DeKalb County, Indiana - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1914 (part 8 of 20)

John H. Leasure was born in Savannah, Ashland county, Ohio, on July 26, 1849, the son of Lovengar and Eleanor (Hayes) Leasure. In 1852 the family moved to Auburn, Indiana, wliere he secured a limited education in the public schools, which, however, has been liberally supplemented through the years by much reading and habits of close observation. At an early age, the subject was apprenticed to learn the trade of shoemaking. that being a period when most boots and shoes were made by hand to order. He worked at that trade for eight years, then accepted employment as a clerk in a hardware store at Auburn. About 1893 Mr. Leasure moved to Angola, where he remained most of the time up to 1900, in which year he returned to Auburn and engaged in the hardware business on his own account. Subse(|uently he, with W. H. McOuiston and Harry Swarts, organized tlie Auburn Hardware Company, with the intention of opening a new store. .\t that time the John L. Davis estate was being closed up and his old established store was offered for sale. The subject and his associates bought the store and ran it for two years, when Mr. Leasure and his wife and son liought the interests of Messrs. McOuiston and Swarts and thus became sole owners. This business has prospered under the wise management of Air. Leasure and is now one of the principal mercantile establishnients of Auburn, couimanding <a* largs aniK constantly increasing trade through this section of the country. A large and well selected stock is carried, consisting of shelf and heavy hardware, paints, stoves and other lines usually carried in an up-to-date store of the kind..

On December 30, 1880, John H. Leasure was married to Lida Powers, who was born near Greensburg, Indiana, the daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Hood) Powers, and who is thentioned more fully elsewhere in tl^is work. To this union have been born two children, namely: Flossie is the wife of Harry M. Richwine, of Auburn, and they have one child, Helen Marguerite :: J. Kent is a medical student in the Indiana State University, at Bloomington.

Politically, Mr. Leasure gives his support to the Democratic partv, while fraternally he is an appreciative member of the Knights of Pythias. His religious membership is with the Presbyterian church, to which he gives his earnest support. In all the relations of life he has been a man among men: and, because of his high character and earnest life, lie merits the confidence and good will which he enjoys in the community.

The character of a community is determined in a large measure by thelives of a comparatively few of its members. If its moral and intellectual standard be good, if its reputation for the integrity of its citizens has extended into other localities, it will be found that the standard set by the leading men has l^en high, and their influence such as to mold the characters and shape the lives of tho.se with whom they mingle. Placing the late Jacob Lutz in the front rank with such men, justice is rendered a biographical fact uni\er.sally recognized throughout the locality long honored by his citizenship. .Mthough a quiet' and unassuming man, he contributed greatl}' to the material and moral advancement of his community, while his admirable (|ualities of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his daily life won for him the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he moved and gave him a reputation for integrity and correct conduct such asfew achieve, and, although he is now "sleeping the sleep of the just." his influence is still living and his memory is still greatly revered.

Jacob Lutz was born near Canton, Stark county, Ohio, on January 17, 1829. and was a son of Michael and Magdalena Lutz. In 1828, when about seventeen years of age. he came to DeKalb county with his parents, who- located here on a farm. His father died about two years after their arrival here and Jacob and his brother John became assistants to their mother in the clearing, improvement and cultivation of the farm, and in the protection and care of the younger children. Mr. Lutz devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits and his farm in Grant township became one of the most up-todate and productive in the county. Progressive and methodical in his business affairs, as well as in the operation of his' farrfi, it was hardly surprising that he should achieve a splendid success, for he possessed to a notable degree those qualities which contribute to prosperity in any undertaking. Mr. Lutz was at all times actuated by the highest motives and so ordered his life as to retain throughout his career here the Confidence and good will of all who knew him, and his death, which occurred on September 22, 1900, was considered a distinct loss to the community. Mr.- Lutz was an active arid earnest member of the Reformed church from boyhood, of which society Mrs. Lutz is also a member, and in everything that affected the moral, ci\ic, material or educational welfare of the community he was active in support of the best measures.

On June 29, 1869, Jacob Lutz married Sarah Haniman, who was born at Tappan, Kosciusko county, Indiana, the daughter of Daniel and Sophia (Wolfe) Hamman. Her father formerly lived in Columbiana county. Ohio, but subsequently became a resident for a few years of DeKalb county. Indiana, later moving to Kosciusko. He was married in Ohio to Sophia Wolfe, who was a daughter of Adam and Susan Wolfe. Her father died when she was but four months old, and her mother afterward became the wife of George Mull, who lived until about 1872, or until Mrs. Lutz was married. After her husband's death, Mrs. Mull came to DeKalb county and li\e(l with her daughter until her death, which occurred in 1901. Mrs. Lutz came to DeKalb county two years prior to her marriage and lived with her sister. Mrs. Robert N. Crooks.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lutz were born four children, namely: .Mien, who lives on a farm at Cleveland, Tennessee, married Carrie Barth, and they lia\e four children. Coral. Roy, Ralph and Iva ; Laura died at the age of three years; William, who was born in 1874, lives on the home place with his mother; .\rthur died on April 22. 1900, in his twenty-first year. In addition to these children, Mr. and Mrs. Lutz adopted a little girl at the age of si.\ months, whom they named Dora, and whom. they raised the same as they did their own children. She is now the wife of Clarence Bowman and lives on the old Bowman farm two miles east of Waterloo. She is the mother of a daughter, Thelma. The Lutz family have long occupied a high position in the social circles of the comriTunity where they live, and are held in high esteem because of their estimable qualities and the part they have played in the development and welfare of their county.

The prosperity and substantial welfare of a community arc in a large measure due to the enterprise and wise foresight of its business men. It is progressive, wideawake men of affairs that make the real history of a community, and their influence in shaping and directing its varied interests is difficult to estimate. The well known gentleman of whom the biographer writes in this connection has long ranked among the leading business men of Auburn, and it is to such enterprising spirits as he that the locality is indebted for the high position it occupies as a center of commercial activity and progress.

Howard B. McCord was born on April i, 1862, about one mile southeast of Auburn, DeKalb county, Indiana, and is a son of George S. and Eliza J. ( McClenathan ) McCord. George S. McCord was born in Lancaster county. Pennsylvania, on .April 13, 1835, and on March 26, i8#i. he married Elizabeth J- McClenathan, who continued his faithful and loving companion for over thirty-five years. Two years after the consummation of this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. McCord came to Auburn, Indiana, where they lived about six years and then moved to Fort Wayne, this state, where Mr. McCord was superintendent of a bucket factory. In 1875 they returned to Auburn where they made their future home and where George S. resumed contracting, which he had followed here prior to his removal to Fort Wayne. Later he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business for Schaab Brothers, and when they eliminated that department from their business, Mr. McCord went into that line of effort on his own account and continued in it until his death. He was exacting and methodical in everything he did and this characteristic was exercised in the last hours of his illness when he made a careful pre))aration and disposal of his business affairs just as he would were he starting upon a journey. Morally and spiritually, he was of unblemished character and had for many years been ready for the call whenever it might come. .As was said of him by one who knew him, "Not only did he live this in formal service and devotion, hut in his daily life it was exemplified." He was a skillful workman, a sound business man and made a success of whatever he turned his attention to. He was a great lover of nature and in God's out-of-doors he received his greatest inspirations and keenest insight into spiritual life. He died on December 22, 1906, at the age of seventy-one years, approaching death with the calm serenity of a true Christian, "Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams."

Howard B. McCord was reared in Auburn and in Fort Wayne and secured his education in the public schools of these cities. When eighteen years old he taught a term of school and then became a clerk in F. E. Davenport's drug store, which at that time stood at the corner of Eighth and Alain streets, on the site where the City National Bank is now located. In July, 1887, JN'lr. McCord bought a half interest in the drug store owned by Robbins & Son, he and E. L. Robbins continuing the business where Mr. McCord is now. In 1897, Mr. Robbins retired and Mr. McCord has continued the business alone ever since. He carries a large and well selected stock of drugs and druggists' sundries, and for many years has enjoyed his full share of local patronage. He has been successful in this enterprise and has become interested in other local business concerns, being a stockholder and director of the Autiurn State }^)ank. In the ci\ic life of tlie communit}-, Mr. McCord has long been prominent and was a memlier of the city council for two terms, beginning March 26, igco. when the city was incorporated, thus serving four years. During his term of office the paving of streets was begun, one of the most marked improvements in its history. Mr. McCord was a member of the committee on revision of the city ordinances, a change from town to city government, entailing many radical changes in the governing ordinances of the municipality, necessitating the collection of the ordinances from a great mass of other matter in the town records. This work was satisfactorily accomplished to the credit of the committee.

