Henry Smith, farmer, Butler Township. Was born in Bedford County, Pa., Nov. 14, 1829, a son of Jacob and Margaret (Burkheimer) Smith, native of Pennsylvania. His father was born March 2, 1803, and his mother Dec.24, 1805. In 1831 his parents moved to Richland County, Ohio, where the father died July 16, 1863, and the mother in 1876. They had a family of nice children---Fanny, Henry, Polly, Levi, Aaron, John, Frederick, Susanna and Maria. They were prominent and consistent members of the German Baptist church. Henry Smith was reared on a farm and received such education as the district school of his day afforded. In 1860 he moved to DeKalb County, Ind., and bought 120 acres of land, on which he has since resided. He has since bought another tract of 120 acres, and now has one of the finest farms in the township. Mr. Smith was married April 30, 1854, to Miss Susanna, daughter of Jacob and Susanna Leedy, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Maryland. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born nine children---Margaret, Levi, Jacob, Mary, Lydia, Mahala, Lodema, Amanda and John. Levi died Aug. 29, 1869. Mr. Smith is one of the self-made men of the county. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.


Levi Smith, farmer and stock-raiser, Concord Township, was born in what is now Mahoning County, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1828, a son of Peter and Elizabeth Smith, early settlers of Ohio from Pennsylvania. His early life was spent on a farm, and when seventeen years of age he began to work at the shoemaker's trade, serving an apprenticeship. In 1849 he bought fifty acres of land in Portage County, Ohio, where he lived till the spring of 1854, when he came to De Kalb County, Ind., and bought eighty acres of land, but very little being improved, and by close attention to his pursuits and industry he has now a farm of 320 acres all under cultivation. He is a self-made man, and can now look back on a well spent life and enjoy the fruits of his early years of toil and hardship. He was married April 24, 1849, to Harriet Robb, a native of Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Robb. They have two children---Ira E. and Isaiah. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Church of God. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.


John H. St. Clair, the second son and fourth child of John c. St. Clair of Union Township, is a native of De Kalb County, Ind., born April 5, 1858. He was reared on a farm, receiving a common school education, and since leaving school had followed teaching in the winter, at which he has been successful, being a good disciplinarian, and thoroughly competent to fill the position he has chosen for a livelihood. He had devoted the summer to agricultural pursuits, and in 1882 settled on a farm of 120 acres in Concord Township, which is under a good state of cultivation. He was married Oct. 6, 1881, to Miss Ella S. Erehart, a native of Wilmington Township, daughter of Adam and Mira (Kiner) Erehart. She was a teacher in the public schools before her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. St. Clair have been born two children-Roscoe R., and an infant, deceased. In politics Mr. St. Clair affiliates with the Democratic party.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.


David Stonestreet, farmer, Butler Township, was born in Bath County, Va., Oct. 7,1825, a son of Ashford and Jemima (Ross) Stonestreet, Virginians, who removed with their family to Richland County, Ohio, in 1829. His boyhood was passed on a farm, and he obtained a limited education in the common schools. In 1849 he came to DeKalb County, Ind. He bought a tract of land near Albion, Noble County, which he afterward traded for land in Butler Township, on which he settled and has since lived. Like most early settlers he was a poor man when he came to the county, but by his industry he accumulated a good property. He owns a fine farm of 250 acres, which is well cultivated and improved with good farm building. He was married Aug. 3, 1851, to Rebecca, daughter of David Smith. To them have been born eight children, five of whom are living---Margaret E., John, George, Anna and Rebecca. The deceased are Ellison, Charity and Lydia. Mrs. Stonestreet is a member of the German Baptist church. Politically, Mr. Stonestreet is a Democrat. He is Trustee of Butler Township. He is one of the self-made men of the county, having by his own efforts, with the aid of his wife, made his property, and is now one of the prominent men to the county. Mr. Stonestreet's parents had a family of nine children---Elitha, David, Ellison, Mary, Jemima, Ashford, Lydia, Robert and Levina. David is the only one living in DeKalb County. Mrs. Stonestreet's parents located in Butler Township in 1848. They were exemplary members of the Baptist church. They had a family of twelve children, eight of whom are living---Rebecca, John, David, Anna, Josiah, Samuel, Henry, Franklin. The deceased are Susan, William, Nancy and Simon. Mr. Smith died Jul 2, 1870, aged about sixty years. Mrs. Smith died Jul 10, 1868, aged fifty-seven years.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.


Joseph Straub is of German Ancestry. He came from Marion County, Ohio, in 1835, with his wife and three children and settled in Butler Township, De Kalb Co., Ind., where he bought a half section of land from the Government, of which he cleared about forty acres. In 1842 he sold his land and removed to Carroll County, where he farmed five years, and in 1847 returned to this county, where he bought a quarter section, and here he resided till his death, which occurred Dec. 25, 1860, on his fifty-ninth birthday. His wife survived till June, 1881, when she died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. L.S. Bassett, which adjoins the old homestead. Eight children were born to them---Henry, farming in Dakota; Susan (deceased); Simon Peter, who lives on the homestead farm; Jacob, a Universalist minister; Margaret Ann, Maria, Barbara Elizabeth, wife of L.S. Bassett of Butler Township, and Solomon W., residing at Woodlawn Park, near Chicago. Rev. Jacob Straub entered the ministry in 1860 and has become a prominent minister of the Universalist denomination. He has preached at Dowagiac, Mich., five years; Lansing, Mich., seven years; Muskegon, Mich., four years. He then engaged in literary pursuits for two years, living in Chicago and preaching irregularly, and for the past seven years he has been pastor at Marseilles, Ill. He is the author of "Consolations of Science," which has received favorable notice from scientific and religious thinkers in Europe and America. He intends to devote his future years to literary pursuits. Mary Ann Straub has been in the Universalist ministry five years, filling the pulpit at Castalia, Iowa, for three years. She now resides in Woodlawn Park, Ill. She has composed many Sunday-school hymns and has also written an unpublished work for women. Maria Straub also resides at Woodlawn Park. She has a volume of poems almost ready for publication, and has also written much sacred music. She is the regular correspondent of the "Religious Telescope." Dayton, Ohio. Prof. S.W. Straub has made music, vocal and instrumental, his life’s work. He has conducted musical conventions for many years, and has published a dozen or more musical books, including several Sunday-school books which are extensively used. Those best known are "Morning Light" and "Living Fountain," for Sabbath-schools. He has also published "Convention, Choir and Anthem Treasures" for choir purposed, and also some sheet music. He founded "Song Friend," a musical periodical now in the sixth volume, which se still conducts in connection with general music publishing in Chicago. His son, Arthur M., is a pianist of promise. He is now teaching and studying music. Henry Straub, his eldest son, has been Justice of the Peace for many years.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.


Isaac and David Timberlain were natives of New Jersey, sons of Jonathan and Hannah Timberlain. Their boyhood was spent in Columbiana County, Ohio, where their parents located in the early settlement of the county. There they grew to manhood, having only such educational advantages as the early schools afforded. In 1851 they came together to Indiana and settled in Butler Township, De Kalb County, purchasing eighty acres of wild land. They erected a log cabin and began clearing their land. Here Isaac lived till his death and David still lives. Isaac was married in Ohio to Elizabeth Sheets, and to them were born eight children, seven of whom are living---Hannah, Mary, Eliza, Silas, David, Elizabeth and Rebecca. One died in infancy. Isaac died Dec. 11, 1879, aged nearly sixty-nine. David is aged about seventy-eight years. In politics they were both staunch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. Like other early settlers when they came to De Kalb County they were in limited circumstances, but their eagerness to procure a home inspired them with energy and they went to work with a determination to overcome all difficulties, and were rewarded with good crops and a full larder, and finally by a competency of old age.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.


