Liberty Township

Liberty Township

MILLER C. BLACHLY, miller, was born May 8, 1853, in Porter County; he is one of seven children born to Cornelius and Christina (Laughlin) Blachly. The elder Blachly was a physician. They moved to Salt Creek in the spring of 1869. Young Blachly received the usual early educational advantages, and about seventeen years of age, he began working for his father, then owner of the present mill, as teamster for about three years ; he now entered the mill, working there until the spring of 1875, when he bought a quarter interest, which he now owns. The mill is well known, and is probably the first one built in the county, and has been known by the name of the " Gosset Mill," one of the best watermills in the county ; it has two runs of buhrs, and does an extensive amount of custom work. The dam includes about 160 acres, and furnishes excellent water-power. He is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, of Wheeler, Porter County, Ind. In December, 1875,' he married Frances Stafford, a native of Liberty Township. They have one child, Goldie M. In politics, Mr. Blachly is a Republican.

ABRAHAM L. BLACHLY, miller, was born July 2, 1860, in Union Centre, Porter County ; he is the youngest of seven children living born to Cornelius and Christina (Laughlin) Blachly, both natives of Pennsylvania. The elder Blachly was a physician of the regular school. He has practiced in Porter County for forty-four years, and was among the first settlers in Porter County ; had bought the old Gosset Mill in 1869. Abraham L. received a common school education, and lived with his father at the old home until the death of the latter, in April, 1876. In 1879, Abraham married Ida Wheeler, a native of this county. They live at the old place with his mother. They have one child, Clara E. Soon after his father's death, he bought a quarter interest in the mill, he and his brother Miller owning one-half. They are both first-class millers ; he has always been a Republican, and is an intelligent and promising young man. The other half-interest in the mill is owned by the Widow Blachly, and the whole is estimated at $10,000. The family have in their possession a " coat of arms," descended from the Blachly side from an ancient family in Holland. Dr. E. Blachly, an uncle of the elder B., was a founder of Oberlin College.

THOMAS N. BENTLEY, farmer, was born August 25, 1807, in Stephentown, N. Y.; he is the youngest of eight children born to Reuben and Susan (Northup) Bentley, both natives of Rhode Island. Thomas' father died when he (Thomas) was about three years old, and his mother about a year later. Thomas was now brought up by his brother-in-law, until his fourteenth year ; Thomas then went out into the world for himself. He had received but little education. Thomas, with three brothers, received 150 acres from their father's estate. Thomas worked out and on the 150 acres until twenty-five years of age, when the land was sold, and Thomas went to the western part of New York, where he remained about thirty years ; here he bought seventy-five acres, and after his marriage, February 16, 1834, he lived on it about two years. He was married to Martha E. Cook, a native of New York ; he worked farms on shares, and owned 100 acres until about 1861, when he traveled some, and then came to Porter County, and, after a short residence, went back to New York and bought his old farm. In a few years, he came back to Porter County and bought his present farm - 160 acres of good land, well-improved with good buildings. With the exception of two visits to New York, he has lived here ever since. He was a member of the I. 0. 0. F. order for ten years ; his wife was one of the " Daughters of Rebecca " also; he voted for Jackson and Van Buren, but of late years he has been a Republican, but votes for the man and principle rsther than party. He has four children living - Reuben, Morris, William and Maiy.

GEORGE BROWN was born November 7, 1829, in Bavaria, Germany. He is the eldest of two children born to Jacob and Mary A. (Glaab) Brown, both natives of Bavaria. Young Brown lived with his father until sixteen years of age, when he began learning his trade of miller, which he completed in four years. According to the prevailing custom there, he then traveled two years. He now emigrated to America, settling in Chicago. Here he worked on the railroad as fireman for three years, when he came to Valparaiso and farmed for a short time, and then obtained a position in Sager's Mill, where he was en- gaged for four years. He now bought a share in the Prattville Mills, continuing there seven years. After this he engaged in milling more or less, and at present he is engaged as miller in the Liberty Mill, lie owns a residence in Valparaiso, where his family lives. He has been a member of the I. 0. 0. F order. He has always been a strong Democrat, and is a well-known, enterprising citizen. He has five children living - Claudina, Ryneor, Elma, William and George, Jr.

