DeKalb County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1914 (part 12 of 20)

Walter R. Hose was born in DeKalb county, Indiana, on September 3, 1891, and is the son of Solomon and Ida (Swartz) Hose. The father was a native of Summit county, Ohio, and his father, also named Solomon, was a native of Maryland. The subject's father followed farming all his life and came to DeKalb county in an early day, settling in Wilmington township, where the grandfather died a number of years ago. The subject's father, who died on May 30, 1908, gave practical evidence of his patriotism by enlisting during the war of the Rebellion in Company H, Eighty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served during most of that struggle, giving faithful and valiant service to his country. He was afterward a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics was a Republican. To him and his wife were born three children, George Ernest, Walter R. and Gladys Elizabeth. Walter R. Hose was reared under the par- -ental roof and earlv gave his father assistance in the operation of the home farm. He received his educatiiin in the common schools of his locality and on attaining mature years a])plied hini.self to agricultural pursuits, in which 1:e is still engaged. He now owns and operates the old home place, comprising eighty acres of land, practically all of which is cleared and under cultivation, and he is giving due attention to the maintenance of the fertility of the soil, with the result that he is reajiing abundant returns for his labor.

On December 28, 19 12, Walter R. Hose was united in marriage with .\lta Farner, the daughter of Jacob and Roena (Treman) Earner, he a native of Wyandot county. Ohio., and she of DeKalb county, Indiana. Mr.

Farner, upon leaving his native state, first went to California, where he wasfor a time engaged in the lumber business, but eventually he returned to De- Kalb county, Indiana, where he has since made his permanent home. Politically, the subject of this sketch gives his support to the Republican party, in the success of which he is deeply interested, but he has not aspired to public office of any nature. Though among the younger farmers of his community, Mr. Hose has already earned the confidence and esteem of his fellow agriculturists, for he has evinced those qualities which are bound to win success in any vocation. Personally, he is genial and unassuming, a splendid companion and good conversationalist, and in the social circles in which he and his wife move they enjoy a well deserved popularity.

Samuel Williams

Specific mention is made within the pages of this book of many of the citizens of DeKalb county, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this fa\'ore(l localit}- and \\hose interests are identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its moral and legitimate growth. Among this number was Samuel Williams, whose record as a public-spirited citizen, successful farmer and capable official gave him a standing in the community excelled by none of his fellow citizens.

Samuel Williams was born in Holmes county, Ohio, near Millersljurg, on September 17, 1841, and died at his home two miles west of Auburn,. Indiana, on Jun^ 30, 1912. He was the son of David and Mary (Lupoid) Williams, who were natives of Pennsylvania, the mother having been born in Lancaster countv. In 1861, he came to Indiana with his brother, Cyrus, who located near Corunna. He was engaged in farming with his brother when, at the age of twenty-one years, he enlisted for service in defense of his country, becoming, on November 26, 1862, a member of Company G, Thirtieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to Johnson's division. He was promoted to first duty sergeant of the One Hundred Twenty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and with this command he underwent much severe and arduous service in defense of his country. For two months in 1863 he was confined to a hospital at Annapolis, Maryland, and in 1864 he was furloughed for thirty days. He re- joined his regiment at Tullahoma, Tennessee, and at the battle of Stone River he was captured, being taken to Murf reesboro and sent to the notorious I.ibby prison, where he was detained until paroled, about six weeks later. He received an honorable discharge from his first enlistment in 1864, and then reenlisted at Corunna in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment, with which he completed his military service. He was in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Kingston and many other engagements, and in August, 1865, was honorably discharged from the service with a record of which he had just reason to be proud. His brother, Cyrus, was a member of Company G, Thirtieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, and was a prisoner in Libbv prison for two months, being finally paroled and returned to his command, with which he served until the expiration of his service. His death occurred at Auburn in 1880.

After the war Samuel Williams returned to DeKalb county and was employed as a farm hand by Mr. Brumback for a time. He then workeil for George Rufner. of Smithfield township, south of Hudson, where Levi Kessler now lives. About 1878, when Mr. Rufner moved to Fairfield township, Mr. Williams accompanied him and made his home there for a time. In 1890 Mr. Williams was elected recorder of DeKalb county, holding the office from 1892 until 1896, and discharged his duties in a manner that earned the commendation of all who knew him. Upon entering his office as recorder, Mr. Williams moved to Auburn, but at the expiration of his office he .spent three years more on the Rufner farm, Mrs. Williams' father living with them. Mr. Williams then bought a farm of one hundred acres in 1900, two miles west of Auburn, where he lived until his death, Mrs. Williams' father li\ ing with them and still making his home with his daughter.

On September 4, 1892, Samuel Williams was united in marriage to Mrs. Eliza A. (Rufner) Ernest, who was Iwrn in Stark county, Ohio, near Canton, the daughter of George and Nancy (Boyer) Rufner. George Rufner was born in Stark county, Ohio, February 5, 1830. a son of John and Rachel (Smith) Rufner, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Berks county, of German descent, and the latter of Adams county, of German and Irish descent. He remained with his parents until the spring of 1853. when he mo\ed to DeKalb county and settled in Richland township. Three years later he sold his farm and bought another tract of wild land in the same township, where he lived nine vears, and in the meantime got his land cleared and under good cultivation. He then moved to Smithfield township, where he lived for thirteen vears, and in April. 1878, he moved to Fairfield township and bought a farm of one litindred and thirty acres. He was married on November 27,. 185 1, to Nancy Boyer, the daughter of John and Mary (Thomas) Boyer, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. To them were born four children, Eliza Ann, Mary Ann, Josiah and Jeremiah. Mrs. \\'illiams was but six months old when her parents hroujjht her to DeKalb countv and lived with them in their various locations until her m;u"ri;i,<^e. Her mother died of paralysis on October 31, 1885, and her father is still living' with her. In 1871 she was married to Henry JM. Ernest, to which union were liorn two children, Mrs. Cidorgc Ralston, of Fort Wayne, and Marion Ernest Williams, who lives in W^est Auburn arid farms his mother's farm. He married Mrs. Rosa Zimmerman Gushwa, the widow of Frank Chishwa, deceased. She is the mother of one son bv her first marria.t^e, W^alter (iushwa. They also have a son, Harold C., eleven years old, and Kenneth, who was born May 10, 1913, and died September g, 1913. Mrs. Kalston is the mother of two sons, Rodgers J., who is four years old, and Hubert, who was two years old oir January 30, T914. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams no children were born. Mr. Williams was an active member of the German Baptist church, to which Mrs. Williams and her father also belong;. Mr. Williams was, in every sense, a .good citizen of his community and a credit to the county, his genial and' companionable disposition giving him a good standing with all with whom he came in contact, while his career as a public official was honorable in every respect. Because of his earnest life, honorable record and splendid attainments, he is eminently entitled to perpetuation in the annals of his county and to be numbered among the representative men of the community which was so long honored by his citizenship.

John Jackman

Agriculture 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 energy and thrift, have l>een patrons of husbandry. The free, out-of-door life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes 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 of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and distinguished men of letters were born on tlie farm and were indebted largely to its early influence for the distinction which the\- ha\e attained,

John Jackman, one of the best known farmers of Grant township, De- Kalb county, Indiana, who is successfully operating a splendid tract east of Waterloo, was born near that city on December 2. 1865, and is a son of Isaac M. and Jane (Whitla) Jackman, who are represented elsewhere in this work. John Jackman was reared on the home farm, where he remained until his marriage in 1899, when he transferred the base of his operations to the farm owned by his father-in-law, Mr. Wolfe, to the operation of which he has since devoted himself to the present time. His place, which is one of the best farmed in the township, has been maintained at its furmer standard of fertility and improvement and because of his sturdy industry and up-to-date methods he has achieved a prominent success as a farmer, enjoying a well-deser\ed position among his fellow agriculturists.

On April 2, 1899, Mr. Jackman married Alice \\'olfe. who was liorn on the farm on which she now lives, the daughter of George and Sarah (Lutz) Wolfe. George Wolfe was 1>orn in Stark county, Ohio, on September 9, (821, a son of John and Elizabeth (Zahner) Wolfe, the father a native of Maryland and the mother of Pennsyhania. They were among the first settlers of Columbiana county, Ohio, where they were married. They subsequently moved to Stark county, and there sjient the remainder of their lives. Nine children were born to them, all of whom lived to maturity. George Wolfe was reared in his native county and was there married, on March 16. 1843, to Eliza Fisk. a native of New York. Tn 1847 they moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, where Mrs. Wolfe died in August, 1855. He was again married on January 18, 1857. to Sarah Lutz, and his own death occurred on February 27', 1885. in his sixty-fourth year. He was a prosperous man in his business affairs, accumulating a fine farm and was prominent and influential in the civic and public affairs of the township, having served as justice of the peace for tw-enty-nine consecutive years, besides holding other local offices of trust and responsibility.. Sarah Lutz Wolfe was born on August 11, 1828. in Stark county, O.hio, and is the daughter of Michael and Magdalena (Crawford) Lutz. She came here in May. 1848, with her parents, who located in the northern part of what is nnw Grant township, east of \\'aterloo. Her father, who died on September 8. i84(). left to his widow the task of clearing and cultivating the farm, which was accom)Dlished l)y her with the assistance of her children. She was an energetic and ambitious woman and worked hard to make a home and rear her children, in which she was cmi- nently successful. She died in 1882, after a long life of usefiilness. Her children were John, Sarah, Margaret, Mary, Samuel and Jacob. Of these the only survivors are Mrs. Sarah Wolfe and Mrs. Mary Sawvel, of Franklin township, this county. Mrs. Wolfe now lives on the old farm west of Waterloo, and with her is her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Jackman. To George and Sarah Wolfe were born two children, Florence and Alice, the former of whom died at the age of three years.

