DeKalb County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1914 (part 17 of 20)

Anthony Schiffli was born in Alsace, tlien a ])art of France, but now belonging to Germany, in Decem])er. 1823, and his death occurred at Garrett, DeKalb county, Indiana, on the 22d of .August, i8gS. He was a of Christian and Gertrude Schiflli, both of whom also were born and lived in Alsace. He was reared to the life of a farmer in his native locality and after attaining manhood's years he married Katherine Fetters, who had been born and reared in the same neighborhood, the daughter of Ferdinand and Gertrude Fetters. In 1880 Mr. .Schiffli brought his family to the United States, after a verv stormv \-oyage of two weeks landing at New York City. I1ie\' came direct to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating at Summit, where Mr. Schiffli iiad relatives, his wife's brother. Ferdinand Fetters, and his own eldest daughter. Gertrude, who had married Louis Babst. Mr. Schiffli bought forty acres of land near the Maple Grove school house, about two miles west of Summit, where he established his home, living there for twenty years. His wife died in March, 1894. and he remained at home until in March, 1898. when he sold his farm and went to love with his daughter, Mrs. Magdalena Dapp, in Smithfield township. In August he was taken sick and went to stay with another daughter, Mrs. Theresa Faust, of Garrett, where his death occurred two weeks later.

To Mr. and Mrs. Schiffli seven children were born, as follows : ( i ) Gertrude, the wife of Louis Babst, of Garrett. (2) Caroline was the wife of Michael Freelinger and lived at Albion, Michigan, where her 'death occurred on March 18. 1892. (3) Magdalena is the wife of Henry Dapp, of Smithfield township, this county. (4) Anthony lived at Garrett until his death, on January 26, 1903. (5) Mrs. Theresa Faust lives in Garrett. (6) Ignatius lives in Garrett, and (7) Anna is the wife of Frank Gfeller, of Smithfield township.

In addition to his long and creditable career as a farmer, Mr. Schiffli also proved an honorable member of the body politic : rising in the confidence and esteem of the public, he never fell below the dignity of true manhood nor in any way resorted to methods that invited criticism, so that those who were favored with an intimate acquaintance with him were profuse in their praise of his manly virtues and upright character, that of the true gentleman.

Verne E. Buchanan

Among the men of purpose and upright life who are demonstrating lousiness and executive ability of a higli order in the management of the affairs entrusted to them, tlie subject of tliis sketch takes high rank. As general manager for the .\uburn I'rinting Coni[);in\-, he is successfully carrying on the work so auspiciously begun by his father, the late j. Edgar Buchanan, and todav he is numbered among the influential men of his community. N'crne E. Buchanan was born on January 31, 1892, at Auburn, DeKall) county, Indiana, and is the only son of John Edgar and Nellie I). (Brecbill) Buchanan. j. Edgar Buchanan is represented elsewhere in this work by a personal review, therefore further space will not be given to the subject's ancestral history at this point. Verne E. Buchanan receixed a good common school education in \oble and DeKall) connties. completing his ])u!Mic school study at the liigh school at Auburn. He then spent two years in the .stud)- of journaHsni in the University of Wisconsin at Madison, after which he returned to Auburn, being called upon at the time of his father's death to assume the management of the Auburn Printing Company. This company issues the Auburn Dispatch and the Auburn Courier, semi-weekly pul)]ications. and also tlie Evening Star, a daily paper, the three publications having large circulations throughout De- Kalb county, and being numbered among the leading newspapers of this section of the state. Mr. Buchanan is a busy mail, giving his personal attention to every detail of the business, managing the afYairs of the company so as to win the commendation of his associates in the concern. The Auburn Printing Company is capitalized at twenty-five thousand dollars, the majority of the stock being owned by the subject of this sketch and his mother. Its entire operation is entrusted to him, and he is proving a business man of sound judgment and wise discrimination. Mr. Buchanan holds positive opinions regarding the great questions of the day, being a close reader and keen observer of men and events. He is genial in his relations with his fellowmen, and those who know him best appreciate most highly his excellent qualities of character.

Theodore Rem Pis

Among the farmers of DeKalb county, Indiana, who believe in following twentieth-century methods is Theodore Rempis. of the vicinity of Smithfield township. He comes of a splendid family, one that has alwaxs lieeii strong for right living and industrial habits, for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth. Such people are welcomed in any community, for they are empire l)uil(lcrs and as such liave jiushed the frontier of civilization ever westward and onward, leaving the green, wide-reaching wilderness and the far-strelchin.i^ l)lains i)Opulous with contented jieople and lieantiful w itli green fields: the\- have constituted that sterling horde which caused the great Hisho]) \\'hi])i)le to \\ rite the menioral)le line. "Westward the course of empire takes its way."

Theodore Rempis was born on May 9. t86t, on section 3_', Smithtield township, DeKalb county. Indiana, the son of Charles Lewis and Elizabeth (Middleton) Rempis. The father was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born March 21, 1830, and at an early day emigrated w'ith his parents, Louis and Louisa (Berg) Rempis, to America, locating first at Massillon. Ohio.

Ill i!^53 t^hey came to DeKalb county, purchasing a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Smithtield township, where the father built a log house and barn, clearing forty acres of the place, and through his strenuous efforts lost his health. His death occurred in Decemljcr, 1859. His wife survived him several years.

While tlie family was residing at Massillon, Ohio, in 1851, the subject's father went to California in order to endeavor to impro\e his financial situation among the gold mines. He made the arduous trip by way of the isthmus of Panama, reaching the gold fields on the Uba and Feather rivers, where he spent three and a half years, working a part of the time near Portland, Oregon.- He helped to make the first brick used in that city. He was successful on this trip, and with the money thus earned came Ijack to DeKalb county in 1854 and purchased a farm. On May 15, 1856, he married Elizabeth, the daughter of William J^Iiddleton, one of the pioneer residents of Waterloo, who served in the Ci\ il war as a meml^er of Company K, Porty-fourth Regiment Indiana X'olunteer Infantry. There were born three children: William Henry, who li\es in Los Angeles, California; Franklin Lewis, who married Martha Frager (jn Alarcli 8. 1882. and died im December t6, 1899,- leaving one child, Ruth. His wife died on October 7, 1883. The daughter, Ruth, eventually married Charles tlaines, a farmer in (irant township, this county, having two children, Edward and Carl; Theodore A., was the third child born to these parents, in 1856 Charles Rempis Ijecame a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but in iHrio transferred his membership to the Cnited Brethren, to which faith he remained a faithful adherent during the rest of his life. He helped to ]jrepare the timbers and l)uild the church of the United Brethren, the first house erected for public w orship in Waterloo and which for a number of years was the only building for that special purpose in that town. He retired from active farm work in 1895 '^^^^ thereafter made his home with his son, the subject of this sketch, who now lives on the farm developed by his father. Later Charles Rempis took up liis residence in Waterloo, and in 1907 went to live with his granddaughter, Mrs. Ruth Haines, in Grant township, where his death occurred on November 9, 1910. His brother, Henrv Rempis, born October 11, 1838. lived al Massillon, Ohio: liut in 1853 his family mo\ed from that city to the old farm in Smithfield township, DeKalb county, coming by way of the Ohio canal to Cleveland, across the lake to Toledo, and by the Wabash canal to Fort Wayne, thence overland to DeKalb county. Here his father bought one hundred and twenty acres.

only forty of which was cleared. At that time Henry Rempis was only fifteen \ears of age, and he took his part in the arduous labor connected with the clearing and improvement nf tliis land, and liecause i)f the death nt his father and his older brother. William, and the marriage <>i liis hmther. Charles, it became necessary f..r him to ])ractical1y shnulder tlie dulies ni maintaining the famil\- humc. I'lii- |)re\cn!cd hi> enlistment in the L'ninn cause in the Ci\il war. as lie earnestly wi^lieil Id (Id. Being ciiinpelted to remain at h(ime. he bought the interest ni the heirs, hn^k up the real work of the farm, and. Ijeing of a mechanical turn ni mind, he was enal)led to make many permanent and sulistaiilial impro\-ements on the place, and li\- honest lal>or and strenuous efforts he achicwd a splendid success a^ an agriniKui'^t. In the face of se\-ere re\er>es by fire and other los^e.s. he accomplished iuanv \-ahial)Le impro\-ements b\' careful m;inagemeiit and iKim-st uietbod> mi ;ne farin, including building a commodious farmhouse into which the famih" moved in 1875, later erecting a large liank liarn in the ])]ace of the one destroyed by fire. In this new home the mother died in iiSjJ. in 1 SS8 the subject's foster son, Charles Olcott, was tlrowiierl, and on August i_'. iSijS. his daughter, Lena Amelia, met a like fate. In March. H)n(\. Mr. Rempis resigned the active work of the farm and moved to Waterloo, where he resided until his death, which occurred on January 11, 1908. He never identified himself with any church, but was a faithful attendant and supporter of the United Brethren church, to which the other members of the family belonged. He also attended the Christian church at Cedar Lake, Smithfield township. On November 5, [871, he married Mrs. Sophia French Olcott. and to them were born three children, Laura Luella, Lena Amelia and Mrs. Olive Matilda Willis.

