DeKalb County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1914 (part 3 of 20)

John Leas

It is a well attested maxim that the greatness of a community or a county or a state lies not in the machinery of government nor even in its institutions, but rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen, in his capacity for high and unselfish efifort and his devotion to the public welfare. In these particulars, he whose name appears at the head of this memoir conferred honor and dignity upon the locality of his residence, and as an elemental part of history it is consonant that there should be recorded a resume of his career. with the object in view of noting his connection with the advancement of one of the most flourishing and progressive sections of the commonwealth, as well' as his relations with the commercial and financial affairs of the community honored by his citizenship. 1 v-, ''

John Leas was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, near the historic city of Gettysburg, on July 12, iSisTand was a son of Col. John, Jr.. and Sophia (Spangler) Leas, both of whom also were natives of the old Keystone state. He came of good old .American stock, his paternal grandfather having been a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Colonel Leas was a farmer and in iSi8 he emigrated to Stark county, Ohio, where he began operations on a tract of virgin soil. In 1838 he went to Guernsey county, that state, and there again created a good farm out of what was formerly a wilderness. In the fall of 1852 the Colonel came to DeKalb county, Indiana, and located on section 5, Smithfield township, where he again made a farm, and there he remained until 1866, when he moved to Waterloo, where his death occurred in 1875. While a resident of Stark county, Ohio, he was commissioned colonel of a regiment of militia. In politics he was a Jackson-ian Democrat and he acceptably filled a numlaer of local offices. His wife died in 1882. They were members of the Reformed church. Colonel Leas, who was a man of more than ordinary ability, became a prominent figure and an important factor in the afifairs of the various communities where he li\ed and enjoyed universal respect.

John Leas was reared upon the paternal farmstead in Stark county. Ohio, whither the family had moved when he was but three years old. Owing; to the modest circumstances of tlie family, he was not given large opportunities for an education, the log-cabin school of that locality being his only chance. While still a resident of that count}-, he was married to Susan Schimpff, a native of Germany, who had emigrated to this countr\- when thirteen years of age. To that union were born twelve children, namely : Peter, Susan and a daughter unnamed died in infancy; JMartin \'an Buren. who was born at Osnaburg, Stark county, Ohio, on .\usiust _'5, iS.io, died at his home in Salem township, Steuben county, Indiana, on March 31, 1899: Jacob H., who lives north of Hudson, is the oldest of the family now living; John S., who lived in Salem township, Steuben county, died, leaving si.x children by his first marriage and two by the second ; his widow now lives at Ashley; Elizabeth L. is the wife of Oscar Taylor, a banker at Hamilton; Adeline is the wife of Miles Jefiferson Waterman, of Franklin township, this county; the other four children, Hezekiah H., Obediah. William Henry and Daniel Louis, all live at Waterloo, this county, and are represented in individual sketches elsewhere in this work. In 1842 John Leas came to Indiana, purchasing one hundred and forty-three acres of land, and the following year he moved his family to this state. In 1867 he came to DeKalb county and bought a fine farm in Smithfield township and one year later moved on it. and made it his permanent home, owning two hundred and fifty acres of land at the time of his death and being numbered among the successful and enterprising farmers of the county. In 1871 Mr. Leas was one of the leaders in the organization of the Citizens Bank at Waterloo, which had a most successful career. In the course of time he bought out the other partners and in 1 88 1 became the sole owner of the bank, which he retained until 1896, when he sold it to his son, Hezekiah. and retired from active business life, his death occurring on June 25, 1897.

The record of Mr. Leas was a remarkable one in several respects and the example of his life is one worthy of emulation. When he first came to Indiana his material possessions consisted of eighty-five dollars in money and a yoke of o.xen, but he was endowed with a large ambition and a great capacity for work, elements which will insure success in almost any undertaking. Indefatigable in his' efiforts, keeping ever before him the highest of ideals, he gradually forged ahead, and eventually gained not only a competency, but also the universal confidence and good will of his fellow citizens.

Mrs. Susan Leas died on June 15, 188 1, and subsequently Mr. Leas married Mrs. Amanda Mallory Patterson, widow of Robert Patterson, to which union were bom five children.

Politically, Mr. Leas always supported the Democratic party and in several ofifices of local importance he rendered valuable services to his community. Religiously, he was a member of the Reformed church, while, fraternally, he was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to Waterloo Lodge No. 307'. In Mr. Leas' business career, as well as his private life, he was actuated by the highest motives, his actions being always the result of careful and conscientious thought. His death removed from DeKalb county one of her most substantial and highly esteemed citizens and the many beautiful tributes to his high standing in the world of affairs and as a man and citizen attested to the abiding place he had in the hearts and affections of his friends.

Success in what are popularly termed the learned professions is the legitimate result of merit and painstaking endeavor. In commercial life one may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or gift, but professional advancement is gained only by critical study and research long continued. Proper intellectual discipline, thorough professional knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and attributes essential to success have made the subject of this review eminent in his chosen calling and he stands today among the scholarly and enterprising physicians and surgeons in a community long distinguished for the high order of its medical talent. In the civic and political circles of DeKalb county the Doctor has also long been a prominent figure, having served faithfully and efBciently in positions of public trust and responsibility, having added prestige to a name already honored and dignified by his father.

Francis M. Hines was born on January 26, 1861, in Jackson township, DeKalb county, Indiana, and is the son of Henry and Sarah Abigail (Smith) Hines. Henry Hines was born in .Vshland county, Ohio, on April i, 1839, a son of Francis and Lovina (Culler) Hines. In 1844 his parents moved to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where the father died in 1877. Henry Hines lived with his parents until his marriage to Sarah Abigail Smith, February 6, 1858. She was born on April 8, 1838. in Medina county, Ohio. The year following their marriage they came to DeKalb county, settling in Jackson township, where he entered upon the task of creating a farm out of the wilderness. He there became the owner of one hundred and si.xty acres of land in sections 10 and 11, which eventually became one of the choice farms of that locality. He continued the operation of that farm until the fall of 1896, when he was elected treasurer of DeKalb county and moved to Auburn, where his death occurred about six months later, on July 6, 1897. Henry Hines was a remarkable man in many respects and during the entire period of his residence in this county he enjoyed to a notable degree the confidence and high regard of all who knew him. He was elected justice of the peace, and, by successive re-elections, served continuously for eighteen years, or until his election to the office of county treasurer. He did not desire the office, but his fellow citizens insisted on re-electing him. Even tempered, level headed and with a keen sense of the fairness of things, he conducted his justice court in such a manner as to satisfy all litigants, and it was frequently the case that disputants would refer their troubles to him for settlement without law proceedings. His sense of justice, fairness and honesty made him a man of influence, though he was firm for what he believed to be right and was absolutely fearless. His word was as good as a bond, and any statement from his lips was accepted without question. Henry Hines was a successful man in his material affairs and at the time of his death owned, besides the home farm, two saw-mills, one in Jackson township and one in Union township.

To Henry and Sarah Hines were born the following children; Lillie Louisa, now deceased, was the wife of James H. Farver, of Jackson township, this county; Francis M. is the immediate suliject nf this sketch; Wesley

L. is a practicing physician at Warsaw, Indiana; Leonard Arthur, now deceased, was a successful physician at Warsaw at the time of his death; Lovina Ann is the wife of Alfred J. Geisinger, of Auburn; Effie A. is the wife of Lewis M. Geisinger, of Auburn. The mother of these children survives and is living in Auburn.

Francis M. Hines was reared to manhood on the home farm in Jackson township, securing his education in the public schools, also attending the normal school at Auburn several terms. At the age of nineteen years he began teaching school in his home township, continuing to follow that vocation until 1889. In the fall of that year, having determined to take up the practice of medicine, he matriculated in the medical department of the Methodist Episcopal University at Fort Wayne, where he was graduated in ;\Iarch, 1892, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then returned to Auburn and in May following he began the active practice of his profession. Successful from the start, Doctor Hines was soon in command of a lucrative practice in both medicine and surgery, and during the subsequent years he has stood high among his professional colleagues in this community. In November, 1898, Doctor Hines was elected treasurer of DeKalb county, assuming the duties of his office on January i, 1899, and so satisfactory were his services that in 1900 he was elected to succeed himself, thus serving four years as treasurer and retiring from the office with the commendation of all the people.

Prior to his election as treasurer, Doctor Hines had served as a member of the Auburn city council from the third ward. During his term it was decided to install a municipal light and water plant, and, largely through the efforts of Doctor Hines, this was accomplished at a much more reasonable figure than was at first deemed possible. He was urged to again run for councilman, but declined, owing to his nomination for the county treasurership. He also gave to his city six years' valualile service as a member of the school board.

