential citizens of Keyser township. DeKall) county. Indiana, was liorn on November 18. 1839, in Stark county, Ohio, the son of John and .Annie ( Nicodemus) Olinger, the father a native of Chamberslnng. Pennsylvania. Jacob N. Olinger was reared in his Ohio home, securing his education in its public schools, and at about the time he attained his majoritv in 1861. he came to

DeKalb county, Indiana, where he obtained employment at farm work. In 1863 he began farming operations for himself about a mile north of where the town of Garrett is now located, where he bought twenty acres, the ground on which Garrett now stands being then a dense woodland. When this now prosperous town was started Mr. Olinger had an old shanty of a house there, in which he kept boarders, caring for the workmen engaged in the building of the young town. By persistent and sturdy industry and rigid economy Air. Olinger was enabled to get a start, and, though intent on the acquisition of material means on his own account, he was generous in his assistance tO others equally limited in their resources. He first bought twenty acres of land on the south side of the road, thus making fort}' acres of good land, and eventually he bought forty acres more adjoining the former tract, thus making sixty actes At the cross roads where the Keyser centralized school is nowlocated. Here he lived during the remainder of his life and by his intelligently directed efforts he was enabled to live comfortably during his latter years. He was a man of stanch integrity of character, whose actions were governed by right motives and among those who knew him best he was held in high regard because of his sterling qualities and his evident desire to live right among his fellow men.

In 1863 Jacob N. Olinger married Lovina Shull, and to them was born a daughter, Addie, who became the wife of Peter Kandle, and they now live three miles north of Butler. Mrs. Lovina Olinger died on December y, 1884, and on August 31, 1886, Mr. Olinger married Sarah Deihl, who was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and is a sister of John Deihl, who is represented by a personal sketch elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Olinger was reared in Pennsylvania and came to Indiana on a visit to relatives, with whom she spent two years. She then returned to Pennsylvania, and was there married to Mr. Olinger. To them was born one son. Jay F., who first saw the light of day on January 22, 1889, and after attending the common schools, graduated from the Garrett high school in 1908, and subsequently attended the Tri-State Normal School at Angola. In the fall of 1909 Air. Olinger began teaching, being engaged in that work one year at Dutchtown, and ever since has taught in the schools of Keyser township, being numbered among the successful educators of his county. He is still making his home with his mother, for whom he bears the closest affection and for whom he is caring with the utmost solicitude. Intelligent and well educated, Jay F. Olinger has an agreeable and companionable manner that wins for him friends, and throughout the community where he is known he is held in high regard.

age, and his death was sincerely mourned throughout the cnnmiunitv. where his loss was deeply felt. He was a faithful and earnest nieniher of the Methodist Episcopal church at Garrett, to the support of which he contrihuted freely of his means. j\lrs. Olinger and her son. Jay, are also memhers of the Methodist church. The famil\- have for many years heen numljered among the best citizens of the section of the count}- in which thev live, and are highly esteemed because of their honorable record and the acti\e part they ha\e taken in the advancement of the community along legitimate lines.

Jasox B. Childs

Through struggles to triumph seems to be the maxim which holds sway for the majority of our citizens, and though it is undenialily true that many a One falls exhausted in the conHict, a few, by their inherent force of character and strong mentality, rise above their environments until they reach the plane of prosperity. Such has been the record of the gentleman whose name appears as the caption of this sketch and who is today numbered among the representative citizens of Fairfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana.

Jason B. Childs was born on August 2y. 1859, in Fairfield township. DeKalb county, Indiana, and is the .son of Willard and -\nianda (Buchanan) Childs. Willard Childs, who was born near Utica, New on February 15, 181 1, was the son of Phineas and Theodosia (Phillips) Childs, the for- .mer a native of New Haven. Connecticut, and of English descent, and the latter also a native of Connecticut, but of Welsh descent. In 1813 these parents moved to Jefferson county, New ^'ork, and in 1826 to Onondaga county. When he was fifteen years of age he began to work by the month for farmers. In 1837 he came to DeKalb county, Indiana, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, and after paying for it had but seventy-three cent.s left. He then went to Fort Wayne and there earned the money with which to return to New York. In 1846 he moved his family to DeKalb county, landing in Fairfield township on .Vugust 24th. He mo\ed into a log cabin belonging to B. H. Chaffee, and a short time afterwards bought the land on which it stood. There were but fourteen families in this township when he settled there and the land was mostly heaxily timbered. He added to his first purchase until he became the owner of two hundred and eighty-six acres of land comprising one of the best farms in the township. In his native state he married Cornelia Steves, by whom were born two cliildren, Emma and

Phineas G. His first wife died in 1856, just after he iiad completed the erection of a new home, and he afterwards married Amanda Buchanan, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, the daughter of Alexander Buchanan. She was reared in her native state and became a school teacher and, coming to DeKalb county, made her home with relatives and engaged in teaching school until she married. To this union were born two children, Jason B., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Mary E., the wife of Wilber Haller, of Kendallville, this state. Willard Childs died in 1890, at which time he was the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of land, and his wife passed away in 1892. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Jason B. Childs was reared on the home farm and after completing his common school studies attended the high school at Waterloo, and later the Methodist College at Fort Wayne, Indiana. He then resumed agricultural operations on the home farm, but after his marriage in 1880 he located on a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in section 27, Fairfield township, where he has remained continuously since. By the most persistent energy and wisely directed efforts he has attained an eminent success in this effort and is numbered among the successful farmers of that locality. In 1883 he built a nice residence, and a splendid barn in 1908, in connection with which is a good silo, and in other ways he has shown a disposition to keep up with the times in every department of his farm work. He raises all the crops to this locality and also gives a proper share of his attention to the raising of live stock, in which line also he is successful. In December, 1880. Mr. Childs was married to Anna E. Haller. who was born in Noble county. Indiana, the daughter of Daniel and Elizal)eth (Bolenbaugh) Haller. The latter, who was born in Seneca county, Ohio, was the daughter of John and Susan (Bixler) Bolenl^augh. Daniel Haller was a nati\e of Germany, the son of Jacob and Catherine (Weller) Haller, and came to America when about three years old with his parents, who located fir.st in Pennsylvania, subsequently moving to Ohio. He care to Noble county. Indiana, where he made his permanent home and here married Elizabeth Bolenbaugh. Jacob Haller was a soldier in the army of Napoleon Bonaparte for nine years, taking ]5art in the historic battles of Austerlitz and Waterloo. Elizabetli Bolenbaugh came to Noble county, Indiana, with her parents at the age of twelve years, at which time Kendallville was a hamlet of but two houses. Her parents lived in that locality six or seven years, and in that vicinity until advanced age, when they moved to Wisconsin, where their deaths occurred. Elizabeth Bolenbaugh was reared and married in Noble county, and wiien her daughter, Anna, was three or four years old, the Haller family moved to

