NELSON STACY, ex-Sheriff. Wareham Stacy was a native of Vermont, and a widower with six children at the time of his marriage with Mrs. Sabra Bennett, a widow, also with six children; she was a native of the State of New York, and to them was born one son, the subject of this sketch. The father was a farmer, and died November 14, 1850, followed by his widow August 28, 1865. Nelson Stacy was born November 29, 1829, in Clark County, Ohio. He was raised a farmer. In 1850, he came to this county, where two half-brothers were living, and April 15, 1852, married Laura R. Anderson, daughter of John and Mary (Gage) Anderson, who were among the early settlers of Steuben County. Mr. Stacy then farmed in Lima Township, where he first settled, until 1876, when he was elected County Sheriff as a Republican, and re-elected in 1878. Since the expiration of his second term, Mr. Stacy has been living retired in La Grange. They have eight children - Mary, John, Mahlon, Ann A., Sabra, Frank, Elias and Clara; all living except Ann Adell, who died when an infant. Mrs. Stacy was born February 1, 1835, in Chautauqua County, N.Y.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange



EDWIN TEMPLE, County Sheriff, was born in Orleans County, N.Y., December 23, 1840, the sone of Luther and Sarah (DeForrest) Temple, natives of New YOrk State, and the parents of four children, tow of whom are living. In 1847, the family emigrated to Milford Township, where they had friends. Here Luther Temple began farming, but, in 1848, died of lung fever, followed by his widow in 1854. He was a jovial man, and commanded the respect of his acquaintances. Edwin, after the death of his mother, began life for himself. July 24, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged at Baton Rouge January 10, 1866. After his enlistment, he was transferred to the First Indiana Heavy Artillery, serving in the Department of the Gulf, and was in the engagements of Baton Rouge, Port Hudson, New Orleans, and with Gen. Butler in his movement up the Red River. After the war, he returned home and engaged in farming. In the fall of 1880, he was elected Sheriff by the Republican party, which position he now fills. He was married February 1, 1873, to Miss Mary Ream, daughter of Phillip and Elizabeth (Hoofer) Ream, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, October 17, 1847. They are the parents of one son - Phillip.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange



J. C. TIDRICK, grocery merchant, was born in Bloomfield Township February 15, 1841, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Rathburn) Tidrick, who were among the old settlers of Bloomfield. J. C. Tidrick was reared on his father's farm until twenty-two yearsof age, and received a good common-school education. In 1864, he began his business career in La Grange, at the grocery trade. The winter of 1864, he sold out to King & Rice, and January 1, 1866, he again embarked in the same business in La Grange, under the firm name of Tidrick & Selby. Owing to the death of Mr. Selby, Mr. Tidrick sold the entire stock to W.T. Parry the spring of 1868, and the following August went to Kansas. In 1872, he came back, and again embarked in the grocery trade, at which he has since continued. Mr. Tidrick has been successful as a business man, and is enterprising as a citizen. He is a Republican, is married and has a family.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange



F.M. VEDDER, groceryman, was born in Elkhart County in March, 1843, son of Adam and Sarah Vedder, who were parents of four children. His mother died when he was about eighteen months old, and shortly afterward his father married again, and moved to Wisconsin, where he died during the war. After the death of his mother, F.M. Vedder was bound out to John Thompson, now of Eden Township, until he was eighteen yeers old. He was enrolled a member of Company C, Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, August 27, 1861, and discharged December 12, 1863. He participated in the engagements of Perryville, Pittsburg Landing, and all the engagements of his regiment until the 31st of Decmeber, 1862, when the battle of Stone River commenced. On this day he was wounded four times severely, and left within the rebel lines, without food or shelter, until January 2, 1863, when the enemy was driven from the field. Mr. Vedder was then sent to the hospital at Nashville, when, being unfit for further service, he was discharged. He lived with Mr. Thompson, in Eden Township, for upward of two years, during which time he attended the district schools and the Collegiate Institute at Ontario. The spring of 1866 he moved to La Grange and engaged in different kinds of employment. For two years was Deputy Revencue Assessor, and the last year of this time was Deputy Revenue Collector. He was also Deputy County Treasurer under Treasurers Newman and Shepardson. He was married, November 10, 1869, to Miss Mary E. Wade, and to them have been born three children - Charles B., Frank J., deceased, and John N. In 1874, Mr. Vedder and Joseph B. Wade engaged together in the grocery trade, but in June, 1875, Mr. Vedder sold out his interest, and July 27, 1875, embarked in the same business alone. He is a Republican. His brother, George W., was in the same company and regiment with Mr. Vedder.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange



JOSEPH B. WADE, attorney at law, was born in Harrison County, Va., April 11, 1826, the youngest of tw children born to Samuel and Mary (Bizzard) Wade, his mother dying when he was only nine months old. His father afterward married Margaret Michael, and finaly died in Marion County, Ohio. The fall of 1829, Mrs. Wade and her two step-children came with Benjamin Jones to what is now Greenfield Township, among the first settlers. They located at what is now the village of Lexington, where our subject received such education as the county schools afforded. He began the study of law in 1846, and at the same time assisted on the farm. In 1852, he engaged in mercantile pursuits in La Grange, continuing three and a half years. He was then employed by the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company for one year, as Director and Stock Solicitor. In November 1857, he was admitted to the bar. He is a member of the A., F. & A.M., and has been W.M. of the Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 76, four years. Mr. Wade is also a member of the La Grange Chapter, No. 36, R.A.M. He was married April 7, 1846, to Louisa J. Warner, daughter of Eliphalet and Edith (Gray) Warner, and a native of Ashtabula County, Ohio. To them have been born eight children; four are yet living - Cyrus U., Mary M., Charlie C. and Carrie E. The first-named read law under his father, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in La Grange. He was elected and served two terms in the Thirty-fourth Judicial Circuit as Prosecuting Attorney. He married Miss Mary Will, and in the spring of 1880 entered the Methodist Episcopal ministry, and is now located at Roann, Ind. Charlie C. married Miss Maggie Will, purchased his brother's interest in law, and is now practicing with his father under the firm name of Wade & Wade.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange



HON. E.W. WEIR was born March 12, 1813, in Washington County, N.Y., of Samuel and Sarah (Woods) Weir, who were natives of that State. Samuel Weir was a soldier of the war of 1812, and his wife's father was a Revolutionary soldier. In 1836, E.W. Weir immigrated to La Grange County. The fall of 1836, he settled on part of Section 24, in Bloomfield Township. Mr. Weir disposed of this property in 1837 to his mother, but it is now in possession of Norman Weir. Mr. Weir then moved to Milford Township, where he farmed until his removal to La Grange. In 1852, he was elected County Treasurer by the Democrats, and served four years; then engaged in farming. On the repeal of the Missouri Compromise Bill, Mr. Weir became a Republican, and was elected to the State Senate, serving in the sessions of 1878 and 1879. He was identified with the organization of the First National Bank of Lima in 1865. He has been married three times, first to Miss Amy A. Hern, daughter of William Hern. This lady died in 1847, leaving three children, two of whom are now living - John and Emily. In 1849, he married his second wife, Mrs. Savilla Rice, daughter of A.E. Durand, and widow of Dewitt Rice. This lady died in 1855, leaving one daughter, Sarah, who is yet living. Mr. Weir's present wife was Mrs. Abigail W. Cowley, widow of E.D. Cowley, and daughter of Elisha White. This lady had a family by her first husband, and is in every respect a helpmeet for Mr. Weir.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange



E.G. WHITE, M.D. was born in Wayne County, N.Y., March 22, 1830; a son of Ira and Jane G. (Rennie) White, natives of Vermont and the city of New York respectively. Soon after the birth of our subject, his mother died, and at the age of twelve his father died. He had come to Maumee City, Ohio, with his father in 1836, where he lived until thirteen years old, when he returned to the State of New York. In 1845, he returned to Maumee City, where he became a printer. In 1847, he went to Columbus, and for nearly four years worked in the offices of the State Journal and Ohio Statesman. The summer of 1850, he visited his native State, and that winter began the study of medicine. He attended the Starling Medical college in Columbus, and received instructions from such men as Profs. Childs, Howard, Moore, Judkins, et al. After his graduation in February, 1854, he practiced for a time in Licking County, Ohio. In July, 1857, he came to this town. Immediately after the battle of Stone River, in 1863, Dr. White received a telegram from Gov. Morton to gather as many surgeons as possible and report for special duty at Nashville and Murfreesboro. After attending to this, he contracted as Acting Assistant Surgeon, and remained until the close of the war. For the past thirteen years, he has been Examining Surgeon of applicants for pensions, and is also the present examiner of the K. of H., and a number of insurance companies. Dr. White and Agnes R. March, of Licking County, Ohio, were married in October, 1856, and are the parents of two living children - Ira and George M. Dr. White is one of the Trustees of Bloomfield Township. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange



JAMES H. WIGTON is the son of William Wigton, deceased, who was born in Tompkins County, N.Y., November 18, 1817, son of William and Elizabeth (Mushback) Wigton, of Scotch descent. William Wigton, Sr., was a Major in the regular army and the war of 1812. William Wigton, Jr., in about 1839 married Emily Holmes, daughter of Capt. James and Elizabeth (Wells) Holmes, and sister of C.B. Holmes. Capt. Holmes was a State Surveyor, and in 1831 or 1832 entered 7,000 acres of land in La Grange and Noble Counties. A short time before his death, he called his children around him and divided this property among them, Mrs. Wigton, for her share, getting 640 acres, Section 14, in Clay Township. Upon this woodland, in a cabin they had erected Mr. and Mrs. Wigton settled in 1843. In March, 1849, Mr. Wigton started overland for California with a company of others, and on the journey all were killed by the Indians or died of disease excepting himself and David Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Wigton resided on the old place in Clay Township until February, 1865, when they sold it, and started East for the benefit of Mrs. Wigton's health. Arriving in Hebron, Ohio, the birthplace of Mrs. Wigton, she became worse and died there. Mr. Wigton, after this, continued on to Accomack County, Va., where he died in August, 1868. They were parents of seven children, only three - James H., Robert and Mary - now living. James H. was born in Hebron, Ohio, March 27, 1843, and came with his parents to La Grange County. He was married in 1872 to Miss Florence, daughter of Henry O. and Caroline M. (Smurr) Belding, and to this union is born one son - Martin K. Mr. Wigton owns 160 acres of land in Clay Township, and the only cooper-shop in La Grange.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange



FRED B. WOOD, M.D., physician and druggist, was born in the State of New York in 1844, to Arthur and Sarah (Farnham) Wood. He was left an orphan when eight years of age, his father having died when he was but three. At the age of two years, DeKalb County, Ind., became his home. By saving his wages he was enabled to attend Hillsdale College the years of 1857 and 1858. In June, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was the second person to enlist for three years from DeKalb County. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Stone River, Liberty Gap and Chickamauga. At Stone River he was wounded slightly in the head, and the last day of the fight at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863, he was taken prisoner and conveyed to Richmond. He was first incarcerated in Scott's Prison, afterward in Royster, Pemberton and Bell Isle. February 22, 1864, he was taken to Andersonville, and was in the first squad of troops to enter this Golgotha. September 7, 1864, he was removed to the prison at Savannah, Ga.; October 3, 1864, he was transferred to Milan, and from there back to Savannah, where he was exchanged November 21, 1864, being exactly fourteen months in rebel prisons, where he endured more than the sufferings of death. In the spring of 1865, he attended Hillsdale College, after which he continued his medical studies at Angola. In October, 1865, he went to Bellevue and attended lectures, and the next year began practicing in Big Rapids, Mich. In 1871, he graduated from the Rush Medical College, in Chicago. After attending a course of lectures at Fort Wayne, he graduated from that school in 1879. In the spring of 1881, came to this place and engaged in practicing and the drug trade. Was married, July 22, 1865, to Mary J. Sargent, who has borne him two sons, J. Fordyce and Phonso S.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange



WILSON ALDRICH, a native of Ontario County, N.Y., born October 9, 1830, is the elder of two children living, in the family of Aaron and Sally (Purchase) Aldrich, both natives of Ontario County, N.Y. The subject's mother died in 1838, and his father married Nancy Pratt, a native of New York, and in 1871 went to Ludington, Mason Co., Mich., where he is yet a resident. Wilson Aldrich passed his youth on this father's farm, and received a common-school education. In December, 1851, he went to California, via New York and Nicaragua, and met with moderate success there. Returning to New York in 1853, he remained until June of the following year, when he came and purchased 160 acres of his present farm in this township. In the fall of 1854, he went to Hillsdale, Mich., and was there married October 9, same year, to Miss Catherine Whitbeck. After visiting several points of interest in New York, they returned in December to their home in this township. Mr. Aldrich is a Democrat and a prominent farmer. He owns 309 acres of land, and has a family of five children, viz.: Frank J., Florence E., now Mrs. J.F. Summerlin, Fannie A., Eva B. and Burton A. Mrs. Aldrich was born April 8, 1832, in Wayne County, N.Y., and was one of six children born to Thomas J. and Lois (Allen) Whitbeck, natives of New York.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township



IRA W. BROWN, is the sone of Abijah and Maria (Shoff) Brown. His birth occurred March 25, 1824, near Oxford, N.Y., and in 838 he went to Bellevue, Huron Co., Ohio, with his parents. From the age of seventeen to twenty-one, he worked as an apprentice in the carriage and wagon manufactory of his father, afterward assuming the management for one and one-half years, when he bought his father's interest, and continued the business alone. I about 1847, he and his father purchased a farm in Sandusky County, Ohio, where Ira W. removed about two years later. He continued his trade, and manufactured a number of wagons that were taken overland to California during the gold excitement there. In the winter of 1854-55, Mr. Brown emigrated to this county, and after the arrival of his family in the spring, settled in this township. After his arrival here, he operated a steam saw-mill in Johnson Township, in partnership with his father, and brother Jacob. The two latter subsequently sold out to Ira W., who continued the business until 1866. In 1865, he moved onto his farm of 160 acres in this township, and has retained most of the timber on the land. In 1870, he built a saw-mill which he has since operated. Mr. Brown, in 1848, Augst 16, married Julia P. Lamson, whose birth occurred January 10, 1831, in Chenango County, N.Y. Her parents were Orson and Betsey (Shoff) Lamson, natives of New York. Mr. Brown is a member of A., F. & A.M. They have had six children; four are living - Llewellyn A., Clifford J., Louise B., now Mrs. Samuel Weir, and Ellsworth I. Mr. Brown is a leading farmer and lumber dealer, and has one of the finest residences in the township; his land is well cultivated and improved with good substantial buildings.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township



HON. JOHN Y. CLARK, deceased, was the son of Isaac and Patience (Young) Clark, both of New Jersey, where the subject was born September 26, 1806, in Sussex County, and where he was married, December 11, 1826, to Hester H. Westbrook. She also was a native of Sussex County, born tin 1809, the 4th of April. In 1829, he emigrated to Steuben County, N.Y., journeying to this township in 1836, where he purchased a tract of 160 acres of timbered land. Their nearest neighbors were two miles distant. Mr. Clark, with the assistance of his sons, soon had his farm cleared and improved. He served his township as Justice of the Peace, and was elected, in 1846, to the Lower House of the Indiana State Legislature by the Whig party, of which he was a leader. Mr. Clark died at his home in this township, owning at time 240 acres of land. He was a man that inspired the esteem and respect of all. His wife died May 7, 1873. They had ten children; those living are Phoebe, now Mrs. Van Kirk; Abraham W., Patience, now Mrs. Thompson; Martha, now Mrs. Draggoo; Eleanor J., now Mrs. Newell; Hester H., now Mrs. Malone, and William J. Abraham W. has been a member of the Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 76, A., F. & A.M., for more than twenty years, and has represented that order at the Grand Lodge several times; he is also an R.A. and S.M. Mason. Himself and brother, William H., own and live on the old homestead, and are both among Bloomfield's leading citizens.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township