Politically, Doctor Hines has always been aligneil with the Democratic party and has taken an active interest in political and public affairs. In the fall of 1902 he was elected chairman of the Democratic county central committee and two years later was a delegate to the national convention of his partv at St. Louis, when Alton B. Parker was nominated for the presidencv. During the Doctor's official life he did not abandon the practice of his profession, giving his personal attention to his practice as far as was possible and employing an office assistant to take his place when his official duties prevented him from doing professional work.

On March 29, 1885, Doctor Hines was married to Lillie Ann Carper, who was born and reared in Jackson township, this county, the daughter of John and Sarah (Friedt) Carper. Her parents, who were natives of Ohio, came with their respective famihes to DeKalb county and were pioneer settlers in Jackson township. To Doctor and Mrs. Hines have been born the following children: Dorsey Mark, born May 5, 1886, attended the Indiana University School of Medicine at Indianapolis, graduating in 1909, and is engaged in the practice with his father; Ralph died in infancy; Vera Grace received a splendid education, attending the Western College for Women at Oxford, Ohio ; the State Normal School at Terre Haute, Indiana ; the Tri-State Normal School at Angola, Indiana, and the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, Michigan. Since the fall of 1909 she has been teaching in the Auburn public schools, being in the DeSoto school building that was erected while her father was a member of the school board; Nellie Faith, who graduated from the Auburn high school, and attended college at Jacksonville, Illinois, is teaching sewing in the Auburn public schools; A. V., born April 16, 1892, graduated from the Auburn high school in 1908 and from the medical department of Indiana University in 1912. He served a year as house physician at St. Vincent's Hospital, Indianapolis, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Auburn; Victor Glenn, born September 4, 1895, died at the age of six years ; Lillian died in infancy.

Religiously, Doctor Hines is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the prosperity of which he is deeply interested and to the support of which he contributes liberally. Personally, he is genial and unassuming, possessing to an eminent degree those qualities of character which commend him to the friendship of all with whom he comes in contact, and he not only enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout the county which has been honored by his citizenship, but he is deservedly popular among all classes.

Captain John F. Otto

Among the representative citizens and honored ex-soldiers of DeKalb county, Indiana, is the subject of this review, who, after a quarter of a century of untiring effort in business pursuits, is now retired and living quietly in his home at Auburn. To such men as Captain Otto we turn with particular satisfaction as offering in their life stories justification for works of this

Captain John F. Otto was born in Erfurt, Prussia, on December lo, 1826, and at the age of fourteen years was apprenticed by his parents to learn the trade of a glove maker, sen-ing as such until he was eighteen years old. He then enlisted in the Prussian artillery service and assisted in crushing the rebellion in the South German states, participating in two battles and in the siege of the fortified city of Rastadt in 1848 and 1849. ^^ 1851 Captain Otto was discharged from military service as a non-commissioned officer, and immediately emigrated to the United States, landing in New York City in Alav of that year. He soon found employment as a farm hand near Albany. New- York, but was defrauded of his wages, and the following winter was one of privation and suffering, for, being a stranger in a strange land, without money or friends, he knew not which way to turn. In the summer of 1851 his parents came to this country and settled at Buffalo, New* York, but he did not find them until the spring of the following year. He remained with them until the fall of 1853 when they all moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and he obtained employment in the shops of the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne railroad. He was thus employed at the outbreak of the Civil war and in October, 1861, loyal to his adopted country, he enlisted in the Eleventh Indiana Battery, being mustered into the service on December 17th of that year and serving with courage and valor until January 7, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. At the organization of the battery he was commissioned junior first lieutenant, and on August 12, 1863, at Bridgeport, Tennessee, he was promoted to first lieutenant because of valiant service on the field of battle. On November 17, 1863, he was placed in command of the Twentieth Ohio Battery, but was relieved by a general order from headquarters to return to Indiana on recruiting service. In the spring of 1864 he rejoined his battery, with which he served until the end of the war. He took part in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Nashville, Murfreesboro, Manchester, Chickamauga, Chattanooga. Mission Ridge, Buzzard Roost, Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, New Hope Church, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain (where he was wounded), Chattahoochee River and Atlanta. After his return from the army Captain Otto located in Auburn, and in compan)' w ith lunest Myers he engaged in the boot and shoe business. In this enterprise he was successful and in 1867 he lx)ught his partner's interest and continued alone. Three years later he added a stock of groceries and continued his business with gratifying results until 1890, when, having amassed sufficient in a material way to insure his future years against

On January 26, 1865, Captain Otto married Mariah C. Reehling, uf Fort Wayne, and to them have been born six children, namely : Kate is the wife of Isaac Grogg, of Auburn, who is mentioned at length elsewhere in this work; Francis and her brother, Alpha Blaine, are at Berkeley, California, where the latter is a successful pharmacist; Lucy is the wife of Herbert I. Scott, of Indianapolis: Clara is the wife of John M. Samuels, of Los Angeles, California, and Lizzie is living with her parents in Auburn.

John P. Widney

The importance that attaches to the lives, character and work of the early settlers of DeKalb county and the influence they exerted upon the cause of humanity and civilization is one of the most absorbing themes that can possibly attract the attention of the local historian. If great and beneficent results - results that endure and bless mankind - are the proper measure of the good men do, then who is there in the world's history that may take their places above the hardy pioneer. To point out the way, to make possible our present advancing civilization, its happy homes, its arts and sciences, its discoveries and inventions, its education, literature, culture, refinement and social life and joy, is to be the truly great benefactors of mankind for all time. This was the great work accomplished by the early settlers and it is granted by all that they builded wiser than they knew. Prominent among the worthy rejjresentatives of the pioneer element in the county of DeKalb was the well-known gentleman to a review of whose life the following lines are devoted. For many years he was a forceful factor in the growth and de\-elopnient of tliis locality and because of his life and accomplishments he is eminentl)- entitled to representation in the annals of his county, for the record would not be complete were there failure to gi\-e him his due meed of credit for the important part he played in the early drama enacted here.

John I^. Widney was born of Irish parentage in 1<"ranklin county, Pennsylvania, on November 28, 1816, his parents having been John anil Joanna (Patterson) Widney. In 1835, at the age of nineteen years, he married and in May of the following year the young couple came ti> DeKalb county, Indiana, locating on the banks of the St. Joe river, in Concord township, where he entered a tract of go\ernment land. To the clearing and improvement of this land he immediately applied his energies and in the course of time succeeded in establishing a comfortable home. In those years of toil and hardship inseparable from the life of a pioneer, John P. Widney evaded no share of labor and during those early years he knew no idle moments. From want of facilities he had received but a meager school education ; but the necessities of pioneer conditions, and responsibilities as the head of a family so early in life, caused him to depend wholly on personal effort, guided by exceptional natural mental acumen. He developed such qualities of mind as won for him the respect and confidence of the early settlers, which was shown in an unmistakable manner when the first election in DeKalb county was held, he being chosen with one other to constitute at the county seat the first canvassing board, whose duty was to ^-erify the vote of the county to the governor. Subsequently he was elected a member of the Legislature, ser\-ing in 1847 and 1848. In this public capacity he proved himself worthy of the trust of his constituents and the regard of his co-legislators. In 1850 he was elected county clerk, serving one term of four years. His official duties required his residence in Auburn, and he shared with that village its early struggles and its ultimate success. In 1852 he was chosen one of the town's board of trustees. He was later elected justice of the peace and in that capacity showed himself sound of judgment and prompt in decision. He was also deputy internal revenue collector and held other positions of trust. During the Civil war Mr. Widney was active in his support of the Union cause, but did not enlist for acti\e military ser\-ice himself for the reason that, while putting in the first bridge across Twenty-six-mile creek, near Xewville, he had been severely injured. nf)t fully recovering until late in life. In matters jxilitical. he was not a blind partisan, but gave careful consideration to men and measures, casting his vote at all times for what he considered the best interests of the community, state and nation. He was a man of strong and positive convictions, and wrote much for the press, giving his views on questions of the day and on matters that pertained to the county. In religious faith, he was a Universalist. In character, he was prudent in his investments, wise in the management of his affairs, and frugal in his tastes, qualities which enabled him to accumulate a goodly amount of material substance, which was largely shared by his children. In reputation, social, business or official, John P. Widney was regarded as an upright, honorable man, of the strictest integrity of thought and action. He "stood four square to every wind that blew" and never violated the confidence which his fellow citizens re])osed in him. His last years were spent with his children, his death occurring on October ii, 1905, at the age of eighty-nine years - a long life, in which he gave the best that was in him for his family and the community. He always stood by the right as he knew the right, having the courage of his convictions, though sometimes in the minority. In evidence of this is the fact that he was renominated for election to the Legislature, but was defeated because he advocated the free-school system and a bill to regulate the sale of intoxicating liquors. It is a matter of fact that, though he was very successful in the accumulation of money, much of which he loaned, he never charged more than the legal rate of interest, and never distressed any one ifftlfe repayment of borrowed money, while, on the other hand, he gave material assistance to many a poor man in the securing of a home. His reputation for honorable dealing and just treatment of his fellows was firmly established and is emphasized by those who best knew him. Quiet and unassuming, he was ne\er a seeker for public preferment, and it is said that he was never present at a meeting where he was nominated for office, though, as a loyal citizen, he gladly and efficiently performed his full duty when called Iiy his fellow citizens to perform official functions.