JOHN C. COLE wag born June 27, 1836, in Huron County, Ohio. He is the third of nine children born to Edward P. and Sally (Dillingham) Cole, natives of New York and of Ohio. John 0. lived with his father in Huron County until his second year, when his father came to this county and bought somewhere near a half section, and at one time nearly a section and a half, and lived here until his death, in 1877. In his twentieth year, John C. Cole was married to Mary Osborn, a native of Huron County. Mr. Cole now settled on ninety acres from his father's estate and his present farm, on which he has resided ever since, with the exception of about three years' service. He enlisted in the Seventy-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Perryville, Chapel Hill and in a raid to Alabama, where they were captured and paroled and placed on guard duty, fort-building, etc. He was mustered out of service at Nashville July 10, 1865. Mr. Cole's farm consists of 244 acres of well-improved land, with good buildings, wind pump, etc., most of it under cultivation. He is a member of the F. & A. M. order, Calumet Lodge, No. 379, and during the time of it was a member of the Grange. He has been Trustee for three terms, and is an active Republican. It was through his influence that the station of Woodville, an extensive grain market, store and post office, was placed in the township, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He built and owns the buildings. He has five children - Ada A. Freer, Carthaette S. Griswold, Daniel E., George J. and Frederick H.

JEREMIAH DALY was born in 1851 in Ireland. He is one of six children born to Daniel and Julia (Singleton) Daly, both natives of Irelan d. They emigrated to the United States when Jeremiah was about one year old. After a short stay in New Jersey, they went to Ohio, where they remained about one year. The father was a contractor on the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad. He worked along the road to Valparaiso, where he arrived in 1857. The railroad company being at that time in embarrassed circumstances, the elder Daly had to take a quarter section of land as back pay, part of the present farms owned by the Daly brothers. The farm on which our subject and his unmarried brother, Michael, is living, is the old homestead. The father and sons began clearing the original forests, and have succeeded in making a set of the best farms in the township. The brothers, altogether, own about 520 acres. Jerry, as he is called, and his brother Michael, own 260 acres of it, with good buildings, etc. The father and mother lived to a ripe old age, and died suddenly - the former in 1875, and the latter about one and one-half years before. He and his brother Michael are both members of the Catholic Church. Michael was born in 1855, in Ohio, and is the youngest member of the family. Jeremiah is at present Road Superintendent of the township. In political faith, he has always been a Democrat, and takes an active part in politics; he is at present the representative of the Democratic Committee in this township. As a man, he is well informed, genial and enterprising ; as a citizen, public-spirited and influential. He was married November 3, 1880, to Kate Leahy, a native of Valparaiso. They have one child - Cornelius. Mr. Daly received a common school education, and has been a great reader; his wife was educated at the St. Paul Catholic School of Valparaiso.

HENRY FRIDAY was born April 12, 1848, in Germany. He is the eldest of five children, living, born to James and Sophia (Lindermann), Friday, both natives of Germany. Young Friday lived in Germany, with his father, until he was six years old, when he emigrated to the United States, settling in Michigan City, Ind., and afterward living in Otis, La Porte County, when, in 1858, he came to Westchester Township and bought 160 acres of land. Henry lived with his father up to twenty-five years of age, receiving the usual education. In April, 1873, he married Frederica Mahus, a native of Germany. He then bought forty acres, living on that about two years. At the death of his father, he went to live on the old homestead, where he remained five years. He now bought his present farm, consisting of 140 acres of fine land, well improved, with good buildings, etc. He has begun stock-raising as more of a specialty than heretofore. Mr. Friday is a member of the F. & A. M. order, and has taken three degrees. He and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church. He is a Greenbacker, an intelligent man and enterprising citizen. He has three children living - William, Louis and Charles.

JOHN JOHNSON, Jr., was born April 8, 1825, in Virginia. He is the eldest of five children born to John and Eleanor (Louis) Johnson, both natives of Virginia. The elder John died when our subject was about eight years old. When about twelve years of age, he went to work for himself, working on the farm until about twenty-four years of age. This was in Ohio, where the family had come a few years before the father's death. Our subject was married, October 15, 1849, to Mary A. Fury, a native of Virginia. He had bought his present farm of eighty acres of good, well-improved land, and now increased to one hundred and sixty acres. He has forty acres also in Michigan. His farm is crossed by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, one mile west of Woodville Post Office. He is a member of the United Brethren Church ; he has held the office of Justice of the Peace for twelve years, which indicates the satisfaction he has given; he has always been a Democrat in political belief; is a well-informed man and enterprising, influential citizen. His first wife died in November, 1864, of consumption. He married for his second wife Mrs. Susan Hubbard, a native of Ohio. He has five children living - John B., Amanda, Mary A., Andrew and Cora.