In May, 1885, Mr. McCord was married to Tillie E. Williamson, the daughter of Eli and Susanna Williamson, of Waterloo, who are represented clsevhcrc- in this work. To .Mr. an! Mrs. McCord liavc l)een Ixirn two children, X'ictor W., who is in tlie drug store with his failier, and Dorothy M., who is at home. Fraternally, Mr. McCord is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to William Hacker Chapter, Royal .\rch Masons, and also belongs to Lodge No. 1291, Knights of Pythias, of which he is a charter member, and tlie Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Mc- Cord is a pleasant gentleman, honest and upright at all times and he is not only held in high esteem for his superior business ability, but for his public spirited nature, wholesome private and personal life and he is one of DeKall^ county's noted and influential men. :

John Grogg

In the history of DeKalb county, as applying to the agricultural interests, the name of John Grogg occupies a conspicuous place, for through a number of }ears he has been one of the representative farmers of Grant township, progressive, enterprising and persevering. Such qualities always win success, sooner or later, and to Mr. Grogg they have brought a satisfactory reward for his well directed effort, and while he has benefited himself and the community in a material way he has also been an influential factor in the educational, political and moral uplift of the community favored by his residence.

John Grogg was born on July i, 1845, i" Plain township. Stark county, Ohio, and is the son of Daniel Grogg, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. He accompanied his parents to DeKalb county, Indiana, and wasreared on the old home farm, which was located east of vvhere the county farm is now, and there he lived until twenty-four years of age. He assisted in the early cultivation of the home farm and during the winter months secured his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. After his marriage, which occurred in 1867, Mr. Grogg came to Grant township, this countv, and located on a part of the farm that his father had bought in 1840. Not an inch of the land which he secured had been cleared and he commenced to operate along the same lines which characterized the early pioneers. The timber had to be felled, the stumps cleared and fences erected, as well as other necessary improvements, and at that time there was no road running from Auburn to his place worth mentioning, the only highway being a trail which had been cut around the swamps. Mr. Grogg built a log cabin in which he made his home until he was able tn clear his land and raise crops, from which time onward he was able to live in more comfortable circumstances. His present attractive residence was built in 1889. Mr. Grogg is now the owner of eighty-eight acres of good, tillable land, practically all of which is in cultivation and he follows advanced agricultural methods, rotating his crops from year to year in such a way as to maintain the fertility of the soil, while the general appearance of the place indicates him to be a man of good!

judgment and sound ideas,; During the y$ars in which he hiis regidedjn.the township Mr. Grogg has taken an active interest in everything pertaining. tO: the advancement of the community and has served e^s supervisor fofXv^e^ifj; six years, this being a remarkable testimonial to his efficiency and.the^satis^ factory manner in which he has discharged his official duties. In the improvs^ nient of the public roads he has been especially interested and has changed them from the early-day corduroy construction to as fine gravel roads as can be found anywhere in the county, and he has just reason to be proud of his attainments in this line.

In 1867 Mr. Grogg married Catherine Kandel, who was born in New Bavaria, Germany, the dauglitcr of Jacob and Katherine Kandel. In 18-59 she came with her parents to America, who located first at Tiffin, Ohio, but irt i860 came to DeKalb county, locating a half mile south of Faigler's Corners in Richland township, where they spent the remainder of their days. To Mr, and Mrs. Grogg were born four children, namely: Daniel J., born in 1868. who assists his father on the home fanri; Annie, who is the wife of Charles Zerkle, of Waterloo, has eight children, Ora, Forrest, Ford, J'ohn,; Dewfjj Guy, James and Lulu; Alta is the wife of John Melton, who lives' ©i Waterloo in Grant township and has two children, Blanche and Edna ; Nannie is at home keeping house for her father. Mr. Gregg's life has been characterized by duty faithfully performed, and in his relations with his fellows he has earned their favorable opinion and is numbered among the popular and public-spirited citizens of his community.-

Thomas H. Sprott

Earnest labor, unabating perseverance, good management and a laudable ambition to succeed, these are tlie elements that have brought Thomas H. Sprott prosperity and won for him the good will and respect of all with whom he has come in contact. .\ native of Auburn, DeKalb county, where he first saw the light of day on September 4, 1850, he has spent his entire life in his native locality and is therefore well known here. His parents were Samuel W. and Sarah J. (Hays) Sprott Samuel W. Sprott was born in Darlington, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Thomas and Mary Sprott, who were of Scotch-Irish descent. Samuel W. Sprott came to DeKalb county, Indiana, in March, 1836, walking the entire distance by way of Defiance, Ohio. He was immediatelv successful in whatever he turned his hand to here and, his abilities and character becoming recognized by his fellow citizens, in 1841 he became county clerk, county auditor and county recorder. He held the office of auditor for one year and the other two offices simultaneously for ten years. In 1855 he was again elected to the office of county clerk, serving four years. He was a man of high character and strictest integrity and during all the period of his residence here he enjoyed to a notable extent the absolute confidence and esteem of the people with whom he mingled. Some time after locating in Auburn he married Harriet Miller, who died shortly afterwards, and subsequently, at Savannah, Ohio, he was united in marriage to Sarah J. Hays, daughter of Thomas and Mary Hays. She was born at Haysville, Ohio, of which town her grandfather was the founder. Mr. Sprott continued to reside at Auburn, looking after his property interests and also engaging to some extent in agriculture. From 1872 to 1875 he engaged in the shoe business and was postmaster at Auburn in the year 1867. He died on December 14, 1882, his wife having died August 19th of the previous year. They left two children, Mary W., who became the wife of Dr. W. H. Nusbaum, of Indianapolis, and Thomas H., the immediate subject of this sketch.

Thomas H. Sprott was reared to manhood in Auburn, and during his younger days was engaged in surveying to some extent. In 1872 he engaged in the shoe business in partnership with his father and remained so occupied until 1875. when he went into the real estate and insurance business. In this line he has continued ever since, being the oldest now in Auburn who have continuously engaged in that business in this county. Possessing marked business ability and energetic as a hustler after business, it is no wonder that Mr. Sprott has through the years enjoyed the largest patronage in his line in the county, and wherever he has gone he has made friends, which has meant increase in business.

Mr. Sprott married Abagail J. Potter, of Auburn, the daughter of James A. and Catherine (Sponsler) Potter, these parents having come to this county from Ashland, Ohio. The father was a native of the state of New Jersey, but was reared to manhood at Jeromeville, Ohio. The Potters came first to Adrian, Michigan, where they lived a year and then about the close of the Civil war they came to Auburn, where Mr. Potter engaged in the shoe trade. To Mr. and Mrs. Sjirott ha\e been l:orn four children: Jarl S.. Pearl M., Donald P. aiul Kirliy L. Jarl S., wlo was hnvu in 1882, married Carrie Larsen and lives in Chicago, where he is city salesman for the General Fire Proofing Company; he has a daughter, Helen M. Pearl M.. who is assist- ant cashier in the Auburn State iiank, lives in Auburn. Donald P., born on November ii, 1886, married Hazel M. Ensley, is agent for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and lives in Auburn ; he has three children, Thomas R., Donald E. and Marie Alice; Kirliv L., born July 7. iSyi, is employed as agent with the United States Express Company in Auburn.

Politically, Mr. Sprott is an Independent Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to DeKalb Lodge No. 214, Free and Accepted Masons, and to Aulnirn Camp No. 51, Knights of the Maccabees. In May, 1902, Mr. Sprott was elected mayor of Auburn, assuming the duties of this office on September ist of that year, and his administration was of such a character as to win for him the unqualified commendations of his fellow citizens. Mrs. Sprott. who mo\'es in the best social circles of the city, has for a number of years been a prominent member of the Ladies' Literary Society and is otherwise active in many good works. Mr. and Mrs. Sprott both enjoy a well deserved popularity in the citv of their residence and are numbered among its best citizens.^

The gentleman to whom the reader's attention is now directed was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of infiuential friends, but, in spite of these, by perseverance, industry and a wise econom\-, he has attained a comfortable station in life and is well and favorably known throughout his community as a result of the industrious life lie lias lived here for many years, heing regarded by all who know him as a man of sound business principles, thoroughly up to date in all ])hases of agriculture, and as a man who. while advancing his indixidual interests, does not neglect his general duties as a citizen.

