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

ELMER JULIAN BUCHANAN, proprietor of the Grass Creek elevator, first saw the light of day in Fairfield County, Ohio, on April 3, 1862. Mr. Buchanan's parents were James H. and Anna W. (Macklin)Buchanan, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume in the biography of P.M. Buchanan. When Mr. Buchanan was but two years old, his parents settle in Wayne township, this county, and six years later the family returned to Ohio, and father a stay of about four years later the family returned to Wayne township. After attending the common schools, Mr. Buchanan attended the high school of Rochester, and then the Northern Indiana Normal for three terms. For eleven years he taught school, beginning at the age of eighteen. In June, 1891, he and D.F. Rans entered into a partnership in the grain and tile business at Grass Creek. At the end of one year Mr. Buchanan purchased the interest of Mr. Rans, since which time he has conducted the business successfully, dealing in grain, flour, tile and salt. Aug. 30, 1892, Mr. Buchanan married Miss Florence V., daughter of John H. and Sarah Weyand, of Cass COunty. Politically he has been a staunch democrat, and in 1894-95 served as committeman for the west precinct of Wayne Township. (The remainder of this biography was hand-written into the copy of the book I found in our library, source unknown.) And afterward was trustee of W.Y. Died Feb. 11, 1927 at Robert Long Hospital, Indianapolis, Ind. Buried Feb. 15, 1927 in I.O.O.F. Cemetary, Kewanna, Ind.

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

PETER MACKLIN BUCHANAN, attorney at law, Rochester, Ind., was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Feb. 3, 1856. He is a son of James H. and Ann M. (Macklin) Buchanan. His father was born in Virginia in 1830. He died in Fulton County, Ind., in 1892. He was of Scotch descent. Mr. Buchanan's mother descended from Pennsylvania Dutch, was born in Ohio in 1835. She died in Fulton County in 1893. These parents were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, whence they removed to Fulton County in 1863 (note: this date has been hand written over to read 1864 in the copy I have). Subsequently they returned to Fairfield County, where they lived for four years. Then they returned to Fulton County, in which county they ever afterward lived. They had six children, of which three are dead. Their son, who name introduces this brief biography mention, was reared on the farm. His education was obtained in the county schools, the graded schools of Kewanna and the Northern Indiana Normal school. He began school teaching when nineteen years and taught up to 1883. He first began the study of law in 1879. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1883. He served as justice of the peace for some three or four years, then began an active practice of the law. He has gained a good clllientage and ranks among the best of his profession in the county. In 1883 Mr. Buchanan wedded Miss Maggie J. Richeson. The marriage has been blessed by the birth of two sons, namely, Blythe and Harry (note: in my copy & George P. has been handwritten in). Mr. Buchanan is identified with the democratic party, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias order. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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

SAMUEL BURCH, of Liberty township, is one of the substantial pioneers of Fulton County. He was born in Allen County, Ohio, Jan. 10, 1836. Arnold Burch, his father, was born in New England. He came to Ohio early in the century, and resided for a time at Cincinnati. He secured a contract for the construction of a part of the Cincinnati & Erie Canal and moved his family to Montgomery and later to Allen County. He descended the Ohio river on a flatboat and went into Cincinnati when it contained only one blacksmith shop. He came to Fulton County in 1841, and died on the farm of S. Burch in 1863, aged over seventy. He was a successful farmer; was a whig and then a republican; was married to Mary Ewin, who became the mother of: Anna, widow of John Hoover, Chicago; Levi, this county; Sarah, deceased, married to John Patrick; William, deceased; Zora, widow of William Buck; Rhoda, deceased, married to C.R. Green; Elizabeth, married to B. Chapin, both deceased, and Samuel. The last name secured a limited district school education. He purchased the old homestead of the heirs and has enlarged its area until now he has one of the most desirable homes in Liberty township and conducts his farm on the most approved methods. He was married first in the fall of 1862 to Sarah, daughter of Enos Hoover. She died in 1869. Soon following after the death of his wife Mr. Burch went to Iowa and spent one summer, engaged in bridge building. The next year he drove from here through to Kansas and the Indian territory on a prospecting tour and outing. May 7, 1871, after his return from the west, he married Amanda, daughter of Jacob Thompson. Their only child is Essie, wife of Alber Miller. Mr. Burch is a radical republican; is one of the moulders of sentiment as to party management in his township, and has frequently been solicited to allow his name to be used as a candidate i connection with some county office, but has persistently declined.

