DeKalb County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1914 (part 15 of 20)

Eli Walker was born in 1844 in Smithfield township. DeKall) county, Indiana, and is tb.e son of John R. and Catherine ( Krumrine) Walker. John R. Walker was born in. \'ork county. Pennsvh-ania, in 1808. and was there reared and married to I'atherine Krumrine, who was born in Maryland in 1810. In 1835 they moved to Columliiana c:)unl). Ohio, and li\ed there until their removal to DeKalb county in 1844. when .Mr. Walker bought one hundred and sixtv acres of land in section t,^. Smithfield town.shi]). Mr. Walker's father. Nicholas Walker, was a distiller and in his youth he had learned the business and followed it a number of years in Ohio. He was a native of England. Catherine Krumrine was the daughter of George Krunnine and wife, both of whom were naitves of Germany. When John R. Walker purchased his land in Smithfield township it wasas the Indians had left it, with no improvements whatever and a very small patch of ground cleared. There he made his permanent home, cleared and cultivated the soil, and spent the remainder of his life, he and his wife dying there. They were the parents of seven children, one of whom died in infancy, the others being Mrs. Sarah Vogtman, Manuel. Amanda McEntarfer: Lydia, who died in infancv: Humphrey, who died in boyhood: b'li and (Jeorge.^ Of these, onh Eli, (ieorge and Mrs. \'ogtman are living.

F<;ii Walker was reared on the hmne farm, where he lived until his marriage in 1866, when for three years he farmed on his father's place on the shares. In 1872 he bought the farm where he now lives, located a short distance north of Waterloo, which has lieen his home for more than four decades. He retains a strong recollection of many of his experiences in pioneer days, among which is the fact that when a youth of but fourteen or fifteen years he hauled many loads of wheat to Fort Wayne with oxen, the trip requiring three days and but few houses passed on the way. Two hills over which he journeyed were so steep and rugged that he found it necessary to carry half the load uphill a sack at a time. In those early days the only roads were blazed trails and Mr. Walker well remembers the first train that went through on the .\irline railroad. Mi-. Walker at cine time owned three eighty-acre tracts of good land, but he has let his cliildren lia\e all but eighty acres, which he retains on the home place.

In 1866 Eli Walker was married to Susan Wilderson. who was Inirn in Columbiana county, Ohio, the daughter of Martin and Barbara, I Cronk ) Wilderson. 'She came to DeKalb county with her parents about 1851, they locating in Smithfield township on a farm adjoining that of Mr. Walker There lier parents made their permanent home and there her father died. His widow and children then spent five years in b'lkhart. but at the end of that ])erio(l returned to DeKalb county and the niotiier resided in (Irani township until her death. To Mr. and Mrs. Walker ha\e been liorn the following children: Mary, wife of William I'.achtel, ;ind tlie\ lia\e two son>. Harry and N'erne: Dora is the widow of Douglas Kellv, who was killed liy a falling limb about ten years ago, leaving a son. Walker, and a daughter, Emma, and the widow afterwards became the wife of Clark Campbell, and she lives near her father: Laura is the wife of Bert Campbell, of this town.shiij, and they ha\e two sons, Edward and Jerry: Ceranda is the wife of Da\id Hamman, who is represented elsewhere in this work, and the\- ha\e two children, Leslie and Mabel; Frank, who married Dora Gfellers, living north of Mr. Walker, has three children, Floyd, Russell and Carl; Daisy is the wife of Williard

P'or many years Mr. Walker \\as \-ery active in the support of the Democratic party and held a number of important local offices, including that of supervisor for two years, justice of the peace for fourteen years and in the fall of 1907 was elected as a member of the board of countv commissioners, assuming the duties of his oi^ce in January, 1909, and ser\'ing until January, 191 1. During this term he helped prepare the plans for a new court house and a new building at the county farm, and so conducted his official duties as to avoid any cause for criticism. It is noteworthy that u])on the comijletion of the new building at the county farm it was discovered that he and his associates had completed it at a much less cost than the original appropriation. Fraternally, Mr. Walker is a member of the Knights of Pvthias and the Free and Accepted Masons, and be and his wife lielong to the Pythian Sisters and the Order of the Eastern Star. ^\r. Walker has been first of all an honorable and upright citizen of noble aim and worthv purpose, ])rogressive in his ideas and enterprising in carrying out his well-devised plans. He has literally grown up with the county in which he was l)orn and has witnessetl its remarkable growth and de\-elopment, contributing of his energies the meanwhile to bring about the high state of civilization for which DeKalb county is now distinguished. -A.11 movements having for their object the adxancement of the public welfare have received his cordial endorsement, and his influence has e\'er been potent for good in his communit}- and to those with whom lie has had business or other relations. As a neighbor or. citizen, as a husband and father, he has been all that he should be in these several capacities and his career may be studied with ])rofit by the young man whose character is vet to be formed and life v. ork achieved.

William Wolfe

There is no calling, however humble, in which enterprise and industry, coupled with a well directed purpose, will not be productive of some measure of success and in the pursuit of agriculture the qualities mentioned are quite essential. Among the well known and highly respected farmers of Delvalb county who have attained to a definite degree of success in their Hne and who, at the same time, have greatly benefited the community in which tliey live, is the gentleman to a review of whose character the reader's attention is now directed.

William Wolfe was born on February 24, 1866, on the old Wolfe homestead in h'ranklin township, DeKall) county, Indiana, where he was reared and he received his education in the Franklin Center school. He has never made but one move from the old homestead and that was to the place where he now resides. His father died when the subject was but eighteen years old and thereafter he lived with his mother five years, or until his marriage in 1889, and then he and his wife lived on the old homestead until the year 1901, in which year Mr. Wolfe moved to his present attractive place of forty acres in Franklin township, where he now resides. This place when he acr^uired it was without impro\ements of an_\- sort, the farmjieing badly run down, but b}- dint of the most persistent energ}-, strenuous effort and sound judgment he has imprcf\-ed the farm, increased its fertiHty and by proper attention to its uijeration has developed it into one of the good farms of the township. In addition to his own operations, he is associated with his brother, Samuel, in the operation of a corn busker and wood saw and other lines which are required by the farmers of the commvmity and they have been successful in these things. Air. W^olfe has built a fine Ijarn, thirty-two Ijy forty-four feet in dimensions, has set out an orchard, erected manv sul)stantial fences and in all things ])o.ssil)le has made his farm w liat it should he.

On Fel)ruarv 17. i88q, at \\'aterloo, Indiana. Air. Wolfe was married to Minnie Ciurtner, who was born in Steuben county, Indiana, on August i, 1868. Later the parents mo\-ed to DeKalb county, where she became ac- (juainted with her future Inisband. To them ha\'e lieen lioni tlie foll(_)\\ing children: Bessie Leone, born March 12, iSqo, Iiecame tlie wife of Lee Hod.ge, and thev have one child; Mar}- Ala}", who was Ixirn January 14. \^gj. married Bruce Lower, and they have one child: Dellie R., l)orn Septenilier 7. 1896, died at the age of two years, and Clarence, born Septemljer 3, 1903.

Politically, Mr. Wolfe is a Democrat, although he is not a hide-liound partisan in any sense, as in local elections he generally votes for the man whom he deems best (|ualified to fill the office. irres])ective of party lines. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Hamilton, in which lodge he has passed through the chairs and he maintains a live interest in the workings of this order. Mr. \\'o!fe is a man of many . praiseworthy traits, being scrupulously honest in all his dealings with the business world, generous and pleasant, possessing rare fortitude and good iudgment, advocatin.g wholesome politics and clean living and honesty in business, and it is needless to add that such a man has hosts of friends and stands high in the estimation of all who know him. (52)

Harrison M. Daniels

It is a pleasure to investigate the career of a successful self-made man. Peculiar honor attaches to that individual who, beginning the great struggle of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable environment, removes one by one the obstacles from the pathway of success and by the master stroke of his own force and vitality succeeds in forging his way to the front and winning for himself a competency and a position of esteem and influence among his fellow men. Such is the record of the popular citizen of Smithfield township to a brief synopsis of whose life and character the reader's attention is herewith respectfully invited.

Harrison M. Daniels was born in Smithfield township. DeKalb countw Indiana, on March 31, 1852. the son of Reuben G. Daniels, who was a prominent citizen and pioneer agriculturist of this count}-. The subject was reared on his father's farm, and in 1872, when twenty years of age, went to Wisconsin, where he spent a xear working at the mason's trade. He then returned home and until 1881 he and his brother. Arthur, were engaged in the operation of eighty acres of land which they had purchased together. Then for a year the subject rented farming land in b'ranklin township, this ccjunty, but in March, 1882, he went to Waterloo, where during the following year he was variously engaged, working on the Lake Shore railroad part of the time, giving some attention to farming and also engaging in the bu\ing of timber. He then rented a farm one mile and a half east of Waterloo, which be oi)erated a year and then bought it, remaining on the place about three and one-half years longer. In the fall of 1892 Mr. Daniels bought the farm where he now lives, which had been formerly owned by Isaac Smith. This farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres of fine land, in addition to which Mr. Daniels also owns sixty acres less than a mile east and tliirt>- acres north of this, comprising a total acreage of two hundred and ten acres. Fairly progressive and up-to-date in his agricultural methods, Mr. Daniels has. by indomitable industr}-, sturdy perseverance and good management, attained to a large success in his vocation, and the general appearance of the land as well as the attractive residence, commodious learns and other details of his place indicate him to be a man of good judginent and excellent taste.

