Other surnames mentioned: Polcar
Martin Polcar merchant tailor and proprietor of the Peerless cleaning and dyeing establishment at Portland, is an European by birth, but has been a resident of this country since he was four years of age and thus feels himself quite as much an American as though "native and to the manner born." Mr. POLCAR was born in the kingdom of Bohemia on December 29, 1864, and is a son of Martin F. and Mary POLCAR, both of whom also were Bohemians by birth. Martin F. POLCAR came to America with his family, wife and seven children, in 1869, and proceeded to Chicago, where they were living when the great fire of 1870 disorganized so many lines there. Not long afterward they went to Cleveland, Ohio, where they established their home, and it was in this latter city that Charles G. POLCAR received his schooling. Upon completing the course in the high school he became apprenticed to a tailor and became thoroughly grounded as a cutter. When twenty-four years of age Mr.
POLCAR opened a tailoring shop of his own in Cleveland and was there thus engaged for about three years, at the end of which time he came to Indiana and located at Portland, where he became engaged as a cutter in the tailoring department of the Weiler store. For about three years he continued this employment and then he opened a tailoring shop of his own, locating in a room in the Hawkins building, where he remained for about twenty years. In 1919 Mr. POLCAR opened a cleaning and dyeing establishment at 212 West Main street, and for two years carried on the two establishments independently, or until 1921, when he bought the building at 212 West Main street and built additional buildings at the rear for his cleaning plant, and has since been carrying on his tailoring and his dyeing and cleaning operations under one roof at 212 West Main street, where he carries an up-to-date and complete line of woolens for his tailoring trade. The Peerless cleaning and
dyeing establishment which he carries on in this same connection is said to be one of the best equipped plants of its kind in Indiana. All operations are carried on by electric power, the equipment is modern in every particular and the work is done in admirable and shipshape fashion by experts in that line of work, custom coming from all sections of a wide territory hereabout. Mr. POLCAR has long enjoyed the reputation of being one of the leading tailors in this part of Indiana and his friends say for him that "his customers always come back." Mr. POLCAR is a Republican and is a member of the Portland Country Club. the Kiwanis Club, the local lodges of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the local aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and is a charter member of all these.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Rupel , Mahuran , Hardyshell
M.L. RUPEL, who has been a resident of Jay County since 1854, was born in Darke County, Ohio, October 5, 1836, a son of James Rupel, deceased, who was one of the prominent citizens of Jackson Township. Our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits on the home farm, and in the common schools of his neighborhood he received his education. When eighteen years of age he accompanied his father's family to Jay County, Indiana, where he has since followed the avocation of a farmer, and during his residence in Jackson Township he has made many friends, and gained the respect of all who know him. Mr. Rupel was married October 4, 1858, to Miss Jane Mahuran, a native of Indian, born in Wells County, May 8, 1841, a daughter of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Hardyshell) Mahuran, who became residents of Jay County. Mr. and Mrs. Rupel are the parents of eight children -Parmelia Hamma, born October 3, 1859; Clark, born July 20, 1861, is superintendent of the High School at
Junction City, Lane County, Oregon; Charles, born March 23, 1864, is engaged in the mercantile business at Monroe, Benton County, Oregon; Effie, born August 8, 1867, a prominent teacher in Jay County; James, born December 3, 1872; Isaac, born April 9, 1874; Pearl, born May 10, 1877, and John, born December 1, 1879. Mr. Rupel has resided on his present farm since 1863, and in connection with his general farming he is successfully engaged in stock-raising. His farm contains 160 acres of well improved land, with good house and farm buildings in good condition. Politically Mr. Rupel is an ardent Republican. He is a member of the United Brethren church, of which he is at present trustee. He is also superintendent of the Sabbath school.