Fairfield township on a farm of ninety-six acres, and lived there the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1891 and the mother on June 20, 1907. The father was a cooper by trade and l>y that means made money with which to buy his farm. The mother was first a Methodist in her religious views, but later joined the Evangelical church. To Mr. and Mrs. Childs have been born four children : Efifie became the wife of W. W. Lower, who was killed in a railroad accident, leaving two children, Ethel and Elizabeth. After his death she became the wife of James Vogtman, of Hudson, and they have one child, Anna; Willard married Daisy Walker, the daughter of Eli Walker, and lives in Smithfield township, and they have one son, Ralph; Curtis L. is unmarried and lives in Fort Wayne, and Herbert, who is twelve years of age. remains at home.

Fraternally, Jason B. Childs is a member of the Knights of Pythias, ha\'- ing been one of the charter members of the Corunna lodge, and he and his wife and children, Effie and Willard, are members of the Pythian Sisters. Mr. Childs is a man of public spirit and progressive ideas and is numbered among the strong and influential citizens of hi^^ communitv. and as such is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character.

Frank W. Nimmons

The record of the subject of this review is that of an enterprising gentleman who worthily upholds an honorable family name and whose life has been very intimately associated \\ith the material prosperity and moral advancement of Wilmington township, DeKalb county, Indiana, during the most progressive period of its history, and he has always been found on the right side of questions looking to the development of his community in any way, and while he has been prominent in the agricultural affairs of the county. he has at the same time won an enviable reputation for honesty and wholesome living.

Frank W. Nimmons. trustee of Wilmington township and a prominent and successful farmer, is a native of DeKalb county, Indiana, born on December 17, 1863, and is a son of Philip and Mary S. (Westfall) Nimmons. The father was a native of Boone county, New York, and his mother of Richland county. Ohio. Philip Nimmons, who was a farmer during all Ins active life, left his native state and located in Ohio, where he was married and subsequently c.am^ to Indiana, locating in 1844 in Wilmington township, DeKalh county, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was not only actively and successfully engaged in farming, but was also successful in gaining and retaining the respect and confidence of hig fellow citizens to a notable degree. He was twice married and to the first union were born five children : Emblem B., Mary E., Allie, Katherine and Laura, while to his second union was born one child, the subject of this sketch. The subject's mother is still living and makes her home in Butler, this county.

Frank W. Nimmons received his education in the public schools of Wilmington township and in the Butler high school, after which he took up the vocation of a school teacher, which he followed with splendid success for six years, at the end of which time he returned to the pursuit of agriculture, to which vocation he had been reared in boyhood, and he has shown the wisdom of his decision through the splendid success which has attended his efforts. He is the owner of one hundred and ten acres of fine land in Wilmington township, practically all of which is under cultivation and well fenced, while the pleasant and attractive residence, the commodious and well-arranged barns and the up-to-date farming machinery employed testify to the progressive spirit, good judgment and excellent discrimination of the owner. Mr. Nimmons carries on a diversified system of farming, raising all the crops common to this locality and also giving some attention to the raising of live stock, in which he has met with pronounced success.

Mr. Nimmons was married on November 4, 1884, to Elnora Yarlott, the daughter of David and Sarah (Whitcomb) Yarlott, who were natives of Defiance county, Ohio, but who early became located in Wilmington township, this county, where the father became a successful farmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Nimmons have been born three children, Carl W., George R. and Ethel.

In his political views Mr. Nimmons has always been in thorough harmony with the platforms of the Republican party and has contributed to the extent of his ability to the success of this ticket. He is at present serving efficiently and satisfactorily as trustee of Wilmington township, having been elected to his second term in this oflice, and l>ecause of his able administration of the affairs of the township and his upright personal life he commands the fullest measure of public confidence and esteem. Religiously, he is an earnest andfaithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the- activities of which he is deeply interested. - Personally. Mr. Ninimons is known, to all as^- an honest; upright, industrious man and is. a highly respected citizen of the; county where he has always resided -and where he has been -eminently successful.' - -^^ :; r ,. ...-.t... , ., : > j.

N. O. Griffin

It is the progressive, wide-awake man of affairs that makes the real history of a community, and his influence as a potential factor in the body politic is difficult to estimate. The examples of such men strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish, and there is always a full measure of satisfaction in adverting, even in a casual way, to their achievements in advancing their own interests and those of their fellow men and giving strength and solidity to the institutions which make for the prosperity of the community. Such a man is N. O. Griffin, the subject of this brief review, and it is eminently proper that a sketch of his interesting career be accorded a place in a work of this character.

N. O. Griffin, the youngest of a family of ten children, was burn July 25, 1856, the son of Eli B. and Eliza (Bundy) Ciriffin. Eli B. Griffin was born in the northeastern part of the state of New York on April 21, 1802, and on August 4, 1829, was united in marriage with Eliza Bundy, thev both being of pure English stock. The wedding took place in Steuben countv. New York, and some time afterward they moved to Erie county, Pennsylvania, and after living in the Keystone state for a few years they came on farther west, this time locating in Licking county, Ohio, arriving there in the year 1836. Here they remained for twelve years, and in 1848 again took up their journey toward the then great West, stopping in DeKalb county, Indiana, settling on land south of Auburn.

To Eli and Eliza Griffin were born ten children, who grew to manhood and womanhood, namely: Thomas, born June 25, 1830, died February 23. 1857: Susan, born September 15, 1831, died May 16, 1854; Charles, born January 12, 1834, died January 25, 1904; (ieorge, Ijorn February 27, 1839, died May 30, i860; Polly, born February 6, 1841. died April 8, i860: William, born January 20, 1845, died November 2, 1871 : Edward, born February 16, 1847, lives in Iowa and is a minister of the gospel; Mariah,' born December 19, 1848, died April 6, 1874; Nathaniel, born July 15, 1852, lives in Steuben comity, Indiana; N. O., born Jul\' 25, 1856. The father of these children died on August 24, 1899, and the mother has since made her home with her son, the Subject' of this review. ' ' ' iM. O. Griffin first saw the light of day on the old hoinestead south of Aitburn, DeKalb county, and moved witlr his parents to \\'ilniington in 1865, having resided on the San'ie farm" since then.' Ori l\fay 24, 1SS3, li^'was niaf'-"'

Charles O., who is hving on the home farm with his parents, and Zona A., who, with her husband, Hves on the south farm known as the Shilling place. Highly successful in the pursuit of agriculture, N. O. Griffin has found time in his busy life to take an active and earnest part in the community and church life of his count}', and liis well-rounded life is a striking example of intelligently applied energy. He has purchased the interests of the other heirs to his father's estate and has added more land to it, until he now possesses one hundred and sixty acres, all being cultivated by strictly modern methods. A comfortable home and good farm buildings embellish his holdings. A unique feature of Mr. Griffin's land is that it lies in four sections, in a square body, with the road on the east side.

