Wabash County, Indiana - The whole text, 1914 (part 13 of 16)

Mr. Crow has devoted much time and energy in educating himself and family in music and as a skilled piano tuner he has made a recognized success among his friends throughout this section of northern Indiana. Mr. Crow often remarks in jest that the responsibility for his becoming a country fiddler antedates his birth, for his grandfather Brower was a musician in the war of 1812, his uncle, Jackson Brower, was a fifer in the Civil war, and his brother, W. A., was a musician in the same war, so it must have been in the blood. At the age of thirty-five he earnestly began the study of music, the violin being his favorite instru¬ ment; after studying with various teachers, he spent two years with Eugene Troendel, head of the violin department of the Fort Wayne Con¬ servatory of Music. Amy, piano, was a pupil of Hamilton Nussbaum of the Marion Conservatory of Music and of Prof. Brown of the Metro¬ politan Conservatory of Music of Indianapolis. She has been a teacher of music during the past eight years. Chester, clarinet, was a pupil of John Pitt Stack of the Marion Conservatory. Almon, flute and saxo¬ phone, was a pupil of Antonio Lupo of the Marion Conservatory. Bessie, piano and violin, was a pupil both at Marion and at Indianapolis, spend¬ ing two years as a teacher. Alta, piano and voice, was a pupil of Pro¬ fessors Bailhe and Lundchrist of the Marion Conservatory. With his children and a few others Mr. Crow organized and directed the Crow Orchestra, which has played at various places in Indiana and Ohio, playing eight years in one town at the annual high-school commence¬ ment.

Mr. Crow educated his children in Somerset and Wabash highschools. He is a life-long Republican in politics. In church affiliations, the family has been very active as members of the United Brethren church at Union Chapel. The growing of live-stock and grain has been the chief activity on Shap-e-ne '-mail Farm and it is known as one of the large producers in its section. Mr. Crow's country home has been the scene of many happy assemblages, the fertile acres, natural beauties, and the broad lawn with its luxurious shade trees and flowers being a strong invitation in themselves.

D. W. Oswald. Among the successful younger men of Noble town¬ ship and among those who have won secure position in the community, mention should be made of D. W. Oswald, who was born here on March 15, 1870. He is a son of William Nelson and Margaret (Storey) Oswald, concerning whom a few statements, necessarily brief, are here in order.

William Nelson Oswald was born in Darke county, Ohio, and the woman he chose for his life partner was born and reared at Connorsville, Indiana. The father came to Wabash county in 1861, settled on a farm a short distance from the place his son now occupies, and there devoted himself to farming and to carpenter work. Some two years after William Nelson Oswald came to Wabash county, his father, Solomon Oswald, came and took up his residence with his son. To William Oswald and his wife three children were born. Effie, the eldest, was bom on October 8, 1866, and she married George Welsh, of Wabash. Pearl was born August

Mr. And Mrs. Levi Meyer

The Noble township farm home was the abiding place of Mr. Oswald until he married. He gained his schooling in Wabash county and in three years attendance at the South Wabash Academy, where his wife also finished her education. On March 21, 1894, Mr. Oswald married Mabel Coate, the daughter of F. W. and Miriam (Carter) Coate, and to them were born six children. Miriam, the eldest, was born on June 14, 1895. Vaughn was born on January 7, 1898. Ralph and Roland, twins, were born on July 15, 1900. Dorothy was born on November 7, 1902, and William Francis was born on February 26, 1912.

Though Mr. Oswald is a capable and prosperous farmer, he de¬ votes the best part of his time to the windmill and pump business, in which he has been engaged for some years. He has taken an active part in the civic life of his community, and has shown his willingness to serve in any capacity his fellow citizens wish to place him. For the past six years he has served as township assessor, and a Democrat in his politics, he was elected on that ticket at a time when every other office in the town was filled by Republican candidates. Mr. Oswald is a mem¬ ber of the Christian church of Wabash, and in a fraternal way has mem¬ bership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. It is also worthy of mention that he has been a vigilant member of the Horse Thief Detective Association, and has done good work in the interests of the organization.

Levi Meyer. Having as a farmer accomplished a satisfactory work, and acquired a competency to live on in his declining years, Levi Meyer, of Paw Paw township, Wabash county, is now enjoying to the utmost the well-merited reward of his long-continued, unremitting toil. A son of Martin Meyer, he was born, March 2, 1843, in Lebanon county, Pennsyl¬ vania, which had been the home of his ancestors for several generations.

Born and reared in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, Martin Meyer chose the free and independent occupation of a farmer, and in course of time became the owner of two farms, containing in all one hundred and sixty acres. He met with good results in his operations, continuing a resident of his native state until his death, at the comparatively early age of fifty-eight years. He married Polly Wolfe, who was born, lived, and died in the Keystone state, her death occurring at the age of three score years. Thirteen children were born of their union, of whom four survive, namely : William, of Arcadia, Indiana ; David, of Pennsylvania ; Levi, of whom we write ; and Michael W., of Pennsylvania.

Levi Meyer acquired a practical education in the district schools, and being one of a large family of children it became necessary for him to assist his parents in its support as early in life as possible, and as a youth began working out by the month. During the Civil war he re¬ ceived one hundred and nine dollars a year for his work, good wages for those days. In 1865 he came to Indiana in search of a favorable location, and on November 10, of that year, settling in Lagro township, Wabash county, east of Urbana, on land that he rented from John Speicher.

Three years later Mr. Meyer moved to Paw Paw township, west of Urbana, buying from Jacob Schultz eighty acres of land, for which he paid $1,800. Adding greatly to the improvements already inaugurated, Mr. Meyer there carried on general farming with much success for twen¬ ty-one years, when he traded farms with Levi Patterson, each man asking forty-five dollars an acre for his farm. Mr. Meyer subsequently pur¬ chased from Mrs. Carter, widow of William Carter, fourteen acres of land adjoining his farm on the north, and now has a fine property of one hundred and thirty-four acres. Since assuming its possession he has cleared sixty acres of the one hundred and twenty for which he traded, and has otherwise improved it. During the first year after buying, he erected a commodious veneer brick residence of nine rooms, and having moved the original house used it for a barn. Later that burned, and he put up a new barn, thirty-six feet by fifty-six feet, and entirely remodeled the old barn, and placed the land in good condition, his farm being now one of the best and most attractive in the vicinity. As a general farmer, Mr. Meyer made a specialty of raising horses and hogs, and for a number of years was interested in Galloway cattle, having been the first to intro¬ duce that breed into Wabash county. Eight years ago Mr. Meyer and his wife, who made their money by their own efforts, retired from active pursuits, leaving the management of the farm to their son, Clinton.

Mr. Meyer married, in 1863, in Pennsylvania, to Christina Shalley, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Shalley, both descendants of some of the earlier settlers of that state. Eleven children blessed their union, namely : Polly, died in infancy, in Pennsylvania; Clinton, who runs the home farm, married Anna Long, and they have seven children; Delilah, wife of D. G. Baker, has six children; Calvin married Minnie Showalter, and they are the parents of seven children ; Delia, who married Charles Ciner, is deceased, and she left four children ; Comley married Carrie Miller, and they have three children; Demima, wife of 0. M. Chapman, has six children ; Cyrus married Marta Studebaker, and they have four children; Dessie, wife of Bert Ivans, has eight children; and Demelia and Dimelia. twins, died in childhood. Mrs. Meyer died June 7, 1909, and since that time Mr. Meyer has lived alone, although he has near him many kind relatives and friends to cheer him in his loneliness, he having forty-six grandchildren and five great grandchildren, aside from his children. Politically Mr. Meyer is a stand-pat republican, and though never an aspirant for official honors, has served as supervisor for seven years, being elected against his wishes. Religiously he is a member of the Progressive Brethren church at Roann.

Thomas J. Brower. The family represented by Thomas J. Brower of Noble township was one that participated in the original westward movement that peopled the vast country between the Allegheny moun¬ tains and the Mississippi river, and the pioneer spirit which actuated the first Browers in their movement to the west and in the clearing up and subduing of the wilderness has also been characteristic of Thomas J. Brower, whose home since 1874 has been in Wabash county. A soldier of the great war for the preservation of the Union, a developer of farms, the introducer of improved methods of cultivation and an innovator in live stock raising, his has been a varied career, his activi¬ ties have carried him into a number of different states, and though now well past the age of three score and ten is still esteemed as one of the foremost men in agricultural affairs in Wabash county.

Thomas J. Brower was born in Preble county, Ohio, December 20, 1841. His parents were George and Christiana (Swihart) Brower. In the year 1801, his grandfather, Abraham Brower, moved from Rockingham county, Virginia, into the territory of Ohio, which in the following year became a state. His life was spent there until his early death at the age of forty-one. George Brower was born in Montgomery county, in western Ohio, December 22, 1810. At the age of eleven years he began to feel the responsibility of the care of the family, after his father's death. The heritage of Abraham Brower to his widow and children was a small farm near West Alexandria, Ohio. The cultivation of this farm and the support of the family largely devolved upon the son George. The energy and ambition of George Brower was indicated by the fact that he became the owner of the Old Homestead, while yet a young man. Also while but a boy he earned his first money by clear¬ ing six acres from the green for which he received six dollars. With this money he purchased a coat and he regarded that as the most expensive garment he ever bought and to the end of his life regarded it as one of the most important transactions of his business career.