Cyrus C. Walters, farmer and stock-raiser, Concord Township, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Nov. 26, 1840, the eldest son of Joseph and Sarah (Nixon) Walters. In October, 1846, his parents moved to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled on a tract of unimproved land, moving into a cabin without doors or windows, and with the ground for a floor. Here he was reared, his youth being spent in assisting his father. He attended the district school a few weeks each winter when his services were not required on the farm, and by application in his leisure hours was qualified to teach when he was twenty years of age, a vocation he followed five years during the winter. He was married April 10, 1862, to Sarah Donaldson, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, daughter of Henry and Jane Donaldson. After his marriage he settled on a part of the old homestead, where he lived a year and then bought a farm where he lived till 1872, when he began the study of law, but a year later he abandoned it and engaged in the hardware business a year. In February, 1876, he bought the farm of 120 acres in Concord Township, where he has since lived. He is a member of the Hacker Lodge, No. 326, A.F. & A.M. In politics he is a Democrat. To him and his wife have been born five children---C.B., of St, Joseph, Ind., Joseph, M.L., Ford and Frank.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.


Samuel Wasson, one of the first settler, and the first of those now living, of De Kalb County, was born in Funkstown, Pa., July 9, 1809, a son of David and Flora (Graham) Wasson, natives of Ireland. When he was a child his parents moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, and later to Darke County, where he grew to manhood. After attaining his majority, in 1830, he went down the Mississinnewa River and worked for the Indians from spring till fall; then returned to Darke County, and in the spring of 1832 went to Ft. Wayne and worked on the canal, and in the fall of 1833 came to De Kalb County in company with six or seven families and worked for the settlers till 1837, when he entered eighty acres of land in Concord Township, which he cleared and improved, and on which he has lived nearly a half century. He has been a hard working man and has probably assisted in building more log cabins and houses than any other man in the county. He has cut and split 2,000 rails in seven days. He has lived to see De Kalb County change from a country of Indians and wild animals to one of cultivated farms and prosperous villages, and no one had done more to bring about this change than he. Although seventy-six years old he still retains considerable of his youthful vigor and oversees the cultivation of his farm. He was married Jan. 16, 1840, to Eliza Means, who came to De Kalb County in 1837. To them have been born twelve children, ten of whom are living---Sarah, Elizabeth, Lewis, David, Benjamin F., Nancy, Jane, Matilda, Milton and Ann. James and John are deceased. In his youthful days Mr. Wasson was a Whig in politics, but since its organization has cast his suffrage with the Republican party.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.


Erastus White, a son of Ephraim and Betsey (Bartholomew) White, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Dec. 1,1820, and in April, 1838, came with his parents to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled in Concord Township, near where he now lives on rented land. He afterward bought eighty acres of school land in Concord Township, which he improved, and lived on till his death, may 2, 1847. The mother afterward married Alexander Crawford and moved to Ohio, and lived till after the death of her husband, and then returned to De Kalb County, where she died Nov. 17,1869. Our subject remained with his parents till the death of the father and then took charge of the homestead, subsequently buying the interests of the other heirs. To the original purchase of his father he has added till he now owns twenty-seven timber land. He was married Jan. 1, 1846, to Clarissa Johnson, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas and Lydia (Draggoo) Johnson. To them were born four children, three of whom are living---Jacob I., Thomas E., and Franklin J. their third son, Henry E., died Nov. 6, 1883. Mr. White is a member of the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.


CHARLES W. WIDNEY, the eldest son and second child of seven children of Samuel and Johannah (Brearley) Widney, was born in Franklin County, Pa, Dec. 18, 1825, and was ten years of age when his parents moved to DeKalb County. His youth was spent in assisting his father to clear and improve a frontier farm. He remained with his parents till manhood, and then bought 100 acres of unimproved land on section 10, Concord Township, where he lived till 1880, when he retired from the active labors of farm life and moved to the village of St. Joe. He has been successful in his pursuits, and now has a competency for his declining years. Mr. Widney was married October 5, 1854, to Nancy Cole, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, daughter of John Cole. To them were born three children but one of whom is living--Mary J., wife of Jacob Sechler. Mrs. Widney died Sept. 30, 1872, and Nov. 10, 1874, Mr. Widney married Mary Sechler, daughter of Levi Sechler. Mr. and Mrs. Widney are members of the Lutheran church. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

Submitted by: Jane Hunter Hodgson
HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. B.F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen, 1914.
Subjects: DeKalb County (Ind.) History.
P. 550


JOHN WIDNEY, farmer and stock-raiser, Concord Township, was born in Franklin County, PA, Jan. 26, 1834, the fifth child of Samuel Widney one of the earliest settlers of DeKalb County. He was reared and educated in this county, remaining with his parents till his marriage, and then settled on a part of the old homestead, where he lived six years. He then bought ten acres in Concord Township, to which he has added from time to time, till he now has 123 acres of the best land in the township, all under cultivation. His improvements are valuable, his residence and farm buildings being among the best in the county. He was married Jan. 1, 1857, to Nancy Knight, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Boyles) Knight. To them have been born eight children--Wilson D. (was killed while chopping a tree at the age of twenty-three years), Sylvester S., Mary C. (wife of Franklin Sechler), Etta, Cyrus J., Addie S., Lulu J., and Cora B. In 1884 Mr. Widney retired from the active labors of farm life and moved to the village of St. Joseph. He and his wife are active members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican.

Submitted by: Jane Hunter Hodgson
HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. B.F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen, 1914.
Subjects: DeKalb County (Ind.) History.
P. 550


SAMUEL WIDNEY, deceased, was one of the most esteemed citizens of DeKalb County. He was born in Franklin County, PA, July 21, 1796, the second son of Charles and Mary Henderson Widney, the former a native of Ireland, born in 1763, and the latter a native of Cumberland County, PA, of Irish descent, born in 1775. He was reared on a farm in his native county, but was given a good education, and subsequently taught school a number of terms in connection with farming. He was married May 2, 1822, to Johannah Brearley, a daughter of Joseph and Jane (Mitchel) Brearley, the former a native of England, and the latter of Ireland. In May, 1836, Mr. Widney moved to Dekalb County, Ind., and settled on 200 acres of Government land, entered the year before. A part of this was on section 10, and the rest on section 11, Concord Township. Here Mr. Widney cleared and improved a farm, making it his home the remainder of his life. He was one of the most influential men of the township, taking an interest in anything that tended toward the advancement of its material and social welfare. He held various offices of trust and responsibility, among others was Commissioner, Township Trustee, and Associate Judge. He and his wife were in early life members of the Methodist Protestant church, but in later life he united with the Lutheran church. He died Feb. 1, 1878 and his wife Sept. 3, 1875.

Submitted by: Jane Hunter Hodgson
HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. B.F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen, 1914.
Subjects: DeKalb County (Ind.) History.
P. 551


Samuel L. Widney, farmer and stock-raiser, Concord Township, is the eldest son of John P. and Jane (Linn) Widney, and was born in DeKalb County, Ind., June 26, 1839. He received a good education attending the schools of his native county, and remained with his parents till manhood, assisting his father in the work on the farm. He was married Jan. 1, 1860, to Mary a. Moore, a native of Richland County, Ohio, daughter of James and Ellen Moore, early settlers of Jackson Township, DeKalb County. After his marriage Mr. Widney lived on his father’s farm a year, and in 1861 settled on the farm in Concord Township, where he now lives, where he has 333 acres of choice land, under good cultivation. He has been successful in his pursuits, which is the just reward of industry and energy, and has one of the pleasantest homes in the township. To him and his wife have been born five children, four of whom are living---Byron E., Viola, Otto L,, and Iva May. Their eldest child, Marion is deceased. Mr. Widney is a Republican in politics, and a strong supporter of the principles of his party.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.


