Whitley County, Indiana - The whole text, 1907 (part 21 of 28)

Hiram L. Foster

In 1854 when Eli and Rebecca (Ortman) Foster came from Ohio and settled in Thorncreek township the wild land give little promise that it would ever become the trim and productive farm the visitor sees before him today. They, however, set to work -with a will, soon had up a rude log cabin and continued operations with the hope that characterized all these invaders of the wilderness. In this cabin Eli Foster lived for many years but. he persisted until he had made a good eighty-acre farm of his once forest-clad tract. He lost his companion in 1882, but survived her over thirteen years and died at an advanced age in 1905. Their four children to reach maturity were : Malissa, deceased wife of Jacob Allen ; Hiram L. ; Franklin P., who died at twenty-four; and Hannah, deceased wife of Thomas Kaufman. Hiram L. Foster, the only survivor, was born in Perry county, Ohio, February 28, 185 1, and hence was three years old when his parents came to Whitley county. As he grew up he assisted his father on the farm and was a principal factor in redeeming it from its once wild estate. He took care of his father as the infirmities of old age pressed upon him and after his death became sole proprietor of the home farm in Thomcreek township, where he has spent over fifty years of his life. Of late years he has moved and remodeled the old residence and has rebuilt the bam, making it an up-to-date bank barn. Fie engages in general farming and enjoys the good will of all his neighbors. December 22, 1876, Mr. Foster married Arthalinda, daughter of Silas and Elizabeth (Snediker) Jackson, natives of Ohio, who became early settlers of Whitley county. They had four children : Alvira, a resident of Columbia City; Mrs. Foster; Emma, a resident of Nebraska, and Ida, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have four children : Norma, wife of Charles Sender, who has three children,

Lela, Edna and Beatrice; Otto, at home; Leonard, who married Ota Goodrich ; and Edward, at home. Mrs. Foster is a member of the Baptist church, and Mr. Foster is a Democrat in politics.

Benjamin Franklin Shull

The Shull family in America begins with Philip Shull, who was born in the grand duchy of Baden, in 171 5, and who emigrated to America about 1770 and first settled in Bucks count}'. Pennsylvania, though York county became the permanent home. His son, Philip, was about nineteen years old when he crossed the ocean. He became active in the business history of Chambersburg, where he died in 1814. His brother, John Stephen Shull. married Maria Bohren, but little further is known of him. His son, John Peter, born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1775, married Elizabeth Scherz and removed to Chambersburg, where he died in- 1810. His children were Jacob, David and George S., of whom David demands more attention in this connection, being the father of him whose name heads this article. He was born March 19, 1805, at Chambersburg. Being but a lad at his father's death, he was early thrown upon his own resources. He was quick to learn and became well-read, and was a fluent speaker in either the English or German language. He learned the cabinetmaker's trade and later, in company with his brothers, purchased his uncle John Shull's homestead near Chambersburg, where his brother George continued to reside for more than sixty years. At the age of twenty-five he married Miss Elizabeth

Harman, and three vears later removed to Massillon, Ohio, where for sometime he was associated with his brother Jacob in the operation of a cabinet-shop. He later removed to a farm near North Lawrence, Ohio, and here he passed the remainder of his life, his labors alternating between farm duties and the making of furniture in a shop on the farm. He died in 1872, at the age of sixty-seven years, his widow surviving eight years. They had six children, Jeremiah. Amanda M., Rebecca, Benjamin Franklin, Hiram H. and William.

Benjamin Franklin Shull was born May 31. 1 84 1, on his father's farm in Lawrence, Starke county, Ohio, six miles west of the city of Massillon. In i860, his brother Jeremiah, who was five years his senior, removed to Huntington county, Indiana, building a steam saw-mill on the present site of Goblesville and Benjamin Franklin passed much of his time working in this saw-mill, though still assisting in the operation of his father's farm until his marriage, September 20, 1864, to Miss Lucy E. Householder. Then, to establish a home of his own, he secured eighty acres of wild land in Whitley county, Indiana, and settled himself deliberately to the clearing away of the virgin forest. The land was covered with a heavy growth of stately timber, and though handicapped with partial paralysis of his right leg and arm his indomitable will, backed by the necessities of the case, allowed no cessation of his strenous efforts toward the reclamation of the wilderness. He continued to work in the saw-mill in order to keep his family, but in a few years was able to devote his energies wholly to the extension and improvement of his farm. Pluck won, more land was purchased, and the farm now contains one hundred and sixty acres, of which one hundred and twenty are under productive cultivation, yielding golden harvests for the labor bestowed upon them. Intelligent activity and well directed effort have turned the wilderness of forty years ago into one of the most valuable properties in the county. A public drain crosses the farm, affording ample outlet for numerous tile drains, of which he has laid upward of ten miles, the arms reaching to every field and the drainage thus given insuring abundant yields of staple crops. The log cabin was years ago replaced with a fine modern residence, and what is doubtless the most commodious barn in the county has been erected at great cost to afford shelter for herds and flocks of high grade stock. He is recognized as a very successful breeder and grower of thorough-bred Shorthorn cattle and Chester White swine, his herd having a well merited reputation acquired by careful selection of breeding animals coupled with advanced ideas in feeding, stabling and handling.

While Mr. Shull has not sought or desired political preferment, he holds close affiliation with the Republican party, believing that its basic principles most clearly represent those ideas that make for the general good of the nation, the state and the individual.

Though no children have come to this worthy couple, their hearts and hands have ever been ready to respond to the calls of the orphans or needy, the result being that several homeless ones have found here the shelter, the sympathy and the more tangible assistance of which nature had deprived them.

David Miller

The family of this name is quite numerous in Whitley county, enjoying- the distinction of having the oldest living settler and more descendants from one couple than any other family in the county. The first representative came in the early thirties and as the forerunners were unusually vigorous the county was in time well sprinkled with children and grandchildren. David Miller, the well known farmer of Columbia township, is a representative of the second generation in this section, being a son of Solomon and Malinda (Anspaugh) Miller, and was born in Thorncreek April 12, 1847. When sixteen years old he enlisted in Company B, twenty-fourth regiment Indiana Volunteer infantry, with which he served until the close of hostilities. He participated in the battle of Mobile, Alabama, and took part in numerous skirmishes, though before being in active field sendee he experienced a siege of measles and mumps in the hospital at Evansville. Mr. Miller worked out by the month for six or eight years, then rented a farm and eventually bought in Thorncreek township, where he remained until 1903. when he purchased the present home in Columbia township, one mile west of the court house.

April 13, 1873, Mr. Miller married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Juda (Kinsey) Zumbrun, both early settlers but long since dead. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had twelve children: Henry J. married Effie Furguson, and resides in Iowa ; William E. married Bertha Heaston. and resides in Iowa ; Clara is the wife of Otto Plautz, of Iowa; Norman F. married Minnie Zigler and is a resident of Thorncreek township; Solomon Z. is also in Iowa ; Minnie May is the wife of Walter Swihart, of Noble county; Levi V., at home; David L. was killed by a buzzsaw while cutting wood at sixteen years of age; Julia Elizabeth, Olive Ruth, Grace Irene and Cecil Pearl remain at home. The family are members of the German Baptist church and in politics Mr. Miller is an independent voter, always supporting the man he thinks best fitted for the office.

Robert B. Boyd

Few names are more familiar in Whitley county than the above mentioned, he who bears it having been a citizen for over forty years and long prominent in public affairs. For more than two full terms he has held the office of county commissioner, and during most of his adult life he has been active and influential in many ways. Hugh Boyd came from the north of Ireland at the age of nineteen and became a farmer in Wayne county, Ohio. In 1850 he went to California overland, returning next year, losing- his trunks en route home, and died a few days after his return. Hugh Boyd married Amanda A. Brown, of Wayne county, Ohio, resided at Wooster for many years, and both eventually died in that city, she being aged eighty-seven. The third of their four children was Robert B. Boyd, who was bona near Wooster, Ohio, October 15. 1846. During the closing years of the Civil war he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eisrhtv-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with credit until the close of hostilities. In April, 1866, Mr. Boyd abandoned his old home in Ohio to seek a new field of action in Indiana. Arrived in Columbia City, he soon found an opportunity to enter the grocery and provision business in partnership with James A. Taylor and this firm of Taylor & Boyd continued in operation for several years. In the spring of 1876 Mr. Boyd purchased the farm in Columbia township where he has since continued to reside. Originally consisting of eighty-two acres, he has added seven. The Boyd farm, known as the Henry Dunfee homestead, one mile northwest of Columbia City, has been greatly improved by tiling, fencing and buildings. The residence was erected in 1898, later large barns were constructed and to this place Mr. Boyd gives his personal supervision. Mr. Boyd's popularity and standing as a business man caused the people to elect him to the office of county commissioner in 1900 and after he had served three years he was re-elected in 1902, his term expiring January 1. 1907. He had previously served two years as county councilman under appointment of the Judge of the circuit court. In this position he displayed valuable qualities as adviser and always kept an eye out for the welfare of the people.

Mr. Boyd was married in October, i860, to Mary M. Funk, a native of Wayne county, Ohio. This union resulted in the birth of six children: Edwin S., Samuel H.. Mary J., Jethro J., Harry G. and Hazel E. Samuel H. met with a sudden death in Columbia township, March 28, 1905, when thirty-five years old. This sad accident was due to fisfhting' fire on a neighbor's farm.

the heat and over-exertion proving too much for him. He was a young man of promise, whose untimely taking off was a sad blow to his parents and many friends. By reason of his war service Mr. Boyd is an esteemed comrade of George W. Stough Port, No. 181, Grand Army of the Republic. The family is not only well known but highly respected all over Whitley county.