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

ISAAC BUSENBURG, one of the most progressive and substantial agriculturists of New Castle township, has demonstrated by his well spent life that succesis not a matter of genius, but the reward of earnest, persistent labor, guided by good management. It is these qualities that have made him one of the prosperous farmers of Fulton County. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, April 12, 1831, a son of Peter and Nancy (Wharton) Busenburg. His father was born in Knox County, Ohio about 1802, and died there in 1852, while the mother passed away in Fulton County, in 1879, at the age of seventy-two. Their living children are Hugh, of Green County, Ind.; Mrs. Rebecca Henry, of Fulton County; David, of Knox County, Ohio; Isaac; John, of Marion County, Iowa; and Phoebe, wife of John Scott, of Marion County, Iowa. Isaac Busenburg early became inured to the hardships of pioneer life and to the practical work of the farm. On attaining his majority he was married, going in debt eleven dollars for his wedding garments. Working by the day, he was enabled to purchased a yoke of oxen and a horse, and renting land he then began farming, cutting his hay and grain with a scythe. Removing to Fulton County, Indiana, he had barely enough money to pay the expenses of the trip. In 1860 he purchased forty acres of heavily timbered land and built a log cabin on a small clearing, at the same time entering upon a career which has marked him as an industrious, succesful and honorable farmer. As his financial resources increased, he added to his land until he had two hundred and eighty acres, but he has since given sixty acres to each of his sons, who reside near him. The yield of his fields isnot excelled in the township, and all of the accessories of a model farm are found upon his place. His nowledge of the best methods of draining land led to his appointment in 1881 as ditch commissioner for four years. He put in a good system of ditches in every part of the county, and then resigned after three years' service. His expenditure of public funds was necessarily large, but very judicious, and won him the commendation of all concerned. On Dec. 17, 1855, Mr. Busenburg was married in Knox County, Ohio, to Rhoda, daughter of George Starkey. She died leaving a son, David. For his second wife our subject chose Nancy Dunlap, and they have one son, P.W. Mr. Busenburg is a democrat of the old school, and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Baptist church, and have many warm friends throughout the community.

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

PETER BUSENBURG, in his thirty-three years's residence in Fulton County has won a place among its prosperous farmers and most highly respected citizens, for his life has been such as to win him the public confidence and regard. He comes from that sturdy and valued German stock that settled in Pennsylvania during the latter part of the eighteenth century, and is a son of David Busenburg, who was born in Cumberland County, that state, in 1806. His mother bore the maiden name of Mary Dennis. She was born in 1811, and was married at the age of twenty-one. For many years the parents resided in Knox County, Ohio, and there Peter, their first child, was born Dec. 13, 1833. Their other children now living are Barbara, wife of Edward Hatfield, of Pulaski County, Kan.; Martha, wife of Hiram Messersmith, of Mongomery County, Ind.; Elizabeth, wife of E. Messersmith, of Pulaski County, Ind.; Eliza, wife of Aaron Kesler, of Marshall County, and Michael, who is living in Wilson County, Kan. The educational facilities which Peter Busenburg enjoyed were extremely limited, yet he made the most of his opportunities, and has supplemented the knowledge gained in school by reading and by that practical experience which life's lessons always bring, and which have made him a well informed man. He was married Feb. 1, 1857, in Coshoction County, Ohio, to Lavina Meredith, daughter of Isaac Meredith. She died Jan. 8, 1890, leaving five children: Jonathan and Isaac M., who are farmers of Fulton County; Tinsey, wife of L.T. Barkman, of Henry township; Mahala, wife of L.D. Pentecost, of Noble County, Ind.; and D.E., principal of the schools of Dawson County, Montana. In November, 1891, Mr. Busenburg married Sarah Bybee, daughter of Pleasant Bybee, who came to Indiana from Fayette County, Ohio. Our subject became a resident of Fulton County in 1863, and purchased one hundred acres of timber land from Hiram Troutman. He immediately began the task of clearing a place on which to raise a crop of corn. In the third of a century, which has since passed, almost the entire forest has been cleared away, the marshes and swampy areas have been drained, and where once were trees and unproductive land are now seen fields of grain that tell of abundant harvests. There are also commodious houses and barns replacing the cabin and private stable, and the substantial buildings stand as monuments to the enterprise of the owner. In politics Mr. Busenburg is a democrat, and in religious belief a Baptist.