George W. Wilmot, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Portage County, Ohio, Jam. 10, 1825, a son of Ella and Lucretia (Blair) Wilmot. When twenty years of age he went to Wisconsin, and remained there a year and a half. He then returned to Ohio, passing through DeKalb County, Ind., on the way. In 1849 he came to the county and bought the farm now owned by B.A. Hodsell, remaining through the winter and spring. He returned to Ohio, and in 1854 came again to DeKalb County, and settled on the farm in Concord Township, where he has since lived. He owns eighty-one acres of valuable land, which he has brought under a good state of cultivation, it being all heavily timbered when he first settled on it. He has always taken an active interest in the public affairs of the township and in 1859 was elected Magistrate and served four years. He has also held several minor offices of trust. He was married Jan. 13, 1852, to Lucia Palmer, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of Roswell Palmer. To them have been born nine children---Ella, Arthur, Pliny G., Leon, George Carroll, Vernon, Lucretia, Albert E., and Victor. Mr. and Mrs. Wilmot are members of the Disciples church. In politics he was formerly a Whig, but since its organization has affiliated with the Republican party.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.


William Wyatt, deceased, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, in 1819, and died in Concord Township, DeKalb County, Ind., Jan 22, 1870. He was a son of Nathan Wyatt, also a native of Pennsylvania, who moved to Ohio when our subject was a child. He was reared a farmer and on arriving at manhood came to Indiana that he might with his limited means provide himself with a home, thinking a new country the best place for a young man to gain a livelihood. He was married in this county July 17, 1842, to Miss Nancy Strong, a native of Geauga County, Ohio, daughter of Daniel Strong, also and early settler of DeKalb County. He built a log cabin into which they moved the first day of August following their marriage, and began housekeeping on their farm, which, at that time, was heavily timbered. They were industrious and economical, and by their united efforts soon had a good farm and a pleasant home. To them were born fourteen children, eleven of whom are living---Nathan, Daniel, Lydia, Ephraim, William H., Isaac N., Marietta, George W., Israel, Laura J. and James A.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.


Albertus Campbell. For over seventy years the Campbell family has been prominent in Smithfield Township of DeKalb County. Albertus Campbell, a grandson of the original settler here, has followed farming for many years, owns a farm of generous proportions in Smithfield Township, and is also the honored representative of the north district to the county on the Board of County Commissioners.

He was born in Smithfield Township, April 13, 1871, a son of Edward and Mariun E. (Childs) Campbell.

His grandfather was Abel Campbell, who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1807, and when a boy went with this parents to Stark County, Ohio. In that county on June 16, 1831, he married June Taylor, who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1812. In 1836 they moved to Summit County, Ohio, and in May,1847, located in section 28 of Smithfield Township, DeKalb County. The family, were two weeks in making the journey to DeKalb County by wagons and teams. The land on which he settled, had been entered in 1836 by John Taylor, his wife’s father. Abel Campbell took his family into a small log house, and his labor cleared up about seventy-five acres and otherwise improved the farm before his death in November,1860. He was active in whig politics, becoming a republican upon the organization of that party, and he died the day after Lincoln was elected president.

Edward H. Campbell was born in Summit County, Ohio, in 1841, and was a small boy when brought to DeKalb County. Later he worked in the fields an in clearing up more land, and he became a prosperous farmer, owning 200 acres when he died. He was a member of the Masonic Order for fifty years. His wife Mariun E. Childs, was the daughter of Brickard Childs, who settled in DeKalb County in 1847. Edward H. Campbell and wife have five children: Frank, of Fairfield Township; Albertus; Elnora, deceased; Clark, who lives northeast of Waterloo; and Thomas S., of Waterloo.

Albertus Campbell grew up on the home farm and attended public schools, living with his parents until he was twenty-five. On June 7, 1896, he married Laura Walker, who was born in Smithfield Township, March 25, 1874, daughter of Eli and Susanna Walker. Her father for one term was a county commissioner of DeKalb County, being elected on the democratic ticket. Eli Walker died in February, 1918. He was an active member of the United Brethren Church and was affiliated with the Masons and Knights of Pythias.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell moved into a log house on his father’s farm, but a year later he bought forty acres and built a home of his own. He finally sold that place and bought his present farm of 112.88 acres, and is now extensively engaged in farming and stock raising.

He and his wife had two sons, Edward F., born September 6, 1897, still at home, and Jeremiah E., born February 7, 1908. Mr. Campbell is affiliated with Waterloo Lodge No. 307, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a past master, and with the Knights of Pythias.

Politically he is a republican, but his record in politics would indicate that his personality is stronger than his party. DeKalb County is democratic normally by 500. In 1916 he was nominee of his party for commissioner and the only republican elected, and was re-elected November 5, 1918. He had a majority of 191 in 1916 and had many votes to spare in the second election. He also served four years as township assessor. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are member of Waterloo Chapter No. 142 of the Eastern Star, of which he is a past worthy patron.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.


Charles A. Campbell. With the exception of seven years when he kept a lonely bachelors cabin on the prairies of North Dakota, Charles A. Campbell has lived in Smithfield Township of DeKalb Count all his life. He has been an industrious farmer, has made his work practical, and while looking after his own affairs he has not neglected the interests of the community. In every sense he has been a useful citizen. He was born on the farm that he now owns September 3, 1866, a son of John and Cornelia (Hemstreet) Campbell. These were pioneer families, the Hemstreet coming to DeKalb County in 1843, and the Campbells coming in 1847, both settling in Smithfield Township. John Campbell was born in Summit County, Ohio, November 14, 1835, and his wife in Huron County, that state, October 21, 1838. They were married in Smithfield Township in 1859, and then settled on the farm where their son Charles lives, and spent the rest of their days there. The father died March 2, 1904. John Campbell was a republican, but subsequently became affiliated with the democratic party. Her served a term as trustee of Smithfield Township. He and his wife had four children: Jennie, wife of Carey Duncan, of Easter Ohio; Sarah, wife of George Parnell, of North Carolina; Scott, of Montpelier, Ohio; and Charles A.

Charles A. Campbell grew up on the home farm and attended common schools. At the age of twenty-one he went west and homesteaded 160 acres in North Dakota, proving up on his claim and cultivating it for seven years. In 1895 he returned to DeKalb County and in 1898 married Sophia Schweitzer, who was born in Smithfield Township October 1, 1876, and had a common school education. Since their marriage, for over twenty years, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have occupied the old Campbell homestead, where he owns 102 acres devoted to general farming and stock raising. He is active in democratic politics, a member of the township advisory board, a member of the Ashley Co-operative Association and a stockholder in the Gleaner Clearance House. He and his wife are both members of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. During the World war Mr. Campbell served as township chairman for the Council of Defense and was active in all patriotic campaigns.

To his marriage were born six children: Josh J., Herman, Ruth, John, June and Helen. Herman and John are deceased. The others are all at home, and Josh and Ruth are graduates of the common schools.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.


Jesse W. Camp, one of the active and pushing men in the community of Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, has spent his active career as a farmer, is prominent in fraternal work, and has been honored by his fellow citizens with the office of trustee of Smithfield Township, of which he is the incumbent today.

