BENJAMIN F. BEAR.
Some three or four generations ago the ancestors of the subject of this sketch crossed the ocean from Germany, their native country, and sought the shores of the new world. They had heard of the opportunities opening up in this country, and desiring to benefit themselves and their descendants determined to seek new fields and surround themselves with new and better conditions. Accordingly they came over in sailing vessels, landing at New York, and went to Pennsylvania and there found a home. From this family branch, in that state, all of the name in America, so far as known, originated. They possessed all the thrift usually ascribed to the Germanic race, and ere long were in good financial condition and prosperous to a large degree. The original German spelling of the family name was Behr, but by the later generations has been changed to its present form.

Benjamin F. Bear, the subject of this memoir, is the son of Daniel and Mary (Hauser) Bear, and was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1842. He grew up in that state and learned the business of farming, during that time securing a limited education at the neighboring schools. Upon reaching maturity he married Miss Hauser, the daughter of Jacob Hauser, a prominent German of that county, and they began the battle of life together. To this marriage ten children eere born, all of whom are now deceased except Moses and subject. Their names are as follows: Percilla, Reuben, John, Daniel, Nathan, Diana, Joseph, Moses, Polly and Benjamin F. Daniel Bear was a prosperous and intelligent farmer and owned a tract of one hundred acres of good land from which he derived sufficient income to support his family and rear them up to healthy and industrious lives. He belonged to and was an elder in the German Reformed church and was a man of influence in the religious thought of the time in that vicinity. He continued to reside upon that farm until his death in 1862. His widow passed away the following year. They were people of much intelligence and of undoubted respectability, earnest workers in the church of Christ, and passed eminently useful and industrious lives. The father was a man whose opinions were sought on all the important questions of the neighborhood, and his advice was sound and good. The subject of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm, where he became familiar with severe work, and during the period of his youth managed to secure a fair education, which he has greatly improved by steady reading ever since. He is now well educated in German and English and takes much interest in the deep subjects of state policy and learning generally, as all German people do. When he had attained the age of nineteen years he began to do for himself, learning the carpenter's trade, and continued working at the same for three years. In early manhood he met and married Miss Rebecca, daughter of David and Lydia (Hoppis) Hartung, of an excellent German family. About this time he became dissatisfied with the hills and poor soil of Pennsylvania and determined to go farther west, and accordingly came to Dekalb county, this state, leaving Pennsylvania April 8, 1862, and requiring three days to make the journey. He remained in that county until July of the same year, and then determined to continue on until he found something better. This brought him to Kosciusko county, where he bought land in Franklin township and remained there two years. He then sold that place and bought the place he now occupies, and here he has continued ever since. When he purchased it the land was wholly unimproved, but it is now under a fine state of cultivation, with exce11ent buildings, etc. He has been a hard worker and for fifteen years was in the berry business, out of which he made considerable money. He raised as high as one thousand bushels of strawberries in a single year. He is in comfortable circumstances and is enjoying life. To him and his good wife the following children were born: Lewis A., deceased; Emeline E., who became the wife of John R. Herald and lives in Indian territory; Amanda L., wife of Rev. S. L. Speck, lives in Seward township; James F., who wedded Miss Mamie Snyder and lives in Burket. The family is well known and highly respected. Mr. Bear is an ardent Republican, although he was reared a Democrat. He is an independent thinker and could not stand the policies of the national Democracy. He and his wife are members of the Church of God, of which he has been an elder for forty years. He is one of the county's leading farmers and citizens.

Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902


ROBERT FOREMAN.
It will always be a mark of distinction to have served in the Federal army during the great Civil war between the states. The old soldier will receive attention no matter where he goes if he will but make himself known, particularly if he puts on his old faded uniform. And when he passes away, which he will soon do, friends will pay him suitable eulogy for the sacrifices he made forty years ago on the field or in the no less dreaded hospital. And ever afterward his descendants will revere his memory and take pride in recounting his services for his country in the hour of peril. The subject of this sketch is one of the old soldiers who went forth to fight to save the union of states. He was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1844, and is the son of Elias and Mary (Swartzlander) Foreman. The great-grandfather of subject came from Germany to this country many years ago and settled in Pennsylvania, and there the grandfather and the father were born. The Swartzlander family also lived in Union county, Pennsylvania. In that state the parents of subject were married. Nine children were born to this marriage, as follows: Isaac, Irvin, Robert, Rebecca, Sarah, Samuel, Daniel A., James E. and George A. The mother having died in the spring of 1867, the father married for his second wife Matilda Shawyer, who bore him three children: Polly A., Ammond and Charles. Elias Foreman, having a large family to support did not enlist at the commencement of the Rebellion, and was drafted in October, 1862, under the conscription act and assigned to Company G, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Regiment, and served nine months. He was discharged in June, 1863, at the expiration of his term of service, and returned to Pennsylvania, where he continued to reside until 1899, when he passed away. He was an intelligent man, a good citizen, an honest man and an ardent Republican. His long life was filled with good deeds and the world was better for his having lived. Robert Foreman was reared on the farm and spent his youth at hard work in clearing up the forests and brush heaps on his father's farm. His education was very meager and he began to do for himself at an early age. He worked out by the month for ten summers and laid up a considerable sum. On September 13, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, as a recruit and was sent to his regiment at the front. He saw bloody service in and around Petersburg, Virginia. Hatcher's Run was his first battle, and he did not show the white feather, though he was in the company of veterans. He acquitted himself with great gallantry and received the compliments of his officers. Toward the close of the war he was put on guard duty, but saw active service in the pursuit of the rebel General Lee to Appomattox. He was honorably mustered out of the service June 9, 1865. He now draws a pension of eight dollars per month for his sufferings in that dreadful conflict. After the war he returned home and began to work on the farm and continued thus for three years. On February 29, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Lowder) Stumpff, the marriage occurring at White Pigeon, Michigan. Mrs. Foreman was born January 31, 1848, in Union county, Pennsylvania, and was reared and educated in that state, being educated in the German as well as the English languages. Her parents, who are now deceased, were both natives of the Keystone state, though her great-grandfather came from Germany. To this marriage two children were born: Joseph ,E., born August 10, 1876, who is unmarried, attended school until he was qualified to teach and at this time has taught five terms, his education being finished at the Indianapolis Business College in 1899; Sarah E., born November 28, 1878, became the wife of Albert Prembley, now deceased, and the mother of two children, William McKinley and Mary Opal. She later married Jacob Hatfield and they had one child, Clarence. She passed away April 15, 1901. Mr. Foreman is now in comfortable circumstances. He deals extensively in stock and has made much money from his good judgment of hogs and cattle. He is a warm Republican and does a great deal to assist his party in the campaigns. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and both are among the most estimable citizens of this portion of the county.

Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902


GEORGE BRUNER
If you gather apples in the sunshine, or make hay, or hoe corn and then retire within doors and shut your eyes and press them with your hand you shall still see apples hanging in the bright light, with boughs and leaves thereto, or the tasseled grass or the corn flags. The impressions lie on the retentive organ, though you know it not. So lies the whole series of natural images with which your life has made you acquainted, in your memory, though you know it not, and a thrill of passion flashes light on their dark chamber and the active power seizes instantly the fit image, as the word of its momentary thought. All of us are wise. The difference between persons is not in wisdom, but in art. Every intellect is mainly prospective. Its present value is its least. It is a little seed. Every truth that you acquire is a lantern which you instantly turn full on what facts and thoughts lay already in your mind, and all the mats and rubbish which have littered your literary garret become bright and precious. The family to which this sketch refers are fully alive to the bright things of this world. They can look beyond the dross and see the gold shinning in the world of mind. It has been the fixed policy of the subject to give his children something more than an education secured at the common schools. In this age it is necessary, unless you want your children to he clodhoppers all their lives, to fit them for the higher duties which an advanced age will place upon their shoulders.

George Bruner is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Eberwine) Bruner, and was born in Stark county, Ohio, May 9, 1847. He was brought to Dekalb county, Indiana, about the year 1854 and there grew up on his father's farm. Possessing a fine mind naturally, but not being blessed with a good education, he made up his mind long ago to see that his children fared better than he did in the schools. He became acquainted with Miss Catherine Lower and in due time asked her to become his wife, which she promised to do, and they were accordingly married on February 8, 1874. She was born September 23, 1854, and received in youth a fair education. To this marriage the following children were born: Jesse, born April 29, 1875, who is yet unmarried, completed the common-school branches and later attended the normal school at Angola, fully fitting himself for teaching, is now the principal of the Burket public schools; Viola, born September 12, 1877, who also fitted herself for teaching and attended the normals both at Mentone and at Warsaw, is now the wife of William Cook and lives in Seward township; Justin, born .March 24, 1878, who likewise prepared himself for the profession of teaching and attended the normal school at Angola, is now teaching in this township; Maude, born April 10, 1880, who became the wife of Lewis Tucker and resides in Burket; Gertrude, who died aged nearly five years; Charles, born July 8, 1884; Lucile, born November 13, 1887. Mr. Bruner after his marriage rented land for about eighteen years before he could get much ahead. He finally bought seventy-six acres of George Irvin in 1892 and there he has since lived. He is a Republican, and though he does not take an active part in politics yet nevertheless never fails to vote for his party's candidates. He and his good wife are both adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both are widely known and universally respected. They have a fine family of intellectual children and take great interest in their success in life. No people of the county stand higher in the estimation of their neighbors than do the members of this family.

Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902


JOHN BRUNER.
It is the pride of the people of this country that when the great Civil war between the states closed, all the vast army of citizen soldiery quietly laid down their arms and returned to their homes and the arts of peace. It was predicted by the governments of Europe, not only that the country would be divided, but that after the war an enormous army would be kept up and a military dictatorship would be established on the fragments, perhaps in what had been every state. But foreign nations did not understand the spirit that animated the breasts of the American people. They themselves stood ready to pounce upon the fragments when the smoke of war should roll away. But instead of a disrupted country they beheld a splendid sight. They saw the great armies melt away, saw a reunited country in which liberty was a fact as well as a name and saw the boys in blue return to their wives, farms and shops. The subject of this sketch was one of those boys in blue. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, January 3, 1842, and is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Ebenwine) Bruner. The father was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was of Germanic descent. Subject's grandmother on his mother's side was born in Germany and came to this country after she was married, crossing the ocean on a sailing vessel and not seeing land for nine months. These people settled in the Keystone state and followed the occupation of farming. When the father of subject was a young man he came to Stark county, Ohio. He was reared as a farmer and selected that as his avocation through life. He had a fair education both in German and in English. Subject's mother also came to Stark county, Ohio, when she was a young woman. There the parents met and were married about the year 1838. To them were born six children: Mary became the wife of Samuel Wiltrout and lived in Goshen, but both are now deceased; John, the subject, is the second in the family; Samuel, who married and resides in Nebraska, was a soldier in the Rebellion and served for the period of about six months; George married Catherine Lower and lives in this township; Benjamin wedded Miss Clemmons and lives in Nebraska; Susanna become the wife of David Huffman and is now deceased. Benjamin Bruner, the father, moved from Ohio to Dekalb county, Indiana, in 1854, where he bought a farm and lived until 1874, when he purchased a tract of eighty acres in this township on section 2 and there continued to live until his death in 1893. His wife preceded him to the grave, dying in 1879. The father was a strong Republican, a good farmer, a useful citizen and an honest man.

John Bruner passed his youth on his father's farm and conc1uded to make that his occupation through life. At the age of twenty years he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-eighth Indiana Infantry, under Capt. E. B. Cutter. After some time spent in camp of instruction he was sent with his regiment to Louisville, Kentucky, and first saw service at the battle of Perryville. Subject suffered greatly from disease and was discharged at Gallatin, Tennessee, and sent home to recuperate. Late in 1863 he returned to his regiment and participated in the Atlanta campaigns, being present at nearly all of the battles and showing splendid spirit and gallantry. He was also in the famous "march to the sea," and also in the campaign of the Carolinas, fighting almost constantly for many days. He made an excellent record for bravery and at the conclusion of the war returned to his home. He was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 15, 1865. Fortunately he was not even wounded. He now draws a pension of fourteen dollars per month. After the war he worked on the farm by the month, and in August, 1868, he wedded Miss Sarah J. Bell, and to them two children were born: Mary R., who became the wife of Edward Winters and resides in Seward tovmship; Catherine, who married Alfred Bartholomew and lives in Elkhart. His first wife died in 1874, and he later married Miss Mary J., daughter of Henry and Mary (Deeds) Keller. She has borne him five children: Alice J., born April 11, 1877, became the wife of Archie Franks and lives in Waterloo, Indiana; David E., born October 8, 1879, resides with his father; Lulu M., born September 5, 1882, is unmarried and lives at home; William E., born April 25, 1885, lives at home. Mr. Bruner is a Republican and is prominent and useful in the councils of his party. Mr. and Mrs. Bruner are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Burket, he being at present one of the trustees of the church and parsonage at Burket. He is a member of Kosciusko Post, G. A. R., at Warsaw, and at one time was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Waterloo. He is an excellent specimen of the representative American citizen.

Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902


PROF. J. W. SWICK.
In one of the most exacting of al1 callings the subject of this sketch has attained distinction, being recognized as one of the most successful teachers in the county of Kosciusko. He is a well educated, symmetrical1y developed man, his work as an educator having brought him prominently to the notice of the public, the result of which is a demand for his services where a high standard of professional excellence is required. He is a gentleman of scholarly tastes and studious habits, keeps abreast the times in advanced educational methods and his general knowledge is broad and comprehensive. In connection with teaching, he is engaged in agricultural pursuits and his beautiful farm in Seward township is one of the most attractive and tastefully arranged homes in the community.