On September 3, 1875, Mr. Daniels was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Lower, the daughter of Jacob and Margaret Jane T Holmes) Lower. She was born and reared on the north edge of Grant township, where she resided with her parents until her marriage. To this union have been born four children: Claude [,., l>orn June 8. \i>j(i. married Maude Link, and lives in thi.s township; they have one son, Glen; Ethel, the wife of William Hartman, of Fairfield township, has four sons, Kenneth, Raymond, Lester and Verl; Dora is the wife of Carl Dilgard, of Smithfield township, and they have one daughter, Bernadine; Ruth is the wife of Ross Hise, of Bucyrus, Ohio. Mr. Daniels' protracted residence in this county has made his name wideh and favorably known throughout this section. His life and the historv of his locality have been prettx- nuicli the same thing'. He has seen the cnninumit\- grow from a comparatixely insignificant settlement into one of the most prosperous of the commonwealth. He has been one of the community's humblest laborers and wisest counsellors : his has been a long life of honor and trust, and no higher eulogy can he passed upon him than to state the simple truth that his name has never been coupled with anything disreputable, and that there has nexer been the shadow of a stain upon his reputation for integrity and unflinching honesty. He is respectetl b}- all w ho know him and the county of DeKalb can boast of no better man or more enterprising citizen.

Jacob Lower. Ir

Smithfield township, DeKalb county. Indiana, furnished a home for many a pioneer who settled within its boundaries with no cai)itnl sa\e the intelligence and jihysical abilities that were the gifts of his Maker and later attained a comjietencv and a position of infiuence in the locality in which he chose to reside that, in after vears. redounded in an enviable reputation for himself anil his descendants. Among these old and honored pioneers was the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this brief review, who was a native of the old Buckeye state, but who spent nearly a half century of his life in Indiana.

Jacob Lower, Jr., was born in Columbiana county. Ohio, in iShj, and was a son of Jacob Lower, Sr., a native of Holland, who married a Miss Sayner. He was reared in Columbiana county, there received his education in the district schools and on Eel)ruary _'!, 1830. was married to Elizabeth Miller. In 1844 he and his wife came to DeKalb count). Indiana, settling on the Henry Rempis farm in Smithfield township, where he built two log houses and began life in true pioneer style. The development of a farm in this locality in that period entailed an immense amount of the most strenuous kind of labor, for the land was deiisel\' covered with timber, which it was necessary to remove before any progress could be made in the cultivation of the soil. Here Air. Lower's first wife died, leaving five children, namely: Airs. Melissa AlcCurdy, of Bucyrus, Ohio; Alonzo, of \^'aterloo, Indiana; Mrs. Catherine Schimpff, of Pleasant Lake; John, of Sheridan, Michigan, and Albert, who died in infancy. On January 6, 1853, Air. Lower married Margaret Jane Holmes, who was born in i8.?S, at Alelmore, near Tiffin, Ohio, and came to Indiana with her parents in 1S42, when she was fourteen years of age. Fixe children were Ixirn of this second marriage, namely: Isadore, who died in infancy; Alary Ellen, the wife of H. AI. Daniels, of Smithfield township, who is represented elsewliere in this work ; Perry J., who died on March 3, 1909, at Alexandria, Indiapa; Dora, the wife of Frank Tuttle, of Steuben county, died on January 23, 1901 ; Nancy, who died in infancx. llie mother of these children died on Augu.st 30, iSfiQ. Mr. L(Aver persexered in his efforts to create a home in the wilderness xxhere he first located, anfl in this eft'ort was eminently successful ;ui(l in tlie course of time found himself in possession of as fine a farm as could be found in this entire locality. Steady industry and rigid economy were prerequisite to success, liut these (pialities he exemplified in a marked degree in his life, and he came to lie numl^ered among the successful farmers and rcpresentatixe citizens of liis community. He carved for himself a permanent home in the nex\ counlrx', accumidatcd a reasonable fortune and oxxned a splendid f:iriii, the im])ro\ ements including a large brick dxxelling just east of L'niontoxxn on the north edge of Grant townshi]i. He was a kind neighbor and friend, xxliom rdl could trust, and xxho was ex-er ready to hel]) th(ise in need al)out him. (Xu'et and uno-^lentatious. nexertheless he could alxxays lie depended ui)iin in the support of exery worthy moxement for the lienefit or uplift of the comnnniitw .\ man of sti-ongdomestic tastes, he foinid liis gre;;tcst (ileasure al)out his oxvn fireside xxith his loved ones about him. In his younger life he was a strong and vigorous man. and at one time xvalked all the xxax" to t'olumbiana county, Ohio, and returned, and on reaching home, found that their baby had dietl xx'hile he was awax', l)ut of xvhich fact he had not learned liecanse of the slow transit of the mails at that period. The demise of this honored pioneer occurred at his home here on January 5. 1889, and his death xvas universally considered a di.stinct loss to the comnninity in which he had lix'ed. and which he had honored by his citizenship. He xvas re.spected by all classes and conditions of people. pos,sessing a personality that won for him niany friends, and those who remember him now speak in high terms of his many fine cpialities and his upright cliaracter.

Jacob I. Frazeh

A noble soul, as well as a iiiany-sidecl ami interesting character, was removed from the scenes of earth when Jacol) 1. I'razer answered the suninmns that precedes the last long sleep. As he enjo\ed a w ide acquaintance and was generally popular, the public at large felt a sense of loss, and unusual honors, for a private citizen, were paid to his memory. But only the widow, who had shared his home, and a select coterie of his intimate friends were able to tell how kind was the heart that had been silenced forever by the grim "king of terrors." Space forbids a full study of his life and character, such as their merits would justify, and nothing more can be attempted in this memorial than the merest outline of a few of the more important features.

Jacob I. Frazer was born on August 7, 1818, in Columbiana countw Ohio, and his death occurred at his home in Waterloo. Indiana, on January ig. 1898. at the advanced age of se\enty-nine years. When lie was a lad of but four years of age. his parents moved to .Stark county. Ohio, where be was reared to manhood, receixing his education in the tlistrict schools, fn 1839 he was married and the following \eav he entered a tract of forty acres of land in Williams county, Ohio, to which he moved in 1 84 1 . and there lie.gan the struggle of pioneer life. In those early days lire on the frontier meant a succession of liardships and trials '.\hich would utterly discourage the .average farmer of the present day. but seventy years ago. realizing the golden o])portunities that lay l)efore them, tiie Imld ])ioneers literally took their lives into their own hands and, persevering amid the dangerous and discouraging circumstances in which they were placed, carved out for themselves not only homes, but fortunes for their descendants. Mr. Frazer was eminently .successful and lived in Williams county. Ohio, locating in Smithfield townshi]) in 1875 or 1876 just north of the John Cami)lx'll farm. Tliere be rem.-iined about five years, when he mo\ed to Waterloo, where he resided ui) lo the time of bis death. He was a man of -;icrling <|ualities of character and liy his indomitable will, sturdy industry and -^ound liuMiiess methods be attained lo a fair competency as regards this world's good-;, his last days being free from embarrassment.

On October 14. 1839. Mr. Frazer married Lydia Spangler. and to their union w ere born the following children : Elias S., Josiah B., Leander. William W., John W.. Harriet M.. Mary L. and Martha M.. the latter dying in 1883. Elias. who was a soldier in the Civil war. later went to Kansas where he became an undertaker and furniture dealer and his death occurred in that

State. He was a man of genial and hospitable qualities, generous to his friends and ever read}' to lend a helping hand to those in need ; Martha M. became the \\ife of Frank Rempis, of Smithfield township, this county, and died on October 7, 1883, at the age of twenty-two years; Josiah, Leander and William live in Kansas ; Harriett is the wife of >Villiam Wartenbee and lives in South Dakota; Mary L. is the wife of Arthur G. Daniels, of Smithfield township. In 1888 the mother of these children was claimed bv death, her ]5assing away licini^- considered a distimi lii<s tn the cimimunitv in which she had lived. She was an earnest, faitliful nu-nilier of the Reformed church, which she and her husliand had jnined in 1841 and of which thev were faithful memlicrs tlirnu^hout their li\cs. After .sc\-eral years of loneliness, i\ir. Frazer married Margaret Smith, who survives him and is li\'ing at \\"aterloo. As a farmer Mr. Frazer was successful and industrious and at all times enjoyed the respect of hi-; fellow agriculturists. Ide was also a successful \eterinar\- surgeon, lli-- life was a l)usy one, filled with action and the A\orlil w;i'^ Iietter f(jr his l)a\ing li\ed. As a citizen none occupied a more conspicuous ])lace in the confidence of the ])ul)lic and as a neighbor he was long lo\ed and honored by the ])eo])lc of his locality.

Reuben Grant Daniels

Change is constant rmd general, generations rise and pass unmarked away, and it is the duty of jjosterity. as well as a jiresent gratification, to place u])on the ])rinted ]);;ge a true record of the lixes of those who ha\e jireceded us on tlie stage of actiou and left to their descendants the memory of their struggles au'I achiex ements. The years of the hon(.)re(l subject of this memoir were a i)art of the indissoluble chain which links the annals of the past to those of the Iatter-da\' progress and ])rosperity, and the liistory of DeKalb county wruild not l>e com])lete without due reference to the long life Mr. Daniels lived and the success which he achie\-ed as an earnest, courageous laborer in one of the most important fields of human endeavor. Mr. Daniels was a man of more than ordinary distinction, from the following facts : He lived to a remarkable age, being past ninety-five years of age at the time of his death ; he was the second permanent settler in Smithfield township, Isaac B. Smith, after whom the township was named, being the first ; and in the early life of the community he was one of the leaders in the work of improvement and progress.