The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools in Smithfield township, and worked on the home farm as soon as old enough. After his marriage, in 1887, he came to the home farm and lived there about one and a half vears and then moved to the J- L- Thomson farm, the girlhood home of his wife, where he li\e(l for six years. On account of his father's illness he then moved back to the home farm which he rented, and in the year 1907 bought the farm from his father, the place comprising one hundred and sixty acres. This farm he improved in many respects, building a number of substantial luiildings, cleared up a good portion of the farm, drained it, and otherwise putting it in excellent condition for successful agriculture, so that it is now one of the leading and most producti\e of the township. He has been very jjrogressive in his farming methods, using up-to-date ideas and slighting no opportunity to advance the condition of the place.

On October 19, 1887, Mr. Rempis married Elva Lillie Thomson, the daughter of Joel E. and Maria Jane (McBride) Thomson, and to them there were born two children, Clarence V. and Lester L. They also, on July 25, 1901, adopted a girl. Thelma Mays, from the Indianapolis Orphan Asylum. The eldest child, Clarence, married Ruby Parnell and now li\'es on the home place, following the pursuit of agriculture.

Joel E. Thomson was born at Shalersville, Portage county, Ohio, on November 30, 1824, spending his early days in that place. He came to De- Kalb county in the early days, settling on the well-known Thomson farm, Smithfield township, which, by hard work on the part of both himself and his wife, was developed into one of the best farms of the county, it being characterized by modern improvements in every respect. On November 30, 1845, he married Maria J. McBride, the daughter of Richard and Samanthe (Smith) McBride. On December 25, 1899. he fell and broke his leg, from which accident he was crippled for the remainder of his life; but he bore his affliction with patience and without complaint. His crippled condition, together with poor health and declining years, forced him to break up their liome life and in 1902 he went to live with his daughter, Elva Lillie, with whom he afterward resided. He became a member of the Church of Christ at Shalersville, Ohio, when nineteen years of age. and through his efforts the Church of Christ at Cedar Lake, Smithfield township, was organized, he and his wife lieing cliarter members. Of this society he served efficiently as elder until his death, which occurred near Waterloo, June 12, 1903. Politically, he was a staunch Republican, taking a deep interest in local public affairs. He was the father of seven children, one of whom died in infancy, the others being: Cilicia A., deceased; Almira A., deceased; Francis Edwin; Ida .^lice; Charles Sterling and Elva Lillie. Of these. Ida liccame tlie wife of .A.men)n P. Benjamin, a farmer, now deceased, and she ii\'cs near Cedar Lake, Smithfield townshi]:). She became the mother of nine children, one of whom died in infancy, ami the others lieing Orlie. Claytc.n. Marion, Jennie, Irnia, Russell, Mary and Austin. Francis lulwin, who is a farmer in Smithfield township, married Laura A. l'"arrington. and they had six children, Carleton, Guy, Frank, Jay, .\nna and Benjamin. Charles, wlio lives at .\shley, Indiana, jiiarried Elizabeth Parnell. Mrs. Rempis" mother, Maria Jane Tlntmson. was born at Revenna, Portage county, Ohio. July 26, 1824. and in company with lier husband made tlie long and tiresome journey to DeKalb county in

1847, the trip being made by team to Cleveland, thence by boat to Toledo, canal boat to Fort Wayne, and team to DeKalb county. Her father was a member of the Christian church, was trustee of his township one term, and also justice of the peace and road supervisor. He was a farmer, but also had learned the trades of butcher, carpenter, cabinetmaker, undertaker and shoemaker, following these several trades at times together with his vocation of farming. He assisted in building all of the early school houses, barns and bridges, and had exceptional talents in mechanical lines. He also made cheese for the market for fifteen years, having thirty to forty cows on the farm for this purpose. Fraternall)-, in early years he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a staunch meniber of the Christian church and performed a great deal of charitable work which ne\er reached public attention, giving generously, also, to all worthy church and public enterprises. Because of his upright life, generous disposition and genial nature he was Ijeloved by the entire community and enjoyed universal esteem. Mrs. Rempis' maternal grandfather, Richard McBride, was born December 25, 1792, at Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsyhania, and came to DeKalb county with his wife, Samanthe (Smith) McBride, whom he married on May 15, 1823. the location in this county being in 1850. Here they bought a farm of fortyeight acres, of which he cleared about forty acres and put the same in good condition. In the war of 18 12 he was a member of the Home Guards, and by tlie laws of the state Ijecame a voter at the age of twenty years for this service. In 1821 he moved to Revenna. Ohio, and to Indiana in 1849. ^^ was an active member of the Democratic party until 1863, w-hen the Democratic Legislature refused to vote appropriations to feed and clothe the Indiana Union snldiers, and thereafter he allied liiniself A\-itli the Republican part\\ During the year 1S63 he went to li\e with his daughter, Maria J. Thomson, because of physical disability, and remained in lier home until his death which occurred on January 3. 1S70. His wife had died in December. 1876, and they are Iroth buried at L'edar Lake, Smithlield townsliip. They were the ]jarents of six children : Maria J., John. Daxid. Lucy, Mary Fnima and Sterling, of which number ^faria J. is the only sur\i\dr. Mrs. Mcliride was a faithful and earnot memher of the Christian church, and performed much effectual \vork for that organization in early days in this locality. David McBride, son of Richard McBride, was a member of Company I, Fifty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He died in the service and was buried at Mound City. His brother-in-law went to Mound City, had the gra\e opened and brought him back and buried him at Cedar Lake. Indiana,

Oliver E. Shaffer

The gentlemaii wlmst' name initiates tiiis sketch is numbered among the successful and representati\ e agriculturists of DeKalh county, his farm property being located in Smithheld township. In all the relations of life he has ever been found faithful and true, performing his dut}' at all times unflinchingly, and, while achancing his own interests, he has also had tlie good of the entire C(jmniunity at heart.

Oliver E. ShatTer was liorn nn May 7, 1S57. at ISethany, Marrisnn ci)un[_\ , Mis.snuri, and is the sun of William and Rebecca ( l-'rancis ) ShafTer. William Shati'er was born on juh- _'.'>, 1827. in WestuKireland county, I'ennsyhania, and was a son of Simon and Margaret ( Kinnard) Shatter, the father lieing of good old Pennsylvania Dutch stock and a wagon-maker by trade. His son, William, also learned that trade, and in young manhood accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio. On August 13, 1850, William Siiaffer married Rebecca A. Francis, who was born on Decemlier j;, iN:;:;. in Aiadisun county, Ohiei, and in 1853 the }'0ung C(3uple moxetl bi I hiriiMU! cnunty, Missouri. There the}- li\ed until i860, wdien they mined to lenterville, Marion county, Iowa, where Air. Shaffer continued at his trade as a wagon-maker. On January 27. 1864, he suffered the l(.iss of his wife liy death, lea\-ing him with hve small ciiildren to care for. In March, 1804, he brought his little family to DeKalb county, where his parents were then residing about a half mile south of Sedan, and here he engaged in the operation of eight}' acres (jf land belonging to his mother in Richland tow nship, in connection witli w hich he also operated a threshing outht. l'"or aljout two \-e:irs prinr tn his death he was employed in a carriage factor}- at .\uliurn, spentling his last da}-s with his son, Oliver, the subject of this sketch, in whose home his death occui-red on February 3, 1890. On Feljruary j(), 1874, he had married Mary .\nn Rohm, to which union were Ijorn two children, naniel}- : Nettie ami John, both of w-hom are deceased, their mother dying on August 20, iS7f). By his first marriage he was the father of five children: Isaac X., deceased; (Jjixer E., the subiect of this sketch: Emma R., Mrs. Clara I. Delgard and .Mrs. Ida Lehmbeck.

The suliject of this sketch was about three years old w-hen his father moved to Iowa, and was about five or six years old when his mother died. In the March before he had attained his se\enth birthday his father brought the farnily to DeKalb county, locating four miles west of AVaterloo, and there the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, receiving his education in the public schools, -\fter attaining his majority he spent about two years in farm work between Auburn and \\'aterloo, and after his marriage, in 1883, he farmed tw^ years cm the Husselman place. He then bought the land where he now- li\-es comprising eighty acres in section 36, Smithfield township, on which he has made many permanent and substantial improvements, including a comfortable and attractive residence, a large, commodious and well arranged barn and other con.veniences characteristic of a modern and up-to-date farm. He has de\oted most of his attention to his farm, but he has also during the past eight years given some attention to threshing and pre\-i(nis to his marriage had been employed some at carpenter work. In e\-er\- effort to which he has applied himself he has exhibited good judgment and discriminating sagacity, so that he has been enabled to attain a definite success all along the line.

On October 2. 1883, Air. Shaffer married \'esta Husselman, the daughter of George and b'rances ( Bachtel ) Hu.sselmnn, the father a native of Ohio and the mother born in Stark county, that state, and a sister of Henry Bachtel, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. George Husselman was a brother of Hlenry Husselman and Samuel Husselman, who also are repvesented in this work. George Husselman came to DeKalb county with his parents, with whom he lived until his marriage to Frances Bachtel, after which he made his home one and one-half miles south of Waterloo, hax'ing bought land there from the go\-ernment in an early day, the same being in the same condition it was when left b}' the Indians. The local conveniences were more conspicuous by their absence than otherwise, it being necessar\- to receive mail from Fort \^'ayne, and other accommodations were pro]2ortionately lacking. Mr. Husselman entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, the most of which he cleared. He and his wife were faithful members of the E\angelical church., and were respected citizens of their communit}-. ]\Irs. Shaffer is one of six children born to their ])arents. of whom three died in infancy, the others being Mrs. .Shaffer. Cornelius, who lives on the old Husselman farm in (irant townshiji, and Laura, the wiie of I'red Kruger, of Auburn. Mrs. Shaffer's father died in the fall of 1873, and his widow afterward became the wife of Levi Stoner and lived on the home farm until her death in the fall of rcjog. Mr. Stoner died in i(;io. Mrs. Shaft'er was born and reared on the paternal homestead, two and one-half miles south of Waterloo, where she li\ed until her marriage. To and .Mrs. Shaft'er was born a son, Arthur, who died on .August 21, 1887. at the age of two years and ten months.