Politically, Mr. Jackman is an earnest supporter of the Democratic party, though he has been too busy a man to give much attention to public affairs. He maintains an abiding interest in the welfare of the community, his support being given without reserve to all movements toward the public welfare. He has been a successful farmer, following progressive and up-todate methods, and has achieved a success that entitles him to recognition among the leading agriculturists of his township. He and his wife are among the most influential and popular citizens in their community, having long ago established reputations for uprightness, kindness and hospitality, and they are highly respected by all who know them.

Willis Archibald Dannells

The gentleman to a brief review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith directed is among the favorably known and representative citizens of Auburn, DeKalb county, Indiana. He has by his indomitable enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the advancement of his locality and during the course of an honorable career has been successful in his business enterprises, having been a man of energy, sound judgment and honesty of purpose, and is thus well deserving of mention in this volume.

Willis A. Dannells was born in Adams county, Indiana, on_February 25, 1859, and is a son of Archibald and Lucinda (Blunvelt) Dannells, the former a native of the Hoosier state and the latter of Ohio. Willis A. Dannells came to this county in 1861 with his parents, who settled in section 7, Wilmington township, where the father had bought a farm. The latter had been a soldier in the Civil war, serving practically throughout that conflict, and his death occurred on March 15, 1866. Subsequently his widow married Henry Funk and they remained on the home farm and in Rutler,. her death occurring on the old home place. She was born at Columbus, Ohio, on February 11,

Willis A. Dannells

1825, and was there reared to womanhood, being married in her eighteenth year to a Mr. Purdy. The latter died in 1846, leaving one son, Wilson Purdy. Eventually Mrs. Purdy became the wife of Archibald Dannells, vdiose death occurred in 1866, leaving to her care five sons and a daughter, of whom three sons and a daughter survive her. She removed to DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1861, settling on the farm where she died four miles west of Butler, in the seventy-seventh year of her age, her death occurring on January 22, 1902.

Willis A. Dannells was reared on the Wilmington township farm and after his marriage, which occurred in 1882, he remained in the operation of the farm for twenty-six years. In 1908 he moved to Auburn and bought the splendid residence property on East Ninth street, where he now resides. He still owns a fine farm in Wilmington township, situated (3n the main road west from Butler, the place being characterized by a high type of improvement in every particular, embracing a good and attractive house, large and well arranged barn, with large stock barns and other necessary outbuildings, all of which reflect credit on the owner and which have made the place one of the most valuable farms in this section of the county. Methodical and practical in all he does, Mr. Dannells during the years in which he gave personal attention to the operation of the farm, neglected no detail of its operation and achieved a splendid reputation among his fellow agriculturists as a progressive and enterprising farmer and business mar..

On November ig, 1882, Mr. Dannells was married to Dora B. Collins, the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Crays) Collins. \Mien Mrs. Dannells was not quite six years old her parents moved to Franklin township. DeKalb county, Indiana, where they bought a farm and tiiere they lived until the last three years of the father's life. The latter was a lifelong farmer and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew him. His death occurred on April 10, 1906, at the age of seventy-eight years, his wife dying on November 19, 1904, at the age of seventy-two years. Both were members of the Evangelical church. Mr. and Mrs. Dannells have no children of their own, but out of the kindness of their hearts they adopted a girl, Alice Lantz by name, who was left an orphan at the age of six years, and was thirteen years of age when she entered their home. She is now the wife of Clyde J. Snyder and they live on the Dannells farm, to tlie operation of which they give their personal attention. Mrs. Snyder is the daughter of Arthur and Martha (Faust) Lantz. She is the mother of four children, Willis Arthur, Lawrence .\mos. Ver^ Naomi and Glenn Elber.

Politically, Willis Dannells is a stanch Democrat and has been active in the advancement of the party interests in his county, being a familiar figure in the party councils and influential in the organization. In the fall of 1908 Mr. Dannells was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, assuming the ofifice on January i, 1909, and so satisfactory was his administration that in igio he was again elected for a three-year term, his present term expiring on January 1, 191 5. To Mr. Dannells is due the credit and responsibility for the new court house just completed at Auburn, for when, during his first term, the (juestion of a new court house had been agitated, and it was known that there was some opposition to it on account of the additional taxes which it would entail, and when the question of deciding the matter came up to the board, a retiring member of the board who had no political position at stake stood for the improvement, the other member of the board refused to vote either way and it was left for Mr. Dannells to decide. He met the issue fairly and squarely, and, true to his honest convictions in the matter, voted for the new building, regardless of whether the act would prove popular or not. The court house has been built and is universally pronounced an unusually fine building, one of which the county should be justifiably proud, a special feature of this building being its natural lighting facilities, which are unusually excellent for so large a building. The decorations and interior finishings of the building are also in perfect harmony with the remainder of the structure, and the enterprise as a whole reflects great credit on the commissioners and particularly Mr. Dannells, who was closely in touch with the erection of the building throughout the work. He is a splendid example of the virile, progressive, self-made man who believes in doing well whatever is worth doing at all, a man of keen discernment and sound judgment, and therefore he enjoys the confidence and good will of the entire commtinity in which he Iwes.

Ellsworth A. Eakright

. Though nature afifords excellent opportunities for the carrying on of certain lines of labor in every locality, there is yet demanded of any man great industry and diligence if he succeeds in business. Competition makes him put forth his .best efiforts and it requires great care to conduct any business enterprise along profitable. lines. This is especially true in farming and from the time of earliest spring planting until the crops are harvested the farmer's life is a busy one. Even through the wihter months he prepares for the labors, of the coming year and thus lays the foundation of his success. Ellsworth A. Eakright is one of the wide-awake and progressive agriculturists of DeKalb county, his home being in Wilmington township. He now owns the old Eakright homestead, comprising one hundred and ten acres, and is numbered among the substantial, progressive and enterprising agriculturists of his community. Mr. Eakright was born in Wilmington townshi]3, DeKalb county, Indiana, on September 20, 1870, and is the son of .Miraham and Susanna (Miller) Eakright, the former a native of Stark county, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of five children, John J., Sarah A., Edward W., deceased. Mary E. and Ellsworth A. Both parents are now deceased. The subject's father came to Indiana from Ohio, settling in the woods in pioneer days when wild game was seen on every hand and when his playmates were the Indian boys, the red men not yet having left this section of the country. The subject's mother did not see a white woman's face for eighteen months after her arrival in this county.

The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools and was reared to the life of a farmer, to which pursuit he has given his attention during all of his active years with the exception of about twelve vears when he spent his winters as a teacher. He was very successful in this vocation and his services were in great demand wherever a high standard of educational excellence was required. Mr. Eakright had attended the Tri- State Normal School at Angola, Indiana, a year and was thus well prepared for this work. He is a man of wide general information, being a close reader and a keen observer and is a most companionable and entertaining gentleman to converse with. He carries on general farming and in connection with the tilling of the soil he gives some attention to the breeding and raising of Duroc-Jersey hogs and has a number of fine dairy cows, the jiroduct of which he sells. In everything to which he turns his attention Mr. Eakright has met with well-deserved success and for a number of years has enjoyed a high reputation among his fellow agriculturists in this section of the county.

On June 27, 1897, Mr. Eakright married Etta Metcalf, the daughter of Daniel D. and Katherine (Seil)ert) Metcalf. Mr. Metcalf was a resident of Ohio, where he followed farming and where he was a man of considerable prominence in his community. He eventually moved to Indiana, where he also followed agricultural pursuits. To Mr. and Mrs. Eakright have been born two children, William Dorsey and Mary Ruth. I)oth of whom are at home. Mr. Eakright has long lieen interested in local public affairs and in

1900, and again in 1910, served as census enumerator, in Newville township the first time and Wihnington township at the last census. PoHtically, he is an earnest supporter of the RepubHcan party, to the success of which he has -contributed by his personal efforts, and is also a faithful member of the United Brethren church, to the support of which he contributes. As a farmer Mr. Eakright has no particular fads, but is progressive and imderstands the value arising from feeding the products of his farm to stock instead of selling it off, to the gradual impoverishment of the land. An alert business man and a progressive and discriminating farmer, it is scarcely necessary to say that he has attained a high degree of success in connection with the great basic industry of agriculture, and he is eminently deserving of the enviable standing Avhich he enjoys in the community which he honors w ith his citizenship.

