Lyman Talmage Rawles was born August 16, 1877, in Springfield Township, La Grange County, Indiana, on a farm once owned by his grandfather, Elisha Rawles, and now the property of Stratton L. Appleton, who compiled the material for this biography. James Rawles, great-grandfather of Lyman Talmage Rawles, was born in Kentucky, and married Maria Williamson, a native of New Jersey. After their marriage they migrated to Ross County, where James Rawles was engaged in agricultural operations, as he was also in Marion County, Ohio, their next place of residence and in April 1839, they moved to Springfield Township, La Grange County, Indiana, where they became real pioneers of Northern Indiana. In 1842 James Rawles was elected sheriff of La Grange County, a position to which he was reelected in 1844, and following the expiration of his second term retired to the City of La Grange, where he died in 1853. He was one of the prominent and influential citizens of his community and prior to serving in the capacity of sheriff had been justice of the peace for some years.

Elisha Rawles, the grandfather of Lyman Talmage Rawles, was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 13, 1821, and received a country school education in Ross and Marion counties. He was about eighteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to La Grange County, Indiana, and became associated with his father in the development and cultivation of the home farm. On February 24, 1845, he was united in marriage with Miss Rosetta Talmage, a daughter of Henry and Sophia Talmage, natives of New York State. Mrs. Rosetta Rawles died November 27, 1878, aged fifty years, leaving three children: Charles Williamson , Hattie L., and Clinton H., the latter a farmer of Springfield Township. Elisha Rawles, upon reaching the age of twenty-one years, purchased his first tract of land, a farm of 160 acres in Springfield Township, buying it on credit and paying for it from the profits which he made. In 1873 he bought another farm, this comprising 240 acres, where he farmed for many years, becoming one of the prominent agriculturists of his part of the state. For some time, during the early days, he used a breaking team, i.e., six yoke of oxen, in the development of his land, and in a single season broke, unaided, fifty acres, which he planted to wheat, disposing of his crop at Fort Wayne, which at that time was the nearest market. For many years he was also an extensive stock raiser, shipping to Chicago and Buffalo, where his cattle always found a ready and profitable market. He was a man of ability and a good citizen, and although a stanch Republican in his political allegiance, never sought public office. He was liberal in his religious views and never made a public profession of adherence to the tenets of any religious denomination, but was a Christian gentleman of proved honesty, probity and integrity. He never took a second wife, and died in Jackson Township, Steuben County, Indiana, January 22,1899, aged seventy-seven years.

Charles Williamson Rawles, father of Lyman Talmage Rawles, was born in Springfield Township, La Grange County, Indiana, May 20, 1847, and received his early education in the public schools of his native community, followed by a course at the La Grange County Collegiate Institute, at Ontario, Indiana. He was reared to the life of a farmer, and in Springfield Township was united in marriage with Miss Cynthia Hammill, who was born in Defiance County, Ohio, April 10, 1854, and educated in the public schools of that county and La Grange County, Indiana. During the early '80s Mr. and Mrs. Rawles moved to Western Kansas, at that time a new and practically unsettled country, where Mrs. Rawles died August 31, 1885, her remains being brought back to Springfield Township, where they were interred in the beautiful cemetery at East Springfield. Charles Williamson Rawles spent his declining years in Allen County, Indiana, where he died May 29, 1919, and he now lies beside his wife in the East Springfield Cemetery. He was a man of quiet disposition, who did not seek public honors, but was a generous contributor to all worthy public-spirited movements. Mrs. Rawles was a lady of superior accomplishments, and, while modest and unassuming, was one of the most popular young women in each of the communities in which she resided.

The only child of his parents, Lyman Talmage Rawles received his rudimentary training at what was known in Springfield Township as the White Eagle School, which had been the Red Eagle School until it was painted white. Later he entered the Tri-State Normal School, at Angola, Indiana, where he was sent by his grandfather, Elisha Rawles, he having been only eight years of age at the time of his mother's death. Under his grandfather's rearing he was taught the value and dignity of hard work, and when each Friday night came around, when he was attending the normal school, he would trudge back to his home, a distance of twelve miles, where he would chop wood sufficient to take back Monday morning to Angola, to keep his modest room warm. This would seem like a very stern training to some of the pampered youths of today, but it was of great value to Doctor Rawles, assisting him to build up character and an independent nature and schooling him to meet the obstacles of life which lay before him. Before finishing his course at the Tri-State Normal School he entered the Valparaiso Indiana Normal School, where he graduated in science and pharmacy in 1898, and then entered Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, where he took both a literary and medical course, and was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine as a member of the class of 1903. Doctor Rawles practically educated himself for his profession, for he worked his way through the university by acting as clerk in a drug store during his spare hours, at Chicago. He also completed two courses in science at the University of Chicago, and took post-graduate work at the Western Reserve University at Cleveland, Ohio, and at the Hospital for Ruptured and Crippled children, New York City.