William H. Miner

The forerunners of the family of this name, now so favorably known in Whitley county, were originally citizens of New York. From there, at an early period in the last century, Samuel A. Miner came to Indiana and was a prominent figure in founding and building up the infant settlement at Columbia City. He died at an advanced age on his farm two and a half miles east of the county seat and witnessed the wonderful transformation that has taken place in the county during the last sixty years. When he reached Whitley, he was accompanied by a wife and family of seven children, among the latter being a son named Otis W. After his marriage to Eliza Bennett, he made his living for some years as a renter of different farms, but at the time of his death in 1867 owned two hundred and forty acres in Union township. He had eight children: Andrew J., Lucina, George M. D., William H., Byron D., Harriet E., Betsey and Samuel R. The widow, now at an advanced age, lives with the last mentioned son at Fort Wayne.

dren, was born in Smith township, Whitley county, October 20, 1851. At the age of sixteen he lost his father, but remained on the home place a few years and then entered the employment of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as brakeman. This was in 1872 and from that time until 1880 Mr. Miner continued with the Pennsylvania road in various capacities. His next engagement was with S. J. Peabody, with whom he remained for nearly twenty-two years, during nineteen of which he held the responsible position as foreman of the farm and mill work. After this employment, Mr. Miner began carpenter work at Columbia City in February, 1903, but in June following was appointed superintendent of the county farm, and three months thereafter assumed charge of this responsible post. Mr. Miner was married May 28, 1872, to Mary A., daughter of John and Julia Harshbarger, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Miner have eight children : Andrew J., Elnora, wife of Henry Miller of Columbia township; Carl C, Charles W., Merritt, P>essie and James. The family belongs to the Church of God and Mr. Miner is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The Whitley County Poor Farm, under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Miner, has become one of the model establishments of its kind in the state. Both seem especially fitted for the duties that have devolved upon them and their method of discharging this great responsibility is worthy of all praise. Everything about the main building, from cellar to attic, indicates the directing hand of a good housekeeper, and the farm itself, the out-buildings and all on the place shows the same system and careful control. Cleanliness and neatness seem to be the rule and nothing is neglected to add to the comfort of the unfortunate beings left in the superintendent's charge. Mrs. Miner is a kindhearted woman, as well as a painstaking matron, and all who come in contact with her learn to love her. The live stock shows the benefit of skillful breeding and scientific feeding, the land is well cultivated and kept in good condition. Attention is especially directed to the fine cattle of the Polled- Angus breed, which are Mr. Miner's particular pride. Many improvements have been made in the institution since Mr. and Mrs. Miner took charge and they bid fair to leave an unsurpassed record.

John Henry Snyder

The Whitley county family of this name is of German origin, which is equivalent tosaying that its members are enterprising as citizens, successful business men and popular in all the relations of life. It was well back in the last century that John Snyder came over from the old country and settled as a farmer in Fairfield county, Ohio. He followed agricultural pursuits in that state for a number of years and met with fair success, hut determining to push farther west he came to Whitley county in 1851 and from that time for more than fifty years was actively identified with the county's development. Purchasing a wild tract of land in Thorncreek township, he set doggedly to work to improve it and in the course of time had evolved from the forests and marshes a valu- able piece of farming land. He was thrifty as well as industrious, a man of excellent judgment and prospered finally so that at the time of his death in 1902 he owned a considerable bod)- of land as the result of a long and active life. He married Anna Barbara (Hoffer) Brudi. also a native of Germany, by whom he had nine children: John Henry, Barbara Elizabeth, Benjamin F., Emma R., deceased, was the widow of J. H. Meyer; Edward L. and Frederick L., twins, deceased in childhood; Delia G., deceased at eighteen; Josephine and Wilhelmina, both deceased in childhood, and Andrew W., of Kosciusko county. The mother, who is still living on the old Thorncreek homestead, had one daughter by a previous marriage. Anna I. Brudi, now the wife of George W. Sevits. The parents were lifelong members of the Evangelical Association.

John Henry Snyder, was born in Thorncreek township, October 10, 1854. After reaching maturity, he attended the Teachers' normal and taught for two years in Thorncreek township, one term being in his home school. In 1S84 he engaged in tile manufacture, in which he continued about two years, and was among the first in this part of the county. Removing then to Churubusco for a short time, he eventually returned to Thorncreek township and settled on the farm where he now resides and which he purchased in 1899. In addition to this home farm of one hundred acres, which is under a high state of cultivation, Mr. Snyder owns residence property in Columbia City. The farm is the old John Christian farm and is six miles northwest of Columbia City. It is practically all in cultivation, some twenty-five acres being retained as a sugar camp.

November 13. 1884, Mr. Snyder married Susannah Stockert, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, December 23. 1858. Her parents, Jacob and Mary (Baer) Stockert, the former of Germany, lived a number of years in Ohio but about 1865 came to Whitlev county and settled in Smith township, where they still reside. They have had five children : Susannah ; George, deceased ; John J., of Churubusco; Mary, and Luey L. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have two children : Mary A. is now teaching in the same school house where her father taught twenty-four years before, and she has pupils whose older brothers and sisters attended her father's school : Walter H. is a student in the Valparaiso normal. In addition to their own children, Talbert Parkinson was taken at ten vears of age and is being reared as one of their own. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are members of the Evangelical Association and people of the first consideration in their neighborhood. He is a Republican.

John S. Snyder

Among the large and worthy army of men who have worked hard for generations to bring about the present agricultural development of Whitley county, none have done their share more unpretentiously than this industrious fanner of Thorncreek township. He has known no other business and few men have stuck so steadily to one pursuit, with a determination to conquer. He has met all discouragements, triumphed over all the countless difficulties and today has to show for his labor and patience a comfortable home, a well tilled farm and the good will and esteem of all his neighbors. Mr. Snyder is a son of William and Malinda (Hasty) Snyder, natives of Preble county, Ohio, who came to Indiana about 1852. The father purchased one hundred and fiftytwo acres in Thorncreek township, which was at that time wild and unimproved. He set to work with a will and in the course of time effected a wonderful revolution both in the looks and value of his place. In 1S96, he closed his career after a long life of hard work, but had the satisfaction of realizing before his eyes closed on this world that he had accumulated something to leave his family. His widow married Daniel Berry and lives with him in Jefferson township, in the enjoyment of a hale and hearty old age. William Snyder and wife were members of the Methodist church and always supporters of every good cause in the neighborhood. They had eight children: -Marcus, Alexander, Man-, Jane, Amos, Sarah, John S., William R. and Henry, of whom six are living.

John S. Snyder, the sixth, was born on the farm where he now lives. May 10, 1857, and here grew to maturity. Here he has spent his entire life, with the exception of four years in Richland township and four years passed in the state of Iowa. He purchased ninety-four acres of his father's old farm, which he has improved with comfortable buildings and placed in up-to-date shape in every respect, being regarded as one of the successful fanners of this section. March 15. 1877. he married Mary, daughter of Henry and Sophia (Karns) Shonck,- natives of Pennsylvania, but early settlers of Washington township. He died in December, 1901, surviving his wife about twenty-five years. They had seven children : Catharine, Margaret, Henry, who died in infancy; Elizabeth, John, died at fourteen ; Fanny and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have two children : William H. married Alma Payne, lives in Richland township and has three children, Howard, Glen and Dorothy; Cora, wife of Arthur C. Miller, has one child, Gerald Douglas. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder belong to the Baptist church and he is a member of the republican party.

Samuel H. Flickinger

The Flickingers are of German origin, but have been represented in the United States, the antecedents of the American branch of the family settling in Pennsylvania, where Samuel H.'s grandfather was born and reared. From there he migrated to Ohio, where, in addition to the trade of weaving, he tilled the soil and in the course of time, became one of the largest and most successful fanners in the county of Stark. In his family of eight children was a son, Jeremiah Flickinger, who was nine years of age when the removal to Ohio took place. He was reared in Stark county and when young purchased land in Ohio, which he improved and on which he lived until his removal to Whitley county, where during the winter following his arrival he worked at his trade of shoemaking and then bought a quarter section of wild land in Richland township, which in due season he converted into a splendid farm, the improvements being among the best in the community. Subsequently he bought another farm, where he spent the remainder of his days, departing this life in 1904, at the ripe old age of eighty. Jeremiah Flickinger was married in Ohio to Rachel Wartenberger, who bore him twelve children : Elizabeth and Lydia, deceased ; Mercy married J. Martin and is deceased ; Mollie, who married David Kinsey ; Peter, deceased ; Nancy, now Mrs. S. A. Martin ; Samuel H. ; Viola, who became the wife of Rufus Nei ; Cora S., wife of Stephen A. Shaw, and two who died in infancy.