John Kraus, who owns a fine little farm of forty-six acres in Grant township, DeKalb county, Indiana, was born on .August u, iSdo, in Holmes countv, Ohio, and is a son of Philip and Catherine iLudwig) Kraus, the former of whom was born in Bavaria, and the latter in Hesse, Germany. Philip Kraus was a stone mason by trade, and when tlie sul)ject of this sketch was but one year old the family moved to Spencer counts Imliana, where the mother died when John was but nine years old, leaving three sons. .'Xt this time the father and his sons came to Auburn, Indiana, where he obtained work at stone masonry, and the subject of this sketch still recalls his boyhood days when he assisted his father in that work. In iSrn; his father married Mary Schaal. who as best she could became a mother to the'orphati hoys, her efforts being appreciated by them, and during all the subsequent years she enjoyed their confidence and highest regard. She was born. ;ili April, 1833. in Germany, and was residing at Toledo just prior to her marriage to Mr. Kraus. She was twice married prior to her union with Mr. Kraus, having first married a man named Schearer, by whom she had a daughter, Eva, who is now the wife of M. F. Long, ex-county derk: of DeKalb county, and now residing at Butler. After Mr. Schearer's death she became the wife of a Air. Detch. She is now, at the age of eighty years, making her home with the subject of this sketch. In 1870 the Kraus family moved to the Sprott farm and two years later moved to where the subject now lives, in sections seventeen and eighteen. Grant township, where the father died when John was but fourteen years old. From the age of eleven years the latter had laeen compelled to practically earn his own way, working out at farm labor and other employment, and at the age of twenty-one; he took up his residence on the home farm, to the operation of which he has devoted himself continuously since. Though his farm comprises but fort}- six acres, it is so well managed and cultivated that he derives a greater profit from it than many do from much larger acreage. He is thoroughly up to date in his ideas as to the cultivation of the soil and the raising of crops, keeps in touch with twentieth-century theories and practice in agriculture, and the well kept appearance of his place bespeaks him to be a man of good judgment and excellent taste. Though deprived in his boyhood of the opportunities for an education which he should ha\e had, he has by much reading and close observation become a well-informed man and is able to intelligently <liscuss all the leading c|uestions of the day. He still retains llie habit of reading which he formed years ago and in his home are found many of the best books of the day.

On September i, 1885, Mr. Kraus married Jennie Monger, who was l)orn at Avilla, N'olile county, Indiana, the daughter of Sebastian and Mary (Zenker) Monger, the father being a native of Bavaria, and her mother born in Seneca county. Ohio. The\ were married in the Buckeye state and came to Indiana together, locating in Noble county, where they lived the remainder of their days, the father dying at the age of eighty-three years and the mother when seventy-seven years of age. Sebastian Monger was a carpenter and builder by vocation, living on a farm which was operated by his son. To .\Ir. and Mrs. Kraus have been born the following children: Gertrude died at the age of two and one-half years: Ralph \\'atterson, who died at the age of three vears and seven months of scarlet fever: Charles .A., a painter, who

Politically, i\Ir. Kraus is an earnest Republican, having long taken a deep interest in puljlic affairs, but he has never aspired to office. Though his daily occupation does not bring him much into public life, he is unusually well acquainted throughout the county and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He is a member of the township advisory board, discharging the duties of this position to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. One of his vivid recollections is that of the last important trial in the old court house, which was the Miller murder case. He was on the jury and was confined with his colleagues six long weeks under charge of a bailiff day and night. Religiously, he and his family are members of the Catholic church. Because of 'his success and genuine wortli. he enjoys the esteem and confidence of all who know him.

Byron Leas

The best history of a community or state is the one that deals most with the lives and activities of its people, especially of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have forged to the front and placed themselves where they deserve the title of progressive men. In this brief review will be found the record of one who has achieved a career of marked success in agricultural affairs and a name which all who know him delight to honor owing to his upright life and habits of thrift and industry.

Byron Leas, one of the most progressive and public-spirited citizens of Grant township, DeKalb county, Indiana, was born on October 6, 1873, on the farm where he now resides just west of Waterloo. He is the son of Obediah Leas, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, and he was reared on the home farm, securing his education in the public schools of the community. Since his marriage, which ocrurrcd in 1895, Mr. Leas has been farming on his own account on tiie farm where he now lives which was owned by his father and where he has resided continuously for forty years. His place comprises one hundred acres, the east line of which is only a fourth of a mile from the corporation line of Waterloo, and a splendid gravel road extends across his farm. The beautiful and attractive home, surrounded by graceful and shapely shade trees, the large and commodious barns and other necessary outbuildings which are all kept in first class condition attest to the sound business judgment and excellent taste of the )wner. Mr. Leas has achieved a creditable success as a farmer and among his fellow agriculturists he enjoys a splendid and well deserved reputation.

In 1895 Mr. Leas was united in marriage to Otie Jones, who was born and reared in Grant township, a daughter of John Wesley and Sarah (Plum) Jones, who are mentioned on another page in this work. Fraternally, Mr. Leas is a member of the Knights of Pythias, in the workings of which order he takes a live interest. Characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong' individuality and in all his enterprises actuated by noble motives and high resolves, Mr. Leas' success and achievement represent the results of the proper utilization of innate talent in directing his efforts along those lines where sure judgment has led the way. Although he is too busy a man to devote much time to political matters, yet he can always be depended upon to lend his influence and sujtport to all worthy movements whether political or otherwise that have for tiieir object tlie betterment and upbuilding of his communitv.

Walter W. Mountz

The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. The life of the honorable subject of this review has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him l^est, owing to the fact that he has always been loyal to trusts imposed upon him and has been upright in his dealings with his fellow men, at the same lime lending his support to the advancement of any cause looking to the welfare of the community at large.

Walter W. Mountz, who is the present efficient city clerk and city collector of Garrett, Indiana, was born on July 10, 1886, at Overbrook, Kansas. He is the son of Francis Henry and Delia (Smith) Mountz, both of whom were natives of Steuben county, Indiana, and whose respectixe parents came from Pennsylvania, their fathers being Jonas Mountz and Amos Smith, natives of the old Keystone stale and of Pennsylvania ( iennan slock. Shortly after his marriage Francis H. Mountz moved to Kansas, locating in 1884 on a farm there, where he remained until 1892, when the family moved to Garrett. Indiana, and the following year Mr. Mountz l)ought the old John

L. Davis hardware store. He continued the business until 1904, when, in September, he sold out and thereafter lived a retired life until his death from apoplexy, which occurred in December, 191 1, at the age of fifty-two years. He is survi\'ed by his widow, who now lives in Garrett. Mr. Mountz was well known throughout this community and was prominent in civic affaii-s,. having served as superintendent of street paving and public improvements. He was city councilman for two years, 1901 to 1903, and was president of the DeKalb Building and Loan Association several years. To him and his wife were born three children, Walter \V., the immediate subject of tliis sketch ; Mrs. Dessa Barre, of Washington, Pennsylvania, and Russell, wholives at home.

Walter W. Mountz received his education in the Garrett public schools and during the latter years of his school period lie worked in his father's hardware store. In 1905, Mr. Mountz went to St. Louis and entered the employ of the Simmons Hardware Company, but a year later he resigned and took a position as storekeeper and time keeper for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, at Chicago. In 1907, he went to Denver in the employ of the Denver & Rio Grande railroad, but six months later he was employed as material clerk with the Rock Island railroad, being located at Goodland. Kansas. In 1908 Mr. Mountz came to Garrett, Indiana, and accepted a position as salesman with the Leigh Hunt clothing store, where he remained two years, or until his election as city clerk, which office he assumed on January r,. 1910, being re-elected in 1913 to succeed himself for term of four years beginning January i, 19 14. without any opposition, he being chosen for asecond term. He is eminently qualified for the discharge of the responsible duties of this office and has so conducted the afifairs of the position as to meet the unqualified endorsement of his follow citizens.

Politically, Mr. Mountz is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and has taken prominent part in political affairs. He served as precinct committeeman of the sixth precinct and also chairman of |)recinct committeemen of Keyser township in 1912. and in the same year he was secretary of the Wilson-Marshall Clul). Fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In the last named body he has served as recording and financial secretary since June, 1909. Mr. Mountz is a very busy man, for in addition to his official position as city clerk, he also serves as city collector and is secretary of the financial board of the city, (37)

Since January, IQ12, he has served as treasurer of the Garrett Hbrarv board, and has rendered vakiable assistance in the satisfactory conduct of the library. On July 10, 1909, Mr. Mountz married Lulu Maurer, who died on July 29, 1910, and on August 4, 1912, he was united in marriage to Myrtle Osborne, of Kendallville. Mr. and Mrs. Mountz moye in the best social circles of Garrett, and are yery popular among their acquaintances. Mr. Mountz is a man of stanch integrity of character and possesses to an eminent degree those <|ualities wliicli make and retain friendshii).

All credit is due a man who wins success and Ijy persistenc)' and energy gains a competence and a position of lionor as a nian and citizen. The record of the subject of this sketch is that of such a man, for he came to DeKalb county in the days of her rapid growth and here worked out his way to definite success and independence. He quickly adapted himself to the conditions which he found here and has labored so consecutively and effectively that he is now held in high regartl b\- all who know liim, !ia\ing iiere maintainetl his home since 1859.