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

WILLIAM T. BUTLER, ex-sheriff of Fulton County, and a leading and influential citizen of Rochester, is so well and favorably known throughout this section of the state that he needs no special introduction to our readers. A native son of Indiana, he was born in Miami County, June 7, 1839, a son of William and Nancy E. (Meek) Butler, the former a native of Georgia, and the latter of Rockingham County, Va. They were descended from Irish stock, and after their marriage located in Indiana. They removed from Henry County to Miami County, and in 1843 became residents of Fulton County, where two years later the father died. The mother afterward married Minor Allen, and her death occurred in Fulton, in 1862, when she had reached the age of forty-five years. The children were: W.T., John W., of Miami County, and Sarah, who died in childhood. William T. Butler spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm and acquired his education in a primitive log school house, such as is found on the frontier, where the school was conducted on the subscription plan. When a youth of fourteen he began learing the blacksmith's trade in Fulton, Ind., under the direction of Norman L. Sterns, and on completing his apprenticeship went to Middletown, Henry County, where he carried on business on his own account. While there residing he was married, Dec. 28, 1859, to Catherine Phillips, who was born in Augusta County, Ba., July 4, 1837, a daughter of David and Nancy (Weeks) Phillips, of the Old Dominion. Mr. and Mrs. Butler's living children are: Warren J., who for fourteen years was deputy sheriff of Fulton County and is now in Toledo, Ohio; Minor A., also of Toledo; Mary, wife of George Black, of Rochester; Winona, wife of John Hoover, of Rochester; and Nellie. In 1871 Mr. Butler engaged in farming in Liberty township, and profitably and uninterruptedly continued that pursuit until 1880, when his fellow-citizens, appreciating his worth and ability, called him from private life to public office. Against seven competitors he received the nomination for sheriff, and in November was elected to that office, despite the opposition of the saloon element of his own party and the presence of two other candidates in the field. His administration of the affairs of the office was most commendable. The evil doer expected no mercy at his hands and he filled the jail with criminals of all classes who had hitherto infested the county, bringing to punishment as many as seven hundred during his term. So faithfully did he discharge his duties that he was re-elected by a larger majority than was given him in 1880. He retired from office as he had entered it with the good will, respect and confidence of all law-abiding citizens. Before retiring from office Mr. Butler became interested in the hardware business as a partner of Mr. Stockberger, but he is now devoting his attention to business in connection with his farms. He is the possessor of considerable property acquired through his own efforts and is accounted one of the substantial citizens of the community. He is a valued member of the Masonic order and its auxiliary, the Eastern Star; is in good standing in all branches of Odd Fellowship, including the Rebecca lodge, and has membership with the order of Red Men of the Tribe of Pocahontas. His own life is exemplary in the fidelity with which he has discharged every duty, either public or private, and no man in Fulton County is held in more genuine esteen that William T. Butler.