Mr. Shaffer is progressive and enterprising in his farming methods, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and also giving some attention to the raising of live stock. Practical and progressive in his methods and energetic and industrious in his habits, he has allowed nothing to swerve him from his chosen work and his labors have been rewarded with a due meed of success. Personally, he is a man of splendid qualities of character and has earned the warm regard of all who know him and is deservedly popular among his acquaintances.

Milton C. Jones

In examining the life records of self made men, it will invariably be found that indefatigable industry has constituted the basis of their success. True there are other elements w hich enter in and conserve the advancement of persona] interests - perseverance, discrimination and mastering of expedients - but the foundation of all achievement is earnest, persistent labor. At the outset of his career Mr. Jones recognized this fact, and he did not seek any royal road to the goal of prosperity and independence, but began to work earnestly and diligently in order to advance himself, and the result is that he is now numbered among the progressive, successful and influential farmers of Franklin township. DeKalb county. Indiana, where he has a well improxed landed estate.

Milton C. Jones, one of the successful and enterprising farmers of Franklin township, DeKall) countw Indiana, is descended from sterling old New- England Yankee ancestry, his parents. Samuel and Jerusha H. (Chamberlain) Jones, both being natives of Monkton, Addison county, Vermont, where the former was born in 1806 and the latter in 18x2. Some time after their marriage they moved to Seneca county, Ohio, but about a year later came to LaPorte county. Indiana, where thev lived for nearh' fi\f years. They tiien took up land in DeKalb county, Indiana, wliere they intended to build and make their future home. Tliis land, which is now owned by the subject of this sketch, was then worth only about one- dollar and a C|uarter an acre and Mr. Jones obtained eighty acres of land for a team and eighty dollars in monev. He cleared nearly two himdred acres of this lanil anfl made of it an excellent farm." When he first came to this locality the land was so densely covered with timber and undergrowth that at night time the settlers were compelled to carry torches in order to make any lieadway througli tlic woods. Their trading was done at Fort Coldwater, and Defiance, Ohio, the nearest of which \vas at least fifty miles from the .settlement. The household, con\eniences were chielly noted for tlieir absence, cooking being done in an old-fashioned fireplace, baking being performed by putting the bread under an iron kettle and then keeping live coals over the kettle. Nails were practically unknown here, boards being held together by wooden pins and other methods were ei|ually primitive. Soon after the great gold rush to California in 1849 Samuel Jones went to that locality as much on account of his health as in search of gold and remained there se\eral years. The subject's mother died in 1884 and his father in iX.Si), at which time the latter was the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of s|)lendi(l land, most of wliicli the subject Of this sketch had bought and now owns.

To Samuel and Jerusha Jones were bom the following children : Sarah A., Jane and Hiram were born in A'ermonf, the two last named being nowdeceased; Julia, born in Ohio; Julius, liorn in I.aPorte, Indiana, was a soldier in the Civil war and is now deceased; Milton C, the subject of this review; Sidne>- P., Henry, Harriett, and William, deceased, the two last named being twins. The five younger children were born on the Franklin townshi]) homestead in this county. Sidney P. Jones was a soldier in the Ci\ il war.

Milton C. Jones was born on December 26, .1842, in the old log house occupied by his ]5arents in Franklin township ,nnd was reared to the life of a farmer, a \-ocation which he has alwaxs followed and in which he has met with eminent success. Me attended school in Hamilton, Steuben conut\ , Indiana, but on the outbreak of the Ci\'il war his patriotism was aroused and in the fall of 1863 he gave practical e\ideuce of his loyalty l)y enlisting as a private in Company B, Twelfth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, in which he served t\\ o years and two days, acting as sergeant until the end of the war. He saw some most arduous .service and endured all the hardships and ]3ri\ations incident to the campaigns in which he took part and was in the battles of Nashville, Mobile. Murfreesboro and other of the more hotly contested engagements of that great struggle. In one battle he was severely wounded, being struck by a sabre and, falling from his horse, broke his arm and dislocated his shoulder. Because of his faithful and courageous service on the field of battle he was commissioned to the rank of second lieutenant on being mustered out. After receiving an honorable discharge from the service, he returned to the home farm and lived here continuously since. He has made manv sub- (57) stantial and permanent iniprovements on the place and the splendid residence, large and commodious barn, well kept fences and other important features of an up-to-date farm indicate him to be a man of good judgment, sound <liscrimination and common sense in the conduct of his farm.

On July 4, 1892, Mr. Jones was married at Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Agnes Cecilia Baxter, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on July 1 1, 1843, the daughter of Moses Baxter and the sister of John Baxter, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Jones, ^\;as one of the most successful and best known teachers of DeKalb county, having taught probably from twenty-five to thirty years in DeKalb and Steuben counties. She had studied elocution in Indianapolis and has taught that science. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones.

Politically, Mr. Jones has been a life-long supporter of the Republican party, in the success of which he has been interested and to which he has contributed his quota. Fraternally, he was for many years a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand .\rniy of the Republic at Hamilton. He served as assessor of b'ranklin township for twenty-two years and was also county recorder for four years, in both positions giving eminently satisfactory administrations and winning the commendation of his fellow citizens. On his home farm Mr. Jones has carried on his operations in a manner that has insured him financial success. In addition to the raising of ordinary crops he has gix-en some attention to threshing and to live-stock raising, in which he has been \ery successful. ;\1r. Jones is a wide-awake, enterprising man of the times, fully alive to the dignities and responsibilities of citizenship and, to the extent of his ability, contributes to the material prosperity of the community and to the social, intellectual and moral advancement of his fellow citizens. Courteous, affable and easily appi-oached, he commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact and his friends are in numlier as his acquaintances.

Washington Betz

In writing the history of this count\- and taking note of the many men who have been prominent in its public affairs or in its business interests it is necessary that we mention Washington Betz. who died May 30. 1913, for he was long identified with agricultural pursuits and moreover was a man of such sterling worth that he aided in jiromoting the prosperity- of the county.

He was born on May 2^, 1847, i" Columbiana county, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Catherine (Stuil) Betz. The father, who was born in Bedford, Pennsylvania, was a farmer by vocation, coming to Ohio in 1812. He located in Columbiana county, where he followed farming pursuits, remaining there until his death, whicli occurred on October 2, 1887. In young manhood he gave some attention to pedagogical work and was a successful school teacher. A Democrat in his political faith and a Lutheran in his religious belief, he was a man of honest convictions and in the community where he lived was held in the highest and best regard because of his upright life and useful influence. To him and his wife were born eleven children, as follows: Levi, deceased : Maria, who is now eighty-two years of age, is still living in Ohio ; William, who is a retired farmer, lives at East Rochester, Ohio; John is deceased: George died in 1902; Margaret, who lives at Mapleton, Ohio, at an advanced age, is a widow : Henry died in 1906: Jefferson, who lives on a farm with his children at Hamilton, Indiana, is a widower, his wife having died in 1910. after which he sold his property: Elizabeth died in 1909: Alvin. who. though sixty-nine years of age. is still artixely engaged in farming, lives near East Rochester, Ohio: the subject of this sketch was the youngest of these children.

Washington Betz was reared on the home farm and followed agricultural work all his life. He moved to the present homestead in Smithfield township, DeKalb county, in 1877, his first purchase here comprising seventy acres, to which he added forty-five acres comprising the old Schiffli farm, and later bought twenty-five acres of Lew Collins and in the spring of 1910, bought forty acres more of the Parnell heirs, thus making a total of one hundred and eighty acres of land. He made many ])ermanent and substantial improvements on this land, among the first lieing the removal of the buildings close to the road. He cleared the land, which was most of it in its original state of wildness and made of it a very productive and valuable estate. He lived on tlie farm which he tluT^ improved for thirty-six years, or U]) to the time of his death, which occtuTed on May 30, 1913- The day hefore his death he deeded fortv acres of his land to his son. Clyde, leaving an estate of one hundred and fort>- acres. !\lr. Betz was progressive and enterprising in his methods, keeping up with the most ad\-anced ideas relating to agriculture, and for manv years liis farm was considered one of the most \-aluable in this section of the county.