Reuben Grant Daniels was a Yankee by nativity, having been burn in \"ernH)nt on April 10, 1813, and was the son of James and Mary Daniels. .\t the age of eight years he was taken by his parents to ( )rleans, near Xia.^a^a, New York, where he remained until twenty vears of age, wlu-n he ni(j\e(l to Lenawee count3% Michigan. There, two years later, he married I'.etsev Randolph Camburn, of Tecumseh, Michigan. In 1837 Mr. Daniels came to De- Kalb county, Indiana, with the intention of entering a tract of government land. h"or this purpose he made se\eral trips to Ft. \Va_\-ne, in each instance finding that the site selected by him had already' lieen entered. After manv trying experiences, he finally entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Smithfield township. He was accompanied here by his brother-in-law, Ira Camburn, who also entered land, and together they built a primitive log cabin, "doorless, without upper floor and without dauliing." Tliev were not denied plenty of fresh air, for the wind had free circulation in all directions through the cabin. To this frontier home Mr. Daniels brought his family on Januaiy 28, 1838. They lirou.ght w ith them two cows and two calves, and Mr. Daniels carried the cah'es, turn ;d.)out. most (jf the way from Michigan. He was a strong, robust man, well fitted l)y nature for the rugged life in the wilderness to which he n(_)w dexoted him>elf. Conditions were far from pleasant and discomfoi't was tlie rule. It is relaled thai at one time Mrs. Daniels found a dead]}- massanga snake in her lieil. 'Ilie second child l)orn in Smithfield township was their daughter I.ucinda, who subse(|uently became a successful teacher in the puljlic schools <if the county. In 1839, the year following the settlement of the family here, Mr. Daniels and Isaac Smith built the first school house here, a log structure which stood on a corner of Mr. Daniels' land. Mr. Daniels sowed the first wheat in the tow nship. and at the firsi election in the township, in 1839, when only five votes were cast, Mr. Daniels was elected justice of the peace, over a large territory. His first official act was to marrv a couple at Story Lake, in Fairfield tow nshi]). whither he went on foot. He was to recei\e as liis fee a wild liog. but. as he was unalile to catch the hog, he returned home without his fee. Mr. Daniels was the first postmaster of Uniontown. which is now the first ward of the town of Waterloo, the office Ijeing at first located at his farm home. At one time the office was robbed of twenty-five cents and Mr. Daniels promptly gave chase to the culprit and compelled him to refund the money. He was also the leader of the liand of Regulators, who were organized to oppose the lawless gang of horse thieves, counterfeiters and other criminals who at that time infested this locality and made life anything but comfortable for the better element.

Many secret nieelin.^s were lielcl by the Regulators, iiiam" niitlnight rides taken in pursuit of tlie thie\es, and at une time tliev found a wash boiler full (jf money wliich had lieen buried in a swamp. On Octol^er 10. 1N115, Mr. Daniels was elected county commissioner and it was durint^ his membership on that Ijoard that the county treasury was l)urglarized. lie held the ofifice during three years, at a [jcriod when there was much important work before the commissioners, .\fter his removal to Waterloo. L'nion townshi]) having been divided, he was elected the first justice of the peace for (hant township and held the office a number of years with credit to himself and the .satisfaction of his fellow citizens. To Mr. Daniels also belonged the distinction of performing the first marriage ceremou}- in Smithrteld townslii]). tlie contracting parties being Norton Rlake and llulda Holmes, who were united in 1839.

To Reuben and Betsey Daniels were born .seven children, as follows: George, who was killed in the battle of Chickamauga; James lived in Michigan until reaching maturity, then went to Minnesota, where he engaged in business as a car]ienter ;md contractor, and at his death, in !(;i3, he was the owner of eight hundred acres of land; Mrs. Lucinda Daniels, of Minneapolis, who was a teacher for many years in DeKalb count}- ; Sabnia died in young womanhood ; Julia, the widow of Abram ]\IcEntarfer. li\es in Waterloo with her daughter, Mrs. IM Musser; Ancie is the wife of Orlando Smith, of Fairmount, Minnesota: Syhia is the wife of .\lbert .McDonald, of (ioshen, Indiana. The mother of these children died on May 25, 1850, and on March jo, 185 1, Mr. Daniels was married to Mrs. Susan (Holobaugh) Sayner. She was l)orn in Stark county, Ohio, where she was reared and where she marrietl (ieorge Sax'uer, with whom she came to DeKalb county. He bought a farm in what is now (irant townshi]) and lived there until his death. They became the parents of three children, of whom two died in childhood, and one is li\-ing, Mrs. I'rances I'.eard, of .\shle_\-. To Reuben and Susan Daniels four children were born, namely: Harrison M., wbi.^ li\es on the farm orij^inall_\- entered by Isaac B. Snn'th, in section 2^, Smithfield township: Arthur (j.. who resides on the old Daniels homestead ; Jessie is the wife of John J. Baxter, of Waterloo: Nellie, deceased, was three times married, first to Ira Shock, later to William McHench, and lastly to Mr. Cressy, who survived her. Mrs. Susan Daniels died on October 15, 1876, and ]Mr. Daniels remained on the old farm in Smithfield township until 1883, when he moved to W^aterloo, where his death occurred on June 6. 1908, in the ninety-sixth year of his age.

church for many years, but late in lite he liecanie a l^ieliever in spiritualism. He was of a peculiarly even temperament, always kindly and considerate in his relations with others, and the relations between himself and the members of his family were very affectionate. He was a man of marked dumestic tastes, his most enjoyable hours being spent about his own fireside in the companionship of his family. His life was a long and useful one to the hi,L;liest degree, and no man ever lived in his locality who to a greater degree enjoxed the absolute confidence and regard of the i)eople generally. In all that constituted true manhood and good citizenship he was a worthy example, his career being characterized by dut\- well perfonued. b\- faithfulness to e\'er_\- trust reposed in him, and by industry, thrift and wisely directed efl:'orts.

Verne Elswokth Harding

That the plenitude of satiety is seldom attained in the affairs of life is to be considered a most beneficial deprivation, for where amliition is satisfied and ever}^ ultimate end realized, if such be possible, apathy must follow, l-'ft'ort would cease, accomplishment be [^rostrate, and creative talent waste its energies in inactivity. The men who have pushed forwanl the wheels of progress have been tho.se to whom .satisfaction lies ever in the future, who ha\e labored continuously, always finding in each transition stage an incenlixe for further effort. Mr. Harding is one whose well directed efforts have gained for him a position of desirable prominence in the agricultural circles of De- Kalb county, and his energy and enterprise have been crowned by a gratifying degree of success.

Verne Elsworth Harding is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of DeKalb county, his grandfather. Dimick Harding, having been one of the first settlers of Richland township. He was liorn September 12. 1803, in New came to I.aCrangc county, Indiana, in 1832, settling near Lima, now Howe, moving from there to Richland township, DeKalb county, in 1841, settling on the tract of land now owned and occupied by tlie subject of this sketch, and it is a noteworthy tract. The farm has been owned and occupied by the Harding family continuously for se\enty-t\vo years. Himick Harding was married to Sarah Pike in LaCran.ge county, Indiana, in i82f>. and to this union were born the following children: Levi, Samantha, Sabra, William Wrilv, Solomon, Elmira. and .\lberl. all deceased. Of these children.

Solomon was the father of the subject of this sketch. He married Sarah William, Wrily Solomon, Elmira and Albert, all deceased. Of these children, Mary J., Martha E., Frank M., Delbert H., Verne Elsworth, Rosa Evelyn. Dennis F. and Pearl D., all of whom are deceased exceptin,^- \"erne and Dennis.

Verne E. Harding was born on the old homestead in Richland township, this county, on July 24, 1865. He was reared under the parental roof, securing a good education in tlie public schools, and has always given thoughtful and intelligent direction to the vocation of farming, to which he was reared, and he has achieved a nuist eminent success in this point. The day is past and gone when the farmer is looked down upon b\' other professions, for the progressive and up-to-date farmer of today has asserted his place among the leading producers of work, and among the most serviceable of vocations. Mr. Harding has made a close and critical study of agricultural means and methods, which he has in man}- ways demonstrated by his own experience as an agriculturalist, and he has for many years been num1>ered among the progressive and influential fanners of DeKalb county. He has been ofificially connected with the farmers' institutes of both the township and county at large, and has made many instructi\c and efifectual addresses to the farmers of his county. For a number of years lie has been a solicitor for the DeKalb Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and in many ways has demonstrated business ability of a high order. He owns (ine hundred and twenty acres of highly improxed land in Richland township, to which he gives his attention, and here he has achieved a noteworthy success. He carries on general farming, raising" all of the crops common to this locality, and also gives a proper share of attention to the raising of li\-e stock, one of the most important auxiliaries of successful farming. Politically. Mr. Harding is an earnest Republican, while, fraternally, he is an acti\-e and influential member of the Knights of Pythias, belonging to the subordinate lodge at Corunna.

On December 25, 1889, ^^erne E. Harding was united in marriage to Belle Cox, and to this union were born three children: Forest C, Mary Mvrth (deceased^ and Annise Luella. The son. Forest C. Harding, was married on December 25, 1911. to Mary J. Boren, and they have one son. Dale Clifford, born March 22. 1013. In all the elements that go to make upright and correct citizenship. Mr. Harding stands foremost, and by his earnest support of all worth}- improxements, his own Ijusiness success and upright character, he has earned and retained to a marked degree the esteem " and confidence of the community in which his entir elife has been spent.

David R. Kosht

Whether the elements of success in hfe are innate attrilxites of the individual or whether tliey are fiuickened liy a process of circumstantial development, it is impossible to clearly determine. Yet the study of a successfu\ life, whatever the field of endeavor, is none the less interesting and profitable by reason of existence of this same uncertainty. Sn much in excess of those of successes are the records of failures or semi-failures, that one is constrained to analysis in either case and to determine the measure of causation in an approximate way. But in studying the life history of the well known resident and popular citizen of St. Joe, wliose name forms the caption of this article, we find many qualities in his make-up that always ,,gain definite success in an)' career if properly directed, as his has evidently been, which has resulted in a life of good to others as well as in a comfortalile competence to himself.