Samuel H. Flickinger was born in Richland township, August 25, i860, was reared on the family homestead and received a practical education in the public schools. He began life for himself as a tiller of the soil and for four years cultivated a part of the farm, when he married and set up a domestic establishment of his own, taking charge of the entire place which he managed with success during the eleven years ensuing. The lady Mr. Flickinger chose for his wife and companion was Miss Chloe Fox, the ceremony being solemnized October 12, 1885. Mrs. Flickinger was born and reared in Whitley county, her parents, Jacob and Caroline, moving from Seneca county, Ohio, several years prior to her birth. At the expiration of the peroid indicated, Air. Flickinger gave up the home place and purchased eighty acres of land in Union township, four miles east of Columbia City, to which he removed and which under his effective labor and successful management has been well improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. He has erected substantial modern buildings, including a comfortable and commodious dwelling and a good barn. Mr. Flickinger is an enterprising- farmer, an industrious man who has ever attended strictly to his own affairs and as a neighbor and citizen is accommodating and public spirited, and he enjoys the esteem of all who come within the range of his influence. He is a Democrat in his political affiliations and while manifesting an abiding interest in the success of his party, has no taste for methods of the partisan nor any inclination to enter the arena of the professional office seeker.

John A. Hammer

Among the successful agriculturists of Union township is John A. Hammer, who belongs to that large and substantial class of citizens to whom the country is greatly indebted for the progress it has made during the last quarter of a century. Mr. Hammer was born on the farm where he now resides August 22, 1864, and has practically spent his life within the horders of the county. His father. Jacob Hammer, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1833. came to Whitley county in 1858 and purchased this homestead of eighty acres, which he cleared and developed and to which lie subsequently added until the farm now contains one hundred and seventv acres of fine land, well drained naturally and by tiling and exceedingly productive. Jacob Hammer resided on this farm continuously for a period of forty-four years and was one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens. Jacob Hammer died January 27, 1902, of cancer of the stomach. In politics he was always an ardent Democrat and in religion belonged, with his wife, to the Lutheran church. The widow now resides in Columbia City. Mary Schultz, who became the wife of Jacob Hammer, in 1855 at Chillicothe, Ohio, was born in German}- in 1834 and when sixteen accompanied the family to America. Her father, Henry Schultz, was a native of Prussia and settled at Chillicothe, Ohio, and in 1858 came to Whitley county, Indiana. He had served several years as a regimental bugler in the German army and was an accomplished musician. He was run over by a train on the Pennsylvania Railroad, being caught in a cattle guard and the trainmen failing to observe the warning of his red handkerchief tied to his cane. At the time of his death he was seventy-three years old.

Mrs. Schultz, whose birth occurred in Germany in 1805, died at the age of ninetyeight years. She was the mother of two children; Charles, who was accidentally drowned in the Ohio river; and Mary, the wife of Jacob Hammer. The Hammer children are four: Edward M. was on the farm until he entered railway service and became agent of the station at Coesse and so continued till his death at forty-two ; Charles remains with his mother; John A.; and Hugh, a traveling boiler inspector at Chicago, with the Fidelity and Casualty Company. John A. Hammer received his preliminary education in the public schools, later finished his scholastic training in the Northern Indiana Normal University at Valparaiso, after which he took charge of the farm and turned his attention chiefly to the breeding of shorthorn cattle and Chester White swine, an enterprise which from the beginning proved successful, and which he has continued with gratifying success to the present time. In addition to clearing and otherwise improving a large portion of the paternal estate, he purchased eighty acres of partly improved land which he divested of timber and drained, and still later bought an additional seventy acres, the two tracts with the homestead of one hundred and seventy acres, lying- in one body and constituting one of the finest stock farms in Whitley county. Mr. Hammer has a fine residence and good outbuildings and as a farmer and stockman is enterprising in all the term implies, feeding all the products of his farm to cattle and hogs, in the breeding and raising of which he has earned a reputation of much more than local limits. He makes a specialty of registered shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs, and in all of his experience with the latter he has never had a case of cholera nor lost a single animal from disease of any kind. In connection with his large and growing live stock interests he is also extensively engaged in the manufacture of butter, for which there is a much greater demand than he can possibly supply, keeping for this purpose an average of from eight to twelve 'fine cows, all of which have been judiciously selected and to which he devotes the greater part of his time. While primarily a business man and making other considerations subordinate to the various enterprise in hand, Mr. Hammer is not unmindful of his duties as a citizen or the debt he owes the community as an influential factor in its public affairs. He is a Democrat, though not a partisan nor an office seeker, but keeps abreast of the times on all questions and issues in which the public is interested. Fraternally he is a Master Mason and religiously subscribes to the Lutheran creed, his wife being a member of the same body.

Henry Sievers

Fanner and trustee of Columbia township, was born in Whitley county, three and a half miles south of Columbia City, Octo- "ber 30, i860, and practically has spent his entire life within its boundaries. William Sievers, a native of Germany, came to America when about fourteen years old and settled with his parents in Whitley county, where he assisted in clearing a farm, which he now owns. He had a good education in his native tongue, but knew nothing of the English language, but by mingling with his friends and associates he soon mastered it at least so as to converse with ease and fluency. William Sievers began farming for himself, in which he met with success, and purchasing land from time to time he became the possessor of two hundred and thirty-three acres. The greater part of his real estate he has divided among his children, keeping only sufficient to insure him a good home and comfortable livelihood. He is now eighty-one years of age, but retains to a marked degree his physical and mental powers. He has been thrice married, the four children born to his first wife, who died in 1869, growing to maturity. They are Nancy, now Mrs. William H. Smith, a farmer and stock-raiser of Whitley county ; Henry, William Jr., who follows farming and threshing ; and August, also a fanner.

Henry Sievers received a good German education in a parochial school and a fair knowledge of English in the district schools, which he attended only about seven months. Being reared on the farm, he early learned by experience the meaning of hard work, and having decided to make agriculture his vocation, bent all his energies to make it result in the largest measure of success possible. He remained on the homestead, assisting his father until his twenty-fourth year, when he received a portion of his mother's share by inheritance, and later he purchased the shares of other heirs, which made eighty acres, having sixty-five in cultivation. He has substantial improvements, including dwelling, barn, outbuildings, fencing and drainage.

August 9, 1885, he entered the marriage relation with Miss Minerva Bordner, of Whitley county, whose parents, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively, came to this section over a half century ago and have lived here ever since, the father, AYilliam. having reached the age of eighty-two, the mother, Sarah, being in her sixty-ninth year. Mr. and Mrs. Sievers have seven children, the oldest being Bessie M., the wife of Charles Kneller, a farmer and stock-raiser of this county; Dora V., a graduate of the public schools and still a member of the home circle; William H. is his father's assistant; Mary. Charles W., Sarah and Alice R.

Mr. and Airs. Sievers, together with their children, are members of the Lutheran church, are loyal to its teachings, and for eight years Mr. Sievers has been trustee. For fourteen years he was solicitor for the Fanners' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, during which time he did a large and lucrative business throughout Whitley and adjoining counties, resigning to accept the office of township trustee, to which he was elected in 1904 and in which he is now serving his first term. He is a pronounced Democrat and is a leader of the party in his township, wielding an influence which has contributed not a little to the success of the ticket. He has eight schools and besides transfers about one hundred pupils to the Columbia City schools, and of these eighteen are in the high school. He has erected one new school building. His policy is to employ home teachers as much as possible.

Frank E. Miner

Frank E. Miner, who occupies a commanding position in business circles, was born in Columbia City February 24, 1871, and is the son of Simon P. and Malissa (Arlin) Miner, both natives of Ohio. The father of Simon P. Miner was a lawyer and at one time served as postmaster of Columbia City. His seven sons are now all deceased. Simon P. Miner accompanied his father to Whitley county and for several years remained on the farm. Subsequently he was engaged in drayage and street sprinkling in Columbia City during the remainder of his active years. His death occurred in Columbia City in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Miner were the parents of three children: Charles, who is a photographer of Fort Wayne ; Frank E., and Rosa, who died in infancy. Mrs. Miner later became the wife of John B. Sterling, a farmer of Whitley county, whom she survives, now residing with her son Charles in Fort Wayne.

Frank E. Miner received his education in the common schools of Columbia City. At fourteen years he worked for J. W. Baker in the telephone office for one year, when he was taken into the printing office and began to learn the printer's art. He remained in the office nine years, working up from "devil" through all the grades to that of foreman and city editor. For several months in 1894 he traveled in the interest of a business man's directory. He was then with the Columbia City Post one year and in 1896 came to South Whitley, buying "The News" of R. J. Emerson, which he has continued to publish, making- it a progressive and modem news journal. His ambition not being limited to the demands of an independent country newspaper Mr. Miner soon began to extend his job department and in a few years found there was practically no limit to the possibilities of expansion. The need of greater capitalization was soon felt and an incorporation, "The A to Z Printing Company," was organized with Mr. Miner as business manager and treasurer. His associates are E. R. and J. W. Hibbard, of Chicago and New York respectively.

The industry occupies a floor space of thirty-six thousand square feet, and has five Miehle presses with automatic feeders and employs fifty to one hundred people. It makes a specialty of large editions of pamphlet printing, some contracts running to ten million copies, three million in one instance being sent out by mail, thus making a first class office of South Whitley, its business for 1906 being over $42,000. Recently another line of industry has been added and that is the manufacture of a patent lock-nut, "The Grip Nut Company" being managed by Mr. Miner and operated in connection with the printing plant.

June 28, 1894, Mr. Miner was married to Mary E. Beeson, who was born in Columbia City and is the daughter of Henry H. and Magdalena Beeson, residents of South Whitley, where Mr. Beeson is a machinist with the printing company. They are the parents of three children : Charles, a teacher in the Latin department in the University of Chicago; Mary E. and Marguerite, at home. Fraternally Mr. Miner is a member of the Elks and of the Masonic order. Both himself and wife are members of the Lutheran church.