George Brower during the years 1836-37 was proprietor of the Eagle hotel at Eaton, Ohio. In 1866 he was elected to the office of county commissioner of Preble county and gave valuable service in that capac¬ ity. Christiana Swihard, his first wife, was born July 1, 1814, and was the daughter of Adam Swihart, a stanch whig and a very active politician in his day. To this union was born eight children. William H., Ananias, Thomas J., Benjamin F., Joseph S., Susan E., DeAlonzo and Mary E. Mrs. Brower died February 28, 1866. Subsequently George Brower married Mrs. Harriet Baker, the widow of Evan Baker.

Thomas J. Brower grew up and received his early education in the schools of Preble county. Country boys during the '40s and '50s in the middle west enjoyed advantages very limited as compared with those offered to country youth of the present time. A farmer boy acknowledged his first duty to the never ceasing responsibilities of the farm, and then went to school if there was time for it and a school to go to. His years were spent on the home place until twenty-one, and he then started to make his own way. At the age of twenty-two he married, and with two to provide for instead of one showed himself equal to that task. In Mary Siler, the girl of his choice, he always had a stanch and true companion. She was a daughter of David and Mary (Cotterman) Siler, long-time residents of Preble county, where they were married and where Mr. and Mrs. Brower also married. Mrs. Brower was one of the following children: Liza Ann, Samuel, John, Mary, Henry, Sarah, David, Lydia, Noah and Catherine, all of whom were born in Preble county. Their father died in that county May 27, 18.85, at the age of seventy-seven, and their mother on August 25, 1890.

Thomas and Mary Brower began their wedded life on a rented farm in Preble county. It was a comparatively small place of seventy-two acres, and their industry and thrift subsequently enabled them to buy it and for many years it was their home. The most profitable line of business followed by Mr. Brower through many years was the buy¬ ing up of old and mismanaged farms at a low figure, holding them until it was possible to rehabilitate the land and improvements and after making them productive sold out at a good profit. It was an occupation which he found an interesting and absorbing work, and many an old and seemingly worthless place responded gladly to his touch, and his work has thus been of positive benefit to many communi¬ ties in which he has lived. In this pursuit Mr. Brower spent some years in Darke county, Ohio, also in Michigan and in Indiana, and in these different states bought and sold farms with considerable regularity and frequency. Some years ago, in partnership with a Mr. McVicker, Mr. Brower bought two sections of land in Texas, and though that tran¬ saction never aroused in him much enthusiasm he finally sold out to advantage.

~ While his work as a developer of old farms has constituted a very important achievement, Mr. Brower has some other distinctions among Wabash county farmers. It is said that he was the owner of the first Hereford cattle in the county, introducing this breed to his farm about 1885. His was the first herd of red Polled cattle in the county, and he brought in the first carload of Angora goats. In recent years the progressive farmers of Indiana have found a most profitable adjunct of general farming and stock raising to be the cultivation of alfalfa, the great western crop, and Mr. Brower was one of the first to employ a part of his land in this crop. In many other ways he has shown his progressive and experimental spirit and attitude towards farming and farm life in general.

When a young man in Ohio and during the course of the great Civil war Mr. Brower enlisted as a volunteer in the One Hundred Fiftysixth Ohio Infantry, going out from Preble county and seeing four months of active service.

To the marriage of Thomas J. Brower and Mary Siler have been born five children: George Henry was born August 2, 1865; Leona Jose¬ phine was born June 14, 1868 and died March 28, 1881; Charles H. was born December 1, 1869, and married Lulu Low; Thomas Willard was born June 27, 1873 and died September 30, 1877 ; Lucretia Mabel was born June 15, 1880, and married Henry Reachert.

In politics always a stanch republican, Mr. Brower has never sought or held office, but his service to the various communities in which he has resided has not been without public spirit and great value. He has membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and his church is the Universalist. He and his family have long enjoyed the kindly regard and friendship of a large circle of the best people of Wabash and Miami counties and the sons and daughter are now filling useful places in those communities where the business of life has called them.

Charles 0. Signs. A native of Wabash county, Charles 0. Signs has made a prosperous career through the avenue of educator and as a farmer, and is a valuable citizen, an efficient business man, and stands high in the regard of his fellowmen wherever known.

Charles 0. Signs was born August 7, 1870, a son of Peter and Delilah (Creager) Signs. His father, who was a native of Ohio, and came to Wabash county when a boy with his parents, was married in Kosciusko county, but subsequently engaged in farming in Wabash county, where he still lives. There are just two children in the family, and the other is Esta A. Signs, who married Cora Tyner.

Charles 0. Signs received an education in the common schools, and largely through his own efforts gained a training much beyond the ordinary. He later graduated from the North Manchester high school and was a student of the Indiana State University. Mr. Signs became identified with teaching in Chester township, was connected with the schools there some four or five years, and later was in school work at Servia and North Manchester. From the school room he has turned his attention entirely to farming, and now resides on a highly improved and valuable place of one hundred and thirty-two acres in Pleasant township, which is owned by his father. His own labors have added a great deal to the further improvement and enhancement of the value of this property. With general farming he combines in prosperous proportions stock raising, and by the application of energy and good judgment has accumulated a gratifying share of the world's goods.

Mr. Signs married Cora Mowrer, whose family were early settlers in Wabash county. Mrs. Signs had ten brothers. Their own children are two sons: Frederick W. and Charles Frank. Both these children were bom on the present fine farm. They are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Signs affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, is a republican, and his father has the same political faith.

Peter N. Hornaday. The day of the pioneer and pioneer life no longer exists. True, there are still living a few sturdy old citizens in Wabash county who remember the days of their boyhood when they as¬ sisted their fathers in subduing the wilderness, but the real pioneers, who came to this section more than three-quarters of a century ago, blazing the trail for future generations, establishing homes in the midst of the forest primeval and facing untold dangers and difficulties, have all passed to that bourne toward which all mankind is hastening. The late Alfred Hornaday was one of the real pioneers of Wabash county, and through a long and useful career watched with the eye of a proprietor its mar¬ velous growth and development, a fair proportion of which was due to his earnest and intelligent efforts. He was born December 13, 1812, in the state of North Carolina, and was a son of Samuel and Annie (Alexander)

Hornaday. He was a lad of but twelve years when he accompanied hig parents to Fayette county, Indiana, the family driving through by team and the journey consuming six weeks in the making. His residence in Wabash county began in 1837, when he pre-empted a quarter section of land in Chester township, paying therefor at Fort Wayne, at the rate of $1.25 per acre, in gold. In 1841, after erecting a primitive cabin on his property, he came here permanently, arriving September 10th of that year, a Sunday morning. His land was completely covered with timber at the time, but he cleared off the wood, made improvements from time to time, and firmly established himself as a substantial and progressive farmer. Mr. Hornaday was married in Rusk county, Indiana, October 15, 1840, to Miss Martha Looney, and they became the parents of the fol¬ lowing children : Peter, who was born December 12, 1841 ; Annie J., born April 3, 1844 ; Mary Elizabeth, born April 26, 1847, who died October 6, 1857; Frances, born February 21, 1850, who died August 19, 1850; Marjorie Keziah, born January 6, 1852, who died July 29, 1899; Martha Melissa, born September 20, 1856, who died April 18, 1857 ; and Marion Looney, born April 26, 1858, who died September 20, 1858. Mr. Horna¬ day was a democrat in politics and served as constable, at all times interesting himself actively in the general, improvement of his adopted county. He was successful in his business ventures, owning 430 acres of land, and was everywhere accounted a man of the strictest integrity, honored and esteemed for his straightforward dealing, his sterling citizenship and his intense loyalty to his friends. He was a consistent member of the Campbellite church, in the faith of which he passed away July 31, 1893, the mother having died many years before, April 30, 1858, shortly after the birth of their last child.

Peter Hornaday, eldest son of this sturdy old pioneer couple, and a man who has maintaned the high reputation established by his parents, was born on the old homestead place in the woods of Chester township, December 12, 1841, and has made this locality his residence through seventy-three years. The primitive log schools of Chester township fur¬ nished him with his educational training, and as q, youth he elected to follow in his father's footsteps as a tiller of the soil, a decision he has never had reason to regret. At the time of his father's death he became owner of the homestead, to which he has added until he now has 600 acres of land, this being one of the finest properties in this part of Wabash county. Since his father's demise he has built a new stock barn and made a number of minor improvements. Like his father, he is a democrat, but public life has never appealed to him, although he stanchly supports all beneficial movements. Although he has passed man's allotted " three score and ten," he is active and alert and con¬ tinues to maintain his interest in matters of importance.

Jacob Miller. The success which has been attained by Jacob Miller is due entirely to his own well directed efforts, through which he finds himself, while still in the prime of life, the owner of a well regulated

Peter And Annie J. Iiornaday

Mr. Miller's father was a democrat, but in later years transferred his allegiance to the prohibition party, the principles of which the son supports. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are active members of the Church of the Brethren and have been liberal in their support of its movements.

