Huntington County, Indiana - The whole text, 1914 (part 2 of 15)

On the 26th of June, 1864, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Summers to Miss Sevillah Hinline, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 1, 1842, her parents having come to Indiana in the following year and having established their residence in Huntington county, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Summers became the parents of eleven children, and of the number six are living, a brief record concerning them being given in conclusion of this review: Carrie is the wife of Charles Swank, a farmer of Clear Creek township ; Emma is the wife of Minor Sickafoose ;.Della is the wife of Asa Goble; Amanda is the wife-of Ora Goble; Laura is the wife of Christopher Grupe and they reside in the city of Buffalo, New York; and Ivy is the wife of Albert Kaylor, a resident of Clear Creek township.

JouN M. McComps. About forty years ago Mr. McCombs first became identified with Huntington county as a teacher in one of its district schools. He did excellent work as a teacher, and there are many men and women now in active life who speak kindly of his influence and his work as a teacher in relation to their own young careers. For a long time Mi. McCombs has been identified with agricultural interests, and now has a good country home in section twenty-one of Clear Creek township.

John M. McCombs was born in Boone township of Cass county, Indiana, December 29, 1852, a son of John and Alice (Garrett) McCombs. His father was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1812, and died January 12,1864. His wife was born in South Carolina in 1822 and died in January, 1889. She came to Indiana with her parents when she was ten years of age, and was thus among the early settlers. John McCombs, the father, came to Indiana in 1835 with three brothers, and they are among the early settlers in Cass county. The maternal grandfather Garrett put up the first grist mill at Logansport, and his name is mentioned in the history of that county as the pioneer miller of Logansport. John McCombs and wife were married in Cass county, and their lives were spent as prosperous and substantial farmers, their home being on the west side of Royal Center. There the elder John McCombs lived from 1836 until his death in 1864. A man of practical affairs, he was also devoted to his church, and was a useful member of the community during its early development. There were fourteen children in the family, and ten are living at the present time, namely: Henry, of Cass county; Malinda, wife of James Fry, of Royal Center; Martha, wife of Vol. II - 3 -

R. V. Jones, of Boone township in Cass county; Mary, wife of Isaac L. Washburn of Star City; Naomi, wife of Thomas Simmons, a retired farmer; Lucinda, wife of Leonard Cast, of Phoenix, Arizona; Melissa, wife of Charles Wells of Kansas; Catherine, wife of Allen Reichart; and George B. McCombs, of Pulaski county, Indiana. John M. Me- Combs was reared on the old farm adjoining Royal Center, in Cass county. Such education as he obtained during his boyhood was given at the public schools of Royal Center, and his preparation for work as a teacher was finished in the Logansport Normal School. His first school was taught when he was sixteen years of age. After that he was actively identified with the work of education for fourteen terms, in Cass, Carroll and Huntington .counties.

On March 30, 1873, Mr. McCombs married Anna E. Steele, of Huntington county. Her parents, William and Nancy L. Steele, were substantial farmers in Clear Creek township, where Mrs. McCombs was reared. Her education after leaving the public schools was completed in the Roanoke Seminary, and she taught country schools in Huntington county, and for a time was a teacher in the city schools of Peru. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McCombs the following have been born: Belle, a graduate of the Clear Creek high school, and now the wife of William Shriner; William, who graduated from the Clear Creek high school and is now one of the teachers in the Huntington county public schools; Fred, who graduated from the Clear Creek high school, taught for a time and is now a painter and paper hanger and decorator at Houston, Texas; Albert, a graduate of the Clear Creek high school is a farmer in that township; Lona is the wife of Charles M. Craig of Clear Creek township.

The McCombs family are members of the Christian and Methodist churches, and in politics both Mr. McCombs and his sons are adherents of the Prohibition cause. In section twenty-one he is the owner of twenty-seven and a half acres of land, and after a long career of substantial industry is devoting his time to the quiet pursuits and the methodical management of this small but valuable farm estate. In all his relations he has borne a reputation for honesty and honorable dealings, and his name is one of the most respected in his locality.

Jurrius H. WERLING. Success is the normal prerogative of such valiant persons as this well known and highly esteemed citizen of Huntington township, and he is not only a prosperous and representative farmer of the county that has been his home since his childhood days but he has also shown his versatility in other directions, as he has been a successful contractor in the drilling of wells and in the construction of brick street pavements. Energy, circumspection, integrity and perseverance have marked his career and have enabled him to wrest from the hands of fate a generous prosperity, his advancement having been dependent entirely upon his own efforts, and his fidelity, steadfast purpose and genial personality have won him the good will of all who know him, as well as a wide circle of staunch friends. Such citizens as Mr. Werling eminently merit specific recognition in this publication.

Julius H. Werling was born in the city of Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio, on the 5th of September, 1862, and is a son of Henry and Mary E. (Walley) Werling, both members of stanch pioneer families of the old Buckeye state, the father having been born in Seneca county, Ohio, on the 7th of April, 1834, and the mother having been born in the same county, on the 8th of August, 1839. In 1866 Henry Werling came with his family to Huntington county, Indiana, and he established a home on the farm still in his name. His son, Julius H., owns a farm of 103 acres about four miles east of the city. His financial resources were very limited and he was able to make only a partial payment when he purchased his farm, the land having been but partially improved. He did not live to retrieve himself from the burden of debt, as his death occurred in 1873, his wife having survived him by a number of years and having been devoted and earnest in keeping her family together after the loss of the husband and father. Of their seven children six are living: Matilda, who was born October 21, 1859, is the widow of Nicholas Hartman; Mary, who was born June 11, 1861, is the wife of Jacob Rathgives; Julius H., of this review, was the next in order of birth; Loretta E., who was born June 10, 1864, died on the 9th of January, 1871; Mary, who is unmarried, was born September 9, 1866; Anna, who was born March 29, 1868, is the wife of William Brodrich, and they have five children; Martha E., who was born August 26, 1871, is the wife of John Helvie.

Mrs. Werling resides with her son. She was educated in the log cabin school, a subscription school, and she well remembers the slab seats and has written, with the old goose quill pens. She also well remembers the teacher set the copy. The text-books were the old Webster spelling book and McGuffey readers. She was confirmed at the age of fourteen by the bishop of the northern bishopric of Ohio. Mr. Werling's grandfather, Nicholas Werling, emigrated from Belgium to the United States and the original spelling of the name was "' Verling.''

Julius H. Werling was a child of four years at the time of the family removal from Ohio to Huntington county, Indiana, and was but ten years old when his father died. As the eldest child and only son he. thereafter assumed at an early age much of the responsibility of providing for his widowed mother and the younger children, and it stands to his lasting credit that his faithfulness and earnest application proved adequate to clear eventually the indebtedness on the home farm and to compass the development and improvement of the property, which under his effective management placed the family in comfortable circumstances. He has never regretted the hardships and toils of this period of his life, and though his early educational advantages were limited to an irregular attendance in the little log schoolhouse that stood on the site of one of his present substantial barns, he has fully made good this handicap by means of well ordered reading and study in later years and by the valuable lessons gained through active association with men and affairs, his actual school work having ceased when he was sixteen years of age. The excellent farm which he largely developed and which is now one of the well improved places in Huntington township, is owned by him, and he gives his personal supervision to the various details of its operation. In 1899 Mr. Werling initiated his work in the drilling of water wells, and in this line he has controlled a substantial business, as he has driven many wells in this and other counties of this part of the state. He has also been a successful contractor in the building of street pavements of brick, and he constructed the first brick pavement of this type on Williams Street, Huntington, Indiana. In this field of contracting enterprise he was formerly associated with Henry Draper, under the firm name of Draper & Werling. A man of utmost probity and uprightness, he is well known and held in unequivocal confidence and esteem in the county that has been his home from his childhood to the present, and it may consistently be said that his circle of friends is coincident with that of his acquaintances. A stalwart Democrat in his political allegiance and taking loyal interest in all that concerns the general welfare of the community, Mr. Werling has been more or less active and influential in connection with public affairs of a local order, though he has never sought or held political office. He is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagle, Eyrie No. 823, and is a communicant of the Catholic church of Sts. Peter & Paul, at Huntington, as is also his sister Mary, who presides over the domestic economies of the home, neither of them having married. à

BALTZER EISENHAUER. The late Baltzer Eisenhauer, during the many years in which he was identified with the business and financial life of Huntington, so forcibly impressed his personality upon the various lines of activity in which he was engaged that his influence will continue to be felt for a long period to come. As merchant, farmer, banker and real estate owner he showed himself a business man of rare attainments and executive and organizing powers, while in fraternal, church and religious life he was likewise a dominant figure in his community. His rise from a poor German emigrant lad to a man of wealth and station in a community in which men of strength and force were not lacking, contained all the elements characteristic of self-made manhood, and aside from his vast material possessions he left to his children the priceless heritage of an honored and honorable name.