FRITZ LINDEMANN was born July 25, 1836, in Mecklenburg, Germany. He is one of eight children born to Jasper and Mary Lindemann, both natives of Germany. Fritz lived in Germany with his father until twenty- two years of age, having received a common school education, when he emigrated to the United States, and settled in Porter County, working around for about four years ; he now bought land in Jackson Township. He had been married to Sophia Fanter, a native of

Germany, in 1859. He took his wife to his new farm, where they resided for fourteen years on 120 acres of good land. In the fall of 1877, he bought his present farm of 319 acres of excellent land. It is now in good condition, through the intelligent care of Mr. Lindemann, with good buildings and other improvements, and he has fair prospects of becoming one of the best farmers in Porter County. He has been a Mason for the last four years, and has taken seven degrees. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church. In the spring of 1880, he was elected Township Trustee, and has served with ability. He is a Greenbacker and an ex-Republican. He has five children - Henry, Frank, Fritz, David and Emma.

SAMUEL M. PHARES was born in Porter County August 28, 1843. He is the eldest of eight children born to Martin and Maria (Shafer) Phares, the former of Greene County, Ohio, and the latter of Luzerne County, Penn. Samuel lived with his father, with the exception of the time of service in the war, until about twenty-seven years of age. He received the usual early educational advantages. He enlisted December 8, 1863, in the Twelfth Cavalry, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, and was in service in the South and West. January 1, 1871, Mr. Phares married Narcissa C. Beam, a native of this county. He had already bought his present farm, which consists of seventy-six acres of good land, well-watered, and with good buildings. He has held th^ oflSce of Township Trustee for about four years, and is at present Assessor, both of which offices he has filled creditably. He has always been a Republican, and a public-spirited citizen. He has one child - Charles W.

SYLVESTER C. SHEETS was born December 29, 1840, in Seneca County, Ohio; he is one of eight children born to Henry and Hannah Sheets, both probably from Maryland. Young Sheets lived with his father until the latter's death in about 1854 ; he received the usual early educational advantages; he then lived with his mother until her death, when he was about twenty-two years of age ; he then farmed some on Mr. Bartholomew's farm. On October 27, 1864, he married Louise Scofield, a native of Connecticut; he enlisted in February of 1865, in the One Hundred and Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry. On account of exposure, he was confined to the hospital until he was discharged ; he bought eighty acres, a part of his present farm, now consisting of about 208 acres of good land, well watered. By hard work and intelligent management he has accumulated all he now owns. Mrs. S. received, besides common school benefits, the advantages of the high school and is a woman of not common intelligence. Mr. S. has always been a stanch Republican, and is a strong temperance man ; he has seven children - Lillian M., Arthur E., Frederic R., Adela I., Augustus C, Garie C. and Clifton B.

TRUMAN SKINNER was born in November, 1825, in Wayne County, N. Y. ; he is one of twelve children born to Asa and Electa J. (Mason) Skinner, both natives of New York. Truman lived with his parents in New York until 1834, when they went to Canada, remaining there four years, and then came to Porter County, and the father bought eighty acres of land. In 1839, his wife died and he went back to New

York. Truman was bound out to Henry Dillingham, who reared him up to about his eighteenth year ; he received the usual educational advantages, and worked out for about three years, then about seven years at Gosset's Mill. He now bought eighty acres, sold it and bought 140 acres of which his present farm is a part, having sold forty acres leaving 100, his present possession. With the exception of two years in Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas, he has lived here ever since he first came. All he has he obtained by his own efforts ; he has been a member of the United Brethren Church, and during its life was a member of the Grange; he was at one time a Whig, and is now a Douglas Democrat, though he votes for the man rather than the party ; he has eight children living - Ellen, Electa J., Paulina, Mary, William, Truman H., Mahala and Melna.