In 1835 John P. Widney was marrietl to Jane Linn, the daughter of John and Jane (Scyoc) Linn, and to them were born five children, of whom hut two survive, Olixer H., who is referred to specifically elsewhere in this work, and Samuel L. Airs. Jane \\'idney died on October 11, 1851. and on May 30. 1852, he married Mary H. W'idncx', a daughter of Judge Widney. To this union were also born fi\-e children, of whom three are living, Mrs. Mary Alice Lewis, John IMorris Widney and Mrs. Cora Lodewick. .Ml of the surviving children reside in Auburn, with the exception of Samuel L., who lives at St. Joe, this county, and Mrs. Lodewick, of Ashland, Ohio. Mrs. Mary Widney passed away at Auburn on November 14, 1903, after which Mr. Widney made his home with his children, who gave to luni the most loving and solicitous attention.

The Linn and Widney families had been for a number of centuries closely connected. The Widneys are descended from Colonel Widney, who was an officer in the army of William of Orange, of Holland. He accompanied that prince from Holland to England in 1688 and was in the war against King James II. For his valuable services he received a large estate in county Tyrone, Ireland, which was handed down to his descendants. Colonel Widney's great-grandson, James Widnc}-. who inherited the estate, was a squire. In I7'84, when thirty-one years old. lie sold the ancestral acres and

The Linn family is descended from the ancient Celts who migrated from Scotland to Ireland after the conquest by William of Orange. They settled not far from the Widney estate and the two families became very close in their relationships. When James Widney came to America, he sent word back to Hugh Linn, his sister's husband, and in 1788 Hugh Lind and his family came to Pennsylvania and located near the Widney estate, in Path Valley. There they became successful in their material pursuits and prominent in the social, civic and business life of the community.

Levi Brandaberry

It is signally consistent that in this compilation be entered a memoir of so worthy and honored a citizen as was Levi Brandaberry, \\ho was for many years a resident of the county and who here attained independence through his honest and well directed efforts in connection with the great basic art of agriculture, while he stood forth as one of the representative citizens of his township.

Levi Brandaberry, whose untimely death on October 20, 1899, caused universal expressions of regret and sorrow throughout Smithfield township, was born in Stark county, Ohio, on June 2, 1844, and was the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Frick) Brandaberry. lie was one of six children, the others being Isabell, Cyrus, Caroline, Sarah and Hannah. When the subject was but a boy the family moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating in Smithfield township, where the father bought a farm in the southern part of that locality, where the parents made their permanent home and died. On that farm Levi Brandaberry was reared to manhood and after his marriage in 1870 he lived for two years on the paternal farmstead, at the end of which time he bought a farm in the southwest part of Smithfield township, comprising one hundred and one acres of land, and to this he gave his undivided attention during the remainder of his life. Practical and progressive in his ideas, energetic and persistent in his methods, it was not strange that success crowned his efforts, for in him were combined those ([ualities of character which insure success in any undertaking. He made many splendid permanent improvements on his farm, including a large brick house, a commodious and well arranged barn and many other features which gave the place a splendid reputation as one of the up-to-date and modern farms of Smithfield township. Mr. Brandaberry gave his personal attention to every detail of his work, and knew no such word as idleness. His death was caused by being caught in a corn shredder, from which he received injuries that resulted in his death four days later. A careful and prudent business man, he had his affairs in good shape so that, although his death was untimely, his widow found his affairs in good condition and has been enabled to carry on the farm work through tenants with good success. She is now making her home in Waterloo. Mr. Brandaberr}' was an earnest member of the Knights of Pythias, in the workings of which he took an interested part. Because of his high character' business success and his genial nature, he had won and retained a host of warm friends tlirougliout the community where he lived, and his death was considered a distinct loss to the community which had been honored by his citizenship for so many years.

On October 9, 1870, Levi Brandaberry was united in marriage with Margaret Hamman, who was born in DeKalb county, Indiana, but went with her parents to Kosciusko county, this state. Her father died when she was but five years old, and her mother, upon whom was thrown the burden of rearing five .small children, felt unable to properly care for them and consequently Margaret was placed with a family bv the name of Chambers, by whom she was taken to Illinois, where they made a home. They died there and she was taken into the home of James ,\dams at the age of eight years, with whom she remained until seventeen years old. By these people she was not given proper consideration, being treated badly in many respects, being compelled to work hard and being clothed scantily and denied the opportunities of a proper education. In the meantime her brother, who was desirous of ascertaining her whereabouts, had written postal cards to every postmaster in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, asking for information as to her whereal)outs. The postmaster where she wa^; then living recognized the description of her and gave her the card, to which she wrote a reply, and she was then informed that her relatives had aliont crmclnded that s!ie was dead and wislied to see her again. This she told to tin- people with whom she lived, who grudgingly gave her M.nie clothes ti' travel in. When slie arrived in the locality where her relatives were, she was waiting at the railroad station and saw two women, ex'idently a mother and daughter. e\-eing her closely and whispering to each other. Finally one of them ajiproached lier and asked her name, which on learning, they told her they were her cousin (26) and aunt. However, she did not know them and even her mother seemed to her hke a stranger. She felt strangely alone in the world, for fate had cheated her of a child's natural heritage, a mother's love, during the formative period of her life. She did not remain long at home, but secured a place and worked out in the neighborhood until her marriage to Mr. Brandaberry, who was prosperous and provided well for her, eventually leaving her a good farm and a comfortable home. She was in the truest sense of the word a helpmate to her husband, contributing by her encouraging words and sound advice to his business prosperit}' and in the community where so many of her years have been spent, she is held in the highest esteem by all who know her. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brandaberry, but they adopted a girl, Jennie Fee, the daughter of John and Sarah (Johns) Fee, she now being the wife of W. B. Williams, of King county. Washington. During the thirteen years which have elapsed since Mr. Brandaberry's death, Mrs. Brandaberry has had only two tenants on her farm, and has had very satisfactory business relations with them. She is a shrewd, keen and sagacious business woman, handling her affairs with prudence and sound judgment, and because of her kindly qualities of head and heart she has a large circle of warm and loval friends.

De\-oted during a long period of years to the noble work which his profession implies, the gentleman whose career we essay to briefly outline in the following paragraphs has been faithful and indefatigable in his endeavors and has not only earned the due rewards of his efforts in a temporal way but has also proved himself eminently worthy to e.xercise the important functions of his calling, by reason of his ability, his aljiding sympathy and his earnest zeal in behalf of his fellow men. His understanding of the science of medicine is regarded by those who know him as being broad and comprehensive, and the profession and the public long ago accorded to him a distinguished place among the men of this class in Indiana. His has been a long life of earnest and persistent endeavor, such as always brings a true appreciation of the real value of human existence - a condition that must be prolific of good results in all the relations of life.

A. Byron Darby was born in Fulton county, Ohio, on November i8, 1839, and is a son of Samuel Byrant and Sepharna (Guilford) Darby, the former a nati\e of Vermont and the latter of Massachusetts. These parents were married in Allegany count}-. New York, in 1826, and in 1836 they moved to what was then Henry, now Fulton county, Ohio, the long, tiresome and ofttimes dangerous journey being made with two yoke of oxen and a lumber wagon. They were among the first settlers of Henry county, and in the organization and development of the county Samuel B. Darby was a prominent figure, he having helped to organize the first township in the county, was postmaster of the first postoffice. taught tlie fir^t school and opened the first store, conducting the latter for several years. In his political affiliations he was first a Democrat, but after the (:)rganizati(jn of the Re]3ublican party he allied himself with that organizatidn and was thereafter acti\'e in its support. He was a nieml:e.r of the historic convention which numinated John C. Fremont for the Presidency, and also the conxention four years later which nominated Abraham Lincoln. His death occurred on July 15. 1884, and he was survived many years by his widow, w"ho died in 1909, when nearly ninet\-- nine years of age. They were the parents of nine children.