Baltzer Eisenhauer was born September 4, 1835, in Birgengoerdt, Rheinpholtz, Germany, a son of John Michael and Catharine (Engel) Eisenhauer, poor but honorable people of that community. He received but' scant educational advantages and was early apprenticed to the trade of cooper, which, upon his arrival in the United States, at the age of eighteen years, was his sole capital, outside of his self-confidence, his ambition and his indomitable spirit. He secured employment at his trade in and around New York City for a short time, but was not satisfied with his surroundings and accordingly sought a new field for his activities further west. For several years he worked at his voeation in Rochester, New York, and then went to Frederick, Maryland, where he was shortly joined by Theresa Holtzinger and their marriage followed

Mr. Eisenhauer then secured employment with a lumber company, and subsequently engaged in the grocery business. The outbreak of the Civil war found him engaged in the latter line, and in the early part of the struggle he met with great success in handling army supplies from his place of business.

It had always been his intention, however, to locate in the West, and when opportunity offered in 1862 started with his brother J oseph from their Maryland home. It had been the intention of the brothers to go much further west than Indiana, but fate decreed otherwise. Seated on the forward deck of an old canal packet, about one day's travel out of Fort Wayne, Baltzer Eisenhauer suddenly remarked to those about him: ''Where are we? This country looks awfully good to me. Here is where I get off.'' It was characteristic of the man that, though not of an impulsive nature, a decision once made was made for good. So favorably impressed was he with the country that the little town of Huntington, as it was then, became his stopping place and continued to be his home ever thereafter. The brother soon became dissatisfied with conditions as he found them and returned to Frederick, Maryland, much to his later regret.

The first of Mr. Eisenhauer's ventures in Huntington was a store in which he handled a general line of merchandise, but after several years he disposed of this enterprise to become associated with Henry Drover, another pioneer, in the manufacture of wagon spokes, the factory being located on the south side of Little river. Subsequently Mr. Eisenhauer sold out to his partner and purchased a part of the Chief Engleman farm west of the city, which still continues in the family name. After five years as a farmer, however, he returned to Huntington and once more plunged into its business life, opening a grocery, at the present site of the McCaffrey store.

Mr. Eisenhauer's advent into financial circles occurred about 1883, when, with William McGrew, he organized the First National Bank. He was elected to a vice presidency therein, and to his keen business ability, his foresight, acumen and judgment, much of the success of that institution is accredited. Prior to this time Mr. Eisenhauer had served his community officially as a member of the board of trustees of Huntington township for two terms. In land speculations, he accumulated considerable real estate and enlarged thus his fortunes. From Wilson Smith, Mr. Eisenhauer purchased an entire square of property faced on the west by North Poplar street, and at the corner of Poplar and George streets, he erected what in those days was one of the palatial homes of the city. He platted the remainder and realized well on the investment, as that section of the city, as he had foreseen, developed rapidly soon afterwards. He retired from active business life in 1900 when he retired from the bank.

Perhaps for forty years, Baltzer Eisenhauer was president of the St. Joseph Society of the St. Peter and Paul's church. In later years the duties of the office were attended by the vice president, but the honor of election as president continued a source of great pleasure to Mr.

Eisenhauer, who otherwise took active interest in the affairs of his chureh. A number of years ago, the aged resident suffered with a growing affliction of rheumatism. He was of large physical proportions and complications developed. In his later years he suffered with acute attacks of heart trouble, one of which was the immediate cause of his death, which occurred November 19, 1910. He remained conscious to the last and was surrounded by his family when the end came. Funeral services were conducted at St. Peter and Paul's church, and interment was made at Mount Calvary, where hosts of friends and acquaintances gathered to do honor to the memory of one who at all times was known to be one of his community's most forceful men, a man steadfast in his confidences and loyal in his friendships. It will be many years ere his place in the city's life can be filled.

Mrs. Eisenhauer preceded her husband to the grave by some fifteen years. She had been a faithful and loving wife, sharing his adversities and struggles in the early years, and assisting him to the success that came to him in after life. Four children survive: Miss Catherine, an invalid, who has always resided at home; Mrs. John Neuer, the widow of one of Huntington's former prominent business men and popular citizens, and John and Andrew J., merchants of this city. Mr. Eisenhauer's brother, Joseph, remains a resident of Frederick, Maryland, while a sister, Mrs. Catharine Sautter, lives at Washington, D. C.

ANDREW J. EISENHAUER. The thriving city of Huntington has become one of the most flourishing and enterprising industrial and commercial centers of its part of the Hoosier state, and its prestige in the business world has been gained through the activities of such men as Andrew J. Eisenhauer, who belongs to that class of representative Americans who, while gaining individual success, also promote the public prosperity. Mr. Eisenhauer is a native son of Huntington, born December 12, 1869, the second son living of Baltzer and Theresa (Holtzinger) Hisenhauer, natives of Germany. A review of the father, than whom Huntington has had no more prominent or more highly respected citizen, will be found on another page of this work.

Andrew J. Eisenhauer was granted excellent educational advantages in his youth, attending first the parochial school of St. Peter and Paul's Catholic church and subsequently spending three years in the University of Notre Dame, at South Bend, Indiana. Upon completing his studies, he returned to Huntington and embarked in the book and wall paper business, which he continued successfully for three years. Mr. Eisenhauer's next connection was with August Koenig, with whom he learned the jeweler's business, and following this he became interested in the shoe business with Nicholas Fisher, with whom he remained twelve years. Mr. Hisenhauer then formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, the late ''Johnny'' Neuer, and the shoe business of Neuer & Eisenhauer enjoyed a successful life until Mr. Neuer passed away, November 16, 1909, at which time Mr. Eisenhauer purchased both the shoe and jewelry establishments and is now the sole owner thereof, operating the two in conjunction. Mr. Eisenhauer is the owner of a substantial brick business house, 20x122 feet, and three stories in height, the first and second stories being used by Mr. Eisenhauer's business, while the third is occupied by the dry goods merchants, John Frash & Company. He carries a large and well-selected stock of boots and shoes, as well as a complete line of high-grade watches, clocks, jewelry and silverware, and the same straightforward and honorable methods that brought the business into prominence and public favor continue to be maintained. Mr. Eisenhauer has been connected with his present business over a long period of years, through its various changes, and his able management, keen discrimination and executive ability have contributed largely to its success. He holds an enviable position in the esteem of his fellow men by reason of his irreproachable life, as well as by his business ability and pronounced success. )

On May 16, 1900, Mr. Eisenhauer was united in marriage with Miss Helena Martin, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Roush) Martin, natives of Germany and old residents of the city of Huntington, where the family settled more than a half a century ago. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eisenhauer, namely: Helen M., Andrew Baltzer and Adeline Marguerite. Mr. Eisenhauer is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Joseph's Society. His religious connection is with St. Peter and Paul's Catholic church, to the success and growth of which he has given his co-operation and financial aid. The handsome family residence on Poplar street is presided over with dignity and grace by Mrs. Eisenhauer, a lady of many social attainments.

Jacos W. GEsAMAN. This well known and highly honored citizen of Huntington township has maintained his residence in this county for nearly forty years and here has achieved definite and worthy success through his zealous and effective association with the industries of agriculture, stock-growing and horticulture. He is the owner of the Riverside Fruit Farm, which has been developed and improved by him during the long years of his residence in Huntington township, and, as the name implies, the place is devoted largely to the propagation of fruit, in which field of enterprise Mr. Gesaman has been specially prominent and successful. His farm comprises 123 acres of most fertile and productive land, and he has utilized the same for diversified agriculture and stockgrowing as well as in the development of his fine orchards and to the raising of the best varieties of the smaller fruits suited to the soil and climate. He is one of the representative citizens of the county that has long been his home, and his sterling character has given him inviolable place in the confidence and esteem of all who know hin. <i

Mr. Gesaman claims the old Buckeye state as the place of his nativity and is a scion of a family of stanch German lineage that was early founded in Pennsylvania. Mr. Gesaman was born on a farm in Stark county, Ohio, on the 6th of February, 1846, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Harchelroad) Gesaman, who were born and reared in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where their marriage was solemnized. They eventually left their native state and removed to Ohio, where they became pioneer settlers of Stark county. There the father reclaimed from the wilderness a productive farm and he was one of the honored citizens of that county for many years, finally, in 1881, coming with his wife to Indiana and passing the residue of their long and useful lives in Huntington county, where the death of Samuel Gesaman occurred in 1886, his wife surviving him by several years. They became the parents of nine children, of whom six are now living, in 1913, namely: John H., who likewise is a resident of Huntington county; Mary, who is the wife of John Hensel, of Stark county, Ohio; Sarah, who is the widow of Henry Lonas, of the same county; Jacob W., who is the immediate subject of this sketch; Margaret, who is the wife of Nicholas Zeigler, of Huntington township; and Samuel F., who likewise is a resident of Huntington township.