W. H. Forest

In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life - a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him so long and well, for the subject presents in his career an interesting study of the manner in which adherence to principle and sturdy endeavor may win worthy distinction.

W. H. Forrest was born in Huntingtun count}-, Pennsylvania, on October 5, 1849, the son of James and Margaret (Aston) Forrest, both of whom were also natives of the Keystone state. James Forrest came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, settling on the farm, where he remained until his death; at the age of eighty-two years. His wife also spent the remainder of her life in that state, dying at the age of seventy-six years. They were the parents of eight children, Maria, John, ,James, Margharetta, Joseph Benton, Owen, Wilson and Wallace, all of whom are deceased except Joseph and the subject of this sketch.

W. H. Forrest received his education in the common schools of Ohio and then took up the trade of a plasterer, which he followed during all his active years. is now the owner of thirty acres of land and is living practically a retired life. He came to Indiana in 1881, settling first at Butler.

where he followed his trade as a plasterer for two years, and then moved to his farm in Wilmington township, where for twelve years he devoted himself to its operation, and in which he met with the most pronounced success, so that at the end of the period named he was justified in selling the property and in buying his present comfortable home at Moore, where he is now living retired from active affairs and enjoying that rest which his former years of labor so richly entitle him to.

On November 3, 1881, Mr. Forrest was married to Margaret A. Moore, who was born on January i, 1855, in DeKalb county, Indiana, the daughter of Aaron D. and Rebecca (Caldwell) Moore. Her father was a native of the state of Ohio, and the Moore family history is given somewhat in detail in the sketch of John Moore, elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Forrest have been bom two children, namely : Rebecca, who married Otis W". Loutzenhiser, of Moore, Indiana, and they have one child, Violet; Ethel, who became the wife of Fred Oiler, of Moore, Indiana, and they have one child, Forrest.

Politically, the subject of this sketch is a supporter of the Democratic party, to which he has ever been loyal, though he has been too busy a man to give much attention to public affairs and has never held public office, of. an\' nature. Throughout an active and interesting career duty has ever been his motive of action and usefulness to his fellow men not by any means a secondary consideration. He has performed well his part in life and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to say that DeKalb county is honored by his citizenship, for he has achieved success through his own efforts and is thoroughly deserving of the proud American title of self-made man, the term being one that in its better sense can not but appeal to the loyal admiration of all who are appreciative of our national institutions and the privileges afforded for indi\'idual accomplishment.

Tames Provtnes

l'\'altv to facts in the analyz:^tion of the character of a citizen of the type of James Provines is all that is required to make a biographical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the community, because it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true glory of a city or state revered at home and re- spected abroad. In the broad light which things of good repute ever invite, the name and character of Mr. Provines stand revealed and secure and, though of modest demeanor, with no ambition to distinguish himself in public position or as a leader of men, his career has been signally honorable and it may be studied with profit by the youth entering upon his life work.

James Provines was born in Wayne county, now Ashland county. Ohio, on January 7, 1846, and is the son of Alexander and Dorcas (Adams) Provines, the former born in Pennsylvania on January 31, 18 18, and the latter in Ohio on January 15, 1820. On the maternal side the subject is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and his maternal grandfather, Hugh Adams, was a soldier in the war of 181 2. Hugh Adams was born in county Down, Ireland, about 1785, and when he was but three months old his parents brought their family to America. The subject's grandparents on the paternal side were of good Scotch-Irisli stock and came to American late in eighteenth centui"y.

The subject of this sketch received a good, practical education in the district schools of his home county and afterwards engaged in teaching for five terms. After completing his education he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he employed himself until he had, by the most rigid economy and good management, succeeded in saving enough money with which to buy a farm, since which time he has made agriculture his life work. He is now the owner of a tract of land of two hundred and seventy-seven acres in Jackson township, and also owns some good town property. Progressive and enterprising in his methods, he has steadily and persistently followed out advanced ideas in relation to agriculture, with the result that he has been able to realize very gratifying returns for his labors. In April, 1864, Mr. Provines enlisted as a private in Company K, One Hundred and Thirtyninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until October, 1864, when he was given an honorable discharge and was mustered out. The greater part of his service was as nurse in hospitals, in which he rendered good service to his countr\'.

Politically, Mr. Provines has been identified with the Republican party ever since attaining his majority until the Chicago convention of igi2, when he severed his connection with the old party and aligned himself with the Progressive party. He has never held public office, though he has been honored by his party with the nomination for representative and county treasurer. He was appointed county ditch superintendent, holding the position for several years, but has never been ambitious for public office.

On November ii, 1869, Mr. Provines married Helen Woolsey, the daughter of Joseph and Maria (Scudder) Woolsey, of Delaware county. New York, and who came to DeKalb county in 1848, locating on the farm that the subject now owns. To Mr. and Mrs. Provines have been bom three children, Frank A., Mary E. and Perry M., all of whom are married and living in DeKalb county. Mrs. Helen Provines died on February 24, 1896. She was a lady of splendid qualities of character, beloved by all who knew her.

Fraternally, Mr. Provines belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Grand Army of the Republic and Patrons of Industry, and is deeply interested in the workings of these various organizations. Mr. Provines possesses a social nature and by his genial and kindly attitude with those whom he has come in contact, he has won the confidence and respect of everyone.

Samuel M. High

The history of the Hoosier state is not an ancient one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community planted in the wilderness in the last century and reaching its magnitude of today without other aids than those of continued industry. Each county has its share in the story. After all, the history of a state is but a record of the doings of its people, among whom the pioneers and their sturdy descendants occupy places of no secondary importance. The story of the plain, common people who constitute the bone and sinew of the state should e\er attract the attention and prove of interest to all true lovers of their kind. In the life story of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch there are no striking chapters or startling incidents, but it is merely the record of a life true to its highest ideals and fraught with much that should stimulate tlie youth just starting in the world as an independent factor.

Samuel M. High was born August 24. 1853. in Jackson township, the son of Peter and Sarah A. (Henderson) High. The mother was a native of Ohio, while the father was born in the state of Pennsylvania and came to DeKalb county at the early date of 1846. The battle to subdue the wilderness then being fought in this section of the state was entered into by these worthy pioneers, and they, with others of that period, laid the foundations for the wonderful prosperity that has come to this section of the state.

To Peter and Sarah High were born three children : Mrs. Letitia Shear Hves in Auburn: Foletus A. is deceased: Samuel M. The subject's father died December 26, 1888, and his mother on December 4, 1904.

The early education of the subject of this sketch was acquired in the DeKalb county common schools. Subsequently he engaged in farming and taught school, his services as an educator extending over a period of almost twenty-five years. He made all the improvements on his place, including a good house, substantial barn, etc. He is now living on the old home place, and is the owner of one hmidred and thirty acres of splendid land, on which he is doing general farming, at which vocation he has been more than usually successful.

On July 30, 1897, the subject of this review was married to Rosa A. Philips, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Philips, he a native of Ohio and she of Pennsylvania. As a result of this union one child was born, Julius, who died at the age of seven years.

Mr. High is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, to which he gives an active and generous support, having been trustee for many years, while the Democratic party enjoys his unswerving allegiance. He was trustee of Jackson township from 1900 until 1905, and is on the advisory board at the present time.

Descended from hon(jred ancestry and himself numbered among the leading citizens of DeKalb county, Indiana, tiie sulaject of this sketch is entitled to specific recognition in a work of this character. A residence in this county of many years has Init strengthened his hold on the hearts of the people with whom he has been associated, and toda}' no one here enjoys a larger circle of warm friends and acquaintances, who esteem him because of his sterling qualities of character and his business ability.

Truman W. Gray, one of the most respected citizens and successful farmers in Fairfield township, was born March 18. 1824, not far from Black Rock, New York, and is a son of John and Julia (Rowland) Gray, the former a native of Ireland and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, the daughter of Luke Rowland, a native of Connecticut, and who lived to be one hundred years of age. John and Julia Gray moved from New York to Ashland county, Ohio, when the subject was a young lad, and when the latter was but eleven years old his father died, leaving his widow the care of a son and six daughters. Because of the moderate financial circumstances of the family, Truman was compelled to take a man's place early in life, and was consequently denied the educational advantages for which he was ambitious. His iirst work was as a farm hand and he was also employed for a time in a tannery. Eventually he moved to Mercer county, Ohio, and bought eighty acres of land, which at that time was totally unimproved. He erected the first house and barn on the place. To the cultivation and improvement of that farm he dexoted the best years of his early life and remained there until November, 1871, when he came to DeKalb county, arriving here on November 14th, and locating on a farm he had bought in section 35, Fairfield township. He had thus been a resident of Mercer county, Ohio, for about twenty-four years, and has resided here forty-two years. The trip from Ohio to Indiana was a long and tedious one, the family driving through in wagons, four days being consumed on the road, during which it rained and on the last day .snowed heavily, so that the members of the little party were well chilled before they reached a conrfortable fireside. They first rented a house three-quarters of a mile from their farm on the Sc|uires place, where they remained until they bought the farm later in the winter. Mr. Gray is the owner of one hundred and twenty-four acres of land, which is as well improved as any farm in the locality, there being two residence houses on the farm, the one in which he now resides being built in 1883. It is commodious and convenient and was built according to Mrs. Gray's ideas. During the past two years the farm has been rented, though Mr. Gray still lives in the home built by him.