Mr. Swick's ancestors came to the United States from the romantic little country of Switzerland. His paternal grandfather, William Swick, was born in Pennsylvania, but early went to Ohio, where he met and married Mary Shoup, who was also of Swiss descent. They lived for some years on a farm in the latter state and appear to have been fairly successful in their worldly affairs. Thinking to better his condition in the new and fertile region of northern Indiana, whither a number of his fellow citizens had preceded him, William Swick in 1860 loaded his household effects on a wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen, and, driving his live stock ahead, made the journey to Kosciusko county, consuming over eight days before reaching his destination. He purchased a place in Seward township, near Beaver Dam lake, and by industry and successful management soon become one of the leading farmers in that part of the country. He accumulated a comfortable competence and had one of the most valuable farms in Seward, but later in life lost the greater part of his earnings by hearkening to unwise advice and befriending people who proved false to their obligations. Few men in the above township were as well known or as highly respected as William Swick. Quiet and gentlemanly in demeanor and the embodiment of hospitality, he became popular with all who knew him and his death was an event greatly deplored in the community. He and his good wife died on the farm which Mr. Swick originally purchased and their memories will always be cherished by their descendants and others who were fortunate enough to form their acquaintance.

To William and Mary Swick were born eleven children, a11 of whom are living. It is certainly an unusual if not a remarkable fact to find so large a family from which death has not claimed at least one victim. It is also worthy of note that the sons and daughters are all well situated in life and stand high in the confidence and esteem of the respective communities in which they live. Among the sons was Henry Swick, who was born and reared in Ohio. He was a young man when the family moved to Kosciusko county and he remained under the parental roof, assisting his father on the farm until his marriage, which was solemnized in 1868, with Miss Elizabeth Keller. David Keller, father of Mrs. Swick, was a native of Pennsylvania. When a young man he went to Ohio, where he married Susan Malot, and in 1845 came to Indiana, being among the early settlers of the county of Kosciusko. Mr. and Mrs. Keller experienced their full share of the hardships and vicissitudes of pioneer life and have lived to see the country redeemed from its wilderness state to a very garden of beauty and plenty where prosperity abounds and happiness and content reign supreme. They are now deceased. Besides Mrs. Swick, they had five other children, one of whom died in infancy.

Henry and Elizabeth Swick’s marriage has been blessed with six children, one dy ing in infancy and four sons and one daughter living. Among the sons is the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this review. J. W. Swick was born in Franklin township, Kosciusko county, Indiana, July 18, 1869, he being the oldest of the six children constituting his father's family. His early life was spent on the farm and the genial influence of nature in her many various moods had much to do in forming his character and shaping his life. Reared to farm labor, he knew not the meaning of idleness in a practical sense, and, being the oldest son, upon his shoulders fell many of duties and responsibilities of running the place and assisting to maintain the family. When old enough he entered the public schools, which he attended of winter seasons until completing the prescribed course of study. He was graduated with an honorable record in 1887, after which he attended several normal terms with the object in view of becoming a teacher.

From early boyhood Mr. Swick manifested a decided taste for books and his studious habits while in school soon enabled him to outstep his classmates. He made rapid progress and, fully appreciating the value of scholastic training and the advantage to be derived from it, he pursued the higher branches of learning with the same zeal that marked his course in the lower departments. Added to this was a laudable ambition to make his education subserve a wise purpose from a business point of view; accordingly in 1889 he successfully passed the required examination and obtained a license entitling him to teach in the common schools of Kosciusko county. Mr. Swick taught his first term that year and has continued educational work to the present time, meeting with a large measure of success and, as already indicated, earning the reputation of one of the most capable and popular instructors in a county noted for the high professional standing of its educators. He devotes the fall and winter seasons to the school room, giving his attention the remainder of the year to his farm, which is well improved and bears every evidence of high cultivation and thrift.

Mr. Swick has been married twice, the first time in 1892 to Mrs. Malinda Summe, a union severed by the death of the faithful and devoted wife on the 3d day of January, 1898. She was of Swiss-German parentage and bore her husband a son and a daughter, the former preceding his mother to the other world by a little more than one year. In the fall of 1898 Mr. Swick entered into the marriage relation with Miss Louisa Summe, a native of Switzerland and cousin of his former companion. She was brought to this country by her parents when three years old and grew to maturity in Kosciusko county, receiving a good education in the common schools. She has presented her husband one child, a daughter, Fay, whose presence adds greatly to the brightness of the home.

Mr. Swick has earned considerable repute as a raiser of high grade stock, from the sale of which a liberal income is derived. He is a good business man and in his two-fold capacity of teacher and agriculturist has earned a reputation which places him among the enterprising and progressive citizens of the township of Seward. His home, within less than a mile of the beautiful little sheet of water known as Beaver Dam lake, is a well-known resort for the best society circ1es of the neighborhood.

Personally he is a gentleman of pleasing presence, genial in manner and conversation and his social qualities as well as his sterling characteristics have made him popular with a large class of people. Mr. Swick is a reader and thinker, is well informed on general topics and spares no pains to keep himself in touch with the trend of modern thought. A close observer of current events, he has well defined opinions upon political, economic, socialogical and kindred subjects, but neither his tastes nor inclinations have ever permitted him to become an active partisan, much less an aspirant for public honors. Besides voting the Democratic ticket and occasionally giving expression to his convictions, he takes little interest in party affairs.