He was born on the farm where he now lives near Ashley May 10, 1877, a son of Aaron W. and Amanda E. (Husselman) Camp. His father was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 17, 1847. His mother was born in Fairfield Township of DeKalb County and is still living, an active member of the Methodist Church. Aaron W. Camp was an active member and at one time chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and was its chancellor when his son took the preliminary work. He was a democrat and was serving as a member of the county council when he died. He and his wife had five children: Jesse W.; Maude B., wife of Frank Duncan, living near Olivet, Michigan; Eva H., wife of Forest Miller of Ashley; Mabel C., who marred H.T. Judson of Auburn, Indiana; and Ethel V., wife of Boyd Kirkland of Kenton, Ohio.

Jesse W. Camp, only son of his parents, grew up on the home farm and since early manhood has been operating it. He has acquired other business interests and is a stockholder and director of the Commercial Bank of Ashley.

Mr. Camp married for his first wife Edna Hartman. After her death he married Catherine Donovan on September, 30, 1917. She was born in Wabash County, Indiana, December 24, 1874, and her first husband was Thomas W. Millard. Mrs. Camp has a son, Warren J., who was born September 17, 1898, and is a graduate of the common schools. During the war he was in the aviation repair department at Dallas, Texas, and at this writing is still a Government employe. Mrs. Camp is an active member of the Church of Christ. Mr. Camp is past chancellor of Ashley Lodge No. 394, Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife are members of the Pythias Sisters. Mrs. Camp is a past worthy grand of the Rebekahs. Mr. Camp is a democrat in politics and on the ticket was elected to this present office as township trustee.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.


Hezekial Carnahan

Was born in Mercer county, Pa., Jul 11, 1830, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Smith) Carnahan, now deceased; he was married in Allen county, Ind., Sept. 15, 1859, to Margaret A. McNabb, born in Jackson township, DeKalb Co., Ind., Dec. 21, 1839; her parents, William and Mary (Watson) McNabb, are both deceased. They have had four children, William J., Mary E., Eben T. and James C. Comrade Carnahan enlisted at the age of 29 years Sept. 20, 1864, at Kendallville, Ind., as a private in Co. A, 13th Ind. V.I., 10th and 24th A.C. Dec. 25, 1864, he was confined in hospital at Hampton, Va., till March 15, 1865, and at Raleigh, N.C., till July. He took part in the battle of Fort Fisher, where he was taken sick, and rejoined his regiment at Goldsboro, N.C.; was honorably discharged Sept. 18, 1865, at Indianapolis, Ind. A brother of his wife, John McNabb, served in the late war and died at Holly Springs, Miss., her grandfather, John McNabb, served in the War of 1812, and grandfather, John Carnahan, served in the Revolutionary War. Comrade Carnahan is a member of DeLong Post, 67, he has a pension, is engaged in farming with postoffice address at Auburn, Ind.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Biography of Hezekial Carnahan, Vol. II, page 577. Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen; H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toledo, and Chicago, 1894.


Andrew J. Carpenter. A long life and a busy one has been the record in brief of Andrew J. Carpenter, one of the highly esteemed residents of Franklin Township, DeKalb County. He has lived nearly three-quarter of a century and is now enjoying a comfortable retirement. For about half a century he followed the trade and business of flour milling, and he also has owned and operated farms. He is living today on his farm in Franklin Township, near Hamilton.

Mr. Carpenter was born at Ponitac, Michigan, June 28, 1845, a son of Joshua and Mary (Church) Carpenter. Both the Church and Carpenter families were early settlers around Pontiac, Michigan, and acquired large tracts of land. Joshua Carpenter was born in New York State and his wife in Vermont. He was a stock man and also conducted a meat market at Pontiac. He died at the age of forty. He was a stanch republican in politics and he and his wife were active in church. Of their five children, Andrew J. is the only one living.

He spent his boyhood days on his father’s farm near Pontiac and was very much of a youth when he volunteered and joined the Union army. After the war he returned to Pontiac and learned the miller’s trade. He followed that occupation with some intervals until a comparatively recent date. Mr. Carpenter has owned and operated several grist mills, owning the one at Hamilton, Indiana. He was head miller in several large mills at Topeka and also owned a mill at Edon, Ohio. June 1, 1874, Mr. Carpenter married Mrs. Margaret R. (Fee) Taylor, widow of Jasper S. Taylor. Her first husband died February 19, 1869, leaving two children: Belle, wife of Theodore Hunt, of Franklin Township; and John S. Taylor, who lives on his farm four miles south of Egerton, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have two sons: Frank W, who was born September 25, 1876, and Riley R., born December 3, 1878. Both sons are now married and are well known residents of Franklin Township. The family are active members of the United Brethren Church, and Frank W. is superintendent of the Sunday school of his home church. The sons are also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Carpenter is a republican in politics. He is one of the directors of the Arctic Livestock Association.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.


Aaron M. Carr. One of the fine farms longest under one continues ownership and management in DeKalb is the William Carr farm, two miles south of Auburn.

Its original settler, William Carr, is still living there, at the venerable age of eighty-seven. The responsible head of the farming business for many years has been his son, Aaron M. Carr.

The latter was born on this farm October 2, 1868, and is a son of William and Fannie (Shuger) Carr. William Carr was born in Richland County, Ohio, June 2, 1832, and was brought to DeKalb County in 1839. He grew up in a pioneer environment, and began the improvement of the land comprised in his present farm in 1859. He is the oldest member of the Auburn Lodge of Masons and is a democrat in politics. His wife died in 1872, and of their six children, three are living: Margaret, widow of David Dulany; Nora, wife of Miles Osbun, living in Spokane, Washington, and Aaron M.

Aaron M. Carr grew up on the home farm and was educated in the common schools. November 5, 1899, he married Anna Strebe. She was born at Auburn March 14, 1871, and was educated in the common schools. They have three sons; William F., the oldest, attended the Auburn High School two years and married Florence Antrup, who lives in Jackson Township, and Walter A., and George A., have both completed the work of the common schools.

Aaron M. Carr is affiliated with Auburn Lodge No. 191 of the Knights of Pythias, and Lodge No. 566 of the Loyal Order of Moose. He is quite active in the democratic party. Mr. Carr with the aid of his sons operates his farm of two hundred acres and handles good livestock of all kinds.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.


Harry S. Carroll is a veteran railroad telegrapher and dispatcher and for over a quarter of a century has been on duty with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as a dispatcher at Garrett for the Chicago Division. For a number of years he has been chief train dispatcher at that point.

Mr. Carroll, whose only son won fame by his extraordinary heroism while in the air service in France, comes of a long line of patriotic American ancestors. He was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, July 1, 1871, a son of George T. and Lucy (Cummins) Carroll. His parents were also natives of Pennsylvania, his mother of Green and his father of Washington County. George T. Carroll was a Union soldier during the Civil war and had a brother, Thomas M. Carroll, who was a captain in that struggle and at the close of the war went west and became prominent as a banker and attorney. Harry S. Carroll’s maternal grandmother was Elizabeth McCaslean. She was a native of Scotland and had a brother who served as a colonel in the Civil war. George T. Carroll after the war returned to Pennsylvania, married, settled down in business for a time and later was a traveling salesman. He lived in Wheeling, West Virginia, for a number of years. He was a republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, being a district deputy grand of the order. In the family were six children, only two of whom are now living: Elizabeth, who is married and lives at Washington, Pennsylvania, and Harry S.

Harry S. Carroll grew up in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, attended common schools in the former state, and is a graduate of the high school at Quaker City, Ohio. While there he also learned telegraphy and has been continuously in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad since early youth. In 1890 he was moved to Garrett as a telegraph operator and from 1893 for three years was stationed in Chicago.