Simon A. Dilgard was born in Ashlantl count}-, Ohio, on .\ugust 18, 1854. and is the son of Iveuben and Lo\ina (Shaffer) Dilgard. Reuben Dilgard was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on February 28, 1822, and was the son of Jacob Dilgard, whose father was a native of Paris, France, and who came to America in his youth, being reared by a (ierman family in Pennsyhania, where he l)ecanie first a mountaineer teamster and later a miller. When fifteen years of age Reuben Dilgard movetl with his jiarents to (^hio, being t)ne of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, and it is a noteworthy fact that of this family the father and all seven l)oys learned and followed the trade of milling. In Ohio Reuljen Dilg;ird married Lovina Shaffer on March 10, 1846, the wedding occurring at her parents' home near Loudenville, Ashland county. Lo\ ina Shaffer was a daughter of Simon and Rebecca (Kinnard) Shaffer, the latter's father having been a native of London, England, who. in early childhood, was brought by his parents to America. Soon after landing in America, while crossing a frozen river, the ice broke and the i)arents were thrown into the water and drowned, an Irish woman rescuing and rearing the lad, who grew to maturity and became the father of Rebecca, Mrs. Shaffer. She had an uncle. General George, in the

War of the Revolution, and others of the family have been noted for their courag:e and patriotism. After Reuben Dilgard's marriage in Ohio, lie lived there until October, 1859, when he came to DeKalb county, Indiana, and located in the northwest quarter of section 7. Grant township, which at that time was covered by a dense forest, not a stick of timber having been cut. Though some other land had been bought in the neighborhood, but little of it had been at that time improved. Here Mr. Dilgard entered bravely n\mn the task of clearing and improving the land in true ])ioneer fashion, and here he and his wife lived the rest of their lives. Thev were the parents of four children, two daughters and two sons, the former dying in infancy in Ohio. The boys were the subject of this sketch and a brother, William, who was born on August 28, 1850, and died at the age of thirty-five years, unmarried. Reuben Dilgard died on July 2/, i8q6. and the mother, who was born May 11, 1824. died on August 17, 1891.

Simon A. Dilgard has spent all his life since coming to Indiana on the original farm excepting aI)oul three years sjient in New Mexico, dating from March, 1909. He has been active during all these years and acquired a competency so that during the later years of his life he has lieen enabled to spend a good deal of his time in travel. He and his son together own three hundred and forty acres of hind in one [)iece and his son's wife also owns a quarter section of land adjoining in New Mexico only a few rods from the old and historic Santa Vv trail. .Mr. Dilgartl has seen a good deal of frontier life during his travels, having come in contact with the Indians and the old trails and Indian battle grounds, which he has closely observed, and has also witnessed many strange customs among the border tribes. For a time he operated a flour mill at .'Vuburn, but the mill was destroyed by fire in 1905.

On February 3, 1876, Simon Dilgard was united in marriage with Eliza Goodwin, who was born in Smithfield township, tliis comity, the daughter of Daniel and Susanna (Kiefer) Goodwin. Daniel (ioodvvin was jjorn in Wavne county, Ohio, on October 2, 1824, and was the son of David and Katherine (ioodw n. Me came to HeKalh Loiint.- in i8_;3. His wife. Susanna Kiefer. was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, on September 21, 1828, the daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Smith) Kiefer. She was married on April 20. 1855, and came at once to DeKalb county, living in Smithfield township. Daniel Goodwin died on July 4, 1900, and Mrs. Goodwin is still residing in Smithfield township, where she enjoys the respect of all who know her. Daniel Goodwin was twice married, his first wife living but a short time after their marriage. Her maiden name was Mary S. Barron, a native of Ashland county, Ohio, where their marriage occurred on June 28, 1850. She was the mother of two sons, Philemon, born May 14, 1851, in Ohio, and Henry, born in Indiana on September 20, 1854. The mother of these children was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on August 2, 1830, and died on September 24, 1854. Daniel Goodwin first came to DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1853, and entered land in Smithfield township, after which he returned to Ohio for a time. By his union with Susanna Kiefer were born the following children: William, born August 24, 1856; Eliza, born August 26, 1858; Elmira, born September 10, i860; John W., born July 22, 1862, and David, born October 20, 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Dilgard have been born the following children: Myrara Arvie, who died at the age of four months; Ray C, an underlaker at Auburn ; Jay W., born March 17, 1887, is at home; Bernice, born August 8, 1892. died at the age of two months ; \'erna Katherine, at home.

Fraternally, Simon Dilgard lias been a member of the local lodge of Knights of Pythias at Waterloo from the time it was instituted, and is also an appreciative member of the time-honored Masonic order. His parents were active members of the Lutheran church, in which they were earnest workers and were close students of the Bible. He, himself, has taken an active interest in local public affairs, having been a member of the first township advisory board of Grant township. Politically, a Democrat, he has frequently been a delegate to county conventions and has been prominent in the councils of his party, enjoying a close personal acquaintance with Vice-President Marshall and other eminent leaders of the party. He has been a man of industrious habits, showing wise discrimination and wise judgment in all his afifairs and the success which has come to him has been gained by honest, earnest effort, for which he is entitlet! to the uni\ersal respect which is accorded him in this communitv.

Eugene Kelly

Fealty to facts in the analyzation of the character of a citizen of the type of Eugene Kelly is all that is required to make a biographical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the community, because it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true glory of a city or state revered at home and respected abroad. In the broad liglit which things of good report ever invite, the name and character of Eugene Kelly stand revealed and secure, and. though of modest demeanor, with no ambition to distinguish himself in public position or as a leader of men, his career has been signally honorable and it may l)e studied with profit by the youth entering upon his life work.

Eugene Kelly was born in Waterloo, Indiana, on July 17, 1879, and is the son of Alfred and Ada (Locke) Kelly, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, consequently the family genealogy will not be referred to specifically at this point. Mr. Kelly was reared under the paternal roof and received his education in the public schools of Waterloo, where he graduated from the high school in 1899. After completing his education his first employment was at telephone line work for his father, who then owned the Waterloo telephone exchange, and he continued in this line of effort until his father's death in 191 1, since which time ]\Ir. Kelly and his mother have owned the exchange and Eugene manages the business. He is up-to-date and progressive in his ideas relating to business affairs and by his indomitable energy, courtesy to the patrons of the exchange, and his efforts to give good, quick, efficient and prompt service, he has earned the appreciation and good will of all who have had dealings with him.

Politically. Mr. Kelly is a Democrat and is actixe in the local organization, as was his father. Fraternally, he is an enthusiastic member of the Masonic order, in the workings of which he takes a deep interest.

In 1892 Mr. Kelly married Carrie E. Triplett, of Rome Citv, Indiana, a daughter of George and Addie (Chapin) Triplett. ( ieorge Triplett was born in 1843, near Akron, Ohio, the son of Joshua Triplett. while his wife was born near Medina, Ohio. They were married at Medina, and soon afterward Mr. Triplett became a private soldier in the Seventy-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving for three years. He was orderly sergeant, and was a courageous and faithful soldier, being sexereh wounded in battle, from which he was so badly disabled that he was unfit for field duty and was then detailed for service on a liospital transport. .After the war be engaged in the grocery business at Toledo, and later at Medina. OJiio. and aliout 1872 went to Elk Point, South Dakota, where for a while he ran a restaurant and bakery. Subsec|uently he came to Indiana, again locating at Roanf)ke, near Fort Wayne, where he followed the same business until about 1878, when he went to Rome City, Indiana, and has been engaged in the hotel business about thirty-five years there. His wife died in March, 1912. Religiously, they were members of the Universalist church. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly liave been born two sons, Alfred, born December 17, 1904, and Grant, born September 6,

1907. Personalh', Mr. Kelly is a most courteous, companionable gentleman, influential in business circles and honorable and reliable in air of his dealings. He ranks among the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of the city in which he resides, manifests an active interest in whatever pertains lo tile progress of DeKalb county and o-operates with others in forwarding all measures whereby his fellow men may be benefited.

Benjamin Close

Standing for upright manhood and progressive citizenship the subject of this sketch has long occupied a conspicuous place among the representatives of the great agricultural interests of Indiana and his influence in every relation of life has made for the material advancement of the community in which he resides and the moral welfare of those with whom he has been brought into contact.

Benjamin Close, one of the enterprising farmers and pul)lic spirited citizens of Grant township, DeKalb count}', Indiana, was born on August 24, 1858, in Ashland county, Ohio. He is descended from a long line of sterling ancestors, the first member of the family to locate in .Vmerica being r.enjamin Close, who with two brothers cam.e from England to this country in early colonial days. The subject's paternal great-grandfather, Benjamin Close, Sr., was a soldier in the American Revolution and lived about forty miles from Bufifalo, New York. Among his children was lienjamin Close, jr., who married Elizabeth Gale, and among their children was Samuel, the subject's father, a native of Ashland county, Ohio, wlio married Mary Foote. Mary Foote was born in Lorain county, Ohio, anil was the daughter of Charles and Mary (Hunter) Foote. The suljject's jjarents grew to manliood and womanhood in their native state and were married there, sulisequently living on a farm, which pursuit the father followed dtiring iiis acti\e years.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the lionie farm in Ohio until thirteen or fourteen years of age, wiien the family moved to near Garden City in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, where the father Ixnight a farm and lived there about twenty-five years, and there the mother died. After her death the father lived among hi^^ children and is now a resident of the state of Oregon.