Robert Jacob Emerson

Robert Jacob Emerson, cashier of the Farmers' State Bank of South Whitley, was born in Whitley county January 9, 1856, and is the son of Milton B. and Elizabeth (Scott) Emerson, his parents being Jacob and Elizabeth (Merriman) Emerson, the former of whom was a native of Virginia and came to Wayne county, Ohio, where they were married and passed the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of eight children. Milton B. Emerson was born in Wayne county, Ohio in 1830 and grew to manhood assisting his father in the making of a farm and received a fair education. He came to Indiana in 185 1 and taught school, retiring to Ohio at its close. On coming back to Whitley county in 1852 he made shingles and worked at carpentering. In 1855 he secured a tract of land in Washington township, where for twenty-two years he ran a saw mill, operated his farm and was a stock grower. He located in 1877 on what is known as the Harter farm in Cleveland township, containing over two hundred acres, and there his death occurred June 22, 1896. He was a member late in life of the Methodist church, and helped to build the Washington Center Lnited Brethren church. He served six years as county commissioner, the present county jail and sheriff's residence being erected under his supervision. Many other public improvements were carried forward also during his incumbency. He was a justice of the peace in both Washington and Cleveland townships. Though his policy was to encourage amicable settlement of disputes rather than recourse to the courts.

Mr. and Mrs. Milton B. Emerson, whowere married February 2j, 1854. were the parents of seven children: Robert Jacob; Franklin P., a farmer of Elkhart county; Noah Webster, who resides in Marion : William E., who is living in St. Louis, Missouri; Leander F., deceased; Celeste E., who is the wife of Hugo Logan, and Sarah E.. wife of Albert E. Nabor, of North Manchester. Mrs. Emerson was born in Wayne county, Ohio, October 8, 1835. and died in 1887. She was a member of the Methodist church, and a daughter of Robert and Charlotte (Firestone) Scott, the former of Scotch

Robert Jacob Emerson was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools until seventeen, supplementing" this by attendance at Roanoks seminary and the Valparaiso normal school, and at Hillsdale College in Michigan. He early became a teacher and for twenty years devoted himself almost exclusively to the demands of the school room, some years being spent in the schools at South Whitley and he then took charge of the schools and the progress was so marked and his impress for advancement so emphatic that he was induced to remain in this position until rounding out a period of twenty years devoted to direct efforts in youthful training. Wishing to extend his influence as an educator he decided to embark in the publication of a newspaper which he did in association with his brother Webster, purchasing the "Orville Crescent" in Wayne county, Ohio. He was in Columbia City for three years. Mr. Emerson soon returned to Indiana and purchased the South Whitley "News." of which he continued as publisher until 1896, selling to F. E. Miner. He then went to the Pacific coast. visiting more especially the Puget Sound country. After the death of his brother, Leander W., he read law and was admitted to the bar. In connection with his practice he dealt largely in insurance, loans and real estate, and served as justice of the peace. Desiring to educate his son he moved to Fort Wayne, and after the latter's graduation in the International Business College, he returned to the old homestead which he bad purchased but of which he disposed and engaged in the banking business in South

Whitley. He became cashier of the Farmers' State Bank upon its reorganization in April, 1906, and has since given it his personal attention. Several home citizens are stockholders and its condition and growth are thoroughly satisfactory.

Mr. Emerson was married on June 16, 1881, to Miss Elma Lash, the daughter of Simon P. and Mary (Koehler) Lash, both like herself, natives of Kosciusko county. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson have one surviving child, Milton Earl, who is now chief train dispatcher for the Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley Traction Company. Politically Mr. Emerson is a supporter of the Democratic party, but looks to the personnel of candidates rather than to the tie of party lines, while fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Emerson is genial in manner, kindly in disposition, cheerful in temperament, and enjoys the confidence and warm regard of all with whom he comes in contact.

Thomas L. Hildebrand

Thomas L. Hildebrand, assistant cashier of the First National Bank. Columbia City, was born at Williamsport, Allen county, Indiana. November 26, 1874. His parents were William and Anna (White) Hildebrand. he a descendant of the early Pennsylvania German immigrants and she of Scotch-Irish and English lineage. He was a soldier throughout the Civil war, receiving his honorable discharge and living a life consistent with the best citizenship.

Thomas L. received the usual common school training and in the fall of 1889 he entered the service of the banking house of E. L. McLallen & Co., then known as the Fanners' Bank. Upon its reorganization into the First National Bank in 1904 he became asssitant cashier to the duties of which he has closely attended though he also holds the position of treasurer of the Whitley Count}' Building and Loan Association. A friend describes Mr. Hildebrand as a keen observer, frank and fearless in expression of opinion, yet having a happy faculty of making and retaining warm friendships. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. In Masonry he affiliates with the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter and Council, and has represented the local body in the Grand Lodge. Though usually voting the Democratic ticket, he has not allowed political ambition to interfere with business.

Tohn W. Baker

For forty-five years John W. Baker has been identified in a prominent way with the public and business life of Indiana and has long been one of the best known and most influential citizens nf Whitley county. When still quite young Mr. Baker "got ink on his fingers," in other words he became enamored of the newspaper business from which he did not succeed in divorcing himself until recently. Mr. Baker was born in Hancock county,

Ohio, March 7, 1845, being a son of Henry D. and Eve Baker, the former a Virginian and the latter from Pennsylvania. As early as 1862 we find young Baker at Warsaw "slinging type" in the office of the "Northern Indianian," to which he kept steadily for seven years, during one of which he was publisher of that paper. In January, 1869, he removed to Columbia City, and on the 17th of that month appeared the first number of "The Commercial," a paper that for thirtyeight years has been the leading dispenser of news in Whitley county. The weekly was published continuously until September, 1888, when the "Daily Commercial" was established and both editions were regularly issued until January 9, 1905. The two papers were then sold to W. W. Williamson, of the "Columbia City Mail." During his thirty-eight years as editor and publisher, Mr. Baker bore full share in all the political battles fought in Whitley county, and exerted marked influence in the numerous controversies affecting the growth, development and reformation of his adopted county.

In 1877 the legislature selected him as one of the directors of the Northern Indiana Prison at Michigan City and he filled that position acceptably for two and a half years. In October, 1882, he was appointed postmaster of Columbia City by President Arthur and held this office until removed in June, 1886, by President Cleveland as an "offensive partisan." In 1898 Mr. Baker was elected joint representative to the legislature for the counties of Kosciusko and Whitley and served one term. January 18. 1906, he again became postmaster of Columbia City, by appointment of President Roosevelt, being commissioned for four years from that date. Mr. Baker takes pride in the fact that he has always been a consistent Republican, having cast his first presidential vote for General Grant in 1868, since which time he has never missed an election of any character, municipal, township, county, district, state or national, and has never scratched a single candidate placed upon the Republican ticket. He has served repeatedly as chairman of the Republican county central committee and it may be stated without exaggeration, that no man in Whitley county has worked harder for his party or devoted himself more unselfishly to its interests than John W. Baker. His religious affiliations have always been with the Methodist Episcopal church and his fraternal connections embrace membership in the Odd Fellows, K. of P. Lodge, the Maccabees, Order of Ben Hur, Daughters of Rebekah. Pythian Sisters, Nicholson Encampment, I. O. O. F. He is also a member of Oak Grove Grange, Patrons of Husbandry.

July 26, 1864, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Sarah E., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Thornburg, of Laporte county. Indiana. The children of this union are: Mell, Stella, and Grace Baker..

Logan Staples

One of the public officials of Whitley ounty, is a type of that "average man," which Senator Beveridge declared to be a special product of Indiana ; meaning one who begins the battles of life early, moves with facility from one occupation to another, fulfills all his obligations well and steadily rises in the world on the strength of merit and industry. Mr. Staples was born in Thorncreek township November 5, 1868, his parents being James and Elizabeth (King) Staples. He grew up on the farm having all the usual experiences that fall to the lot of country boys. He attended the public schools and is indebted to them for all the book learning obtained before reaching manhood. In 1 89 1 he became fireman on the Nickel Plate Railroad, continuing for four years, earning the reputation of being one of the most efficient men in the company's service. He united with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen at Fort Wayne. Mr. Staples finally determined to abandon railroading in order to engage in the tubular well business, which he followed until selected as sheriff, living on and operating a farm in Thorncreek township which he still owns. In 1904 he was elected sheriff by a majority of ninety-seven votes, the nomination having been proffered him without effort on his part, and gave such satisfaction that his party gave him a renomination in 1906, and the fact that he was elected by a majority between four and five hundred shows that he made friends and acquired increased popularity by his methods of managing his office.

July 19, 1896, Mr. Staples was married to Edith L. Hemmick, of Columbia City, daughter of George W. and Mary E. (Sutton) Hemmick, early settlers of the county, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Staples have two children, Raymond Dewey and Myron Hemmick. Mr. Staples is a member of the Knights of Pythias, is courteous in social intercourse and is one of the best known and most popular men of Whitley county.

