N.J. LIDECKER, owner and operator of teh Akron saw-mill, is one of the most thoroughly reliable and progressive business men of Henry township and, during his nine years identification with the interests of Fulton County, has won the respect and confidence of all who know him. He was born Jan. 29, 1859, in Marshall County, Ind. His father, John Lidecker, a native of Prussia, came to this state sixty-four years ago, and for a time worked as a day laborer, but later became an engineer on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad. He was married at Canal Dover, Ohio, to Julia Evil, whose father was also of German birth. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Lidecker became the wife of Jacob Stein, also now deceased. She is residing near Bremen, Ind. Her children are John and Charles, of Bremen; N.J.; Julia, wife of Frank Walters, proprietor of a hotel in Bremen; and William, who died in 1894. Throughout his life, N.J. Lidecker has been connected with the lumber trade. As a boy he worked in a saw-mill, and at the early age of sixteen was thrown entirely upon his own resources, but his energy and industry made his services in demand and he found no difficulty in securing employment. He is to-day the owner of one of the best saw-mills in Fulton County, having succeeded to the business of J.H. Bennett. This mill has a capacity of fifteen thousand feet per day, and furnishes employment regularly to nine men, who are engaged in the care of the manufactured product that is shipped to various parts of the country. Mr. Lidecker has given close attention to his business, has kept abreast with the improvement of the times in every particular, and is so thoroughly informed as to the needs of the trade that customers place the utmost reliance in his judgement, while his honesty is above question. He is now enjoying a large and lucrative business, and his success is certainly well merited. Mr. Lidecker was married in Marshall County, Ind., Aug. 2, 1883, to Sarah A. Smith, whose father, Michael Smith, was a native of Pennsylvania. They have a pleasant home in Akron, and many friends throughout the community. In politics Mr. Lidecker is a democrat.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

CAPT. H.C. LONG, one of Rochester's oldest and best known citizens, was born in Boone County, Ind., May 31, 1837. His parents were Elihu and Susan (Martin) Long. The father, of Irish and English lineage, was born in Delaware, 1797, and died in Rochester, 1882. His mother was born of Scotch parentage, in Pennsylvania, in 1799, and died in Rochester, 1851. These parents were married in Highland County, Ohio, where their parents had settled in an early day. From Ohio they moved to Indiana, in 1828, first settling near Indianapolis, but soon afterward they removed to Boone County, thence to Clinton County, thence to Pulaski County, and in 1847 they located in Rochester, where they lived till death called them away. Unto them were born eight children. The father was a shoemaker by trade and taught the subject of this brief mention the principles of this trade, which the son followed for many years. The father and son became associated as partners in the shoe business when our subject was twenty-one years of age. In 1881 Capt. Long discontinued the business and for five or six years thereafter was engaged in the carriage and buggy business. For the last several years he had been a notary public and pension attorney. In 1856 he and Adelaide Barnum were united in marriage. Unto the union were born a son and daughter, namely, Horace E. and Lewella. In September, 1861, Mr. Long enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Indiana infantry. Six months later he was discharged by special order from department commander. In August, 1862, he re-enlisted as a private in Company F, Eighty-seventh Indiana infantry. Upon the organization of this company he was chosen first sergeant,and soon passed the successive promotions of second and first lieutenant, and in April, 1863, was made captain of his company, and as such served until the close of hostilities, and June 10, 1865, was discharged. Capt. Long has always been identified with the republican party, and fraternally he has long been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Grand Army of the Republic.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