Mr. Swick is an honest, straightforward man in all of his dealings, conscientious in his work as a farmer and educator and it is with pleasure that this brief synopsis of his life and tribute to his worth as factor in the affairs of Kosciusko county is given a place in this volume.

Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902


LEVI H. EATON.
The people who constitute the bone and sinew of this country are not those who are unstable and unsettled, who fly from this occupation to that, who do not know how to vote until they are told, and who take no active and intelligent interest in affairs affecting their schools, churches and property. The backbone of this country is made up of the families which have made their homes, who are alive to the best interests of the community in which they reside, who are so honest that it is no trouble for their neighbors to know it, and who attend to their own business and are too busy to attend to that of others, who work on steadily from day to day taking the sunshine with the storm and who rear a fine family to a comfortable home and an honest life. Such people are always welcome in any country and in any community. They are wealth producers and this country is blessed with many of them, among which is that of the subject of this sketch.

Levi H. Eaton was born in Wayne county, Indiana, August 11, 1843, and is the son of Caleb and Martha (Hartup) Eaton. The Eaton family are of English descent and came from Maryland, where they lived as far back as they can be traced in this country. The Hartup family are from Germany originally. Upon reaching early manhood Caleb Eaton concluded to visit the great west, and accordingly came to Indiana about the year 1837. He there worked out until he was twenty-one years old, and about this time was united in marriage with Miss Martha Hartup. To this marriage thirteen children were born, as follows: Henry, Levi H., William, James, Oliver, Sarah, Thomas, Isaac, John, Alonzo, Elizabeth, Martha J. and Lewis. Sarah, Elizabeth and John are deceased. All the others live in this county except Isaac, who resides in Fulton county. Caleb Eaton came from Wayne county to Kosciusko county in 1846, when the country was wild and the woods dense with big trees. He rented land in this township, near Beaver Dam, and afterward entered forty acres from the government in Seward township and part of the farm now occupied by John Jones. After living on this farm eight years he sold it and bought eighty acres a mile east, where his widow now lives. He died in the spring of 1870. He and his wife for many years were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both were people of undoubted respectability and worth. Levi H. was reared in this county, being only three years of age when he was brought here by his parents. He remained on his father's farm until he had attained the age of eighteen years. At the commencement of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company C, Fifty-seventh Indiana Regiment, for three years, and was mustered in at Richmond, Indiana. They went into camp at Indianapolis, where Mr. Eaton was taken down with the measles and lost his speech and was discharged from the service. He returned and worked on a farm for two years, and then enlisted again in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Indiana Regiment in the one-hundred-day service. His service was mainly guard duty and at the end of his term he was honorably mustered out. He returned and began to work on the farm, continuing until 1869. He then was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E., daughter of John Lewis, a pioneer of this county. To this marriage three children were born: John E., born in February, 1872, who is an instructor in music; the second child died in infancy; Jennie A., born August 12, 1876, became the wife of Frank Lyons and lives at Silver Lake, her husband being in the livery business there . Mr. Eaton is one of the substantial citizens of this part of the county. He is a Democrat and served his township as trustee for five years. He takes much interest in his party's success, and is one of the Democratic leaders of this part of the county. He and his wife are highly thought of by all who come within the bounds of their acquaintance. Mrs. Eaton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902


CHARLES M. TUCKER.
It is an excellent thing to be born to great wealth, like a Vanderbilt, but it is also an excellent thing to be born to a good name. When ancestors through many generations have lived useful and distinguished lives and have made a splendid name for themselves by devotion to duty and honor, it is one of the brightest inheritances that can be left to descendants. And so the families who had ancestors in the Revolution or in the service of the country many years ago boast of such services and found organizations of the descendants, with the record of their fathers for the foundation stone. And so descendants of families that came to the wilderness of Indiana and carved refined and Christian homes from the primeval wilds may well boast of the deeds of their fathers and mothers who conquered the woods and made the soil blossom with the flowers of industry and peace. When in addition to al1 this they leave behind them a name of renown and a principality in acres, their children may well rise up and call them "blessed." This has been the inheritance of the subject of this brief memoir. (See the sketches of Horace and Albert Tucker in this volume.)