Jacob W. Gesaman was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm, which was the place of his birth, and he had his quota of experience in connection with the conditions and labors of pioneer life in the old Buckeye state. Arduous toil and endeavor were his portion as a boy and youth, but his ambition to acquire an education was not denied by his parents, as shown by the fact that he continued to attend the common schools of his native county until he was twenty years old, though his attendance was principally during the winter terms only, his services being not then in requisition on the farm to so great an extent. Though he had in the meanwhile initiated his independent career as a farmer, he continued to remain at the parental home until he was about twentysix years of age, when he took unto himself a wife, the devoted and cherished companion and helpmeet who has remained by his side during the long years that have intervened and that have brought their joy and compensation, as well as their sorrows and perplexities. Sustained and comforted by common faith and ambition and by mutual love and devotion, they find the retrospect one of gracious order and rejoice in the fair, prosperous days that trend toward the gracious twilight of their lives.

The marriage of Mr. Gesaman occurred in 1872, and in the spring of 1876 he came with his family to Indiana and established his home on the farm which is still his place of abode. When he purchased this property the land was almost entirely covered with the native timber, and he set to himself the herculean task of reclaiming his farm to cultivation. Assiduous industry, thrift and good management brought their returns, and he now has the satisfaction of being the owner of one of the admirably improved and valuable farm properties of Huntington county. The present substantial buildings were erected by him, including the attractive and comfortable residence, and the home has ever been known for its generous hospitality and good cheer, so that it has been a favored rendezvous for the many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Gesaman and their children.

ductiveness, Mr. Gesaman has never failed in civic loyalty and has been ready to do his part in the promotion of those 'objects which have conserved the general good of the community. Never a seeker of public office, he has not wavered in his allegiance to the republican party until the national campaign of 1912, when he gave his support to the cause of the progressive party, as he is stanch in his admiration for Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. Both he and his wife are zealous and devoted members of the United Brethren church. Unqualified confidence is reposed in Mr. Gesaman by all who know him, and his integrity is beyond cavil. His counsel is frequently sought in connection with private and community interests, and it may be noted that he was the efficient and faithful administrator of the very appreciable estate of his honored father.

On the 17th of March, 1872, in Stark county, Ohio, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Gesaman to Miss Phoebe Zintsmaster, who was reared and educated in that county, where she was born on the 20th of March, 1851. Of the children of this union four attained to years of maturity: Franklin E. is a prosperous farmer of Huntington township; Pearl A. died at the age of eleven years; Cora A. became the wife of Frederick Lonas and is now deceased; George W. is a representative farmer of Huntington township; and Miss Ida Mae, who remains at the parental home and is a popular factor in the leading social activities of the community, is a cultured musician as a pianist, and was graduated in the high school in her home township and also in a leading musical conservatory in the city of Indianapolis.

In recalling early days, Mr. Gesaman tells of his early school days. He attended two different schoolhouses of the log cabin style, and he conned his lessons from the old spelling book and McGuffey's readers, wrote with the old goose quill pen made by the teacher and sat on the wooden bench, and when the pupils had to write they turned around in their seats at the long desk. What a difference today in the modern school, where the pupil is furnished with all the modern equipments of school life. The homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Gesaman is known as ''The Evergreens" aud is cne of the hospitable homes of the county. It is located 214 miles southwest of the city of Huntington, on the Elna Gravel Pike running to Marion. This was formerly an Indian trail. The residence is lighted throughout with a modern acetylene plant.

Wituiam H. H. Knersty. Fortunately for the consistency of the biographical department of this publication there are found represented within its pages many of the successful and popular citizens who are ably maintaining the high standard of the agricultural industry in the county, and such an one is the well known resident of Huntington township whose name initiates this paragraph and who is one of the progressive agriculturists and stock-growers of the county which has been his home for more than forty years and in which he is a venerable citizen who commands the unqualified confidence and respect of all who know him, as his life has been ordered upon a high plane of integrity and honor and has been characterized by earliest and fruitful endeavor in connection with the great basic industry that gained his attention when he was a mere boy. He is a fine type of the sturdy yeomen who have aided in developing the agricultural resources of this county and his character and achievement entitle him to a specific tribute in this history.

William Henry Harrison Kneisly was born on his father's pioneer farmstead in Greene county, Ohio, and the date of his nativity was February 10, 1838. He is a scion of a sterling pioneer family of the old Buckeye state and was named in honor of General William Henry Harrison, who was a contemporary of his father in Ohio. Mr. Kneisly is able to trace his lineage back to the stanchest of German origin, and the progenitors of the paternal and maternal lines in America established their residence in Pennsylvania in the pioneer era of the history of that state. He is a son of John and Susan (Whitmore) Kneisly, both of whom were born and reared in Pennsylvania, where their marriage was solemnized and where they continued to reside until 1827, when they removed to Ohio and numbered themselves among the early settlers of Greene county. There the father reclaimed from the virtual wilderness a productive farm, and there he continued to reside for many years, a substantial and honored citizen. When well advanced in years he and his wife removed to Dayton, Ohio, where they passed the residue of their lives. John Kneisly was a miller by trade and as an expert in this vocation he found his services in demand during much of the time that he was engaged in active farming. Of the twelve children only four are living at the time of this writing, Daniel, who is a prosperous farmer of Clark county, Ohio; John W., who resides in the city of Dayton, that state; William H. H., whose name introduces this article; and Emma, the widow of Ahimen V. Bohm, of St. Louis, Missouri, who died March 4, 1914.

William H. H. Kneisly grew to adult age under the sturdy and invigorating discipline of the pioneer farm and in addition to assisting in its work when a boy and youth he also found employment in the grist mill with which his father was identified. He availed himself 'of the advantages of the common schools of the locality and period, and thus constructed a substantial basis for the broad superstructure of knowledge which he has since gained through self-discipline and through active association with the practical affairs of life. For a time he was employed as clerk in a mercantile establishment in his native county and he continued his residence in Ohio until January, 1870, when, at the age of about thirty-two years, he came to Indiana and established his residence in Huntington county, where he has since maintained his home and where he has gained independence and generous prosperity through his close and effective identification with agricultural pursuits. His present farm, well improved and eligibly situated, comprises ninetynine acres, and though he is now venerable in years, he still finds pleasure in giving a general supervision to its affairs, though he has resigned active labors to others, after having borne to the fullest extent the ''heat and burden of the day'' and proved himself one of the world's produc- tive workers, - a man to whom duty has ever been paramount and whose life has been marked by kindliness and tolerance as well as by earnest and fruithful endeavor. He is a republican in his political allegiance and has been liberal and loyal in the support of measures and enterprises that have tended to advance the general welfare of the community.

On the 3d of September, 1872, in the third year of his residence in Huntington county, Mr. Kneisly was here united in marriage to Miss Helen Marshall, of Jefferson township, and in loving companionship they have walked down the pathway of life during the long intervening period of more than forty years. Of their three children only one is living, - Susan B., who is the wife of Nathan W. Ehret, of Andrews, this county, and who has no children. Lilly M., the other daughter who attained to years of maturity and who is now deceased, became the wife of Samuel Zeigler and is survived by two children, - Oscar K. and Esther L., the former of-whom is a student in Valparaiso University at the time of this writing, in 1913. Esther L. has completed the public school course in the eighth grade and Williams Street school, in Huntington, Indiana. She has taken instruction in music and has taught music for two years.. Mrs. Kneisly is a Methodist and she is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society. The estate of Mr. and Mrs. Kneisly is known as '' Pleasant Grove Lawn Farm.''

CHARLES G. HAUENSTEIN. In Huntington township just a mile and a half from the city of Huntington is a place which for many years has been known as the Hauenstein farm, now under the energetic proprietorship of Charles G. Hauenstein, who was born on the place, and whose acreage now comprises one hundred and forty. Mr. Hauenstein has long been successfully identified with the dairy business, supplying large amounts of milk and dairy products to the county seat, besides shipping much milk to other markets. His home is one of the best in the countryside, a modern residence built in 1908, and with the modern conveniences and facilities of running water, and furnished attractively . and comfortably for the accommodation of his family.