WILLIAM MACKEY LOOMIS, one of the progressive and successful business men of Rochester, was born in Fulton County June 29, 1858, and is a son of Noah and Mary (Mackey) Loomis. The father was born in Massachusetts, and was a son of Norman Loomis, who was descended from an old Massachusetts family, whose first representatives in America were among the Mayflower emigrants. Norman Loomis and family came to Fulton County in an early day, and here the parents of our subject were married. Mary Mackey Loomis, the mother of our subject, was born in Indiana. She is a daughter of William Mackey, who came from the Old Dominion state to Fulton County at a very early date in the history of the county. Noah Loomis, the father of William W., died in 1860, and his widow and only child then made their home with our subject's maternal grandfather till his death, which occurred in 1876. William worked on the grandfather's farm and attended the common schools. He entered Wabash college in 1879, graduating in the class of 1884. He began farming immediately after his return from school, and continued the same up to 1894, when he became a merchant. He opened a dry goods store and has since conducted business in general merchandising. He has been secretary of the Fulton County Agricultual society, and his efforts were fruitful in rendering successful the fairs held by the society. In 1888 Mr. Loomis and Ella May Shepard were united in marriage. Unto the union have been born two sons and two daughters, viz.: Zethie, Shepard, Dewey and Elta. Mr. Loomis is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, and is a republican in politics.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

REV. N.L. LORD -- Among the men whose lives have been an influence for good in this century is the venerable Rev. Nathan L. Lord, who was engaged in the ministry in this and adjoining counties for nearly a quarter of a century, but for the past dozeen years practically retired. He was born in Lewis County, N.Y., Aug. 23, 1815. He grew up on his father's farm and at the age of five years was sent to the village school. He entered Amherst college at eighteen and was graduated from that famous university four years later. He engaged in teaching some three or four years, while reading preparatory to entering the ministry. At twenty-nine years of age he was licensed by the New York presbytery at Watertown and his first work was as a supply at Constableville, N.Y. The next year he started west, stopping temporarily at Shalerville, Ohio. The year 1845 he reached Dubois County, Ind., and there remained five years. He came north and was stationed at Plymouth, Ind., three years, at the end of which time he removed to the vicinity of Argos. While there he began his work in Rochester. In 1860 he moved his family here and has since been one of Rochester's most respected and valued citizens. He returned to educational work while filling the pulpit in this county, and was principal of a Rochester school and afterward was employed as assistant, teaching the languages exclusively. He retired from the school room about 1870, and from the ministry, except for an occasional funeral or other special sermon, about 1885. Since his retirement his time has been passed on a small farm west of Rochester, or at his home in this city. Rev. Lord is descended from the Lords of Norwich, Conn. His father, Gurdon Lord, being born there about 1780. At twenty years of age he emigrated west to New York state and aided in clearing up the county where our subject was born. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a son of Nathan Lord, also a native of Connecticut. Gurdon married Sallie Dewey, from Massachusetts. Their children were Lydia Horr, who died at Ravenna, Ohio, 1893; John D., died at Leyen, N.Y.; Nathan L., and Mary Ann, deceased. Rev. Lord was married at Plymouth, Ind., in June of 1851, to Mrs. Emeline Hawley, a daughter of Squire Rose, a native of Canandaigua, who became one of the early citizens of Marshall County. Mrs. Lord's only child was by her first husband, and was a daughter name Helen, now the widow of Christopher Fitzgerald, who died in Rochester seven years ago, leaving the following children: Edwin H., druggist, Goshen, Ind.; Carrie, Nellie and William L. Rev. Lord has kept aloof from politics. He has always been a strong and powerful advocate of temperance. His career has been blameless and spotless, and his life exemplary.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