Charles M. Tucker was born in Franklin township, this county, July 10, 1870, and is the son of the distinguished citizen and old settler, Albert Tucker. He was reared on his father's great estate and became familiar at an early age with the important problems of stock raising and farming on a gigantic scale. He finished his education at the excellent schools of Mentone. He had a liking for farming and stock raising and under the management of his father the life was far from uninviting. He was given all he could do to assist in looking after his father's large possessions. He was given by his father abundant opportunity to make money and show what sort of a financier he was and he made the most of his opportunities. He now owns a total of seven hundred and eighty acres in Franklin township, this county, and one hundred and sixty acres in Fulton county. He inherits his father's business qualities and knows how to make, save and invest money. He is quite a reader and takes much interest in the affairs of the county and government. On March 31, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan M. Eiler, daughter of Henry and Ellen Eiler. She was born in this county April 23, 1872, and was given a good education, finishing at the schools of Warsaw and securing a teacher's license to teach. To their marriage the following children were born: Nellie, born January 22, 1893; Albert Henry Tommy Mars Tucker, born May 15, 1894; Floyd L., born January 22, 1896; Cuba L., born March 16, 1898; Mary, born January 19, 1900. Mr. Tucker is one of the youngest large farmers of this part of the state, having succeeded beyond all expectations of a few years ago. Every season now he ships from two hundred to three hundred head of cattle. His operations are on a very large scale and his income is correspondingly large, and, barring bad luck, he is bound to accumulate an immense fortune. He takes time from his many duties to cultivate the newspapers and books of the day and is thus a well-read man. He takes much interest in the affairs of his party, the Republican, and is himself in line for the best offices within the gift of the people. Business men are the ones to place in charge of the affairs of the county, instead of in the hands of men who have made a failure of business and wish to draw sustenance from the public crib. He is young, intelligent, full of ambition, honest and clean and is bound to make his mark in any field of human endeavor.

Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902


JOHN H. SHOUP.
Notwithstanding the fact that the republic of Switzerland is one of the smallest countries of the world, it has sent a large number of settlers to the United States during the years that have elapsed since independence was secured. The people of that country, appreciating the blessings of liberty of which they had a bright example in their native land, were not slow to recognize the possibilities that opened out in splendid perspective before all emigrants who should locate early in this country. Accordingly, large numbers of Swiss have emigrated and now constitute some of our best and most moral communities. Of this thrifty and freedom-loving people came the subject of this sketch. He was born in Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania, February, 1839, and is the son of George W. and Catherine (Cramer) Shoup. The Shoup ancestor emigrated from Switzerland about five generations ago, just after the Revolutionary war, and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, the emigrant of the name being Henry Shoup He became an extensive land owner and farmer of Lancaster county, and was the father of five sons, who, as they reached maturity, branched out for themselves over the West. One of these sons was named John, who had a son named Henry, who moved to Union county, Pennsylvania. The latter married Miss Mary Reasor and followed the occupation of farming, becoming wealthy. They had two sons and three daughters, as follows: Christian, Hannah, Mary, one who became the wife of William Homan, and George W., the father of subject. When George W. was a young man he moved from Union county to Center county, Pennsylvania, and settled at Aaronsburg, there learning the trade of millwrighting and engineering. He married Catherine Cramer, as before stated. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Orendorf) Cramer, and her grandparents were emigrants from Prussia to Center county. They were very early settlers there and became wealthy, being large land owners. Their children likewise scattered out over the country and became useful citizens of their adopted country. To the marriage of George W. and Catherine Shoup the following children were born: John H., the subject of this memoir; Samuel married Miss Lena Warner and resides in Creston, Ohio, and is engaged in the milling business; William, who entered the Union army in 1862 and after a splendid fighting record was killed during the Vicksburg campaign; Charles enlisted in the One Hundred and Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry under Colonel Given, and became the colonel's private secretary. In one of the movements he was captured and held as a prisoner of war for six months. At the end of the war he embarked with several thousand other troops on board the steamer Sultana to go up the Mississippi river and when that ill-fated boat blew up he was one of the hundreds that were killed or drowned; Caroline became the wife of Guy Gilbert and resides in Portland, Indiana, her husband being a liveryman; Sarah J. married Jesse Cochran and lives in the state of Oregon. George W. removed from Center county, Pennsylvania, to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1858, and bought a tract of land near Congress. After a time he sold out and moved to Burbank, Ohio, where later he lived a retired life. He was a prominent politician in the old Whig party, and upon the formation of the Republican party joined it and ever afterward worked for the principles of Republicanism. He was as active in church affairs as in politics and was a man of the highest character. He was a Methodist and gave half of what he had to the church. He died in Oregon in 1893, well advanced in years and possessing the respect of all. John H. Shoup was reared mainly in the Keystone state and learned the business of milling. When he was about eighteen years old he came with his father's family to Wayne county, Ohio. His education was obtained mainly in Pennsylvania and by the time he was sixteen years old, with no other advantages than were afforded in the subscription schools, he had mastered the common school branches. He thereupon entered the Aaronsburg Academy and took a two-years course, which greatly added to his stock of knowledge and to his culture. Upon coming to Ohio be applied fur a teacher's certificate, which was granted, and under it he taught common schools for three years and saved up a considerable sum of money. Wishing to still further improve his education, he then took a course in Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio, taking up special branches that would best fit him for his future life - mathematics and the English branches. In 1864 he was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca J. Lawrence, of North Baltimore, Ohio, daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Lawrence, her birth having occurred April 17, 1842. To this marriage these children were born: Mary A., born October 4, 1866, a graduate of the Warsaw high school, lives in Warsaw with her brother and is engaged in the millinery business; George L., born January 22, 1868, was also a graduate of the Warsaw high school in the class of 1889, he having more credits than any other student ever graduating from the high school there; he is an under-graduate of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, having taken the scientific course of that famous institution, and is at present the superintendent of the Chicago Carbolite Works at Hammond, Indiana; John F., born July 17, 1872, graduated from the Warsaw high school with the class of 1890, and two months after graduation he entered the Pennsylvania railroad office at Warsaw as night ticket agent, later was promoted freight cashier at Warsaw, and now is head bookkeeper of the State Bank at Warsaw; he married Miss Nellie Klum and by her has one daughter, Mary Catherine; Ethel J., born October 4, 1880, well educated at the Warsaw high school, has a finished musical education and lives with her father; Penelopie, born November 6, 1886, is a graduate of the Mentone high school and resides with her parents. In February, 1873, Mr. Shoup moved with his family to Kosciusko county, Indiana, and located at Warsaw, and there bought the old brick mill in partnership with S. W. Oldfather. They erected a new brick building, which still stands. In June, 1898, he bought his present plant at Mentone from Albert Tucker, and associated with him K. L. Yates, who had been in his employ several years. Mr. Shoup has been successful in his milling operations, and has always stood high in the community where he has resided. He is a Republican, is greatly interested in politics and served Warsaw as councilman. In 1871 he joined Lake City Lodge, No. 379, A. F. & A. M., at Warsaw. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has been a Sunday-school teacher for many years, and he was also assistant superintendent at Warsaw. No people stand higher in the esteem of the general public and because of this many fine personal qualities have won for themselves a large circle of warm friends.

Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902


THOMAS BALL.
It is a lucky thing in this world of ours that when health fails on one account or another man is not confined to one occupation, but is at liberty to pursue some business in keeping with his changed and cramped condition. It thus occurred with the subject of this sketch that when his health failed him, or began to fail him, he turned his attention to a pursuit less confining and more in keeping with his altered condition. The fact that this could be done is one of the most important circumstances connected with our industrial system. It has really come to pass that a man or a woman may be a hopeless cripple and still be able to make a fortune in this world's goods or reach the highest pinnacle in the temple of fame. But he must have the head. After all, it is brain that counts in this world. The brain that can execute as well as plan is the one that will achieve the greatest triumph. It thus comes about that Mr. Ball is one of the leaders in this portion of the county. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, February 3, 1827, and is thus one of the oldest citizens as well as one of the most prominent and useful men. His parents were William D. and Margaret (Widner) Ball, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. Thomas grew up on the farm and while engaged in that necessary occupation received a fair education at the country schools and learned all the intricate problems of farming and stock raising, and helped to clear off the heavy timber which covered the land. In early manhood he met Miss Ovand E. Bright and soon afterward they were married, a fact very important to Mr. Ball. She was the daughter of David and Fanny Bright and a woman who possessed more than the ordinary graces bestowed upon the daughters of Eve. In addition to this it may be truthfully said that she had not a little to do with the future success of her husband. Their marriage occurred on the 18th of February, 1848, and the issue of this marriage is one daughter, Martha J., born September 16, 1850. The daughter was given a good education and otherwise qualified for pure and intelligent womanhood. She taught school in Kosciusko county for two terms and afterward was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Warren O. Herendeen, taking up her residence in Silver Lake, Indiana. By him she became the mother of ten children, six sons and four daughters. Mr. Herendeen having died, she married Allen Bybee and now resides at Mentone. When Mr. Ball was first married he owned forty acres of land, all covered with heavy woods. This he cleared and fully improved. During this time his health failed, and, being a great lover of that splendid animal, the horse, as all human beings should be, he concluded to make the veterinary science his future business. Accordingly he began regularly to study the anatomy and physiology of the horse and to fit himself fully for the profession. As soon as he had mastered the difficult science he began to practice and was himself surprised at the success he attained. In a short time his practice led him to travel many miles in the surrounding counties and brought him a good revenue. As a matter of fact, his success has been so pronounced that all or nearly all opposition to him has disappeared, leaving him a clear field. He is still in active practice, though seventyfive years old. He enlisted for military service during the Civil war, but was rejected on account of defective vision. He is an ardent Republican and takes an active and prominent part in politics. He has been honored with election to severa1 1ocal offices and in such has shown his fitness and integrity. He served sixteen consecutive years as township assessor. He is a member of Fulton Lodge. No. 79, F. & A. M., at Rochester, and is among the oldest members of that organization. He is known everywhere and is highly respected by all persons. Mr. and Mrs. Ball hav'e in their possession two valuable old relics in the shape of a parchment deed, dated 1841 and signed by President John Tyler, and one dated 1847.

Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902


WILLLAM F. NEAL.
This worthy representative of two sterling American families is one of the highly respected farmers and citizens of Jackson township and for a number of years past has acquired much more than local repute as an earnest, able and faithful minister of the German Baptist church. Originally the Neals came from South Carolina, in which state the remote ancestors of the family settled in a very early day, coming to this country from the Emerald Isle. Subsequently certain members of the family migrated to Miami county, Ohio, where William F. Neal, the subject's father, was born and reared and where, in October, 1828, he entered into the marriage relation with Miss Lucinda Million. The Millions were among the pioneer settlers of Miami county and a number of their descendants are still living there, while other are scattered through various sections of the middle and western states.

William F. Neal became a well-to-do fanner and was a man of local prominence in the community where nearly all of his life was spent. After his marriage he took charge of the old Neal homestead in Miami county and continued to occupy the same the remainder of his life, dying with the love and esteem of all who knew him. He was the father of seven children, whose names are as follows: Malinda, Phoebe, Matilda, Israel, Anna, William F. and Patrick H.

William F. Neal, whose name forms the caption of this review, was born in Miami county, Ohio, on the 15th day of April, 1841. He grew to manhood on the old home farm and remained with his father until twenty-three years of age, meanwhile during his minority enjoying such educational advantages as the common schools afforded. In his twenty-third year he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Jenkines, whose father, David Jenkines, a descendant of an old and highly respected South Carolina family, was for forty consecutive years a justice of the peace in the county of Miami. He was also a man of considerable local prominence, intelligent beyond the average and during the greater part of his life was a potent factor in the public affairs of his part of the state. To Mr. and Mrs. Neal were born three children, the oldest of whom, Elmer K., married Rose Leek, who died March 1, 1902, and at this time he lives in Milford, Indiana; he has three children, Clara A., Charles F. and Isaac H.; Mary E., the second, died August 27, 1885, and the youngest, whose name was John O., departed this life in the year 1872. The mother of these children was a woman of sterling worth and her death, in October, 1871, was an event greatly deplored, not only by her family and immediate friends, but by a large number of acquaintances who had learned to prize her for her sweet moral nature and the wholesome influence which she exerted upon all with whom she came in contact. Mr. Neal's second marriage was solemnized June 30, 1872, with Miss Magdalene Harshman, who has borne him children as follows: Effie M., Elsworth, Stella, Etta and Elsie. Stella died October 28, 1897, and Etta is now taking high school work. Mrs. Neal was born in Frederick county, Maryland, April 25, 1843, and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary A (Ellis) Harshman. She was one of eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom two sons and two daughters are stil1 living. The Harshman family became residents of Jay county in an early day, but the parents died in Ohio.

In 1881 Mr. Neal disposed of his interests in his native state and came to Kosciusko county, Indiana, purchasing one hundred and seventy-five acres of land, which constitutes his present farm in the township of Jackson. Here he has since lived, actively engaged in the pursuit of agriculture and meeting with the financial success with which such thrift and well directed energies as his are usually rewarded. In many respects he is a model farmer, his place bearing every evidence of advanced tillage, while his residence, barns and outbuildings indicate the presence of a man of modern ideas and methods and who displays sound judgment and good taste in the management of his affairs. He is now one of the leading agriculturists of his section of the county and by industry and intelligent consecutive effort has accumulated a sufficiency of worldly wealth to place himself and family in comfortable, if not independent, circumstances.

A number of years ago Mr. Neal united with the German Baptist church and in 1878 was officially set apart by his brethren to the work of the ministry. From that time to the present he has preached at many different points and as a public servant of the church has accomplished much good by his clear and able presentation of the gospel, inducing many to abandon the ways of sin and seek the way to a better life here, and everlasting happiness in the life to come. As an evangelist he is greatly devoted to his work and his services are in much demand by his brethren in this and other counties of Indiana. For a number of years Mr. Neal voted with the Republican party, but of late has given little attention to matters political, although keeping himself well informed upon the great questions now before the American people. No citizen of Jackson township is held in higher respect or enjoys more fully the confidence of the public. An honest man, an honorable citizen, an humble, pious, but able minister of the gospel of Christ, his life has been consecrated to the good of his kind and the future awaits him with bounteous rewards.

The following extract, referring to the deceased daughter of the subject, is here appended : NEAL. - In the Eel River church, Kosciusko county, Indiana, October 28, 1897, of consumption, Sister Bertha Estella Neal, aged seventeen years, ten months and twenty-one days. She was born in Miami county, Ohio, December 7, 1879. She was an earnest Sunday school worker and a devoted member of the church. Funeral services by Samuel Lechrone, assisted by Gabriel Ulrey. Text, from John 13:36; "Whither I go thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow me afterwards."

Click here for photo of William Neal.
Click here for photo of Mrs. William Neal.

Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902


Deb Murray