Charles G. Hauenstein was born on this farm, September 11, 1857, a son of John and Wilhelmina (Brandt) Hauenstein. John Hauenstein was born in Switzerland, September 7, 1820, the third son of Rudolph and Anna (Dotwiller) Hauenstein, spent his boyhood and youth in his native .country, and worked upon a farm with exception of two years spent as a soldier in the national army. In 1845, when twenty-five years of age, John Hauenstein arrived in New York City, thence made his way to Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, working for two months there in helping to build a canal lock, and having a brother and sister in Huntington county, Indiana, set out on foot to make the entire journey, which he thus accomplished, carrying a large box with his surplus clothing on his back. He reached Fort Wayne on the Fourth Day of July, and arrived in Huntington county three days later. His first employment here was in a sawmill, and that work kept him busy until his marriage. On December 18, 1849, John Hauenstein married Wilhelmina

(Brandt) who was born in Germany, July 31, 1829, a daughter of Charles and Mollie (Budda) Brandt. Since his marriage Mr. Hauenstein steadily followed the occupation of farming. He located the homestead where his son Charles now lives in 1852._ His first wife died November 13, 1880, and on August 16, 1882, he married Mrs. Louisa W. J. Allschwede, who was born in Germany, November 9, 1829. There were ten children by the first marriage of John Hauenstein, as follows: Amalie, born November 13, 1850, and the wife of Conrad Baade; John J., born March 18, 1853, and died March 9, 1860; Mary W., born March 9, 1855, who married Fred Poehler; Charles G.; Johanna W., born January 13, 1860; Sophia M., born May 1, 1862, the wife of Charles Dickman; Anna B., born April 28, 1864, the wife of Henry Schroeder; Caroline B., born October 20, 1866, who married William Strodel; Emma M., born February 23, 1869, the wife of John Petrie; and Gottlieb E., born August 2, 1872, whose home is in Huntington. The family all became communicants of the Lutheran church, and John Hauenstein was generally an active supporter of the Democratic party. Charles G. Hauenstein was reared on the home farm, attended the local schools, and after considerable experience as a farmer, and in making his own way, was married on November 30, 1882, to Miss Minnie Horstmann. She was born in Logansport, Indiana, February 15, 1861, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Klinsick) Horstmann. Both her parents were natives of Germany, who came to Indiana, and located near Logansport in the early days, and both are deceased. The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Hauenstein now living are mentioned as follows: John F., was educated in the English and German schools and wedded Miss Phillabeana Meyer, and they are residents of Huntington township. Henry G., who resides at home, was educated in both German and English schools. Esther M., also at home, was in the eighth grade of the public schools and has taken musical instruction. Marie W. is in the seventh grade. Mr. and Mrs. Hauenstein have given their children the advantages of good schooling. Mr. Hauenstein, politically is an independent, casting his vote for whom he considers the best candidate for the office, regardless of party. The beautiful country home is one of peace and contentment. Mr. and Mrs. Hauenstein and children are all members of the German Lutheran church at Huntington, Indiana.

WLM A. Lawris. A native son of Huntington county and a representative of an honored family whose name has been identified with the history of this county for more than half a century, Mr. Lawrie has here found ample opportunity for worthy and productive effort along normal lines of enterprise and he is today numbered among the substantial agriculturists of Huntington township, where his fine landed estate is known as Elm Lane Farm. He has well upheld the high prestige of the family name and is a citizen whose loyalty and public spirit are on a parity with his energy and progressiveness as a man of affairs.

welcome New Year's guest in the home of his parents, George and Margaret (Lillie) Lawrie, both of whom were born and reared in Scotland, where their marriage was solemnized, and both having been members of sterling old families of the land of hills and heather. In 1857 the parents of William A. Lawrie immigrated to the United States, and soon after their arrival they came to Indiana and established their home in Huntington county. The father became one of the early merchants of Huntington, the judicial center of the county, and identified himself fully with the social and business interests of the community. He continued to be concerned with the merchandise business until 1880, and in the meanwhile he made judicious investments in farm land in the county. In 1880 he removed to his well improved farm in Huntington township, and there both he and his devoted wife lived until their tragic death in 1899, when both were killed by a mad bull, the animal having first attacked Mr. Lawrie, whose wife attempted to rescue him, and who likewise received fatal injuries, their deaths being a severe shock to the community, in which their circle of friends was limited only by that of their acquaintances. These honored pioneers became the parents of these children - George, John, William A., Mary C. and one son who died in childhood. Mary C. is the wife of Samuel M. Gesaman, who is individually mentioned on other pages of this publication.

Wiliam A. Lawrie was reared to manhood in the township in which is still his place of residence, and he continued to attend the district schools until he was about eighteen years of age, in the meanwhile assisting in the work and management of the home farm, so that he acquired discipline and knowledge that have been of inestimable benefit to him in connection with his independent operations as an agriculturist and stockgrower. He remained at the parental home until his marriage, December 11, 1890, and during the ensuing decade he was actively engaged in farming on a place located a few miles northwest of the city of Huntington. In 1900 he purchased and removed to his present fine homestead, which comprises 205 acres of most fertile land and which has permanent improvements of excellent order. He has been indefatigable in his labors and has made substantial advancement through his well directed efforts, which have given him secure place among the representative agriculturists and valued citizens of his native county. Sincere, upright and unassuming, he has not aspired to leadership in public affairs of local order, but has been essentially liberal and loyal as a citizen, and has at all times commanded the unqualified confidence and good will of his fellow men. In politics he accords allegiance to the republican party, and both he and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Greenwood.

On December 11, 1890, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lawrie to Miss Martha M. Beal, who was born and reared in Lancaster township, this county, and who is a representative of a well known and honored family of this section of the state. Mrs. Lawrie was born June 29, 1865, and was educated in the common schools. Her father was born in Huntington county and was a farmer. He was a soldier in the Civil war, taking part in several engagements, and was honorably discharged. He was a republican. Her mother is a native of Huntington county and is yet living, the widow of Michael Zent. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrie had five children - William H., who was born September 14, 1892, and who is associated in the work and management of the home farm, his name being still enrolled on the list of eligible young bachelors; Mary E., who was born February 27, 1894, is the wife of Clarence F. Garretson of this county, and James E., who was born May 25, 1900, is in the eighth grade attending the schools in the home district, as is also Agnes L., who was born June 29, 1902; Edith H., the youngest child, born July 15, 1909, died December 15, 1910. `

Davip FUNDERBURGH. As one of the substantial agriculturists and representative citizens of Huntington township, where he is the owner of a well improved landed estate, David Funderburgh has made earnest. and well directed industry the foundation of the worthy success which' he has achieved as one of the world's productive workers, and his high standing in the community eminently justified the specife recognition here accorded him in the history of the county that has ever been his home and in which he is a scion of a sterling pioneer family.

David Funderburgh was born in Lancaster 'township, Huntington county, Indiana, on the 19th of March, 1849, and he was a child at the time of his parents' removal to Union township, where he was reared to adult age on the home farm. He is a son of David and Anna (Ream) Funderburgh, the former of whom was born in Springfield, Ohio, and the latter in Virginia, the respective families having settled in the old Buckeye state in the pioneer epoch of its history. The marriage of David Funderburgh and Anna Ream was solemnized at Carlisle, Warren county, Ohio, and within a comparatively short period after this important event in their lives the young couple came to Huntington county, Indiana. They were numbered among the early settlers of the county, and in Union township David Funderburgh, Sr., reclaimed from the wilderness a productive farm. He was a man of indefatigable industry and of inflexible integrity of character, so that he merited and received the unqualified confidence and esteem of his fellow men. He contributed his quota to the development and upbuilding of the county along both civie and industrial lines, and the names of both him and hig wife merit high place on the roster of the worthy pioneers of this favored section of the Hoosier state. They continued to reside in Union township until their death and there reared their children to lives of usefulness and honor.

David Funderburgh, Jr., who figures as the immediate subject of this review, passed his childhood and youth under the conditions and influences of the pioneer farm, in the work of which he early began to lend his assistance. In the primitive log school house of the pioneer days he gained a good common school education, and the same has been amplified most effectively through the lessons since acquired under the direction of that wisest of all headmasters, experience. He continued to be associated in the work and management of the home farm until he had attained to his legal majority, and thereafter his independent career was marked for some time by the arduous labors involved in splitting rails, digging wells, assisting in saw mills, ete. He carefully saved his earnings and prior to his marriage, which occurred in 1876, he had been able to purchase a small tract of land, his financial resources having been limited to the returns from his own exertions. That he has won definite and worthy success against the opposing obstacles of time and place is emphatically shown by the fact that he is now the owner of a fine landed estate of five hundred acres, in association with his wife, who has been his devoted companion and helpmeet, sharing with him the joys and sorrows that fall to all human beings, and showing the most loyal interest in his ambitious purposes, so that they have literally worked side by side to gain the independence and prosperity that are now their gracious portion. They have given to their children the best of educational advantages and in all the relations of life have proved true and steadfast, so that they have the sincere regard and unqualified confidence of all who know them.

In politics Mr. Funderburgh has been a staunch supporter of the cause of the republican party, and he is liberal and public-spirited as a citizen, though he has had no predilection for the honors or emoluments of public office. Both he and his wife are earnest and zealous members of the German Baptist church, which has many sterling representatives in this section of the state. He has realized the responsibilities and duties which success involves and has done his part in the furtherance of those objects which tend to promote the general welfare of the community, besides which he found special satisfaction in being able to render financial assistance to his children as they initiated their independent careers, each of them having been presented with $2,000.