Submitted by: Dusti
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF JAY AND BLACKFORD COUNTIES, INDIANA The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 Page 441
Other surnames mentioned: Brubaker , Catlin , Collins , Hiatt , Hildreth , Hudson , Louck , Miller , Pratt , Resur , Spahr , Wyrick
Morris Hamilton SPAHR, one of the best known and most substantial farmers and landowners of Jay county, proprietor of an excellent farm in Greene township and a delightful home on rural mail route No. 1 out of Portland, was born in that township and has lived there all his life, doing well his part in the general promotion and development of the community interest. Mr. SPAHR was born on January 22, 1857, and is a son of John O. and Experience (HILDRETH) SPAHR, both Virginians by birth, who became pioneers of this county and whose last days were spent here. John O. SPAHR was born in 1818 and was but a child when his parents moved to Greene county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Experience HILDRETH, who was born in 1818. He made his home in Greene county for some years thereafter, or until the new lands over this way began to attract the attention of prospective settlers and he came over here and entered a tract of eighty acres in Greene
township, this county, and established his home on that place, having been among the first of the numerous settlers from Greene county who located m this part of Jay county during pioneer days. Not long afterward he sold that original "eighty" and bought a quarter section in the same neighborhood and on this latter tract developed a good farm and spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in the fall of 1892, he then being past seventy-four years of age. His wife had long preceded him to the grave, her death having occurred in the fall of 1862. They were the parents of nine children, those besides the subject of this sketch and his twin sister, Josephine, who married Benjamin BRUBAKER, being Mary, who married Jasper N. HIATT; James E., who went to Iowa years ago; Catherine, who married William LOUCK and moved to Nebraska; Alexander, who also went to Iowa; Sarah E., who married Joseph COLLINS, of this county; Caroline, who married David
CATLIN, and William C., who went to Nebraska years ago. Morris Hamilton SPAHR grew up on the home farm in Greene township and received his schooling in the neighborhood schools. When he attained his majority he began farming on his own account, renting land. He married when twenty-five and made his home on a tract of sixty-seven acres which he had bought in Greene township, a part of his present fine farm of 360 acres, and has since resided there, developing one of the best equipped farm plants in that part of the county. In addition to his general farming Mr. SPAHR has long given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and has done well in his operations. He is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the Union Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. SPAHR has for years been a. member of the board of trustees of this church and is now the president of the board. It was on November 2, 1882, that Morris H. SPAHR was united in marriage to
Anna Belle MILLER, who also was born in this county, and to this union five children have been born namely: Oliver, who married Anna RESUR; Alta, who married Jesse WYRICK and has three children, Ruth, Mary and Morris H.; Emery, who married Helen HUDSON; Willard L., who died at the age of twenty-three years, and Pearl, who died at the age of twenty-one. Mrs. SPAHR was born in Madison township, this county, December 1, 1860, and is a daughter of David T. and Jane (PRATT) MILLER, the latter of whom was born in Greene county, Ohio. David T. MILLER was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, and early became a resident of Jay county, where he spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, of whom four are still living, Mrs. SPAHR having three brothers, Oscar, Andrew Harlan and Frederick MILLER.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Haines , Hunt , Rigby , Williams
Miles M. WILLIAMS, one of Jackson township's best known farmers and landowners, now living on his pleasant place in that township, rural mail route No. 4 out of Bryant, was born in that township, a member of one of the pioneer families of Jay county, and has lived there practically all his life, the exception being a period of several years spent in Nebraska during the days of his young manhood. Mr. WILLIAMS was born on September 9, 1854, and is a son of James and Hannah ( RIGBY ) WILLIAMS, both of whom were born in Ohio, the latter in Monroe county, and who spent their last days in Jay county, to which they had come in the days of their childhood with their respective parents, who were pioneers of this county. James WILLIAMS was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, a member of one of that considerable number of families from that county who emigrated over here into Jay county in pioneer days, the WILLIAMS's settling in Jackson township. James WILLIAMS