Fred L. Feick

Indiana has been especially honored in the character and career of her active men of public service and the professions. In every section have been found men born to leadership in the various vocations, men who have dominated because of their superior intelligence, natural endowment and force of character. It is always profitable to stu'dy such lives, weigh their motives and hold up their achievements as incentives to greater activity and higher excellence on the part of others. These reflections are suggested by the career of one who has forged his way to the front ranks and \\'ho, by a strong inherent force and superior ability, controlled by intelligence and judgment of a high order, stands today as one of the leading men of his state. No citizen in northern Indiana has achieved more honorable mention or occupies a more conspicuous place in the public eye than Fred L. Feick, of Garrett, who, though just at the threshold of the prime of life, has already an enviable reputation as a lawyer in a community noted for the high order of its legal talent. Success is methodical and consecutive, and Mr. Fieck's success has been attained by normal methods and means - the determined application of mental and physical resources along a rightly defined line. A self-made man in the truest sense of the term, Mr. Feiek is eminently deserving of representation in the annals of DeKalb county.

Fred L. Feick was born on March 8, 1878, at Chicago Junction, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob and Catharine (Zuelch) Feick, natives respectively of Ohio and Germany. Jacob Feick was the son of Adam and Catherine Feick, who, \y^re natives of Giettnafty. Jacci4> Feick became a ^ccessful architect contractor and builder. l)ec(iniin,u: \eiy ])rniiiinciit m his protession. He and his brothers built the caijilol buiKliny at W'voniing, and have erected large and costly structures in ail parts of the country. He is now living at Crestline, Ohio, at the age of seventy-one years, his wife being sixtynine years of age. Mrs. Feick, who was well educated, and who engaged in teaching school in Germany before coming to this country, landed here when twenty-three years of age, joining relatives in Sandusky. Ohio, where she met Mr. F^eick. Her parents were Frederick and Christina Zuelch. To Jacob and Catharine Feick were born eleven children, namely: Mrs. Libby Perman, deceased; Katy. deceased; Catherine, deceased; George, who was employed as trainman on the Akron division of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, was killed in 191 1 ; John, employed as trainman, was killed on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at Defiance, Ohio, in 1907; Mrs. John Berk, of (^'hicago Junction, Ohio : Philip is a professional liaseball placer and a member of the Memphis club of the Southern League; Jacob, of Crestline, Ohio; Frank, of Crestline, and Anna and Tillie, who reside with their parents.

Fred L. Feick recei\ed his elementary education in the common schools of Chicago Junction, taught by Miss Stella Gregory. He left school at the age of twelve years and became call bo\' for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad in the transportation department, under J. P. Fitzgerald, brother to General Manager Thomas Fitzgerald, later president of the Baltimore & Ohio. Nineteen months later he was transferred to the machinery department, where he learned the machinist's trade under William Taylor, son-in-law of the superintendent of motive power under General Harrison, where he served an apprenticeship of four years. In September. icSgf). he came to Garrett, entered the service of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad as a brakeman, and two vears later was promoted to train conductor, being at that time the youngest conductor on the Baltimore & Ohio system. In June. 1901. Mr. Feick was injured in a collision at Gravelton. Indiana, where several persons were killed, his legs being broken and he being otherwise badly crippled. The railroad company sent him to various hospitals for treatment, and. while trying to recuperate, and at that time having a wife and family to support, he realized that he had to turn his attention to another method of gaining a livelihood. He decided to study law and economic and public questions. In September. 1905. while still on crutches, he was elected to represent the C. N. Bell Lodge of Railroad Trainmen as local delegate to the state convention at Indianai)olis, and at that election he was elected vice-chairman of (44) the State association. During 1905 he wrote a book entitled "The Life of a Railway Trainman." which was copyrighted, and many thousands were sold in America and Europe, it proving a very popular book and givmg him a substantial start. In 1907 Mr. Feick was re-elected as a delegate and was eventually elected president of the Railroad Trainmen at the state convention in 1907. In that same year he wrote and had introduced into the Legislature the "full freight crew law" and the "full passenger crew law," which bills were passed by that Legislature, and which were the first laws of the kind in America. He also succeeded in having passed the bills entitled "sixteen hours of service law," the "trainmen's caboose law" and the "medical case law," the latter providing for the carrying of medical cases on passenger trains. In 1908 Mr. Feick spoke at the Jefiferson banquet at Lafayette, where he received the personal compliments of William Jennings Bryan, and was asked by Mr. Bryan to stump the country for him in the event of his nomination. During that campaign Mr. Feick inade three hundred and eighty-seven effective speeches, traveling with John W. Kern, William Jennings Bryan and other prominent men, and also made a three-day tour with Samuel Gompers over the state of Indiana. In 1907 Mr. Feick was a Democratic candidate for congressman in the twelfth district. In 1909 he was re-elected president of the State Association of Railroad Trainmen, and during the legislative session of that year he secured the passage of the "safety appliance law," tlie "full switching crew law for yards," the "antiloan shark bill," and \arious other measures of vital interest to laboring men. Mr. Feick had no personal interest in advancing these laws which he had introduced, but worked for them soleh- through his interest in humanity and to advance the welfare of his fellow laboring men, whose dangers and difhculties he' fully understood, for he had risen through the ranks, passing through every gradation of labor from boy to man, and was thus able to speak and write with authority on those subjects which he discussed. In 1909 Mr. Feick was admitted to the practice of law in the circuit court, and two years later was admitted to the supreme court. He assisted the attornevs who had charge of all the railway litigation in the Indiana courts and the United States supreme court. In 191 t Mr. h~"eick was again reelected unanimously as president of the State Association of Railway Trainmen, and during the session of the Legislature in that year had several other beneficent labor laws enacted. In 1912 he took an active part as speaker in the campaign, and was later nominated for joint senator from DeKalb countv, which nomination he declined in order that he might serve the national Democratic committee and his fellow railway men to the best advantage. Mr. Feick was a delegate to the national Democratic convention at Baltimore and took a very active part in the insertion of the labor plank in the national platform. He was also a delegate to the Democratic state convention, where he had a plank placed in the platform providing for semi-monthly pay-days. During the last national campaign he was attached to the western headquarters of the Democratic party at Chicago, and to him was assigned the task of writing the railroad campaign literature, giving the records of Wilson and Marshal! in relation to railroads and laboring men. He also delivered three hundred speeches. During that same year he was prominently mentioned for the nomination of lieutenant-governor of Indiana, and could have probably secured the nomination had he not emphatically declined. In 1913 Mr. Feick was again elected president of the Railroad Trainmen's Association and secured the enactment of the semi-monthly payday bill and other l)ills of a like nature. He has been frequently called into consultation with national leaders at Washington, and his advice sought on labor legislation and other vital (|uestions of the day. He is now closely applying himself to his law practice, which has assumed large proportions, and is giving his attention practically entirely to personal injury cases, having taken over eighty tliousand dollars' worth of claims during the past two vears. Keenlv alive to the great issues of the day, and especially those pertaining to capital and labor, and the laws of the country and state relating to the protection and welfare of the laboring classes, Mr. Feick has gained a place in the hearts of the common people which could not have been attained had he not possessed those qualities which merited the confidence bestowed in him. Mr. Feick is a well-read man on general subjects, especially those pertaining to national questions of politics and economics, and is a fluent and forceful speaker at all times.