While a resident of Ashland county, (^hio, Truman (iray was married to Susan Springer, who was born in that countv, the daughter of Johann and Elizabeth Springer, who were of good old Pennsyhania Dutch stock and respected residents of their community. Mrs. Gray proved to her husband a true helpmate in the broadest sense of the term and to. her he attrilv utes much of the success which accompanied his efforts in his new home. Mrs. Gray died on February 21, 1907. To these parents were born six children, two of whom died in infancy, the others comprising two sons and two daughters. Herbert died at the age of three and one-half years; Ida Josephine died when about six months old; lona married Douglas Dudgeon, and died some time during the seventies; John Henry, who was born on November 7, 1853, in Mercer county, Ohio, is the only one of the children now living. He never married, and has spent his entire life with his father (46) and is his companion now. He is a member of the United Brethren church. Truman Gray is a member of the Masonic order, in which he was raised to the degree of Master Mason at Willshire, Ohio, and in the workings of which he has always been an appreciative participant. His has been a long and well spent life, characterized by hard labor and persistent toil, and now, in the golden sunset of his years, he can look backward over a career over which there falls no shadow of wrong, and which, in the main, has been full of joy and happiness, for he is a man who sees the best in everything, and who has by his own influence and effort contributed in a measure to the happiness and well being of those about him. In every relation of life he has been true to his highest ideals and his daily life has been such as to win the respect and esteem of all who know him.

Henry Yarde

The ofifice of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest opinion of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life histor\ of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts wliich have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life - a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well-defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.

Henry Yarde was born on February 13, 1859, on a farm one mile north of Garrett, Indiana, and is the son of John, Jr., and Lydia (Houser) Yarde. He is descended from good old English stock, his paternal grandfather. John Yarde, Sr., having been born in Devonshire, England, on March 12, 1805. His parents died when he was a child and he was reared by his mother's sister and given a collegiate education. At seventeen years of age he began teaching, and, with the exception of a year and a half in the grocery business, followed that vocation for thirty-five years. He married Mary Symonds, a native of Devonshire, and to them were born twelve children, eleven daughters and a son. In August, 1852, Mr. Yarde came with his family to the United States and lived in Summit county about one month, when he came to DeKalb county, Indiana, where he bought fifty

-acres of unimproved land. Having the use of only one hand, the burden of the work of clearing and improving the land fell to his son, John, Jr., then only sixteen years of age. Mr. Yarde, Sr., was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and a Republican in his political views. John Yarde, Jr., was born in Devonshire, England, on November 17, 183O. His early life was spent in school and before sixteen years of age he had taught seventeen months of school. He was successful in his life's business pursuit and eventually became the owner of a large tract of fine land. He was married on October 10, 1858, to Lydia N. Houser, a native of Wayne Ohio, who was born on July 20, 1842, and was the daughter of David and Rebecca Houser, and to them were born six children, Martha, Frank, David, Nettie, Henry and Bertha. John Yarde, Jr., died on Alay 19, 1900. He was a member of the Episcopal church and highly respected in the community. Of the children enumerated above, Martha became the of William Imler and lives west of Garrett ; Frank lives in tlie southwestern part of Keyser township; David li\es one mile north of Garrett; Nettie is the wife of George Kelham, and lives in Noble county, Indiana; Henry lives on the home farm one mile north of Garrett, and Bertha is the wife of Ira Grogg, of Butler township. The mother of these children still lives on the home farm.

Henry Yarde, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared im the home farm, and has spent his entire life there, having early assumed its management and operation. At the time of his father's deatli the estate amounted to six hundred and twelve acres, and had been improved to a degree which made it one of the best farms in DeKalb county. In addition to the paternal estate, Mr. Warde is the owner of a farm adjoining the home place, to whicli he has also given close attention and which he has developed into a splendid estate. The residence in which Mr. ^'arde lives is one of the most attractive homes in this community, being a large brick, slate roofed and with an observatorv tower, and the surroundings are in harmony with the character of the home, the well kept hedge along the front of the farm, rows of evergreen trees and other tasteful improvements giving the jilace an air of prosperity and cheer and welcome which is .attractive to the passerby.

In March. 1894, Mr. Yarde was married to Ida Ober, the daughter of Levi and Betsey Ober. To them have been l>orn seven children, Merritt. Ruth. Ralph, Lydia, Mary, Rosa and Frank. Mr. Yarde is recognized as a man of strong and alert mentality, deeply interested in everything ijertaining to the advancement of the communitv along material, civic and moral lines.

and is known as one of the progressive and representative men of the county. Because of his genial disposition and progressive spirit, he has earned and retains to an eminent degree the respect and confidence of all who have had acquaintance with him.

Levi Roland

The gentleman of whom the biographer now writes is widely known as one of the honored pioneers of DeKalb county and for o\er a half centurv he has been a valued factor in the development of the same, prominently identified with the varied interests of his community. His well-directed energies in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his own business interests and his sound judgment have demonstrated what may be accomplished by the man of energy and ambition, who, persevering often in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, proves that he is the possessor of those innate qualities that never fail to bring success if properlv directed, as they have evidently been in the case of Mr. Roland.

Levi Roland was born on September 22, 1848. in Stark county, Ohio, and is a son of Abraliam and Susan (Stoner) Roland. These parents were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, from whence they moved to Ohio in pioneer days, where the father died shortly prior to the subject's birth. The mother then married Philip Texter and in 1865 moved to DeKalb county. Her husband also was a native of the old Keystone state. The subject's mother was married three times, first, to a Mr. Liniger, by which union was born one child. To Mr. Roland and herself were born two children, the subject and Jacob S., now deceased, while to her union with Mr. Texter were born two children, both of whom are deceased, the subject of this sketch being the only living representative of the family. When the subject's mother and step-father moved to DeKalb county they bought a farm in the northern part of Keyser township, where they lived the rest of their lives, their home being located in section 27. They were members of the Old School Lutheran church, arid were earnest, industrious and highly respected residents of their community.

Levi Roland received his education in the pioneer schools of the day and remained at home until his marriage, his earlier years being spent in farm work. On January i, 1870, Mr. Roland married Eunice Ellen Hathaway, who was born on the farm where she now lives, on the north side of Kevser township. She is the daughter of Albert and Phoebe (Hawk) Hathaway. Her father was born in 1828 in the northeast part of Ohio, not far from Lake Erie, and probably near Chardon. He was the son of Nathan Hathaway, a natiA^e of Massachusetts, who came here with his parents in February, 1844. They bought the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Roland now live, entering the land from the government some time prior to their location here, and at that time there were only two houses where now stands the beautiful city of Auburn, and when Mr. Hathaway came here and asked how far it was to Aubiu-n, he was told that he was standing in the heart of the city. Here the elder Hathaways cleared and improved a farm and spent the remainder of their days. Albert Hathwaay was one of seven children, four 1ioys and three girls, by his father's second marriage. He married Phoelie Hawk, who was born in Adams county, Indiana, her parents being of good old Pennsylvania Dutch stock, who came from the Keystone state tti Ohio, then to Adams count}', Indiana, where they spent the remainder of their days and died. Albert Hathaway has Wxed ever since on the farm where he and Mr. and Mrs. Roland now live, com])rising the tract entered by his father from the government and referred to above. To Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hathaway were born ele\en children who grew to maturity and two who died in infancy, while seven of the daughters and two of the sons are still living. Mrs. Eunice Ellen Roland, Mrs. Hannah Rebecca Wise, Mrs. Mary J. Brown, Nathan, deceased, John H., of Tennessee, Mrs. Anna Charlotte Houser, Mrs. Lydia Mountz, Silas \., of Garrett, Mrs. Delilah Book. Mrs. Stella Markins, and Calvin, tleceased. The mother of these children passed away in 1906, and the father is still living on the old home farm.