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

JACOB CAMERER, one of the representative farmers of Fulton County, is a native of Clermont County, Ohio, born Feb. 5, 1824, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Hill) Camerer, natives respectively of Fleming County, Ky., and Westmoreland County, Pa. The father was born in 1797 and died in Ruch County, Ind., in 1887. The mother was born in 1800 and died in the same Indiana county in 1889. The Camerer family left Kentucky i 1807 and settled in Clermont County, Ohio, and in 1812 the Hill family proceeded from the old Pennsylvania commonwealth by way of the Ohio river, upon a flatboat to Clermont County, and here the parents of Jacob Camerer were united in marriage. In 1826, they emigrated to Rush County, Ind., and it can be truthfully stated that representatives of the Camerer family have been pioneers of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Jacob Camerer, of this review, is of German descent and the third in a family of nine children, of whom five are at this date (1896) still living. He was raised upon the farm in Rush County, Ind., where he obtained a common school education. He carried on farming in that county until 1857, when he came to Fulton County and took up his residence, where he now lives, four miles southeast of Rochester. His farm at that time was almost an unbroken forest, but now it is a finely cultivated piece of land. In his neighborhood he at one time owned 350 acres, but he has given to his children so much that now he has only reserved eighty acres. Mr. Camerer was united in marriage in 1852 to Mrs. Olive (Green) Priest, a native of Franklin County, Ind. To this marriage are these four children, viz.: Henry E., Omer G. and Ada M. Politically Mr. Camerer is a democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Cass. His views upon finance are to have both a gold and silver standard, and have both metals as legal tenders in paying all debts, and upon the question of tariff, a revenue sufficient to meet the needs of the government, if those needs are economically administered to. He and wife are members of the M.E. church. Through a residence of nearly forty years in Fulton County, Jacob Camerer has been known as an honorable man and true citizen.

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

CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL, of Aubbeenaubbee township, was born in Baltimore, Md., May 20, 1831. His parents were John and Clara (Barcher) Campbell. The father was born in Scotland in 1797, and died in White County, Ill., when nearly ninety years of age. He came to America when eighteen years of age. About two years later his parents and two brothers (Angus and Donald) and two sisters (Jeanette and Isabella) came to this country. The parents located in Pittsburg, Pa., where their deaths occurred. In Baltimore John Campbell married Clara Barcher, who was born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1809. She died in White County, Ill., at the age of seventy-seven years. After the marriage of John and Clara Campbell they removed to Sandusky County, Ohio, where they lived nineteen years, and then (1853) came to Fulton County and settled in Aubbeenaubbee township, where they lived about six years. They then moved to southern Illinois, where the remainder of their days were spent. They were members of the Presbyterian church, and pioneers of sterling qualities. They had the following children: Daniel, deceased; Christopher, Angus, John, Edward, deceased; Clara, Jeanette, Nancy, deceased; Sarah and Isabella. The subject of this personal mention is the only one of the family now residing in Fulton County. He was about five years of age when his parents went to Ohio, in which state he grew to manhood, receiving a fair education in the old log school house. His youth was spent in aiding his father on the farm, and from boyhood he has followed farming. Along with his parents he came to this county in 1853, and under the parental roof he remained till he was married at the age of twenty-four years. Mr. Campbell has been married three times. In 1855 he married Angeline Sutley, who bore him a daughter (Angeline, now the wife of O.P. Lanner, of White County, Ill.). Mr. Campbell's second wife was Jeanette Gilcrest, who bore him these children: John, deceased; James, and John. In 1867 Mr. Campbell married Rebecca Zuck, and unto this marriage the following children have been born: Charles C., Sarah, Albert, Clara, Barch and Lucretia. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is a member of the I.O.O.F. and is a demitted member of the Masonic fraternity. Politically Mr. Campbell is a staunch republican. He cast his first presidential voe for John C. Fremont. He has never aspired to political office, but has, however, served the county one term as county commissioner.

See additional biography.