In 1899 Mr. Feick was married to Lena Stoner, daughter of (leorge F. and Rosa Stoner, her father being a successful druggist at .\ngola, Indiana. They have a son. Dale Frederick, born on April 22, 1900.

Politically, Mr. Feick is an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, of which his father and grandfather were adherents, while on the maternal side his ancestors were all Republicans. Religiously, he and his wife are earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gives an earnest support. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Tribe of P.en-Hur and the Brotherhood of Rail- Avav Trainmen.

County, Indiana George Deems

The name of George Deems will be one of the best remembered in the history of DeKalb county of the present generation, for it was long very closely associated with her agricultural interests, and although he is today numbered among the silent inhabitants of "God's acre," the good he did, his many little acts of kindness and the influence of his wholesome life still live and are potent in the lives of many who were associated with him.

George Deems was born on June 7, 1840, in DeKalb county, Indiana,, and was a son of George and Hannah (Dudgeon) Deems, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and descended from some of the sturdy stock of that old commonwealth. They were the parents of fixe children, John, Eli, Mrs. Eliza Kepler, the subject of this sketch, all of whom are deceased, and William, who now lives on a farm in DeKalb county.

George Deems received his education in the common schools, and hisearly life was devoted to assisting in the work of improving and cultivating their pioneer farm, for they were numbered among the early settlers of this locality. He grew to strong and sturdy manhood and became one of the substantial and influential citizens of DeKalb county, enjoying a wide acquaintance and being held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was an eye-witness of the wonderful transformation which took place here from the days when the land was largely covered with a dense growth of timber and wild animals infested the forests, adding anxiety to the otiier hardships of the pioneers. He never forsook the basic art of agriculture, to which he was reared and eventually became the owner of a good farm of ninety acres in Franklin township, to the management of which he devoted himself until the time of his death, which occurred on June 8, 1897. Such had been his life in the community that his death was considered a distinct loss by all who knew him. Although his life was a busy one, his everyday affairs making large demands upon his time, he never shrank from his duties as a citizen and his obligations to his church, his neighbors and his friends. He was remembered as a man of great energy and rare judgment, which he carried into all affairs in which he was interested. He was indeed a manly man and the honor and esteem in which he was held by all who came into contact with him was but a just tribute to his worth.

On August 5, 1866, Mr. Deems was united in marriage to Louisa Rude, the daughter of Ariel and Sophia (Stoddard) Rude, tlie father a native of Massachusetts and the mother of New York state. To this unioiT were born eight children, namely: Mrs. Dora Richard, of Butler, this county; Oran, who lives with his mother; Mrs. Minnie Thomas, who also lives with her mother; Mrs. Hannah Hunting, of this county; Mrs. Clara Alhvood, of DeKalb county; Mrs. Ida Moughler, also of this county; William A., a farmer in DeKalb county, and Emma, who died at the age of seven years. The mother of these children, who was born on April ii, 1847, is still residing on the old home farm and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know her. George Deems was not only successful in his own private affairs and a good neighbor and loyal to his own family, but in the time of his country's distress gave practical evidence of his patriotism by enlisting as a private in Company H, Eighty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he valiantly served three years, giving his countrv faitliful and earnest service in the suppression of tlie rebellion.

Phineas D. Childs

It is a well authenticated fact that success conies as the result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action v>'hen once decided upon. She is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer, and only the men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the influential farmer and representative citizen of ^'airfield township. DeKalb county, Indiana, whose name forms the caption of this rexiew, it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been wnn by commendable qualities and it is also his personal worth that has gained for liim the high esteem of those who know him.

Phineas D. Childs, who was Ijorn on January 3, 1840, is the son of Williard and Cornelia (Steves) Childs. W'illiard Childs was born near Utica. New York, on February 15, 181 1, was the son of Phineas and Theodosia (Phillips) Childs, the former a native of New Haven, Connecticut, and of English descent, and the latter also a native of Connecticut, but of Welsh descent. In 18 13 these parents moved to Jefferson county, New York, and in 1826 to Onondaga county, tha:t state. When he was fifteen years of age, Williard Childs began to work by the montli for farmers. In 1837 he came to DeKalb county, Indiana, and Ixaiglit one inindred and twenty acres of land. and after paying for it had but se\entv-three cents left. He then went U>

Fort Wayne, where he earned money with which to return to New York. In 1846 he moved his family to DelCalb county, landing in Fairfield township on August 24th, moving into a log cabin and a short time afterward bought the land on which it stood. There were but fourteen families in this township when he settled there, the land being heavily covered by timber. Eventually he became the owner of two hundred and eighty-six acres of land, comprising one of the best farms in the township. In New York state he married Cornelia Steves, by whom were borii two children, Emma and Phineas D. His first wife died in [856, and he afterwards married Amanda Buchanan, a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and a daughter of Alexander Buchanan. She was a school teacher and after coming to DeKalb county made her home with relatives and engaged in teaching school here until her marriage. To this union were born two children, Jason B. and Mary E., the latter being the wife of Wilbur Haller, of Kendallville, Indiana. Williard Childs died in 1890 and his wife in 1892. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Phineas D. Childs was educated in the common schools of DeKalb county and in the high schools at Auburn and Waterloo. After completing his public school education he took up the vocation of teaching in Ray county, Missouri, where he was engaged for one and one-half years, then returned to DeKalb county and engaged in farming on the old home place, where he now resides, he now owning the land which his father Originally entered here. Up-to-date in his methods and persevering in his industry, he has been enabled to reap gratifying returns as reward for his labor and is regarded as among the representative farmers in his locality.