.\fter his marriage Mr. Roland operated the Hathaway farm for about seven years and then rented land near by. In 1899 Mr. Roland bought a farm east of Auburn, but later sold it, and in the fall of 19 13 bought one hundred and sixty acres of land along the south line of L'nion township. In .August, iqio, he moxeil in with Mrs. Roland's father in order to care for the latter during his advanced years. To .Mr. and .Mrs. Roland have been born two children, a son and daughter, .\udrey Pearl and Xorman Nathan. Audrey Pearl became the wife of Ralph G. Harding, and she has a daughter, Eunice Edna Harding. She and her husband are on the Hathaway farm with her parents. Norman W. lives on the Krise farm east of .\uburn. He married Lulu Olinger and they have four children, Ralph. Letha, Norma Aladonna and a baby daughter. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Roland are members of the German Baptist or Brethren church, in which he has served as a deacon, and their daily lives conform to the creed which they profess. Politically, Mr. Roland is a Democrat. Kind-hearted, generous and tolerant, they have in the largest sense of the word earned the respect of the community, for their lives have been such as have commended them to the good opinion of all who know them. Mr. Roland has not only been successful as a farmer, but he has also been active in his efforts to advance the welfare of the community in every way, and his sympathies are always enlisted on the side of the right.

David Yarde

Among the representative farmers of DeKalb county is the subject of this review, who is the owner of a fine landed estate in Keyser township and is carrying on the various departments of his enterprise with that discretion and energy which are sure to find their natural sequence in definite success, having always been a hard worker, a good manager and a man of economical habits, and, being fortunately situated in a thriving farming community, it is no wonder that he stands today in the front rank of theagriculturists of this favored locality.

David Yarde, who was born on December 26, 1862, on the old Coombsfarm in Richland township, DeKalb county, Indiana, is a son of John and Lydia Ann (Houser) Yarde, old and well known citizens of this county, . who are referred to elsewhere in this work in the sketch of the subject's brother, Frank Yarde. Therefore, it will not be necessary to give further reference to the family ancestral history at this point. David Yarde spent his boyhood days on the home farm in Richland township, and received a. good, practical education in the local schools. .After his marriage in 1891. he moved to and rented his father's farm in Richland township, which he operated until his father's death. He then bought the farm, which consisted of one hundred and twenty acres, divided into two plats of eighty acres and forty acres respectively. Later lie added to this one hundred and twenty acres more, and still later another tract of similar size lying close to Garrett on the north. In addition to this extensive farm, Mr. Yarde alsa farms a twenty-acre tract for his mother. Mr. Yarde has built many of the outbuildings on the farm, the residence and barn having been built by his father. The buildings are all up-to-date and modern in style and arrangement, and the farm in every respect is kept up to the most modern and progressive ideas relative to successful agriculture. Mr. Yarde is giving due- attention to even' detail of his farm, including the drainage and preservation of the timber, and. because of his progressive tendencies and industrious habits, he has been enabled to achieve an enviable success in his work, beings numbered among the representative farmers of his section of the county.

On March 19, 1891, Mr. Yarde married Mary Brechbill, the daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Ober) Brechbill, who are referred to specifically in the sketch of H.' R. Davidson elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and IMrs. Yarde have been bom four children, namely : Ora, who died on Septemlier 3, 1896, and Claude, Edna and Howard, who are at home. Politically. Mr. Yarde is affiliated with the Progressive party, in the support of which he is enthusiastic, and he is interested in everything that pertains to the common weal. His life history exhibits a career of unswerving integrity, indefatigable private industry and wholesome home and social relations, a most commendable career crowned with a gratifying degree of success.

The success of men in any vocation tlepends upon character as well as upon knowledge, it being a self-evident proposition that honesty is the best policy. In every community some men are known for their upright lives, strong common sense and moral worth rather than for their wealth or political standing. Their neighbors and acquaintances respect them, the younger generations heed their examples, and when they "wrap the drapary of their couches about them and lie down to pleasant dreams," posterity listens with reverence to the story of their quiet and useful lives. Among, such men of a past generation in Indiana was the late G. W. Hanes, whowas not onlv a progressive man of afifairs, successful in material pursuits, but a man of modest and unassuming demeanor, well educated, a type of the reliable, self-made American, a friend to the poor, charitable to the faults of his neighbors, and who always stood ready to unite with them in every good work and in the support of laudable public enterprises. He was a man who in every respect merited the high esteem in which he was universally held, for he was a man of public spirit, intellectual attainments and exemplary character.

G. W. Hanes was born May 29, 1828, and died near Butler, DeKalbcounty, Indiana, on the 28th day of May, 1897. lacking one day of being sixty-nine years of age. He came to this county with his parents when he was but twelve years of age and with them tasted of the hardships, struggles and few pleasures of those trying pioneer days. On the 29th of September, 1866, he was united in matrimony with Harriet Akenburg, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Latson) Altenburg, natives of the Empire state. To this union were born eight children, one of whom died in infancy. The seven surviving children were with him at the time of his death and during the long last illness administering to his wants with loving hands.

In his early days the subject taught school and subsequently entered the dairy business with his brother, at which he was very successful. He was a good man in all that term implies, and was honored and respected by his neighbors and associates, who frequently solicited his sound advice on matters of business.

Fraternally, J\Ir. Hanes was quite prominent in the Odd Fellows lodge, having belonged to the order at Butler, Lodge No. 282 and Encampment No. 160, for about twenty-eight years, during which time he was active in promoting the growth of that fraternity.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanes were as follows : Cameron R., of Chicago; Sarah E.. the wife of Charles Heffelfinger, of Chicago; Mary Ella, the wife of W. D. Gardner, of Milwaukee. Wisconsin; Pearl, deceased; Wilmetta, the wife of Milton Wagoner, of Goshen, Indiana; Altenburg, of Waterloo, this county; Carleton, at home; Clara, who lives with her mother, was married on November 2^. 1909, to Eston McCague, who was born June 3, r88o. in Waterloo, this county.

Mrs. Hanes and family still own the home farm, comprising one hundred and forty acres of land, one hundred of which are tillable, and here the\- carrv on general f;irming and stock raising.

George Shaffer

DeKalb county figures as one of the most attractive, progressive and prosperous divisions of the state of Indiana, justly claiming a high order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve development and marked advancement in the material upbuilding of the section. The county has been and is signally favored in the class of men who have controlled its affairs in oilficial capacity, and in this connection the subject of this review demands representation as one who is serving his community well in a position of distinct trust and responsibility. For many years recog- nized as one of the successful agriculturists of this locality, Mr. Schafifer has for a number of years been retired from active labor and is now spending his years in his comfortal>le and attractive home in Corunna.

George Shafifer was bom on August 31, i860, in Stark county, Ohio, and is the son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Luttman) Shaffer, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. These parents were reared and educated in the old Keystone state and were there married, after which event they came to Ohio, whence, after a residence of about ten years, the}- came to DeKalb county, settling in Richland township on April i. 1864. Here they spent the balance of their lives, the father engaging in blacksmithing, in which he was very successful. They were the parents of the following children: Martin, Mary, David, Katherine, George, Barbara, Lewis, Elizabeth and Ella.

The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of Richland township, this county, and upon attaining manhood's years he took up the vocation of farming, having wisely decided that in that vocation he would secure an independence and a success that was offered in no other line of effort. He carried on a general line of farming, in connection with which he also raised some li\e stock and became the owner of eighty acres of splendid land in Richland township which demanded his undivided attention until 1905, when, having amassed a sufficient competency to insure his future years from embarrassment, he retired from active life and now resides in Corunna, to which place he moved in April, 1904.

On October 18, 1883, Mr. Shaffer married Samantha Harding, the daughter of Dimmick and Sarah (Bike) Harding, who were early settlers in DeKalb county. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer had no children of their own, but adopted a daughter. Lulu, who is at home and to whom they gave the same cheerful and loving attention that she would have received had she been their own daughter. Mrs. Shaffer died on September 13, 1905.

Democratic in politics, Mr. Shaffer has for many \-ears Ijeen acti\-el\- interested in the success of his j^arty and in 1908 was elected trustee of Richland township, which important local office he is filling to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. His term will expire in 19 15. In the discharge of his official duties, Mr. Shaffer exercises the same vigilance and sound business methods that he followed in his private affairs and is giving careful attention to the welfare of the township in which he lives.

In every phase of life's activities in which he has engaged he has been guided by the highest motives and because of his integrity and high persona! worth he has earned the commendation of all who know him.

Harry Diehl

Among the prosperous farmers and substantial citizens of Keyser township is Harry Diehl, a gentleman of high character and reputation, whom to know is to esteem and honor. A quiet, unostentatious man, who makes his presence felt by his actions and influence rather than by conversation and public acclaim, he has contributed not a little to the .stability and respect of the body politic and all who know him bear cheerful testimony to his many sterling qualities of mind and heart.

Harry Diehl was born on December 8, 1869, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, the son of George and Nancy (Ober) Diehl. George Diehl, who was a native of Germany, came to the United States with his parents when about five years of age, locating first in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where the father followed farming and spent his entire life in that state. He died on November 22, 1899. During the marriage of George and Nancy (Ober) Diehl there were born eight children as follows: Mrs. Sarah Olinger, of Keyser township, DeKalb count}', Indiana, who is the mother of one child, G. F. ; John, of Keyser township; Mrs. Mary Shaffer, who lives in Calhoun township, Michigan, and who is the mother of six children; Mrs. Susanna Smith lives in Kendallville and is the wife of Isaac W. Smith, the minister of the Christian church. They are the parents of four children ; Mrs. Jennie Shumaker, who lives in Ilarvey county, Kansas, is the mother of two children ; Lincoln, who lives on the old homestead in Pennsylvania, is the father of two children ; Mrs. Elizabeth Shumaker, who lives in Harvey county, Kansas, is the mother of five children ; the subject of this sketch is the voungest in order of birth.