July 7, 1896, he was returned to Garrett and was assigned the important role of train dispatcher, and has been at his post with a splendid record of fidelity and efficiency ever since. A number of years ago he was made chief train dispatcher. Mr. Carroll is a republican and a member of the Masonic Order.

In 1890 he married Anna A. Johnson, of Guernsey County, Ohio. She is also a graduate of the Quaker City High School. Their son, George C. Carroll, born August 22, 1892, is a graduate of the Garrett High School, attended Northwestern University at Chicago two years, and subsequently graduated from the University of Virginia with the A.B. degree. Before his army service he has a successful record as an educator, being principal of the Garrett High School two years and in 1917 was elected superintendent of the city schools of Garrett. He soon afterward resigned to enter the second officers training camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison and ten weeks later was commissioned a first lieutenant in the air service. He went over-seas and was in France fifteen months and received the distinguished service cross and also honors from the French army. He returned to the United States February 21, 1919. The school board had granted him a leave of absence and immediately, upon his return he was again elected superintendent of the graded schools.

The following citation by the commander in chief of the American armies is an appropriate matter of record and speaks for itself: "First Lieutenant George C. Carroll. For extraordinary heroism in action near Fort Dumarr, France, September 26, 1918. Lieutenant Carroll had ascended in a balloon to a height of one kilometer on a reglage mission, when he was attacked by enemy planes; but he refused to leave his post and fired on the planes with his pistol while incendiary bullets were striking his basket and balloon. He was finally forced to jump when his balloon burst into flames, but he reascended as soon as a new balloon could be inflated. Carroll also gave proof of exceptional courage by remaining in his balloon in the face of airplane attacks, jumping only when his balloon caught fire, and immediately reascending when a new balloon could be inflated. Home address, Harry S. Carroll, father, Garrett, Indiana."

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.


casebeer Jacob B. Casebeer, M.D.

Was living at Fredricksburg, Wayne Co., Ohio, when at the age of 26 he quit his profession, that of physician and surgeon, and enlisted at Columbus, Ohio, May 4, 1864, as Acct. Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.; he was promoted to surgeon in charge of the 5th division, Dennison U.S. A. Gen. Hospital, also was commissioned Asst. Surg. 103rd O.V.I. After his duty at Camp Dennison U.S.A. General hospital, near Cincinnati, he rejoined his command at Goldsborough, N.C., in March 1865. At Raleigh, this state, he was honorably discharged June 12, 1865, at the close of war. Mr. Casebeer was born in Holmes county Ohio, April 1, 1839, and March 18, 1866, he settled in DeKalb Co., Ind., where he has practiced his profession ever since. He is the son of David and Rebecca (Kenestrick) Casebeer, both now deceased. His first wife was Hattie G. (Smith) Casebeer, who died at Auburn Feb. 28, 1869. They had one child, Fannie R. At. Fort Wayne, Ind., June 2, 1872, he was second time married to Sarah E. Nycum, born in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Casebeer had one brother in the service, Enos; he survived the war and now lives at Auburn, Ind.; his wife had one soldier brother, William Nycum, who is now living at Fort Wayne. Our comrade received a high school education, after which he read medicine with Jas. Martin, M.D.; he took his first course of lectures in the medical lectures at the University of Mich., at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and afterward graduated at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, in New York City. Mr. Casebeer has been health officer, county coroner, and 1st Asst. Surgeon, U.S. A. Pension Examiner. He is a member of Auburn Post No. 57, is an officer in the same; his address is Auburn, DeKalb Co., Ind.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Biography of Jacob Casebeer, M. D., Vol. II, pages 574 / 575. Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen; H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toledo, and Chicago, 1894.


Homer L. Casebere is one of the younger men whose enterprise entitles them to special consideration among DeKalb County agriculturists. Mr. Casebere operates the fine old Casebere farm in Stafford Township, on the eastern edge of the county. This farm has many characteristics to be admired in the way of improvements and productiveness, and its good features are by no means covered up and lost sight of by the name chosen by the owner and officially recorded among farm names in the court house at Auburn. This name is "Just-A-Mere Farm."

Mr. Casebere was born on this farm July 27, 1887, a son of S.S. and Flora (Dunkle) Casebere. His father was born in Williams County, Ohio, January 22, 1860, son of George and Mrs. (Knisely) Casebere. His parents now reside at Butler and are active members of the Christian Church there. S.S. Casebere has been quite active in the republican party and was formerly township trustee and member of the County Council. In the family were three children: Lester, who married Lottie McDaniel, of Stafford Township; Mabel, wife of Frank Lyons, of Wilmington Township; and Homer L.

Homer L. Casebere grew up on the home farm and finished his education with two years in high school. He married Princess Thomas, daughter of Elder Fred A. Thomas of Milford, Indiana. Mrs. Casebere finished her education at Valparaiso University. They have three children: Mabel, born October 1, 1912; Harold, born May 31, 1914; and Rachel, born January 22, 1916. The family are members of the Christian Church and Mr. Casebere is one of its elders and also a teacher in the Sunday School.

His farm comprises 155 acres and while it furnishes him ample employment for all his energies he has other interests, being a member of the Arctic Shipping Association of Arctic, is secretary of the Hobb Threshing Company, and a stockholder in the Hamilton National Bank at Fort Wayne. He is also a member of the Grange and is a republican in politics.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.


Michael W. Casey

Was born Jan. 28, 1845, at New York City, and settled in DeKalb county in March 1876; he is the son of William and Julia (Weeks) Casey, both now deceased. He was married in December, 1867, in Benton Harbor, Mich., to Harriet Case, born at Royalton, Mich., March 15, 1852. Their children are Mary, dec., Willie, dec., Mary Ellen, Charles, John, dec., Elizabeth, Annie and William Ray, dec. The parents of Mrs. Casey are Jeremiah and Julia (Kinsey) Case, the former deceased in 1887, the latter still living. Mr. Casey was living at Benton Harbor, Mich., engaged in farming, when at the age of 21 he enlisted at his home town, Sept. 13, 1861, as private in Co. B, 12th Mich, V.V.I. At Devalls Bluffs, Ark., Aug, 16, 1864, he was promoted to 7th corporal, and Dec. 26, 1865, at Camden, Ark., to the rank of sergeant; he was hurt in the wreck at Jackson, Tenn., on the way back to camp from Corinth, Iuka and Burnsville. In July, 1862, he was taken to the Brigade hospital where he remained nine days, and then to the Regimental hospital for five weeks; he was granted a veteran furlough for forty days, rejoining his command March 19, 1864, at Little Rock, Ark.; He was detailed at Devalls Bluffs to act as nurse in the small pox hospital for 24 hours. In the latter part of 1864 he was placed on the detective service to prevent the smuggling of cotton for the union. He has been in the battles of Shiloh, Iuka, Hatchie River, Hollow Springs, Memphis, Vicksburg, Haines Bluff, Snyders Bluff, Black Rider Bridge, the entire siege of Vicksburg, Devalls Bluff, Brownsville, Biometear, Claredon, Little Rock, Augustus, Middleburg, nine miles south of Boliver, 93 men were attacked by 3000 men; held them for three hours, until re-enforced. The Rebels were driven back, with 113 of their soldiers killed and wounded and 13 captured. Our comrade received his final honorable discharge at Jackson, Michigan, in May, 1865; he is a pensioner, a member of Charles Case Post, No. 233, is quarter master sergeant in the same, is foreman in the B.& O. S., and his address is Garrett, DeKalb Co., Ind.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Biography of Michael W. Casey, Vol. II page 575. Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen; H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toleldo, and Chicago, 1894.