[n 1873 Mr. Childs married Rosa G. Bowman, the daughter of Cyrus and Rachel (Waterman) Bowman, and to this union have been born five children, namely: Reuben C, Frank K., Emma R., Theron A. and Edward L. Politically, Mr. Childs has given his earnest support to the Republican party, and has taken an active interest in local affairs, being the present supervisor. He is a man of sound judgment and good business ability and is performing his official duties to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Fraternally, he is a member of the subordinate lodge of Knights of Pythias at Corunna. Mr. Childs and his family stand high in the social circles of the community, being ready at all times to countenance and encourage every enterprise for the advancement of those with whom they mingle, and they enjoy the favor of their acquaintances who speak in high terms of them and their sterling worth.

T. Harvey Knauer

The subject of this brief sketch has been largely dependent upon his own resources from his boyhood, and as one of the leading business men of the thriving village of Corunna, he exemplifies what is possible of accomplishment on the part of one who establishes a definite aim in life and is willing to apply his energies and abilities toward the gaining of the same. He now has one of the leading general stores in the town, and by energy and good management has gained a position of marked prosperity in temporal affairs, while he has so ordered his course in the various relations of life as to gain and retain the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has come in contact.

J. Harvey Knauer was born in Greentown, Stark county, Ohio, and isa son of Euramel and Mary G. (Kreighbaum) Knauer, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Euramel Knauer left his native state and moved to Ohio, settling in Stark county, where he was married, and in 1863 came to DeKalb county, Indiana, settling m Richland township. He clerked in a store until 1865, when he went to Eddyville, Iowa, and engaged in the mercantile business for two years, at the end of which period he returned to Corunna and was similarly engaged for a like period. He then located in Kendallville, Indiana, where for seven years he clerked in a mercantile establishment, but in 1874 again returned to Corunna. and engaged in the mercantile Inisiness under the firm name of J. W. Helmer & Company, and later engaged in business for himself, and here he remained until his death, which occurred on January 15, 1902. After selling out to Mr. Helmer, he had bought a stock of goods at Fairfield Center, which was conducted by his son Harvey for two years. This stock was destroyed by fire and in 1886 he established the present business, which later became the firm of K. Knauer & Son. Since his death the business has been continued under the name of T. Harvey Knauer. Euramel Knauer was a man of good business qualities and was eminently respected in the \ arious communities where he lived. His wife also is deceased, her death occurring in January. 1887. To them were born the following children: Hattie, Katy. George, Jennie, J. Harvey. Millie and Frankie, of whom the first two and last two are deceased.

The subject of this sketch was reared by his parents, securing his education in the public schools. He has for a number of years been successfully engaged in the mercantile business at Corunna, and is numbered among the substantial men and public-spirited citizens of this thriving community, his

On October 5, 1890. Air. Knauer married Mary Calkins, the daughter of Paulus and Matilda (Brown) Calkins, both of whom were natives of Ohio, but who came to DeKalb coimty when young and were married here. They settled in Richland township, where Mr. Calkins engaged in the manufacture of tiling and in the operation of a saw mill, in both of which lines he was actively engaged up to the time of his death. To him and his wife were born the following children: Horace N.. Milo, Frank, Lindel, Adney, Charles (deceased), Mary and Rose.

Politically, Mr. Knauer gives his support to the Progressive party, believing that the old political parties have failed to meet the necessities of the American people. Fraternally, he belongs to the lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at Kendallville and the lodge of Knights of Pythias at Corunna, while his religious membership is with the Church of Christ. Genial in manner and untiring in his efforts to please his customers, Mr. Knauer has long enjoyed his full share of local patronage and carries a large and well selected line of goods to meet the demands of his customers. He is deservedly popular among those who know him and is numbered among the representative men of the communitv.

Concentration of purpose and persistently applied energj- rarely fail of success in the accomplishment of any task, however great, and in tracing the career of Dr. Albert A. Kramer, of Butler, DeKalb county, Indiana, it is plainly seen that these qualities have been the secret of his rise to a position of prominence and respectability. Moreover, he possesses genuine love for his work and regards it as a privilege to carry comfort and aid to the sick and suffering.

Albert A. Kramer was born in the state of Ohio on October 27, 1879. the son of Michael E. and Kathryn (Christoffel) Kramer. The father, who was a native of Germany, came to America with his parents, who first settled in Ohio in an early day, and there spent the remainder of their lives. The subject's mother, who was a native of the Hoosier state, was the daughter of Jacob and Mary Christoffel, who were natives of Germany, and upon their emigration to this country settled in Indiana, where they spent their lives. To Alichael and Kathryn Kramer were born seven children, namely: Anna. William, Bertha, .Albert A., John, Ida and Clara.

Albert A. Kramer attended the common schools of his native community in Ohio, completing his elementary studies in the high school at Edgerton, that state. He then spent two years in the Normal School at Angola, Indiana, and one year as a student in Northwestern University at Chicago. Having determined to make the practice of medicine his life work, he then entered the medical department of the Indiana State University, where he prosecuted his studies and was graduated in 1907 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then served a year as interne at the dispensary of the State College of Physicians and Surgeons and later at the Indiana University hospital at Indianapolis, and at the end of "that period came to Butler in 1907 and engaged in the active practice of his profession, in which he has continued to the present time with a gratifying degree of success. Possessing an ardent devotion to his chosen calling, with a splendid technical training, he has handled successfully many difficult cases and has frequently been called into consultation by his professional colleagues, among whom he is held in the highest esteem. He has built up a large medical practice in this locality and has earned a marked degree of popularity among those with whom he has become acquainted.

On November 14, 1907. Dr. Kramer was married to Dora A. Snyder, daughter of Jacob Snyder, of Indianapolis, and to this union has lieen l)orn one child, Hal C, who is at home.