David R. Kosht, who is successfully cuga.gcil in the milling business at St. Joe, was born in Union township, DeKall) county, Indiana, on the J7th day of April, 1885, and is the son of Simon P. and Fdizabeth ( Krahill ) Kosht. Simon P. Kosht was born in Ashland county, Ohio, on August 24. 1S5S, the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Lash) Kosht, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Daniel T\osht came to DeKalb county in 1866, settling in Union township, where he followed farming all his life. Among his children was Simon Peter, who received his education in the common schools and then took up farming, which vocation he has actively followed since. He is the owner of seventy-four acres of land and has been successful in his material aiifairs. To him and his wife were born two children : P)a\id R., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Annie May. who became the wife of Pathron Hindeman, of Concord townshi]), this county. Politically Simon P. Kosht is a Democrat, fraternally, an Odd Fellow, and in his religious belief he is a member of the Christian church.

David R. Kosht received his education in the common schools ni \\'ilmington township, this coimty, and was reared to the life of a fanner, which upon attaining mature years he followed for about six years in Wilmington and Concord townships. Tn January, 1912, Mr. Kosht engaged in the millingbusiness at St. Joe, in which he is still engaged and in which he has met with a well deserved success. His mill is well equipped for general custom work and Mr. Kosht gives his undivided attention to his business interests, promptness and good work being his watchword.

On November ii, 1905, Mr. Kosht married Dona I'. Engle, the daughter of Martin D. and Harriet (Howey) Engle, who were early settlers of DeKalh county and successful farmers. To Mr. and Mrs. Kosht have been born two children. Margaret and Phyllis, both of whom are at home with their parents.

Politically, David R. Kosht has been a life-long supporter of the Democratic party, actively interested in its success and he performs to the extent of his ability his duties as a citizen of the community. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious adherence is with the Christian church at St. Joe. Personally, he is affable and popular with the people of his locality and ready at all times to encourage and aid all laudable measures and enterprises for the general good. By a life consistent in motive and Ijecause of his many fine qualities he has earned the sincere regard of all who know him and his success in his chosen field of endeavor bespeaks for him continued advancement and the highest sphere of usefulness in the luisiness w orld in the future.

Perry D. Depfw

To a great extent the prosperity- of the agricultural sections of (jur country is due to the honest industry, the sturdy persistence, the unswerving perseverance and the wise economy which so ])rominently characterize the farming element of the Hoosier state. Among this class may he mentioned the subject of this life record, who. by reason of years (jf indefatigable labor and honest effort, has not only actpiired a well merited material prosperity, but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with wliom he is associated.

Perry D. DePew , a successful farmer and public-spirited citizen of Keyser township, was born on June 2j. uS/f), and is a son of Samuel and Fannie (Mason) DePew. Samuel DePew. wlio was born and reared in Stark county, Ohio, to the age of ten years, wa> a son of Joseph and Nancy ( \\'atson ) De- Pew, who, about 1855, came to DeKalb county. Indiana, and bought a tract of land in the northwest part of Keyser township. Here they develoiied and iin])roved a fine farm and s])ent tlie remainder of their days, the mother dynig on that farm and the father in this count\ also. When Samuel HePew was about seventeen years of age he heard the call for defenders of the national honor and responded prompth', becoming a member of Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, with which he participated in many of the most important battles of that great conflict, lieing in the service four years, at the end of whicli time he receixed an honorable discharge and returned to the pursuits of peace. On coining; hack to the old home in Key.ser townshi]) he Ixmyht the estate from his |)arents and lived there until iSijo, when he moved to Auburn and spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring there in 1910. On July 12, 1867, Samuel DePew married Fannie Mason, the daughter of Abraham and .\nne ( ( juince ) .Mason, the latter"s parents being natives of Lincolnshire, England, where thev were married and where fi\-e of their children were born, the father being a farmer in his nati\-e land. In 1857 they came to America and located in Richland county, Ohio, where the father followed ditching for a year, then rented a farm and in iSfii mo\ed to DeKalb county, locating at Corunna on March 4th of that year. For three \ears he operated rented land and then bought a tract of forty acres two miles east of Avilla, where he remained three years. He then bought fifty acres of land three miles sinithwesl of .\\illa and later added forty acres adjoming. F.\'entually he sold that tract and Ijouglit eightytwo acres of land in the same neighborhood, but finally mo\ ed to .Vvilla, where he bought a home and li\-ed luUil his death. Vfter that e\ent his widow li\ed with her children in Auliurn until she passed away. Their daughter, now the widow of Samuel Delr'ew, li\es on the home farm with her son, Perrw the suljject of this sketch. The [ilace is A\ell improved, including an attractive and well-arranged l)rick residence, good barn and outbuildings and in many other ways the farm is numbered among the attractive and profitable agricultural estates of the county. To the cultivation of the (ild home farm. Perry DePew, the immediate sul>ject of this sketch, gi\-es his earnest attention and is numbered among the progressi\-e and U])-to-date farmers (if the townshi]). ile is a well educated and symmetricalh- de\-eloped gentleman, wideawake to all the current issues of the day, and takes a deep interest not only in the impro\-ement of his material estates, Init also in the ad\-ancement of the highest and best interests of the entire community in which he lives. He is one of six children born to his parents, the others being Mary, wife of John Cook-; JM-ank: Martha, the wife of WiUiam Cook; Nettie, the wife of 1-evi Shirk; Belle, who now lives in Cleveland. Ohio, the subject of this sketch Iieing the youngest in the family.

On December 6, 1899, Perry DePew married Essie B. Lawhead. who was born at St. Joe, this county, the daughter of Sanniel and Sarah ( Keagy) Lawhead, who now reside in Richland township, this count\-. To Mr. and Mrs. DePew have been born two children, Raljih and Harold. Mr. DePew is a representative of one of the honored old families of this community and has ably sustained the enviable reputation which his forbears won during their residence here, his efforts being always exerted toward the advancement of his own interests as well as those of his fellows. Because of his genial disposition, agreeable nature and his kindl\- attitude to those about him, he has won many warm friends and numbers his acquaintances throughout this section of the county.

Among the citizens of Smithfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana, who have built up a comfortable home and surrounded themselves with valuable landed estates and personal property, few have attained a higher degree of success than the subject of this sketch. With feu opportunities except what his own efforts were cajjable of mastering anrl with many discouragements to overcome, he has made an exceptional success m life and in his old age has the gratification of knowing that the community in wliich he resides has lieen benefited by his presence and counsel.

William Henry Bachtel is a native of DeKalli county, Indiana, born on March 12, 1863, on a farm in Smithfield township and is a son of Henry and Mary (Mover) Bachtel. Henry Bachtel, whose death occurred on July 23, 191 3, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on February 19, 1829, the son of George and Catherine (Mummaw) Bachtel, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared in his native county and came to DeKalb county in 1850, where he A\as employed at the trade of a blacksmith, which he had learned in his home community and in which he had been employed since the age of nineteen years. He followed this pursuit at Auburn for a great many years, and in i860 bought the Mortorff farm near Summit, comprising one hundred and twenty acres, which he operated until the fall of i8h3, at the same time giving some attention to the trade of blacksmith. In the latter year he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres south of Waterloo, to which he gave his attention and to which he added by later purchases. In 1865 Mr. Bachtel was drafted for the war, but sent a substitute in his stead. He lived on this latter farm, now known as the Bachtel homestead, until his death, which occurred on July it,, 1913. His wife, Mary (Moyer) Bachtel, to whom he was married on April 29, 1852, died on March 15. 1895. Air. Bachtel had improved his farm, erecting the buildings now upon it, among the structures erected bv him being a barn fourteen by thirty feet in size, and which was added to until it now measures forty l)y seventy-six teet. and in other ways he made many substantial improvements which indicated him to be a man of progressive ideas and up-to-date in his tendencies. After the death of his wife, Mr. Bachtel made his home with his son on the old homestead. He was a sober, earnest, hardworking man, regarded as one of the foremost farmers in the community, and was a loyal and acti\e member of the United Brethren church. To him and his wife were born nine children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being Delilah, the wife of Robert Patterson, who is a shoe dealer of Waterloo ; Emanuel, deceased : John Wesley, who lived to manhood near Waterloo and died in 1908, at his father's home; Mahala. the wife of Henry D. Shoemaker, of Smithfield township, this county: William H., the immediate .subject of this .sketch; Ada F., the wife of Daniel Dilgard, of Montpelier, Ohio; Emma, who died at the age oi twenty-five years; All)ert, who died in childhood, and Bert, who is living on the old homestead.

William H. Bachtel was reared on the patermd farmstead, securing his education in the common schools and engaged in teaching schools in different townships in the count)- during the winter months, farming in summer. In 1894. two years after his marriage, hj bought his present farm, on whicii he located in 1892. Iu)ur acres of this land is in standing timber and seventy-six acres under cultivation. Mr. Bachtel's barn, the oldest in the township, burned on July 30, 19 13, and he is now engaged in the erection of a new one, which, when completed, will be one of the finest in Smithfield townshi]).

On March 27, 1892, Mr. Bachtel married Mary Jane \\'alker, the daughter of Eli Walker, who is represented elsewhere in this work, and therefore Mrs. Bachtel's jiersonal family liistor\ will not be repeated here. To Mr. and Mrs. Bachtel have been born two children, Harry Earl and Estel Vern.

Politically, Mr. Bachtel has given his support to the Republican party consistentlx" since attaining his majority and has been active and influential in its support. I'raternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Waterloo, being interested in the workings of that order. He is essentiall\- a man of affairs, of sound judgment, keen discernment, farseeing in what he undertakes and every enterprise to which he has addressed himself has resulted in satisfactory financial returns. His success in life has been the legitimate fruitage of consecutive eft'ort, directed and controlled by good judgment and correct principles, and because of his high qualities of character he is eniinentlv deserving of the confidence and regard which are bestow ed upon him in the communitv in which he resides.