The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood in Minnesota and attended the public schools there, being graduated from the high school at

(iarden City. After his marriage, which occurred in iiiii4., he cdiitniued farming in Minnesota for thirteen years, having acquired a splendid tract of one hundred and sixty acres. On October i, 1897, he sold that farm and came to DeKalb county, Inchana, buying one hundred and eleven acres three miles north and a half mile west of Auburn, to which he has since devoted his attention with splendid results. Besides this farm he and his son own thirtyseven and one-half acres of land together. The subject's home place is well improved with a substantial and attractive residence, large and well built barns and other outbuildings, and the attracti\e and well kept grounds and other features of the farm reflect great credit on the owner. Mr. CIom.' is modern and up-to-date in his ideas and keeps in tt)uch with the most ad\ anced thought relating to agricultural methods and practice. In addition to the raising of all the crops commf)n to this locality he is also engaged in the raising of fruit and the breeding and raising of live stock, in which he has met with splendid success.

In 1884 Mr. Close married Emma Shumaker, of near Napoleon, Ohio, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Weiler) Shumaker, both of whom are descended from staunch old Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. These parents remained on the farm, being engaged in agricultural pursm'ls until about ten years ago when they retired from active life and moved to Napoleon, where the mother died July 19, 191 3. To Mr. and Mrs. Close have been born six children, of whom one is deceased, as follows: Percy, born August 5, 1885, died at the age of twenty-five years Mav 2. .011 [. Hl- niarrie(' C.race (ioetchkins, of Union township, this county, and left a daugiitrv, Audrey: .\rden, who lives on a farm in (irant townshi]), this county, marrietl Lottie Crogg, and they have a daughter, Irene; F.lnia is at home with her parents, as are Joseph, Elbert and Maurice. Tiie subject himself is one of ten children born to his parents, of whom one sister, Mrs. Jessie ( )sgood, lives in Calgary, Canada, and Perry is editor of the Dixon (Montana) Herald, the other children being all deceased.

-\s already indicated, Mr. Close has devoted much close study to the science of agriculture and is without a peer among the farmers in ins section of the county, being progressive in his methods and making use ot the latest and most approved implements and appliances by means of which the labors of the farm are not only greatly lessened but made much more effective and economical. He keeps in touch with the trend of current events, lakes an active interest in public and political afifairs and is numbered among the most progressive and enterprising citizens of his section of the county.

George Noirot

It is not an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led an eminently active and busy lite and who has attained a position of relative distinction in the community with which his interests are allied. But biographv 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 witli 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 honorable subject of this sketch whose eminently successful career now comes under review.

George Noirot was born on February 18, 1864, in Paulding count v. Ohio, and is a son of Nicholas and Magdalene (Hurtig) Noirot, the former bom in France in March, 1826, and died in January, 1905, at the age of nearly seventy-nine years, while the mother was born in Alsace, formerh- France, now Germany, in March, 1823. These parents were married in France in 1850, and in the spring of 1853 they came to America, locating first at Findlay, Ohio. The father was called a knife maker, but was really an expert at any kind of edged tools. He was emjiloyed at his trade at Findlay for seven years and then went to farming in Defiance county, that state. From there he went to Paulding countw and lixed at \arious places in (Ohio, going from Paulding t<i Putnam countw wliere he made his ]ieinianent home. To him and his wife were born ten children, three of whom died young and seven grew to maturity, all of the latter marrying but one and having homes of their own. In his old age Nicholas Noirot sold his property, dividing the proceeds among the children with whom he afterward lived. His wife died on January 22, 1892.

The subject of this sketch wa>; reared on the liomc farm in Putnam county, Ohio, and being about ten years old when the family located there, he worked for his father until past the age of twenty-two years, and in the summer of 1886 he went to Kansas, where he worked by the month until the fall of that year. He then returned to Ohio and rented his father's farm, which he operated for about two years. He then went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and engaged in business which occupied his attention for two \ears. after which period he .sold his business or exchanged it for eighty acres of land in the southeastern part of Grant township, DeKalb county. In Ohio from boyhood he had been trained in the raising of potatoes and onions on muck land and having discovered this class of land in DeKalb county, he conceived the idea that it could be developed to splendid potato and onion land, an idea that had never been thought of by the residents of this community. The land which he bought was covered with swamps, tamarack bushes abounding everywhere, the only improvement on the entire tract being an old log cabin. To most people to produce a farm from this forbidding prospect seemed impossible. However, Mr. Noirot, with far-sighted shrewdness, saw a possibility and he drained, tiled, grubbed and cleared and in 1892 commenced to plant potatoes with some corn. In 1893 he put in some onions, being thus the pioneer in the onion and potato raising industry on any considerable scale in this county. In 18Q3 Mr. Noirot bought more land adjoining his first tract and added more in 1894, thus becoming the owner of one hundred and twelve acres of land in one body, about two-thirds of which was genuine muck land such as lie had proved to be the most desirable for the potato and onion business. He continued the raising of these crops with splendid success until the fall of 1899, when he bought the Emerick farm in Fairfield township, to which he moved, renting out the farm in Grant township. The Fairfield township farm comprises about two hundred and forty-nine acres, lying on high and rolling ground, and here he followed general farming and stock raising, together with the raising of potatoes and onions as side crops. Mr. Noirot !i\ed in Fairfield township until Decemlier 14. i()03. when he moved to the city of .Xuhurn. in order to give his children the advantages of the city schools, and rented his farm. During the first year in .\uburn he rented a residence and then Imtight tlie f larwood home, one of tlie most beautiful and substantial residences in Auburn, where he now resides. He is now extensively engaged in dealing in timber and lumlier, operating a saw mil! in southea.stern Missouri for two years, and in this, as in all otlier of his business ventures, he has been successful. He has also owned farms in \ arious other localities, now owning a farm in Grant township, one in Fairfield townshi]i and a smaller place in L'nion townsbin. To I^im this localitxowes a large debt of gratitude, for he demonstrated a f;ict that has been taken advantage of by many others who have acquired fortimes in the raising of onions and potatoes from muck land. The land which was formerly worthless cannot now be bought for one hundred and fifty dollars an acre and thus the agricultural resources of the county have been materially increased. In Januan-, i8()4. Mr. Noirot was married to Emma Kessler. who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, the daughter of Louis and Mary (Webber) Kessler, both of whom were natives of Germany. To Mr. and' Mi's. Noirot have l:)een born five children, namely: Cletns, Paul. George Leo, John Ravmond, Mary Masfdalene and Coriha Effie. Reli,s:i<iuslv, Mr. Noirot and the members'of his family are members of the Catholic clnirch and he belongs to the Catholic Benevolent League of Indiana. Mr. N(iirot dccupies a conspicuous place among the leading men of D^Kalb countv and enjovs the confidence and esteem of all who know him. His record demonstrates that where there is a will there is a way and that obstacles to success may be overcome bv courage, self-reliance and persistency. His career, though strenuous, has been fraught with good to the community and he enjovs a well deserved popularity in the circles in which he moves.

John Joel Eakright

.An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and public recognition for themselves, and at the same time have honored the locality to which they belong, would, be incomplete were there failure to make mention of him whose name forms the caption of this sketch. The qualities which have made him one of the prominent and successful men of DeKalb county have also brought him the esteem of his fellow men, for his career has l>een one of well-directed energy, strong determination and lionorable methods.

John Joel Eakright was born on March 13, 1832, in Wilmington township. DeKalb county. Indiana, about two miles south of Butler, and is a son of .Xbraham and Susannah (Miller) Eakright. Abraham Eakright was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on December 30, 1827. His father, Samuel Eakright, was a native of England and came to .\merica in 1811, and soon after enlisted in the service of the United States in the war of 181 2, settled in Ohio and there married Mary Maxwell, a nati\'e of L-eland. In 1836 they moved to DeKalb county, settling in Wilmington township, where he died in 1833, and his wife in 1872. They had a family of thirteen children. When the family first moved to DeKali) county, their only neighbors were Indians, and it was eighteen months before Mrs. Eakright saw a white woman. Their trading point was Fort Wayne, or Lima, reaching the former place by l)irogue boating on the river. None of Samuel Eakright's children are now living and John Joel Eakright, the subject of this sketch, is the oldest member of the family. Abraham Eakright was married on June 19, 183 1, to Susannah Miller, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and ' the daughter (if Joel and Sarah ( Eichelbarger) Miller, who came to DeKall) county in about 1847. locating tour miles east of Auburn in Union township. where he bought a farm and lived during the rest of their lives. The Eakright famil}- took a prominent place in the early life of this locality and Samuel l<".akright iiuilt the first bridge across the St. Joe ri\-er at Newville. where the new bridge now stands. He was also the first road commissioner of DeKalh county. Of the children of Abraham and Susannah (^Miller) Eakright, John J. is the subject of this sketch ; Sarah A. is the wife of Lewis Manrow and lives north of Sedan; Edward ^^^ is deceased: Mary Alenora is the wife of William J. Hoagland. of .\uburn, and Ellsworth .-\. lives on the old homestead in Wilmington tOAvnshi]i. Abraham Eakright's family was unbroken for over forty years. He was a faithful and earnest member of the United Brethren church until his death, which occurred on December 31, 1891. on the (lav following his sixty-fourth liirthday anni\-ersary. His life was long and useful, and he enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew him. His wife, Susannah, was born May 28, 1831, and came from Pennsylvania to Richland county. Ohio, with her parents, where they remained until al)out 1847. when the family came to DeKalb county. She. too, was a member of the United Brethren church from the age of sixteen years, and lived a sincere and faithful Christian life until her death, which occurred on April 6, 1904. in the seventy-third year of her age.