HON. CHARLES J. LORING, M.D., is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Fulton County, and a man of unquestioned public spirit and enterprise. He was born in Grant County, Ind., Sept. 22, 1850, and is a son of John and Nancy (Cain) Loring. His father was born in Darke County, Ohio, in 1804, and died at Monterey, Ind., in 1872. His ancestors, who were of French origin, were early settlers of New Jersey. Dr. Loring's mother was born in Randolph County, Ind., in 1823, and died April 26, 1896, in Marshall County, Ind. She bore her husband ten children, three of whom died in infancy. The parents of Dr. Loring were unable to give their children a good education, and hence the schooling the subject of this biography received was confined to the country schools. Early in his youth he developed strong love for books, and to them he made close application. Although he lived and worked on a farm till twenty-six years of age, his ambition to lead a professional life was made possible through school teaching as a stepping-stone. He secured a teacher's license at the age of eighteen years, and became a teacher. In the winter he taught in the district schools, and in the summer tilled the soil. Having previously taken up the study of medicine, he entered the Indiana medical college at Indianapolis, in the fall of 1877. After taking a course in medicine, he located at Walnut, Ind., and began the practice of his chosen profession in 1878. In the fall of 1879 he re-entered the Indiana medical college, when he graduated in March, 1880. In 1879 he married Augusta F. Bair, who died at Tiosa, Ind., in 1881, leaving a daughter, Dessa A. In 1882 he married Mrs. Malinda Phillips, nee Thompson. In 1883 he removed to Rochester, where he has grown into prominence, not only as a physician, but as a public spirited citizen. He has always been a firm republican in politics. His party made him its candidate for the legislature in 1894, and though he had a democratic majority to overcome in the county, he was elected to the office, and as a member of house of respresentatvies in the fifty-ninth session of the general assembly of 1895, he proved himself an able legislator. He was a member of the benevolent, scientific ans statistical committees and was chairman of the committee on medicine, health and vital statistics. Having the diposition to favor all interests of public enterprise, he introduced the bill which became a law and which made possible for the county commissioners to purchase toll roads, thus relieving the people of a great burden and hence encouraged the further and more extensive building of gravel roads throughout the counties. Dr. Loring is an active member of the I.O.O.F., in which he has filled all the offices of teh subordinate lodge, and is a member of teh grand lodge of the state. In 1890 he became a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, and has taken much interest in this fraternal organization. He has surmounted many obstacles that have come before him in the course of his life, and to-day he stands as an example of much that may be accomplised by industry, perseverance and integrity.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

LEWIS M. LOUGH was born in Marion County, Ind., March 24, 1835. David Lough, his father, was born in Tennessee, Dec. 4, 1803. His great-grandfather was shipped from Germany to America and sold to the Quakers for his passage. There were three brothers shipped to America, each having to work out his passage, one being compelled to labor seven years. The father, David Lough, came to Indiana in 1822 and settled in Marion County. He removed to Fulton County in 1839, which was then a very primitive state. The family of David Lough consisted of eleven children - Nancy, deceased; William, Lucinda, Jacob, Lewis, Harrison, John, Mary Jane, Mahala, deceased; Washington, deceased; David. Upon coming to Indiana he settled on the farm now owned by his son Harrison. At the time of his death he owned 240 acres. He died March 6, 1889. His wife preceded him in death, May 19, 1872. Lewis remained with his parents on the farm until he was thirty years of age, having in the meantime received but a common school education. However, he really made his own way from the age of twenty-one, just making his home with his father. At about the age of thirty Mr. Lough purchased some 120 acres of land, having saved enought to pay for the same. He had benn interested in buying and selling stock. April 19, 1880, he married Mary F. Caple, the daughter of Andrew and Magdalena Caple, then residents of Union township, Fulton County. To this marriage have been born two children - Frank B. and Edith Anna. After his marriage Mr. Lough moved upon the farm he had previously purchased, where he has since resided. He has always been interested in farming and stock-raising, and been a staunch democrat. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In the spring of 1879 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of S.J. Barger as trustee of Aubbeenaubbee township. He was elected as trustee in 1880 for a term of two years. Mr. Lough is a prosperous and industrious farmer and owns 160 acres of valuable land, which he has greatly improved.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