Martin C. Sheets

Conspicuous among the representative men and public-spirited citizens of DeKalb county, Indiana, is the well known gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article. He has made his influence felt for good in his community in Jackson township, being a man of sterling worth, whose life has been closely interwoven with the history of the community in which he resides and whose efforts have always been for the material advancement of the same, as well as for the social and moral welfare of his fellow men. The well regulated life he has led. thereby gaining the respect and admiration of all his fellow citizens, entitle him to representation in a l)i(>graphical work of the scope intended in the present work.

Martin C. Sheets was born on June 29, iSOo, on tlie farm where he now resides in Jackson township, DeKalb comity, Indiana, and is a son of Christian and Margaret (Carr) Slicets. Christian Sheets was born in Ashland county, Ohio, and upon attaining mature years learned the trade of miller, having engaged in the operation of a grist mill in his community. He also followed farming to s<:)me extent, but in 184^1, when alraut twenty-three years of age, emigrated from Ohio to DeKalb county, Indiana, and here bougiit the old Parks farm of one hundred acres, which was then practically all covered with timber. Here he cleared a space for a cabin and entered upon the strenuous task of clearing the land and putting it in cultivation. Later he bought eighty acres adjoining on the east and in 1864 again engaged in the milling business, which he continued for about ten )'ears, running tlie old grist mill in Auburn. A new mill now stands on the site of this old mill. which for many vears was a well known landmark here. His death occurred on September 12, 1882. Margaret (Carr) Sheets, who also was born in Ashland county, Ohio, accompanied her husband to DeKalb county, and here became very active in assisting him in his work in connection with the inauguration of a home in the frontier. She was a good woman and enjoyed to a marked degree the confidence and love of those with whom she came in contact. Her death occurred on May 13, 1895, on the homestead where she had spent so many active years. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheets were born six children. namely : Hulbert Luther ; Mrs. Sarah Hufifman, who lives in Auburn and is the mother of three children, two living and one deceased ; Amanda, deceased ; Martin C, the immediate subject of this sketch: Mrs. Maud P. Blankenship, of Chicago, Illinois, and a child who died in infancy.

Dekalb Couxty, Indiana

the township schools and from bcjyhood devoted his attentiim mainly to farming pursuits. He also learned the trade of carpenter and cement worker, and in the latter line did many jobs of work throughout this localit\'. He worked on the old home farm in Jackson township and has spent ]jiactically his entire life there. He cleared thirty-five acres of the last eighty acres his father bought and also about twenty-five acres of the first one-hundred-acre tract. The old residence on the home place, in which the sul)ject was horn. has since been remodeled by him and substantial additions made to it, and the other farm outbuildings, such as the barn, have been remodeled, the latter being changed into a modern liank barn. Mr. Sheets has given marked evidence of his progressive spirit ij_\ building the first and only cement block silo in the county. He is the owner of one hundred and se\'en acres of excellent land, which is maintained at the highest standard of agricultural excellence, and which by its general appearance of neatness and prosperity makes a favorable impression on the passerb}-. About fifteen acres of his land is covered by excellent timber and is considered \-ery \-alual.ile. He also farms twentyfive acres belonging to his sister, ^faud.

On May 25, 1884, Mr. Sheets was united in marriage to .\nnice Russell, daughter of \Villiam and Sarah ( Wicks ) Russell. William Russell w as born in .\shland county. Ohio, commg- in youth lo Fort Indiana, with his parents. Eventually he took up the vocation of a farmer and moved to Green township. Noble county, Indiana, where he followed the profession of stationarv engineering, operating in the saw mills of that county. His marriage to Sarah Wicks occurred in 1857, and his death in 1864. He had two children, Annice, who became the wife of the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Francis Haney, who lixes in .Mbion, Noble county, this state, and is the mother of two children living and one deceased. Sarah Wicks was horn in Allen county, Indiana, near Huntertown, and came to Noble county in 1842. After the death of her husliand she came to live with her daughter. Mrs. Sheets, where she still resides. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheets have been born two children, Florous, who remains at liome and assists in the farm work, and Russell, who is a draughtsman for the Pullman Car Company at Chicago.

Politicallv. Martin Sheets is a supporter of the Democratic i)arty, while, fraternally, lie is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Auburn and the Benevolent and Protective Order of FJks at Fort Mrs. Sheets is a meml:>er of the Presbyterian church and is also identified with the Pythian Sisters. She is a well educated and cultivated woman, and has been a true (53) and appreciative helpmeet to her husband in his work. She enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout the community and is well liked by all who khow her. Mr. Sheets is not only an excellent man personally and a hustler in his business affairs, but in the ci\ic life of the community he has taken a large interest and gives an unequivocal support to every movement intended to advance the social, moral and educational welfare of his fellow citizens.

William Scott Forney

The life of the scholarly or professional man seldom exhibits any of those striking incidents that seize upon public feeling and attract attention to himself. His character is generally made up of the aggregate qualities and qualiiications he may possess, as these may be elicited by the exercise of the duties of his vocation or the particular prtifession to which he may belong. But when such a man has so impressed his individualit\- upon his fellow men as to gain their confidence, and through that confidence be retained in important positions, he becomes a conspicuous figure in the bod\- politic oi the community. The subject of this review is one of the scholarly men (jf his county, who, ncjt content to hide his talents amid life's sequestered wa\s, by the force of will and a laudable ambition forged to the front in an exacting and responsible calling and earned an honorable reputation in one of the most important branches of public service. A well-educated, symmetrically developed man, his work as an educator has for many years been of such a high standard of excellence that his position in the front rank of his profession has long lieen conceded. Keeping abreast of the times in advanced educational methods, and possessing a broad and comprehensive knowledge, he is, because of his high attainments, a well rounded character and of large influence, eminently entitled to representation in the annals of his county.

William Scott Forney, the present efficient superintendent of the high school at Ashley, Indiana, was born on October 3, 1882, on a farm in Snuthfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana, and is a son of .Adam Adic and Nancy (Cole) Forney. Adam A. Forney was liorn in Stark county, Ohio, about ten miles east of Canton, on .A.])ri! 22. 1847, and was the .son of Henry and Nellie N. (Marks) Forney. Henry l-'orney was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, spending his Ijoyhood days in that state and came with his parents, Henry and Mary- (Ritter) Forney, to Ohio, where they settled on a farm. There he followed the trade of brick making. In 1849 came to

DeKalb county. Indiana, the trip being marie b\- boat from Toledo, thence by canal to Fort Wayne and 1:iy wagon from that city to DeKalb county. They settled on a farm of thirty acres, all of which was covered with timber and located in Smithfield township. This land Mr. Forney cleared and put in good condition and also assisted in clearing land for John Hamman, a farmer owning land adjoining. He followed the brick-making trade here also and was one of the most serviceable men in the early life of the comnumity. His death occurred in 1863 on the homestead- farm. His wife, who was a native of Ohio, was married in 1836 to Henry Forney, and she. too. was a leading factor in the early life here, assisting not only in the rearing of a large family, but in the general work of the farm. She was a queen to her children, who adored her as a mother and who found in her a sympathetic helpmate and companion. Her death occurred in 1884 on the homestead farm. To Mr. and Mrs. h'orney were born twehe children: One who died in infancy, Julia Ann, John, Elizaljeth, Henry and Samuel are deceased : Adam A. ; Jacob, who is a farmer in LaCirange county, Indiana, married Kli/.aheth Walters, and they ha\e one child; .Mirahani. a farmei- near .\shle\-. Indiana, married Anna Zent. and they have two children: Da\ id, a carpenter at Ashley, Indiana, married Alaggie Humphrey: Mary Ann, who is the wife of \Mlliani Stoleberger, a farmer in LaGrange count>\ Indiana, is the mother of two children: William is a farmer in Ko'^ciusko countw Indiana, married Maggie Lyons, to which union has been born one child. Adam A. b'orney was about two years of age when he came with his parents to DeKalb county, Indiana, and he received his education in the township schools, working on the home farm as soon as old enough to assist in the work and also learning the brickmason trade. He remained on the parental homestead until attaining his majority, and after his marriage, in i88t, he bought forty acres of land across from the homestead farm, which he ditched, tiled and feticed. and on which he built a splendid residence. He is still active as a farmer on this place, -which he has developed into one of the best farms in the community. He has taken an important place in the civic life of the community, having served two terms (six years') as super\-isor of Smithfield township. He has been an active supporter of the Democratic party and. though not a member of any church, has been a Lutheran in his religious faith.

On July 21, 1881, Adam A. Forney married Nancy Cole, the daughter of Smith and Mary (Whistler) Cole. Smith Cole was a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and was reared to the life of a farmer. He came with his parents to DeKalb countv in voung manhood and here followed agricultural j>ur- suits until his death. On (3ctober 12, 1862, he was drafted at \Vaterlo(j for mihtary ser\-ice and went to the front as a prix-ate in Company D, Thirtieth Regiment Indiana N'olunteer Jnfantr}-. under I'apt. Wheeler \V. Griswaldt. He was discharged from the service in Tennessee on July 30, 1863. He was twice married, having six children by the first union, namely : Ellen, William, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary Ann and Nancy M., and three children by his second union, Edward, John and Katherine. To Air. and Mrs. Forne_\' were Ijorn se\-en children; William Scott, the immediate subject of this sketch: Cora B., Herljert, Worthy. Earl. Adam l-loyd and Nellie.