A. Byron Darby recei\'ed his early education in the common schools and then became a student in Alford College, .Allegany county. Xew York, and later studied at Oberlin College, Ohio, where he paid his school expenses by teaching and working hours not required for study. Having determined to make the practice of medicine his life work, he cle\-otcd his spare time to the study of the necessary text books and in 1862 and (863 he was a student in the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was graduated in the spring of the latter year. Immediately after his graduation he located at Flint. Indiana, and in partnership with Dr. H. L. Smith practiced his profession for about a year, at the end of which time, Dr. Smith moving from the place, the subject became the only physician in that locality. Here he built up a large and ])rofitable practice, but his health becoming impaired he moved to Waterloo. DeKalb county, Indiana, which has Ijeen his home since that time. Proper intellectual discipline, thorough professional knowledge and the possession and utilization oi the cpialities and attributes essential to success made Dr. Darby eminent in his chosen calling, and during all the years since he located at Waterloo, he has stood among the scholarly and enterprising physicians and surgeons in a community long distinguished for the high order of its medical talent. His life here has been characterized not only by high professional ability, but also by the most profound human sympathy, which has overleaped mere sentiment and become an actuating motive, for in youth he realized that there is no honor not founded on genuine worth : that there is a vital purpose in life, and that the best and highest accomplishment must come from a well trained mind and an altruistic heart. Those who have known him well have been unstinted in their praise of his superior ability and the younger men in his profession have frequently sought his counsel, all admitting his eminence. The large success which has crowned his life work, coupled with his ripe experience and kind heart, have enabled him to bring comfort and confidence to the sick room and- he has carried sunshine into many a home, his practice having extended over a wide radius of the surrounding county. Professionally, the Doctor is a member of the DeKalb County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and the .\merican Medicai Association. For many years he was the efficient secretar}- of the board of health of ^^'aterloo.

On April 28, 1864, Dr. Darb\- was married to Linda M. Huyck, who was born in Huron county, Ohio, on February 7, 1842, the youngest daughter of John P. and Lucinda (Bisil) White, the former of whom was born in the state of New York, and the latter in Vermont. Mrs. Darby came with her parents to \\'illiams county, Ohio, when a young girl and lived there until her marriage to Dr. Darby. She acquired a good, self-secured education and taugh! a luimber of terms of school in Ohio and also several terms in Illinois. Aftc'- he- removal to Waterloo she gained many warm friends during the long year.-, of her residence here and was closely identified with the social and church circles, being always a leader in moral reform and acti\'ely interested in the work of tlie \A'oman's Christian Temperance Union. She was possessed of more than ordinary talent and until late in life was a leader in the circles in which she moved in her community. Slie engaged in literary pursuits and was a charter member of the Ladies' Miner^'a Club, also an earnest and faithful member of the Christian church. Her death occurred on December 10, 1900. To the Doctor and Mrs. Darby were born three children, namely: Hadsell Byron, born June 3, 1865, now lives at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he manages a drug .store for Jacob Bills ; he married Edith Griffith, of Corunna, this county, and they have two daughters, Xina and Naomi ; Frank William Darby, born on February 11, 1868, and who is engaged in tlie drug business in Waterloo, married Ne\a Smith, of Steuben county, this state: Verna Darby, born November 6, 1878, is the wife of O. C. Lampland, who is conducting the Lowell Observatory at Flagstaff, Arizona. Mr. and Mrs. Lampland were fellow students and graduated in the same class at the Indiana State LTniversity. and Airs. Lampland gives valualile assistance to her husband in his observatory work.

has been active in its support. In 1900 he was elected to the state Senate and served during the sessions of 1901 to 1903, with cretht to himself and honor to his district. He is a member of the Church of Christ, and for many years was an active worker in the Sunday school. Fraternally, he is a member of Waterloo Lodge No. 307. Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Knights of Honor. Personally. Dr. Darby is genial and approachable, possessing those qualities which win friends, and he has been scrupulously conscientious in all that he has said and done. He was always deeply imbued with the courage of his convictions and his relations with his fellow men have ever been such as to win and retain their contiilence and esteem.

The biographies of the representatixe men of a country, either of a ])ast or present generation, bring to light many hidden treasures of mind, character and courage, well calculated to arouse the pride of tlieir descendants and of the communit}-, and it is a source of regret that the people are not more familiar with the personal history of such men. DeKalh county, Indiana, has been the home and scene of labor of many men who ha\e not only led lixes which should serve as a lesson and an inspiration to those who follow them on to the stage of life's activities, but who have also been of commendable service in important avenues of usefulness. The well remembered physician whose name forms the caption of this lirief memnir was one of the useful workers in the world's work, a man of well rounded character, sincere, devoted and loyal, so that there are man\" salient ])oints which render consonant a tribute to his memory in this compilation. Standing as he did for many years at the head of one of the most important and e.xacting of professions, his labors were long directed for the physical amelioration of the people of his community with such gratifying results. Personally, Doctor Casebeer was affable and popular with all classes and stood read\- at all times to encourage and aid all laudable measures and enterprises for the general good. By a life consistent in motive and because of his many hne qualities of head and heart he earned the sincere regard of a \ast acquaintance, and his success in his chosen field of endeaxDr bespoke for him the possession of superior attributes. \e\. he was a plain, unassuming gentleman and straightforward in all his relations with his fellow men.

and was the seventh in order of birth of thirteen children born to David and Rebecca (Kenstrick) Casebeer. who were natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Virginia, and farmers b}- occupation. On the paternal side the family is of German descent. The parents of David, John and Nancy (Best) Casebeer, moved from Pennsylvania to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, when he was a child, and there the greater portion of his after-life was passed. He was married to Rebecca Kenstrick on October 26, 1826, their union resulting in the birth of thirteen children, namely: Susanna, Enos L., David W., Rebecca ]M., Elizabeth N., Margaret C, Eliza E., Howard M.. Jacob B., Sarah A., Martha J., John and Joshua. David Casebeer was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a man of exemplary character. His wife was the daughter of John and Sarah ( Hivner) Kenstrick and she, too, was an earnest member of the Methodist church. The death of this worthy couple occurred respectively on February 2^. 1885, and July 18, 1873.

Jacob B. Casebeer was indebted to the common schools for the limited education which he received, his scholastic training being practically completed when, the summer after he was fourteen years of age, he was granted the privilege of attending a select school two months before harvest and two months after, and to do this he was obliged to walk two and a half miles each way. In the winter of 1853-4 he engaged to teach a school which for some years had been nfUed for the unruly conduct of the larger scholars, but, by his firnniess and tact, he succeeded in mastering the situation and was retained in the school for four years, after whicli he taught in other localities three years longer. During this period he had pursued ]:)ri\ate studies and had recei\ed some opportunities for studying in ad\-anced classes, thus becoming a well educated man, largely through his own efforts. In i860 he went to Hardin county, Kentucky, and, after working as a traveling salesman for a time, was employed as principal of a graded school, and at the close of the regular term he took charge of a select school. Before the term of school was completed he was, on account of his well-known Union sentiments, threatened with personal x'iolence and requested to lea\-e the country, but he courageously completed his contract, when he returned to Northern territory. The following season he taught school at Middletown, Ohio, and the following }ear was principal of the schools at Fredericksburg, Wayne county, that state. During this latter period he engaged in reading medicine in the office of Dr. James Martin, of Fredericksburg, and in the fall of 1863 he entered the medical department of the I^niversity of Alichigan, where he remained until the following Afarcli. The next June, having passed a rigid examination before the Ohio board of medical examiners, he was commissioned a surgeon in the Union army and assigned to the Dennison Hospital, near Cincinnati, where he was given charge of one division of the hospital. Soon after he was promoted to the charge of that di\isii)n of United States army hospitals, remaining there until February, i8()5. when he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He immediately joined his regiment, then in Xnrth Carolina, and remained with it until it was mustered out of service, June 2-]. 1865. He then returned to the office of Doctor ]\Iartin, where he resumed his studies and assisted the Doctor until fall, when he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, where he was graduated, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, on ^larch i, 1866. He immediately came to .\uburn, Indiana, and entered ujjon the practice of his profession, which continued practically without interruption up to the time of his tleath, which occui'red on July 10, 1909. In the winter of 1873-4 he went to New York City and took post-graduate courses in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the New York Medical College and the Bellevue Hosjiital Medical College. He was, at different times, associated in the practice with Doctors Kesslar, Spooner, Littlefield and Matheny, and on July 14, 1879, he and Dr. Matheny purchased a drug store, which they continued to conduct successfully for a number of years. Doctor Casebeer gained a high reputation as an able physician and skilled surgeon, being called frecpiently to distant imints, while he acted as surgeon for the Detroit, Eel River & Illinois Railroad, and was nieflical examiner for a number of life insurance societies. He was earnestly devoted to his profession and enthusiastic in its practice. He was a close student, and kept abreast of the constant advances being made in the sciences of medicine and surgery, owning a large and ui>to-date library and taking the leading medical periodicals. He was a forceful writer on professional subjects and several of his papers, read before the American Medical Association, were widely copied by the leading journals in this country and favorably commented upon. He was a member of the DeKalb County Medical Society and the Northeastern Indiana Medical Society, having served as president of the last-named body.