was trained to the vocation of shoemaking and for some time followed that occupation here, also doing farm work, and in 1867 bought a farm of 178 acres in Jackson township, a part of which place is now owned and occupied by his son Miles, and there he established his home. Mr. WILLIAMS paid $1,200 for this tract, only twenty-four acres of which was cleared at the time he bought it and he proceeded to the task of clearing and developing the place. His death occurred there not many years later. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, those besides the subject of this sketch being Isaac L., Maurice C., Melvin D., Mary L., Delilah Jane and Amanda E. Reared to farm life in Jackson township, Miles M. WILLIAMS received his schooling in the old Boyd school, district No. 1, in that township and from boyhood was a helpful force in the work of the farm. After his father's death he continued farming on the home place, in behalf of his mother, until
his marriage when he rented a farm and began "on his own," remaining here until 1878 when he moved to Nebraska. For eight years he made his home in that state and then returned to Jay county and bought a part of the old WILLIAMS home place, buying eighty-seven acres of it, and has since resided there, meantime improving and developing the place until he has one of the best farm plants in that part of the county. In addition to his general farming, Mr. WILLIAMS has for years given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and has done well. Mr. WILLIAMS is a Prohibitionist in his political allegiance and has for years been one of the active supporters of that party in this county. He is an active member of the local grange of the Patrons of Husbandry and is one of the trustees of that body. On January 8, 1876, Miles M. WILLIAMS was united in marriage to Rosella HAINES, a member of one of the old families of this county and daughter of Isaac
and Mary Elma HAINES and to this union four children have been born, Roy E. Myrtle and Althea, all deceased, and a son, Charles, who is assisting in the management of his father's farm. Charles WILLIAMS married Goldie HUNT and has five children, Violet I., Thera A., Velda C., Charles Kenneth and Max G. The WILLIAMS have a pleasant home and have ever taken an interested part in the general social activities of the community in which they live. Mrs. WILLIAMS was born in Penn township, this county. Her father, Isaac HAINES, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, and her mother was born in Monroe county, same state. In the days of their youth they came with their respective parents to Jay county and were married in Penn township, where they established their home, Isaac HAINES becoming the owner of a farm of seventy-seven acres in that township, where he lived until after the death of his wife, when he took up his residence with Mr. and Mrs. WILLIAMS. Isaac
HAINES and wife were the parents of four children, those besides Mrs. WILLIAMS being Lydia Ellen, Edw in Ellsworth and Halcyon Gertrude.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Barnett , Bergman , Brunson , Deal , Dennis , Fellers , Myrom , Walter
Noah N. WALTER, one of Jay county's well known and substantial agriculturists and landowners, proprietor of an excellent farm in Greene township, where he makes his home, rural mail route No. 7 out of Portland, has been a resident of this county for many years. Mr. WALTER was born on a farm in Hancock county, Ohio, August 29, 1853, and is a son of Frederick and Melvina ( DEAL ) WALTER, the latter of whom was born in Fairfield county, that same state. Frederick WALTER was born in Germany and remained there until he was past his majority when he came to America and located in Fairfield county, Ohio, where he not long afterward was married. After his marriage he bought an eighty-acre tract of unimproved land in Hancock county, Ohio, built a cabin on the place and proceeded to clear and develop it. He made a good farm there and came to have other land holdings as time went on, these including a quarter section of land in Jay county, which he took on as an
investment. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, those besides the subject of this sketch being John, Samuel, Peter, Catherine, Mary, Caroline, Sophia, George, Joseph and Sarah. Reared on the home farm in Hancock county, Ohio, Noah N. WALTER received his schooling in the schools of that county and remained at home until his marriage when he assumed the management of the home farm and there remained until he came to Indiana and bought the place on which he is now living in Greene township, this county. Mr. WALTER's original purchase there was of a tract of eighty acres, but this he has increased and now has 100 acres, which he has improved in admirable shape and has an excellent farm plant. He is a Democrat and is a member of the United Brethren church, a member of the board of trustees of the same, and also has served as class leader and steward. It was while living in Ohio that Noah N. WALTER was united in marriage to Nancy Jane FELLERS,
a daughter of Andrew and Sarah ( BERGMAN ) FELLERS, and who died at her home in this county in June, 1909. To that union, were born four children, Floyd E., Elma Pearl, Eva and Clara, all of whom are living. Floyd E. WALTER married Anna DENNIS and has had six children, four of whom are living, Orlett W., Inez, Emmet and Ima. Elma Pearl WALTER married Harry BRUNSON and has six children, Donald, Laurence, Gladys, Ethel, Rozann and Earl. Eva WALTER married William BARNETT and has one child, a son, Herbert, and Clara WALTER married Orville MYROM and has one child, a daughter, Ruby Jeannette.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Bost , Heniser , Horner , Lacey , Orcutt , Whaley