Henry Edson Baker

The life of a printer is seldom eventful. The work is arduous, the employment exacting and the "man at the case" has little time for branching out in pursuit of ambitions calculated to interfere with his calling. Perhaps this zealous occupation has never had a steadier or more faithful devotee than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Baker was born in Hancock county. Ohio, August 21, 1853, his parents being Henry D. and Eve Baker, the former a native of Virginia, and the mother of Pennsylvania. The father dying, the mother removed to Warsaw. Indiana, in 1859, when Henry was but six years old. In his sixteenth year he began to learn the printer's trade in the office of the "Northern Indianian." In the winter of 1869 he removed to Columbia City, where he resumed his business of setting type and he kept at the case with few intermissions until February 2. 1906, when he was appointed by his brother deputy postmaster. His previous training had taught him the art of assorting and doing things methodically and in his new employment he has proved a faithful and painstaking public servant. Mr. Baker is a quiet and unassuming man, who attends the Preshyterian church, votes the Republican ticket, and performs all the other duties of a good citizen. He has little taste and less time for "society" but is rather fond of the fraternities and is a member in good standing in the various orders, including the Knights of the Maccabees, the Knights of Pythias and the Pythian Sisters.

Warren and Mary Jane Mason, all of Columbia City. They have had five children, of whom Walter, the second, died when five years of age, the survivors being Edith G., Frederick D., Kate E. and Marararet L.

Bayless Lower

John B. Lower^ Bayliss Lower's father, is a native of Ohio, born in the county of Columbiana about 1844. He was reare'd in that state and Indiana and in early life engaged in the manufacture of lumber, which he followed continuously until the breaking out of the war, when he responded to the president's call for volunteers by enlising in an Indiana regiment, with which he rendered service until the cessation of hostilities. His command was attached to the Army of the Tennessee and took part in the Atlanta campaign under General Sherman and continued in the celebrated march to the sea. He was severely wounded and in consequence was obliged to spend some months in a military hospital, his face still bearing the scar. Mr. Lower took up the peaceful pursuits of civil life, and since his attention has been principally devoted to the lumber business, being at this time employed as an expert buyer of lumber and timber for the export trade with headquarters at Logansport, Indiana. He was married at Columbia City in 1866 to Julia A. Shuh, of Springfield, Ohio, and nine children survive: Bayless, Viola, wife of Prof. E. L. Miller, of Indianola. Iowa ; Wallace, a physician resident in Arkansas; Albert, a farmer of Whitley county ; Joseph, manager of a goldmining corporation in Corea : Alice, wife of Melvin Shoemaker, of Whitley county; Katherine, who married Hurl Shoemaker, of Whitley county ; Blanche, wife of George Miller; Mabel, who is unmarried and living with her mother near Compton church.

Bayless Lower was born December i, 1868, in Whitley county, and enjoyed the best educational advantages Columbia City afforded, completing his full school course and graduating when a youth. He then engaged in the manufacture of lumber with his father and after spending four years in this industry turned his attention to contracting. Mr. Lower entered the railway service as fireman with the Pennsylvania company in July, 1899, with which he has since been actively identified, holding for four years the arduous and responsible position of locomotive engineer. In all his varied experience he has ever proved faithful and efficient and as a result enjoys the confidence of his superiors. Mr. Lower owns two farms in Whitley county, to the management of which he gives personal attention, making his home on a farm three and a half miles south of Columbia City.

Mr. Lower and Miss Ida Keiser, of Whitley county, were married December 29, 1896. She is a daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Harvey) Keiser, who were born and married in Pennsylvania and came to Whitley county in company with his father, Jacob Keiser. He received part of his father's homestead and made a farm from the woods, their entire married life passing on this farm, now owned by Mrs. Lower. Daniel Keiser died at sixty-eight, surviving his wife, and also a second wife, who was Sarah Bell. Mrs. Lower is the only daughter, but three sons survive, Harry, Willie and Ira Keiser.

Francis Marion Magers, M. D., who for forty years has enjoyed high repute as a physician in Churubusco, was born near Danville, Knox county, Ohio, January 28, 1838, and is the son of Nathan and Winifred (Logsdon) Magers. His paternal grandfather was Nathan Magers, a native of Maryland, in which state he passed his entire life. Nathan Magers located in Knox county, Ohio, in 1819, and devoted his life to agriculture. Himself and wife came from Maryland to Ohio on horseback^ carrying their cooking utensils and clothing. They were the parents of eight sons : Ambrose, who is living in Noble county, Indiana, aged eighty-seven years; Benedict, deceased; Raphael, deceased; Lawrence, a retired farmer of Warrensburg, Missouri ; Nathan, John and William, deceased ; and Francis M. The parents both died in the faith of the Catholic church. Mrs. Magers' father was Raphael Logsdon, who was of French extraction, his ancestors having come to Maryland with Lord Baltimore.

Francis M. Magers enjoyed only ordinary educational advantages, his time being divided between working on the farm and in attendance at the district schools. At the age of fourteen he entered St. Mary's Academy at Perryville, Missouri, where he attended for three years. Fie also spent oneyear in St. Thomas College at Bardstown, Kentucky. In 1855-56 he taught near Avilla, Indiana, where his older brother had already settled. After two terms in Noble county he returned to Ohio and taught in his home town. The next three years were devoted to teaching in Knox county. He then returned to Indiana and taught in Allen county, though his mother's death required his attendance at the old home. He was appointed administrator of the estate, which he settled, and then began reading medicine under Dr. Bryant at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and in 1864 entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. The following year he engaged in active practice in Churubusco, where for forty years he has stood in the front rank. Dr. Magers, having more than the ordinary preliminary education of medical students, was well prepared to take up the study of medicine. He has always been a close student and voluminous reader and has kept abreast with the advanced ideas of his chosen profession. He is a charter member of the Whitley County Medical Society in which he takes great interest. The society has honored him as its president and treasurer and as a delegate at different times to the American Medical Association and the Indiana State Medical Association. He has a large and saisfactory practice and is widely and favorably known, a genial nature and social disposition having won him many friends. November 23, 1866, Dr. Magers married Miss Mary E., daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Dresback) Metzger, whose parents were of Holland extraction and were pioneers in Allen county, Indiana, she being his pupil the winter he taught in her neighborhood. She was a teacher of Allen county, and also in Whitley county after her marriage. Dr. and Mrs. Magers have had seven children: Casimer B., electrician at the Home of the Feeble-minded in Fort Wayne; Mary F., the wife of William A. Devault, postmaster at Churubusco ; Edmund Lambert, trainmaster on the Houston & Texas Central Railroad at Eninss, Texas ;

Elizabeth, the wife of Lawrence Maloney, a miner of Colorado; Ursula J., an employe of the Exchange Bank at Churubusco; Francis Andrew is one of the advanced farmers of the county, keeping in touch with modern methods as developed in the agricultural colleges and is active in all the movements, such as farmers' institutes, that lead to up-to-date methods in agriculture; Marcella Gertrude is a student in the University of Indiana at Bloomington. The doctor and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church. He is a Democrat, and for many years was active in the party conventions, though not aspiring to public office. He at once time was city clerk and treasurer of Churubusco and has served two terms on the school board. In every relation of life he has been true to the trust reposed in him and to the obligations devolving upon him. Dr. Magers is the owner of two excellent farms near Churubusco which are operated by tenants.

Elias Lantzer

This prosperous farmer and respected citizen is a native of Stark county, Ohio, as were also his parents, Jonathan and Sarah (Bear) Lantzer. both representatives of old Pennsylvania families and of German descent. The Lantzers were among the early settlers of Stark county, Ohio. In addition to farming Jonathan Lantzer worked at the carpenter's trade and his entire life was spent on the family homestead, which his parents purchased and developed, dying there December 21, 1859. To Jonathan and Sarah

Lantzer were born three children : John, Elias, and Mary M., who became the wife of Solomon Heizy; Elias being the only survivor. Elias Lantzer was born December 6, 1850, and spent his early life on the old homestead, attending the public schools in Stark county. When sufficiently old to earn wages of his own he worked in the neighborhood as a farm hand and when not employed thus labored for his mother who, by the death of her husband, was left with no other means of support tlian that afforded by her two sons. Mr. Lantzer divided his time between the home farm and working for his neighbors until 1875 when he came to, Whitley county. He was married November 26, 1876, to Sophia Plattner, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Schneider) Plattner, and who was born three miles south of Columbia City December 30, 1858. Her parents had come from Stark county, Ohio. After marriage Mr. Lantzer returned to Ohio, buying the homestead on which they lived five years, when he returned to Whitley county and has since lived near Mrs. Lantzer's old home. He now owns one hundred and five acres in two farms, each having suitable buildings. His buildings are modern and substantial and in all that constitutes a comfortable and at the same time beautiful and attractive rural home, his place compares favorably with that of any of his neighbors, being well located and abundantly supplied with the comforts and conveniences that render country life pleasant and desirable. Mr. Lantzer is a man of progressive ideas, has devoted much study to the science of agriculture and by directing his efforts according to the most approved methods his lalxirs are generally rewarded by abundant returns. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Lantzer consists of two living children, Vernon E., who operates one of his father's farms, and Jeff J., who is his father's assistant on the home farm. Mr. Lantzer belongs to the German Reformed church and his wife and sons are members of the same body, and all are highly esteemed for their zeal in all lines of effort under its auspices. He is a Democrat and has served four years as township assessor.

William J. Dunfee

William H. Dunfee was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania. April 10, 1822. In 1831 he accompanied his parents to Ohio, where he learned the trade of cabinet-making and lived until 1845, when he came to Indiana and for two years thereafter worked at his trade in Fort Wayne. In 1847 he came to Columbia City, was chosen assessor of Whitley county a little later for three years, and in 1856 was elected sheriff, serving four years. Subsequently he was assessor of the township for fifteen years, also being deputy sheriff. Mr. Dunfee was married March 5, 1848, to Catherine Jones, of Columbia City, who bore him six children : Laura V., Stephen E.. Henrietta R., William J.. Albert E., Harry H., and they raised Flora C. Bair to womanhood, she now being Mrs. Massillon Leaman. He died May 29. 1888.