William .Scott b'orney recci\ed his education in the schools of Smithfield township, graduating from the Ashley high school in ic)03. He then taught school at Smithfield Center for one term and four terms in the graded schools at Ashley. In igo8, soon after his marriage, ]Mr. Forney went to the Philippine islands with his wife, as super\-ising teacher, having al)out thirt_\-- five native teachers under his charge, and during the three years in which he held this position he performed splendid scrxice in achaucing the educational status of the locality in which he was placed. Returning to the United S.tates in 191 1. in the fall of that year he entered Indiana I'niversity at liloomington, and two \ears later he graduated x\itli the degree of l.iachelov of Arts. Returning to Ashley, Indiana, lie here assumed the ])(isition of superintendent of the high scliool, to which he IkkI lieeu cliosun. entering up^m his new duties on September 15, 1913. He has demonstrated his eminent fitness for the position, and through his untiring efforts and able management the high school at Ashley has ad\-anced to position among the foremost high schools of this section of the state. A con.stant student and deep reader. Mr. l^irney keeps in close touch with the most advanced thought relative to pedagogical affairs and gives thoughtful and intelligent direction to the school under his charge. ?Ie has won the favor of patron and pupil and exerts a beneficial influence on not onh- the educational but the priwate lives of those under his care.

On April 19, 1908, William S. Forney was married to Ina Gurtner, the daughter of Henry and Joan (Clark) Gurtner. Henry Gurtner was born in DeKalb county, Indiana, and during his active years followed farming pursuits, though he is now retired and is living at Hamilton, this state. His wife, who also was a native of DeKalb county, died in September, 1885. Mr. Gurtner was twice married, having five children by the first union and three li\- the second, these children in the order of birth being named Delbert. Mrs. Minnie Wolfe. :\lrs. Ella Arnold. Daxid. Mrs. Hattie Miller. Mr<. Irena Fee.

Politically, ]\Ir. l-'orney is an actixe Democrat and, traternalh". a member of the Knights of Pythias. A man of kindlx impnlses and humanitarian spirit, he takes a deep interest in e\erything- pertaining to the welfare of the community in which he resides, and is numliertd among the representative citizens of his locality.

Ezra D. Hartman

.\mong those who ha\e stood as distinguished ty])es of the world's workers was the late Juilge Fzia I). Haitman. whu was one of the al:)le and honoretl law_\'ers of nia"thern Indiana. Me was a man of fine intellectual attainments, of most gracious ]:ersonality, of strcins; and nol)l'_^ character, and one who lab(jred with zeal and dex'otion in the pursuit of his v(jcation. .\s one of those who h.axe lent ('ignit\' and honor to the legal profession in Indiana and who l)i"ought to his chosen xocation tlie strength and dex'otion of a great soul and a great mind, it is most const mant that an extended tribute to his memor\- he entereil and perpetuated in this history.

h'zra D. Hartman was born in Lehigh cnunt\ , Penns_\l\ania, on May i6. 1841. and died at his home in .Xuliurn, Indiana, on AFa}' (k u;ot,. He was the son of Abram and Catherine (Russell) Hartman, who are referred to specifically in the sketch (jf Joel E. Hartman, elsewhere in this work, therefore further mention will not be made of them in this connection. The subject of this sketch was brought to DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1847 ^^'tb his parents and received a good common school education, in addition to thorough courses in commercial work and the stud\' of law. He completed his law course in the University of Michigan, and in June. iSdj, was admitted to the bar. However, soon afterward he felt called upon to enlist in his country's defense, and in .\ugust, 1862, he assisted in recruiting a company which was assigned to the One Hundredth Regiment. Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he went to the front. He was commi-Moned lieutenant of his company and was later promoted to the rank of captain. He experienced many hardships and discharged his duties with a fidelity and Ijravery which earned for him the commendation of his sujierior ofiicers. Howe\er, his military service was the ultimate cause of bis death, for he there contracted diseases which undermined his constitution and from the effects of which he suffered until the time of his decease. In 1866 Mr. Hartnian located in Indiana, where he began the active practice of his profession and the same year was nominated on the Republican ticket for representative against Hon. Freeman Kelley and, after an active campaign, was successful at the polls. In the fall of 1867 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the fourteenth judicial district, composed of the counties of DeKalb. Steuben, Lagrange, Noble, Elkhart and Kosciusko, serving three years in this. position and discharging his duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellows. He continued the practice of law in partnership with ). L. JNIorlan, in Waterloo, Indiana, until 1 87 1, when he nidved to South Bend, but two years later he returned to DeKalb county and formed a partnershij) with Hun. J. K. Rose, of Aul)urn, which continued until 18S1. In [898 Wr. Hartnian was nominated in cun\ention held in the Waterloo opera house for judge of the thirty-fifth judicial circuit, composed of Steuben and DeKalb counties, and was triumphantly elected. During his term of f)flice he was at times incapacitated for the discharge of his official duties because of his failing health, but he demonstrated a wonderful tenacity and will power and oftentimes presided over the court when almost any other man would ha\-e felt unable to be present. He was conscientious and carefully guarded the public interests as judge in rendering decisions and gave eminent satisfaction both to counsel and litigants. He manifested a thorough knowledge of the law and had a remarkable com- ])rehension of the main ]ioints at issue when a case was ]M-esented in his court. Kindly and considerate of the attorneys in his court, be was in turn treated by them with a reverence almost amounting to affection, as his death was considered not onl\- a distinct loss to the coninnmit}', but to nian_\' of the attorneys of DeKalb count)- bis |)assing away was held to be a ])ersonal bereavement.

On October 15. [868, Jmlge Hartnian was iii;irried at Bryan, Ohio, to Mary Cunningham, to which union were born three children, Alaliel, Walter C. and Hubert Ezra. Airs. Hartnian died a number of years ago, and thereafter Judge Hartman made his home with his daughter, Mabel. Fraternally, he was an enthusiastic member of the iMasonic order, having attained to the degrees of the Royal Arch, and was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Religiously, he was a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he held the office of elder. He was a faithful supporter of the church's interests, and in church, political a"nd pri\-ate life alike he was consistent in his motives and actions, never \iolating the confidence which the people uni\ersallv held in him. He was a fair, lionest and able judye, a brave and courag- eous soldier, a good citizen in the broadest sense of the term, and a friend who never violated any confidence placed in him. In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship he was a worth}- example and none stood higher than he in the esteem and ccmfidence of the circles in which he moved.

One of the native sons of DeKalh county w ho has remained and made a success of life right here in his own cnmmuiiity rather than being lured away to some distant locality liy the "wanderlust spirit." there to seek an uncertain fortune amid strange en\-ironment, is JM-ank C. lloffelder, a farmer of Smithfield township. He has worked hard for what he has and he is deserving of the competence and the valuable property that are toda}- his.

Frank C. Hofifelder was born on .Vpril 3, 1874, on the old liome farm of his parents east of St. Michael's church in Smithfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana. His parents were John and Frances ( Miller) Hoffelder, long prominent and successful residents of this locality and who reared their families to lives of respectability and honor in their respective communities. Frank C. Hofifelder spent most of his life until his marriage on the home place until, when about twenty-two years old, he worked f(jr about si.xteen montlis in the Raltimore & Ohio railroad shops in Ciarrett, and was also employed on a farm near Tra\erse Cit\'. ^Michigan, aliout three year';. In the fall of igo2 Mr. Hoffelder l.iought eighty acres of land in section 3. and the lady who afterwards became his wife bought the eighty acres adjoining. In June of the following year they were married and immediately located on tlie subject's farm and began the task of clearing the land and putting it under culti\ation. Louisa Dapp, who became Mr. Hoffelder's wife, was a daughter of .Alois Da])p and a sister of Henry Daj^p, in whose sketch elsewhere in thiswork is more detailed mention of the family history. At the time they located on their new land the only improvements were a long stable and a little old log cabin which had been built nearly a half century before, the ceiling of which was so low that a man could hardly stand upright in it. The entire tract was ])racticallv a wilderness, not having been drained and l)etng uKistlv -xvani]) land. l)ut Mr. Hoffelder by the most strenuous lal)or succeeded in clearing it, ditching and tiling it and creating one of the best farms in this section of the countv. Fie now has nearly one hundred acres under cultivation and has erected a comfortable anfl attractive residence, substantial and commodious

To Mr. and Mrs. Hoffekler have been born fi\e children : Helene. Esther, Johnnie, Frances and Agnes. Politically, Mr. Hoifelder is a Democrat and takes an active interest in political affairs, though not in an\- sense a seeker after public office. Religiously, he and his family belong to the Catholic church, to which they contril)Ute liberally of their means. Personally, Mr. Hoffelder is known to be a man of honest principles, genennis, kind and alwa\s read\- to do his full share of the common duties of citizenship ; in short, a genial, broad-minded man, whom to know is to admire and esteem. He has been very successful in his operations and has won the confidence of all who know him, owing to his honorable methods and upright life.

DeKalb county, Indiana, enjoys a high reputation because of the high order of her citizenship, and none of her citizens occupies a more enviable position in the esteem of his fellows than the gentleman w hose name appears at the head of this sketch. A residence here of over sixty years has given his fellows a full opportunity to observe him in the \'arious lines of acti\ity in which he has engaged and his present high standing is due solely to the honorable and upright course he has pursvied. As a leading citizen of his community he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character.

Alexander Pro\ines, who resides in Auburn, but owns a fine farm in section 9, Jackson township, this county, was bom in Rowsburg, .\shland county, Ohio, on July 18, 1848, the son of Alexander and Dorcas (.\dams) Provines. These parents were born respectively in ^^'ashington county, Pennsylvania, on January 31, 18 18, and Ashland county, Ohio, on January 16, 182 1. The subject's grandfathers, Robert Provines and Hugh Adams, were born natives -of Ireland and the latter was a soldier in the war of 181 2. In April, 1853, Alexander Prcnines, Sr., settled on a farm of one hundred and sixtv acres in section 9, Jackson township, DeKalb county, Indiana, where he the remainder of his days, and where the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood. He received his education in the district schools during the winter months, while his summer vacations were spent in work on the farm up to his twentieth year, when he began teaching school, following this vocation during the following ten winters, one of which. 1870, was spent in Cass county, Nebraska. Mr. Provines has been prospered in his life's vocation and is now the owner of one hundred and thirty-four acres of splendid land in section 9, Jackson township, a part of which comprises the farm on which his father first settled. To the cultivation of this place Mr. Provines devoted himself untiringly and with eminent success until October, 1902, when he relinquished the labor of the farm and moved to Auburn, where he is now living in honorable retirement, although he still maintains supervision over the operation of his farm. The latter is well tiled and in good state of cultivation and has l.^een numbered for many \'ears among the best farms of the community, l^eing productive and well improved in every respect. Mr. Provines owes his success almust entirely to his own efforts, for he was one of the beginners in this locality, enduring the har(lslii])s and privations of the pioneers, clearing and his farm and educating and rearing his children to honorable manhood or womanhood.