Politically, Doctor Casebeer was an ardent supi)orter of the Republican party, being a man of strong and positixe con\ictions on all (|uestioiis of work of temperance reform. Religiouslx', he was for many years an actixe public policy. On the temperance question he was especially ])ositixe in his opposition to the traffic and was acti\e and influential for many years in the and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church and long served as a member of the ofificial board. In local affairs he was interested in everything that affected the welfare of the people and at the time of his death was serving as county health officer. He had also, for many \'ears. served as pension examiner.

Doctor Casebeer was twice married, first on February 5, 1863, to Harriet G. Smith, of Fredericksburg, Ohio, the daughter of Eli B. and Fannie Smith. She died on January 28, 1869, leaving a daughter, Fannie B., who was born on November 27, 1865. The latter became the wife of Bernard Gunn, and her death occurred at Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the spring of 1902. On June 4, 1S72, the Doctor married Sarah E. Nycum, of Ft. \\'ayne, the daughter of William and Margaret (Carr) Nycum. She was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and at the age of two years was taken to Iowa by her parents, coming to Ft. A\'ayne when she was four vears old, living there until her marriage to Doctor Casebeer. To them was born a daughter, Hattie E., l:orn April 1 1. 1S73, who is now the wife of E. C. Altenburg, of Auburn.

Although Doctor Casel)eer's life was a busy one, his professional duties making heavy demands upon his time, he ne\'er shrank from his duties as a citizen and his obligations to his church, his neighbors and his friends. Always calm and dignified, never demonstrative, his life was, nevertheless, a persistent plea, more by precept and example than by written or spoken word, for the purity and grandeur of right principles and the beautv and elevation of wholesome character. To him home life was a sacred trust, friendship was inviolable and nothing could swerve him from the path of rectitude and honor.

Price Donner West

.Among the well known citizens of northern Indiana who have finished their labors and gone to their reward, the name of Price Donner West, who was one of the prominent business men and highly esteemed citizens of Auburn, is deserving of special notice. He was one of those sterling citizens whose labors and self-sacrifice made possible the advanced state of civilization and enlightenment for which this section of the Hoosier state has long been noted. He was a benefactor in the truest sense of the term. His career was fraught with inestimable blessings to the world, for he was a man who did not believe in living to himself alone, but desired to help those whom fortune favored less on the highway of life, consequently his memory will , long be revered by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in DeKalb county or wherever he was known.

Price Donner West, son of Fisher Curtis West, was born in Ferry township, Allen county, Indiana, December 27, 1861. When about eight years old he went with his parents to Fort Mitchell, Noble county, Indiana, where the family lived for three years. At the end of that time the family returned to the old home in Allen county. Price, when a boy, attended the district schools. Thirsting for knowledge and assisted in his ambition by his mother, \\-ho was an educated woman, young West entered the Methodist Episcopal College, then located in Fort \\a\ne. He was graduated from this, his mother's alma mater, in 1880. He entered DePauw University, and, largely through his own labor during summer vacations, paid his own way through that institution, from which he took his diploma in 1885. At this time his mind turned to the law and he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor to prepare himself for the practice of his chosen profession. He was graduated frorn that institution, and, in 1889, he was admitted as a memlier to the bar of DeKalb county, Indiana. In 1892 he formed a partnership with Judge Hartman. After the dissolution of this partnership Mr. \\'est was alone for awhile practicing law and lending money. From this grew his desire to go into a banking business, and early in 1900 he formed a partnership with Charles M. Brown, and the law firm of Brown & West continued to lend money, and in 1903' organized the Savings, Loan and Tru.st Company. On the ist of January. 1908. Mr. West bought the interests of Mr. Brown and the partnershi]3 wa? dissolved. Mr. ^^'est was president of the Sa\'ings, Loan and Trust Company from its organization until his death. At all times Mr. West's business transactions, both in his law practice and in his trust company, were marked by the strictest integrity. In 1901 Mr. West's health failed and he was obliged to seek a change of climate to recuperate. He spent several months in Florida at St. Petersl)urg. He returned home much improved. As a boy at home he worked beyond his strength, and during his \acation months in his college vears he was up from early dawn until late at night rumiing a threshing machine and doing such other farm work as would enable him to pay his way through college the following school year. His ambition always exceeded his Ixjdily strength. Although Mr. West was the son of a rich farmer he lived and worked as a poor boy. always. His mother died in 1889, and, although a large part of the farm was her own. Price derived

The elder 'Sir. \\'est was a man of sound business ability and his advice and judgment were eagerly sought and accepted by the son, who always gave his father his entire confidence. The father, being a stockholder and director of the Savings, Loan and Trust Company, was in a position to give his son the benefit of his many years of experience, which he did. At the time of his death, Price D. West was known far and wide, and his trust company was one of the most popular and flourishing institutions of the kind in this section of the country. He was known as the "poor man's friend." Those struggling for a foothold in the world never asked him in vain for help, and those in trouble seeking his advice were received by him with the utmost sincerit)- and went away satisfied that his advice was right.

Mr. West as a lawyer stood high. He was admitted as a member of the bar of the supreme court of Indiana April 2, iqog. On the same date he was admitted to practice in the circuit court of the United States. In October of 1908 he organized the Garrett Sa\ings, Loan and Trust Company in the neighboring town of Garrett. He was president of that institution until within a few months of his passing away, when he sold all of his interests therein. He was president also of the Auburn Creamery Company and of the County Association of Insurance Agents. His father being old and blind. Price took the management of his father's large farm in .Vllen county upon his own shoulders. He seldom took any recreation except to go to the farm for a few days' tramp through the fields and woods, ex'ery foot of which was dear to him.

He was married December 27, 1895, to Airs. Mary C. Barnes. Two sons came of this marriage, Fisher C. \^'est, Jr., and Price Donner West, Jr. The mother of these children died March 10, 1905. On June 19, 1906, Mr. West was married to Nanne Peterson, daughter of Henry C. Peterson, of Albion, Indiana. She and the two sons, Fisher, aged ten years, and Donner, almost nine years of age, are living at the home in Auburn.

Although of a retiring disposition, this man was kind and ol^liging to all whom he met in a business or a social way, and no fa\or was too much trouble for him to grant. Being a man of man}^ sorrows, he had sympathy for the sorrowing, and aided them in many ways. His life was not an easy one, but one filled with trials that usually beset the man who makes his own way. He loved his work and found great happiness in it. During the past

He was a vakied memher of the Scottish Rite at Fort Wayne, and of all the Masonic orders at Auburn. A year before his death he was worthy patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, and also a member of the Knights of Pythias. He w-as also prominent as a member of the Commercial Club of Auburn. He was public-spirited, being intensely interested in the welfare of the community in which he lived. His Christian faith was exemplified by the many good deeds of his daily life. Being a most profound Bible scholar, he implanted a love for Bible stories in his two sons. The preparation that Christ made for his ministrx' was the last lesson he taught his sons. He said : "Get an education to enable you to do something in life. Get ready to do, then do it." In his home life he was ideal. His e\-ery thought was for his wife and two children. It was his most earnest wish that he might live to see Fisher and Donner started in life for themselves. He was summoned by the death angel \vh'\\e sitting at his desk on the evening of July 5, 191 3. His passing was the same as that of two of his mother's family. In the passing of this great and good man went the last of a family of eight children. He died as the Wheelers die, of apoplexy. Sincerity was the keynote of the character of this true friend, loyal citizen and superior business man. In every instance he was true to himself and his God, leaving nothing undone to gratify every wish of those nearest and dearest to him. making his home a paradise filled with the flowers of lo\-e.

Henry Clay Peterson, father of ^Irs. Price D. \\'est. was born in St. Marv's township, Adams county, Indiana, October 10, 1S42. In September of 1836 Mr. Peterson, with his father's family, moved to Iowa, but in October of the following year the family returned to Adams county. Mr. Peterson was educated in the common schools of .\dams county and in the high school of Warsaw, Indiana. He was a classmate of Vice-President Marshall. In the Civil war he was a corporal of Henr)- Banta's Company I, Eighty-ninth Regiment of Indiana \'olunteer Infantry. He was mustered into service August 14, 1862. He was taken jirisoner at Mumfordville, Kentucky, in the fall nf 1862, and was paroled and came home with his company for a short time. He was exchanged at the time his regiment was returned, the regiment then being on post duty in Tennessee the greater part of the winter. He with his regiment was then in the :Missouri campaign, the expedition up the Red river with General,Banks. and Thomas's campaign at the battle of Nashville. He with his regiment participated in the capture of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely at Mobile. In short, he was with the regiment from the time it was mustered into the service until it was mustered out. Toward the latter part of the campaign he was chief clerk at Alajor-f General .\. J. Smith's headquarters in the field.