Doctor Rawles began the practice of his profession at the Indiana School for the Feeble-Minded, at Fort Wayne, where he remained one and one-half years, and following this opened an office for private practice at Huntertown, Allen County, which was his place of residence and scene of practice until November 6, 1912, when he came to Fort Wayne. He has been successful in building up a splendid practice, particularly in the field of orthopedic surgery, and occupies well-appointed offices at No. 612 Wayne Pharmacal Building. He belongs to the Fort Wayne Medical Society, of which he is an ex-president, the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and is on the staffs of St. Joseph's Hospital at Fort Wayne and others, and instructor in orthopedic surgery in the Nurses Training School at Fort Wayne. He has charge of the crippled children sent from Mizpah Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Masonry to the various hospitals of Fort Wayne. On July 14,1917, Doctor Rawles volunteered for service in the United States Medical Corps, during the World War, and was commissioned a first lieutenant, being sent to Fort Riley, Kansas, August 15, 1917. He was transferred from this camp November 13, 1917, and sent to Cleveland, Ohio, where he received instructions in fracture work and surgery under Dr. Carl Hammon, of Western Reserve University, and there remained until December 19, 1917, when he reported to the Base Hospital at Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, South Carolina. He took charge of bone surgery and orthopedic work, and continued in that field of endeavor until receiving. his honorable discharge, January 4, 1919. In the meantime, December 3, 1917, he was promoted captain, and March 28, 1918, was commissioned major. Following the war he remained as a member of the Medical Reserve Corps for five years and then resigned his commission. Doctor Rawles is a member of the Episcopal Church. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Mizpah Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., and was the founder and first master of the Blue Lodge of Masonry at Huntertown.

On December 2, 1906, Doctor Rawles was united in marriage with Miss Frances Sowers Chapman, who was born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 9, 1884, and is a graduate of St. Mary's Hall, an Episcopal school for girls, at Burlington, New Jersey, and of the physical department of the Temple University at Philadelphia. She is a daughter of Rev. Henry Paschall Chapman, of Philadelphia, who died at Fort Wayne, Ocotber 7, 1928, aged eighty-four years, and Anna M. (Sowers) Chapman, who died January 9, 1929, at Fort Wayne.

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INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931

FORREST E. KEELING, M. D. The president of the Jay County Medical Society, Dr. Forrest E. Keeling, of Portland, although one of the younger members of his profession has led an active and varied career, in which natural and acquired talent, great industry and a real love of his vocation have combined to bring him rapidly to the forefront. In addition to taking care of a large and representative practice, he has served for two years as coroner of Jay County, and in each of his many capacities has displayed the kind of conscientious devotion to duty that wins and holds the confidence and respect of fellow-citizens.

Doctor Keeling was born June 8, 1897, in Shelby County, Indiana, and is a son of Dr. James E. and Mary (Mitchell) Keeling. James E. Keeling was born October 20, 1867, in Shelby County, where he attended the public schools, Shelby County College and Hartsville (Indiana) Normal School, and received his medical degree from the Indiana Medical School at Indianapolis. For many years he has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Waldron, Indiana, where he has gained a leading position in his calling and as a public-spirited citizen. He married Mary J. Mitchell, who was born in Shelby County, a member of a family which came from originally Kentucky, and to this union there were born four children: Roy E., born in Shelby County, January 20, 1891, general manager of the American Warming and Ventilation Company of Youngstown, Ohio, who married Eunice Lantz, of Waldron, Indiana; Dr. Forrest E., of this review; Frederick A., born March 9, 1900, an agriculturist of Shelby County, who married Miss Lois McKay, of Waldron; and Gladys L., born December 8, 1903, who is unmarried and a teacher of music at Chicago.