Mr. Miller was married to Miss Anna Weaver, daughter of Abraham and Amanda (Ivins) Weaver, who came to Wabash county from Stark county, Ohio, and were known as honorable and upright agricultural people. There were eight children in the Weaver family, namely: John, who married Susan Rhodes; David, who is single; Mary Etta, who married Jesse Wave; Henry, who married Maud Hindshaw; Charles, who married Julia Guinupp ; Edward, who married Fern Stauffer; Edward's twin, who died in infancy; and Anna, the wife of Mr. Miller. Mrs. Miller's mother died when she was ten years of age, the father subsequently bringing the family to Wabash county. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have three children, all educated in Wabash county: Russell, born July 17, 1892; Mary, born January 7, 1894; and Georgia E., born November 19, 1897.

% James N. Roney. Representing the second generation of a well known Wabash county family, James N. Roney besides his success as a practical farmer in Pleasant township has a useful and influential part in public affairs, and his service as township assessor and town¬ ship trustee is remembered to his credit in that locality.

James N. Roney was born June 26, 1869, on the farm which he now occupies. This place was settled by his father, Thomas Roney, about 1865. The parents were Thomas and Nancy Ann (Ogan) Roney, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of German parentage. Thomas Roney first settled in Wabash county about 1851, afterwards lived for several years in Kosciusko county, and they returned to Pleasant township and developed a good estate, where he lived until his death in 1893, while his wife passed away in 1901. Other facts of the fam¬ ily history, which connects this name with early days in Wabash county will be found in a sketch of Albert Roney elsewhere in this publication.

James N. Roney, the youngest son of his parents, grew up in Pleasant township, had his present farm as the scene of his first associa¬ tion and experiences, besides such education as was afforded by the local schools he attended the higher courses of instruction in Terre Haute and at Valparaiso. When his education was completed he returned home and became actively identified with farming on his father's place. Mr. Roney married Marguerite Tracey, daughter of Hugh Tracey. They are the parents of four children: Elizabeth, Esther, Eleanore and James IT., all of whom were born on the present farm. While Mr. Roney is a member of no church, his wife is a Catholic. The Roney farm has a number of first class improvements, but the residence was placed there by his father and the barn is the result of his own building. By general farming he keeps his place in the com-

A democrat in politics, Mr. Roney has for a number of years in¬ terested himself in local questions of good government, and after four years of efficient service as assessor in his township was elected to the important office of trustee in 1904. Mr. Roney affiliates with the Masonic Lodge at Manchester, and belongs to the Elks Lodge at Wabash.

D. W. McFarland. Among those prosperous citizens of Pleasant township who have utilized both intelligence and industry in their careers and have much to show for their efforts, Daniel Willis McFar¬ land has a noteworthy place. Practically every year since he reached his majority has seen some increase in his resources, and for a man who began life practically at the bottom he has come far on the way to success.

D. W. McFarland was born in Lucas, Richland county, Ohio, Feb¬ ruary 23, 1861. His parents were Nathan and Elizabeth (Smith) McFarland, and in their family were five children who reached matur¬ ity. Nathan McFarland came to Wabash county many years ago and followed the trade of plasterer by which he provided for his household and lived to enjoy the respect and esteem of a large community. His death occurred in Wabash county in 1877, when his son, D. W., was seventeen years old. The mother survived until December 29, 1902, and both are buried in this county. The father was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and belonged to Manchester Lodge of the Masonic order.

D. W. McFarland grew up in Wabash county, and after finishing the course of the common schools engaged in farming, a vocation which has called forth his best efforts and in which he has made his success. His first independent enterprise in that line was the purchase, together with his brother Howard S., of a small place about a mile from where he now lives. After a partnership of some time, Mr. McFarland mar¬ ried and then bought his present farm of 87^> acres. This land was originally owned by Mrs. McFarland 's father. It had no buildings, and few improvements when Mr. McFarland took possession, and in the years that have since elapsed by the co-operation of his wife, he has brought practically all of it under cultivation, is known for his ability in raising crops and getting something valuable to market every year, and has a good modern home and all the facilities that make country life enjoyable. Mr. McFarland also owns a farm of sixty acres of im¬ proved farm land, located on the line between Pleasant and Chester townships, one-half mile south of his present farm, owning in all about 1471/0 acres. He erected his fine modern frame house of eight rooms and bath, with large cement floor porch, in the summer of 1910. He erected his large red "L" shape barn in the summer of 1913, a structure seventytwo feet long on one side, and fifty-six feet frontage. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising.

Mr. McFarland was married in 1900 to Minnie Jenks, daughter of Edwin S. Jenks. Their two children were both born on the present farm and are named Leila and Verda. Mr. McFarland is a member of the United Brethren church, had fraternal affiliations at one time with the Odd Fellows, and in politics is a republican.

Thomas S. Berry. Several different tracts of land in Wabash county have been brought under cultivation and made valuable through the enterprise of Thomas S. Berry. That has been perhaps his best contribution to this community, though his sterling citizenship, his service in the office of county commissioner, should also not be for¬ gotten. Mr. Berry represents one of the older families of Wabash county, and is a prosperous and influential citizen of Pleasant town¬ ship.

Though his home has been in Wabash county for many years, Thomas S. Berry was bom in Shelby county, Ohio, February 1, 1855. His parents were George W. and Theodosia (Scott) Berry, both of whom were natives of Ohio. There were seven sons and one daughter in the family, and four of them are now deceased. George W. Berry moved to Wabash county and located at Lagro, in which vicinity he was well known for many years. During his residence in Ohio he had practiced medicine, but devoted his time and attention to farming in Wabash county. He died some years after his wife.

Thomas S. Berry grew up in Wabash county, attended the common schools, was well trained by the discipline of farm work, and after reaching his majority took regular employment for a time under his father.

At the age of twenty-three Mr. Berry married Isabelle Wertenberger, daughter of David and Catherine Wertenberger. The Wertenbergers were among the early settlers of Wabash county, and her father as a pioneer cleared up a farm south of Laketon, and lived in the county until his death. Mrs. Berry has one brother living, while one is deceased. Mr. Berry and wife began on a very modest scale, and their first home was in a log house on a farm of eighty acres, only twelve acres of which had been cleared. His hard work soon made a productive farm, the log house was replaced with a two-story dwelling, with a substantial bank barn, and he also did a great deal of clearing and ditching. Before selling that first place Mr. Berry bought ninety-five acres, of which likewise only a part was improved land. His energy also added a great deal to the value and improvement of that place, and while he never lived on it he sold at a large advance over the price he paid for it. Since 1903 Mr. Berry has lived on his present place, and this consists of forty acres, and since he occupied it, a good house, a substantial barn, fencing and tillage are among the important results of his ownership.

Mr. and Mrs. Berry have one child, Delcie, who is the wife of Ulysses Jenks of Marion. Mr. Berry as a republican has taken much part in community affairs, and in 1906 was honored by his fellow

Samuel Heeter, for many years a resident of Wabash county, and a man who retained in full degree the respect and esteem of all who knew him, was a native of Ohio, where his birth occurred near Dayton, Feb¬ ruary 14, 1835, his parents being David and Elizabeth Heeter, who have been deceased for many years. At an early period in the history of Indiana, the family left their Ohio home and migrated to this state, purchasing about 100 acres of land near the town of North Manchester. Here they resided for some time, clearing and improving the property, and later Mr. Heeter retired from the active cares of business life and moved to North Manchester. In that city both he and his wife passed away, and they are now at rest in Pleasant View Cemetery.

The boyhood and youth of Samuel Heeter resembled those of other farmers' sons and of his day and locality. He secured his education in the pioneer district schools during the winter terms, which generally lasted about three months, and the rest of the year was devoted to assist¬ ing his father in the work of clearing and improving the homestead farm. Thus he grew to sturdy manhood, alert in mind and active in body, with a thorough knowledge of the business of farming, which he adopted as his own life work upon attaining his majority. He was married not long thereafter to Miss Lydia Coonley, and three children, John Wesley, Ezra and Lydia, were bom to this union. After Mrs. Heeter 's death, Mr. Heeter married, in 1875, Miss Tressie Hippensteel, daughter of William and Susan (Warren) Hippensteel, who were old settlers of Chester township, Wabash county. Mrs. Heeter 's parents were among the pioneers of Wabash county, coming here from Cumber¬ land county, Pennsylvania, as early as 1847. They took up their residence on an eighty-acre farm in Chester township, and there passed the remain¬ ing years of their lives, the father passing away in 1885 and the mother five years later. They were laid to rest in the United Brethren Cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Heeter four sons were born, namely : Percy, Roy, Carl and Howard, all of whom survive at this time.