Politically, Dr. Kramer gives his allegiance to the Republican party, while in his religious belief he is a Methodist. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 158. Knights of Pythias, at Butler, of which he is chancellor commander. He is also a member and president of the Butler Commercial Club and a member of the DeKalb County Medical Association. Dr. Kramer has a hard and consistent worker all his life. Indeed, his efforts on his own account commenced at the early age of seventeen years,, when he began teaching in the schools in Ohio, following this vocation for four years. Wide awake, energetic and enterprising, ho has not confined his interests entirely to his profession, but has given his support unreservedly to every movement or interest having for its object the welfare of the people. He possesses a well-selected library of splendid works, is a deep reader and keen observer of men and events and is considered a well-informed man. being a pleasing companion and interesting conversationalist. Cordial in manner, he easily makes acquaintances, among whom he enjoys a large circle of warm and loyal friends.

Charles W. Webster

The gentleman to whom the reader's attention is now directed was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and a wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life and is well and favorably known throughout DeKalb county as a result of the industrious life he has lived here for many years, being regarded by all who know him as a man of sound business principles, thoroughly up-to-date in all phases of agriculture and stock raising and as a man who, while advancing all individual interests, does not neglect his general duties as a citizen.

Charles W. Webster, an enterprising farmer and present trustee of Stafford township, was born on October 14, 1872, in this county, and is the son of George and Elsie ( Wanamaker) Webster, both natives also of Stafford township, this county. The father was born July 13. 1846, and died February 10. iqii, and the mother was born November 24, 1852. George Webster served efficiently as assessor and trustee of Stafford township. To the parents were born the following children: Charles W., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Vertie L. Emanuel, of Edgerton, Ohio, and Mrs. Helen Nihart, also of Edgerton.

Charles W. Webster attended the common schools of DeKalb county, and then spent two years in the normal school at Wauseon, Ohio. He was reared to the life of a farmer and followed this vocation for a number of years, though he was for some time a traveling salesman, chiefly of stock foods of various kind, in which field of effort he was eminently successful. He is residing on the old home place, and is realizing a handsome profit from its operation. At the present time he is devoting himself to the breeding and raising of thoroughbred li\estock, especially of Duroc-Jersey hogs, though for the past fifteen years he has been interested in the breeding of sows. In 1904 he was elected the assessor of his township, and in igo8 was elected trustee, serving with such satisfaction that he was elected to succeed himself, and is the present incumbent of the office.

On November i, 1899, Mr. Webster was married to Ona Eusselman, the daughter of Nelson and Kate f Cotril) Eusselman, both of whom were natives of the state of Ohio, the father born in Trumbull county and the mother in Hancock county. To the subject and wife has been born one son, Gerry L., whose birth occurred on August 10, 1901.

party and has taken a deep interest in the success of that organization, especially in local affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 282, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Butler. His life-long residence in DeKalb county, his upright life and mature judgment and the many services which he has rendered have made liis name a synonym for character and worth. He is imbued with the deepest and most helpful spirit, and is welt fortified in his opinion as to matters of public policy, and has given his best to the furthering of good government, being neglectful of no civic duty. Because of his high character and genial disposition, he has won a host of warm personal friends throughout the community, who esteem him for his genuine worth.

Jackson A. Long

The student interested in DeKalb county, Indiana, does not have to carry his investigation far before learning that Jackson A. Long has been an active and leading representative of its agricultural interests and that his labors have proven a potent factor in making this a rich farming region. Through several decades the subject has carried on farming, gradually improving hi? valuable place, and while he has prospered in this, he has also found ample opportunity to assist in the material development of the county, his cooperation having been of value for the general good.

Jackson A. Long is a native son of DeKalb county, Indiana, having been born one mile north of Garrett on December 30, 1868, and is a son of Harrison and Marietta (Wyant) Long. Samuel Harrison Long was born in Summit county, Ohio, on October 3. 1842, and is the son of parents who probablv were natives of Pennsylvania. Their marriage had occurred in Summit county about 1840 after their removal to that state, the mother's maiden name having been Barbary Ann Fike. They moved from Ohio to Noble county, Indiana, about 1844, settling two miles northwest of Kendallville, and about 1852 the father bought forty acres of land where the town of Garrett is now situated, where he lived until the Garrett Land Company bought his land. Harrison Long spent his boyhood days in DeKalb county, working on a farm near Auburn, and at the outbreak of the Civil war he was employed at the carpenter's trade. In response to his country's call for defenders, he lay down his vocational tools and enlisted on the gth of August, 1862, for three years, or during the war, as a member of Company A, One

Hundredth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The company's officers at this time were: Captain Rhoades, First Lieutenant Schwartz and Second Lieutenant Hartman. The regiment took part in a number of the most hotly contested engagements of the Civil war. and acquitted itself with great credit, winning the commendation of its superior officers. Mr. Long proved a. valiant and faithful soldier and was fortunate in that he went throughout his period of enlistment without receiving a wound. At the time of the final surrender of the two great Southern armies, Mr. Long was at Raleigh, North Carolina, and from there marched to \Vashington, where he took part in the Grand Review, being mustered out of the United States service on the 8th day of June, 1865. From Washington the troops were shipped to Indianapolis in freight cars, and were there paid ofi and sent to their respective homes. Mr. Long came to Corunna, this county, where he met John Yarde, with whom he obtained employment until the following spring. During the ensuing winter he met and formed the acquaintance of Marietta Wyant, to whom he was married on the 3d of May, 1866. This union was a most happy and congenial one, lasting over forty-two years, Mrs. Long dying the ]2th day of September, 1908. She was born in Champaign county, Ohio, on March 10, 1838, the daughter of John and Lydia Wyant, who were married in Champaign county, and there spent their remaining days. To Mr. and Mrs. Long were born six children, viz. : John Perry, Andrew Jackson, Lydia Rebecca, Ida Leona, Arta Odelpha and Orville Elester. On the i ith of April, 1894, Harrison Long left DeKalb county, locating in Benzonia, Benzie county, Michigan, where he rented a farm. Subsequently he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which he still has one hundred and fifteen acres, having given to his son, Orville, forty-five acres after his wife's death. On the 28th of October, 1909, Mr. Long married Mrs. Mary Francis Stafford, who was born in Concord township, DeKalb county, Indiana, im May 2Ti, 1858, the daughter of William and Eliza Reed Dragon, who were natives of Ohio.