Politically, Mr. Provines is affiliated with the Repul)lican party, and was appointed a memlier of the township advisory Ijoard and was also appointed to fill a vacancy in the county council, holr'.ing the latter position when appropriations were made for the jjreseni magnificent new coiu't house at Auburn. Though Mr. Provines is not alffliated with ;i.ny church, he has ahvays taken active part in Sunday school work and has the greatest respect for religious societies and, appreciation of the work which they have accomplished.

On November 7, 1871, Mr. Provines married Rhoda S. Knight, a native of Elkhart, Indiana, and the daughter of Michael and Sarah (Johnson) Knight, who formerly resided in Concord township, this county. To this union have been born the following children: Harris G., of \\^elch, Oklahoma: Effie, the wife of Sanniel F. Morr. of bairfield township, this county: Lola, the wife of \\\-sley Carper, of Columbus, Kansas: May, the wife of Claude C- Moore, of Washington: Roy, who is operating his father's farm in Jackson township; Dorcas, the wife of Otto D. Slierer, of .\uburn : Emma, who died on November 20, 1912: Edna, who is unmarried and is at ]ircsent teaching school at Bedford, Indiana. Airs. Provines died on October 3. 1912. Mr. Provines is a splendid example of tiie virile, progressive, selfmade man who believes in doing well whatever is worth doing at all, a man of keen discernment and sound judgment, broad-minded and at the same time a follower of the principles embodied in the Golden Rtde in all his relations with his fellow men and, therefore, enjoys their confidence and good will.

Frank Yarde

In nearly every community are individuals who by innate ability and sheer force of character rise ahox'e their fellows and win for themselves conspicuous places in public esteem. While Frank Yarde, a progressive farmer of Keyser township, DeKalh count}-, does not court such a distinction, yet it is evident that he has wnn ;i lar,!.>er amount of success than the a\-erage farmer and that this has been dune 1>}- liis (i\vn unaided efforts, since it has never been his nature tu depend on anyone. During the long period of his residence in this vicinit}' his life has Ijeen closely interwoven \\ itli its material growth and development, while his career as a man of affairs has been synonymous with all that is upright and honorable in citizenship.

Frank Yarde was born on January 11, 1861, in Richland township, DeKalb county, Indiana, and is the smi of John and I.ydia .\nn (Houser) Yarde. The family is descended from good old English stock, the subject's paternal grandfatlier, John ^'arde, having been born in Dexonshire, England, on March 12, 1812. His parents died when he was a child, and he was reared by his mother's sister and given a collegiate education, ^^'hen sexenteen years ' of age he began teaching school and followed that vocation for thirty-five }'ears. He married INIarv Symonds, also a native of Devonshire, and to them were born twelve children, eic\en daughters and a son. In August, 1852, Mr. Yarde brought his family to the I'nited States, locating first in Summit county, Ohio, where thev remained a month, and then came to DeKalli county and here bouglit fift}- acres of unimprox-ed land, where he purposed making his permanent home, .\fter p;'.ying for this land he had about .seventy-five dollars left, and. haxing use of but one hand, the burden of the work of clearing and impro\ing this lantl fell to his son, John, junior, then a lad of about sixteen years. The latter was born in Devonslnre. England, on November ]/. 1836, and received a good education in the public schools, making rapid advancement so that before he was sixteen years of age he had taught school for thirteen months. He accompanied his parents and assi.sted materially in the improvement of the DeKalb county farm. On October 10, 1858, John Yarde. junior, was married to Lydia .\nn Houser. who was l)orn in \\'ayne county. Ohio, on July 12. 1840, a daughter of David and Rebecca Houser. and to this union were born six children: Martha. Frank, David, Nettie, Henry and Bertha. Martha liecanie the wife of William Imler and lives in Rutler township, where he is a successful farmer. The\- are the parents of three children. Frank, the immediate .subject of this sketch, is next in order of birth. David is repre>ented in a personal sketch elsewhere in this book. Nettie married George Kelhani, a farmer near Swan, DeKalb county, Indiana, and the\- bare three cliildren. Henry is also represented individually elsewhere in this volume, llertha became the wife of Ira Grogg, a farmer living in Butler township, this county, and they are the parents of three children living and one deceased.

Frank Yarde was reared under the paternal roof, and received his educational training in the schools of the locality. As early as possible he gave a hand to the operation of the home farm, assisting his father until his marriage, when, ill the spring of 1887, ^^ moved to his present location, which he rented from his father until the latter's death in 1900, when the sul^ject l)urchased the farm and has since given his undivided attention t(j it. The tract contains one hundred and sixt}- acres of land, and added to which Mr. Yarde, in 1893, had bought an eight)'-acre tract adjoining on the east. This, however, he sold in 1910 and bought the eighty-acre tract known as the old Leeson farm. He has added tu this until he i'^ now the owner of four hundred and sixty acres of as good land as could be found in the township. It is well drained, fenced, and the residence, barn and other outbuildings are all of a substantial character, so that the place presents a pleasing aspect to the ]msser-by. He is owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land in the homestead place lying close to Garrett, the other hundred acres lying west of Garrett. About twentv-fi\'e acres of his land is timber and is considered a verv \-aluable tract. Prc^gressive and enterprising in his methods, Air. Yarde has, by dint of the most ])ersistent industry and careful attention to details, achiexed a noteworthy success in his \-ocation. and today is numbered among the leading agriculturalists of Keyser township.

On September 23, 1886, Mr. Yarde was married to .Mice Smith, daughter of James L. and Amanda fSherrick) Smith, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Clark county, Ohio. James L. Smith was born on lulv 13, 1837, the son of Joseph and .\nnie (Guist) Smith, also a native girl of the Keystone state, the father' of English and the mother of Scotch descent, his paternal ancestors coming to America with William Penn. In 1839 the ])arents moved to Columbiana county, Ohio, and when sixteen years of age he went to Stark county, that state, serving three years as apprentice at the carl)enter's trade. At this trade he was employed as a journeyman until attaining his majority, when he engaged in business for himself, and in 1865 he moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, buying one hundred acres of land in Keyser township, a part of which is now the town site of Garrett. He rented his farm and worked at his trade until 1875. when he sold out and bought the farm, one hundred acres of which is in that township, where he afterwards resided. He married on October 4, 1858, Amanda, the daughter of Samuel and Leah (Baker) Shirk, and to them were born nine children: Samuel, Isaiah J., Elmer,. Harrison H., Alice E., Reuben, Ida W., Ella and Minnie. The father's death occurred in 1901 on the home place in that township. His first wife died in 1877, and in 1878 he was married to Priscilla Wyant, who was born in Champaign county, Ohio, in 1847. ^n*^' to them were born six children: Arta May, Cora, James M., Francis, Effie and Jennie. To Mr. and Mrs. Yarde have been born four children: Jay, Roy, John and Ida, the last two being twins.

Politically, Mr. Varde has given his support to the Republican party, believing that the past record of this ]jolitical organization entitled it to the support of all thinking men. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Protestant church of Altona, a suburb of Garrett, being one of the trustees of that society and taking a strong interest in the welfare of the organization. In everything pertaining to the upbuilding of the community i\Ir. Yarde has been found loyal in his support and no worthy cause has appealed to him in vain. Genial and unassuming in his manner, he has earned and retains to a marked degree the respect and friendship of all whom know him.

Joel E. Hartman

The prosperity and substantial welfare -of a community depend very largely upon the character and enterprise of its leading citizens. It is the ])rogressive, wide-awake men of affairs that make the real history of a count\- or state and upon them also rests the resjionsibility of ,gi\'ing moral tone to the body politic, of directing thought and shaping opinion, and of taking the lead in all progressive measures for the public good. To this class of strong, \-irile men belongs tlie well known and enterprising citizen whose name appears at the head of this review, an indi\'idual of sterling character and sturdy worth, whose influence has always lieen on the right side of e\'ery moral issue and whose name stands for w hat is best and noblest in manhood.

Joel E. Hartman was born on October 3, 1843, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, the son of Abram and Catherine (Russell) Hartman. Abram Hartman, who was a native of Pennsylvania, migrated in young manhood to

Ohio, and from that state came to DeKalb county in 1847. O" arriving here he bought eighty acres of land m l'ni(_)n townshi]), to which he de\-oteil his attention and also ga\'e some of his tune to church work, being a local jircacher in the Methodist church. He was active up till the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1873. on his farm three miles west of .\nburn. He was the father of seven children. The eldest, Elvina, was a child In- a former marriage and lives in Ashley, Indiana. The other children i;orn by his union with Catherine Russell were as follow? : .\aron, w ho is married ami l:as four children, lives on a farm close to Sedan, Indiana: Jolm, who is night watchman at the Eckhart Auto Manufacturing Compan>-, .\uburn. Indiana, is married and has six daughters; the other children, besides the subject of this sketch, are all deceased, namely: Wesley, Priscilla and Calvin.