William J. Dunfee was born at Columbia City April 22. 1S54. He worked six years at the barber's trade in Columbia City and two vears at various towns in Indiana and other states. Returning to Columbia City he took charge of his father's farm near the town, where he remained five years, then renting a farm in Union township, which he operated three years. He then baught a small farm, improving it during the succeeding fourteen years, when he sold the place and returned to the family homestead in Columbia township at his mother's death. He now lives on this farm and by various improvements has greatly enhanced its productiveness. Located but a short distance east of Columbia City, it is a most desirable place of residence.

December 2. 1880, Mr. Dunfee married Mary Elizabeth Walker, whose birth occurred in Whitley county in October, 1861, her parents, Thomas and Hannah, moving to this state from Ohio and were married in Whitley county. Mr. and Mrs. Dunfee have no children of their own, but they are giving a suitable home to an orphan girl. May Walker, now six years old, whom they took to themselves and in whose education care and development they each feel a parental interest. Besides general fanning and stock raising, Mr. Dunfee buys and sells horses. He has made a number of substantial improvements, including a fine modem dwelling and a commodious barn, in addition to which he has brought the land up to a high state of fertilitv.

Edmund Jones

ladder until he owns a splendid farm of two hundred acres, the result of personal industry and good management. He was born June 29, 1845, in Greene county, Virginia, and is the son of Edward and Lucy (Morris) Jones. Edward was bom in Albemarle county, Virginia, in 1780, and died in the same state in i860, while the mother was born in Greene county, Virginia, and died in Rockingham county, the same state, in 1868. They were farmers, industrious and exemplary in their lives. To this union ten children were born, namely : Matilda, deceased wife of Harrison Shiflet; John, deceased: James, living in Virginia; Henry Allen and Virginia, all three deceased; Willis, living in Missouri; Edmund, and two who died in infancy.

Edmund remained on the farm with his parents until he grew to manhood, discharging the duties of a son and meantime receiving what educational advantages he could from the common schools. In 1864 he went to Pennsylvania and spent ten years in agriculture, when he came to Indiana and located on an eighty-acre farm in Richland township. This farm was in a "rundown" condition, but more land was cleared, all ditched and fenced and brought to a high state of cultivation, good buildings being erected and everything presenting a substantial and attractive appearance. His success has been such as to enable him to purchase other land until the farm now contains two hundred acres, all in productive and profitable condition, indicating good judgment and excellent management by the owner.

who was born in Pennsylvania, February 6, 1844. Her parents, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of German extraction, are now deceased. They were faithful members of the German Lutheran church and highly esteemed. Ten children were bom to them as follows : William, deceased ; Evana, Sarah Ann, deceased at three years ; Peter, living in Columbia City ; Eliza, deceased ; Sarah Jane, Fiana, and two died in infancy.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones: John Luther, who married Olive Grant, living in Kentland, Indiana; Charles W., married to Mary Hentzleman, living in Troy township; George Franklin married Nellie Sattison and lives in Richland township; Naomi, the wife of Olin Van Derford, of Troy township; Lucy E., wife of Charles Hess, living in Fort Wayne ; Chester A., married to Zoe Stickler, living in Troy township; Chloe died in infancy; James Allen, unmarried and at home.

In politics Mr. Jones believes in the principles of the Republican party and renders it consistent support. The family is hospitable and generous and enjoys social and friendly relations with a large circle of acquaintances.

William C. More

An honored resident of Whitley county for a period of more than seventy years, William C. More has stamped his individuality upon the community as an influential factor in public affairs and in the material advancemtnt of the locality . His father, John W. More, was born May 27, 1810, in Warren county Ohio, and there married Mary

Spear, born in Miami county, Ohio, July ior 1810. Their removal to Indiana is recorded in the sketch of Alexander More. In 1856 he removed to Missouri, purchasing a large tract of prairie land in Davis county, but becoming dissatisfied with the conditions in Missouri owing to slavery, he sold out, returning to Whitley county in 1857 and bought an improved farm of eighty acres in Union township, where he owned two hundred and forty acres and which continued his home for thirty years, until his death. He was the first justice of the peace and the first assessor of Smith township, was deeply interested in public matters and was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and judgment. William C. More was born in Smith township May 13, 1839. He spent his early life on the farm and attending the public schools. Enlisting in August 1862 in Company B, Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry, he served until the close of the war, taking part in many of the noted campaigns and participating in a number of battles, among them being Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and Nashville. He was in numerous engagements in the operations against Atlanta, and was severely wounded at Jonesboro, September 1, 1864, by a musket ball, from the effects of which he has never entirely recovered. When sufficiently recovered he was taken back to Nashville, being in the battle against the army under General Hood, subsequently rejoining his command at Ringgold, Georgia, and in June, 1865, was honorably discharged. He resumed farming, a pursuit to which his attention has since been devoted. He is classed as one of the leading farmers and stock raisers, owning a fine farm of two hundred and forty-

Mr. More was married on January 10, 1867, to Miss Martha Compton, whose birth occurred in Smith township October 7,1847, being the daughter of Nelson and Nancy (Waugh) Compton. They have six children : Huldah E., wife of John Briggs, a farmer; Frank E., a locomotive engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad for the last three years and now motive power inspector on the Pennsylvania Railroad on the Pittsburg and Chicago division with office at Fort Wayne; Irving N., operating the homestead; Hallie Florence, wife of Charles Larimore, a locomotive engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad; Charles A., a Pennsylvania Railroad engineer, and Alpha C, ex-surveyor of Whitley county and now a student in the chemical engineering at Lead, South Dakota.

Mr. More belongs to George S. Stough Post, No. 181, Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. More is identified with the Methodist church. He is active in supporting the principles and candidates of the Republican party and for six years has served on the advisory board. He has devoted considerable attention to local geology and archaeology, and from his farm alone has collected a large cabinet of fine specimens of Indian implements and tools. Mr. and Mrs. More are highly respected and their fine home is the abode of a genuine, old-fashioned hospitalitv.

Nelson and Nance (Waugh) Compton, parents of Mrs. More, were natives of Ross county, Ohio, whence the)- came to Smith township in 1837. His father, John, went into the war of 18 12, and was never after heard from. His mother, Catherine, having died when he was five years old, he was reared by Moses Hopkins, of Ross county, later marrying Nancy Waugh, niece of his foster-parent, when quite young. Her father, Joseph Waugh, was an honorable citizen of Ross county, being a near relative of Bishop Waugh, of the Methodist church. His wife was Mary Hopkins, both of Scotch ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Compton settled in the woods in Smith township, and there both passed their lives, making a good farm of excellent soil. He died February 1, 1903, in the ninety-first year of his age. The deed to his land was sig-ned by President Jackson. She died October 4, 1884, aged sixty-four years. Mr. Compton was a Republican and had served as assessor and trustee of the township. He was all his life a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a class leader for years in Concord church. Of his ten children nine reached maturity and eight are still living, two only in Whitley county, Mrs. More and Almira J., wife of J. W. Smith, of Churubusco county. Dr. Charles M. Compton, one of the sons, is in the employment of the LJnited States government at Washington, Oklahoma. Ira N. Compton, another son, is postmaster at Hamlet, Indiana.

Ambrose Kiester

Ambrose Kiester is a native Hoosier, being born in Washington township, Noble county, January 11, 1847, and is the son of Levi and Catharine (Crumley) Kiester, both natives of Pennsylvania, but married in Stark county, Ohio. In an early day they removed to Noble county, Indiana, and purchased school land. They were industrious farmers, soon accumulating a large amount of land and other property, which increased rapidly in value; and notwithstanding they had a large family of children, each received a good start in life on arriving at maturity, leaving the old home farm intact at the time of the father's death, which occurred February 6, 1898, aged eighty years. The widow is still living at the age of eighty-five, her home being in Elkhart county with a daughter. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church from an early day. Twelve children were bom to them : John, living on part of the old homestead ; Nancy Jane, deceased; Mary, a resident of Elkhart county; Emma, of Ligonier; Miles and Catherine, deceased; George, living in Cromwell; Charles, living in Mishawaka; Edward, living in Auburn ; Ambrose, Gorham and Anna, deceased.

Ambrose Kiester grew to manhood on the home farm, receiving a common school education. His first purchase was of forty acres, on which he lived ten years and then traded it for his present farm in Troy township. This consists of two hundred and forty acres eight miles northwest of Columbia City, with modern buildings and all the conveniences and improvements necessary for profitable and successful farming. Part of the home farm was entered by Jacob Scott under President Van Buren. He was a brother of Mrs. Kiester* s mother. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Gray county, Kansas, and also residence property in Columbia City.

December 3, 1868, he was married to Mary Ellen, daughter of James and Jane (Scott) Blaine, born in Troy township, December 2, 1849. Her parents were natives of Ohio and came to Indiana before marriage, she being a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Melvin) Scott. James Blain in> proved a farm from the woods. The widow is still living on the farm near Mr. Kiester's. James Blain died March 28, 1902. They had twelve children : La Fayette and John, deceased; Mary Ellen, Ida Ann, now Mrs. Iva Grant, of Columbia City; Thomas, Minerva and William, deceased ; Frances, of Chicago; Roxey, living with her mother; Miles, deceased; Melvin, ex-county treasurer, living in Columbia City; Delia, living in Noble county.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kiester: Perry B. and wife, Delia (Grant) Kiester. live in Troy township and have seven children, Bessie, Herbert, Cecil, Carl, Ralph, Guy and De Witt ; Arminda, wife of Glenwood Groves, living in Troy township, has four children, Gail, Pauline, John and Ella; Levi, with his wife, Nora (Bowlby) Kiester, live on his father's farm in Troy township and are the parents of three children, Blanch, Homer and Jackson Ambrose; James married Ethel Hyer and lives in Indian Territory ; one died in infancy ; Maud, wife of William Strauss, lives in Columbia City; Ella Mary, wife of Clarence Malone, of Columbia City; Chloe, living at home; Flossie, died in infancy; and Dwight A.