county, Ohio, and came fd l-'ranklin townsliip. HeKalli countw Indiana, in 1851, the journey being made by wagon, together with thirteen other famihes. They settled first on a farm of forty acres in Frankhn township, where they remained until 18C10, when, selling that farm, thev moved in the spring of the following year to another farm of eighty-five acres in the same township, which Mr. Musser liduglit later. During 1860 he Ixjught forty acres (jf government land, for which he ])aid the regulation price of one dollar and a quarter per acre, to which he later added nine acres. Me then bought se\'enty acres, subsec|uently eighty nmre and siill later another eight\-. The fortv acres wdiich he Liought from the go\-ernment lie had sold prior to this time and the other purchases mentioned above were made during the years 1861 and 1869. In 1893 Mr. Musser mo\'ed to Hamilton, Indiana, where he built a large and handsome residence and in 1899 he married his second wife, whose maiden name was Alice Harger. His death occurred on -\pril 21. 1900. His wife was a nati\'e of Stark county, Ohio, and was Init nine months old when she was brought to Franklin township, DeKalb county, where her death occurred at Hamilton in 1S94. To them were liorn fi\e children: Mary (Mrs. Betz) ; Emanuel, deceased; ^^'illiam, Amanda and Edwin. An uncle of Mrs. Betz, Samuel Musser, enlisted during the war of iRfii for three months' service at Ta}-lor"s Corners, Indiana, and at the end of his first period he re-enlisted for three years, dying a short time afterward in an army hospital in Tennessee. To ]\Ir. and Mrs. Betz were born ten children, as follows : .Anna is the wife of William Kline, a farmer living about one and one-half miles from Fairfield Center, and they have one child, Lester; Eugene died at the age of twenty-nine years, his death being the result of an accident in the Great Western Railroad yards in Chicago: Bertha is the wife of Chester Barker, a farmer near S])ringport, Jackson county, Michigan, and they have one child, Clyde; Alice is the wife of Ezra Brand, a farmer near Fairfield Center, and they have five children : Frank, deceased, Ethel, John, Howard and George; Ida, who is unmarried, remains at home with her mother, as does Mary; George, after attending the common schools of Franklin township, was graduated in the Ashley high school in 1902, and then took the teachers' course in the Angola Normal School, where he graduated in 1903. The following )ear he took special teacher's work in the State Normal School at Terre Haute, and in 1905 went wc^t on an extended vacation. He returned to the Terre Haute Normal in 1907, and on the 2nd day of July of the latter year he was married to Lurah Armstrong. On July 2, 1907, he left for tbe Philippine islands, .where he taught school for the government. He remained there four years and after a visit home in July, 1911, returned to his work, where he is employed as superintendent of the schools in Tarlack proxince, in the Philippines. His wife, who also is well educated, teaches with him; Blanche, who is unmarried and remains at home with her mother, is a successful school teacher at .Ashley ; John, w ho is a successful farmer at Spring-port, Michigan, married Lena Kuckuck, and thex have one child, Howard ; Clyde, who lives on the homestead farm, married Fay Teeters on June 3, 1913, the daughter of Orpheus and .\da L. (Osborn) H^eters. living at Angola, Indiana. Clyde was educateil in the common schools and high school at .Ashley, and then took teacher's training at \\'inona Lake, Indiana, in 1910. He taught three years in three different schools in Smithfield township and in the spring of 19 13 he took up farming on the old home place.

Politicall}-, Mr. Betz was a lifelong Democrat and, though taking an active interest in the success of his party, he ne\er aspired to political offices of any nature. His religious faith was in harmony with the creed of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a faithful member and to the support of \vhich he contributed of his means. His business career was not only a successful one, but an honorable one as well, and the most envious could not grudge him his success, for it was gained l^y the most straightforward methods. Hard work and good management pro\ed the basis of his prosperity and made him a man of affluence. He leaves behind him a memory worthy to be cherished and re\ered and his name should be enrolled among the representative men who have l:)een valued citizens of the county. Domestic in his tastes, his greatest pleasure was in the family circle, while among his fellows his companionable and genial nature commended him to their attention and he was well liked thr(Wghout the comnumit}- where he had resided for so many years, and where he had ever exerted his influence for the welfare of his fellow men.

Aden D. Brcxsox

One of the substantial and thrifty citizens of the vicinity of St. Joe, DeKalb county. Indiana, is Aden D. Brunson. He has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained a satisfactory reward. His life is exemplary in many respects, and he has ever supported those interests which have for their object the welfare of the community and the benefit of his neighbors and friends.

Aden D. Brunson was born in Allen county, Indiana, on September 6, 1850, and is a son of Nathan and Hannah (Holladay) Brunson, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Vermont. Nathan Brunson left his native state in 1836 for Indiana, his journey being by the way of the Ohio river to Cincinnati and then to Dearborn county, from which locality he came overland by ox team to Fort Wayne. He was a resident of Allen county until 1881 when he came to DeKalb county, where he afterwards resided. He followed farming during all his active years with a fair degree of success and when he and his wife passed to the higher life they left behind them the record of well spent lives and an influence for good in the community. They were the parents of ten children, Allen, Jane, Thomas, Reuben, Aden, Ella, Vincent C, Cassie, Sidney and Susan.

Aden Brunson attended iirst the common schools of Allen county, supplementing this training b\- attendance at the Methodist College at Fort Wayne. He then was a student in the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Buffalo, New York, after which he learned the business of telegraphy, in which he was employed at Buffalo for a time; then for twenty-years he was on the road as a traveling salesman for Chicago houses, after which he went to Spring-field, Illinois, moving from there to Fort Wa)ne, and thence to Newville, DeKalb county, eventually locating on the splendid farm of eighty-five acres in Wilmington and Concord townships, w here he now resides. To the cultivation of this tract of land Mr. Brunson has given intelligent direction and his efforts have been rewarded with a degree of success commensurate therewith. He combines farming and stock raising, believing that in this wa\- can the farmer secure tlie best results from his land, and in all his efforts he has been guided by sound business principles which. coml)ined with his indefatigable efforts and thrifty habits, have made him fairly independent in the way of material wealth.

Aden I). Brunson was married on Septemlier 30, iHjC), to Alice V. Michaels, the daughter of Oliver P. and Mary A. ( Stew^ard ) Michaels. Mr. ;\lichaels, who was a native of Maryland, moved from that state to Ohio, where he followed the caq^enter business during all his active years. He is now deceased. He was a nephew of Thomas Jeft"erson. being the son of Deborah Jefferson, sister of the President. His wife, who is also deceased, was born in Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Michaels were Ijorn ten children, namely : Jane, William, Nathaniel, Ellen, Addison, Fannie, all of whom are deceased ; Mrs. Brunson, Melissa, Warren and Lucretia. the last named also lieino- deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Brunson have been born four children.

namely: Ada, the wife of C. C. Bassett, of St. Joe; Ross, an engineer on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad ; Sterling, a farmer in Wilmington township, this county, and Thomas, who remains at home with his parents.

Politically, j\lr. Brunson has been a life-long Republican and is the present assessor of his township, performing the duties of this office to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He has ever taken more than a passing interest in the things that have had for their object the material improvement of his community and county, and because of his business success and his genuine personal worth he enjoys the fullest measure of confidence and good will on the part of his fellow citizens.

A review of the life of the honored subject of this memoir must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of the career of the late Douglas Kelley. touching the struggles of his early manhood and the successes of his later years, would far transcend the limits of this article. He filled a large place in the ranks of the active energetic and public-spirited citizens of his day and generation, and the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable chapter in the history of his native county, where he did his wi)rk and achieved his success.

Douglas Kelley was Ijorn in section 35. Smithfield tuwnship. DeKalb county, Indiana, on November 12. 1862. and his untimely death occurred on June 24, 1899, at the early age of thirty-six years, his death being caused b\- being struck by a limb dislodged by a falling tree, his death ensuing in a fewhours after the accident. Douglas Kelley was the son of James D. and Amy Kelley. James D. Kelley was an early in Smithfield township, having come here on horseback from i-"in(lla\-, Ohio, in an earl\ day. He and his brother. Freeman Kelley, had walked to California, where they engaged in gold mining, with the proceeds of which they were enabled to l)uy farms in the southeast part of Smithfield township. He and his brother had married sisters at Findlay and brought their wi\es to this county on horseback. Douglas Kelley was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the common schools and in the high school at Waterloo. At the age of nineteen vears he was. because of the death of his father, compelled to take upon liiniself the support of his widowed mother and three sisters, and faithfully and courageously did he fulfill his trust. His mother \yas born in Hancock county, Ohio, her marriage to Mr. Kelley occurring in 1855. Her husband died on January 15, 1862, and from that time on she de\oted her efforts to the rearing of her large family, all of whom she saw grow to honorable and respected manhood and womanhood. She survived her husband many years, her death occurring on August 25, 1900.

On March 13, 1892, Douglas Kelley was married to Isabella Walker, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eli Walker, and to this union were born three children, namely : Marvin, who died at the age of seven months; Walker J., who was born in 1893, and who now lives with his mother, and Amy M., who was born on September 2, 1897, and died on November 2, 1900, at the age of three years. .Douglas Kelley spent practically his entire life on the old family homestead east of Waterloo and was numbered among the earnest, ])rogressive, industrious and successful agriculturists of his community. He was a man of vigorous physique and active in his methods and because of his jnil^lic spirit and progressi\e attitude in all matters affecting the community, he had won and retained to a marked degree the ctmtidence and respect of all who knew him, and his death was considered a distinct loss to the community which had been honored by his citizenship.

Christian Curie

The subject of this sketch has seen more than the alloted number of years, and has during the most part of that time engaged in active work on his farm, which has well repaid him and has been to him the source of much pleasure. He has al\va}s found niuch pleasure in farming and the cultivation of crops and caring for stock, and has found that they are as profitable in a monetary way as any occupation could well he expected to be. In his life he has also gained for himself many friends, who ha\-e been attracted by his worth and capabilities.