In the Centennial year, on April 27, 1876, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Funderburgh to Miss Anna D. Summers, and of their ten children the following are living, the while each of the number has honored the family name. Frank Willis, who was educated in the common schools and has a six months teacher's certificate, is working in Washington, D. C., for the United States Government; Elnora is the wife of Wesley Johnson, of this county ; Clifford, who was graduated in the University of Indiana, is a man of fine intellectual attainments and marked administrative ability, has been specially successful as a representative of the pedagogic profession and is now the able and popular incumbent of the office of county superintendent of schools in Huntington county; Elsie is the wife of Daniel Gesaman, of this county; Bertha is the wife of Herman Clark and they likewise maintain their home in Huntington county ; and Ray is associated with his father in the management of the fine old homestead. farm. Mrs. Funderburgh is a native of Fayette county, Indiana, born August 25, 1858, a daughter of Galvin and Sarah J. (Tinsler) Summers. There were nine children in the family, six sons and three daughters, all living. Mr. Summers is yet living, aged eighty-five, but his wife died in August, 1909. Mr. Summers is an agriculturist and a democrat. Mrs. Summers was of the old school Baptists.

Isaan Sours. For upwards of half a century Isaiah Sours has steadily pursued his chosen, vocation as a farmer. Mr. Sours is one of the old soldiers of Huntington county, having enlisted from this section in an Indian regiment, and bearing a wound away from his career as a defender of the Union. His home has been in one place in Huntington township, throughout most of his career, and along with material prosperity he has enjoyed the esteem of the county, and has often exerted himself in behalf of the general welfare of his home vicinity.

Isaiah Sours was born in Stark county, Ohio, December 18, 1840. The founder of the Sours family in America was grandfather Henry Sours, who came from Germany, first locating in Pennsylvania, where he married Catherine Harter, and then moved to Stark county, Ohio, which continued to be his home until his death. The parents of Isaiah Sours were Levi and Abigail (Weston) Sours. Levi Sours was seven years old when the family located in Stark county, and was reared and married in that vicinity. In 1847 he brought his family to Huntington county, locating in Jackson township. About 1855, he moved out to Iowa, but after a few years' residence again returned to Indiana, and located in Jackson township. Just a short time before the beginning of the Civil war he located on the farm where his son Isaiah now lives. That old homestead was the place where Levi Sours spent his declining years. There were ten children, six of whom are yet living, namely: A. H. Sours of Kansas; Rebecca J., wife of Wesley Knave, of Wellington, Kansas; Isaiah; Ruhamma, wife of Israel Ashbaugh; Phoebe ©., widow of Frank Thrift, deceased; Lydia, wife of David Hoover, of Huntington.

As his father was seven years of age when the family moved from Pennsylvania to Stark county, so Isaiah was the same age when the family moved from Starke county to Huntington county. His education began in Ohio, was continued in the public schools of Jackson township, and as his early life was spent in the years before the thorough establishment of a public system of education in Indiana, his book training was somewhat neglected. Most of his preparation for life was acquired by actual experience in running the farm, and assisting his father. The war had come on before he reached his majority, and when he was twentythree, on December 7, 1863, Mr. Sours enlisted in Company D of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry. The regiment became a part of the Twenty-third Army Corps, and saw much service in the great campaign by which Sherman and other Union generals established the supremacy of the Union arms in Tennessee and Georgia. Mr. Sours first got into active fighting at Dalton, Georgia, and continued through the Atlantic campaign, until wounded at Kenesaw Mountain on July 1, 1864. He was disabled for some time, and on recuperating joined his regiment at Decatur, Georgia, and was with the command until after the close of hostilities, being mustered out in December, 1865. Returning home he resumed his duties as a private citizen, and applied himself with efficient energy to his career as a farmer. For many years Mr. Sours has been one of the honored members of the J. R. Slack Post No. 137, G. A.R.

On March 1, 1868, Mr. Sours married Margaret McNamara, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, and came with her parents to Huntington county when she was sixteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Sours have three children, namely: Aurelius G., who is unmarried and lives on the home farm with his father; Alice M, wife of John H. Stetzel, of Huntington township; Ida T., of Fort n

The active sateen! support of Mr. Sours has been given to the republican party ever since the war, and besides voting the ticket, he has served as delegate to county and district conventions. For many years the efforts of Mr. Sours were directed towards the improvements of local highways, and he did much good work as gravel road superintendent. Mrs. Sours passed away October 18, 1888.

SAMUEL M. Gesaman. He whose name initiates this review is a member of a sterling family whose name has been long and worthily linked with the history of Huntington county, and he is one of the progressive and substantial farmers of Huntington township, which section of the county has been his home from the time of his birth and in which he has marked the passing years with large and worthy achievement. He has impregnable vantage-place in the confidence and esteem of the people of his native county, and as one of the progressive and influential citizens of Huntington township he is fully entitled to specific recognition in this publication.

Mr. Gesaman was born on the old homestead farm of his parents, in Huntington township, this county, and the date of his nativity was October 28, 1862. He is a son of John H. and Sarah C. (Lonas) Gesaman, the former of whom was born near Chambersburg, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of whom was a native of Virginia, their marriage having been solemnized in Stark county, Ohio. About the year 1860 John H. Gesaman and his young wife came from Ohio to Huntington county, Indiana, the journey to the new home having been made with team and wagon. John H. Gesaman purchased a tract of land south of the city of Huntington, in Huntington township, and there he reclaimed a most productive farm, the homestead being now one of the model places of the township and being still the residence of the venerable and honored pioneer who there established his home about half a century ago. The devoted wife and mother passed to eternal rest in 1884, and is survived by six children: Mary, who is the wife of Samuel Scott, of Rock Creek township; Frank E., who is a prosperous farmer in the state of Montana; Samuel M., who is the immediate subject of this sketch; John W., concerning whom individual mention is made on other pages of this volume; Jennie, who is the wife of Frank Minton, of Huntington township; and Charles W., a resident of Chautauqua county, New York state.

Samuel M. Gesaman found his childhood and youth compassed by the influences and discipline of the homestead farm on which he was born and to the work of which he early began to contribute his aid. He continued to attend the district school, principally during the winter terms, Vol. II - 4 ' until he was about seventeen years of age, and he continued to be associated in the work and management of the old homestead place until he had attained to the age of twenty-four years, though his marriage occurred shortly after he gained the distinction _of legal majority. He is now the owner of a well improved and most productive landed estate of nearly two hundred acres, all being situated in Huntington township. His homestead place, improved with an attractive residence and other excellent, buildings, comprises eighty-one acres, and his other farm, located about two miles distant, has an area of one hundred and five and one-half acres. Both farms give every evidence of thrift and prosperity and the owner avails himself of the best modern facilities in carrying forward the various details of the farm operations. He and his wife, have a wide circle of friends in their native county, and their pleasant home is a center of generous hospitality. Loyal and progressive as a citizen and a stanch republican in his political allegiance, Mr. Gesaman has manifested no desire for public office, though ever ready to aid in the furtherance of measures projected for the general good of the community. He is affiliated with Huntington Lodge, No. 93, Knights of Pythias, in the city of Huntington, judicial center of the county.

On April 7, 1887, was recorded the marriage of Mr. Gesaman to Miss Mary C. Lawrie, who was born March 28, 1863, in Huntington township, and whose parents, George and Margaret, (Lillie) Lawrie, honored citizens of this county, met a tragic death, both having been killed by a mad and infuriated bull; the animal attacked them on their home farm and Mrs. Lawrie having met death when she went to the assistance of her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Gesaman have two daughters: Jennie H., wife of Prof. Merrill Schell, who is superintendent of the public schools of the village of Roanoke, this county ; and Edith L., who was graduated in the Huntington high school in the class of 1913, and who is now a successful and popular teacher in the schools of her home county. Both daughters have also received musical instruction. The pretty homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Gesaman is known as ''Green Lawn Grange.''

Joun W. Gesaman. No class of citizens is more worthy of specific consideration in this historical publication than the sterling men who stand forth as able and worthy representatives of the great basic industries of agriculture and stock-growing as applied to Huntington county, and particularly deserving of such recognition is the prosperous and enterprising farmer and highly esteemed citizen whose name initiates this paragraph and whose finely improved landed estate is situated in Huntington township. He is the more entitled to such representation by reason of the fact that he is a native son of the county and a member of an old and honored family whose name has been worthily linked with the industrial and social development and upbuilding of this favored section of the state. In Huntington township, this county, John W. Gesaman was born on the 2d of July, 1865, and he is a son of John H. and Sarah C. (Lonas) Gesaman, who were early settlers of Huntington county and who continued to reside on their old homestead farm, in Huntington township, until their death, both having commanded the inviolable confidence and respect of all who knew them. John H. Gesaman was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of May, 1836, and in the same county was born his father, Samuel Gesaman, who was a representative of one of the staunch German families that. settled in the old Keystone state in the pioneer days. John H. Gesaman was reared to maturity in Pennsylvania and as a young man he removed thence to Ohio, from which latter state he came to Indiana and established his home in Huntington county, where he became the owner of a good farm, much of the land having been reclaimed and developed by him, and he remained on this old homestead, in Huntington township, aged seventy-eight years. His cherished and devoted wife died, aged forty-nine years, on November 19, 1884, both having been consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They became the parents of six children, concerning whom the following brief record is given: Mary is the wife of Samuel Scott and they maintain their home in Huntington county; Frank E. is a prosperous farmer in the state of Montana; Samuel M. is numbered among the substantial agriculturists of Huntington township, as is also John W., of this review, who was the next in order of birth; Jennie is the wife of Frank Minton, a farmer in the same township ; and Charles W., likewise is a representative of the agricultural industry in Chautauqua county, New York.