Mr. Kiester is a Democrat and member of Hecla Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Kiester is a member of the Presbyterian church. The family have many personal friends and are held in high esteem by all with whom they are acquainted.

George H. Herrick

George H. Herriek, a well known farmer of Troy township, was born at Scope Island, Noble county, Indiana, March 21, 1862, and is the son of William and Mahala (Jones) Herriek, the latter born in Ohio January 13, 1817, and the former born in Canada, June 21, 1 810, coming to the United States when quite small and growing to manhood in the state of New York. He was the son of John Herriek, who died previous to the birth of his son. William learned the trade of shoemaker in New York, where he worked several years and conducted an extensive manufactory and store, and where he was married. Five children were the result of his first marriage : Harriet, Emily, Ella, William and Jane ; the only son, William, lost his life in the cause of his country, dying of starvation in a rebel prison. The father removed from New York to Fort Wayne, where his wife died and where he married Mahala Jones, widow of James Robinson, and to this union four children were bom : James, living at Elkhart ; Sarah, living in Albion ; John, deceased in infancy : and George H. The parents lived some time in Fort Wayne, then in the state of Michigan, finally closing their lives at Wolf Lake. Noble county, the death of the husband occurring March 6, 1885, being followed by that of the wife on September 2, of the same year. Both were members of the Free Will Baptist church, highly respected and devotedly religious. Formerly a Democrat he reared his first family in that faith, though events of the war caused him to change his views and to induce his second family to adhere to the Republican party. Her children by the former marriage were: Mary, living in Decatur, Illinois; Elizabeth, living in Albion, and Eliza, who died in childhood. Both families were reared together, no distinction being shown. George H. Herriek grew to manhood in Noble county, performing important duties on the farm, except for some nine years spent in Michigan, receiving the advantages of a common school education. May 7, 1881, he was united in marriage to Alice J., daughter of Peter J. and Lorinda (Bodine) Surfus, who was born February 11, 1864, near Huntertown, Allen county. Peter Surfus, the father of Mrs. Herriek. was born in Allen county, son of William and Sophia Surfus, while the mother was born in Fostoria, Ohio. They were married in Allen county, Indiana, spent four years in Iowa, then moved to Noble county, Indiana, then to Williams county, Ohio, finally in later years returning to Noble county, where the wife died December 20, 1887, aged fifty-two years, eight months and one day. The husband still lives in Noble county in the enjoyment of good health. He was a farmer and widely known as a saw mill and threshing machine operator. Thev were the parents of six children : Eventus Leroy. an extensive farmer of Noble county; William D., residing at Wolf Lake. Noble county; Alice J.: Myrtle M.. wife of H. M. Edsall, a government meat inspector at Washington City; Charles Eugene and Elizabeth Irene, twins dying in infancy. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Herriek: Irene May, wife of Millard Foster, a rural deliverer living in Thorncreek township; Adelbert P., married to Elizabeth Bates, a farmer of Union township, with one child. Alice Lester: Dollie C, wife of George LeRoy Kenner, of Columbia City ; Georgia and Hazel Marie, living at home. Air. Herrick is a Republican in politics and his wife a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The family is highly respected and comfortably situated. After marriage Mr. Herrick lived in Noble county till 1892. came to Union township and after various changes secured his present farm in 1904. This farm is six miles northwest of Columbia City and contains seventy-five acres, to which he devotes his business life.

Herbert B. Clugston

Herbert B. Clugston was born November 18, 1876, at Larwill, \\rhitley county, being the youngest of the family of D. B. Clugston, of whom special mention is found on another page. In his twentieth year he became a partner in the mercantile house of Clugston Brothers & Co.. with which he has since been identified. In his business relations he has achieved signal success and as a representative of the commercial interests of the city is ever found advocating its progress and advancement.

Clugston Bros. & Co., more extended mention of whom is found elsewhere, is the largest and most extensively patronized mercantile establishment in Columbia City and in the extent of business done and standing in the commercial world holds priority over many houses of much greater preten- ?i ns in metropoltian centers. The managers are men of sagacity, wide experience ami keen insight, alive to the interests of their customers. The safe and conservative policy which they have heretofore pursued affording: unmistakable assurance of the

Mr. Clugston has been twice married, the first time to Miss Mabel Carter, whose death occurred in less than a year thereafter. September 3, 1906, he was united with Miss Helen Wunderlich. Mr. Clugston is a Mason and a Knight Templar.

John Henry Zumbrun

John Henry Zumbrun. who is widely known as a practical farmer in Thorncreek township, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, March 17, 1851, and is a son of Henry and Julia (Kinsey) Zumbrun. Henry Zumbrun was born in Maryland and resided there until he became forty years of age. He then located in Ohio and in 1854 removed to Whitley county, where he bought a tract of one hundred and eig'hty acres of wild land. By diligent and continuous toil and superior management he reduced the greater part of his land to tillage and today it is considered one of the finest farms in the county. Judia Kinsey was the daughter of Christopher Kinsey and was bom in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Zumbrun had twelve children: Hannah, deceased: Jacob, who died in the arm}-; Levi, a farmer of Noble count}- : Lucinda, deceased: Daniel, a farmer residing in Smith township : Christopher, a fanner residing in Noble county : Sabia, widow of Frank Smith, a resident of Noble county; John Henry; Mary Ann, the wife of William Brown, a resident of Smith township ; Catherine, the widow of Charles Bower, a resident of Whitley county ; Elizabeth, wife of David Miller, of Columbia township; Sarah, deceased. Mr. Zumbrun died in September, 1883, and his wife died in June, 1891. They were both original members of the Blue River German Baptist church and were liberal contributors to the support of that body.

John Henry Zumbrun was reared on the home farm and was instructed and trained in the best methods of agriculture. His education was received in the common schools and he remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, when he started out upon an independent business career. He purchased eighty acres of partly improved land in Thorncreek township, which he has developed into a good farm, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation, besides containing many substantial improvements in the way of buildings and fences. He resided at this place for six years, when he removed to Cedar county, Missouri, and lived there one year. He then went to Jasper county, Missouri, but lived there only six months, when he came back to Noble county, Indiana, and rented a farm for one year. Subsequently he bought a farm of two hundred acres in Green township, Noble county, and there lived for six or seven years, when he disposed of same and purchased the old homestead and has lived there' ever since with the exception of three months that he lived in the state of Washington. He is now the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of fine land adjoining Cedar Lake and everything about his farm is kept up in first-class condition. The residence was built by his father in 1862 and the barn two years later, the improvements being among the best in the county at that time. September 9, 1870, Mr. Zumbrun chose a life companion in the person of Lucetta Cramer, a native of Whitley county, and a daughter of John and Sarah (Essick) Cramer, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Zumbrun have had twelve children : Cora, wife of Jesse Yoder, a resident of Kendallville, this state, and the mother of four children, Lillie, Voida, Plen and Nora; Dora, wife of Joseph Smith, a resident of Noble county, has two children. Vera and Vida ; Elnora, wife of Clem Sullivan, has seven children. Caster, Earl, Leland, Mabel, Edward, Chloe and Benjamin ; Daniel, who married Iva Egolf. has four children, Emmett, Lottie, Lilah and Dorthy : Edward, at home; Sarah, wife of Walter Trowbridge, a resident of Noble county, has three children, Gertrude, Nora and Joseph; Saba, wife of Evan Coulter, a farmer of Smith township, has three children, Arthur, Herschel and Hazel ; Henry, at home ; Julia, wife of Roe Miller; and Grace, John Victor and Noah A., who are still at home. Mr. Zumbrun is a Republican, while he and his entire family are members of the German Baptist church at Blue River. This family is of a cordial, social nature, delighting in entertaining their friends, in return enjoying the hospitality of many of the best homes of the locality and all who know them hold them in hisrh esteem.

James Garrison

James Garrison, who successfully operates a highly cultivated farm of one hundred and forty acres in Thorncreek township, was born in Richland count}". Ohio. October 9,

1831, and is the son of Card and Elizabeth (Davis) Garrison, both natives of Cayuga county, New York. The paternal grandfather was William Garrison, a Vermont yankee who located in Richland county, Ohio, soon after the war of 1812, entering land from the government and lived there during the remainder of his days. After his death his son Card took the farm in hand and by his untiring efforts and indefatigable energy was soon able to pay off his indebtedness. He had left the old homestead going to Plymouth, where he passed away June 5, 1894, his wife having died July 27, 1885. They had seven children : Martin D., James, Mary Ann. Sarah Ann, Lyman, Amos and Orrin Franklin. His old homestead is now owned by his grandson.