Captain George H. Casper, section 11, Franklin Township, was born in Chemung County, N.Y., July 2, 1842, a son of Charles Casper, a native of Pennsylvania, who settled in Chemung County when a young man, and in the spring of 1845 moved to De Kalb County and settled on section 33, Wilmington Township. His mother, Lucinda Casper, was a native of Vermont, a daughter of William Weeks. He was the seventh of a family of twelve children. He remained at home till the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted Sept. 21, 1861, in Company F, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, as a private. He was promoted to Second and later to First Lieutenant, and for some time was acting Captain of his company, and subsequently was commissioned. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and many others of less importance. He was wounded at Shiloh, and at Stone River he with a few others were captured, but thinking he had a chance to escape he turned and ran, with a rebel infantryman in pursuit. A ball from his enemy's musket took off the forefinger of his left hand, in which he was carrying his gun. He ran till he fell, when the enemy gained on him. And he turned and surrendered, placing his gun by his side with the stock on the ground. The rebel irritated him by swearing at him, and he raised his gun and plunged the bayonet into his breast, killing him instantly, then turned and ran again and escaped from the fast approaching army. After his return from the war, Sept. 14, 1865, he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Steuben County five years, then returned to De Kalb County, and with the exception of the years 1880 and 1881, again in Steuben County, he has made this his home. He settled on the farm where he now lives April 4, 1882. He owns nearly fifty-four acres of valuable land, with a good residence and farm buildings. Mr. Casper was married Feb. 18, 1864, to Evaline, daughter of Isaac Dirrim, of Stueben County. They have had five children---George M., Ada (deceased), Renna, Mary, and Ona. Mr. Casper is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is Senior Vice-Commander of his post. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Biography of Captain George H. Casper, pages 610 / 611. History of De Kalb County, Indiana. Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.


Christopher Cloy

Was living in DeKalb county, Ind., engaged in farming, when he enlisted at Indianapolis, Ind., November, 1862, as a private in Co. B, 29th Ind. V. I., 2d Brig., 2d Div., 20th A.C.; he participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, Tallahoma, Triune, Hoover's Gap, Cleveland, Tenn., and numerous other engagements and skirmishes; his honorable discharge was granted him Nov. 13, 1865, at Atlanta, Ga. He was a member of DeLong Post, No. 67, G.A.R. Mr. Cloy was born Aug, 2, 1829, in Germany, and is the son of Charles Cloy, now deceased. He was united in marriage Aug. 23, 1871, to Matilda Palmer, who was born March 24, 1837, in Stark county, Ohio. Their children are Rica, dec., William, dec., Clara E. and Lora E. The parents of Mrs. Cloy are George and Catherine (Hoover) Palmer, both now deceased. Mr. Cloy was first married to Caroline Bottles, and their children were Julia, Mary, Frederick and Charles. Two brother of Mrs. Cloy were in the Union Army, Hiram, a member of the 100th Ind. V. I., Anthony, of the 44th Ind. V. I., now deceased; her great-grandfather was in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Cloy died Jan. 2, 1894, at Auburn, Ind. His widow receives a pension, and her address is Auburn, DeKalb Co., Ind.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Biography of Christorpher Cloy, Vol. II page 578 / 579. Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen; H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toledo, and Chicago, 1894.


Percy B. Cornell is one of the highly thought of citizens of Butler Township, DeKalb County, has lived there all his life and has achieved prosperity as a farmer, and is still active in the cultivation and management of his place five and a half miles south of Auburn.

He represents and old and honored family of DeKalb County. His grandfather, William Cornell, was born in Carroll County, Maryland, January 14, 1813, son of Smith and Mary Cornell. He grew up and married in his native state, and in 1850 brought his wife and five children to Indiana, making the journey overland with wagons. He bought eighty acres in Butler Township, and afterward acquired more land and developed a good farm, on which he lived until his death, February 16, 1882. It is said that he brought with him to Indiana only $300.00 in money besides his team, wagon and household goods. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. Two of his sons served a Union soldiers.

William H.H. Cornell, father of Percy B., was born in Maryland in 1840 and grew up from the age of ten years on his father’s place in Butler Township. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K of the Forty-Fourth Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River and other campaigns. He was out three year and received a honorable discharge.

After the war he began farming and in 1870 married Eliza Timberlain, a daughter of Isaac Timberlain of Butler Township. He was a republican and served as assessor of Butler Township six years. He was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Methodist Church. There were four children in the family: Percy B.; Jesse O., who is a farmer four miles west of Garrett; Charles, a farmer in Michigan; and Pearl I., who died a the age of sixteen.

Percy B. Cornell was born in Butler Township, May 12, 1871, was reared on his father’s farm and had a common school education. At the age of nineteen he left home and went to Williams County, Ohio, where he worked in a basket factory seven months and on a farm six months. After returning to DeKalb County he married, March 10, 1894, Sarah C. Schopf. She was reared in Keyser Township of DeKalb County. After their marriage they took up their residence at their present location, beginning with fifty acres and since then Mr. Cornell had added eighty acres. He devoted his time to general farming and stock raising. He is a member and chief of the Ancient Order of Gleaners, has been active in the Grange and is a republican in politics. He has served as a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He and his wife have four children: Ethel M., born June 9, 1895; Esther, born October 1, 1896; Ernest, born April 18, 1898, and Myrtle, born July 7, 1905. All the children were educated in the common schools and are still at home.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.


W. H. H. Cornell

Was engaged in farming, when at the age of 21, he enlisted at Butler, in September, 1861, as a private in Co. K, 44th Ind. V. I.; he received two promotions, to the rank of corporal, and the 4th sergeant. In the spring of 1863, he was taken to the hospital at Nashville, where he remained five months, when he was transferred to the Invalid Corps, 9th Company, was then sent to Louisville, and from there to Jeffersonville. In October, 1864, he was furloughed for ten days, rejoining his command at Alexandria, Va.; he participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville and Stone River; he was honorably discharged at Washington, D.C., Nov. 4, 1864. Mr. Cornell was born May 19, 1840, in Carroll county, Md., and settled in DeKalb county, Ind., where he now resides, in 1850; he is the son of William and Magdalene (Heck) Cornell, the mother still living. Feb. 20, 1870, he was married to Eliza Timberlin who was born April 18, 1848, in Crawford county, Ohio. Their children are Percy, Jesse, Pearl and Charles. The parents of Mrs. Cornell are Isaac and Elizabeth Sheets, the mother still living. Our subject's brother, Benjamin, was a member of Co. K, 44th Ind. V. I., was wounded in the battles of Shiloh in the hand, and again at Chickamauga in the thigh; he is still living. Mrs. Cornell has four uncles in the service, Isaac, John and Joseph Sheets, and Jabes Elkins. Mr. Cornell draws a pension, and is a member of the DeLong Post, No. 67, at Auburn, Ind.; he formerly taught school, was successful a teacher and is now a prosperous farmer; his address is DeKalb P. O., DeKalb Co., Ind.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Biography of W.H.H. Cornell, Vol. II, page 580. Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen; H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toledo, and Chicago, 1894.