Forrest E. Keeling attended the public schools of Waldron and after his graduation entered the University of Indiana, in 1915, being a student at that institution when the United States became involved in the World war. On April 8, 1917, he enlisted as a private at Indianapolis, for service in the Indiana Field Hospital, and June 7, was called into the service and sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison, where he remained in training for three months. He was then transferred to Camp Shelby, Harrisburg, Mississippi, where he remained until June 20, 1918, when he went to the field artillery officer's training camp at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, and received a commission as second lieutenant. On October 30 he was transferred to Camp Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina, and remained with the Field Artillery Replacement Depot until December, 23, 1918, when he was sent back to Camp Taylor and received his honorable discharge December 26.

Returning to the. University of Indiana, Doctor Keeling received his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1920, and that of Doctor of Medicine in 1923, and served his interneship at the Indianapolis City Hospital. He commenced practice at Portland, September 1, 1924, since which time, as before noted, he has made rapid strides in his calling and now has a large and representative practice, with well-appointed and perfectly-equipped offices at 116 West Walnut Street. Doctor Keeler has been coroner of Jay County for the two years and has discharged his duties in a highly commendable manner. He is a member and president of the Jay County Medical Society, and a member of the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Fraternally he is affiliated with Portland Lodge No. 87, A. F. and A. M., and also takes a prominent part in civic affairs as a member of the board of directors of the local Rotary Club. He is president of Portland Chapter of the American Red Cross, and with his family belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Upon receiving his discharge from the army Doctor Keeling became a second lieutenant of the field artillery in the Reserve Corps, and December 8, 1926, resigned, having received his commission December 20, 1924, as first lieutenant of the Medical. Attachment, One Hundred Thirty-ninth Field Artillery, being promoted to captain December 7, 1919, a commission which he still holds. He is a Republican in his political convictions and holds membership in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Rho Sigma and Sigma Delta Phi fraternities, the last named being an honorary athletic fraternity.

On October 2, 1923, Doctor Keeling was united in marriage with Miss Elsie Caster, of Portland, who was born January 21, 1900. After attending the country schools of Jay County and the high school at Portland, she took a nurse's training course at the Robert Long Hospital, Indianapolis, and has been of great assistance to her husband in his professional work, in addition to being prominent in civic, social and religious labors at Portland. Her father, James R. Caster, was born March 15, 1863, and spent his life in agricultural pursuits, dying October 23, 1900, while her mother, Maria (Whipple) Caster, who was born January 17, 1863, died May 15, 1929, both being buried at Portland. Doctor and Mrs. Keeling are the parents of three children: Barbara Jean, born June 17, 1925; John Edwin, born October 29, 1927; and Mary Jane, born June 7, 1930.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931

CHESTER V. KIMMELL, who is giving specially loyal and constructive service as county agricultural agent for Jay County, with executive office in the courthouse at Portland, was born in the City of Ligonier, Noble County, Indiana, September 26, 1901, and is a scion of one of the honored and influential pioneer families of this state. Cyrus Kimmell, grandfather of the subject of this review, purchased in an early day, from the original owner, Mr. Stone, the historic old Stone's Tavern, which was the residence on the farm that he acquired in the same purchase. This famous old building, on the old stage coach line between Fort Wayne and Goshen, extended entertainment to travelers over that old road and was one of the leading taverns or inns of the locality and period. The building is still standing and is in an excellent state of preservation. This old homestead farm of the Kimmell family is in Noble County, and the village of Kimmell, that county, was named in honor of Orlando Kimmell, a brother of Cyrus.

Chester V. Kimmell is a son of Joseph C. and Lena (Keehn) Kimmell, both of whom were born in Noble County, the former at Brimfield, in April, 1872, and the latter at Ligonier, in the same month and year, their home being still maintained at Ligonier, where Joseph C. Kimmell is engaged in the real estate and insurance business. Chester V. Kimmell was the fifth in order of birth in a family of six children. Lera and Verlie, first two of the children, are deceased; Joseph K., who was born October 25, 1898, is associated with his father in the real-estate and insurance business at Ligonier; Harriet, who was born September 29, 1900, is the wife of Charles Andrews, owner and conductor of a confectionery store in Ligonier; Mildred, who was born June 6, 1903, is the wife of Forrest Rex, who is foreman with a construction company in the City of Chicago.