Although a democrat in politics, and somewhat interested in local civic affairs of importance, Mr. Heeter never held office, preferring to devote his time and attention to the cultivation of his fields and the accumulation of a competence for his family. He was known as an excellent farmer and a good judge of stock, and his ventures along both lines were rewarded with a full measure of success. In 1898, feeling that he had earned a rest from his strenuous labors, he retired from active pursuits, and resided for a time on the old homestead in North Manchester, subsequently moving to a farm some two and one-half miles south of Servia. There he passed away March 10, 1901. Through¬ out his life he was a consistent member of the Church of the Brethren, and for many years he attended services near Servia. He was a man of the strictest integrity, who held the confidence of his fellow-citizens, and in his death his community lost a valued citizen. Mrs. Heeter sur-

Joseph S. Barnett, M. D. During a period of twenty -seven years the late J. S. Barnett, M. D., was engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at North Manchester, Indiana, and in that time became known as one of the leaders of his calling in Wabash county. A man of high attainments and great force of character, he exerted an influence for good in various avenues of activity in the city of his adoption, and is remembered as a man who at all times stood for the highest ideals of his honored profession. Doctor Barnett wTas born January 14, 1827, at Greeneastle, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of William and Mary Barnett.

Doctor Barnett was given good preliminary educational advantages in his youth, and early adopted the profession of educator, for some time teaching schools in his native state. After some preparation, he took up the study of medicine, and eventually, in 1849. became a student in the Sterling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, from which he was graduated. On July 13, 1851, he was married to Miss Isabel Singer, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Singer, of Lewisburg. Ohio, and in the following year first came to North Manchester. After a short stay he went to Albion and then to Butler, but soon returned to North Manchester, and continued in active practice here until the time of his death. He became regarded as one of the ablest practitioners of his day in Wabash county, and his skill attracted to him a large and representative practice. His comprehensive reading on all medical subjects, his deep personal research and investigation and his prac¬ tical experience in his profession made him a perfect master of the con¬ struction and functions of the various parts of the human body, of the changes induced in them by the onslaughts of disease, of the defects cast upon them as the legacy of progenitors, and of the vital capacity remaining in them through all the vicissitudes of human existence. To this he added an accurate knowledge of the methods best calculated to abate the ravages of disease and restore that most cherished human possession - health. He succeeded in his profession because he realized keenly that he belonged to an organization working for the welfare of humanity; he attained distinction therein because nature endowed him bountifully and he studiously, carefully and conscientiously improvrd the tab nts that were given him. He was a member of the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and his <s>ru>ection with tic se organizations k-pt him constantly in ton. h with the progress and improvtm-r.t constantly K ing made in raedi id > men Doctor Barnett was som* what interested in fraternal matters, and f te¬ rnary years was a re ml- r of the kval lodge of ti.e Masonic or i- r. Kwas t vt r an earnest an i z a. us Christian, and and in the faith of thf Lutheran char h. Mar h 14. If* 2. Mrs. Burnett. who survives h-r hus- Kami and m s: i s a: North Vun.-hestt r. has many frier is in this mty. and is a consistent mt mi - r cf :h*: Lutht ran church.

Mr. And Mrs. Allen E. Cory And Adopted Daughter

Allen E. Cory. General farming and stock raising have claimed the attention of Allen E. Cory since he launched out for himself in agri¬ culture, and he has won a place, among the prosperous and successful farming men of the township that has been his home all his life. He is the owner of a fine and fertile tract of one hundred and seventy-two acres, divided into two farms, one of one hundred and twenty acres, his homestead, and another of fifty-two acres, a part of his boyhood's home, two miles south. He carries on the business to which he was reared and which he is best fitted by nature and training to pursue. Mr. Cory was born in Noble township on the 2d of August, 1862, a son of George M. and Emeline (Doane) Cory.

George M. Cory came of Holland ancestry, his parents coming from the Dutch Republic in their early days and settled in Pennsylvania, but later moved to Preble county, Ohio. His wife was a daughter of Abel Doane, and she was born in North Carolina, of which state her people were natives for several generations. Six children wrere born to Mr. and Mrs. George M. Cory, five sons and a daughter. Theodore, the eldest, married Martha Harris. Clinton is unmarried. Alexander married Anne Tate. William married Mary Propeck. Allen E., of this review, married Alice M. Brower. Ida M., the only daughter, is unwed and lives at home.

Mrs. Cory was a daughter of Louis Brower and Sarah (Miller) Brower, residents of Miami county, Indiana, for many years. No chil¬ dren came to Mr. and Mrs. Cory, but they have an adopted daughter, Josephine, eleven years of age at the time they adopted her. She had made her home with the Corys for two years prior to adoption, and in that time so endeared herself to them that they legally made her their child.

Allen E. Cory was reared on the farm in Noble township which his father bought when he came here from Payette county, Indiana, in 1846. But he had only lived in Fayette county a short time, and he had gone thither from Preble county, Ohio. It was a more or less uncultivated place of one hundred and sixty acres which he selected in Noble town¬ ship, and the sons, including Allen E., contributed in goodly measure of their young energies in subduing the primitive farm and bringing it to a state of cultivation where it was worthy the name of farm. The son Allen was five years old when the family moved out of the log cabin where he was born into the fine frame house that his father had built. In 1885 the father died at the old home place, and the mother passed away on the 11th of February, 1902. They were members for many years of the Christian church, and were among the best known and most highly esteemed people of Noble township.

Allen E. Cory stayed on the home place and assisted his father with its work until he married, in 1886, and he then rented and later bought his present place of one hundred and twenty acres. A log cabin and other similar buildings adorned the place when he came into possession, and they remained in use until 1902, when they were replaced by the pres¬ ent comfortable buildings, which are representative of the progressive farming men of the community. Here he has carried on general farm-

Mr. Cory is prominent in his township in business and other circles, and he takes an active part in the public life of the community. He is a republican, as was his father, and he has performed good work in the party ranks. Few men in the township have a greater following, and he is in every way worthy of the esteem in which his fellowmen hold him.

George W. Strickler. The Strickler family, now represented in Chester county by George W. Strickler, was founded in Wabash county nearly eighty years ago, when Henry Strickler entered 160 acres in Chester township and settled down to build a home for his family. He was born March 21, 1804, near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a son of Con¬ rad and Elizabeth (Allen) Strickler, and was of distinguished ancestry, his mother being a granddaughter of William Penn. About the year 1825 Henry Strickler married Elizabeth Bricker, also of Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of the following children : John, was born August 20, 1826; Henry, who was born November 21, 1828; Jonas, born November 12, 1830; William, born August 12, 1833; Conrad, born August 28, 1835 ; Mary, born December 21, 1837 ; George W., born Feb¬ ruary 1, 1840; Abraham, born January 18, 1843; and Amos, born August 30, 1846. Of these, John, Henry, Jonas, Conrad, Abraham and Amos are now deceased. In the year 1831 Henry Strickler left his Pennsylvania home and journeyed overland to the then far west of Richland county, Ohio, and four years later came to Indiana, locating 160 acres of land from the Government in Chester township at a time when the Indians still made their homes here and the woods abounded with game. His family followed him during the next year, and all settled down to wrest a living from the wilderness and to found a home, ambitions which were realized after years of strenuous labor. Henry Strickler was a man of energy and ability, fully capable of cop¬ ing with the difficulties which confronted him in the new country, and at the time of his death was one of the men of substance in his com¬ munity, where he was honored and esteemed for his ability and in¬ tegrity. He was a democrat in his political affiliations, and although never a seeker after public office was greatly interested in public affairs of importance. He passed away August 13, 1889, and Mrs. Strickler June 26, 1880, both in the faith of the Methodist church, of which Mr. Strickler had been an active supporter, having built the first church of that denomination in his community.

George W. Strickler, who lives on a tract of six acres and owns eighty more acres in the near vicinity in Chester township, has spent his entire life here and is one of the oldest living native bora residents of the township. He was born February 1, 1840, in the house which his father had erected in the woods on first settling here, was given such educational advantages as were offered in the primitive district schools, and grew to manhood as a farmer, a vocation which he early adopted as his life's work. On November 5, 1871, Mr. Strickler founded a home of his own when he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Wagner, daughter of John and Louisa (Aberdeen) Wagner, natives of Germany. Mrs. Strickler 's parents were married in Pleasant township, and both passed away here. During the first three years of their married life, Mr. and Mrs. Strickler lived at the home of her parents, and then located on the farm where they now reside, but after eighteen months went to Mr. Strickler 's father's homestead and there remained engaged in operations for twelve years. They then returned to the present home for ten years, then spent twelve years on Mr. Wagner's farm, and in March, 1913, once more came to the Chester township farm, where they expect to spend the remaining years of their lives. They have a comfortable brick home, erected in 1874, while the barn was built two years later, and the other buildings are substantial and conveniently located. The equipment and appliances on the property are of modern manufacture, and Mr. Strickler uses the most approved methods in cultivating his land. He has devoted the greater part of his attention to general farming, but has not neglected stock raising, and has met with well-merited success in raising Poland-China and Chester- White hogs. His reputation as a man of integrity and sound business principles has never been questioned, and as a citizen he has fully discharged his obliga¬ tions to his community.

Mrs. Strickler is a member of the Lutheran church, in the faith of which her father died May 5, 1871, and her mother February 17, 1912. She has one brother and six sisters, namely: Elizabeth; Anna Maria, who married Gideon Kennedy; and Sarah Ann, Martha, Mary, John and Wilhelmina, all of whom are deceased.