John W. Gesaman profited much through the sturdy discipline of the home farm in the days of his youth, as did he also by that afforded in the district schools, which he attended principally during the winter months, when his assistance was not demanded in the work of the farm. He remained at the parental home until he had attained to his legal majority, and this event was soon afterward marked by his assumption of connubial responsibilities, as his marriage to Miss Laura A. Zintsmaster was solemnized on the 10th of March, 1887. Mrs. Gesaman having been born and reared in Polk township, this county. After his marriage Mr. Gesaman rented the home farm, his mother having passed to the life eternal in the preceding year, and he thus continued his operations for a period of three years. He then purchased land of his own, in his native township, and here he now has a productive and well improved farm of one hundred and thirty-one acres, devoted to diversified agriculture and to the raising of high-grade live stock. Perseverance, industry and good management have enabled Mr. Gesaman to win success worthy of the name, and he is one of the prosperous farmers and representative citizens of the township which has ever been his home, the while his attitude is that of a loyal and public-spirited citizen, the family having a circle of friends that is limited only by that of specific acquaintanceship.

In politics Mr. Gesaman has been found aligned with the Republican party, but in the national election of 1912 he gave his support to the Progressive party, under the leadership of Col. Theodore Roosevelt. He is not formally identified with any religious organization, but accords a liberal support to the Methodist Episcopal church at Greenwood, of which his wife and three of their children are members. Mr. and Mrs. Gesaman have four children: Edward E., who wedded Miss Eva Shearer, and they have two daughters, Ruth and Esther; Daniel H., the maiden name of whose wife was Elsie Funderburgh; Sarah E., who is the wife of Charles Campbell; and Mary E., who remains at the parental home, having finished the eighth grade. The pretty home of Mr. and Mrs. Gesaman is called the ''Elm Lawn Farm.'' i

SAMUEL F. GresmAn. In the farming district of Huntington township are many prosperous and progressive men who believe that the happiest life as well as the most independent one is to be lived on the farm. Prominent among these men is Samuel F. Geesman, For a number of years he has lived in this community, is known as an excellent farmer, and a man who can be depended upon in matters of local conern, and while managing a large farm he has taken much interst in local public affairs, and has been one of the leaders in the good road movement in this section of Indiana. His homestead is well known under the title ''The Oak Grove Stock Farm."'

Samuel F. Geesman was born in Stark county, Ohio, April 16, 1853, a son of Samuel and Mary (Hargelrode) Geesman. The parents were both natives of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where they were reared and educated, and were married. From there they moved to Starke county, Ohio, and in the spring of 1881 located in Huntington county. Here the father passed away on July 28, 1886, and the mother in August, 1896. Six of their nine children are still living mentioned as follows: John Geesman; Mary, wife of John Hensel, of Starke County, Ohio; Sarah, wife of Henry Lonas, of Starke County; Jacob W. Geesman of Huntington township ; Margaret, wife of Nicholas Zeigler of Huntington township.

A farm in Stark county, Ohio, was the scene of Mr. Geesman's early association, and during his boyhood his education was acquired by -attendance at the local public schools. Arriving at his majority, his first independent venture in life was to rent the old homestead and conduct it under his own management. On October 7, 1877, Mr. Geesman married Miss Olive M. Marks, who was born and reared in Ohio. Her father was a native of Ohio, and her mother of Pennsylvania, having been brought to Ohio by her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Geesman started out with little capital, and about thirty years ago came to Huntington county, where they bought one hundred and sixty aeres of land. At the present time, his farm three and a half miles southwest of Huntington on the Geesman road, comprises one hundred and seventy-five acres. Its cultivation has been conducted on business principles, and the fertility of the soil is today greater than it was when he first took possession, a fact which in itself indicates his progressive management. Among other improvements, Mr. Geesman has ditched all the lowland, and now owns what is considered one of the model farms in his township.

now superintendent of the blast plant in the Gary Steel plant at Gary, Indiana. He married Miss Charlotte Duke and has his home in the great manufacturing center on the Lake Shore. Leroy O., born June Ji 1884, is a graduate of the Huntington township high school at the age of seventeen, and is a farmer. He married Prudence Fulton, a daughter of Francis Fulton. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church at Greenwood, in which Mrs. Geesman takes an active part. Mr. Geesman has been for a number of years one of the leading republicans in Huntington township, and has been a delegate to county and state conventions, but in the campaign of 1912 he voted the progressive party ticket. His chief work in behalf of the community welfare has been done in connection with the public roads, and he has served as superintendent of several gravel roads in this county.

Mr. and Mrs. Geesman are citizens who have taken the good of their money in travel, and seeing the country. They have a five passenger Buick car, in which they take much pleasure. The name Geesman was originally spelled ''Gessaman."'

JAMES E. Meyer. <A school of non-medical theraphy known as chiropractic, has one of its ablest representatives in James E. Meyer, who is a vigorous chiropractor, and since locating in Huntington has overcome a great deal of prejudice and has surrounded himself with a large and profitable practice which now absorbs all his time and energy.

James E. Meyer is a native of Wabash county, Indiana, where he was born June 29, 1884, the fourth son of Amos W. and Henrietta (Geiger) Meyer. The father was born in Pennsylvania, was an early settler in Ohio, was a farmer by occupation, and from Ohio came to Lagro, Wabash county, where he bought a farm and spent there the rest of his active career. Late in life he moved to Texas, where he now lives retired.

James E. Meyer grew up in the vicinity of Lagro, was a farmer boy, but early saw larger things in store for him than the quiet vocation of agriculture. He received education by attendance at the district schools, and later at the city schools, and began his studies in the Palmer School of Chiropractic. Later he returned to the farm, and finally came to Huntington and began the practice of his profession. He had a strong opposition to overcome, but by diligence and close application has won a reputation and success in his chosen calling. His office is one of the best equipped in the county, having all the necessary appliances for the conduct of his large and growing business. He has treated successfully many difficult cases, and these have contributed to his reputation among the people of his county. The office is located in the Clayton Block in the central part of the business district.

Dr. Meyer married Miss Florence Speicher of Wabash, a daughter of Samuel C. and Samantha (Bohnstead) Speicher. They are the parents of three children: Hulda, Bertha and Eva Lois. The doctor and family reside at 717 South Jefferson Street, one of the best resident streets on the south side, and their home is a substantial and modern dwelling in all its appointments. Dr. Meyer is a man of fine physique and of pleasing manner and has a large career of usefulness before him.

Orro U. Kine, D. D. S. One of the best, known dental practitioners in the Middle West, Dr. Otto U. King, of Huntington, has probably done more to contribute to the advancement and progress of his profession in Indiana than any other man. In his capacity as secretary of the Indiana State Dental Association during the past six years he has almost quadrupled this society's membership, and his influence, always for good, is felt in every phase of the calling's activity. Doctor King. has risen steadily from the ranks, gaining promotion through merit and achievement, and a resume of the salient points of his career should prove interesting not alone to those of the profession, but to all who admire self-made manhood. Like many of our most successful men, Doctor King is a product of the farm, having been born on his father's homestead in Rock Creek township, Huntington county, Indiana, March 18, 1873. His father, Francis M. King, was a son of Samuel King, the latter a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, born in 1827. The grandfather married Sarah A. Cussic and in 1865 removed to Huntington county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm of 247 acres, a property which is now considered the finest in the county. Here he continued to reside during the remainder of his life, achieving success through industry, thrift and well-applied effort. In politics he early allied himself with the whig party, but at the formation of the republican party joined that organization and continued one of its enthusiastic supporters. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for many years served as an official and as a member of the board of trustees. His father, John King, was a native of Pennsylvania, from which state he removed to Ohio when the latter was still in its infancy.

Francis M. King was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, August 1, 1850, and was about fifteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Huntington county. As was usual with farmers' youths of his day, he worked in the summer months and went to school in the winters, and thus arrived at his majority, when, with money he had saved from his earnings, he purchased a small farm in Rock Creek township, and gradually added thereto until today he owns a large and well-improved property. He dwelt upon this land until the year 1890, at which time he came to Huntington, and here conducted a meat market for ten years. He then rented both his market and his farm, and from that time to the present has concentrated his energies upon looking after his extensive property interests.

Like his father, Mr. King has always been a republican. Although active in party councils, he has always been too busy to seek office, although he has the public welfare at heart. He has taken as prominent part in fraternal life as he has in business, being a leading Odd Fellow of his part of the state, and in nearly all of its branches has filled numerous positions of trust and responsibility. He and his entire family are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served faithfully as a member of the board of trustees for many years, as well as being superintendent of the Sunday school while a a of Rock Creek township.