Harry Diehl was reared to manhood in his native community and in 1892 came to DeKalb county, Indiana, where he was employed at farm labor. In 1893 he bought eighty acres of land in Keyser township, formerly known as the A. J. Bolyard farm, to which he has devoted his undivided attention and which he has developed into a fine and valuable farm. He erected an attractive and well arranged residence, large, commodious barn, and has in other ways made stibstantial and permanent improvements on the place. The land was practically all cleared when he obtained it, so he retained about eighteen acres of fine timber land. He carries on general farm operations^ raising all the crops common to this locality, and also gives some attention to the raising of live stock, making a substantial profit in both departments of his work.

On October 8, 1896, Harry Diehl married Laura Shumaker, a native of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and whose death occurred in 1905. To this union were born two children, Earnest and Virgil, who died in infancy. On October 16, 1907, Mr. Diehl married Bertha Olinger, a daughter of Ephraim and Kizzia (Mathias) Olinger, and the fruits of this union were four children, Olive, Illif, Eord and Glenn. Politically, Mr. Diehl has been a life-long Republican up to the organzation of the Progressive party in 1912, to which he gave his allegiance and in which he was enthusiastic and ver}' active during the campaign. He is a man of strong mentality, keeping in close touch with the current questions of the day, and because of his upright life, his success and fine personal qulaities, he is clearly entitled to the high place which he holds in the minds of all who know him. '

Ephraim Olinger, the father of Mrs. Diehl, was born in Stark county. Ohio, where he lived until 1882, when he came to DeKalb county, Indiana, making his residence here until 1904. He then moved back to Stark county and now resides in Louis\-ille. near Canton, that state. He has followed agricultural pursuits throughout practically his entire life, but is now retired from active work. His wife also was a native of Stark county, and to them were horn the following children: Ida, deceased; Mrs. Josephine Flagler, who is now living in Auburn : Benton, deceased : Bertha, Mrs. Diehl and Mrs. Lulu Roland.

Henry Rice Davidson

-An enumeration of the representative citizens of DeKalb county would not be complete without specific mention of the well-known and popular gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. A member of one of the old and higlilv esteemed families of this locality and for many years a public-spirited man of affairs, he has stamped his individuality upon the community and added luster to the honorable name which he bears, having always been actuated bv a spirit of fairness in his dealings with the world in general, and leaving no stone unturned whereby he might benefit his own condition as well as that of his friends and the favored section of the great commonwealth in which he has been content to spend his life. Straightforward and unassuming, genial and obliging, Mr. Davidson enjoys the good will and respect of a wide circle of friends throughout this part of the state.

March 13, 1865. His father, Henry Davidson, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and was a bishop in the church of Brethren of Christ, being deeply interested in rehgious work. He attained to a prominent and influential place in his church and was editor of the church paper. Eventually he moved from Pennsylvania to Michigan, where he lx)ught a farm and followed agricultural pursuits, as well as preaching. About 1881 he went to Kansas, where he bought a farm, continuing agriculture. While living in Kansas his second wife, whose maiden name had been Fannie Rice, died in 1894, and shortly afterwards he returned to Pennsylvania, where he later married Katie Brenneman, a native of Mechanicsburg. He died on March 17, 1903, and his widow is now living at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. By his first marriage Henr)' Davidson became the father of five children, namely: Mrs. Mary Yoder, a widow who now Hves in Ohio, and is the mother of two children ; Mrs. Sarah Coup, also a widow, who lives in Ohio, and is the mother of five children : William, who is a farmer in Oliio, is married and has one child; Isaiah C. is the principal of the high school at Barberton, Ohio, which position he has held for nineteen years ; Mrs. Carrie Landis, whose huslmnd is a hardware merchant, lives in Kansas, and they Iiave two children. By his marriage to Fannie Rice, Mr. Davidson became the father of eight children, namely: Mrs. Lydia Brewer, who lives in Kansas and is the wife of a retired farmer; Mrs. Rebecca Doner, of Ohio, whose husband is a farmer, and they have four children ; Francis, a minister of the Brethren in Christ, has been a missionary in South Africa for the past fifteen years; Mrs. Emma Deihl, whose husband, John Deihl, is represented elsewhere in this work; Mrs. Henrietta Brechbill, whose husband, John Brechbill, is also represented elsewhere; Henry Rice, the immediate subject of this .sketch; Albert, who Hves in Colorado, is married and has two children ; Mrs. Ida HufYman, whose husljand is a minister of the Brethren in Clirist, and also operates a large creamery plant, and they have two children : Mrs. Davidson was married a third time, but no children were born to the last union.

Henry Rice Davidson was reared in Ohio until the age of sixteen years, when he moved to White Pigeon, Michigan, with his parents, where he lived and farmed until the age of twenty-one years. He had attended the public schools in Ohio and also attended the high school at White Pigeon, thus receiving a good practical education. In 1877 Mr. Davidson went to Kansas, where he operated his father's farm of one hundred and sixty acres, remaining there for aliout five years and then coming to DeKalb county, wliere he rented^a farm jn section 28, Keyser township. This farm comprised one hun- dred and twenty-seven acres, in the operation of which he was profitably engaged, and eventually he bought this farm of his father-in-law and is still actively engaged in its operation. He has remodeled the residence and barn and made other permanent and substantial improvements which have greatly added to the value and attractive appearance of the place. He has about eight acres in valuable timber. The land is kept in good, fertile condition, well fenced, while the general appearance of the place indicates him to be a man of good taste and sound discrimination. He is up-to-date in his ideas, hesitating not to adopt new methods when their superiority over old ways has been demonstrated, and in the business and ci\ ic life of the community lie has taken a prominent part, and is now township representative for the DeKalb Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of DeKalb county, in which he has done much effective work. He is also guardian of the estate of Albert Hathaway, which comprises one hundred and fifty acres adjoining the farm of tlie subject. Politically, he is a progressi\'e I^epublican, and his religious afliliations are with the Brethren in Christ, of which society he is a deacon.

On January 20, 1877, Mr. Davidson married Elizabeth Brechbill, the daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Ober) Brechbill, and to this union have been born four children, Fannie, Walter, Elsie and Loyd, all of whom are at home. Jacob Brechbill was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. In 1854 he moved to Stark county, Ohio, where, on February 3, 1859, he married Sarah Ober, who also was a native of Bedford county. Pennsylvania. In 1864 they came to DeKalb county, Indiana, buying eighty acres of land in section 29, Keyser township, and later bought the eighty acres where the subject of this sketch resides, to which he later added another forty acres adjoining. Mr. Brechbill was a member of the Brethren in Chri.st, and much respected by those with whom he was acquainted. He learned the trade of shingle making, which he followed in connection with farming for many years. His death occurred on February 21, 1902, at the residence of the sul)- ject of this sketch, who had taken care of him during his later years. His widow also died here on November i. rqo8. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Martin, deceased; John, a farmer of Richland township, who is the father of nine children ; Mrs. Nancy Shirk, of Kansas, who is the mother of sLx children living and one deceased; Elizabeth, wife of the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Sarah Wagner, of Garrett, Indiana, the mother of four children ; Mrs. Mary Yarde, whose husband, David ^'arde, is represented elsewhere in this work; and Francis and Claude, twms, who died in infancy. In this brief review but little has been said in a commendatory way of Mr. Davidson's life, but it is unnecessary, for in the community where he has spent his active years his Hfe has been as an open book, and because of his upright character and consistent living he has enjoyed to a marked degree the respect of all who have known him. He is a man who has ever looked on the sunny side of life, ever hopeful that the good would rule instead the bad, and as a result of such a fortunate disposition he has made it pleasant for those with whom he has came in contact either in a business or social way. He is a man of genial and kindly nature, which has made him popular with all who have associated with him and, being a man of high moral character, he has the confidence and good will of all.

In presenting the biography of this well remembered gentleman, whose life was that of a high grade man, of noble ideals and laudable ambitions, we believe that the reader will be benefited and encouraged, for his life was a life that made for success because of the honorable principles he employed in dealing with hi.^ fellowmen and because of the many admirable attributes he possessed which made his daily walk one worthy to be emulated.