Joseph J. Cart.' Whatever success has been attained in life by Joseph J. Cart, and it is not inconsiderable, is due entirely to his own well-directed efforts. In his youth he started out to make his own way in the wTorld unaided, and by resolute purpose, indefatigable industry and sound judgment he has steadily worked his way upward to a posi¬ tion of independence. The monument to his labors is a fine farm of seventy-seven acres in Chester township, Wabash county, three miles southeast of North Manchester, which is all under a high state of cul¬ tivation, yielding to its owner a golden tribute in return for the care he bestows upon it. He calls his place the Fruit and Gravel Farm.

Mr. Cart is a native of Rush county, Indiana, where his birth oc¬ curred May 11, 1841, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Nichol) Cart, natives, respectively, of Germany and the state of Virginia, and both now deceased. His boyhood days were passed in attending the district schools during the winter months and in assisting his father in the work of the home farm during the remainder of the year. When he attained his majority he started out to make his own way in life, working as a farm hand for one year and also spending a like period in a sawmill in Elkhart county. Returning home about this time, he resided on the old homestead until his marriage, September 14, 1865, when he was united with Miss Sarah Alexander, a native of Rush county, and a daughter of Reuben and Salina (Caldwell) Alexander, who were born and reared in the green woods of Kentucky. For a period of three years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cart were engaged in farming in Elkhart county, and then removed to Christian county, Illinois, where they resided until 1897. In 1873 Mr. Cart embarked in the nursery business in which he successfully continued for a number of years in Christian county, Illinois, but in 1897 disposed of this business and came to Wabash county, Indiana, locating on December 1st of that year on his present property, which he purchased from Samuel Heeter. Mr. and Mrs. Cart have since made Chester township their home. The farm has been put under a high state of cultivation, and now yields excellent crops under Mr. Cart's good management and modern methods. He is known as a good business man and one who has ever been honorable in his dealing, thus winning the respect and confidence of his community.

Mr. and Mrs. Cart have been the parents of three children, namely : Reuben, who married Marian Burdell and is now living in South Caro¬ lina; Nettie M., who married Jacob J. Wolfe, superintendent of the Peabody factory ; and J. Daniel, who married Emma Elliott, and keeps a grocery at Servia, where he makes his home. In his political views, Mr. Cart is of prohibition tendencies, taking this stand because of the generation of fast-growing young people about to take their places among the world's workers. He is keenly interested in public affairs as they affect his community, but has never sought nor cared for political preferment. For more than half a century Mr. Cart has been identi¬ fied with the Church of the Brethren, which he joined in 1862, and at present is serving in the capacity of deacon in the church at Ogans Creek, located about three miles southeast of his home.

George Leffel, for many years a resident of Wabash county and now living in North Manchester, is of German extraction and Indiana nativ¬ ity. He was born October 27, 1840, on a farm in the Southern part of Kosciusko county, a son of William and Juliana (Tridle) Leffel, who were among the pioneer settlers of that locality. His boyhood days were spent in helping his father on the home place and attending, when¬ ever was possible, short terms at the district schools. When war was declared beween the north and south Mr. Leffel, with many of his young friends, enlisted for the defense of his country in Company H, Twentieth Indiana Volunteers, and was mustered into the service on July 10, 1861, at Indianapolis. For a time their command under Col. William L. Brown, was stationed near Baltimore doing guard duty, and then was ordered to Fortress Monroe, then to Fort Hatteras and Fort Clark in North Carolina. Their first active service wras seen on Chicamaconogo Island. Mr. Leffel served in various campaigns and engagements throughout that memorable struggle, until on December 13, 1862, at Fredericksburg, he was wounded and subsequently granted an honorable discharge by the war department.

and taught school one year. He then took up the study of engineering, but was obliged to give up the work because of his father's failing health, which necessitated his return to the farm in Kosciusko county. There he stayed until he was twenty-seven years old, when he married Miss Ximena Arnold, a daughter of Ralph and Louisa Arnold, and set¬ tled on eighty acres of unimproved land in the same county. From 1867 until 1872 Mr. Leffel remained there, then sold the place and in 1875 he acquired a farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres in Pleasant township, Wabash county. This, too, he sold in 1902, and moved into North Manchester, where he erected his present home on Main street.

While engaged in farming activities, aside from general stock raising and farming, Mr. Leffel conducted a butter tub hoop factory for a time, and he also sold farm implements and erected hay carriers. In May, 1877, Mrs. Leffel passed away, leaving her husband and two chil¬ dren, - Alvin and Jessie. In April, 1881, Mr. Leffel was married to Miss Eveline Oldfather, a daughter of Adam and Caroline (Burger) Oldfather. Mrs. Leffel's people were among the pioneers of Wabash county, settling in Pleasant township in 1842, whence they came from Montgomery county, Ohio. Both are now gone from this life, the father passing away in 1893 and the mother surviving until 1909. To this latter union were born the following children : Blanche, who married Chester Leedy, of the state of Washington ^ Ralph, who married Mabel Ashbaugh ; Walter, married to Blanche Lautzenhiza ; and Lena, the wife of Charles Snorf.

Mr. Leffel is now retired from the cares of business life and can look back over the years with the consciousness that he reached a state of independence and prosperity as a result of his own unaided efforts, and that the world has been in some measure benefited from his life. He has seen the county grow froma primitive state to one of cultiva¬ tion, progressiveness and wealth, derived in part from the utilization of her natural resources, and in this metamorphosis he has in his own way played an important part. He is a member of John A. Logan Post No. 99, G. A. R., and with his wife has membership in the Christian Science church.

Thomas Hanley, for many years a resident of Chester township, and a man who bore the respect and esteem of all who knew him, was a native of Ireland, born in County Roscommon, about the year 1816. When attaining his majority he married Miss Bridget Condra, and in 1852 left the old country and came to America, with a view to making it their future home. He settled in Vermont and secured employment in a stone quarry, the owner of which from the beginning took a deep interest in the Irish emigrant. He suggested that Mr. Hanley remain with him indefinitely, and when sufficient money had been saved from his wages, Mr. Hanley sent back home for his wife and family. For five years he remained in Vermont, and then came west to Fort Wayne. Indiana, and there helped to build the first large building that was erected in the place. He bought a small piece of land in Hancock county about the time he arrived in the state, and in 1857 he sold it and came to Wabash county. Here he bought eighty acres in section 4, Chester township, and hired a man to cut a strip of the timber and build him a house. This property has always remained in the possession of the Hanley family.

When war was declared in 1861, Mr. Hanley enlisted in Company D, Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, and served throughout that memor¬ able struggle, or until within six months of the surrender. He partici¬ pated in many of the numerous battles and engagements that fell to the lot of the Army of the Potomac and when his term of service expired was honorably discharged by the war department, and then returned home.

Mr. Hanley was originally of Democrat politics, but after seeing the conditions that existed in the south, changed to Republicanism, and he remained loyal to the party throughout the remainder of his career.

He was the father of eight children: John, a Civil war veteran with his father; Martin, also a veteran of the war; Liza, married to Richard Adams; James; Margaret, who became the wife of Charles Hillegass; Maria, who died at the age of about eight years; Thomas C. and Mary, who became Mrs. Allen Heck.

Thomas C. Hanley, the son of Thomas, and Bridget (Condra) Han¬ ley, was born in Hancock county, Indiana, on January 1, 1857, and was brought to Wabash county with his parents when he was only a year old. He grew to manhood on the old Hanley homestead, attending the district schools and helping his father with the duties of the home place. When he was twenty-one years old he started out in life for himself, and in November, 1877, he married, and soon thereafter he began farming on the old homestead. Another house was erected for him and his fam¬ ily, and there Thomas, Jr., and his wife lived until after the passing of the old couple. Mr. Hanleys wife was in maidenhood Miss Sarah Singer, and she was the third child born to Jacob and Lucinda (Jenks ) Singer, her people being among the very earliest settlers of Wabash county. The father came here in 1838 and he helped to build the old Harter mill at North Manchester, and the old distillery at Wabash. He died in 1893, preceded by his wife in 1869, and they also are buried in Concord Cemetery.

In October, 1902, Mr. Hanley rented the old home place to a son and bought ten acres lying about a mile from town, where he and his wife took up their abode and have continued since to live. For some years Mr. Hanley has been in the wire fence business and at present is a part¬ ner of Isaiah Hoover in road construction work. They recently bid on and secured the contract for rebuilding the Jenks-Bowman road north of North Manchester to the county line, and they have done much build¬ ing in their line since they joined forces in partnership.

William, married to Mamie Schroll; Myrtle, married to Charles Christ¬ man; Harley, married Ethel Green; Virgil, married Hattie Rickert; and Ruby is at home, now attending high school. The family are members of the Christian church, and have an excellent social standing in their community.

0. D. Warner. One of Wabash county's families that did its full share in breaking down the wilderness in the early days and which has been represented by useful citizens through all the generations is that represented by 0. D. Warner, whose home is in Pleasant township. Mr. Warner, though his home is on a farm and he is much interested in agricultural activities, has given practically his entire career to the postal service, in the railway department.

0. D. Warner was bom in Wabash county, July 21, 1873, a son of Jacob and Eliza (Redeye) Warner. There were six children in the family, and one is now deceased. The founder of thes Warner name in this county was grandfather Abraham Warner, who came to the county many years ago as an early settler, and established his home on land which adjoined the present place of 0. D. Warner. The first buildings there were erected by grandfather Warner, who was a man of unusual enterprise and ability, and for a number of years was engaged in the saw mill business in this county. Both the grandfather and grand¬ mother died in Pleasant township. Mr. Warner's parents were both reared and were married in this county.