John Joel Eakright was reared on his father'-^ farm and received his education in Butler and the high school at Auburn. In the fall of 1873 he began teaching school and continued this vocation successfully until 1885, when he compiled a history of DeKall> county. Resuming his pedagogical work then, he continued it until he had taught twenty-three years, of which period eighteen years was in his home district, and in later years he taught many children of former pupils, and in these children he plainly observed traits of character that had been noticeable in their ])arents. He had a good influence over these children, winning them and then stinuilating them In kindness and argument rather than by force. Because of the personal interest he manifested in his pupils and the close touch that has been maintained lietween him and them during subsequent years, he receives many letters of grateful appreciation from them and is today numbered among the successful educators of his county, though he has not l^een actively engaged in the profession for a number of years. In 1884 Mr. Eakright was elected justice of the peace for a term of four years, and in 1895 he was elected trustee of Wilmington township, ser\ing the regular term and the extension period because of legislative enactment, amounting to a total of fi\e years and three months. In 1905 he was elected county surveyor, serving two terms with eminent satisfaction to all concerned, and was subsequently elected city engineer of Butler, but, owing to an injury received in a runaway accident, which disabled him after about a month of official service, he gave up the position and returned to Auburn, where he has since resided. He is the owner of a splendid farm of one hundred and six and one-half acres in section twenty, Wilmington township, from which he derives a gratifying profit. Politically, Mr. Eakright is a Republican and takes a keen interest in the success of his party, as well as in local public affairs, giving his support to ever\' movement which promises in any way to advance the local welfare.

On October 28, 1874, Mr. Eakright married Acelia Treman, who was born in Wilmington township about two miles west of Butler, the daughter of Edgar and Laura (Spencer) Treman. These parents, who were both natives of Medina county, Ohio, were married there and came to DeKalb county in about 1841. With Edgar Treman came John Treman, his father. John Treman entered quite a tract of land and divided it among his children. Edgar owned eighty acres of land and there lived the rest of his life. He was a farmer and also a shoemaker, and his wife was in pioneer days considered an expert weaver. Edgar Treman served as township trustee and was otherwise strong in his community, which was honored by his citizenship up to the time of his death, which occurred on May 21, 1885. His wife was a good, faithful woman, trained in the pioneer school of life and experience and knew how to work and rear a family successfully in the midst of difficulties which would deter the average woman of the present day and she gave to her children the best \ears of her ])ure, nolile life. Her deatli occured in 1863.

To Mr. and Mrs. Eakright has been born one son, Orton Edgar, whose birth occurred on September g, 1877. and who was for man\ years in the employ of the Overland Automobile Company at Toledo, but is now a tester for the .'\uburn .Auto Company. He married Louise Hard. Jolm Joel Eakright is a man of marked literary taste and ability, and has written a number <if poems which have Ijeen published in current magazines and peritklicals and which have received many commendatory words of praise. Ht writes for pastime rather than as a means of profit and has written by request a ]x)em for the reunion of the Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteers. It was greatly appreciated and copies distributed as souvenirs of the reunion. His poems are varied in character, pathetic, humorous and other styles and all are verv readable and of high literary merit.

Conrad Miller

Among the worthy citizens of DeKalb county of a past generation, whose residence here contributed in no small degree to the prestige of the community, was the late Conrad Miller, for, while laboring for his individual advancement, as was natural and right, he never forgot his obligations to the public and his support of such measures and movements as made for the general good could always be depended upon. He commanded the respect of all classes by his exemplary life, and his memory will long be revered by his friends who survive.

Conrad Miller was born in Germany in 1817, and was a son of John Jacob and Anna Mary (Bush) Miller. John J. Miller, who was a native and resident of Wittenberg, Germany, brought his family to the United .States in 1819, settling near Hagerstown, Maryland. Two years later he ni()\-ed to Canton, Ohio, locating on a farm nearby, where he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring on June 3, 1868, at the advanced age of ninety years, ele\'en months and eighteen days.

Conrad Miller was reared under the parental roof in Ohio, and, ui)on attaining manhood's years, married .Anna Long, who was born and reared near Canton. Mr. Miller engaged in farming, to which \ocation he had been reared, and subsequently he was for many years engaged in the operation (if a hotel at Dalton, Wayne county, Ohio. He became a man of prominence and influence in that community and for the long period of twenty vears he efficiently served as justice (jf the peace. In 1866 Mr. Miller moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, where he engaged in farming, and here, too, he gained a high place in the esteem of his fellows. When the county farm was established, he was appointed the hrst superintendent of the same, retaining that position four years. He had twenty-three inmates under his charge, and at the outset he was seriously handicapi)ed through lack of conveniences, but he did his best to properly care for the unfortunates under his charge and retired from the office with the approval of all who were familiar with the work he had done. After leaving the county farm, Mr. Miller bought a home in Auburn, where he lived about six years, but eventually moved to the state of Missouri, where the deaths of himself and his wife occurred.

To Conrad and Anna Miller were born seven children, of whom the only one living in DeKalb county is Ada, the wife of Abe Grogg, of Grant township, this county. She had two brothers, both of whom are deceased. A sister, Martha M., taught school in Auburn about six years, and then became the wife of Fletcher Starr, and they now live at Newkirk, Oklahoma. Harley taught school for awhile in DeKalb county, but eventually went west, where he studied medicine and was a successful physician at Newkirk, Oklahoma, until his death. Frances taught several terms of school in DeKalb county, taught about six years in Kansas City, and also served as an instructor in teachers' institutes in Missouri. She is now the wife of Doctor Wheeler, of Kansas City, who is secretary of the Missouri state board of health. Cora, who was educated for the pedagogical profession, married I^lan Spellman, now deceased, and she lives in Oklahoma.

In every relation of his life, Conrad Miller was true to every trust reposed in him and enjoyed to a notable degree the confidence and good will of all who knew him. He was a man of broad ideas and kindly impulses, and in the civic life of the communities where he lived he was a potent factor for good. The world is better for his having lived.

John Wesley Jones

It is with no small degree of satisfaction that the biographer e.s.says to set before the reader the salient pomts and facts in the life history of the estimable gentleman now deceased whose name initiates this paragraph, for his life was one singularly full of good deeds and his influence was ever wholesome and ameliorating, so that today he is remembered as a man who was held in the highest res])ect and admiration of his many friends and acquaintances.

John Wesley Jones was born in Ashland county, Ohio, on August 22. 1842, the son of Isaac Jones and wife, of whose six children he was the youngest. Isaac Jones' family came to DeKalb county, Indiana, in the early days, where, at Aulnirn, Mr. Jones later ran a tin shop, though he subsequently moved to a farm two and one-half miles south of Auburn. Pearly in the Civil war John W. Jones enlisted as a member of Company .'V, One Hundredth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served about nine months, being then discharged because of physical disability. He recruited his health and on March 19, 1864, he agahi enlisted in the First Indiana Battery of Heavy Artillery, with which he remained in the service until the end of the war. On April ig, 1864, soon after his enlistment, be was married to Sarah A. Plum, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, the daughter of Jeremiah and Jane (Scott) Plum, .\t the age of five years she came to DeKalb county with her parents who located about out mile east of Waterloo. Jeremiah Plum became the sheriff of DeKalb county a few years after the close of the Civil war, holding that office for four years, and his son, Philip, was sheriff of the county in later years. Here Jeremiah Plum followed farming during nearly all of liis acti\e life and also gave some attention to auctioneering, in which he was very successful. He was a member of the United Brethren church, as was his wife, ;uk1 they are both now deceased, their deaths occurring on their farm east of Waterloo. After John W. Jones received his final discharge from the military service at the close of the Civil war he engaged in farming a year on his father's farm and then was similarly engaged two years on the farm of his father-in-law while the latter was serving as sheriff of the county. During the remainder of his life Mr. Jones was employed by the Lake Shore Railway Company in various capacities, the last nine years of his life being in th.e freight service of that company at \Vaterloo. He was iiidustriims antl energetic, anil was luunbered among the valued employes of tiiat c<im])any, enjoying a well deserved i)opularity among his fellows.