THOMAS F. LOVATT, a member of the board of commissioners of Fulton County, and one of the extensive and most progressive farmers of Indiana, is a native of Pennsylvania, born at Spruce Hill, Juniata County, in 1845. He is the son of William H. Lovatt, a native of Staffordshire, England, who was born Freb. 13, 1812, and came to the United States in 1842, settled in Pennsylvania and in the spring of 1848 removed to Troy, Ohio, and later removed to Piqua, Ohio, and in 1852 he came to Indiana and settled at Peru, where he is now residing. The mother of Mr. Lovatt was born in Juniata County, Pa., in 1819, and died at Peru, Ind., Dec. 26, 1877. Mr. Lovatt received a common school education and then learned the tailor's trade and then the moulder's and machinist's trade, and for a number of years managed Hackley's foundry and machine works at Peru and in 1879 he purchased the plant and continued the same, until 1885, when he sold out and went to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and engaged in farming. There he had 400 acres of land and in 1886 made a trade for 806 acres in Fulton County, and to that he has since added forty acres, making now in one body 846 acres. This land was for many years know as the Rettig farm and is located six miles southwest of Rochester. Mr. Lovatt has employed his best effort and used a large sum of money in the improvement of this farm until now it is one of the best farms in northern Indiana. Mr. Lovatt also owns a farm of 170 acres located on the Wabash river, six miles from Peruu, where he has valuable holdings. These farms are supplied with the latest improved machinery known to the science of agriculture and are arranged for raising and caring for stock. Mr. Lovatt was united in marriage April 11, 1878, to Mrs. Louisa Hackley, a native of Ohio. The father of Mrs. Lovatt was Samuel Rector, who was born near Lexington, Ky. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died in 1847 and is buried at Peru. Both the grandfathers of Mrs. Lovatt were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. To the first marriage of Mrs. Lovatt are these three children, viz.: Emma, now Mrs. A. Clevell; Cora A., now Mrs. H.E. Frick, of Peru, and L.R. HAckley, now a resident of Indianapolis, and connected with the electric light company of that city. Politically Mr. Lovatt is a promounced republican and in 1894 was elected a commissioner of Fulton County, and during his term as such the new court house has been erected. He is a member of the Masonic and Pythian fraternitites. He is a man of affairs and fully abreast of the times.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

SILAS LOWMAN, a prominent and well known citizen of Liberty township, was born in Miami County, Ind., Dec. 29, 1846. He was reared and trained to the duties of the farm and when he started in life for himself he located in Cass County and resided there till coming into Fulton in 1872. He bought eighty acres in the forest and began the battle of life not under the most favorable circumstances. He has kept at the business of clearing and improving and reaching out for more land until he owns a farm of twice its original size and a good producer. Mr. Lowman married April 16, 1868, Mary C., a daughter of Charles McElwee, who married Catherine Bosh and settled in Cass County very early. Mrs. Lowman died July 1, 1881, leaving one child, Anna M., wife of E. Zigler, of this county. Dec. 29, 1881, Mr. Lowman married Margaret E. Senclair, daughter of George Senclair. The children of this union are: Edwin, Morris, Clara B. and Hughell. Silas Lowman is a son of Abraham Lowman, born near Dayton, Ohio. He died in Miami County, Ind., 1882, at seventy years of age. He married Jane B. Hughell, who was the mother of Ephraim, Huntington County; Susanna, wife of E. Woodhouse, Cass County; Samuel, Marshall County; Elizabeth, deceased, wife of J.M. Persmete; Joseph, in Kansas; John, in Wabash County; Silas, Ilmary, married Elias McCowen, and Richard, in Rochester; Nancy Jane Serber, wife of William Simons, of Mexico, Ind., was reared in this family. The mother of these children, who still survives, was born April 24, 1813. Our subject's paternal grandfather was born in Pennsylvania, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He affiliated with the republican party, as does our subject, who is one of the party leaders in his township.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