Oliver E. LACEY, one of the leading farmers and landowners of Jefferson township and proprietor of an excellent farm home in the New Mt. Pleasant neighborhood, rural mail route No. 2 out of Redkey, for twenty-eight years a dealer in live stock hereabout and also widely known as a trader, is a native son of Jay county, a member of one of the county's pioneer families, and has lived here all his life. Mr. LACEY was born on a farm in Jefferson township, November 1, 1872, and is a son of Fernando H. and Sarah C. ( BOST ) LACEY, the latter of whom died when he was but a child. There was one other child born to that union, a child which died in infancy. Fernando LACEY later married Nancy WHALEY, and to that union three children were born, of whom but one now survives, Laura B. The late Fernando LACEY, who for years was one of the best known residents of the New Mt. Jefferson neighborhood, was born in Fountain City, in Wayne county, this state, and when eight
years of age came to Jay county with his widowed mother, who located at Portland, but presently moved to New Mt. Pleasant, where he completed his schooling and where he remained until he was eighteen years of age, when he went to Indianapolis [ Marion Co.]. He was living at Indianapolis when the Civil war broke out and during the time of those days of stress was engaged on Government construction work there. He then returned to Jay county and bought a tract of eighty acres in Jefferson township and proceeded to clear and develop the same. Five years later he returned to his old home place in that township and there his first wife died. Following his second marriage he bought a quarter section in that same township, established his home on this latter tract and there spent the remainder of his life. It was on this tract of land that Oliver E. LACEY grew to manhood, acquiring there the practical knowledge of farming which has given him the success he
has attained in that line. He was married in his nineteenth year and began farming for himself on an "eighty" he bought in Jefferson township. On this place he made his home for twenty-two years and then moved to the farm of 101 acres on which he is now living in the immediate vicinity of New Mt. Pleasant, where he has since resided and where he has an admirably equipped farm plant. In addition to this farm Mr. LACEY owns four other tracts of land in Jefferson township, a total of something more than 500 acres, and is accounted one of the county's leading agriculturists. He is a Republican and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office. It was on October 8, 1891, that Oliver E. LACEY was united in marriage to Lillie C. HORNER, who also was born in this county, daughter of Henry and Ella HORNER, and to this union three children have been born, Carrie, Fern and Goldie, the latter of whom
was born on June 9, 1893, and died August 25, 1910. Carrie LACEY married Charles HENISER and has two children, Wayman and Theda Ellen. Fern LACEY married Glenn ORCUTT and has one child, a daughter, Wanda Winifred. BOST, HENISER, HORNER, LACEY, ORCUTT, WHALEY IN, Jay Co., Marion Co., Wayne Co.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Lutes , Barnes , Dull , Engle , Hyde , Stitzer
Osborn LUTES, an honored veteran of the Civil war and one of the well known and substantial farmers and landowners of Greene township, became a resident of Jay county when fourteen years of age and with the exception of some years spent in Iowa and during the period of his four years of service in the Union army has resided here ever since. Mr. LUTES was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, November 9, 1839, and is thus in his eighty-third year. His parents were Jacob and Mary (HYDE) LUTES, who had two other children, both now deceased. Jacob LUTES was born in the state of Pennsylvania and after his marriage became a farmer and landowner in Coshocton county, Ohio. In 1853 he disposed of his interests there and came over into Indiana with a view of locating permanently in Jay county, but after a couple of years of residence in this county he moved to Iowa. Some years later, however, he returned to Jay county and here spent the remainder of his life, his
death occurring in 1870. Osborn LUTES was fourteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Iowa and his schooling was completed in that state. He was twenty-one years of age when the Civil war broke out in 1861 and he lost little time in offering his services in behalf of the Union cause, going to the front in that same first fateful year of the war as a member of the 9th regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, which first got into action at Pea Ridge and from then on until the close of the war was kept in pretty constant action. Mr. LUTES served with this gallant command until the close of the war in 1865 and upon the completion of his military service returned to Jay county and bought a tract of twenty acres in Greene township, a portion of the fine farm of 146 acres he now owns there. Two or three years later he was married, established his home on that place and has ever since resided there. He and his wife are members of the Christian church