After his return from the army he taught school and read law with Judge Bobo of the Adams circuit court. He was admitted to practice law at the bar in the Adams circuit court at the September term of 1876. At the October election of 1866, he was elected county surveyor of Adams county and served in that office one term, he being the only man of his party ever elected to an office in Adams county. Mr. Peterson moved to Auburn in 1870 and resided here until 1889, when he moved to Kansas, and later in the same 3'ear moved to Albion, where he has resided since. While living in this city he served three terms, or six years, as prosecuting attorney. He was a man who was decided in his opinions and free to express them, but you knew where he stood. He was courageous, fearless and honest: of the strictest integrity and a friend in whom you could confide. He never plaved false, as do so many would-be friends. He always took an active interest in the affairs of life, had a wide acquaintance and was one of tlie most influential men of his county. He was sixty-three years of age.

Mr. Peterson was first married to Sarah E. Blossom, of Decatur, Indiana, Februarv 7, 1867. Her death occurred at Auburn, May 22. 1874. He was again joined in marriage to Amy E. McConnehey at Auburn, May 2^,. 1876. Mr. Peterson practiced law for a short time in Decatur, after his otifice as surveyor expired. He was the father of four children: Jessie A. Peterson; Blanche, wife of J. D. Hoffman, deceased: Jamie, deceased, and Mrs. West, the oldest.

George O. Denison

It is not an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led an eminently active and busy life and who has attained a position of relative distinction in the communit\- with which his interests are allied. But biography finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that is demanded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of the honored subject whose life now comes under review.

George O. Denison is a nati\e of Richland county, (Jhio, where he was born on August 17, 1845, the son of George D. and Salome E. (Fenner) Denison. He is of the ninth generation of the family in this country, the emigrant ancestor, William Denison, having come from England some time during the early colonial period, settling at Roxbury, Massachusetts. The family originated in Scotland where the name was spelled Danielstown. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm to the age of seven years, w^hen the family moved to Wood county, Ohio, where they resided about eighteen years, the home being located south of Toledo. In addition to his farm there the father also owned a tract of land southeast of \\'aterloo, Indiana, in Grant township, DeKalb county, and in 1866 he came there with the intention of improving and selling it, George and his brother Felix being left to run the farm in Ohio. However, after living here for a time the parents found their Indiana home more to their liking than the Ohio place, consequently they sold the latter and their sons came to their Hoosier home, where they made their permanent residence. The subject of this sketch had always given his attention to agricultural pursuits, but in 1880 he engaged in the ice business, having constructed an artificial lake on his farm for that purpose, and he soon had an extensive business, furnishing all the ice to the town of Waterloo, Auburn and Garrett. His brother, Levi, was associated with him in this Inisiness until about 1898, when they split the business, Levi taking the trade at Garrett, and George continuing at Waterloo. He has carried on this business until the present time, and in this as well as in farming has achie\-ed definite success.

In public affairs Mr. Denison has been prominent for a number of \'ears. In 1890 he was elected trustee of Grant township, holding the office for five years, and in 1898 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, assuming the duties of his office in October, 1900. ' In addition to the regular four years' term for which he was elected, by legislative action hi^ term was extended to the end of the year 1904, after which he .served as deputy clerk for a time, or until his election as mayor of .\uburn. He discharged the dutie-; of this oiuce for four years and then resumed his pre\ious position as deputy clerk, in which capacity he has served most of the time since, his continuous service in this position being due to his intimate knowledge of the official records and the business connected with the office of county clerk. This is also noteworthy owing to Ihe fact that as a Republican he served under Democratic clerks. In March, 1913. after the destruction by fire of many of the comity's books of record, Mr. Denison was appointed ami commissioned in conjunction with Mr

Austin to restore the destroyed records, and is now engaged in this responsible work, for which he is ])robably better qnahfied than any man in the county.

In 1873 Mr. Denison was married to Joanna Bowman, who was born and reared near Auburn, the daughter of Joseph and Ida fBorst) Bowman. Her parents were early settlers of DeKalb count}-, having come here from Canton, Ohio, at a period prior to the advent of railroads here, making their permanent location about two miles west of Auburn, where Mrs. Denison lived until her marriage. To Wr. and Mr?. Denison have been liorn the following children: Xettie is the wife of \\'illis J. Eberly, of Waterloo, and they ha\e three children, Fred, Helen and David; Dais)- is the wife of Clyde Fee and li\es on a farm east of Waterloo, and they have five children, Hubert, Georgia, Kenneth, and twins, Alene and Irene; Vay is the wife of Verne Grosscop, and lives in Auburn, and they ha\e two children, Catherine and Dorothy; George Bradford, the only son, is now running the farm and ice business for his father. He married .\gnes Brown, and they ha\e two children.

Politically, Mr. Denison is, as before stated, a Republican and has been a stanch supporter of his party during the campaigns, and in this connection it is noteworthy that the official positions held by him have all been attained without an_\- solicitation on his part - certainly a marked testimonal to his personal standing and efficiency. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in the latter order he has passed the chairs in the local lodge and served as a delegate to the grand lodge.

Mr. Denison has clear recollections of DeKalb county at a time prior to many of the public improvements which now characterize this county, having, in early childhood, come here on a trip with his parents, who were looking for land. He recalls the rough and unsightly appearance of the country, which was characterized by the entire absence of good roads and bridges, necessitating many detours in order to avoid streams and swamps.

In the Denison family the military spirit has been prominent for many generations, the trait having been marked even in the first ancestor in .America, who had been a valiant officer of high rank in the English army and possessed a coat-of-arnis. Although Mr. Denison was legally too young for militai-y service in the Civil war, he enlisted, but was too late to see any active service in the field. He has since been a member of the Waterloo Rifles, a well known local military company. His brother, Levi L., was a cap- tain during the Spanish-American war, in which the subject's nephew. Wilson H. Denison, was a heutenant, and the subject's son. Bradford, is now a lieutenant in the National Guard, and is considered one of the best marksmen in the state, having been one of the eighteen sharpshooters chosen by contest at the state encampment to go to Sea Girt, New Jersey, where they took part in the great contest of National Guardsmen from the different states. He has been twice selected for this contest.

The best history of a communit} or state is the one that deals most with the lives and activities of its people, especially of those who. by their own endeavors and indomitable energy, ha\e forged to the front and placed themselves where they deserve the title of progressixe men. In this brief review will be found the record of one who has outstripped the less active plodders on the highway of life and among his contemporaries has achieved marked success in the business world, the name of George Campbell being honored by all owing to his upright life and habits of thrift and industry.

George Campbell, a well known citizen of .Auburn and one of the most active members of the well known carriage manufacturing firm of Campbell & Sons, was born in Auburn. Indiana, on September 3, 1873, the son of Samuel L. and Marv (Palmer) Campbell. George Campbell was reared in Auburn, securing his education in the public schools and then at the age of seventeen years he commenced working in a trim shop. Not satisfied with this line of work, a few months later he began to learn the carpenter trade, at which he remained about eight months and then turned his attention to blacksmithing. Here he found em])loyment to his liking and energetically applied himself to learning this trade. In 1892 he opened a blacksmith shop of his own in Auburn, where besides the regular custom work he also did the blacksmithing for his father's carriage shop. Soon afterwards he acquired an interest in his father's business and has continued with him ever since, being now the active manager of the business, which is one of the important industrial concerns of Auburn. In the management of this enterprise he has shown a business ability and a soundness of judginent that has not only gained for him financial success, but has also commended him to the confidence and good will of all who had dealings with him.

of Eli and Julia ( Daley) Miers, her birth having occurred in Fairview township, this count}-. When eight or nine years of age her parents moved two miles west of Auburn, where she lived until her marriage. Her father was one of the early settlers of DeKalb county, having come here with his mother when only eight years old, their former home having been in Stark county, Ohio. Eli Miers was thrown on his own resources at an early age, which fact developed his latent talents and he formed habits of self reliance and, going out into the world on his own account, b}" strict integrity and industrious habits and rigid economy he was enabled to accumulate a competence, having eventually owned a fine farm west of Auburn. He died in September, 1909, at the age of seventy-nine years, the last two or three years of his life having been spent at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George Campbell, in Auburn. To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have been born two children, Esther and Wilbert. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Maccabees and the Tribe of Ben-Hur. Genial in disposition and courteous in manner, he has won a large and warm following among his acquaintances in Auburn.