To Mr. and Mrs. Jones were born nine children, of whom two died in infancy, .seven being raised to maturity: Frank Leonard, who lives a mile east of Waterloo, married Mary Mergy, and they have two daughters; Otie is the wife of Byron Leas, who lives west of Waterloo, and who is mentioned specifically elsewhere in this work; Josephine is the wife of E. W. Miles, of Hammond, Indiana, and they have a son; Norah is the wife of James Rainier, of Auburn, and they have two children, a boy and a girl; Mary became the wife of Thomas Ferguson, who lives two and one-half miles south of Auburn : Edison, who lives in ^^'aterloo, married Lena Durst; Daisy Fern is the wife of Chester C. Bowman. John Wesley Jones died on October 6, 1895, ^^^^ his death was considered a distinct loss to the community, for he had been a man who, though not very prominent in the public life of the community, had nevertheless been an earnest and constant supporter of everything which promised to advance the best interests of the locality, and he was numbered among the sterling and consistent citizens of Waterloo. Religiously he was a member of the L^nited Brethren church, of which Mrs. Jones is now an earnest member, and fraternally he belonged to the Knights of the Maccabees and the Grand Army of the Republic. A kind and loving father, a faithful husband, a public-spirited citizen. Mr. Jones had for many years quietly but consistently fulfilled his duties as a citizen in his community and he exerted an influence which has been for the moral and social upbuilding of the people.

George W. Kuhlman

The family of which the subject of this review is a creditable representative has been known in DeKalb county for many years, and, without invidious comparison, it can with propriety be said that no other name is better known or more highly esteemed in DeKalb county. Honored and respected by all, there is today no man in the county who occupies a more enviable position in commercial circles than George W. Kuhlman, not alone because of the success he has achieved, but also In- reason of the commendaliie and straightforward business policy which he has ever pursued and the upright life he has lived.

George W. Kuhlman was born in Auburn, Indiana, on February 22, 1876, and is the son of Enos and Amanda (Rhodefer) Kuhlman. Enos Kuhlman, who was of German descent, was born at Canton, Stark county, Ohio, and was a son of William and Mary (Hoover) Kuhlman. Enos Kuhlman was reared at Canton and in young manhood he came to Auburn. Here he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which company ex-Governor Winfield T. Durbin was also a member. Mr. Kuhlman's niilitar\' record was a creditable one in every regard and after his return lionie he l>ecame a salesman, traveling a part of the time. In 1900 he went into business for himself at Mulhall, Oklahoma, where he now has a general store and where he is meeting with splendid success. Soon after his return from the army Enos Kuhlman married Amanda Rhodefer, who was born and reared near Auburn, a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Feagler) Rhodefer. Her mother was a granddaughter of Henry Feagler, who was a captain in the war of 181 2. .'\manda Rhodefer's parents were from Holmes county, Ohio, coming to DeKalb county, Indiana, in an early day. and locating about three miles northwest of Auburn. Later he moved to a farm about two miles southwest of that town, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. To Enos and Amanda Kuhlman were born three children, namely: Aubrey L., William O. and George W., all residents of Auburn.

George W. Kuhlman was reared under the parental roof and until fourteen years of age he receix'ed tlie ad\'antage of a |)uI)Hc scliool education. Out of school; his hours were well occupied, his mornings and evenings being spent as a chore boy for Dr. S. B. Johnston, while during his summer vacations he was employed as a gardener by Elder S. B. Ward, consequently he had but little time in which to indulge in the sports and' recreations' common to boys of his age. He was carefully reared, his mother being a strict Baptist, with positive convictions of right and wrong, and who inculcated in her sons high ideals and worthy ambitions. In 189D Cieorge W. Kuhlman began work in the dry goods store of W. P. Harter as errand boy, at a wage of two and a half dollars a week. By strict honesty and careful attention to every duty assigned to him he earned the confidence of his employer and was given charge of the domestic department. Under the strict discipline and wise instruction of Mr. Harter he there laid the foundation for a practical and successful business career. At the death of Mr. Harter, in 1893, the store passed into the hands of Bishop S: Lackey, and Mr. Kuhlman remained with the new firm until 1895, when, being offered an advance in salary and being desirous of gaining a broader knowledge and wider experience in Inisiness affairs, he acce]:)ted a position in the clothing house of G. H. Yesbera, with whom he remained seven years. In 1902 Mr. Kuhlman started in business on his own account, though in a modest way, opening a men's furnishing and clothing store on North Main street. A year later, his increasing business rec|uiring a larger stock and more room, he UK^xed to the Sherman Hollister building, on ?ilain street, on tlie west side of the pul;lic sc|uare. By careful attention to the wants of his patrons, his courteous treatment of them, and liis sound business methods, Mr. Kuhlman prospered to even a more notable degree in liis new location, so that in 1907 he felt justified in buying the building in which he was located, and two years later the store was completely remodeled. A new and attractive front was placed in the store room, better lighting and ventilating facilities were provided, while at the rear of the main store room a large balcony was erected for the accommodation of stock. The second story of the l)ui]ding was also improved, being user! as a sales and stock room, while tlie tliird floor and basement are also dex-oted to different purposes pertaining to the business. Furnace heat was installed and other improvements made, so that it became the largest and most complete exclusive clothing and furnishing house in northeastern Indiana. Mr. Kuhlman has done practically a cash business from the start, at the same time adopting the policy of gi\ ing the utmost value for the money. He has demonstrated business ability of a high order, and his success can be attrilnited to his careful studv of the requirements of his business and his close application to his affairs, successfully mastering each difficulty as it presented itself. On April 27, 1898, Mr. Kuhlman was united in marriage to Olive Mc- Clure, who, for six years prior to her marriage, had been connected witli the (38) dry goods and millinery trade, in the store in which Mr. Kuhlman had been employed. To them has been born a daugliter, Ethelmae. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlman are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which thev are regular attendants and to which they give earnest support. Mr. Kuhlman is an active member of the Auburn Commercial Club and takes a deep interest in e\-ery moxement for the advancement of the best interests of the community. A man of genial disposition and kindly impulses, he has won and retains to a notable degree the friendship of all who know him.

It is the purpose of this \olume to preserve an authentic record as far as possible of the lives and deeds of those who have assisted in the upbuilding of the varied interests of DeKalb county. The rank that a city or county holds very largely depends on the achie\'ements of its citizens. Some add to its reputation by efficient public service, some by professional skill, some by increasing its manufacturing or commercial interests and some by cultivating its lands. The sul)ject of this sketch has been interested in both business and farm life and in both lines of endeavor he has so conducted his affairs as to not only win pecuniary success, but also the esteem of all who are familiar with his career.

George B. Denison was born in 1887, on the Denison farm in the southeastern part of (irant township, and is the son of George O. Denison, whose sketch appears elsewliere in this work, therefore, further details of the subject's ancestral historv will not be given at this pt)int. George B. Denison has sfjent the greater part of his life on the farm on which he was born and he received a splendid education in the public schools of the community, completing his studies in the high school at Auburn. He was reared to the life of a farmer and also engaged in the ice business in partnersliip with his father.. He was later for four years in partnershiii with liis brother-in-law, Clvde Fee, in the ice business, and is now in this business on his own account, having built up a large business at Waterloo and surrounding country. At the same time he is gi\ing proper attention to the o|)eration of his Grant township farm.

The subject was married June 14, u)o8, to Agnes Brown, daughter of Elvis E. and Lulu (Burns) Brown, natives of Darke county, Ohio, the father being a traveling salesman for A. H Perfect & Company, of Fort

For a number of years j\lr. Denison has taken a deep interest in military affairs, being a member of Company K, Third Regiment Indiana National Guard, and is at the present time second lieutenant of his company. Mr. Denison is an expert rifle shot and has twice been selected for the state team in military rifle contests, in which he has acquitted himself with honor and credit. Kind, courteous and affable in his relations with his fellows, Mr. Denison has won their esteem and because of his splendid character and attainments in life, he has earned a marked popularit}- throughout this section of the countv.

This biographical iiien'idir has to do with a character well worthy of perpetuation in this work, for William Dunn, whose life chapter has long been closed by the fate that awaits all mankind, was one of the prominent citizens of his community, alth(nigh he was summoned to close his earthly accounts while still in the zenith of his powers. There were in him sterling traits which commanded uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is toda)- honored by all \yho knew him.