On November 15, 1870, Francis M. King was united in marriage with Miss Xantha N. Souers, daughter of Jacob F. and Ruth (Merriam) Souers, she being a native of Huntington county and born October 9, 1852. To this union there were born two sons: Otto Doy of this re: view, and Emmett O., a graduate of the Huntington High school, the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, later principal of the Warren High school, and in 1901 a graduate of Harvard Law school, and since that time a-well-known practicing attorney of Huntington.

The boyhood days of Dr. Otto U. King were passed on the home farm during the summer months, while the short winter terms were devoted to attendance in the district schools. He thus continued until his sixteenth year, at which time he moved with his parents to Huntington, and there he furthered his education in the Huntington High school, where he gave promise of future ability by winning while in his junior year the S. M. Sailer gold medal for being the best orator in his class. After his graduation from high school, in 1893, he spent one year in the University of Indiana at Bloomington, and following this entered upon his professional studies as a student in the Chicago Dental College, a course of one year at that institution being followed by a course of two years at Northwestern University, where he was graduated with the class of 1897, receiving the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He was at all times a popular student in college, and served as vice president of his class in the Chicago Dental College, and as president of the senior class in the Northwestern University Dental School.

Doctor King chose Huntington as his field of practice, and here he has continued to the present time, his professional business now being a large and representative one. He has always kept green the memories and associations of college days, and thoroughly interests himself in the social as well as the business relations of his calling. He is a member of the Beta Thi Pi fraternity of the University of Indiana, at Bloomington, and of the Delta Sigma Delta fraternity. Nor has he ever ceased being a student, for his researches and investigations have been continuous, he has kept himself fully abreast of the various advancements in his vocation, and in June, 1913, took a post-graduate course at Northwestern University, Chicago, and was president of the post-graduate class.

Probably no man in the state is better known in dental societies than is Doctor King. A member of the Odontographic Society of Chicago, and of various other smaller associations, he has been honored by election to offices of the utmost responsibility in the larger organizations, and in every case has ably and faithfully discharged the duties devolving upon him. In 1907 he was elected secretary of the Indiana State Dental Association, an office which he has held continuously to the present time, with the result that the membership of this society has increased from 275 to more than 1,000 members. This association is one of the best organized and best directed societies in the West, and as an example of the high esteem in which Doctor King's services are held by his fellow members, we are allowed to quote from the presentation speech of Dr. R. R. Gillis, of Hammond, Indiana, at the meeting of the society, held at Indianapolis, May 22, 1913. Doctor Gillis said in part as follows: i A

'(We have in our Society a man who has ever been alert to the welfare of this organization; a man who has spent many long hours in study of ways and means for furthering the interests of the Indiana State Dental Society; a man whose efforts have placed our Society at the top when compared with the other state societies of United: States. This man is Dr. Otto U. King, our esteemed secretary. One line from him, that was embodied in a letter received by all of us recently, has been indelibly impressed upon my mind - ' What kind of a society would we have if all the members were like you?' This question is asked each of us to ask ourselves. How many did? And what were the replies? 'What kind of a society would we have in Indiana, if all of us were like our Doctor King?' I would lke to ask. I dare say without fear of dispute that, were we all like our most efficient secretary, we would have reached the ideal dental society.

"Doctor King's labors for our cause have been most unselfish; his reward has been insignificant and entirely incommensurate to the time and energy spent; mere money could not buy the service he has so freely given. So, with the idea of showing that this organization is not blind to the debt of gratitude we owe, we have secured a little token which it is now my proud pleasure to bestow upon our brotherman. Doctor King, it is indeed a happy time when we are able to express thanks and appreciation to you for all that you have done for us in the past years. This comes as a surprise to you, and since it is a surprise it really is the more sincere. Take this ring from us and wear it always, knowing that forever we are your loving friends and, as you look upon it from time to time, know that every scintillation from this true stone is a wish from a true friend for your future happiness, health and prosperity. And, Doctor King, you alone are not the only one who has made a sacrifice that our Society might prosper. The members of your family have often been deprived of the father's company when he worked late; often have they suffered unintentional sights when you were so busy for us; many times perhaps have they received a short reply when your mind was proccupied with our affairs. We are not unmindful of those for whose happiness you are primarily . always laboring. This token of our esteem is for the home-folks; take it to them with our best wishes and kindest regards.''

The magnificent diamond ring will always remain one of Doctor King's most valued possessions; the token for the ''home-folks'' was a beautiful cut glass vase. Doctor King is also editor of the Official Bulletin, published in Indiana, which was established in 1913 at the meeting of the National Dental Association, which assembled at Kansas: City, Missouri, at which time the Doctor was elected national secretary. The present membership of the National Dental Association numbers

24,000, the largest dental organization in the world. The Doctor is also the editor of the Official Bulletin of the National Dental Association.

While: the Doctor's practice and official duties demand a great deal of his time, he has still found opportunity to identify himself prominently with religious work. In connection with the First Methodist Episcopal church in Huntington, he served as superintendent of the Sunday school for thirteen years, during which time the membership increased from 375 to over 2,000 pupils, making it probably the largest Sunday school of the denomination in the state at that time. Subsequently he helped to organize two other Sunday schools, one in 1911 and one in 1913, one being the St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal of Huntington, the Doctor being one of the four trustees of that church, as well as a member of the board of trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal church. At present he is active, using his influence and means in the building of a new Methodist Episcopal church, not to cost less than $60,000, and of this he is a member of the building committee. Mrs. King is also a devoted member of the church, and has been active in its movements and its manifold charities. Doctor King is a member of the Commercial Club. His political belief makes him a republican, but politics have played only a small part in his life. He was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson as a delegate to the Sixth International Dental Congress to be convened in London, England, in 1914.

On December 23, 1898, Doctor King was married to Miss Mayme Beaver, daughter of Daniel G. and Miranda (Hawley) Beaver. She was born March 16, 1876, in Huntington county, Indiana, and has been the mother of two children, Helen Alberta, who was born February 12, 1900, and Walter W., born May 31, 1902.

Francis Irvine Stuuts. The technical education of the practitioner of law avails him but little unless he had laid a foundation for it of broad general knowledge and made a careful study of human nature. When he took up the practice of law Francis Irving Stults, of Huntington, brought to the profession a mental equipment such as few men acquire save after a lifetime of study. For several years he had been an educator, teaching the common branches in the publie schools and later specializing in college. Having as a student earned the degrees of Bachelor of Philosophy and Bachelor of Laws, he found opportunity to perfect his knowledge of law, and with this thorough preparation was able to almost immediately make a place for himself among the successful men of his profession. He has also been a decided factor in political affairs in his county, and at the present time is serving efficiently in the capacity of postmaster of Huntington.

Mr. Stults is a native of the county in which he now resides, having been born in Clear Creek township, of German and Scotch descent. His father, William Stults, came from Stark county, Ohio, in 1848, and after a trip overland settled in Huntington county, clearing a farm in Clear Creek township, where the son was born. When still a child, Francis I. Stults moved with his parents to a farm just north of the town of Huntington, on the Stults road, where he was reared, and from which place he attended the districts schools of the locality. This training was supplemented by attendance at the Huntington High school, where he was graduated in June, 1893, and in the following year he completed the course of the Huntington Business University. He became, in 1895, a student of DePauw University, at Greencastle, Indiana, from which institution he was graduated in 1898, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. While in that college he made an enviable record along various lines. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta, Theta Nu Epsilon and Kappa Phi Omricon, Kappa class fraternities, and in his junior and senior years, in addition to carrying his regular courses, participated actively in college politics, having been elected business manager of the college annual and twice elected manager of the College Glee and Mandolin Clubs, which he conducted on tours through the states of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky. From 1898 to 1900 Mr. Stults served as principal of high schools,. first at Monument City, Indiana, and later in Huntington township, and when he gave up educational work temporarily entered the Harvard University Law School, at Cambridge, Massachusetts. This, together with work done at the Universities of New York and Columbia, completed his law course in 1904. In that year he accepted the professorships of English Oratory and Commercial Law, at Peekskill Military Academy, Peekskill, New York, but after two years returned to Huntington, where he has since been engaged in the successful practice of his profession. He early entered politics, and after serving as precinct committeeman and vice-chairman and chairman of the county republican committee, was in 1907 made a member of the republican state committee from the Eleventh Indiana Congressional District, a capacity in which he acted until 1911. In March, 1910, Mr. Stults was appointed by President Taft to the office of postmaster at Huntington, upon the recommendation of Sen. Albert J. Beveridge, and this position he has continued to capably fill to the present time. An alert, progressive citizen, well posted upon matters of importance of the day, he is doing all in his power to advance the best interests of his city, and both as lawyer and public official stands high in the confidence of the people of Huntington. Mr. Stults is unmarried.