Christian Curie, who is numbered among the leading farmers of Spencer township, DeKalb county, Indiana, was born in the state of Ohio, on November 9, 1842, and is the son of Nicholas and Barbara (Klopfenstein) Curie, both of whom were natives of France. Nicholas Curie made the overland trii) from Svracuse. New "S'ork, to Wayne county, Ohio, of which he was one of the pioneer settlers, and there the family met with misfortune by the death of the mother of typhoid fever, four of the subject's aunts also dying of the same disease at that time and all within twenty days. At that time there were no cemeteries in that part of the country and the bodies were all interred on a part of a farm which was set apart for that purpose. There was no doctor in that county then, and no him])er to make coffins with, so they split out plank and fastened them together with wooden pins. Only one man had any tools, he li\ing about fifteen miles away, st) they took the split plank to his place and there made the coffin. To Nicholas and Barbara Curie were born the following children: Mrs. Barbara Crupt, deceased; Nicholas, wiio lives in Ohio; Peter and Jacob, deceased; Christian, the immediate subject of this sketch; John, deceased; Mrs. Lida Wcirth, deceased, and Josejih. who lives in Ohio.

The suljject of this sketch recei\-ed his etlucation in the common schools, and in (865 came to the Hoosier state, with which he has been identified continuiiusly since. For several years he was engaged in teaching school in Allen count}' and then moved on to the fine farm of one hundred acres in Spencer township, DeKalb county, which he now occupies. On this farm was located the first school established in DeKalb county, the teacher of which was Rev. Alton, who was paid by the patrons of the school helping him to cut the timber and clear a part of his land. Mr. Ciu"ie"s farm is well improved in e\er\- wa_\- and the soil i"^ maintained at the highest point of fertility due to the careful management of ^Ir. Curie, who rotates the crops properly and otherwise consenes the original resources of the land as far as possible. He raises a general line of crops and also gives attention to stock raising, in both of which lines he has met with most pronounced success. He is now numbered among the substantial men of his community.

Christian Curie was married on IMarcli 20. t86i, to Catherine Ro\er, the daughter of Gabriel and Annie (Conrad.) Ro\-er, nati\es of Pennsylvania. To this union were liorn the followmg children; \\'illiam, of St. joe; Mrs. Paura \Miale\-. who li\-es in Kansas; Mrs. Amanda Klopfenstein, of Grabill, .-\llen county. Indiana; Mrs. F.mma Skilling, of Baltimore, Maryland; Mrs. Orline Koch, of St. Joe; Morris, of St. Joe, who was a member of Company K, One Hundred and Fifty-se\-enth Regiment Indiana National Guard; Frank, of St. Joe; Mrs. Maude Beanns of Spencerville. this county; Mrs. Annie Henderson, who lives in Michigan; Grover, who lives in St. Joe and who, for four years, was in the United States navy, being assigned to the battle ship "Iowa," where he acquired a reputation as the best marksman.

Politicall}', Mr. Curie is a stanch Democrat and in his church relations is a member of the Brethren church. He is a man of fine personal qualities. genial disposition and enjoys the confidence of all who know him.

Nicholas Dietzen

Among the leading farmers and stock raisers of Smithfield township is the gentleman whose name appears above. He also holds worthy prestige as a citizen and is a creditable representative of that large and eminently respectable class of people who by deeds rather than words give stability to the body politic and by their influence honor the communities in which they reside.

Nicholas Dietzen, whose fine farm in Smithfield township reflects credit upon its owner, was born on September 28, 1863, '" Lorain county, Ohio, and is the son of Nicholas, Sr., and Mary ( Behr) Dietzen, both of whom were foreign-born, the father a nati\'e of Prussia and the mother born in Dutch Bremen, Germany. The subject's father was about twenty-three years of age when he emigrated to the Ignited States, prior to whicli time he had been for three years a soldier in the German army, .\fter his arrix'al in .\merica he located at Cleveland, where he remained until his marriage to Mary Behr, who had come to this country with her parents some time before. .After their marriage thev moved to Lorain county, Ohio, where their son, the subject of this sketch, was born, and when the latter was about six months old they moved to Henry county, Ohio, locating about ten miles south of Napoleon, where they remained until the father's death, which occurred about 18(57. O" the Henry county farm the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood and received his education in the public schools of that di.strict. From the age of twenty-one years he rented his father's jilace, to the cultivation of which he devoted his attention, and after his father's death he bought out tlie interests of the other heirs in the home farm, thus l)econiing the owner of fiftv acres of land. In i"e1)ruary, 1903, he sold that ])lace and. coming to DeKalb county, Indiana, bought one hundred and fifteen and three-quarters acres on the line jjetween Franklin and Smithfield townships, to the cultivation of which he has devoted his attention ci>ntinuousl\- since with the most pronounced results. He has made many permanent and substantial improvements on this farm, including the erection of a substantial bank barn and a neat and attractive residence, and in other ways has developed the farm according to up-to-date methods and ideas. He is an industrious, energetic and progressive farmer, giving his attention to general agriculture rather than to any special line and. by dint of persevering industry and indomitable energy, he has accomplished very definite results, his farm being today numbered among the best in the northern part of the county.

On October 7, 1894, Mr. Dietzen was married to Selina Schortgen, who was born in Luxemberg. Germany, on July 10, 1871, and who in 1886, at the age of fifteen years, came to the United States with her mother, Margaret Schortgen, the father, Charles Schortgen. having come to this country about two months before. His death occurred in Henry county. Ohio, in 1895, and his widow now makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Deitzen. To the latter have been born four children, Leo, Mildred, Irene and Helen, the latter ha\- ing lost her life by an explosion of kerosene oil in August. 1913.

Religiously, Mr. Dietzen and the members of his family belong to St. Michael's Catholic church, one of the strongest organizations of this denomination in the county, and they take a commendable interest in the prosperity of the mother church. Tn every respect they are desirable citizens and have ever given their support tn every enterpri.se looking to the advancement of the l>est interests of the community, and because of their sterling qualities of character, their close attention tn their liome affairs and their personal qualities, thev enjo\- a large acquaintance and many wann friendships in their commnnitv.

in the death of the honnrcd sulijuct of this memoir, on May 30. 1880. at his home in Smithfield townsliip, there passed away another member of that group of distinctively representative agriculturists who were the leaders in farming circles in DeKalb county. He was born on December 3, 1823, in Rhinehnrg. Rontz W'iter, Germany, and was the son of Simon Rohm, Sr.. who was liorn on Septenilier 27. 1785, and died on April 3, 1857. Simon i\ohm, Sr.. was a soldier for nine years in the Napoleonic wars, and was married in the old country to Mary Ann Miller, who was born on January 15, iSoo. and who died on September 25, 1853, aged fifty-five years and eight months. Simon Riihm, Sr.. was considered well-to-do in his native land, owning fifteen acres of land and two cows, but he sold all he had and brought his wife and children, Fred, Elizabeth, Simon, Valentine and Caroline, to America, their other children having died in Germany. Although considered well-to-do, he spent all he had in making the trip to America and was five dollars in debt on his arrival here. They were fifty-seven days on the ocean, the trip iieing made in the old slow-going sailing \essels. In 1833 the family located in Holmes county, Ohio, where were born other children, William B., Henry C, Joseph E. and Christian. In 1845 the family moved to western Indiana, where the father had leased land for nine years. Simon, the subject of this sketch, being the largest and most robust son at home, and his father being too old to farm alone, the son refused to stay and farm the place because of the worthless character of the soil, consequently the}' packed up their effects and came to DeKalb count)-, locating on a farm two and onehalf miles southwest of Waterloo, known as the Joseph Stahl place. Thev there established a permanent home and there the parents spent their remaining days. Of their children, h'red married Susannah Easterly in Holmes county, Ohio, mo\ed to Knox county, that state, in 1843. and in 1847 to DeKalb county, living about two miles west of Waterloo until his death; Elizabeth became the wife of Baltzer Stahl, moved to DeKalb county iti 1857. and lived three miles southwest of ^^'aterloo until her death; Valentine lived in DeKalb count}- from 1845 until his death, on August 19, 1905, at the age of se\-ent}--se\en years; Caroline became the wife of Dr. J. W. Lyttle, and lived cjuite a while at Sedan, later at .\ul}urn, where the Doctor had a large jiractice. Ti-i 1862 the}- mo\-ed to Knoxxille, Iowa, where she now resides ; \\'illiam B. was a wagon-maker, but now operates a farm west of Waterloo. He first married Lucinda Morr, and for his second wife, Phoebe Townley; Henry C. married Mary A. Lutz. and farmed two miles west of Waterloo until advanced in years, when he moved to W'aterloo and resided there until his death, which occurred on February 27, 1908; Joseph E., who came to Indiana with his parents, married Mary Ann Dunn in 1864, "and farmed in Smithfield township until his death, which occurred on May 11. 1902; Christian Rohm niarried Susan Miser for his first wife, and afterward married Mrs. .\nna Mary Campbell. He lives at Auburn.

Simon Rohm, Jr., was married on July 16, 1849, to Mary Harsh, a native of Carroll county, Ohio, where she was born on September 3c, 1830, the daughter of Solomon and Rachel (Seibert) Harsh. Her parents were born in Pennsyh-ania, subsequently moving to Stark county. Ohio, thence to Carroll count\-, where they lived during the remainder of their lixes. Mrs.