Anson S. Coval

Was teaching school in Noble county, Ind., when at the age of 18, he enlisted at Fort Wayne, Aug. 29, 1861, as a private in Co. C, 30th Ind., V. I. Under Gen. Buell; he received two promotions, to the rank of corporal and to sergeant. At the battle of Shiloh, in Apri8l, 1862, he was wounded by a spent ball, and again in December, at the battled of Stone River, he was shot in the leg; he was taken to the hospital at Nashville, for the last wound, and from there to Cincinnati, where he remained five months. From here he was furloughed for thirty days, at the expiration of the time he reported at Indianapolis, in July; he was discharged from his first enlistment at Cincinnati, and re-enlisted at Indianapolis He was often sent on foraging expeditions, and several times did picket duty. His battle list includes Corinth, Pittsburg Landing, Stone River and number of minor engagements; his honorable discharge was granted him at Indianapolis, Ind., in January, 1865. He had two uncles in the service, Andrew Webb and Hiram Coval. The former died at Nevin, Ky., of camp fever. Mr. Coval was born Aug. 29, 1843, in Shiawassee Co., Mich.; he is the son of Lewis and Sarah (Webb) Coval. Both parents are living at Garrett, Ind. Sept. 7, 1893, he was married at Fort Wayne, Ind., to Susan Hanslemon, born in the state of Pennsylvania. Her parents are both living. Mr. Coval draws a pension, and his address is Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Biography of Anson S. Coval, Vol. II, page 580 / 581. Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen; H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toledo, and Chicago,.


Isaac N. Cox. For nearly forty years Isaac N. Cox gave his best energies to farming and is now enjoying a well earned retirement. His home has been at Ashley since 1907. While accumulating a landed estate he has been active in many local affairs, including church, fraternity and civic responsibilities.

He was born in Smithfield Township of DeKalb County October 16, 1851, a son of William and Nancy (Van Aken) Cox. This branch of the Cox family is descended from an Englishman who came to America in colonial times. William Cox was born in Pennsylvania in 1811, was married in Portage County, Ohio, and in 1850 settled on the farm in Smithfield Township where his son Isaac was born. He acquired 120 acres of land. He was keenly interested in politics, was originally a whig and later a radical republican, and for nine year he held the office of trustee of Smithfield Township. He was also prominent in the Cedar Lake congregation of the Christian Church and served as an elder many years. Of his ten children four are still living: B.O. Cox, a retired farmer at Coldwater, Michigan; Sarah, widow of Levi Freed and living at Ashley; Harriet, widow of John Wilsey, of Traverse City, Michigan; and Isaac N. Isaac N. Cox grew up on the home farm, attended district schools and also the Angola High School and the Waterloo High School. For two terms he was a teacher in his native township, but since then has followed farming.

June 8, 1871, he married Anna Stamets, who was born in Ohio December 2, 1851. She finished her education in the district schools of Indiana. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cox rented his father’s place for two years, and from 1874 to 1879 lived in LaGrange County. He then bought forty acres of his father’s homestead and subsequently acquired another forty acres, given him a good sized farm, for which he earned the greater part of his prosperity.

Mr. and Mrs. Cox had five children, four of whom are still living: Emmett, who is married and lives in Waterloo; Anna Rosezettie, a high school graduate, wife of John May; Arthur, who is married and lives on the old farm; and Harry H., who spent three years in high school and is married and a farmer. The family are leading members of the Cedar Lake Christian Church and Mr. Cox has served it as deacon, elder and trustee, and for twelve years as superintendent of the Sunday School. He is a past chancellor of Hudson Lodge No. 25, Knights of Pythias, and a member of the Grand Lodge, while his wife is a past chief of the Pythian Sister. Mr. Cox has always been identified with the republican party, and has served as township supervisor.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.


William Craig

Was farming in DeKalb county, Ind., when at the age of 31, he enlisted at Kendallville, Sept. 28, 1864, as private in Co. K, 53rd Ind., V. I., 4th Brig,. 17th Div., 4th A.C. On the skirmish line at Kingston, N.C., his left leg was shot off, by a piece of shell thrown from a Union gun; this occurred March 10, 1865, he was taken to Newbern hospital, where he was kept one month, when he was sent to hospital boat to David's Island, and from there to N. Y. City, where he remained till discharged at Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 14, 1865; he was on special duty at Kingston guarding railroads. Mr. Craig was born Dec. 3, 1832, in Richland county, Ohio, and settled in DeKalb County in 1853; his parents were Samuel and Delila (Hayes) Craig, both deceased. In Steuben county, Spring of 1875, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Meek, who was born in April, 1834, and died May 24, 1892. He was first time married to Sarah Bennett, who died in 1873. Their children are Mary, Deliah A., Flora, dec., William S. and George W.; all are married. The parents of the first Mrs. Craig were Elisha and Lydia (Brown) Bennett, and are deceased. A brother of soldier, Joseph, served in the 44th Ind. V. I.; his wife had a brother, William Bennett, and an uncle by the same name in the army. The latter died of typhoid fever. A cousin George Craig, was struck by a shell, while in the service, and blown to atoms. Mr. Craig has held the office of supervisor, is a pensioner, receiving $30 a month, is a member of DeLong Post, No. 67, is an invalid, and his address is Auburn, DeKalb Co., Ind.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Biography of William Craig, Vol. II, page 583. Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen; H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toledo, and Chicago, 1894.


Joseph Cullers

Was born in Holmes county, O., Jan. 14, 1845; he settled in DeKalb county, in 1864; he was united in marriage Sept. 30, 1868, in Noble county, Ind., to Sarah A. Dysert, who was born Dec. 17, 1842, in Wayne county, O. Their children are Phoebe, dec., Samuel, dec., John and Mettie; the parents of Mr. and Mrs. Cullers are Samuel and Eliza (Hilkert) Cullers. Silas And Phoebe (Childs) Dysert; the mothers are both living; Mr. Cullers was living in Holmes county, O., doing day labor, when he enlisted at Wooster, O., Oct. 31, 1861, as a private in Co. E, 16th O.V.I., 13th A.C.; in 1861, he was for two weeks in the hospital with the measles; he was detailed to help dam the Red River, at the time gun boats were grounded; he participated in the battles of Vicksburg, Black River, Champion Hills, Cumberland Gap, Tesbro, William Bend, and a number of minor engagements and skirmishes; His honorable discharge was granted him at Camp Chase, O., Oct. 31, 1864; he had two brothers in the army; George enlisted at Kendallville, Ind., and died in 1877; his wife's father was a member of Co. L, 74th Ind. V.I., and died at Bridgeport hospital, Ala., from chronic diarrhea; our comrade it a pensioner, and is a member of DeLong Post, No. 67, and is an officer Q.M.S., in the same; he is a stone mason, and his address is Auburn, DeKalb county, Ind.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Biography of Joseph Cullers, Vol. II, page 584 / 585. Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen; H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toledo, and Chicago, 1894.


Hiram H. Cupp

Was born March 11th, 1841, in Carroll county, O., and settled in DeKalb county, Ind., Oct. 4, 1842; he is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hoover) Cupp, both now deceased; Dec. 24, 1865, he was married to Fanny McClelland, born Feb. 4, 1847, in DeKalb county, Ind.; their children are Mary, Matilda, dec., Catherine, dec., John, Della and Arthur; the parents of Mrs. Cupp are John and Mary (Howman) McClelland, both dead; Mr. Cupp was working at the carpenter trade, when at the age of 20, he enlisted at Indianapolis, Ind., July 18, 1861, as a private in Co. E, 11th Ind. V.I. 1st Brig., 2d Div. 13th A.C. May 16, 1863, he was wounded at the battle of Champion Hills, and afterward at the battle of Winchester; he was in the regimental hospital at that place for 22 days for first wound, and from the second wound was confined to the Patterson Park hospital; he was granted a furlough for forty days, in 1864, rejoining his command at Baltimore, Md. At the battles of Champion Hills, he was captured, but escaped the same might; his battle list includes Fort Donelson, Fort Henry, Port Hineman, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Little Rock, Helena, Milligun's Bend, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hill, Vicksburg, Jackson, Harper's Ferry, Boliver Heights, Winchester and many minor engagements; his honorable discharges was granted him at Patterson Park hospital, Baltimore, Md., in March, 1865; Mr. Cupp draws a pension, is a member of DeLong Post, No. 67, and is an officer in the same; he is a farmer, and his address is Auburn, DeKalb county, Ind.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Biography of Hiram H. Cupp, Vol. II, page 586. Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen; H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toledo, and Chicago, 1894.