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

GEORGE W. CLAYTON, Rochester's efficient town marshal, was born in Fulton County, Ind., July 4, 1860. He was brought up on his father's farm and at twenty years of age decided to change his occupation for one more promising. He placed himself in the hands of Philip Hoot to learn the trade of plasterer. He has made this trade his life work and has resided continuously in Fulton County except four years, when he was temporarily absent, doing work in the states of Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa. May 8, 1885, Mr. Clayton married in Rochester, wedding Minnie Stigllietz, daughter of Christian Stiglietz, now of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Clayton's children are: Burney, L. Jay and Marie. Our subject is a son of George W. Clayton, deceased, born at Harper's Ferry, Va., 1815. He emigrated to Ohio in 1834 with his father, John Clayton, who was a miller and who died in Logan County, Ohio. Our subject's father came to Fulton County in 1841 and married here, wedding Ann Hurd, a Canadian lady. He located east of Rochester, where he died in 1871. George W. Clayton is a republican in politics, and was nominated for his office against several competitors and defeated a popular democrat by 130 votes at the election held May 4, 1896. He is an I.O.O.F. and a K.O.T.M.

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

NEWTON J. CLYMER, M.D. -- The birth of this physician and surgeon occurred March 24, 1837, in Miami County, Ind., where his parents, Joseph and Eliza (Keever) Clymer, settled as early as 1832. The father was a son of Henry Clymer, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and a cousin of George Clymer, of Declaration fame. At the close of the Revolutionary war, in which he was a soldier, he married Miss Phebe Wharton, whose father was also a soldier in the war of Independence. Subsequent to this marriage Henry Clymer came west and located on the Ohio river, becoming one of the early settler of Cincinnati, where his son, Joseph, our subject's father, was born in 1805. Later he removed to Warren County, Ohio, where his death occurred. He was the father of six sons and five daughters. Weh the subject of this review was nine years of age his father died, and the care of six children was thrown upon the mother; but possessing that magnificent ingenuity with which woman is ever provided with she managed to keep her family of four sons and two daughters upon the home farm until they reached manhood and womanhood. Dr. N.J. Clymer spent his youth upon the farm. At eighteen years of age he was fortunate enough to be the teacher at a neighboring school. At twenty years of age he began the study of medicine in the office of his brother, Dr. Keever Clymer, at Wawpecong, Ind., where he remained for two years, and then located for the practice of his profession in LaSalle County, Ill., but one year later returned to Indiana and located at Bourbon, and in 1862 he came to Fulton County and from that time until the fall of 1893 he was located at Bloomingsburg (now Talma), where for many years he had an extensive practice. Near this place the doctor now owns two valuable farms. Feb. 9, 1860, occurred the marriage of Dr. Clymer to Miss Leonora A. Moore, who waas born at Ashtabula, Ohio, Nov. 16, 1844, a daughter of George W. and Elizabeth Moore. When she was but two years of age her parents removed to Canada, and from thence to Detroit, Mich., in August, 1849, in which year her father died, leaving the mother and the following children, viz.: Eli B., Sophronia A., Julia, George W., Anna E., M. Augusta, and Leonora A. Mrs. Clymer received her education at the schools of Buffalo, N.Y., and at Bourbon, Ind. To bless the union of Dr. and Mrs. Clymer there have come four children, viz.: Charles A., George M., Florence and Harry C. Dr. Clymer has taken an active part in social and fraternal affairs. He was one of the organizers of the Masonic lodge, No. 489 and I.O.O.F. lodge No. 516, at Bloomingsburg. He and wife are members of the order of the Eastern Star and the order of teh Daughters of Rebecca. Politically Dr. Clymer is a democrat. But once has the doctor sought political preferment and that was quite a number of years ago, when he was a candidate for joint representative for this county and Pulaski, and on account of the fusion of the republicans with the greenback element he was defeated by fifteen votes. He is a clean man socially and politically, and one whose character and ability stands free and unquestioned. Since November, 1893, the doctor and his amiable wife have been the residents of Rochester, and are among its most highly esteemed citizens. Dr. Clymer is a successful physician, is a gradualte of the Eclectic medical institue of Cincinnati; since 1870 has been a member of the Eclectic medical association of Indiana, and is a member of the Northwest medical association of Northern Indiana, of whici at this time he is treasurer. July 27, 1893, he was appointed examiner for the bureau of pensions at Rochester.

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