Samuel L. Campbell, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, on May 2. 1841, and is the son of Joseph and Susanna ( Kessler) Campbell. When Samuel L. Campbell w as four years old his father died of typhoid fever and the mother and six children continued for a while on the farm, one child having died in infancy before the father's death. In the fall of 1868 the mother and her sons, Samuel L., Isaiah and George W., came to Wabash county, Indiana, and bought a farm. When Samuel L. Campbell had reached his majority he went to the city of \^'abash and learned the wagonmaker's trade, at which he was employed about six years, then he was employed in a like capacity at Ligonier two years, after which he came to Waterloo in i86g and was employed as a wagonmaker for two years. In 1871 he came to Auljurn, since which time he has been closely identified with the business interests of the city. In the latter eighties Mr. Campbell started a wagon shop, where he made and repaired wagons, and such was the r|ualit^- of his work that he soon gained an en\ial)le reputation throughout the countw and many of the splendid wagons he turned out at that time are still in active service. About two years after he engaged in business on his own account his son, George, came in as a partner and this firm has continued to the present time, enjoying an en\'iable reputation throughout this section of the state. About twenty years ago the finn began the manufacture of delivery wagons and carriages on a rather extensive scale, their first location being at the northeast corner of Fifth and

Jackson streets, but so rapidly did the ixisiness increase that they were compelled to seek larger quarters, and in 1898 they came to their present location, where they are well situated and splendidly equipped for all classes of w ork in their line. They have a substantial building, fifty-two by eighty feet in dimensions, two stores and basement. In addition to the manufacture of light wagons and carriages they also deal in automobiles, handling the Studebaker and R. C. H. machines, and also sell Milwaukee binders and mowers and Alamo gas engines.

Mr. Campbell has for many years enjoyed a splendid standing among the business men of Auburn, who regard him as a man of exceptional business ability and good judgment.

In 1870 Samuel L. Campbell married Mary I'almer, the daughter of George and Catherine ( Hoover) Palmer, her birth ha\ing occurred in Stark county, Ohio. At the age of about two years she accompanietl her parents on their removal to DeKalb county, Indiana, locating on a farm three and one-half miles west of Auburn. Later they located in the city of Auburn, where she has resided ever since. To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have been born four children, three sons and one daughter, the latter dying at the age of fourteen months of scarlet fever. The sons are Frank S., George and William E. Fraternally, Mr. Canipliell is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and the Tribe of Ben-FIur.

Frank S. Campbell was horn in Pleasant Lake, Steuben county, Indiana, on November 28. 1871, being the brst child born to his parents, Sanuiel L. and Mary (Palmer) Campbell. When he was a bal)y (if but three or four months the family moved to .Aui)urn and here he was reared to manhood, receiving a good practical education in the public schools. In his _\'outh he accepted employment with the Kibblinger Company, now known as the .Mc- Intire Company, where, under his father's tutelage, he learned carriage Ijody building and designing. He was with that company twenty-five years, and for a number of years was foreman of the wood shop there with six to twenty-fi\'e men in his department. He made and built all kinds of bodies from buggy bodies to automobile bodies, amlnilance and casket wagons. About TQOO his health failed and he and his wife went to Xew Mexico. \Mnle there he taught orchestra, band and jiiano music, also organized and directed a l>and. He remained there for two years, then returned to Auburn and returned to the Kibblinger Company. On January j. 19 13, he resigned and came in with his father and brothers in the firm of Campbell & Sons, in which place he is now engaged. He is a man of good business abilitv and (27)

On September ii, 1894, Mr. Campbell married Jennie Husselman, daughter of Henry and Ellen Husselman, she having been born and reared north of Auburn, and being the representative of one of the old pioneer families of this county. To this union has been born a son, Charles J., who first saw the light of day on November 11, 1895. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell belong to the Lutheran church, in which he has been an active member and where he conducts an orchestra in the Sunday school. During the past twelve years ]\'Ir. Campbell and his orchestra have missed but one Sunday in each year and their music is appreciated highly by the attendants of the school. He gi\-es instructions to the orchestra members free, having a rehearsal e\ery ^^'ednesday night and the organization is one of which he is deservedly proud.

William E. Campbell, son of Samuel L. and Mary (Palmer) Campbell, was born on April 3, 1873, and was reared in this city, receiving his education in the public schools here. In his early youth he entered the employ of Kibblinger & Company, where he learned carriage trimming and was afterward employed in several other cities, including about three and one-half years at Butler, two years at Ligonier. two years at Albion, two years at Logansport and two years at Linden, Michigan. Later he was employed tor two years by the Modern Buggy Company at Auburn. That he was a competent workman is evidenced by the fact that in every shop in which he was employed he was foreman. In January, 1911, Mr. Campbell started the Auburn Auto Top Company and did a thriving business for two years. He is now connected with the Campbell & Sons Company, referred to elsewhere in this sketch. In 1890, at Fostoria, Ohio, Mr. Campbell married Rosa Spruck and they have three children, Ruth, Eugene and Mary Louise.

Fraternally, he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a man of fine qualities of character and enjoys a marked popularity in the circles in which he mingles.

John J. Oberlin

An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and public recognition for themseh'es and at the same time have honored the localitv to which they belong would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of the one whose name forms the caption of this sketch.

During- a period of many years he sustained a very enviable reputation in educational circles, and today is giving thoughtful and intelligent direction to the financial affairs of DeKalb county, being the present county treasurer.

John J. Oberlin is a nati\e of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Summit county, Ohio, on May 4, 1847, 'I'ld '^ the son of Abraham, Jr., and Mary (Stewart) Oberlin, both of whom were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsyhania. The subject's paternal grandfather also bore the name of Abraham. John J. Oberlin was reared on the paternal farmstead in Ohio, and recei\ed his educational training in the common schools of the neighborhood, his vacation periods being spent in assisting his father on the home farm. He finished his education in the high school at Manchester, Ohio, and at the age of eighteen years began teaching school. He was eminently successful in this calling, which he followed for twenty-two terms.

In 1872 Mr. Oberlin came to DeKalb county. Indiana, locating near Butler, and during the following four years taught school there. He then moved to Marshall county, this state, where he residcfl for se\en }ears, teaching school during six years of that time. \\'hile carrying on his educational work he had also engaged in farming, at which calling he was equally successful. Returning to DeKalb county Mr. Oberlin located on a farm south of Butler, to the operation of which he devoted his attention until 1893, when he was appointed postmaster of Butler, holding this position four years to the entire satisfaction of the government and the jiatrons of the ofiice : then for a _\-ear he was on the road as a traveling salesman, after which he engaged in the general mercantile business at Butler. In 1903 he was nominated for county commissioner b}' the Democratic party and was elected, holding the office three years. His services were entirely satisfactor_\- and he was renominated for the position, but owing to the Republican landslide of that year he went down to defeat with the rest of the ticket. However, as evidence of his popularity it may be noted that while Roosevelt carried the county by six hundred and twenty-five plurality, Mr. Oberlin was defeated by only ninetyseven votes. Many Republican friends of his assured him afterwards that had thev thought there was any chance for his defeat, they would have voted for him. In the fall of 1910 Mr. Oberlin was the successful candidate of his party for county treasurer, and in 191J was re-elected by the largest majority of any candidate on the ticket, being the present incumbent of that ofiice. His sterling integrity, sound business judgment and wise discrimination in the administration of the county's finances have commended him to the confidence and respect of all the citizens regardless of ])(ih'tical lines.

Politically, Air. Oberlin is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and has for a number of years taken an active part in the campaigns, his counsel and sound judgment being considered invaluable by his party colleagues. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, to which they are liberal contributors.

In i86g John J. Oberlin was married to Catherine Beerer, a native of Summit county, Ohio, and a daughter of George and Julia N. Beerer. To Mr. and Mrs. Oberlin have been born eight children, all living, namely : Minnie, wife of C. ^^'. Beard, of Butler; Lemuel, who is a billiard ball turner at Cincinnati, Ohio, married Blanche Jewell, and they have two children, Clark and Gale : Charles, a farmer living at Butler ; Jesse, who is in his father's store at Butler, married Belle Newton, and they have two daughters, Lucile and Catherine; Clyde B., also in the store at Butler, married Luella Farley, and they have one daughter, Mildred ; Lloyd, who is employed as a molder in the plant of the Butler Company at Butler, married Goldie Hartman, and they have two sons, Lindley and Burton ; Grace Viola is at home with her parents; Earl Leroy is his father's assistant in the county treasurer's ofifice.

In Mr. Oberlin's record there has been much that is commendable and his character forcibly illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish when plans are wisely laid and actions are governed by right principles and high ideals. In his business career as well as his private life no word of suspicion has ever been breathed against him. Successful in business, faithful in the performance of public duty, respected in social life, and as a neighbor discharging his duties as becomes a libera! minded, intelligent citizen, he has won and retains the sincere regard i)f all who know him.

J. Perry Long

A man who boldl}- faces the responsibility of life and In- determined and untiring energy carves out for himself an honorable success exerts a powerful influence upon the lives of all who follow him. Such men constitute the foundation of our re])ublican institutions and are the pride of our civilization. To them life is so real that they find no time to plot either mischief or vice. Their lives are bound up in their duties, they feel the weight of their citizenship, and take pleasure in sowing the seeds of u]irightness. Such has been the career of the subject of this brief notice.