James Garrison was reared on his father's farm and was early taught to be honest, energetic and industrious. Throughout his entire life he has engaged in the occupation of farming, which was the pursuit to which he was reared and concerning which he gained practical experience in his youth. He came to Whitley county in 1867 and purchased his present fine farm and has lived there all his life. Mr. Garrison's farm is finely improved with excellent buildings and well kept fences and his efforts have been rewarded with a gratifying degree of success. Mr. Garrison has been twice married, first to Emma Gingher, a native of Lancaster county, Ohio, by whom he had one son, Lorenzo B.. who married Addie Robbins, and resides in Lagrange county. Mrs. Garrison died Setpember 28, 1873, and December 17, 1874, Mr. Garrison married Elmira (Carter) Summer, the widow of Samuel Summer, who died in i860. Elmira Carter was born in Logan county, Ohio, July 25, 1839, and is a daughter of Asahel and Catherine (Horn) Carter, natives of Virginia, who came to Smith township, Whitley county, in 1843 and purchased from the government forty acres of wild land. They at first moved into an abandoned school house, but later built a log house. Mr. Carter died in 1851 and his wife in 1877. They were members of the Baptist church. They were the parents of six children : Elizabeth, Asa H., Mandaville O., Arthur P., Cynthia, Elmira and Jesse W. Mrs. Garrison is the sole survivor of her family, as her husband is of the Garrison family. They have one son, Amos C, who married Bertha May Walker, and operates the homestead. They also have reared from childhood a niece of Mrs. Garrison, who still remains with them. Mrs. Garrison has one son by the former marriage, William Alonzo Summer, who owns the Summer homestead in Smith township, where his parents' married life was passed and is a rural mail carrier. Mr. Garrison enlisted in 1864 in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-third Ohio Infantry, but did not see much active service. His company was in the state guards, but was sworn into regimental duty and they were known as one-hundred-day men. He is a Republican and himself and wife are members of the Methodist church.

William Henry Betzner

ber 1 6, 1858, and is the son of Owen and Catherine (Pletcher) Betzner. His grandfather was John Jacob Betzner, a native of Germany, who came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, but later removed to Ohio, subsequently locating in Whitley county, where he bought a fine farm and also owned and operated a country blacksmith shop. His death occurred in this county. He was twice married and by the first union there was one child, Owen. The mother is now living in Missouri. Owen was a mere lad when he accompanied his father to Whitley county. He spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, performing his full share in the labors of the field. He and his wife were the parents of five children, John A., who is a farmer of Columbia township; Man-, who died at the age of two years ; Franklin, who is living in Montana; Malissa, who is the wife of Eli Bolinger, a resident of Columbia township ; and William Henry, Owen Betzner died in 1872 and his widow married John Snyder. The father having died when the children were quite young the responsibility of supporting and educating her children devolved upon the mother. She did everything in her power to advance their interests and had reason to be proud of them, while they in turn had even- reason to be grateful to her for the sacrifices which she made in their behalf. She and her husband now live near Taylor Station.

With the aid of his brother John, William Henry Betzner successfully operated the home farm. In 1878 he married Lavina J. Essig, who was born in Whitley county April 14, 1862, the daughter of George Washington and Polly (Snyder) Essig, natives of Ohio, both now deceased. Mr. and

Mrs. Essig had eight children, Christ,, who is living in Arkansas ; David W., whois living in South Whitley ; Anna, who married Matthew Smale, a resident of California ; Lavina J. ; Catherine, wife of Samuel Prichard, a resident of Richland township; Ida, wife of James Tantlinger, a resident of Arkansas ; Lyman, who is living in Nebraska, and Melvin, living in Arkansas. After Mr. Betzner's marriage he worked by the day for a year and a half, when he and his brother rented the old homestead, which they successfully operated for three years. He then bought a small farm near Columbia City and during the time of his residence there worked in a saw mill, having been employed by the Peabody Saw Mill Company for a period of five years. Subsequently he bought the old Essig farm of eighty acres and two years afterward, having disposed of this, he purchased his present farm of one hundred acres, nine miles northeast of Columbia City, and has lived there continuously to the present time. He gives much time and attention to the rotation of crops, his farm is finely improved with excellent buildings and well kept fences and his efforts have been rewarded with a gratifving degree of success. Mr. and Mrs. Betzner are the parents of twelve children : Clarence, who married Maggie Aborn, and is a mail carrier in Columbia City; Myrtle, wife of Doc Addis, has two children, Marie and Robert William; William Loyd, who married Nora Monroe, has two children, Constance and Russell ; George, who married Lulu Ward, lives in Thorncreek township; Nellie, a resident of Fort Wayne, who married Merle Pence, has one son, Vallorous; Ethel; Hazel, at home; Carl, deceased at nine years; Neva, deceased in childhood; Ruth, Gladys and Zella. Air. and Mrs. Betzner are members of the St. John's United Brethren church. Mr. Betzner is a Democrat and his fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen. He is systematic and up-to-date in his methods and has achieved a distinctive success in his line.

Willis Rhodes

Willis Rhodes, a farmer living four and one-half miles northeast of Columbia City in Thorncreek township, is the son of John J. and Phimela (Parkason) Rhodes, and was born in Thorncreek township May 15, 1865. John J. was the son of Jacob Rhodes, who came from Switzerland to America in 1844 and settled in Licking county, Ohio. John J. was ten years old on coming to America, moved to Whitley county in i860 and bought forty acres in section 17. now a part of the Milo Lawrence farm. This he sold in 1862 and bought eigiity acres in section 36, which he sold the same year and purchased eighty acres in section 2$, where he remained to the end of his life, December 30, 1899. Jacob's wife died in Ohio, after which he came to Indiana and resided with his son, John J., until his death in 1869. Phimela Parkason was born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1826, and died August 12, 1905. She and her husband were members of the Methodist church and were the parents of four children : James, who died at fourteen; Willis; Ella, wife of Charles Pence, living in Thorncreek township; Ida, wife of Ivy VanHouten, living in Thorn- township.

Willis Rhodes was married December 30, 1889, to Ida M., daughter of David M. and Mary (Kinsey) Waugh, natives of Ohio, but later settled in Smith township, where Mrs. Rhodes was born in 1871. After marriage they removed to the eighty-acre farm which was half of his father's homestead, where they now reside. He has erected new buildings and has about sixty acres in cultivation. Some thirty acres have been reclaimed by drainage, about two hundred and fifty rods of tile being already laid. This bottom land is proving very valuable and at a late farmers' institute his son, Mark W., carried off three prizes for corn which was produced on some of it. He also read an essay on corn culture which was much admired. Mr. Rhodes and wife have five children : Mark W., Margery, Mary, Paul and Louis. By industry and economy they are able to enjoy the products of a good farm, with a comfortable house of eight rooms and other improvements to correspond. The family are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Rhodes is a Republican.

Wesley Riser

The history of this family presents the characteristics of industry, honesty and frugality, all of which are strongly marked in the subject of this sketch. He was born near Canton, Ohio, April 30. 185 1. and is the son of Michael and Julia (Malone) Kiser. The parents moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio in an early day, and in 185 1 to Jefferson township, Whitley count}', locating on the farm near the one now owned by Mr. Kiser. To them were born thirteen children, five of whom are still living, namely : Elizabeth, Wilson S., Wesley, Malinda and Charlotte. He was a Democrat, but never held office, as he applied himself closely to the farm, enjoying the work and making it profitable. He passed away in 1884 and his wife followed in 1887. Wesley Kiser was married in 1873 to Frances J., daughter of Andrew and Susan (Day) Taylor, who came from Ohio in 1853 and settled in Union township, Whitley county. They have seven children : Cora, still at home ; Albert, a resident of Jonesboro, Indiana ; Flora E., wife of Roy Conner, a hardware merchant at Fort Wayne; Joseph, a farmer, married Laura Shoenauer; Roy F., deceased at the age of seventeen ; Ora and Mattie.

Mr. Kiser owns one hundred and twenty acres of land, one hundred of which are cleared and drained with five hundred rods of tile, on which very profitable crops of all kinds of grain are grown. The major part of this is fed to Poland-China hogs and Durham cattle. The barn, forty by eighty feet, is always well filled with the best of feed, which is given to the stock with skill and system. The entire farm presents every evidence of thrift and success, and Mr. Kiser takes just pride in its appearance. He is a Democrat and the family enjoy the social and religious influences of the Christian church.

W. S. Smith

W. S. Smith, the oldest of seven children that constituted the family of Oliver and Malinda (Berry) Smith, was born in Whitley county, Indiana, September 9, 1858, and spent his early life on the home farm in Jefferson township. (See sketches of J. W. Smith and Daniel Berry.) Being the eldest son, much of the labor of the farm fell to him, with the result that he had little time to attend school. Upon reaching legal age he engaged in farming, which calling he has since continued, his position at the present time among the leading agriculturists of his township being the result of judicious labor and an enterprising spirit that hesitated at no difficulties, however numerous and formidable.

Mr. Smith has been fortunate in his enterprises, his farm of two hundred acres being one of the best improved and most productive in the township. His place, which is locally known as the Nind farm, is a kind of landmark, as it was one of the first settled in Jefferson township. A pioneer by the name of Nind purchased the land from the government in an early day and moved to the same when the country was almost a wilderness. Under Mr. Smith's excellent management the farm has been brought to a high state of cultivation and in addition to substantial buildings and other improvements it contains nearly a thousand rods of tile, which affords ample drainage. In connection with the crops of grain and vegetables usually grown in this part of the state, he gives much attention to live stock, meeting with encouraging success in this branch of farming, especially in the raising of fine hogs and sheep, the latter being the Shropshire breed and noted for their value as wool producers.