Oekalb Cuuxtv, Indiana. 9O9

Rohm li\ecl there until eighteen years of age, then came with her sister, Rebecca, the wife of Jacob Hildt, to DeKalb county, Hving with them until her marriage to ]Mr. Rohm. At the time of their marriage Air. and Mrs. Rohm possessed nothing except good health and a good axe which .Mr. Rohm knew well how to use. He first rented a place in Smithfield township and also worked for others until he- got a start, and then three years after marriage he bought eighty acres of land, largely on credit, Ijut continued work for others by the day, clearing his land at night by moonlight and did not move on it until he had it paid for. .By ..rigid, economy he and his wife saved their money and made it a practice not to count their savings until a payment on their land was due, when to their gratification they found they had about a dollar more than was needed. Mr. Rohm lived on that farm until 1879, Mrs. Rohm giving him material assistance in the clearing of the land and in the work in the fields, and at night she spun and wo\-e and made clothes for the family, cooking by the pioneer fireplace, and in other ways materially assisting him. In 1879 Mr. Rohm traded for the old John Husselman place in the southwestern part of Clrant township, where he spent the rest of his life and where two of his children still reside. He was a good manager and traded farms, in which way he made money, at the time of his death owning over two hundred acres of land, all of which was well improved. His death occurred on May 30, 1S80, and he was considered at that time one of the best citizens of his community. His widow still lives on the home farm and enjoys the respect of all who know her. To them were born thirteen children, five of whom died in childhood, while the rest are still living, as follows ; John is a resident of Franklin township; Lydia is the wife of John Hamman, who is rejjresented elsewhere in this work; Henry is in Oregon; Mary is the wife of Henry Hamman, and lives in Branch county, Michigan; Amos lives at home with his mother; Lucinda is the wife of Francis Duesler, and lives east of Waterloo; Simon R. lives on a farm across the road from his mother in Grant township and Ezra lives northeast of his mother on the adjoining farm. Mr. and Mrs. Rohm are entitled not only to credit for the material success which they attained, Ijut for rearing to honorable manhood and womanhood these children, who have occupied respected places in their various communities and who are each achieving definite success in life. Mr. Rohm was a man of stern character, but was always ready to lend his assistance to any movement for the upbuilding of his communitv, giving his support to every moral question. He early had the sagacity and prescience to discern the eminence which the future had in store for this great and growing section of the commonwealth and, acting in accordance with the dictates of faith and judgment, he reaped in the fullness of time the generous benefits which are the just recompense of indomitable industry, sfwtless integrity and sound enterprise.

David A. H Amman

Among the strong and influential citizens of DeKalb county the records of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place and for years he has exerted a beneficial influence in the locality where he resides. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honesty of purpose and motive, and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also contribute to the moral and material ad\ancenient o{ the communitw

David .'\. Hamman, whose comfortable residence and well improved farm lies in the southeast quarter of section ,23. Smithfield township, was born in this township on January 14, 1877, and the son of Daniel Hamman. wlio is represented specifically elsewhere in this work, hence further reference to the subject's ancestry will not be made at this point. Mr. Hamman was reared under tiie parental roof and secured a good practical education in the common schools of the locality. He remained at home until his marriage in 1899, when he engaged in farming on liis own account at the place where he now lives, which comprises eighty acres of splendid land. He also bought a twenty-acre tract adjoining on the east in 1904, and to this splendid farm he has given his undivided attention, his efforts being rewarded with s]>lendi(l harvests from }ear to year. He does not specialize in any particular line of agriculture, but raises all the crops common to this locality and to some extent handles live stock, while in everything that i>ertains to the 'science to which he gi\es his efforts lie has acliiexed a record as a man of good judgment, wise discretion and energetic methods. Mr. Hamman keeps closely in touch with twentieth-century ideas relative to agriculture and is not slow to adopt new methods when their jiracticaliility has been demonstrated.

In 1S99 Mr. Hamman was married to Suranda Walker, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eli ^^^alker, who also are represented elsewhere in this work. ^Irs. Hamman was horn and reared in Smithfield townshij) and is a lady of

Fraternally, Mr. Hamman is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and, with his wife, he also belongs to the Pythian Sisters, Mrs. Hamman being also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Mr. Hamman is a man of versatile talent, being not onl\- a successful agriculturist in all its phases, but is also an expert carpenter, builder and house mover, in which he is busily engaged, really having more work offered him than he can attend to. In all that the word implies, he is progressive and is numbered among the wide-awake, active and influential citizens of his community, his support lieing unreservedly given to every movement looking for the betterment of the people educationally, morally or materially, and in consequence of his large-hearted attitude toward civic and public affairs he enjoys the high regard of the entire community.

Clarence A. Bowman

One of the progressive and representati\e farmers of Smithfield township, DeKalb count}-, Indiana, is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this review. His has been an eminently actixe and useful life, but the limited space at the disposal of the biographer forbids more than a casual mention of the leading events in his career, which, in our opinion, will suffice to show what earnest and intelligent endeavor and honesty of purpose rightly applied and persistently followed will lead t(T - unqualified success.

Clarence A. Bowman was born in Cass county, Michigan, on October 28, 1881, and is the son of Archie and Alice (Kelley) Bowman, who are specifically represented elsewhere in this work. He grew up on his father's farm, securing a good, practical education, which he afterwards supplemented by a two years' course in an agricultural college in Lansing, Michigan, graduating with the class of iqot. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming on his own account on a splendid tract of land in section t,-,. Smithfield township, DeKalb county. Indiana, which had been bought in early days by his maternal grandfather. Cyrus Bowman, and to the cultivation and improvement of this land he ha-; continuously dexoted his time and attention since. Mr. Bowman is an enthusiastic, up-to-date farmer, taking a deeji interest in whatever pertains to progress in his chosen calling, not hesitating to adopt new methods where he sees their advantage over old ones. To this end he has taken short courses in scientific farming at Purdue and also at Auburn, and is now chairman of the Farniers' Institute at Waterloo. He gives careful and personal attention to every detail of his farm work and is eminently entitled to the success which is his.

On Alay 21, 1905, }ilr. Bowman was united in marriage with Dora Lutz, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Hamman) Lutz, who were natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana, and are mentioned elsewliere in the pages of this work. To this union has lieen bt)rn one daughter, Thelma, who first saw the light of day on Ma\' 28, 1907.

Fraternally, Mr. Bowman is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Gleaners, in the workings of which orders he is deeply interested. JNIr. and Mrs. Bowman move in the best circles in their comnninity, and none are more popular or held in higher esteem for their uprightness of character and genial attributes than they.

Herbert Clyde Willis

A man's reputation is the property of the world, for the laws of nature ha\'e forbidden isolation. I^ery human l^eiug either sulimits to the controlling influence of other-; or wields an influence which touches, controls, guides or misdirects others. If he 1>e honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his fame and jx^int the way along which others may follow with like success. The reputation of Herbert Clyde Willis, one of the leading journalists of DeKalb. county, having been unassailable all along the highways of life, according to those who have known him best, it is believed that a critical study of his career will l:)e of Ijenefit to the reader, for it has been not onh' one of honor but of usefulness also.

Herbert Clyde Willis, editor of the Waterloo Press, one of the influential and po]iular journals of DeKalb county, was born on December 15, 1871. at Waterloo, and is a son of Frank W. and Josei/nine ( Dickinson) Willis. These parents are mentioned specifically elsewhere in this work, therefore further space will not be given to the subject's ancestral history at this point. Herbert C. Willis was reared at Waterloo, where he attended tlie grade and high school and secured a good, practical education. In the summer of 1884 he l>egan learning the printing trade, being at tliat time a lad of about twelve vears of age. His time outside of school hours was mainly devoted to this work and during the last year of school he and one other person did all the job work and got out the paper regularly and in good shape. He has thus learned the printing business in e\ery detail from the ground up, having served his apprenticeship under old-time conditions, and printing the first papers on the old ^Vashington hand press when he was so small he had to stand on a box to run the ink rollers across the type. Mr. ^\'illis continued working for his father and made every effort to learn all details of the business After two years apprenticeship, he was given one cent for each "stick-ful" of type set, in which way he made from ten to twehe cents a day, or about fifty cents a week. and. boy as he was, he was greatly pleased at the progress he was making. In i8gi, after his graduation from high school, he took a tour of the Southwest, and on his return entered the emplov of his father, with wliom he remained until February, 1896, when the plant was totally destroyed by fire. ^Ir. Willis had saved some money and now invested that with his father, with whom he became a partner, and from then on until his father's death, in 1913, they remained associated in business, the subject taking the greater part of the burden of management from his father's shoulders during later years. Since his father's death, the subject has purchased his interest and is now sole owner of the plant. He publishes the Waterloo Press, one of the best local newspapers in DeKalb county, which has become a welcome visitor in many homes, and also does a lot of business in catalog and blank hook work and various office forms, derixing considerable business from other points outside of this county, as far away as Indianapolis. He also carries a large stock of books and stationery, with which he supplies local trade. He has all along the line exercised good judgment in his business affairs and has met with a well deserved success in everything to which he has turned his hand, earning not only material prosperity', but also the high esteem of those who are acquainted with his life work.

It would seem that Mr. Willis' l)usiness affairs were enough to demand" his entire time and attention, hut he has found time to interest himself in other affairs and has shown a \ersatility of talent which has been complimentary to him. At the age of eighteen years he became a charter member of Company I, Third Regiment of the Indiana Legion, which is now identical with the Indiana National Guard, and was in that as.sociation for over six years. At the expiration of his term he was out of the serx'ice about a year, then reenlisted in the Indiana National Guard, being appointed sergeant-major on Col. A. W. Bowman's battalion staff. He participated in the putting down of the rioting at Hammond in 1804. when there \\as some actual fighting and (58) occasion for great self-control and forbearance on the part of the troops. His military record was highly complimentary to him in every respect.