Jackson A. Long spent his boyhood days in farming and attended the township schools as opportunity offered. He gave his attention to the operation of one hundred and sixty acres of land, known as the Hayes farm, one and three-quarter miles northeast of Garrett, which place liis ])arents liad rented; and when his father moved to Michigan in 1894 the subject took over the care of the farm which he operated during the following ten years. Later he bought sixty acres known as the Huffman farm, on which he is now located. This is a tract of fine land, and Mr. Long has achieved a splendid success in its operation. In the fall of 1912 he built a splendid new barn, remodeled the residence, and built a large barn shed and made other permanent substantial improvements which have added in a tangible \va\- to the value of his prope^ty. About twenty-five acres of this sixtv acres of this tract is in timber, which is of itself a valuable part of the estate, 'i^he farm is well drained and fenced, and in the locality it is looketl updu a> cme of the best farms of the township. Mr. Long is progressive in his methods, endeavoring at all times to keep up to the twentieth-century standard of agricultural knowledge, and by carefully rotating his crops, giving attention to the maintainance of the fertility of the soil, and to other features of i)ractical farming he has been enabled to achieve a noteworthy success in his vocation. He is a hard \\orker and a good manager, and is ably assisted !)y iiis wife, who takes a commendable interest in the operation of the farm. Mr. Long is ' well acquainted throughout this locality, and among those who know him he is held in highest esteem because of his accomplishments and his high personal character.

On November 16, 1893, J\Ir. Long married Lillian (Irosh, the daughter of Samuel and Isabella (Opdyke) Grosh. Samuel Grosh was born in Stark county, Ohio, and as a youth came to Allen county, Indiana, with his parents, who settled near Leo on what is now the old farm in Allen county. Subsequently he left Leo for Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed the miller's trade for a number of years, but eventually returned and IfKated near Albion where he still follows the same trade. He entered into partnership with Fisher West, but about a j^ear later sold his interest and came to .\uburn. Soon after coming to Indiana from Cincinnati, Mr. (irosh married Isabella Opdyke. who was a native of Allen county, born near Fort \\';iyne. His death occurred in 1889, in Auburn, where he enjoyed the respect of all who know him. To Mr. and Mrs. Grosh were born four children: Lillian, wife of the subject of this sketch; Leonard, Perry and Mrs. Nellie Kraft, all of whom live in Auburn. After moving to Auburn, Mr. Grosh purchased a grist mill, also residence property, and for about five years prior to his death he was active in the milling business, but shortly prior to his decease he sold his interest.

Politically, Jackson A. Long gave his interested allegiance to the Democratic party, and is active in its support, being an influential factor in all matters affecting the public welfare. Mrs. Long i-^ a member of the Lutheran church at Auburn and gives her earnest support to thai society. Mr. Long is interested in the welfare of the community and givc'- an earnest support to everything that promises to advance tiie |uiblic welf;ire materially, socially.

morally or educationally, and is deserving the high standing which he now enjoys throughout tlie locality where so many active years of his life have been spent.

Ervin W. Wigent

A man deserving of mention in this history of DeKalb county is the subject of this sketch, for he was born in Butler township, this county, and during his life has been actively engaged in a progressive and enterprising manner in furthering the interests of the community, for it is a well recognized principle that where a man does well with his own interests, the public as well as himself is benefited.

Ervin W. Wigent, who has for several years served efficiently as postmaster at Corunna, where he is also engaged in the mercantile business, was born in DeKalb county, Indiana, on July 2, 1858, and is a son of Urial and Reuhamah (Clark) Wigent, both of whom were natives of New York state. These parents were reared to manhood and womanhood in their native community and after their marriage tliere they came to DeKalb county. Indiana, locating on a farm near Butler Center in Butler township. When Ervin Wigent was si.\ years old his father mo\ed to Whitley county, Indiana, where the parents remained until their deaths. Urial Wigent had been a boat man during the earlier years of his acti\e life, and in whatever enterprise he engaged he was marked l)y industry, ])erseverance and integrit\- of word and deed. To him and his wife were born the following cliildren : Martha, John C. Chauncy G., Burris Edward. Byron D., Lucina, Sarah and Ervin W. The parents of these children are now both deceased.

The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of Whitley county, Indiana, and upon attaining the years of manhood he took up the vocation of farming. Eventually he and his brother, Byron D., turned their attention to the lumber business, finally coming to Corunna, where, on November i, 1893, they became identified with the milling interests. They remained acti\ely identified with this business for eight years, when the subject met with an accident in the mill which incapacitated him for further active physical labor, and also meeting with a hea\y loss in the wheat market, they were compelled to retire from business. On April i. 1904. the subject was appointed postmaster of Corunna by President Roosevelt and he still is the occupant of that office, discharging his duties to the entire satisfaction of the public and the patrons of the office. He is an earnest

Republican in his political views and is active in his support of the principles which he advocates. As a business man and private citizen Mr. Wigent has been guided by the highest principles of integrity and honor and is best liked by those who know him best, his sterling qualities of character commending him to the sincere regard of everyone. He is genial and companionable and is a welcome visitor in any circle which he chooses to enter. The <;ommunity is honored by his citizenship, and because of his representative -character he is entitled to specific mention in this work.

C. A. Houghton

To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural sections of our country is due to the honest industry, the sturdy perseverance, the unswerving persistence and wise economy which so prominently characterize the farming element of DeKalb county. Among this class may be mentioned the gentleman whose name heads this review, who, by reason of years of indefatigable labor and honest effort, has not only acquired a well merited material prosperity, but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he has associated, and he is one of the leading agriculturists of the -community in which he resides.

C. A. Houghton was born April 12. 1803, in Auburn. DeKalb county, the son of O. C. and Mary (Twining) Houghton. The father was a native of the Empire state, while the mother was born in Ohio. They came to In- in May, 1847, and settled in Union township, at Auburn. To them were born eight children, namely; Samantha: Iceland is deceased; D. K., -who lives in Illinois, was the first male child born in the town of .Auburn : Mrs. Phelina Johnson lives in Oregon; Mrs. Etta Otto lives in California; Hiram, Ella and Anna are deceased'; C. A.

The subject of this review was educated in the common schools of T)eKalb county, attending the short winter terms of the primitive schools, and devoting the remainder of his time to working on the farm. On September I. 1892. he was married to Anna E. Rann, daughter of John Rann. a -native of Pennsylvania, and Mary Rann. who was born in this state. This union has resulted in the birth of five children . \'era, Roscoe. Paul, Kutli and Lela, all of whom are at present living under the parental rooftree.

The subject is .still actively engaged in carrying on general fanning. and has made a success of his chosen vocation because of his thorough knowl- edge of the subject and his determination formed early in life to do well what was worth doing at all. His landed estate comprises eighty acres of good land; his buildings and other improvements are substantial, and no better place can be found to enjoy the lienefits of true Hoosier hospitality. In the course of his busy and praiseworthy career he has found no time to seek the honors of public life, being content to exercise his suffrage in behalf of the Republican part}% with which he has always been affiliated.