John Y. Davis

Is a resident of DeKalb county, where he settled Mar. 8, 1881, having been born Nov. 13, 1840, in Franklin county, Pa., he was farming in Allen county, Ind., when at he age of 21, he enlisted, at Spencerville, Ind., Aug. 10, 1862, as a private in Co. A, 100th Ind. V.I.; In Dec. 1863, he was taken to the hospital at Nashville, where he remained till April 1, 1864, ill with chronic diarrhea; from here he was granted a furlough for thirty days, the time being afterward extended thirty days; he reported at he expiration of the time at Indianapolis, Jan. 2, 1865, when he was transferred to the 2d Bat., of Vet. Res. Corps; at the hospital he was detailed as nurse, and acted in this capacity until transferred; he took part in the Siege of Vicksburg, and Jackson, Miss.; his honorable discharge was granted him at Indianapolis, Ind., June 24, 1865; Mr. Davis is the son of Robert and Lydia (Funk) Davis, both now deceased; he was married May 21, 1874, in Allen Co., Ind., to Kate Walter, who was born April 26, 1856, in Mahoning county, O. They have had two children, Emma, dec., and Henry. The parents of Mrs. Davis are Jefferson and Marguerite (Whan) Walter; the father is still living, residing at Spencerville, Ind. Mr. Davis was a first time married, to Caroline Horn, who died in 1873; They had three children, infant dec., Effie, and Robert, dec. Mr. Davis had three cousins Martin, Sam and Benjamin Funk, in the army; all survived; his wife had two brothers in the service; George W., who enlisted July 1, 1861, in Co. C, 11th O.V.I., 1st Brig, 2d Div., 14 A.C.; he received a gunshot wound, was in the battles of Winchester, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Atlanta, and numerous other engagements; and David A. Walter, who enlisted Mar. 13, 1865, in Co. D., 155th Ind. V.I., was corporal and was discharged Aug, 4, 1865, at Wilmington Del.; both are living; our comrade is a member of John C. Carnes Post. No. 144; he draws a pension, is a farmer and his address is St. Joe, DeKalb county, Ind.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Biography of John Y. Davis, Vol. II, page 587. Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen; H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toledo, and Chicago, 1894.


William Deems is one of the honored survivors of the great Civil war, and for three years he represented DeKalb County in that great conflict. He has been a resident of DeKalb County all his life, and is well deserving of the comfortable retirement he now enjoys on his home farm in Wilmington Township.

He was born in that township November 22, 1843, a son of George and Hannah (Dudgeon) Deems, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. George Deems, was one of the pioneers of DeKalb County and lived in Wilmington Township until he met death in 1845, being killed by a falling tree. The care and rearing of the six children then devolved upon his widow. These six children were named, John, Joseph, Eli, Eliza, George and William, William being the only survivor.

William Deems grew up on the home farm and had a limited education in the log cabin district schools of his day. He was only eighteen when the war broke out, and in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H of the Eighty-Eighth Indiana Infantry. He served faithfully as a corporal and was mustered out in June, 1865. After the war he returned to DeKalb County, farmed and worked as a farm hand, and eventually acquired and independent holding. He now has seventy acres of good farm land in Wilmington Township. Mr. Deems' parents were members of the Methodist Church. He is affiliated with Meade Post No. 44 of the Grand Army of the Republic. and is a republican in politics.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.


George F. DeLong

Was born at Newville, Jan., 9, 1844; he is the son of Solomon and Maria (Landis) DeLong; the mother is still living; he was married, May 10, 1883, to Josie F. Thomas, who was born April 21, 1854, at Chambersburg, Columbia county, O., they have one child, Emma B. adopted, dec.; the parents of Mrs. DeLong are Jacob and Hannah (Weldon) Thomas, both now deceased; our subject was first married to Elizabeth Smith, who died May 17, 1882; they had two children, Otheo and Willie; Mr. DeLong was farming near Newville, Ind., when at the age of 18, he enlisted at Indianapolis, Aug 9, 1862, as a private in Co. H, 88th Ind. V. I., 1st Brig., 1st Div., 14th A.C.; he was confined to the hospital at Nashville, for ninety days, during the winter months of '62 and '63; for about six weeks he acted as orderly in the same hospital, No. 14, April, 1865, was commissioned as 2d Lieut. Battles: Perryville, Elk River, Tallahoma, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, White Oak Ridge, Tunnel Hill, Buzzard's Roost, Reseca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mt., Peach Tree Creek, Utah Creek, Jonesborough, Atlanta, pursuit of Hood, Sherman's March to the sea, Savannah, Averysborough, Bentonville, Raleigh, surrender of Johnson and grand review May 24, 1865; he received his honorable discharge at Washington, D.C., Jun 7, 1865. His father and four brothers were in the service: John enlisted in Co. E, 11th Ind. V.I., was wounded at Fort Donaldson by piece of shell and died at hospital at New Albany and was brought home for burial; David and Alfred were in the 129th Ind. V.I., both were in the hospital; his wife had two brothers in the army, Frank was shot at the battle of Stone River, and died in hospital at Nashville, is buried there; Chockley died of measles in the camp hospital at Nashville. Solomon DeLong, the father, was farming, when at the age of 52, he enlisted in 1861, as private in Co. F, 44th Ind. V.I.; he helped to organize this company, and was commissioned as its first Lieut. Comrade DeLong draws a pension, is a member of O.S. Blood Post, No. 143, in which he also held office; he is a fruit grower and his address in Newville, DeKalb Co., Ind.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Biography of George F. DeLong, Vol. II, pages 589 / 590. Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen; H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toledo, and Chicago, 1894.


David F. Dietrick

Was born in Lawrence county, Pa., March 12, 1846, and settled in DeKalb county, Ind., in April 1893; he is the son of Samuel and Rebecca (Coffman) Dietrick, both now deceased; he was united in marriage Feb. 8, 1870, at Maysville, Ind., to Jennie A. Sapp, born Feb. 25, 1851, Knox county, O,; their children are William T., Minnie A., Charley F., Rebecca L., Fred E., and Ora B.; the parents of Mrs. Dietrick are Levi and Matilda, (Arnold) Sapp; they are both residing in Garrett, Ind.; Mr. Dietrick was farming near Maysville, Ind., when at the age of 17, he enlisted at Kendallville, Jan. 28, 1864, as a private, in Co. B, 129th Ind. V. I., 2d Brig., 2d Div., 23d A.C.; he was confined to hospital, at Louisville, Ky., for one month with the measles, and again in early May, for two weeks, suffering a relapse from the same disease; he was sent as guard to Lexington, N.C.; to bring mules from there after the close of the war; several times he was detailed on foraged duty; he participated in the battles of Reseca, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Atlanta, Nashville, Columbia, Mill Springs, Franklin, Nashville 2d time, and Kingston, was also in a number of minor engagements and skirmishes; an uncle, Mannuel Dietrick, was a member of the 44th In. V. I., under Sherman; he lives at Maysville, Ind. Mrs. Dietrick had three uncles in the army; her grandfather, Adam Sapp, was in the war of 1812; our comrade is a carpenter, and resides at Garrett, DeKalb county, Ind.

Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Biography of David F. Detrick, Vol. II, page 588. Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen; H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, New York, Toledo, and Chicago, 1894.


Deb Murray