Politically a Republican, Mr. Willis has at all times exerted a strong influence for his party, in whose councils he has been a conspicuous figure and he has been a hard fighter all along the line for principles for which he stands and for his friends to whom he has ever been loyal. He is the present efficient chairman of the Republican county central committee. Mr. Willis was one of the organizers of the Waterloo High School Alumni Association, which has a membership of over two hundred. He has been a member of the Presbyterian church for twenty-five years, and served efficiently as superintendent of the Sunday school, which he has been largely instrumental in building up to one of the best schools in the county.

On June 24, 1(896. Mr. \\'illis married Martha L. Gon,ser, who was born Ajjril (\ 1 87 1, on a ftirm near Auburn, then owned by her father, but which is now the county farm. She is the daughter of Moses and Louisa (W^'right) Gonser, her father ha\'ing been a native of Pennsylvania, coming to DeKalb county in pioneer days. He first lived on the farm west of Auburn until he sold it to the county, not long after Mrs. Willis was born, and he then located along the county line in the southern part of Steuben county. He was county commissioner for the latter county, and was a man in good circumstances and of influence in his community and county. His wife, whose maiden name was Louisa Wright, was a native of New York, bofn on the banks of Lake Ontario, and in an early day came to DeKalb county with her parents. Her father conducted a general store in Fairfield township \^ the earl}- days and had a large trade with the Indians, having also an "ashery," where he made potash from wood ashes, a common procedure in that early day. Mr. Gonser died in 1905, and his widow now lives in Steuben county, this state. Mrs. \\'illis recei\'ed her elementary education in the common schools and then attended the Tri-State Normal School at Angola, where she graduated and then for a time taught district school. Afterwards siie entered Earlham College. at Richmond. Indiana, where she graduated in 1893, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Coming to Waterloo, she became principal of the high school here, retaining this position two years, and during that period began her acquaintance with Mr. Willis, though their families had been singularly close in an earlier generation. To Mr. and Mrs. \\'illis have been born two children, Louise, born September 7, 1897. and Herbert G., born November 21, 1904. Because of his earnest life and successful career, as well as his genial disposition and companionable nature, Mr. Willis has won a large acquaintance and many warm friends in the county and is now numbered among its representative citizens.

Franklin P. Aivers

The following is the sketch of a plain honest man of affairs, who by correct methods and a strict regard for the interests of his patrons has made his influence felt in DeKalb county and won for himself distinctive prestige in the agricultural circles of Smithfiekl township. He would be the last man to sit for romance or become the subject of fancy sketches, nevertheless his life presents much that is interesting and \aluable and may be studied with profit by the young, whose careers are xet to be achieved. He is one of those whose integrity and strength of character must force them into an admirable notoriety which their modesty never seeks, who command the respect of their contemporaries and their posterity and leave the inijiress of their individuality deeply stamped upon the community.

Franklin P. Myers is a native of the county in which he now li\es, having been born in Smithfiekl township on March 9, 1858. and is the son of Jacob and Barbara (Snyder) Myers. Jacob Myers was born in Ciermany, the son of Frederick and Barbara Myers, who brought their famil\ to this comitry when Jacob was but an infant. They settled first in Seneca county, Ohio, where Jacob was reared to manhood and there he married Mollie Talbert, to which union were born six children; of these, Sydney and Joe are deceased; Henry lives in Michigan; Eliza Ann lives near Alendon, Michigan; Sarah Jane is deceased and Barbara Ellen lives at Burr Oak, Michigan. The mother of these children died in Ohio and Jacoli Myers moved to Wood county, that state, where he married Barbara Snyder, who was born in Pennsyhania, of Dutch parentage, and who was brought to the state of Ohio by her parents. About 1850. or possibly a little earlier. Jacol> Alyers came to DeKalb county on horseback and bought a farm of eighty acres located northwest of Hudson in the southwestern part of Steuben county, the farm being at that time but little improved. Later he brought his family to that farm and some time during the fifties he liought a farm of one hundred and twelve acres lying three miles south of Hudson in Smithfield township, DeKalb county, to which place he moved and subsequently bought other lands in that neighborhood until he became the owner of three hundred and sixt\- acres. He was a diligent worker, knowing no such word as idleness, and by his indefatigable efforts brought his farm to a fine standard of improvement and cultivation, much of the clearing being done by moonlight. He would lay the bottom rails of a line of fence during the day in order to get the line and would finish the fence b)- night. Much of his land was bought cheap, and from that he sold off the timber, using good judgment and wise discrimination in the management of his affairs and thus became well-to-do, honestly earning the prosperit}' which he later enjoyed. To his union with Barbara Snyder were born the following children: Susan, Franklin P., John. Jesse, Ida, Amos, George, Maggie, Amanda, and Lovina, who died in infancy. Prior to her marriage to Mr. Myers, the mother of these children had been married to a Mr. Hardman. Jacob Myers spent the remainder of his life in Smithfield township, where his death occurred about 1883, and he was survived a number of years by his widow, whose death occurred in i8<)4.

Franklin P. Myers was reared on the home farm, securing his education in the schools of the locality and when about si.xteen years of age moved to a farm which his father had bought just east of his first ])urchase. and there the subject lived until his marriage in 1882. He then went to farming on eighty acres of land owned by his father in Fairfield to\\nship, where he remained four years, at the end of which period he came to Smithfield township and bought thirty-eight acres of land from his father-in-law, to which he subsequently added twenty-six acres adjoining in section ic). To the cultivation of this land he has devoted himself and has achieved success as the result of his close application to his own affairs and sound judgment and good common sense exercised in the management of the i^lace. He has carried on a general line of farming, raising all the crops common to this local it\- and also gives some attention to li\'e stock. His pleasant and attracti\e residence, substantial and well-arranged barn, and the wcll-ke])t condition of the farm indicates him to be a man of good taste and who understands the business to which he is applying himself.

On November 30, 1882, Mr. Myers married Delilah Stofer. who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on February 12, 1858, the daughter of Eli Stofer, bv whom she was brought to Fairfield township, this countw in 1865. To Mr. and Mrs. Myers were born three children : Clark ^^'ilson, born July 5, 1883: Glenn Lloyd, born September 18, 1S89: r^laydie Pearl, born :\Iay 7, 1895. On April 2, 1908, Clfirk Myers married Orpha McF.ndarfer, daughter of Byron McEndarfer, and they have a daughter. Iris. On February 18, 1912, Glenn married Alta Urey, the daughter of John Urey, and they live in Fairfield tOM'nship on the Urey farm ; they ha^-e one son, \Vilson Wayne Myers.- Mr." Myers has not been selfish in hi? life, but has given a due share of his attention to the interests of the community with which he has been identified for so many years, giving his support at all times to every movement which has promised to be of matet-ial benefit to the community. He stands for the highest standard of citizenship, and in this he has set a wortliv example, for his life has been such as to earn the commendation of all whu know him.

Rev. Eli Stofer, father of Mrs. Myers, was born on April 21, 1836, in Columbiana county, Ohio, the son of Samuel and Mary Anne (VVolfe) Stofer, the father a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and the mother of Fayette county, that state. Eli Stofer was reared -on a farm in Columbiana Cdunty. Ohio, and at the age of twenty, in 1856, was there married to Elizabeth \\ea\er, who was born in Columbiana county, the daughter of Isaac and Catherine ( Shively) Weaver. Her death occurred on Januar\- 18, 1914. Isaac Weaver was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. In 1864 Mr. Stofer moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, settling in Fairfield township, and in 1874 moved to the southwest (|uarter of section iq, in Smithfield townshi]), \vhere he owned fifty-four acres of land, practically all he can care for in his later years, being now se\enty-eight years old. About a year after his marriage Mr. Stofer united with the .Mennonite church, his wife joining that society two years later. Her parents had reared her in the Dunkard church and her change to the Mennonite church was entirely voluntary on her ]jart. About four x'ears after coming to Indiana, he helped organize a IMennonite church near his home, and about 1870 he was ordained a minister in that dentjminalion, with whicli he has lieen identified very closely ever since.

To Rev. and Mrs. Stofer were liorn se\en children:, ()li\er li\es near Garrett and has two children b}- his first wife, Warren and Grace, and three by his second marriage. Goldie, Orpha and Thurlow. His second wife died about 1897; Delilah Stofer became the wife of F. P. Myers, the immediate subject of this sketch; Amanda J., widow of Jacob Kalli, li\es at Ashley and has two children, Myrtle and Shirley : Edwin O. died at Warsaw, Indiana, in 1907, leaving a widow and two children, Ruth and Paul; John, who is employed in the railroad shops at El Paso, Texas, married Delia Spiegelmeier, and thev have two children living and one dead; Mary Catherine is the wife of William Kessler, who lives across in Fairfield township about a mile west of her father's homestead; Ella became the wife of Alva Brand, and after his death she married Edward Zerbragg, and they live in .Ashley. Rew and Mrs. Stofer have been married fifty-eight years, and the almost six decades of their union have been years of unalloyed happiness, their faces today showing the peaceful life they have led. for there is a serenity pictured there which is born of a sound faith in the Infinite. On the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, their children and children's children visited them in honor of "their father and ancestor whose character has been such as to reflect honor on his family. They have six children living, fourteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. They are indeed a worthy old couple and this volume would be incomplete without this specific reference to them.