ABRAHAM STAFFER was born January 14, 1822, in Pennsylvania; he is one of eight children born to Abraham and Rebecca (Krider) Staffer, of Pennsylvania. Young Staffer lived with his father until about twenty -seven years of age, receiving a common school education ; he was married September, 1848, to Emily Brumbaugh, a native of Maryland ; he now began running a threshing machine, and soon after, with his brother, bought a carding machine, carding wool for about three years. They now bought the Gosset Mil!, owning that for about six years. Since that Mr. S. has built and run threshing machines. In the spring of 1882, he bought three acres of land, his present home ; he also owns a saw-mill in the Hughart settlement ; he was Township Trustee and Postmaster for some time ; he is a Greenback Democrat and is an intelligent man and good citizen ; he has three children - Laura Gustafson, Mary E. Harris and Francis L. Blachly. Mr. S. has considerable inventive talent, and great taste for machinery, and has had three inventions patented - a saw gummer, the concave, and the cleaning apparatus of a thresher and a flour cooler ; he engaged in steamboating on the Calumet River with three barges and a tug boat, but on account of a sand bar in the river the enterprise proved a failure ; he is now running a saw-mill and a threshing machine.

NORMAN B. TANNER was born May 28, 1829, in Muns^^n, Geauga County, Ohio ; he is one of ten children born to David and Ruth (Cochron) Tanner, the former of New York and the latter of Massachusetts. Young Tanner lived with his father in Geauga County until 1840, when he moved to Union County, where Norman remained until twenty-one years of age, having received a common school education ; he then married Sarah A. Cratty, a native of Union County, August 10, 1850. In 1852, his wife died. After renting awhile, in 1854, he went to Chicago and engaged as boatman, working but a short time, when he came to Porter County and worked in a saw mill, owned by Joel Wicker, of Chicago, until the mill burned in July of 1854 ; he now engaged in a saw mill on the old plank road near Chesterton, where he served about four years, at the end of which time he rented a farm of Mr. Dillingham. After two and a half years nearly, he bought his present farm of eighty acres of good land, well watered with spring-water ; he had been married to Sophronia P. Vanslyke, a native of New York. Mr. T. has been engaged more or less in lumbering, wire fence foreman and sawmill, etc., at which he made a success ; he engaged in these because of lameness, which prevented his farming. In 1852, he joined the Presbyterian Church, while his present wife was a Baptist. They both afterward joined the Christian Church ; he was a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and at present is a member of the Masonic fraternity; he has held the office of Township Assessor for five years successively ; he is a strong Republican and used to be a "conductor" on the "underground railroad." He has five children - Sarah A., Ida M., George D., John L. and Schuyler S.

HENRY H. TILLOTSON was born December 18, 1826, near Toronto, Canada ; he is the eldest of seven children born to Ira B. and Mariette (Tuttle) Tillotson, the former of Canada, the latter of New York. When Henry was two years old, his parents came to Brie County, Penn.; in about Henry's eighth year, his father died, and he was reared by a man named Donaldson, and, when twenty-two, he began for himself. He married Matilda Smith, a native of New York, about 1848 ; they had one child, deceased ; his wife died about 1850. Henry then went to St. Louis and engaged in railroading as contractor about two years ; then to Chicago, lumbering for a time ; he then came to Porter County and began milling, at which he continued for nine years. In 1861, he enlisted in the Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served in West Virginia. When discharged, he came home and helped recruit the Seventy-third Indiana, and was commissioned Lieutenant, and served under Buell and Rosecrans. Then he went on a raid under Col. Straight to follow Bragg's army, on which he was captured near Rome, Ga. He lay in Libby Prison for a year, then was taken to Macon, Ga., thence to Charleston, S. C, where the prisoners were placed under fire of their own men; thence to Columbia, S. C, and soon after exchanged. They were held at one time as hostages for Morgan - all officers. In 1865, he bought his present farm, 109 acres, less the mill-dam of about 20 acres. He was married before he went into the service to Helen M. Schelenger, a native of Pennsylvania. His farm is good land, all improved. He is a member of two fraternities - Masonic and Odd Fellows; he was also a member of the defunct Grange. He has been Justice of the Peace six years, and was elected again, but resigned ; he is a very strong Peter Cooper Greenbacker, and is an intelligent, well-informed man and enterprising citizen. He has six children - Ira B., Frank J., John S., Helena R., Jennie, Edwin.