SPENCER I. CLEAVELAND, miller, born May 10, 1823, in Onondaga County, N.Y., is the sone of Asaph and Polly (Hawks) Cleaveland, who had a family of seven children. Asaph Cleaveland was born October 26, 1785, in Connecticut, and his wife August 23, 1787, in Massachusetts. The former served in the war of 1812, and followed farming throughout life. In 1838, he came to this county, settling in Greenfield Township, and removed to Steuben County, Ind., in 1840, where he died in January, 1847. Mrs. Polly Cleaveland was a Presbyterian; died in April, 1846. Spencer Cleaveland received a fair education, and in 1840 went to Ontario County, N.Y.; was employed in farm work six years, then came to Steuben County, Ind., and bought eighty acres of land. He was married in New York August 29, 1847, to Miss Paulown L. Wilmarth, whose birth occurred August 11, 1823, in Victor, Ontario Co., N.Y. Her parents were Otis and Sophronia (Boughton) Wilmarth, natives of New Jersey, the former born December 8, 1792, and the latter October 11, 1795. In 1853, Mr. Cleaveland came to this county and bought a farm of 120 acres, which he sold in 1854, and returned to Steuben County, and purchased 100 more acres there. In 1857, he bought a flouring-mill near there, which he operated until November, 1858, when it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Cleaveland exchanged his farm, in 1861, for the one upon which he now lives in this township. He was a member of the Regulator organization; is a stanch Republican, and was elected Township Assessor and Real Estate Appraiser in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Cleaveland have only one sone living - Llewellyn S., who is a resident of Denver, Colo.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township



SAMUEL CLINE is a native of Richland County, Ohio, and next to the youngest of nine children born to William and Ellen (Gibbeney) Cline - the father a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Ohio. They died in this township, where they came in 1854, and purchased 320 acres of land; his death occurred in 1871, and hers in September, 1881. December 22, 1858, Samuel Cline and Mary A. Olmstead were married, and the following two years he was engaged in farming for his father on shares. In the spring of 1861, he bought eighty acres of land in this township, where he lived four years, then bought the farm of eighty acres where he is living. MRs. Cline is a native of this county, born February 9, 1843. Mr. Cline's birth occurred on the 4th of March, 1836. They have had five children - Calvin W., Harvey O., William, who died March 9, 1868, Perley M. and Mary E. Mr. Cline is an enterprising farmer and stock-dealer. Mrs. Cline is the daughter of Harvey and Mary A. (Gage) Olmstead.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township



WILLIAM A. CLINE was born in Richland County, Ohio, August 8, 1830; is the son of William and Ellen (Gibney) Cline. His father was born in 1794, in Huntingdon County, Penn.; was married in Richland County, Ohio, where he purchased a farm of 237 acres, improved the same and in June, 1854, emigrated to Indiana. In this township he bought 320 acres of land, and resided until his death, October 2, 1871. Mrs. Ellen Cline, a native of Washington County, Penn., was born July 22, 1799, and died August 26, 1881. William Cline, the subject, spent his youth at the home of his parents, and four years after attaining his majority farmed the old homestead on shares. January 14, 1856, he was united in marriage to Mary E. Spears, and the same year bought 80 acres of his present property, which now consists of 255 acres of land, under good cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Cline have four children living, Mary J., Frank B., Nellie E. and Rachael L. Mrs. Cline is the daughter of Tunice and Mary J. (Scoville) Spears, and was born in Springfield Township, this county, January 17, 1840. Her father's birth occurred in May, 1810, in Pennsylvania, and her mother's in Connecticut, in 1820. Mr. Cline is a substantial Republican citizen.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township