0. D. Warner grew up in Pleasant township, attended the local schools, and finished in the schools of North Manchester. While still young he engaged in the mail service, and for twenty-one years has had a regular run as a railway mail clerk.

Mr. Warner married May Price, daughter of John and Louisa (Mote) Price. Mrs. Warner was one of eleven children, two of whom are de¬ ceased. Her grandfather was Adam Price,, who married Polly Tackett. Mrs. Warner was born in Wabash county. Her father was a Union soldier, serving in the Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry. Mr. Warner and wife are the parents of seven children : Hilda, deceased ; Ford, de¬ ceased ; Dean ; Hale, deceased ; Lola ; Helen ; and Russell. All were born in Wabash county except Hale, who was born in Benton Harbor, Michi¬ gan, where the family resided for some time. Mrs. Warner is an active member of the Christian church, while the son Dean affiliates with the Dunkard denomination. Mr. Warner in his political belief supports the socialist cause, but his father and Mrs. Warner's father were both democrats.

John H. Bidlestetter. As a farmer and citizen John H. Bidlestetter has for many years performed a useful part in the community of Noble township, where he is known as a man who prospers in the handling of crops and stock, is the father of a fine family, and takes an interest in religious, educational and civic affairs.

which he was born, September 27, 1869. Reared in that locality, with a training acquired in the country schools, when still a young man he married and selecting the place which has since been his home engaged in independent farming. John H. Bidlestetter is one of the six children born to John H. and Elizabeth (Pine) Bidlestetter, who were natives of Ohio, of German descent, the father born January 18, 1835; and the mother, September 4, 1834. The senior Bidlestetter came to Wabash county from Ohio about 1850, and first settled as a renter just west of the town of Wabash. After two years there he moved to another place, a little later bought it, a small farm of forty acres with its only improvement a log cabin, and after he and his family had occupied that place for two years he took up his residence on the farm in Noble township which for many years has been called the Bidlestetter place. John H. Bidlestetter, senior, was a man of no small ambition and energy, and while his life began without means except his sturdy man¬ hood and strength and courage he prospered so as to gain a place among the successful men of the township. At his death, on September 13, 1902, he was the owner of a well improved farm and was secure in the confi¬ dence and esteem of the best people of the community. His wife died on June 6, 1899, and both are buried in the Wallace cemetery. They were people of many excellent qualities of heart and mind, and all their lives were members of the Lutheran church and active in the church of their neighborhood. Besides John, Jr., their children were Jacob, Sarah, Elizabeth, Melinda and George.

In 1892 John H. Bidlestetter, Jr., married Miss Mary Lingg, who was born January 31, 1872, a daughter of Louis and Elizabeth Lingg of Logansport, Cass county. Born to their union are Elizabeth and Homer, both of wdiom are bright and promising children and are attend¬ ing the Wabash county country school; also John, Jr., who died in in¬ fancy. Elizabeth L., was born March 17, 1894 ; Homer R., was born Nov¬ ember 8, 1899; and John E., Jr., was born and died on October 1, 1910.

In the purchase he was associated with his brother George, whom he later bought out, and is now sole owner of the property. Mr. Bidle¬ stetter adheres to the faith of his parents, and has membership in the Lutheran church, while his wife when a child wras raised a Catholic. Politically he is a Democrat as was his father, and takes an active part in political movements of that party in his town and county. Well worthy of the regard and esteem of all citizens, he possesses many stanch friends, most of whom have known him throughout his career, and it is his best distinction to have lived and worked honorably and successfully in the same community where he was bom and reared. He is the owner of 120 acres of the best land in Wabash county and also a stockholder of the Wabash Citizens Savings and Trust Co. His wife has property in Lamb county, Texas.

William A. Howell. The farming and stockraising interests of Wabash county are being well represented in Waltz township by W. A. Howell, who has spent his entire life in this community with the exception of three years in Rutherford county, Tennessee, from the fall of 1876 to the fall of 1879, and is thoroughly familiar with conditions and possibilities here. During the past twenty-two years he has resided on his present property, a tract of sixty-six acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation through intelligent application of modern methods, and through a life of straightforward and honorable dealing has firmly intrenched himself in the confidence of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Howell was born March 7, 1859, in Waltz township, and is a son of William L. and Clarrissa (Cutler) Howell, who were married September 27> 1849. The paternal grandfather, John Howell, was born December 10, 1783, and died January 10, 1859, at Wabash, Indi¬ ana, while his grandmother, Elizabeth Howell, was born June 4, 1788, and died August 30, 1852, at Wabash. Their children were: Catherine, born October 28, 1806, and died March 4, 1846; Joanna, bom August 16, 1810; Joshua, born February 6, 1813, died at Cincinnati, Ohio; Marguerite, born July 18, 1815, died in October, 1845; Julianna, born January 5, 1818, died October 21, 1847, at Wabash, Indiana; Daniel P., born June 5, 1820, died in December, 1906, at Muncie, Indiana; Thomas, bom February 9, 1823, died at Wind Fall, Indiana; William L., bom August 31, 1825, died in August, 1863, in Wabash county; John Q., born July 12, 1827, died March 20, 1909, at Kewana, Indiana. Of these, Joshua married Elizabeth Parkinson, September 19, 1835; Julianna married Jeremiah P. Flinn, June 21, 1837 ; Daniel P. married Mary Ann Kennedy, in 1841; Thomas married Nancy Ann Jones, May 1, 1845; and John Q. married Rebecca Halsted, June 23, 1846.

The children bora to William L. and Clarrissa (Cutler) Howell were as follows: Julia Anna, who died at the age of two years; John A., a railroad conductor, who was injured and died at Des Moines, Iowa, married (first) Ella Anderson, deceased, and (second) Marguerite A. Martin; James Thomas, who died at the age of sixteen years; William A.; Gilbert B., who married Florence Semans; and Daniel E., married Jennie Fisher, who is now deceased. The mother of these children was married again to Henry Bechtol and they had one child, Ida May, who married Addison Jones. Mrs. Bechtol is now a widow.

William A. Howell spent his boyhood much in the same manner as other lads of his day, dividing his time between attendance at the district school and work on the home farm. He chose agricultural pursuits as his life work when still a young man and to this occupation he has continued to give his attention. He has never had reason to regret his choice, for his efforts have been rewarded with success, and today he is known as one of his community's substantial men. Mr. Howell now owms the sixty-six acre farm formerly owned by Martha E. Rood and Thomas R. Rood, but which was entered from the Government by Henry Huddleston. He has succeeded in bringing it under a high state of cul¬ tivation, and since his arrival here, May 29, 1892, has added constantly to its conveniences, its improvements and its equipment. In addition to his farming, he has for several years done carpentry and contracting. Mr. Howell was for many years a democrat, but during the campaign of 1912 transferred his support to the new progressive party, the principles and candidates of which have since received his vote. He and his wife are members of the Brethren church although he was reared in the Baptist church, the faith of his parents.

Mr. Howell was married, February 15, 1$83, to Miss Aliena D. Kaufman, daughter of D. G. and Elvira (Jackson) Kaufman, and they have one child: Inez Marie, known as Marie, who was born March 3, 1888, she was married March 29, 1907, to Harry Knee, son of Clarence Knee, and has a daughter, Ruth Helena, who was bom September 13, 1908.

Charles 0. Peters. Since coming to Wabash county and settling in Waltz township in 1908, Charles A. Peters has accomplished a good bit in the way of improvements on his eighty acre farm on which he located at that time. Prior to his arrival here, he had been located in Ford county, Illinois, where he had been for the most part occupied in the sale of machinery. He was born in Illinois, and there reared and educated. His birth occurred on June 10, 1871, and he is a son of Adolph and Minnie (Sanders) Peters, both natives of Germany.

Adolph Peters came to this country and took up his residence in Green Garden, Will county, Illinois, where he passed the rest of his days, as did also his wife, who died there when she was about fifty years of age. Of their four children, John married Louise Barton; Julius W. married Mary Tucker; Mary became the wife of Charles F. Shubert, and Charles O.

In young manhood Charles O. Peters married Meta Lange, a daugh¬ ter of John and Mary (Dedno) Lange, both native born Germans, and she was one of their nine children. The others were: Eliza, wife of William Eickhoof; Elvina, who married John W. Wold; Minne, the wife of John Egdohl; Emma, married to Henry Dannehl; Herman, who married Minnie Ebling; John, who married Lucie Shubert; Max, married to Minnie Godfrey.

To Mr. and Mrs. Peters were born three children: Lucie, born December 16, 1896, in Ford county, Illinois; Alvin W., born November 10, 1898, and Ida, born April 14, 1901, both in Ford county, Illinois.

Mr. Peters has devoted himself diligently to farming activities for the past five years, or since he first made his advent into the state from Illinois, and his success has been praiseworthy. He has done a com¬ mendable amount of ditching and filling on his farm, waking early to the needs of his land and carrying out the work faithfully.