Timothy McClure was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, in 1818, and his death occurred at his home in Grant township, DeKalb county, Indiana, on September i, 1878. He was a son of Samuel and Emily McClure, and was of Irish ancestry. From the age of eight years he was reared in the home Simeon and Elizabeth (Haynes) Aldrich in Vermont and eventually married Olive Aldrich, the daughter of his benefactors. After his marriage he and his father-in-law and his family went by wagon to the Hudson river, thence to Lake Erie and by water to Toledo, and from there by canal to Defiance, Ohio. Mr. Aldrich had been a wealthy farmer in New England, and, on starting west, stored his money in gold coin in bags in a chest. At Toledo, while transferring the stufif from the ship to a lighter, the chest of gold was dropped and broken and the gold went to the bottom of the lake, but, after an anxious time, was restored to its owner. Mr. Aldrich's two sons, Simeon and Terry, had come west some time before this and had spent four years in Williams county, Ohio. Soon afterwards the Holton family came across from that county to DeKalb county, Indiana,' being the first settlers here, and in 1834 the Aldrich boys followed. These sons met Mr. McClure and the Aldrich family at Defiance, Ohio, and with ox teams were four days coming across the country to Troy township, locating four miles east of Hamilton. There Mr. Aldrich entered land for all his children, giving each of them a good start in life, and there his wife got lost in a swamp a year later, her death occurring from the effects of the exposure. Subsequently Mr. Aldrich returned to Vermont, where he married and brought his wife back to the frontier home, and here her death occurred about eight years later. Mrs. Olive McClure received from her father eighty acres of land and a house, each of her brothers being given one thousand dollars each. Mr. Aldrich, who had been a stock breeder in the east, came here in order to secure larger opportunities for the members of his family. Things were not \-ery encouraging liere at that time and it is related that a letter written him in 1836 from Vermont was sent to his nearest postoffice, Lagrange Center, about forty miles from his home. From about 1848 to about 1855 he carried the United States mail from Defiance to Lagrange, thence to Coldwater, Michigan, and to the neighborhoods between these points, riding horseback over roadless prairies and fording unbridged streams. He bought and sold farms frequently, owning a large number of them, and was really more of a business man than a farmer. In i860 Mr. McClure moved to the eastern j^art of Grant township, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was for two terms trustee of I'nion township and was administrator and guardian of many estates, it being stated that for a period of nearly forty years he was constantly guardian of not less than half a dozen wards. A man of keen perceptions, strong character and bright and kindly face, he won the good opinion and friendsliip of all who knew liim, he being familiarly called "Uncle Tinimie."

Politically, Mr. McClure was a lifelong Democrat, but during the Civil war he remained loyal tn the Union. A man of natural musical talent, he was a leader in the drum corps that during the war escorted each new military company on its way to Indianapolis. Religiously, he was a member oi the Disciples church, as was his wife, and they were loyal and earnest in their support of all worthy causes. It is related in testimony to Mr. Mc- Clure's humane and kindly disposition that in the early days he constantly carried a gun with which he expected to shoot deer, but never shot when he saw the deer, his humane impulses forbidding the act. Of Mrs. McClure it is related that one night when left at home alone a big bear came close to the cabin and attempted to take a sow and pigs, but she scared it away with firebrands. To Mr. and Mrs. McClure were born five children, namely: A boy who died in early youth ; Sarah, who was married three times, her last husband being Rev. S. P. Klotz ; Timothy is a resident of Waterloo, this county; Olive became the wife of John D. Eckhart, of Toledo, Ohio, but both died at about the same time of typhoid fever; Mary, the wife of Jefferson W. Jackman, of Grant township, this county, who is represented elsewhere in this work.

Emanuel Roger Shoemaker

Emanuel Roger Shoemaker, the third son of Henry Shoemaker and Mary Wagoner, his wife, was born in Stoystown, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1832. As every man's biography properly begins with the preceding generation at least, and as his life was colored to an unusual extent by the incidents of his childhood and youth, considerable attention will be devoted to the experiences of his father's family in Indiana.

The parents of Emanuel R. Shoemaker were residents of Stoystown, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where the father pursued the tailoring trade. Their interests in Indiana began in 1837 when Emanuel Wagoner, a brother, entered two hundred and forty acres of land in Smithfield township, DeKalb county, for the sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars. The family continued their residence in Pennsylvania for three years, and by 1840 there were six children, David, Jacob, Emanuel, Catherine, Mary and John.

In May, 1840, the family left their old home and came to Knox county, Ohio, using as their conveyance a covered wagon pulled by two spirited sorrel mares. They remained there until the last of August, when they took another start, accompanied by the brother who had entered the land for them. On their journey westward they encountered the most serious difficulties, especially in the Black Swamp in western Ohio. As there were few roads they had to make tlieir wa}- through the mud, water, underl^rush and over the corduroy bridges. Finally, about the middle of September, they reached Auburn, Indiana.

The father left the family there for a week while he went north to look up his land, which lay three miles north of the present town of W^aterloo. He selected one hundred acres of the east side of the two hundred and forty acres entered, comprising the west half of the southwest quarter of section 22, and twenty acres of the east side of the southeast quarter of section 21, and later forty acres more. There were no houses from Auburn to Isaac Smith's, and no lumber available for building purposes, so he bought several hundred feet of lumber at Auburn and hauled it upon his land. In a few days he returned for the family and they reached the site of their future home without shelter other than the wagon, and night was approaching in the wilderness.

Emanuel was then a boy eight years of age, and to the close of his life he could remember this evening. "My mother," he wrote, "was a remarkable person to go ahead. She soon had one boy unhitching the horses, and another searching for water. My father went out to cut forked saplings with an eight-pound ax - for such did we Pennsylvanians use. With these slender trees he forked a pole against a couple of beeches, and against this pole he stood the boards on end which he had brought from Auburn." When this shack was reared, the wagon was unloaded and a meagre supper was spread. The family, all completely exhausted, lay down for their first night in their new home, only to be awakened Ijy the wolves that seemed to scent the new inhabitants.

The morning brought new troubles. A house of some kind nuist be provided and feed for the horses found. It was a situation with -tremendous trials that faced this family, whose head was a tailor, bom and reared in a town, with no knowledge of 'farming, much less of the clearing of land. The timber was so dense that only here and there the sky was visible. Spicewood, horse-mint, nettles and -weeds were so thick that it, was difficult tomake a w'ay except along deer trails, until the frost had trimmed the foliage;

The first step vvas- to erect a home, and James Blake was hired to cut logs for i cabin.' When he liegan chopping with his light three and one-half pound ax, the Shoemaker family watched him critically. ' He did not slide hishand the entire length of the handle, and the handle was crooked, they observed. He did not chop straight into the tree, but started higher and chopped downward. "He is too lazy to bend his back," they said, "and his ax is only a tomahawk anyway." When the "Yankee" watched the Pennsylvanian wield his heavy eight-pound ax, with every stroke bringing forth a groan, it was his turn to laugh derisively. After a few days enough logs were cut, and when they had been drawn up with great difficulty by the fiery horses. seven or eight men came to the raising. The boards used in the shack were laid across the joist poles, and served as a roof through several rain's until the cabin was covered with clap-boards.

During the first winter all fared better than would be expected. By the spring of 1841 seven acres of underbrush were cleared and about ten (.ir twelve trees were left standing on each acre. The first corn crop was planted (47)

In June, Henry Shoemaker returned on horseback to Stoystown and sold his town property for a sum considerably lower than he had hoped. During the six weeks of -the father's absence the family had some startling experiences. One Sunday when the mother and children were all in the cabin, two large Indians stepped in the door. They sat down and began talking about the guns which they saw in the room. "No good" was all that the family could imderstand, and by this the Indians meant that the guns had caplocks. They soon made it known that they were hungry and without any delay a gallon of milk, a loaf of Ijread and a plate of butter were set before them. Each Indian drew from his belt a huge knife and began wiping it on his hair. To the great relief of the family, both began to eat. When they had finished they left the cabin, as they seemed to know the family were all afraid of them, walked to a fence where each picked up a gim and a deer, and went on their way. Some time afterwards, one of them was found dead on the edge of a cranberry marsh about five miles to the southeast. The names of these Indians were Jon Ess and Raccoon, and it was learned that they were the last two native Indians of DeKalb county.

In the fall of 1841 the father was attacked by a fever. No doctor was to be had. but after a very serious illness he finally recovered. It was no uncommon experience for six or seven members to be stricken with malaria or fever at the same time. When one would recover from his chill he would rallv sufficientlv to give the other water and a little care.

The winter of 1841-1842 was very discouraging, for it was with great difficultv that sufficient food and clothing were procured for the family. The details were never forgotten by Emanuel R. Shoemaker, who was then a boy of nine vears. "Many gallons of meal," he wrote in a sketch of his life. "have I ground on the tottom of a tin pan with holes punched through from the inside to make a rough surface. I would take an ear of soft corn and rub it over the rough pan until I had worried the kernels off. Borrowing flour through the neighborhood was much in vogue among early settlers, but sometimes borrowing was impossible. I remember one week when we were all forced to live on vegetables."