William Dunn was l)orn on the i6th d;iy of January, 1844, in Wayne county, Ohio, and his death occurred at his home in (irant township, DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1871. He was a son of John and Elizabeth (Bachtel) Dunn. The latter was Ixirn in Lancaster county, Pennsylvani.a, and was a sister ui Henr\- Rachtel. who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. John Dunn was born probably in Holmes county, Ohio, and was of Irisji parentage. When he was a lad of tender \e;irs t!ie liome was broken u]) and he ;uul a younger sister were cast among stningers. They were saiUy mistreated, antl on one occasion were sent out into the dense woods after the cattle, which had stra}'ed away, and they were told not to return without the cattle. Not being able to find them, they remained in the woods oyer night, and narrowly escaped being attacked b\- wolves. The\' appeased their hunger by such food as they could find in the forest, and in the midst of this experience the lad vowed that if he ever had children of his own they should never suffer as he was doing, and this thought was one of the incentives that spurred him on in his mature vears. He was reared to manhood in his native state and there married Elizabeth Bachtel. his assets at that time consisting of two dollars in money, a strong physical constitution and an abundance of grit and determination. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, at which he worked, and also gave .stmie attention to farming in Ohio. In 1849 Mr. Dunn came to what is now (irant township, DeKalb county, and bought a farm of two hundred acres in the south half of sections 8 and 17. This land was at that time practically untouched, the only improvements consisting of a small cleared space, on which had been erected a log cabin, and the land in that localitv was very swampy. Wild game was abundant and, as Mr. Dunn was a good hunter, the family larder was kept well supplied with fresh meat. He succeeded in clearing most of his land, though for a long time he found it necessary to farm around the swamps and swales - indeed, for many years the ground was so wet in the spring that at corn planting, when they would drop pumpkin seeds the latter floated. lohn Dunn was an indefatigable worker and was highly esteemed in the new communit) where he had cast his lot. His death occurred in 1863, as the result of exposure while on a hunting expedition. He was survi\ed a number of xears by his widow, who died in 1888. They were th^ parents of six children, as follaws: lieorge, who grew to manhood and married, died before his father, in 1861, leaving one child, George, Jr., of Kruisas; Katherine married (leorge Pepple; William, the immediate subject of this memoir; Mary Ann, deceased, was the wife of Joseph Rohm, and left three children; l^'annie died at tJie age of two years; John now lives on the old home place in Grant township.

William Dunn was reared under the parental roof, and as soon as old enough he gave assistance to his father in the lal)ors of the home farm. He secured his education in the district schools of tlie neighborhood, and devoted all of his active years to agricultural work, remaining on the homestead until his death. He was energetic and practical in !ii? work, and was counted among the enterprising and successful farmers of his township, his death being counted a distinct loss to the community.

On January i, 1865, William Dunn married Sarah .\. Stroh. a daughter of John and Catherine Stroh. and to them were b(im three children, namely: Ettdessie, who died in June. <q\o. was tlu' wife ot" I'rank (ioodwin; John. who lives in Waterloo, is married and lias a daughter. Helen; William, who lives on the Dan Stroh farm in the southeastern part of (,raiU township, married Mae M. Nicewander and they ha\ e two children. Lanta and Boice. On March 22, 1883, Mrs. Sarah Dunn became the wife of Wesley Fulton, of Grant township, who is represented elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Dunn was a man of clean personal habits, upright in his daily life, genial in his relations with his fellow men, and Was deservedly popular in the community where the greater part of his life was passed.

Obediah I.Eas

It is by no means an easy ta.-k to descril)e within the limits of this review a man who has led an active and eminent!}- useful life and by his own exertions reached a position of honor and trust in the line of industries with vi^hich his interests are allied. Rut l}iosraphv finds justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history, as the public claims a certain property interest in the career of exery individual and the time invariably arrives when it becomes advisable to give the right publicitv. It is then with a certain degree of satisfaction that the chronicler essays the task of touching briefly upon such a record as has been that of the subject who now comes under this review.

Obediah Leas was born in Salem township, Steuben county, Indiana, on November 5, 1851, and is a son of John and Susan (Shimpf ) Leas, who are represented elsewhere in this work. Tlie subject was reared on the paternal farmstead and secured his education in the common schools. When he was about fifteen years- of age the family moved to Smithfield township, this county, where he grew to manhood and lived until his marriage in 1872. He then moved into LTnion, now Grant township, west of Waterloo, where he began farming operations on a rented farm. In about 1873 he bought a farm of his own in the same neighborhood and in i8q8, after the death of his father, he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the paternal estate in Smithfield township, to which he moved and where he lived about four years. At the end of that period he moved into the city of Waterloo, where he has since resided, buying his present home about two years after coming to this town. While carrying on farming operations, and since. Mr. Leas has given much attention to the buying, baling and shipping of hay, being associated in this business with his brother, D. L. Leas, for about eighteen years. He was - very successful in this enterprise and was numbered among the most extensive shippers of hay in this section of the state. He is now the owner of three hundred and twenty-three acres of splendid farming land, besides his propertv in Waterloo, and is numbered among the substantial and enterprising citizens of the county.

On November 27, 1872, Obediah Leas married Lydia Plumb, the daughter of Joseph and Nancy (SHck) Pkimb. Both of her parents are now deceased, her father dying in 1908 and the mother in 1887. Mrs. Leas was born in Salem township, Steuben county, Indiana, but later the family moved to Waterloo, where her father was engaged in the bakery business with his brother, Richard Plumb. To Mr. and Mrs. Leas have been born three children, namely: Byron, born, October 6, 1873, lives on the old home farm west of Waterloo. He married Otie Jones, of Grant township; Franklin O., born August 28, 1875, owns a farm in Fairfield township, which he operates, together with a part of his father's land. He married Mary Stomm, and they have three daughters, Ruah, Verna and Ruby; Lula, the wife of Carl Schomberg, lives in Smithfield township on the old farm, and they have one son, Franklin.

Fraternallv, Mr. Leas is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, while he and his wife belong to the auxiliar}-, Order of the Eastern .Star. Success has attended Mr. Leas' efforts Iiecause lie has worked for it along legitimate lines. He has always been regarded as a man in whom the utmost confidence could be reposed and being friendly and neighborly he is well liked by all classes. While he has never taken a great deal of interest in political afifairs, he has always done what he could toward the betterment in any way of conditions in his community, being public-spirited and broad-minded in his views of men and things, hence he enjoys a well deserved .popularity throughout the community.

Myron S. Kutzner

The character of a community is determined in a large measure by the lives of a comparatively few of its members. If its moral and intellectual status be good, if in a social way it is a pleasant place in which to reside, if its reputaticm for the integrity of its citizens has extended into other localities. it will be found that the standards set by the leading men have been high and their influence such as to mold their characters and .shape the lives of those with whom they mingle. In placing the subject of this .sketch in the front rank of such men, justice is rendered a biographical fact universally recognized throughout DeKalb county by those at all familiar with his history. .\lthough a quiet and unassuming man with no ambition for public position or leadership, he has contributed nuich to the material advancement of the community, while his admirable qualities of head and heart and ' the strai.ght- forward, upright course of his daily Hfe have tended greatly to the moral standing of the circles in which he moves and gives him a reputation for integrity and correct conduct such as few achieve.

Myron S. Kutzner was born on March 15, 1859, on the farm on which he now resides, which is located in the southwest quarter 'of section 7, tirant township, DeKalb county, Indiana. He is a son of Augustus and Amanda (Eberly) Kutzner, of whom the father was born in Stark county, Ohio, the son of Isaac and Mary (Zouxt-r) Kutzner. These parents were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsyhrinia. \\ho nio\-ed in an early day to Stark countv, Ohio. The family is of Ck-rman ancestry and its members have in their live.s exhibited the sterling ijualities of character which have ever characterized that nationalit}-. The subject's mother, .\manda Eberly. was born in Stark county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Jonas Eberly and wife, the wife's maiden name having been Eberly. She came to DeKalb county from Stark county with her parents in the early fifties and located nn a farm southeast of Waterloo, where she lived until her marriage. Their coming to this localitv was in an early day, antedating the first railroad into this, part of the country. Augustus Kutzner's parents came here about 185 1, locating north of Auburn on the farm now occupied by Frank- Grosscup. Augustus did not come here with his parents, but remained in his nati\ e locality two years longer with an uncle and aunt, Samuel and BaHiara W'illaman, with whom he had spent much of his youth. With them he came to DeKall) county in 1853 and they located wliere the subject of this sketch now lives, the Willimans having; bought that tract of land, and the subject's father buying a tract adjoining them on the east. Here the father began his farming operations and here he died in i860, when the subject of this sketch was but one year old, leaxing two children, the suliject and a sister, I\llen V. Tlie mother of these cliildien lived aliout nine 3'ears longer, dying when the subject was l>ut ten years old. after which event the two children were reared by Mr. and Mrs. Willaman, who both died on their farm here. Having no children of their own, the subject of this sketch was to them like a son. Mr. Willaman died in 1S84, and was survived many years by his widow, who died in 1905.

Myron Kutzner was reared to manhood on the farm which he nov\- occupies and received his education in the public schools, completing it in the high school at Auburn. He has never forsaken the pursuit of agriculture, in which he has met with most pronounced success, and is now numbered among the best farmers of his community. He is the owner of one hundred and twebe acres of land, all of which is tillable and owns an attractive and substantial residence, large and conimi)dious l)arns and otlier necessary outbuildings, the general appearance f)t the place indicatin<j him tn he a man (if good judgment and excellent taste.