ROBERT S. LOWRY, born in Wyandott County, Ohio, Sept. 30, 1847, is a son of Josiah S. and Jennie Lowry. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a son of Josiah Lowry, a native of Scotland. The subject of this sketch isone of four children. His parents moved into Ohio from Pennsylvania. In Ohio the mother died, and subsequently the father married and by his second wife became a father of five. He died in 1892, aged seventy-three years. Robert S. Lowry began the battle of life for himself at the age of fifteen years. His first employment was that of "water-boy" with a railroad construction crew. Afterward he became a railroad brakeman, and in 1865 went west, where he aided in construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. Then going to California he followed railroading in the far west for about three years. In 1869 Mr. Lowry returned to Chicago, and for fourteen years thereafter was employed in the capacity of conductor by the Pennsylvania railroad company, being a passenger conductor for thirteen years of that time. In 1883 he aided in the construction of the Vandalia branch from Logansport northward. After that he followed farming near Kewanna till 1885, in which year he embarked in the hardare business, in which he has since remained, residing at Kewanna. In 1873 Mr. Lowry and Alice Cushion were united in marriage. Unto the union there have been born Jennie, Alice and Robert S. Mr. Lowry has always been active as a democrat in politics. In 1890 he was elected trustee for Union township and served thereafter as such until August, 1895. He is a Knight Templar Mason, a progressive and successful business man, and a representative citizen.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

JOHN B. MC MAHAN, farmer and merchant at Bearss, Ind., is a native of Bartholomew County, this state, and was born Oct. 4, 1845; son of William and Louisa (Love) McMahan, natives of Kentucky. The father was born May 11, 1817, and died in Fulton County, Ind., June 21, 1895, and the mother was born in May, 1823, and also died in this county in September, 1871. The family came to Fulton County in 1847 and settled in Rochester township, southeast of Rochester. In early life the fther learned the tailor's trade at which he worked for some time. He was a prominent man in this county and had held the offices of township trustee and county commissioner. The major part of his life was devoted to farming and at which he was considered successful. The subject of this mention is the eldest of thirteen children, of whom six are living. He was raised upon the farm and was educated at the public schools of this county. Later he began teaching during the winter season and worked upon the farm in the summer. He continued teaching for fifteen terms. Twenty-four years ago he began farming for himself and in April, 1876, removed to his present farm, in the south western part of Rochester township, where he has seventy-three acres of fine land. In 1893 he opened a store in the neighborhood and was instrumental in the establishment of Bearss postoffice, and in May, 1893, was commissioned postmaster. This office has a daily mail from Rochester and is a great convenience to the people in that locality. The business venture of establishing a sotre at Bearss has been successful. In politics Mr. McMahan has always affiliated with the democratic party and in political affairs he has always manifested an active interest. Dec. 28, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Goss, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Goss. To this marriage relation are these twelve children, viz.: Lorena, Daisy, Jospehine, Sarah, Otto, Hugh, Thomas, William, Pat, John, Josie and an infant as yet unnamed. The mother of these children, a member of one of the old families of this county, was born in Liberty township March 14, 1853. The family is highly respected and Mr. McMahan is one of the honorable men of Fulton County and a member of the order of K.O.T.M.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