During the first few years of life in the new country the nearest mills were the one at Vermont, now called Orland, in Steuben county, and the Union mills, at a distance requiring four to six days for a single trip. Later Thompson's mill was built at Flint and another was completed at Enterprise.

now called Hamilton, in 1846 or 1847. "Manv were the trottbles I. have bad going there to mill," wrote Mr. Shoemaker, the subject of this- sketch. "Bags containing about three bushels of wheat would be put on a, hOrse and me on top of that. The sacks woukl .strike against trees as L would try t« avoidfallen timber or deep mud holes, and tunible off the horse."

In 1848 the father built a hewed-log house on the north part of the same tract of land, and was able to offer generous hospitality to any A'isitors who chanced near there. Religious services were frequently held and when a quarterly meeting occurred in the neighborhood, the minisCer, his family and all guests- from a distance were received- into the liome. "The pioneer mothers could find accommodations for everybody," wFote Mr. Shoemaker, "and. I have known complete strangers to come ajid' stay eight and ten. days with a team, with no thought of remuneration on the part of iwy ptwents."

Before proceeding further with the story of the family of Henry Shoemaker, we shall pau.se to relate the connection of this man with the Mexican w-ar of 1848. A complete narrative of this chain of remarkable incidents is contained in the Forf JVaync Scntimlinr Saturday, January 11, 1,913-. Prefacing the narrative by the statement that in 1842, a« at present,. DeKalb and Steuben counties were in the same legi.-ilative district, the story may be tokl in- the following brief style.

In this district,. Dr. Madison Marsh, a Democrat, and. Enos Beall,. a Whig, were opposing candidates. On- the face of 8he returns'.. Enos BeaJl was defeated by one vote, but after vot«s for Doctor Marsh were thrown out, the former was declared- elected by the board of canvassers. The final- hearing of this disputed, election ease took place at Tndiana-pol-is- liefore a legislative committee, and the vital contention was over the ballot of H-enry Shoemaker. With the two candidates, he made the trip to tlie state capital as a witness before the legislative committee and from the testimony given these facts were ascertained : At the polls on- election day the vote of Hem-y Shoemaker had been challenged and in the dispute whidi followed be became angrv, tore his ballot in two, threw it under the table and left the room. Later it was picked up and found to be for Doctor Marsh, the Democrat, but it was not allowed to be put in the ballot box. At. the Tndianapohs laearing this vote was counted, and it elected Doctor Marsh by a majority of one. He was accordingly given the legal certificate of election and took his se;it in tin- Hotree.

senator and a candidate for re-election by the Whigs. Gen. T. A. Howard was the Democratic candidate, and their support was very evenly balanced. Several ballots were taken and the last one resulted in the election of a third and hitherto inconspicuous candidate, Edward O. Hannegan, by a majority of only two votes, one of which was cast by Doctor Marsh.

The annexatibn of Texas as a state in the Union was then the burning issue, and it presented itself to Congress at the first session after Mr. Hannegan's election. He fa\'ored annexation and voted in its favor. Had not this strangely remarkable sequence of incidents occurred, Mr. Beall, a Whig, would have furnished the one necessary vote to return Senator Smith to the United States Senate, and, being a Whig, he woukl liax'e \'oted against annexation. This would have made the vote in the Senate on the resolution a tie, and the President of the Senate, a Whig, would havecast the deciding vote against annexation. As the policy of annexing Texas was pfobabfy the real cause of the Mexican war, it seeins an accurate statement that Henry Shoemaker cast the vote in 1842 which, by a long series nf causes and results, made possible the war with Mexico in 1 848.

By the year 1852, 'the family had' grown to' include" five more children. Evai Sarah. Horace, IVlalvina and Phebe. Eva and Mary died while young, and the father's health was very poor. In the midst of hardships and what' was frequently positive' want, the slories of tlie California goM discoveries were most alluring, and the family yielded to the "Calif6rnia\gold fever.''" On April 8,' 1852, tlie father, with two of his older children, Catherine and Emanuel, left home for Calif ornia via the overland route. ' They Set out m a one-horse covered wagon, with two yoke of (rattle. Their route lay along' Bear or Green river, the Humbolt ri\er. across the desert, up the Truckee to Galoway Ranch. Emanuel, the son, made the statement in after years that, notwithstanding the awful dangers; all enjo'ved the trip and suffered no ill results except the father, whose e\es became very sore while traveling along the Humliolt and crossing the desert, ^^'hen they reached the ranch they sold their oxen and walked four miles to Downieville, on the Yuba river in Sierra count}', California. The time spent en route was five months and six (lays, and the harrowing experiences of this journey would fill a volume.

.\fter their arrival, they bought a part of an abandoned flume and some lumber with which they built a small house on Durgah Flat. During the winter of 1853- 1854 the father suffered greatly from eye trouble, and in May he returned home via Panama and New York. Catherine, the sister, worked with wonderful fortitude and was a great companion for her brother during

Emanuel Shoemaker continued mining during these years on Coxes Bar. about three miles down the river from Downieville. The hard work, ill health and utter loneliness which he endured can only be realized by a reading of his diary written day by day. These pages reveal the incessant work at "drifting," in the "diggings," cutting timber on the mountain side and chopping wood. When the heavy rains fell and prevented work in the mine, he would busy himself with any kind of employment that he could find. The exposure suffered in digging the mill wheels out of the ice during the winter always resulted in severe colds and often in serious illness. The pleasures were few. but genuine. Debates were held several evenings of each week and the subject of this biography often participated. Preaching on Sundays and "by candle light" through the week was not only well attended, Init ap])reciated. The greatest happiness came with the letters, however, which could always he expected with each arrival of the mail. The "home letter" never failed of mention in the diary, and its reading was generally followed by a period of loneliness during which he would console himself in writing to his mother.

The desolation was only deepened by the return r.f his sister, Catherine, her husband and child to "the States" in the fall of 1854. It was somewhat of a surprise when he learned on September 2t,(} of Air. iMancis' expected return home, and he at once helped him close up his Imsiness. On the nmrning of September 26th Emanuel accompanied his sister and her faniilv when thev started for the "Bay." He went with them to Alarysville, then to Sacramento, and then to San Francisco, where they arrived after midnight Thursday, September 28th. He saw them start for their long xoyage down the coast -on the steamer "Yankee Blade," the same boat that the father had taken. .\fter they left he returned to Downiex ille and it was not lung liefore he got word that the steamer had been out only twentv-three hours when she ran on a rock near Santa Barbara. T\\ o boat-loads were stranded, and among those who were saved was his sister's family. They returned to San Fran- -cisco and started again.

Emanuel continued mining on Coxes Bar a year longer. .\ ])age from 'his diary for Saturday, November 4, 1854. contains this excerpt : "This evening, after a very hard day"s work, T hurried to the postofifice with John Nobles, but we both found ourselves disappointed. We returned to the house on Durgan Flat. There we sat in silence looking about the room. No one I0 greet us. All, all looked lonesome and forsaken, while memory ran back to the time when all the folks were here. It almost caused me to weep. Again I turned my eyes to the daguerreotype of those whom I esteem so much, and they looked as natural as life, but it was oilly an image. They could not speak, therefore I closed the case and laid it away again, and set to work. After which I retired, only to reflect on the past."

On September ii. 1855. Emanuel started tor San Francisco and his voyage home. He had sold his claim and after the final division was made he found that in these three long, weary years he had earned and cleared the sum of three thousand dollars. He took the same route that 'his father and sister before him had taken, and left San Francisco Se])tember 20th on the steamer "Sonora." The voyage to New York via Panama required twentysix days, and the diary records an ax^erage daily distance of two hundred and fifty miles, a dangerously heavy sea part of the time, and attendant .sea-sickness. On his arrival at New York city he was met by his brother, David, and together they returned home via Erie, Crestline and Fort AVayne. During' these three years spent in California ^ie foundations were laid both of his comparative ill-health and of hts success in later life.

Ifi TVIarch, 1856. the fatlier died after an illness of several weeks. During the years that followed the mother was twice married and in t886 she died at the home of her son, Emanuel. Both parents a i^e buried in Cedar Lake cemetery, northwest of Waterloo. Throtigh the many years that Grandma Shoemaker was an active woman in her own home with her own family, she never missed an opportunity of assisting where there was illness, and at a time when doctors were very few this able care was an infinite service.

Concerning the other menfters of the family, the fciMowing ^brief ia«ts may lie related. Bavid was assii^ted by Emanuel in setting up a store in Uniontown, in which he succeeded until about i860, .'\fter this he lost all his propertv, and in 1891 his death occurred. He was buried in the Waterloo cemetery. Tac6b, the hunter of the family, served in the army throughout -tfae Civil war. During the later years of his life he lived in the West, and he died in Minnesota in April, 1908. His remains were bnmglit to the Waterioo cemetery for interment. Catherine Francis lived with her family in a large home on the south side of Waterloo until May 13, rf)oo. when they removed to Massillon, Ohio. Her husimnd, Franklin Francis, died in 1898, and she often retuiTied to Waterloo to visit her friends and relatives.