A republican all his life thus far, Mr. Peters has manifested a whole¬ some interest in the affairs of the party, and while a resident of Illinois he was for twelve consecutive years a member of the school board in his community, serving well and faithfully in that position. He is a member of no church, but with his family attends the church of the

Brethren in the community. His fraternal affiliation are confined to membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is promi¬ nent with his brother members, as he is wherever he is known.

Thomas J. Thompson. Twenty-three years of service in the teach¬ ing profession in Wabash county is the altogether creditable experience of Thomas J. Thompson, who successfully combined his teaching activi¬ ties with the farming industry and is reckoned among the prosperous agricultural men of the comity today. Four years of his teaching experience were passed in the schools of Wabash, but the remainder of the time he devoted himself to work in the rural schools, and many of the solid and substantial citizens of the county today owe to Mr. Thompson the credit of having directed their early studies in their various communities.

Mr. Thompson was born in Howard county, Indiana, on April 24, 1860, and is a son of Sajnuel R. and Caroline (Hale) Thompson. The father was a native of the Hoosier state, while the mother comes of an old Virginia family. Samuel Thompson and his wife married in Henry county, Indiana. They were the parents of six children, four of them yet living.

Thomas J. Thompson was reared in Howard and Grant counties and had his education there. He married early in life, his marriage taking place on March 7, 1883, when he was twenty-three years of age, and Lizzie Nesbit became his wife. She is a daughter of Syvis and Sophronia Nesbit, the mother a native of the Hoosier state and the father of Ohio. Mrs. Thompson had three brothers and a sister, one of the brothers being now deceased, as is also Mrs. Nesbit, the mother. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were born three children : Paul J. married Ethel Sexten, and they have a daughter, Leah. Karl married Minnie Emerick, daughter of a well known and highly estimable family of this county, and they had two children, Siras and Russell. The hus¬ band and father met death in an accident. Opal H. is now attending school. All three were born in Grant county, while the father was there engaged in teaching school.

Mr. Thompson taught in Grant county for twenty-three years and in Wabash county four years. He has always confined his activities to the rural districts, and his success has been marked in this work. He attended the State Normal school after his marriage to prepare himself for the work, and he has continued with it through all these years. He has carried on farming activities in the summer months and attended to his school duties in the winter seasons, and in each line he has been successful. Today Mr. Thompson owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres. When he took "possession of this place in 1913 he found it void of fences or of adequate amount of suitable buildings, so that he has found himself a very busy man getting the place in its present fine shape in those respects since that time. He began life with practically nothing, but through the exercise of those

Mr. Thompson is a member of the progressive party in his politics, and he is now serving as a member of the advisory board of Waltz township. He has never been very active in politics, beyond the de¬ mands of good citizenship, but he has fulfilled every civic duty and borne his full share in the responsibilities of communal life.

Otho Winger, A. M. Of Wabash county's educational institutions outside of the public schools, none has existed with greater benefit to the community and on a higher plane of scholastic and moral endeavor than Manchester College. Concerning this well known institution, ap¬ propriate place is given on other pages of this publication, and there follows a brief sketch of the college's president, who for a number of years has been identified with the institution and is a cultured and scholarly gentleman whose life work has been in the educational field.

A native of Indiana, born in Grant county, October 23, 1877, Otho Winger is a son of John Martin and Mary Ann (Smith) Winger, who were respectively of German and Scotch-Irish, and of English descent. The parents are given credit by their son for having afforded him the best possible educational advantages in his youth, though beyond the ordinary common school facilities he has relied chiefly on his own efforts for his advancement. His attendance at public schools continued until he was seventeen, and after that he taught country school for three years. He has been over the entire routine of educational work, from the management of a small country school, and the teaching of all sub¬ jects and grades, up to the specialized departments of college work. In 1898 he entered Manchester College as a student, and completed the academic and part of the college course, in 1902. Subsequently he continued his education in the University of Indiana, and in 1905 was graduated from the literary department and two years later was given the degree of Master of Arts by the University. In the meantime he had been more or less continuously in active work as a teacher, having been the superintendent of schools at Sweetser, and Hope, and for a time was teacher of history and philosophy in Manchester College. Since 1907 Mr. Winger has been closely identified with Manchester Col¬ lege as a member of its faculty, and in executive direction of its affairs. The present high standing of the school is due in no small degree to his efforts. During the season of 1910-11 he served as vice president and in the latter year was chosen president of the college. The General Conference of the Church of the Brethren chose him to serve as a member of the general educational board and he is also a member of the General Mission Board of the church.

George F. Ogden. One of the advisory editors of this 4 'History of Wabash County/' was born on a farm near Lake ton, Indiana, on the 25th of November, 1864. After graduating from the high school of his native town, and pursuing collegiate courses at several institutions, he commenced his business career at Laketon in 1888.

Mr. Ogden served as postmaster at Laketon from June, 1897, to January 1, 1905, and as recorder of Wabash county during a period of four years from January 1, 1905. He was deputy auditor of the county for about three years during the last part of Porter Noftzger's term of office, and was principal doorkeeper of the state House of Rep¬ resentatives at the session of 1903. Upon the organization of the Laketon State Bank, in the fall of 1912, he was elected cashier of that institution, which position he still holds. #

Thomas E. Whiteside. One of the old and honored families of Wabash county whose members have been identified with the com¬ mercial and industrial interests of this section for many years is that bearing the name of Whiteside, a worthy representative of which is found in the person of Thomas E. Whiteside. This highly respected citizen, now in the seventy-first year of his age, who with firm step and unclouded mind still walks the streets and attends to his daily routine of affairs, has, during his lifetime in Wabash, witnessed almost its entire development and borne a full share in the startling course of its progress. Mr. Whiteside was born in Medina county, Ohio, March 23, 1843, and is one of the three children (all living) born to the mar¬ riage of William Whiteside and Lucy Buckingham, the former a native of Steubenville, Ohio, and the latter of Connecticut.

William Whiteside was a carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade, and his father was Thomas Whiteside, a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who served in the army of the United States during the second war with Great Britain. William Whiteside worked at his trade in and around Seville, in Medina county, Ohio, and was there married. In 1844, in company with a brother-in-law, John Johnson, he came to Wabash county, Indiana, and here entered 160 acres of land from the Government in Waltz township. He continued, however, to reside in Ohio until 1848, and then moved here and erected a round log cabin with stick-and-mud chimney, and lived in this during the winter of 1848 and 1849, his family having moved here permanently in October of the former year. Mr. Whiteside was a hard-working man, sober, industrious and jovial, and by reason of his upright life was called upon to occupy local positions of trust. In the spring of 1849 he moved his family into Wabash, and here had a furniture store and cabinet¬ maker's shop, making by hand all of his goods. He became associated with Peter King in the manufacture of furniture in 1860, having con¬ verted the- old King mill into a factory for this purpose. In this build¬ ing they installed what was then the most modern equipment, and this was the first furniture factory in Northern Indiana. After about two years Mr. Whiteside continued the business with other partners, Mr. King having retired from the firm, but eventually, in the latter part of 1865, gave up furniture manufacturing. He then resumed the opera¬ tion of a furniture store, but soon became interested in a furniture fac¬ tory at Richmond, although he still resided at Wabash. The great panic of 1873 found Mr. Whiteside, like many other business men of his day, totally unprepared to face such a crisis and the company of which he was such a large owner failed. He suffered heavily, and was compelled to begin his business life all over again, which he attempted to do as a traveling salesman on the road. This he continued until he was unfortunate enough to lose his eyesight, when he was eighty-two . years of age, when he was compelled to retire, and he did not long survive this misfortune, dying November 30, 1903, at the age of eightythree years.

Thomas E. Whiteside was reared principally in Wabash, where he received his education in the public schools. He learned two trades, in reality, those of cabinetmaking and finishing, and was engaged in working at these until his enlistment, April 19, 1864, in Company F, 138th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, his military career being passed in Alabama and Tennessee in doing guard duty. He received his honorable discharge in October, 1864, and at once resumed the oc¬ cupations of peace. In 1866 he embarked in the buying and selling of lumber, an occupation which he followed until the latter part of 1867. At that time, in company with others, he built a tannery at Wabash, but a short time thereafter disposed of his interest therein to become a clerk in the store of Busick Brothers. He continued thus employed until February, 1874, when he embarked in mercantile pur¬ suits at La Fontaine, and in 1879 he sold out and came to Wabash, where he established himself in a general merchandise business. He retired in 1911, after thirty-one and one-half years of successful opera¬ tions. The prosperity which attended the conduct of his business at¬ tested the sagacity, foresight and financial skill of Mr. Whiteside, whose watchful care and fidelity built up and perpetuated his fortune. He was a merchant bred behind the counter, and although he was always ready to adopt modern ideas which promised to be beneficial he ever maintained his old-fashioned ideas as to the value of the strictest in¬ tegrity and unassailable honesty and of practicality in all things. Although he is living retired from active pursuits, he has a number of business and financial interests, and is at this time a stockholder and director in the Wabash County Loan and Trust Company. Mr. Whiteside was a republican until the campaign of 1912, at which time he gave his support to the new progressive party. In fraternal circles he is well known in the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council of the Free and Accepted Masons.