The preliminary education of Chester V. Kimmell was acquired through the medium of the public schools, and after completing his high-school studies he entered Purdue University, at Lafayette, in 1920. In that great Indiana institution he was graduated June 11, 1924, with the degree of Bachelor of Science in agriculture. During the ensuing year he was a teacher in the public schools of Enfield, White County, Illinois, and thereafter he was a teacher at Gillespie, Macoupin County, that state, until his return to Indiana, where, on the 1st of June, 1926, he assumed his present office, that of county agricultural agent for Jay County. He has here given a service of greatvalue in advancing the interests of the farmers of the county, and he is significantly loyal and progressive in his civic attitude. In 1928 he was vice president of the Kiwanis Club of Portland, and the year 1929 marked his effective administration as president of this organization. Mr. Kimmell has membership in the Christian Church and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was secretary of the Newcastle District County Agricultural Agents Association in 1928, and is an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry. Mr. Kimmell is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and also with the following named college fraternities: Sigma Phi Epsilon, Hoof. and Horn, and Kappa Phi Sigma.

June 30, 1928, recorded the marriage of Mr. Kimmell to Miss Miriam Peelle, of Indianapolis, she having been born April 30, 1905, and being a daughter of Willis and Mina (Arehart) Peelle, the former of whom is deceased, his remains being interred at Mulberry, Clinton County, Indiana, and his widow being a resident of Indianapolis. Mrs. Kimmell received the advantages of the high school at Staunton, Illinois, and thereafter continued her studies by attending Butler University, Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Kimmell are popular factors in the social and cultural circles of their home City of Portland, where they reside at 229 East Union Street.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931

NESTOR FRIES, proprietor of the N. Fries Tool & Machine Works, at 1918 East Wayne Street, Fort Wayne, is a skilled machinist and has been a working member of the business community of Fort Wayne for over twenty years.

He was born in Sweden, October 14, 1883, son of Gustav and Ida (Fosbarg) Fries. His father was born June 21, 1848, and his mother on April 4, 1852. They came to America and settled at Fort Wayne in 1913. The mother died in 1925. Gustav Fries is an old time machinist, a skilled tool maker, and at the age of eighty-one is still one of the most competent men of his profession in Fort Wayne, being employed by the O. K. Machine Company. The parents had a family of eleven children, seven of whom are living, and all are in the United States.

Nestor Fries acquired his education in Sweden and was a youth of twenty years when, in 1903, he came to America. His first location was in Fort Wayne, where he worked for the Western Gas Construction Company. After a year he went about over the country as a mechanic, spending time in the East, South and West. He left California just in time to escape the great earthquake in the spring of 1906, and on returning to Fort Wayne was an employee of the General Electric Company until 1911. In that year he and Gus W. Fries and Al J. Johnson organized the O. K. Machine Company. He sold his interest in that partnership in 1919, and in October of the same year established the N. Fries Tool & Machine Works, and has made that a growing and prosperous business, one of the important smaller industries of the City of Fort Wayne.

Mr. Fries is a member of the Mason fraternity, the Trinity English Lutheran Church. He married, August 12, 1912, Miss Nannie Erickson, of Fort Wayne. Their home is at 2411 Miner Street.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931

GROVER A. SMITH, physician and surgeon located at New Haven in Allen County is of the second generation of the Smith family in the medical profession in this county. His father began the practice of medicine more than half a century ago.

Dr. Grover A. Smith was born in Allen County, November 18, 1885. His father, Dr. Joseph Lycurgas Smith, was born in Mercer County, Ohio, February 7, 1852, and married Allie Emenhiser, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, September 24, 1852. Joseph L. Smith attended public school in Ohio and was graduated from the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati in 1877. He has as an undergraduate begun practice in Allen County, in 1875, and enjoyed a prosperous professional business, with home at Hoagland, Indiana until 1902. In that year he was elected county auditor serving four years, and since leaving office has enjoyed a well-earned retirement at Hoagland, Indiana. His good wife passed December 11, 1925. They were married December 9, 1875, and their family and friends derive much satisfaction from their having been able to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary a few days before the death of the mother. Dr. Joseph L. Smith was for several years examining physician for the pension board. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Of his ten children five are now living.

Grover A. Smith attended public schools in Allen County, graduated from the Hoagland High School, and took his Bachelor of Science degree from Marion College in 1906. In 1911 he received his M. D. degree from the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and he first practiced at Bryant in Jay County, Indiana, but in 1923 returned to Allen County and has since been located and has enjoyed a growing connection in his profession at New Haven. Doctor Smith served one term, as coroner of Jay County while living there.