HORACE C. MACKEY, of Rochester, is a son of one of Fulton County's first settlers. William Mackey, who lived for years just on the outskirts of Rochester, and was a prominent character, was born in Virginia, ner Natural Bridge, Rockbridge County, being a descendant of one of the first white families to settle that county. His birth occurred about eight-five years ago. In 1835 he rode on horseback from there to Fulton County and entered land in New Castle township. He did not settle on it, but returned to Virginia and remained five years longer. He cast his lot with this state in 1840 and took up his residence in Henry County. In 1849 he came to Fulton and bought a seventy-six acre tract on the Michigan road of Riley Spencer. He was a prosperous farmer and a popular citizen. He was a strong union man and furnished two sons for the Union army. He married at Natural Bridge, Va., Rachel, a daughter of Joseph McClung. Rachel died in 1852, aged forty-one, leaving seven children. Joseph, deceased, was a prominent citizen of Wabash, Ind. Recruited One Hundred and First Indiana volunteers and was offered major's command, but declined to serve. Lizzie, deceased; Mrs. Mary Loomis, John C., died at Louisville, Ky., in Twenty-ninth Indiana regiment; Hester, wife of James Wilder; Horace C., born April 6, 1843; William, died 1882. Horace C. Mackey graduated from the Rochester pblic schools at thirteen years of age. Aug. 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Eighty-seventh Indiana volunteers, Capt. Ward's and later Capt. Hughes' and lastly Capt. Elam's company. The regiment was mustered into service at Indianapolis and was ordered to Louisville, Ky., to aid in checking Gen. Bragg's army. It struck the enemy at Perryville and followed him up to Triune, Tenn.; was in the Chickamauga fight; went with Sherman to the sea and on their return throught the Carolinas to attend the grand review at Washington. During all his service Mr. Mackey was never absent from his regiment. He was mustered out of the service at Indianapolis July 23, 1865, sergeant of his company. On returning to civil pursuits Mr. Mackey engaged in farming, which of late years has given place to a miscellaneous and diversified vacation. Mr. Mackey sold his farm, the old Mackey homestead, to Dr. W.S. Shafer, in 1895, to be devoted to the use of the Rochester Normal university and on this tract the college building has been erected. To this enterprise Mr. Mackey lent not only his sympathy but of his substance and while the public are not acquainted with the extent of his donation the history of the consummation of the deal will reveal his connection with it. Mr. Mackey is the owner of several well improved properties in Rochester and laid out Mackey's addition to Rochester. In politics he is a republican and was once elected assessor, but a change in the law prevented his taking the office. April 6, 1868, Mr. Mackey married Lucy Dunlap, a daughter of James Dunlap, from Pennsylvania, who died here in 1855, one year after his advent to the state. He married Clara Stoughton, a cousin of Daniel Voorhes. Their children are: Rev. C.H. Dunlap, Philadelphia, Pa.; Alpheus, St. Louis, Mo.; Julia, wife of Michael Orr, Plymouth; Dr. W., Sedalia, Mo.; Lucy, and Mary, wife of Richard Van Deen, of this county. Mr. Mackey's children are: George M., twenty-six; Orrin S., twenty-two; Mary, twenty; Lottie, sixteen, and Colonel Gleason, six. The family are of the Presbyterian faith.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

DANIEL MICKEY is the owner of one of the fine farms of Fulton County, on which he has made his home since 1866. It comprises 140 acres of rich and arable land, which has been brought to its present state of cultivation by drainage and and the many improvements which go to make up the model farm of the nineteenth century. When it came into his possession it was heavily timbered, but his earnest labors have transformed it into one of the best country homes of Fulton County. Mr. Mickey was born in Richland County, Ohio, Oct. 28, 1824. His father, Isaac Mickey, was probably a native of Maryland, and near the beginning to the present century became a resident of Ohio. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, under William Henry Harrison. For his second wife he married Susan Brinley and three of their children are living: Daniel, Hiram and Lucinda. The parents died in Kosciusko County, Ind., in 1849, and were buried the same day. Our subject received but limited opportunities for securing an education, his priveleges being those afforded in the typical log school house of the frontier. During his youth he shared in the hardships and trials of pioneer life, and from an early age has been dependent entirely upon his own resources, so that the success he has achieved is the merited reward of his own labors. After eighteen years' experience as a pioneer of Kosciusko County, he came to Fulton County, and has since been identified with its interests. On Sept. 17, 1850, Mr. Mickey was joined in wedlock with Catherine Etzweiler, daughter of Jacob Etzweiler. She died eighteen years ago, leaving six children: William, now deceased; Ella, wife of A. Coplan, of Walnut, Ind.; Emma, wife of Washington Benton, of New Castle townshp; Frank, of Fulton County; Harvey, of New Mexico, and Katie, wife of Charles Peterson, of Wayne township. On questions of state and national importance Mr. Mickey gives an unwavering support to the democracy. He has long been a member of the Christian church, and his life is in harmony with his profession.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

Deb Murray