and have ever taken their part in neighborhood good works as well as in the general social activities of the community in which they have so long resided. Their home is a pleasant one on rural mail route No. I out of Portland. It was on May 24, 1868, that Osborn LUTES was united in marriage to Mary E. BARNES, who was born at Camden (now Pennville), in this county, daughter of Michael and Christina (ENGLE) BARNES, both members of pioneer families here, and to this union ten children were born, four of whom are still living, namely: Ethel, who married Samuel DULL, of this county, and has two children, Virginia and Ira W.; Lottie, who is unmarried and at home with her parents; Charles, who married Ella STITZER and has five children, Paul, Fred, Darwin, Clarence and Dorothy; and Albert M. LUTES, who is unmarried and remains at home carrying on the operations of the farm in his father's behalf. Those deceased were Lula. Mamie. Bertha. Sarah and Emma.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II
Other surnames mentioned: Martin , Edwards , Lafollette , Livingston , Zigler
O. P. MARTIN, senior member of the firm of MARTIN Bros., manufacturers of tile and building block at Dunkirk, and one of the leading factors in the industrial life of that city, is a native Hoosier and has resided in this state all his life. He was born at Winchester, in the neighboring county of Randolph, May 18, 1867, son of Oliver and Julia ( LIVINGSTON ) MARTIN, both of whom were born in Ohio, the latter at Little Roundtop, and whose last days were spent in Jay county, where they had resided for years, both dying within a week of each other at their home at Greene Post office in 1907, Mrs. MARTIN's death occurring on January 13 of that year and Mr. MARTIN's, January 20. Oliver MARTIN was born at Cincinnati [Hamilton Co.] and was but six months old when his parents came to Indiana, the family locating at Winchester, where he received his schooling and where he early learned the craft of tile and brick making, the process then involving the arduous use
of the old-ti! me hand molds and presses. He later became engaged in the manufacture of tile and brick at Union City, where he remained for about five years, at the end of which time, in 1878, he came to Jay county and set up a tile factory at Greene Post-office, where, in association with his sons, he continued in business until his death in 1907, building up an extensive plant. Oliver MARTIN and his wife were the parents of eleven children, of whom seven are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being Sarah, Henriette, Ella, John, Frank and Mary. O. P. MARTIN was ten years old when the family came to this county and he completed his schooling in the school at Greene. He early became a valued assistant to his father in the operation of the tile mill, and when twenty years of age bought from his father a one-third interest in the mill. This was about the year 1887, and this partnership arrangement continued until 1902, in which year Mr.
MARTIN's brother, Frank MARTIN, bought into the firm, taking a one-fourth interest, his father retaining a one-fourth interest and O. P. MARTIN having a one-half interest. In 1906 Frank MARTIN bought his father's interest in the mill and the brothers since have operated the plant in equal partnership under the firm name of MARTIN Bros., a name which has become widely known in the field covered by the firm's operations. In 1908 MARTIN Bros. secured possession of a valuable tract of twenty-seven acres of clay bank on the edge of the city of Dunkirk and abandoned the old plant at Greene, erecting a new and up-to-date plant at the new site, where they ever since have been engaged in business and have done well. The firm manufacturers drain tile and hollow building block and has one of the most capacious plants in Indiana, the same comprising three drying houses and two kilns. All sizes of tile, from 4 to 18 inches, are provided for as well as a sufficient
variety of building block to meet whatever demands may be made in that line, and an extensive business has been built up. On September 28, 1888, O. P. MARTIN was united in marriage to Emma LaFOLLETTE, who was born on a farm in Greene township, this county, daughter of Eben C. and Ella ( ZIGLER ) LaFOLLETTE, who were the parents of three children, Mrs. MARTIN having two brothers, William R. and Adam L. LaFOLLETTE. To Mr. and Mrs. MARTIN have been born three children, namely: Charles, who died at the age of eleven years; Ella Z., who married Acil R. EDWARDS, now employed as a United States Government machinist at Charleston, W. Va., and has one child, a son, Ralph; and Edna, who was graduated from the Dunkirk high school with the class of 1921. Mr. MARTIN is a Democrat. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a past worshipful master, a member of the blue lodge and the chapter at Dunkirk and of the council, Royal and Select Masters, at Muncie, and is a past noble grand
of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Dunkirk and a member of the encampment there, he also is a member of the local lodge of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and is a past state officer of that organization.
Submitted by: Eloine Chesnut
Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II