Mr. Whiteside was married May 6, 1879, to Miss Hannah Lynn. While no children have been bom to this union, they have an adopted child Essie M. Lynn, a niece, whom they have reared since she was eight

Frank Eviston. One of the most consistent and gratifying privi¬ leges afforded dn connection with the compilation of this history is that of giving specific mention of so appreciable a percentage of the substantial and honored farmers and stock-growers of Wabash county, for the county and its people may be given high tribute for the fine status of these basic industries and the general personnel of those who are maintaining the county's precedence as an agricultural center of most opulent resources. He whose name initiates this paragraph is one of the representative citizens and progressive farmers of Liberty township; his standing in the community in which he was born and reared sets at naught any possibility of applying the scriptural aphor¬ ism that 4 'a prophet is not without honor save in his own country," for he has inviolable place in the confidence and high regard of all who know him, besides having the distinction of being a scion of sterling pioneer families of the Hoosier state.

Mr. Eviston was born in Liberty township, this county, on the 8th of August, 1868, and is a son of Samuel H. and Frances (Green) Eviston, the former of whom was bom in Huntington county, this state, of Scotch and English lineage, and the latter of whom was bom in Liberty township, Wabash county, where her parents settled in the pioneer days. Samuel H. Eviston was long numbered among the promi¬ nent farmers and influential and honored citizens of Liberty township, and he has now retired from active life, he and his wife having an attractive home in the city of Marion, Grant county. He is a stalwart Republican and he served one term as a member of the board of county commissioners of Huntington county while a resident of that county. At the time of the Civil war he manifested his patriotism by enlisting in the One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and he proved a valiant and faithful soldier of the Union, his memories of this experience being perpetuated through his affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Christian church. Concerning their children the following brief record is given: Flora E. is the widow of Leslie Witter and resides in the city of Marion; Frank, of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; David E. is a prosperous farmer of Huntington county, his homestead place being in Huntington township; William R. is engaged in farming in Wayne township, that county; Ada is the wife of Homer Calvert, a merchant at Mount Etna, Huntington county; Clay is a farmer of Wayne township, that county; and Lulu is the wife of Dr. Joseph Bloomer, a representative physician and surgeon at Rockville, Parke county.

Frank Eviston was reared to the age of fourteen years on the farm which was his place of birth, in Liberty township, and he then accom¬ panied his parents on their removal to Wayne township, Huntington county, where he continued his studies in the public schools and where

The father, who is now living retired, being venerable in years, was for many years successfully engaged in contracting and building, hav¬ ing learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, and he had much to do with the physical development and upbuilding of Warsaw, where he has also wuelded benignant influence as a loyal and publicspirited citizen. His intrinsic partiotism led him to tender his services in defense of the Union when the Civil war was precipitated on a divided nation, and enduring honor is his for the faithful and gallant service which he rendered in support of a righteous cause and in per¬ petuating the national integrity. He first enlisted in the Twelfth Indi¬ ana Cavalry and later was transferred to a regiment of infantry, with which he took part in numerous engagements and continued in the ranks until virtually the close of the war. He perpetuates the more gracious memories of his military career through his active affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic, and his political proclivities are indicated by the stalwart support which he has given to the Democratic party. Christopher C. and Barbara A. Stoner became the parents of eight children, all of whom are living and concerning whom the follow¬ ing brief data is given: Mary, who was born in 1856, is the wife of John Goldsmith and they reside at Warsaw, Indiana; Agnes E., who was born in 1858, is the wife of A. D. M. Hare, of South Bend, Pacific county, Washington; Charles W., of this review, was the next in order of birth; Kate L., who was born in 1864, is the wife of Richard Lendrum, of La Fontaine; Alice M., who was born in 1868, is the wife of Herbert Brant, of Warsaw, this State; Horace O., who was born in 1872, maintains his residence in the city of Battle Creek, Michigan; Rose, who was born in 1874, is the wife of William B. Morrison, of La Fontaine; and Miss Martha remains at the parental home.

Charles W. Stoner was reared to maturity in the city of Warsaw and there he attended the public schools until he was fourteen years of age, when he became dependent upon his own resources in making provision for a part of his maintenance. He entered the employ of a lumber firm in his native place and at the beginning he received the princely stipend of fifty cents a day in recompense for his services. Through faithful and efficient service he won rapid advancement and eventually commanded a liberal salary. He remainel in the employ of the one firm for the long period of fifteen years, and for the ensuing ten years he was in the service of another representative lumber corpora¬ tion in Warsaw. As may well be understood, he had through this pro¬ tracted and practical experience gained a thorough knowledge of all details of the lumber business, in connection with which he matured an authoritative judgment as to values of all lines of building material.

In March, 1901, Mr. Stoner organized the La Fontaine Lumber Company, of which he has since been the executive head, and through his progressive policies and fair and honorable methods he has built up a large and prosperous business, the major part of his time and at¬ tention being given to the management of this important and represententative enterprise.

With no predilection for prestige in the domain of political activity, Mr. Stoner accords a stanch allegiance to the democratic party, and his civic loyalty has caused him to not deny service in official position of local order, as he served four years, 1908-1912, in the village coun¬ cil at La Fontaine. He is affiliated with Lake City Lodge, No. 430, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand and which he has represented in the grand lodge of Indiana. In the Im¬ proved Order of Red Men he is past sachem of Peashwa Tribe, No. 83, at Warsaw, and he has represented this local organization in the Indiana great council of the order. Mr. Stoner has further extended his fraternal associations, as is evident when it is stated that he is past chancellor of La Fontaine Lodge, No. 211, Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the local tent of the Knights of the Maccabees.

On Christmas eve of the year 1885 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Stoner to Miss Alice Spencer, who was born in WThitley county, this State. They have one daughter, Ruth, who was born August 1, 1891, and who, after completing the curriculum of the La Fontaine high school was graduated also in the Marion Business College, at Marion, Grant county. She is now the wife of Frank Roberts, of Marion, and they became the parents of one son, Morris S., who was born May 2, 1913.

John L. Johnson. Among the leading business men of La Fontaine, none stands higher in the confidence of his associates dr in social charac¬ ter than John L. Johnson, tire proprietor of a prosperous drug estab¬ lishment. A native son of the city, he has by his energy and steadfast¬ ness of purpose obtained a name in the commercial world well worthy of his labors and of which he has the strongest reasons to be proud. Mr. Johnson was bom at La Fontaine, June 30, 1868, and is a son of George F. and Harriet (Lobdell) Johnson, the former of whom died in 1907, while the latter still survives and makes her home at La Fontaine. The father was born in Grant county, Indiana, and was educated in the public schools and reared to manhood in West Liberty, Ohio, where he was taken by his parents as a lad. He was married in Wabash county, Indiana, in 1867. While a resident of Ohio he enlisted for service in the Tenth Ohio Battery during the Civil War, being a member of that organization from 1862 until receiving his honorable discharge at the close of the struggle between the North and the South. A good and faithful service as a soldier was followed by an honorable career as a citizen. Following the war, Mr. Johnson came to Wabash county, Indiana. He had learned the trade of baker in Ohio, but subsequently turned his attention to the business of blacksmith, having a shop at La Fontaine. For many years he was successfully engaged in business, and was known as a man of industry, integrity and good citizenship. For a number of years he was affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, and also held membership in the local Masonic lodge, was popular in both and worked actively in their various movements. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, of whom four survive in 1914: John L. ; George Z., a telegraph operator; Kenneth C., who is a farmer in Alberta, Canada; and Jesse H., who is connected in a clerical capacity with the Lehigh Transportation Company, of Chicago, Illinois.

John L. Johnson attended the common schools of La Fontaine, and after his graduation from the eighth grade began his business career as a clerk in a drug store conducted by J. W. Hackney. Three years later he removed to Wabash, Indiana, and for ten years continued his activities as a drug clerk, then attaching himself to a civil engineering corps, with which he worked for eight years in different states, prin¬ cipally in surveying electric lines. Returning to La Fontaine in the winter of 1907-8, Air. Johnson has continued to be engaged in the drug business to the present time, and is now in the enjoyment of an excellent trade, built up by his good judgment, courtesy and general ability. He has a modern, up-to-date establishment, with a full line of drugs and such other articles as are usual to the stock of a first-class pharmacy, and his careful preparation of prescriptions has gained him a substantial trade in this line. His associates have every reason to trust him implicitly, for he has never betrayed a confidence nor failed to be true to an engagement.

On August 19, 1908, Air. Johnson was married to Miss Rilla 0. Criswell, daughter of G. W. Criswell. Mrs. Johnson came to La Fon¬ taine in 1885, and in the schools of this city received her education. She is a member of the Christian church, in which she has numerous friends. Fraternally, Mr. Johnson is connected with La Fontaine Lodge No. 295, F. & A. M., and the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Wabash.

Asa Roby. Two townships of Wabash county have profited by the helpful activities and influence of Asa Roby, - Liberty township, where he is the owner of 160 acres, and Waltz township, where his holdings consist of seventy-two and one-half acres. Mr. Roby's property known as Home Good Stock Farm is a highly improved tract, where are bred Double Standard Polled Durham cattle and Oxford Down sheep, in the breeding of which Mr. Roby has met with well-merited success.