J. Perry Long, who enjoys a favorable reputation as a successful carpenter and builder at Auburn, was born al.out one mile north of Garrett, DeKalb county, Indiana, January 25, 1867, and is a son of Samuel Harrison and Marietta (Wyant) Long. Samuel H. Long was a native of Ohio, and in an early day came to DeKalb county with his parents. Christian Long and wife, who were lifelong farmers and settled in this county when but little of the land had been cleared. Indeed, where Garrett now stands was practically an untouched wilderness in which deer and other wild animals roamed undisturbed. The land w hich Christian Long owned was located where now stands the Baltimore & Ohio railroad shops, this land being sought by the railway company when the subject of this sketch was a lad of nine years.

Perry Long was reared on the home farm, wdiere he remained until attaining his majorit}-, having jjerformed his part of the work of tilling the soil and harxesting the crops and in the meantime secured a good practical education in the public scliools. At the age of twenty-one years he came to Auburn and learned the carpenter's trade, which he has made his life work. For about eight years he was employed as a journex'man and then he formed a partnership with Ora J. Brandon, building contractor. Two years later Mr. Brandon retired from the partnership to go into the lumber business, since which time Mr. Long has continued the business alone, l^'or many years he has been numbered among the leading contractors of DeKalb county, and many of the best residences and business blocks in this section have been constructed by him. His work has always been characterized by thoroughness in every detail and his absolute reliability in the performance of his contracts has gained for him the confidence of the public. Personally, he is a man of splendid qualities and genial address and has well merited the high standing which he enjoys among his acquaintances.

Politically, Mr. Long is a stanch supporter of the Democratic jmrty, and in 1904 was elected a member of the city council, the duties of which position he discharged to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. His fraternal afifiliations are with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees.

Mr. Long has been twice married, first on Ma\- 13, 1888, to Florence Dirrim, daughter of William Dirrim, to which union were born three children: Ruth and Vesta, who live with their father, and Ethel, the wife of Orange Wasson, a farmer near Auburn, to which union have been born two children, Walter and Ruth. Mrs. Florence Long died in 1900, and in June, 1902, Mr. Long married Rosa Rui^ert. of Xewville. Her parents were

Manassa Rupert and Mar)' (Borden) Rupert, the father a native of Mahoning county, Ohio, and the mother of Allen county, Indiana, To Mr. and Mrs, Long have been born five children, namely: Perry Waldo, Rupert D., Mozelle Rosamond, Marietta E\-angeline, and a babv not vet named.

The gentleman to a brief review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith directed was among the foremost business men of DeKalb county, and by his enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the industrial and commercial advancement of the city and county. He was in the course of an honorable career most successful in the business enterprises of which he was the head, and is well deserving of mention in the biographical memoirs of DeKalb county. Among the prominent citizens of DeKalb county who have been well known because of the part they have taken in public affairs was he whose name appears at the head of this memoir, and who until recently was recorder of DeKalb county,

\\'arren McNabb is a nati\'e of DeKalb county, in which he spent his entire life, his birth having occurred there on July 26, 1857, His parents, David and Sophia (Dunfee) McNabb, were among the early settlers of the county. David was a native of Center county, Pennsylvania, born December 9, 1819, and was a son of John and Mary (Young) McNabb, also a native of that state, the father being of Scotch descent and the mother of Swiss and English ancestr}-. When David McXabb was but thirteen years of age the family moved to Ashland county, Ohio, where the}- remained until 1843, when they came to DeKalb county, Indiana, and entered eight)- acres of wild land in section 35, Fairfield township. There he Iniilt a cabin home in which he resided for twenty years and then sold that place and bought one hundred and twenty acres in section 32. When he first came to Fairfield township there were but five other families there, and in the early affairs of the county he took a prominent and leading part. The land was covered with a dense forest, not a stick of timber having been cut on the land which he secured and the family lived with a neighbor, Mr. Powell, about a mile distant, until their log house could be raised, which was done with the assistance of the neighbors.

ter of James and Sophia (Hazlett) Dunfee, who removed from Adams county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio in 1833. To David and Sophia McXabb were born eight children, namely: James, George, John, Francelia (Mrs. Harris), Warren, Ella (^died at the age of five _\'ears), Martha (Mrs. F. M. Dellenbach), and Frank.

Warren McNabb was reared on tlie home farm and his education was received in the public schools of the neighborhood. At the age of twenty years he learned the trade of house painter and shortly afterwards secured a position in the Baltimore & Ohio railroad shops at Garrett as foreman of the painters, holding the position from March, 1881, until 1912. In the fall of the latter year he was elected to the position of county recorder after an active but clean campaign, and discharged the duties of this office until April 18, 1913, when he died after a brief illness, being succeeded in the office by his son-in-law, Harvey O. Williams. He had retained his residence in Garrett until about ten days before his death, when he moved to Auburn. He stood high in the general esteem of all who knew him and his death was considered a distinct loss to the community, for he had always stood for the best things of life and had ever given his support to all movements having for their object the advancement of the best interests of the community.

Fraternally, Mr. McNabb was an enthusiastic nieml)er of the Independent Order of Odd b'ellows, having been the first perstjn initiated in the Garrett lodge of that order after its institution, the event taking place August 29, 1883. Politically, he had been for many \ears a prominent supporter of and worker in the Democratic party, and had served efficiently as a member of the school board at Garrett.

Shortly after accepting his employment at Garrett, Mr. McXabb was married to Laura McCague, of Elkhart, Indiana, who was born east of Corunna, this county, the daughter of George and Jane (Harper) McCague. Both parents were natives of Ohio, the mother having been born in Wood county, and they were married in that state, coming to DeKallj county in an early day and settling near Corunna. They had been preceded there many years by George McCague's parents, who settled in the same locality. Mrs. AlcNabb's parents moAed to South Bend when she was a small child, and there she was reared until her marriage, first meeting Mr. ^McNabb while on a \isit to Corunna. To Mr. and Mrs. McNabb were born four children, namely: Harry, deceased; Frank, who resides in the w-est; Maude, the wife of Lee Hunt, of Kendallville : and Edith, the wife of Harvey O. \\'illiams. who succeeded his father-in-law as count\' recorder.

Of Mr. McNabb it may be said that his was a positive character, and he possessed the quaHties that command attention and assure success in anv calling. He was the scion of sterling ancestry who played well their parts in the early settlement of northeast Indiana, and lie proved to be a worthy descendant of his forebears. Throughout an acti\'e and interesting career, duty was ever his motive for action and helpfulness to his fello\\' men not bv any means a secondary consideration. Thus because of his high standing and genuine worth he is eminently entitled to re]iresentation in a historv of his countv.

James E. Pomeroy

In no profession is there a career more open to talent than is that of the law, and in no field of endea\(n- is there demanded a more careful preparation, a more thorough ;ip])rc-ciati<in of the absokite ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all human rights and privileges. Unflagging application and intuitive wisdom and determination fully to utilize the means at hand, are the concomitants which insure personal success and [jrcstige in this great profession, which stands as the stern conservator of justice; and it is one into which none should enter without a recognition f)f the obstacles to be encountered and overcome and the battles to be won, for success does not perch on the banner of every one who enters the competitive fray, but comes only as the legitimate result of capability. Possessing all the requisite cpialities of the able lawyer, James E. Pomeroy stands today among the eminent practitioners of DeKalb county, Indiana.

James E. Pomeroy was born on December 14, 1867, at Canal Fulton, Stark county, Ohio, and he is the son of Francis M. and Mary (Duley) Pomeroy. The Pomeroy family, though originally of Norman blood, was, during a thousand years in the British Isles, so mixed with Scotch and Irish blood, that the subject may legitimately claim Scotch-Irish ancestry. The branches of the family in England, Ireland and America are descended from Sir Ralph de Pomeroy, who was an aide-de-camp under William the Conqueror in his conquest in England. In 1730 a descendant of his, Thomas Pomeroy, came from Liverpool to America and located near Chambersburg. Pennsylvania, he being one of the first two white families to locate west of the Susquehanna river. His second son, John, was a noted foe of the Indians. About the close of the French and Indian war Thomas Pomerov's familv and about twenty other settlers at Chambersburg were massacred by Indians. Colonial troops were raised, of which John Pomeroy was made colonel, and under his leadership they pursued and punished the Indians so effectively that he was ever afterwards called Colonel John Pomeroy, the Indian Killer. Subsequently he moved to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where, in 1782, he became lieutenant-colonel of the First Battalion of Westmoreland County Militia and was in actual service on the frontier of that county. Three of his sons moved, in 1816, to near Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, of whom the youngest, Francis, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, settled in what is now a part of Stark county, Ohio, and there his descendants have continued to reside to the present time.