Joel E. Hartman was reared on the paternal farmstead antl seemed his education in the district schools. In 1864 be was drafted at KendalKille. Indiana, and was assigned to tlie l-'ifty-third Regiment. Indiana \'i>lunteer Infantry, under Captain Kingstnn. tlic cummand being assigned tn ( leneral Sherman's army. Mr. Hartman took part in man\- nf the nrost important campaigns of the war, being in thirteen different states, spent two weeks in doing garrison duty on the Atlantic coast, was transported from Charleston, \'irginia, to Moorehead City. South Carolina, meeting Ceneral Sherman at tlie coast. His command fought at Kingston, Moorehead City and Raleigh, North Carolina, and also took part in the se\-eral engagements against (ieneval Johnson. His military record was an excellent one in every respect and he was honorably nnistered out at Washington, D, I'., in June, 1865. .\fter his discharge from military service Mr. Hartman returned to DeKall) county and settled on his present homestead farm of one hundred and sixt\- acres in Smitlilield township, which he has im])r(i\-ed in many respects until iiow it is one of the best farms in the townshi]). The buildings are all substantial in character, the large, roomy, modern barn, erected in tBc)^, being one of its features. He takes great pride in his farm and live stock and has achieved a s])lendid success in his vocation. The residence, which is attractive and conveniently arranged, is ]^rovided w ith many modern accessories and, taken as a whole, the farm is a credit to Smithheld township. In 1911 Mr. Hartman purchased eighty acres of land across the road from liis present homestead, on which his daughter, Mertie, now lives.

On October 3, 1863, Mr. Hartman was married at .\uburn, Indiana, to Sarah (iushwa, the daughter of Philii) and Mary (Moore) Gushwa. Mr. Cushwa, who was a native of Ohio, moxed to DeKalb county in 1833, locat- ing on a farm two miles north of Corunna, Indiana, where lie acquired the owner.ship of one hundred and sixty acres of land. This land, which was hought at a cheap price, was densely co\-ered with tiniljer. most of which Mr. Gushwa cleared from tlie land and put the soil in excellent condition for cultivation. In 187,^ he sold forty acres off the side of the farm to his wife's eldest hrother, Jacoh. He gave his acti\e years to the cultivation of this farm and died there in the fall of 1888. His wife, who also was a native of Ohio, accompanied her husband on their long, tiresome journey by \\a.gon and oxteam to their new home and here she pro\ed a true helpmeet to her husband, assisting him in his work and encouraging him ])y her counsel, and l)y her life in the communit}- she became beloved by all who knew her. Her death occurred on the old homestead in the fall of 1892. To them w-ere born ten children, all of whom were born in Ohio, with the exception of the youngest. One of these children died in infancy and of the others, six are now deceased, Jacob, Elizabeth. John, Susan, Philip and Benjamin. The three living are Jonathan, who is an old soldier and lives at Corunna. and who is married and has two children. Charles and Edward; Mary Ann. the wife of David Liby. a farmer at \\'akarusa. Indiana, and who was a soldier in the Ci\'il war. hax'ing serxed three years. They hax'e fi\-e children, three sons and twi) daughters. .\11 of Mrs. Hartman's l)rothers were \eterans of the Ci\ il war.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have been born eight children : Orpheus : Delia. <leceased ; William. Ezra. Mar\- Catherine. ?\lertie. I'jnery and \'esta. Of these. Orpheus, who is married and is operating a farm at Maurice. Michigan, is the father of se\'en children, four sons and three daughters: ^Villiam. who also is married, lives on a farm in Fairfield townshi]). DeKalb county, and has four sons; Ezra, who remains unmarried. li\-es at home with his parents; Mary Catherine is the wife of Roliert Lockhart. who is rejivesented elsewhere in this work, and they have five children, three sons and two daugliters ; Mertie is the wife of Sherman Porter, a farmer, and they li\e on a farm adjoining her father's homestead; Emer}- is a Methodist minister at P^\-anston. Illinois. He is married. Imt has no children; A'esta is the wife of Earl Hughes, a farmer in .Steuben county, this state, and the\' ha\e one child, a son.

Politically. Mr. Hartman is a Republican in his view s. l.nit he has been too busy a man to devote to public affairs, although at all times gi\ing his support to ever\- mo\ement which promises to benefit the comnuim'ty in any way. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the supi^ort of which he contributes liberally of his means. Quiet and unassuming in his attitude, he has earned by his earnest and consistent life the warm regard of all who know him. Methodical in business, strict in his convictions as to right and wrong, genial and companionable, he has earned the high standing which he enjoys and is rightfully numbered among the representative men of this section of the countv.

Edwin Erwin

Edwin Erwin. one of the substantial farmers and progressive citizens of Smithfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana, was born on November 8, 1838. in Stark county, Ohio. Later he moved to Henry county, that state, and from thence came to DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1853, in company with his parents, who bought eighty acres of land near Waterloo, this county. Not an inch of this land had been cleared, the only improvements being a log house and barn, and here they lived about three years, when the father traded the farm for a store in Uniontown, Indiana. He operated this store successfull}- for three years and then traded it for a farm of sixt\- acres north of Waterloo. Ed\\in Erwin worked on different farms in this county, and eventually bought the farm of sixty acres from his father, ^^'illiam Erwin, and kept the same for two years, finally selling it to Jacoli Shuman. He then bought forty-seven acres of land in section 16, Smithfield township, to which he some time later added fort\- acres more. The original forty-se\en acres was largely covered with timber, which he cleared from the land and then erected a number of good, permanent farm buildings. He moved on to this farm in 1883, and about three years later moved to the forty acres adjoining, on which he now lives and which he has successfully cultivated, it being now considered one of the choice farms of Smithfield township.

In 1868 Mr. Erwin married Elizalxfth :\lcl':nlarffer. who was liorn on Octol)cr 30. 1844. in DeKall) countw the daughter of Micliael and Anna Mary (Hamman) McEntarffer. who emigrated from Stark county. Ohio. She has .spent her life on the farm, assisting in the improvements and upbuilding of the same. They have become the parents of seven children : Lottie: .Mlison, deceased; Arthur, Mina. Maude, Thomas and Byrd. Of these, Lottie is married : Arthur is married and farms the home place, which the subject has rented to him: he is the father of two children, Charles and Minnie: Allison died at the age of nine years; Mina became the wife of Tra Bachtel, a farmer near Waterloo, and is the mother of two children, Rhea and Mildred: Maude became the wife of Lewis Ritter. a farmer in Steuben county, tliis state, and the\- ha\e two children, Marcelus and Irene; Thomas li\es at liome with his parents and is unmarried: Bertie liecame the wife of Garry Ritter, of ^lontpeher, Ohio, and the}- ha\e twd children, (lerald and \'elma.

rolitically the subject of this sketch has during the major part of his life been an adherent of the Republican party, but it now independent in jiolitics, es[)eciall_\' in local affairs. He served as a member of the advisory board of the township for eight years, and is still influential in local affairs. UeliL;iiiusl_\ , he is not now a member of any church, though he gives his suppi 11 1 t'l e\ ei_\- ni'iral ([uestion liefore the people. Social!}', he is a member of the (irand Army of the lvepul)lic post at Waterloo, this member-hip iieing jjarticularlv consonant from the fact that in September, i8fii, he enlisted as a member of the Second Regiment Indiana Caxalry at old Cam]) .Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana, under Colonel Bridgeland, His regiment went out as an independent command, furnishing its own horses and guns, but later an order was issued that no indejiendent regiments were allowed b\- the government, and the horse anil guns were sold to the government and the men went out as a \olunteer regiment. Mv. h>win served o\-er three years, and was nnistered out in (.)ctol)er. i8(')4, at Indianaiiolis. He saw nuich acti\'e ser\ice. taking ])art in a uumlier of the most important battles of that war. and attained to a higli ])lace in the esteem of his fellow conu-ades because of his faithfulness and courage in battle, (juiet ami unassuming in his clisjiosition. Mr. Erwin is well liked Ijy his neighbors and exerts a beneficent influence on everything with which he is connected.

Charles S. Arford

It is proper to judge of the success and the status of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. The}- see him at his work, in his family circle, at his devotions. obser\e the outcome of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization, and thus become competent to judge of his merits and demerits. The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this brief biography has spent many long years of toil and association with the people of this community, and on account of his worth of character, his earnest work for the uplift of his fellow men and his broad sympathy and generosity, nothing but good report is heard of him.

The early education of the subject was gained in the common schools of DeKalb county, in Stafford and Troy townships, this being supplemented \^\ two years' .stud)' in the Butler high school. .Vfter completing his sclionl workhe took up agriculture and was a valuable assistant in bis father mi ihe hmue place until he reached the age of twcnty-fi\e.

()n b'ebruary 19, 1883. Charles S. .\rf,,rd wa.s married l<. Susan L, Shade, the daughter of Samuel and .\nn ( Steckley ) was bcirn in X'ew York .state (ui .\ugus( it,. i8jo. Her iiKither was born in ()ntariii. lanada, on .Mar May lo. 1898. They moved from Ohjo to DeKalb . Richland township. To the subject and wife has been (Ired I''., the date of whose birth was May 23, 1902.

l'"or seven years after the subject's marriage he rented Ins faiber's farm and \ery successfully cultivated the home place, after which time he bought the splendid land on which he now resides, consisting of une hundred and thirty-twii acres. Here he lias a comfortable home antl good outbuildings. his up-to-date and progressi\-e methods of tilling the -;oil having brought him a good competency.

The Republican parly has receixed the subject's suffrage and actne support, and he has been honored by his fellow citizens by election to se\eral responsible offices in the county. In rgoo he was selected as as.sessor for his township, his term of office extending over the period of four years. .Again, in 1910. he was elected a member of the county council, which position he still holds. Mr. Arford has for a number of years been an active member of the United Brethren in Christ church, having been elected a delegate to the general conference of that religious organization which was held at 'Canton. (54)

Ohio, in May, 1909, and having been a trustee of the Big Run church continuously since twenty-one years ago. He has served as superintendent of Big Run Sunday school for eight years.