SAMUEL V. Hire, who has attained distinction by a successful business career and has been accorded public honors in recognition of his helpful and public-spirited citizenship, has been a resident of Huntington county for comparatively but a few years, but during this time has demonstrated his ability in several lines of endeavor. In the office of county surveyor of Huntington county, he is continuing to render capable service to his adopted community and has made friends among the men of all political parties.

A. and Charity (Geiger) Hite. His grandfather, Samuel Hite, was born in Virginia, but in young manhood moved 'to Fairfield county, Ohio, and in 1804 settled on a farm in Walnut township, on which he carried on operations during the remainder of his life. There both he and his wife Catherine passed away. Mr. Hite was a soldier in the American service during the War of 1812. John A. Hite was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, May 17, 1838, was educated in the public schools, and early adopted the calling of an agriculturist, to which he devoted the active years of his life and passed away on his farm. He achieved a satisfactory measure of success and was a man who gained the respect and esteem of those with whom he came into contact. Mr. Hite married Charity Geiger, who was born at Pleasantville, Ohio, and she still survives and makes her home in the city of Akron. To them there were born eight children, of whom seven are still living, four in Ohio and three in Huntington county, Indiana.

The early education of Samuel V. Hite was secured in the common schools of Fairfield county, which he attended during the winter months, giving the remainder of the year to assisting his father in the work of the homestead place. This primary training was supplemented by attendance at the Union Academy, and following this he went to Lebanon, Ohio, where he entered the National Normal University, and continued his studies for some time. In 1889 Mr. Hite came to Indiana, first locating near Markle, Huntington county, where he followed farming and stock-raising until 1896. His next location was Wells county, Indiana, where he was identified with the oil business, his operations in this line later taking him to Grant county. After dealing in oil there for several years he came to Huntington county, and, locating in Rock Creek township, purchased forty-eight acres of land. For some years Mr. Hite has been actively interested in democratic politics. In 1912 he became his party's candidate for the office of county surveyor, was elected at the polls, and took office in May, 1913, for the term of two years. His administration of affairs has been eminently successful and satisfactory and has placed him in a very favorable light before the public. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and his genial and pleasing personality has made him popular with his fellow-members _in the local lodge.

In 1890 Mr. Hite was married to Miss Ella Broyles, of Huntington county, daughter of John M. Broyles, formerly of Fairfield county, Ohio, and to this union there have been born five children: Hazel D., Harry B., who is a deputy in his father's office, John L., Augusta and Margaret.

Joun Guass Kirca. Huntington county has been the home of Mr. Kitch for sixty years, since his infancy. Many of the older residents recall him as a teacher in the district schools, and for nearly thirty years he has been identified with mercantile enterprise in the city of Huntington. Substantial prosperity has rewarded the efforts of Mr. Kitch during his career, and he is one of the men of high standing and integrity in his community.

John Glass Kitch was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, April 16, 1852, and has lived in Huntington county since 1853. "Daniel and Nancy (Glass) Kitch, to whom he was the oldest child born, were both natives of Columbiana county, Ohio, where they were reared, educated and married. Daniel Kitch, who was a farmer and carpenter, in 1853, came to Huntington county, locating on a farm in Clear Creek township. His first purchase of land amounted to eighty acres, and his thrift and industry added to that until he owned two hundred and forty acres, all of which he improved with fences, clearings, excellent buildings and for years he was one of the most prosperous farmers in the township. He was honored with the office of justice of the peace, and was noted for his many manly qualities and sterling integrity. His death ogcurred January 12, 1913. The mother of J. G. Kitch is still living.

On the home farm in Clear Creek township, John G. Kitch grew to manhood. His attendance at school was chiefly limited to the winter seasons, and later he attended the normal school in Huntington. His home was on the farm until 1885. In the meantime he had taken up the profession of teaching in the country, beginning with his nineteenth year, and altogether his career as an educator continued through eleven years. As a farmer he bought a portion of a farm adjoining the old homestead in Clear Creek township, comprising eighty acres, and was a successful farmer and stock raiser until 1885. In that year he moved to Huntington, and established a stock of groceries. His business as a grocer was conducted for fifteen years, and in 1900 he disposed of his goods and became associated as an employe with Marion B. Stults, and has given much efficient service to that well known Huntington merchant for the past fourteen years.

In 1878 Mr. Kitch married Miss Maggie E. Stults, a half-sister of Marion B. Stults. Her father was Jacob Stults, and her mother's maiden name was Kennedy. Mr. Kitch has two children: Dessie B., the wife of Dr. Wallace S. Grayston, a prominent physician and surgeon in Huntington, and Chester S. Kitch, who is in the real estate business at Fort Wayne. Mr. Kitch and wife have membership in the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Huntington, which he has served as treasurer for several years. His fraternal relations are with the Improved Order of Red Men. Mr. Kitch owns valuable city property,. which gives him an income, and a substantial residence on the corner of Byron and Washington Streets.

Wuram F. Smt, M. D. Both professional success and influential activity as a citizen have marked the career of Dr. Smith in Huntington county, where he has been in active practice about thirteen years. Few physicians have accomplished or gained higher recognition in the profession than Dr. Smith. An eclectic in practice, and a man of broad and liberal views, Dr. Smith in 1912 was elected president of the Indiana State Eclectic Medical Association. Until his removal to Huntington a few years ago, Dr. Smith was long engaged in practice at Bippus, and had one of the largest country practices enjoyed by any physician in this section of the state. In fact, the calls upon his service demanded so much time and energy that he was finally forced to abandon what was otherwise a most congenial location and relationship, and has since practiced in the cities of Marion and Huntington.

William Fulton Smith was born in Grant county, Indiana, November 30, 1864. His father, Francis Smith, was of an old American family, and several of his ancestors served on the American side in the war of the Revolution. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Kennedy, was born in Delaware county, Indiana, and of Scotch-Irish stock. The father and mother were married in Delaware county, and reared a family of twelve children, of whom brief mention is made of the following: Jennie, wife of Elkanah Edwards, of Converse, Indiana; Andrew J., deceased, who was a business man at Swayzee, in Grant county, first married Lydia Hayden, and later a Mrs. Gillian; Mary L., is the wife of John T. Rich, living in Liberty township, Grant county ; James W., who died in Missouri, married a Miss Elliott, a sister to the late Judge Elliott, and later married Mary A. Carmichael; John R., whose home is in Grant county, married Mattie Saylors; Rebecca became the wife of James Galbraith, a hardware merchant at Van Buren; Emma is the wife of James Ward, of Blackford county.

Dr. Smith was reared on his father's farm in Grant county. Up to his seventeenth year he attended the country school. In the meantime his ambition had been definitely directed toward the profession of medicine. Asa means to that end he entered the drug store, learned practical pharmacy, and from his savings finally entered the Eclectic Medical College of Indianapolis, where he was graduated. Dr. Smith is a man of progressive temperament and ideals, and has never stopped learning. In 1895 he graduated from the Physio-Medical College of Indianapolis, and subsequently received a diploma from the Chicago Post Graduate School. In the meantime he had taken up practice and spent a short while at Marion and also for a while was at Indianapolis.

In 1897 Dr. Smith located at Bippus in Huntington county. His thorough equipment, his ready success, and his personal characteristics soon brought him a large patronage, and in a few years the calls upon his service were such that he might have been in active duty every hour out of the twenty-four. Night and day he was on the road, attending his patients over a broad territory extending about Bippus for many miles, and it was this incessant devotion to duty in handling one of the largest country practices in that part of the state that finally made it imperative that he transfer his office and practice to the city. He found it contrary to his desires to give up part of his practice while retaining the rest, and in order to solve the difficulty finally left Bippus altogether, in December, 1905. Moving to Marion, and locating in the Glass Block, he soon built up a good office business, but was not satisfied with his environment in Marion, and returned to Huntington county and opened his office in the city of Huntington, on January 178908; as United States Pension Examiner, until he resigned in 1905, and moved to Marion. Also while at Bippus he was appointed a member of the board of health of the state. In 1912 he was honored with election as president of the Indiana State Eclectic Medical Association. He is examiner for a number of Life Insurance Companies, and chief medical examiner in this section of Indiana for the Farmers National Life Insurance Company, a new and growing corporation,-whose business is done chiefly in the agricultural community.

Dr. Smith has taken two systems of medicine, and while an eclectic, he has no quarrel with other schools, and is a member of the Huntington County Medical Society of the regular school of medicine. Dr. Smith has qualified himself for his life work by his own untiring energy, and in addition, possesses a strong and sympathetic nature, well calculated to give him the confidence of his patients. As a typical family physician, uniting both the characteristics of the old-time country doctor and the modern physician, he is regarded as one of the best in Huntington county. He maintains a fine office, equipped with all modern appliances, has a good library, and keeps himself thoroughly informed on all the current thought and progress of his profession. He has contributed a number of articles to different periodicals, and his name is best known outside the immediate limits of his profession.