Danifl Louis I.Eas

The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this biographical review needs no introduction to the people of DeKalb countv, since his entire active life has been spent in this section of the state, a life devoted not only to the fostering of his own interests, but also to the \Aelfare of the community at large. An honorable representative of one of the esteemed families of his section and a gentleman of high character and worthy ambitions, he has filled no small place in the public view. He is a splendid type of the intelligent, up-to-date, self-made American in the full sense of the term, a man of the people, with their interests at heart. As a citizen he is progressive and abreast of the times in all that concerns the common weal. Although a parti,san, with strong convictions and well defined opinions on questions on which men and parties divide, he has the esteem and confidence of the people of the community and his personal friends are in number as liis acquaintances, regardless of party ties.

Daniel Louis Leas is a native of the old Hoosier state and was born in Steuben county on October 17, 1865, and is a son of John Leas. The latter is represented at length elsewhere in this work, therefore further detailed mention of the subject's ancestral history will not be made at this point. When Daniel L. Leas was about three years old, the family moved to a farm immediately north of Waterloo, where he was reared to manhood. He attended the common schools and later the high school at Waterloo, where he was graduated in 1884. He then took a commercial course at the Tri- State Normal School, finishing the complete course, after which he assisted his father on the home farm and in the latter's bank until his marriage in 1889, after which he formed a partnership with J. C. Boyer and engaged in the general merchandise business at Waterloo. They were prospered in this business, but alx)ut six and a half vears after tiieir start thev were burned out, suffering a total loss of store building and stock. Mr. Leas then bought Mr. Boyer's interest in the lot and erected a two-story brick business block, which he now occupies and there is engaged in the dry goods business, handling ladies' and gents' furnishings, hats, caps, shoes, carpets, draperies, clothing and other auxiliary lines. When Mr. Leas became a partner with Mr. Boyer they also conducted a feed and grain business in connection with the general mercantile work, and this line Mr. Leas has continued with splendid success. About 1904 he erected the elevator at Waterloo and continued also to run this and with this, as with his other enterprises, he has been, eminently successful. In 1895 Mr. Leas embarked in one of the most important lines with which he has been connected during his business career, that of hay, in which he has achieved a big success and acquired a widespread reputation. He erected large hay barns at Waterloo and was in that business for about sixteen years. He at one time shipped about five hundred car loads of hay a year, but in 1910 he sold this business to his nephew^ Earl Leas. About 1905 Mr. Leas l>ought the defunct DeKall) Bank at Waterloo,. moved the fixtures to Hudson and organized what is now known as the Hudson Bank, which was, a pronounced success from the start. .\l)out two years after the organization of this institution he sold his interests there to his nepliew, Leroy Waterman, anil invested heavily in the German-American' National Bank at Fort Wayne. He has also been in varipvis other enterprises and owns a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres west of Waterloo, and also has property at Angola, Ashley and Toledo. He is one of the organizers of the National Hay Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, whose object was to establish national inspection of hay, and is also a stockholder in the Fink Shoe Companv, of Springfield, Ohio, and one of the three stockliolders in the Waterloo Broom Company. He has always l:)een a very active worker in the National Hay Association and has filled nearly all tlie important offices, never missing a meeting of the association. He is a memlier of the .\ationaf Grain Dealers' Association, in the workings of which he has been an important factor. The hav business was his most prominent line until he sold out to his nephew, and in many ways he has given a di.stinct impetus to Inisiness affairs in this locality, being entitled to noteworthy distinction on this account. He has been essentially a man among men, having ever moved as one who has commanded respect by innate force as well as by superior ability. As a citizen he easily ranks with the most influential of his compeers in affairs which are for the betterment of his chosen county. While he has car- (45) ried on special lines of business in such a manner as to gain a comfortable competence for himself, he has also belonged to that class of representative men of affairs who have promoted the public welfare while advancing individual success.

In 1889 Mr. Leas married Nellie \\ick\vire, who was reared at Angola. Indiana, the daughter of George and Rebecca (Hanna) Wickwire. George Wickwire was born in Seneca county, New York, and died at Angola, Indiana, on October 5, 1883. at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a son of Seba Wickwire, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He came to Steuben county, Indiana, among the first pioneers, locating about four miles east of Angola, and there liecame the owner of a section of land which has been !kept in the possession of his family ever since. Rebecca Hanna was born probably in Steuben county, this state, and was the daughter of William Hanna. George Wickwire became a banker at Angola, also owning flour mills at Nevada and saw mill and farming interests in other places. He twice married, having three children by his first marriage and seven by his marriage with Rebecca Hanna, Mrs. Leas being one of the latter. The mother died in 1875. Mrs. Leas lived most of her younger life in Angola and completed her educational studies in the Tri-State Normal College at that place. To Mr. and Mrs. Leas has been born a daughter, Nellie Fern, who was born and reared in Waterloo, graduating from the high school in that city in 1908, and then becoming a student in Oxford Seminary at Oxford, Ohio, and also the European School of Music at Fort Wayne. She has also studied drawing and music at Ypsilanti, Michigan, and in the fall of 1913 took charge of music and drawing in the schools of Waterloo, and is an enthusiastic devotee of her work.

In local public affairs Mr. Leas has taken a commendable interest and has been a prominent factor in the advancement of the highest interests in this localitv. He was a member of the Waterloo town board two years, and the Waterloo school board six )rears, his last term expiring in August, 1913. He was a charter member of Leonidas Lodge "No. 205, Knights of Pythias, which was instituted in January, 1889, and has filled all the offices in this lodge and twice lieen its representative in the grand lodge of the state. He was made a member of the T'ree and Accepted Masons in 1803, and Ijecanie a thirty-second-degree niemljer ot the Scotti.-^li Rite lirancli of that order at the time the Scottish Rite cathedral at Fort Wayne was dedicated, and also at that time he became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Leas has been a man who has looked on the sunny side of life, ever hopeful that the good will rule instead of the bad, and as the resuh of such a fortunate disposition, he has made it pleasant for those with whom he comes in contact, either in a business or social way. Of kindly nature and sociable impulses, he is also a man of high moral character, and thus enjoys the confidence, good will and friendship of all who know him.

Walter R. Hose

It is an agreeable task for the biographer to contemplate the life record of a person who is making a success of life and who has won the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. Such is the record, briefly stated, of the well known agriculturist whose name appears above, than whom a more highly respected or popular man it would be difficult to find within the limits of the locality where he has his home and where he is held in the highest esteem by a large circle of friends and admirers.