He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Bryant, belongs to the Allen County and Indiana State Medical Associations, and is a member of the American Legion.

In September 1917 he was commissioned a lieutenant and later was promoted to captain in the Medical Corps and was overseas on duty from June, 1918, until after the armistice. He received his honorable discharge in May, 1919, and from 1920 to 1922 held the rank of captain in the Indiana National Guard, Medical Reserve Corps. Doctor Smith is a member of the English Lutheran Church.

He married, August 7, 1907, Miss Fern Brooks, of Grant County, Indiana. They have a family of eight children: Lois, who graduated from the New Haven High School and is now a student in the University of Indiana; Robert, a graduate of the class of 1929 in New Haven High School, and now a student at the Indiana University; Gretchen, a graduate of the class of 1930 in high school, and now a student at the Indiana University; Delight, who graduated from grade school in 1929; Richard, who was born while his father was overseas during the World war; and three younger children are Roger, Felice and Beulah.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931

ALBERT F. BRASE is one of three brothers who conduct one of the oldest established grocery houses in the City of Fort Wayne, at 301 West Jefferson Street, where their father started his business career forty years ago.

The founder of the business was the late August C. Brase, who was born in Fort Wayne, November 18, 1864, son of Fred C. Brase. Fred C. Brase was born in Germany, in 1825, and was an early settler in Fort Wayne. For some years he was a canal boat captain, had a farm in Allen County and also took teams and equipment for the teaming and trucking business. Of his eight children two sons and four daughters are still living.

August C. Brase attended the German Lutheran Parochial School in Fort Wayne, and as a youth gained his knowledge of the grocery business as an employee of the Trentman's Wholesale Grocery Company. In the month of June, 1889, he opened his first stock of goods, at the corner of Jefferson and Webster streets, and he gave his personal attention to that growing and expanding business until his death nearly thirty years later, in 1918. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and the B. P. O. Elks and was a Lutheran.

August C. Brase married Anna Armack, who was born in Fort Wayne, January 5, 1867, and is still living in that city. Her father, Albert Armack, was born in Germany and was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war. He died soon after the war. His wife, Dorothy, was born in Germany and died at Fort Wayne at the age of seventy-two. Of their four children two are living. August C. Brase and wife had three sons: Albert F., Walter F., and Clarence T., all of whom are together and share in the responsibility of carrying on the business established by their father.

Albert F. Brase was born in Fort Wayne, June 28,1886, attended the German Lutheran parochial schools and the International Business College. Since completing his education he has been with the business founded by his father. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the B. P. O. Elks and the Lutheran Church. On February 20, 1912, he married Miss Alice Carroll, of Fort Wayne, and they have a daughter, Mary Louise, born August, 18, 1917. Mr. Brase lost his wife by death October 7, 1928, when forty-six years of age. His brother Walter F. Brase served for seven months with the colors during the World war. He married Yolande Labnum, of Fort Wayne, and has a son, George.

Clarence T. Brase married Corrine Shondell, of Fort Wayne, and they have a family comprising seven sons and one daughter.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931

ROBERT LEE WILLIS is manager of the South Bend branch of the Kalamazoo Stove Company. He is a very capable salesman, a wide-awake business man, and has shown a very professive attitude not only toward his own work but in matters and affairs of the community.

Mr. Willis was born in Illinois, December 1, 1893. He attended public schools and is a graduate of the Oak Park, Illinois, High School. He subsequently completed a course in the Parsons Business College of Kalamazoo. Mr. Willis as a youth showed some very unusual talent, which took him to the stage as his first vocation. He was a talented vaudeville actor, and for several years, had a successful career.

In 1917 he enlisted and was sent to Camp Custer, Michigan, being put in the Fourteenth Division. He received his honorable discharge after the armistice, and at that time entered the field of work which he has followed ever since. Much of his success since coming to South Bend has been due to his thorough knowledge of the products of the Kalamazoo Stove Company. He acquired that knowledge by a complete routine training in the factory at Kalamazoo. In 1925 he was sent as manager to the South Bend branch at 128 North Main Street, in the old Tribune Building.

Mr. Willis is a member of the Masonic fraternity, B. P. O. Elks and First Congregational Church. He married, November 11, 1920, Miss Ruth Carr, of Lakewood, Chatauqua County, New York. They have one son, Robert Lee, Jr., born December 24, 1922.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931