Christian Brecbill

The histor}- of DeKalb county would be lacking should the record of Christian Brecbill be omitted, for he is one of its leading citizens, being a man of splendid attributes and always ready to assist his neighbors in the battle of life and do what he can toward the general good of the county. A man of excellent endowments and ujiright character, he is a valued factor in local afifairs and commands unefpiixocal confidence and esteem, being loyal to the upbuilding of this locality and ever \igilant in his efforts to further the interests of the county along material, ci\-ic and moral lines.

Christian Brecbill, whose splendid farm is located on section j8. Smithfield township, was born October 18, 1845, near Lake Toon, Switzerland, and is a son of Christian and Margaret (Amstutz) Brecbill, being their only child. When he was but one year old the father died of typhoid fever and his mother followed her husband to the other world three weeks later. In 1855, when he was but ten years of age, the subject of this sketch came to America and -located in DeKalb county, Indiana, where he obtained employment on the farm known as the Buss farm in Richland township. He had come here in the company of his grandmother, Barbara AnT^tut?, who resided on the Buss fanii until her death, at the age of eighty-five }-ears. Here the subject worked for about two years and then went to the .\mstutz farm, two miles from Waterloo, where he remained until his marriage in 1866, after which he moved to the Bachtel farm near Waterloo, w here he remained a year. He was then for a like period on the Si Jackman farm, from whence he moved to the farm on which he now lives. During the first sixteen years of his occupancy here he rented the place and then purchased it. The purchase price was six thousand five hundred dollars, on which he paid two hundred dollars down, and that was borrowed. He had a hard up-hill fight, but was determined to succeed, and eventualh- his efforts were abundantly rewarded. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of as good land as can be found in DeKalb county, and to the cuUivation of it Mr. Brecbill has given intelHgent direction, carefully conserving the fertility of the soil and making many permanent and substantial improvements/ which have added to its appearance and increased its \-alue. The buildings are all modern and up-to-date in their style and character, the machinery used is of the most improved pattern, and in every detail of the farm work Mr. Brecbill has exhibited a progressive and enterprising spirit that has had its reward in increased profits at a minimum of labor and expense. Progress has been the watchword which has been the key to Mr. Brecbill's success, and among his fellow agriculturists he is eminently entitled to precedence because of his methods and the success to which he has attained. He is in the largest sense of the word a self-made man and because of this fact he appreciates the success of others; being broadminded and altruistic in his views of men and things and standing shoulder to shoulder with his fellow men in the effort to advance the general welfare of the community.

On October 30, 1866, Mr. Brecbill was united in marriage with Margaret Elizabeth Brand, the daughter of William and Matilda (Kline) Brand. William Brand, who was a native of Ohio, came to DeKalb county in 1852, settling on the Brand farm three miles west^of Waterloo, where he bought eighty acres of timber land, for which he paid one hundred and fifty dollars. He cleared the most of this land and impro\-ed it, dceloping it into a fine and up-to-date farm. To the cultivation of this tract he gave his attention and also gave some attention to the threshing business and worked at the carpenter trade as opportunity offered. His death occurred on June 3, 1889. He was an active supporter of the Democratic party and a faithful member of the Christian church. His wife, who was also a native of Ohio, died on the same farm on June 7, 1882. To them were born the following children: John C, George W., Hiram, Margaret. Henry, Darlin W.-. Emma and Albertus, of whom Margaret Elizabeth and Emma are the only survi\-ors. Mrs. Brecbill's paternal grandfath.er was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States and, coming to DeKalb county, located on a farm south of Auburn, to the operation of which he devoted himself until his death, which occurred there. To Mr. and Mrs. Brecbill have been born four children, namely : William, Mrs. Rosia Durst, Scott, deceased, and Mrs. Nellie Buchanan. Mr. and Mrs. Durst live in Auburn, where he is a clerk in a hardware store. William, who is married, owns nineteen and a quarter acres of land near his father. Mr Brecbill is a fine type of a self-made man. a broad-minded, generous, aggressive, far-seeing, keen American, such as win in life's battles from sheer force of character and personalit\- and depend upon none. By his own efforts and starting in life practically emptv-handed, he surmounted every obstacle and has gained not only a competency, but an honest position in the community of his residence.

George W. Park

The best title one can e.stablish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. George W. Park, one of the best known and most highly esteemed men of DeKalb county, has resided here from early boyhood and his career has been a most commendable one in every respect, well deserving of being perpetuated on the pages of a historical work of the nature of the one in hand. Like his sterling father before him, he has been a man of well defined purpose and never failed to carry to successful completion any enterprise to which he addressed himself. Beginning life in a new country and under many unfavorable auspices, he has let nothing deter him, and before the lapse of many years he had a fine farm under cultivation. Knowing that the country was destined to take a very high rank in the productive and rich localities of the North, he applied himself very closely to his ^\<)rk, waiting for the future to bring its rewards, and today he is one of the substantial men of the county.

George W. Park was born December t6, 1849, "'' 'i ^'^S cabin near Fort M'ayne, Allen county, Indiana, and is the son of William and Barbara ( Warner) Park. William Park was born in Ohio and on attaining maturity learned the trade of a hatter, remaining active in this trade until thirty-five years of age. He then came to Indiana, locating within a mile of Robinson's Chapel, near Fort Wayne, where he bought sixty acres of land, mostly covered with timber, but which he cleared and put into good shape for cultivation. In 1862 he sold this place and moved to a farm of sixty acres near Corunna, known as the Baker farm, which he operated about ten years and then sold to Fred Baker. He ojiened a grocery store at Conmna. which he operated about ten years and was very successful in this enterprise. Selling this store to George McMullin (now deceased), he then moved to Auburn, where he bought residence property and retired from active business pursuits, his death occurring there in 1889. Barbara Warner was a native of Maryland and was married to William Park at Fostoria, Ohio, in 1S34, and together they came to Indiana. After her husband's death Mrs. Park made her home with Christian Buss on the Buss farm until her death, about ten years later, in 1898, Mrs. Buss being her daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Park were born nine children, namely: Three who died in infancy: John, deceased; Rachel; Sarah ]., deceased; Elizabeth, George W. and Mary Ellen. Of these, John enlisted at the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861 at Fort \Vayne in the Eleventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a volunteer and was in the army under General Sheridan. At the expiration of his three-year enlistment, he re-enlisted as a veteran and was killed in a battle in the Shenandoah valley near the close of the war, being buried there; Rachel, who lives at Auburn, was married four times, first to Alartin Stage, second to Elic Timberman, third to John Miller, fourth to John Porter. By the first union were born three children, and by the second marriage, a son, William ; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Christian Buss, a farmer in Smithfield township, has seven children^ William H., John H.. Isaac H., George H., deceased, Jefferson, Belle and Nettie; Mary Ellen became the wife of Jacob Thomas, of Auburn, and they have six children, Maggie. Orrie, deceased, William. Henr\', Harry and Wade.

George W. Park received his education in the common schools up to twelve years of age and in 1862 came to DeKalb county and began working on his father's farm. He worked three years in a grist mill in Auburn owned by Christian Buss and then for a while teamed and hauled logs forUhe old saw mill seven miles south of Ashley. During the following year he worked on the Buss farm and for a like period ran a peddling wagon out of Tiffin, Ohio, then for a year he farmed for Mrs. Britton, at the end of which time he went to Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, where he spent four years. The year alter his marriage, in 1883, Mr. Park spent a summer in ,\uburn and then moved to the Willis farm, one and one-half miles west of Showers Corners in Smithfield township, where he operated eighty acres for about a year, at the end of which time he located on his present farm of eighty acres, formerly known as the John D. Miller place, where he resided until 191 1. when he rented the farm to his son John and bought property in Ashley, where he now lives practically retired from active labor. His life has been an active and busy one, characterized by the faithful performance of every duty to which he applied himself. His farm work was always characterized by up-to-date methods, and among his fellow agriculturists he was held in high esteem.

children: May Belle, who became the wife of Harry Green, a blacksmith, lives on a ranch in Logan county, Colorado, where they took up one hundred and sixty acres of homestead land; they have two children, Mildred D. and Thomas P. ; John married Nora Morrison and is a farmer ; they have one child, Keith Arden; Inis E. is the widow of Melfred Bowman, a farmer in Richland township, and the}- ha\e one child. Bertha.

John D. Miller was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he spent his boyhood days, and at the age of twenty-one years he moved to Stark county, Ohio. In 1857 he came to DeKalb county, Indiana, and bought an eighty-acre farm, to which he later added twent\'-six acres adjoining. Most of the original eighty was covered with timber which he cleared and from which he developed a splendid farm. A good barn, residence and other necessary outbuildings makes his farm one of the best in the locality. The first residence in which he lived after purchasing the farm was a log house which was their home until the new residence was completed. On account of ill health and physical disability Mr. Miller turned the farm over to his son, Joseph, who is operating the place at the present time. M r. Miller then mo\'ed to Hudson and while there, in 1900, his wife died. He lived alone for a time and then removed to the home farm, making his home with his son, Joseph. There he died in igog. His wife, who was a native of Stark county, Ohio, was united to him in marriage in 1852, and came to DeKalb county with him and was a true helpmeet to him in every sense of the word, assisting him materially in the impro\'ement of the farm and the advancement of his financial interests. She died in igoo. They were the parents of three children, Clara A., who. has been twice married, first to James A. Krum, second to John W. Seward, lives on the latter's farm near Hudson ; Joseph K., who married Jennie Cox, is a farmer on the home place and has two children. Pearl and Marie.