JOSEPH W. CONNELLY was born in Ohio April 13, 1833. His father, Thomas Connelly, was born in Maryland and his mother, Sevilla Connelly, in Virginia. Since 1835, Joseph W. Connelly has live in this county, with the exception of one year passed in Iowa. His schooling, therefore, was acquired in this county, and when twenty years old began life for himself. October 18, 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Gage, a native of La Grange, Ind. Her parents, Jacob and Anna Gage, were natives respectively of Vermont and Pennsylvania; the former is a farmer and resides in Van Buren Township, this county; the latter died in this county in August 1871. Mr. Connelly first rented a farm, then went to Iowa and purchased 53 acrs of land. Returning the next year he bought his present farm of 80 acres, and has cleared most of that which is now under cultivation. Mr. Connelly keeps the usual amount of stock on his farm and is a good citizen. He and wife belong to the M.E. Church and are parents of ten children - John B., Martha S., Joseph A., Mary R. (deceased), Thomas B., Hiram J., Sevilla A., Orpheus J., Orphy M. and Charles F.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township



JAMES D. CRANDELL, one of the pioneers of La Grange County, was born in Monroe County, N.Y., September 1, 1822. He is one of ten children born to Ivory and Hopey (Winslow) Crandell. The former, a native of Rhode Island, was a carpenter by trade, and a soldier in the war of 1812. The latter was born in Washington County, N.Y. In 1836, they removed from Monroe County, N.Y., to this township, where Mr. Crandall bought land and the same year laid out the town of Bloomfield, now known as Hill's Corners. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Grannis, in Steuben County, Ind., March 4, 1872. When eighteen years old, James Crandall learned the cooper's trade, and in 1841 bought 40 acres of land in this township; followed his trade one and one-half years at Union Mills, this county, and in 1843, bout 90 acres of his present farm of 156 acres, where he built a shop and has since lived, engaged at his trade and farming. October 5, 1851, he married Susan A. Faulkner, and to them five children have been born - Erin M., now Mr. J.L. Chapman, Emeline A., Francis U., now Mrs. D.O. Chapman, William S. and Frank H. Mrs. Crandall was born in Talbot County, Md., July 6, 1831. Her parents, William P. and Nancy (Pierson) Faulkner were natives of the same State, and the parents of five children. Mr. Crandall is a leading Republican citizen.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township



JAMES A. DUNTEN is the son of Thomas and Margaret (Mattoon) Dunten of Vermont. Thomas Dunten was a pioneer of Allen County, Ind., where he entered land in 1833, built a cabin and commenced clearing. They had a family of seven children, and he was in the war of 1812, participating in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. James Dunten was born in Jefferson County, N.Y., November 25, 1819, and was married July 12, 1846, to Miss Cynthia J. Carr, a native of Genesee County, N.Y., and daughter of Nathan and Lydia (Foster) Carr. For a number of years, he was engaged in running a hotel, the "Mansion House", on East Columiba Street, Fort Wayne, in which enterprise he first when about twenty-four years old, in partnership with his brother, F.H. Dunten. After living on a farm in Perry Township, Allen County, Ind., until the spring of 1855, the subject, with his family, took an overland route for California, going thither to benefit the health of his wife. They remained in California until the winter of 1856, and while there Mr. Dunten engaged in the hotel business at Diamond Springs, also made money by speculating in some mines in Sugar Loaf Mountain. He returned to Allen County via Panama, New York and Fort Wayne. After buying and selling farms in Allen and Steuben Counties, Mr. Dunten located on his farm in this township in 1869. Mrs. Dunten died March 11, 1857, and left two children - Mary J., now Mrs. Beech, and Hattie C. His second wife, to whom he was married April 8, 1858, was Margaret Bell, the daughter of James and Margaret (Gray) Bell, natives of Massachusetts, and pioneers of DeKalb County, Ind. Mr. Dunten and wife have three children - Ida, Lola M. and Alice.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township



Deb Murray