ALBERT PRESTON was born Mary 25, 1840, in Trumbull County, Ohio. His father was James Preston, a native of Beaver County, Penn., where his birth occurred in 1809, Decmeber 9.
His mother, Mrs. Mary A. (Matthews) Preston, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, April 1, 1816. Albert Preston is one of twelve children; in 1853, accompanied his parents to
Indiana, and worked on his father's farm in this township until 1859, when he began an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade with John Q. Reed, of La Grange. He worked at
carpentering summers, and attended school winters, until August, 1861, when he enlisted in Company G, Thirteith Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into service September
24, 1861. He was with his regiment in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Cattanooga, and was wounded at Rocky Face, Ga., May9, 1864, after which he was detailed as Commissary
Sergeant, at Gen. Grose's brigade headquarters, where he remained until he was mustered out at Indianapolis September 29, 1864. He married Miss Mary J. Moore, December 14, 1864. She
was born July 15, 1842, in Trumbull County, Ohio, and is the only child of Andrew B. and Jane L. (Thomas) Morre, the former a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and the latter of Wales.
Mr. Preston has been engaged in farming and the stock business ever since the war, settling on his present farm in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Preston are Presbyterians, and have had born to them
four children, three of whom are living, namely, Effie M., Francis A. and Alice L.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
JAMES M. PRESTON waas born in Youngstown, Ohio, February 17, 1835, and is the son of John and Ellen Preston, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ireland. Mrs. Preston died in Youngstown,
Ohio, when the subject was but eight months old. John Preston came to Indiana in 1850, and is yet living in this county; he is seventy-three years old, and devotes his time exlusively to farming,
having in his younger days followed mechanical pursuits. James Preston came to this State with his father; the latter ran a saw-mill about twelve years, in which James M. was employed part of his
time. He was married in this county, September 15, 1857, to Lockey J. Price, a native of Preble County, Ohio, and the daughter of Francis and Sarah Price, the former a native of Virginia, and the
latter of New Jersey; they came to Noble County, Ind., in 1841, and six months after moved to htis county, on the farm now owned and occupied by the subject, where they died. Mr. Preston, after renting
land two years, settled on twenty-eight acres given him by his father, and began dealing in organs and other musical instruments, which business he has successfully continued up to the present time. He
carries a full line of goods, and all orders for music are promptly filled. About 1870, he opened an office in La Grange. From 1874 t 1880, he was engaged in the sale of agricultrual implements and sewing
machines. Mr. Preston owns eighty acres of land, which is farmed under his supervision. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and have had three children - Ella E., Frank and Marion, deceased.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
H.M. PRICE was born in this county July 16, 1843, and is the youngest of nine children born to Francis M. and Sarah (Miller) Price, the latter of whom was born October 5, 1801, in Elizabethtown, N.J. Francis Price
was a native of Mongomery County, Va., born May 8, 979, and when four years old moved with his parent to Preble County, Ohio, where he received a fair education and when quite young served an apprenticeship of four years
at the tanner's trade. When of age he started for Oregon but, after reaching St. Louis, abandoned that project, and for six months ran a ferry boat at St. Charles. Returning to Ohio, he followed his trade until 1835,
when he traveled over Indiana and Illinois, returning to Preble County the same year to resume his trade. In 1836, he entered 320 acres of land in this township, 110 of which is now owned by the subject. In 1840, he went
to Noble County, and entered about 800 acres of land; located in this township in 1841, where he died January 30, 1878. Mrs. Sarah Price died July 29, 1872. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and he was a Republican.
Henry M. Price, in 1864, with his brother Thomas, went to California, via New York and Panama, returning in 1868 via Nicaragua to this township where he bought his present farm. While in California he was
engaged in the stock business, and made a second trip there, but returned in 1871, and was married November 23 of that year to Elizabeth P. Hoagland, who was born June 28, 1844, in this county. She is one of eight in the family
of Jacob and Sarah E. (Sherman) Hoagland, natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Price have no children; she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Edwin L. Price, a brother of the subject, went to California in 1849, where
he was engaged in mining and farming for some time; he died there DEcember 4, 1874. Another brother - Harvey - went to that State in 1852, engaged in mining, and has not been heard from since 1871. Thomas Price is supposed to
have been killed by the Indians in Idaho in 1870.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
MANLEY RICHARDS, one of five children born to Joseph and Rachel (Davidson) Richards, is a native of Clark County, Ohio, where his birth occurred October 29, 1829. His father was born in Virginia, Jul 5, 1803, and reared in Clark
County, Ohio, where his marriage occurred. He emigrated to this county in 1836, and entered 80 acres of land in this township, a part of which is now included in the farm of Manley Richards. Here he built a log house and began
clearing, owning at the time of his death, in November, 1849, 120 acres of well improved land. Manley Richards acquired a common-school education while assisting on the home farm. After his father's death, himself and brother farmed
the old homestead until 1856, when Manley Richards purchased his brother's interest. He has now 145 acres. April 2, 1857, he married Elizabeth Barnes, and two children born to them are living, Annetta, now Mrs. Sherman, and Albert R.
The mother died at her home December 22, 1875. She was born in Ohio June 4, 1839, and was the daughter of Edmund and Susan (Beardsley) Barnes, natives of New York. Mr. Richards is a Democrat, and a thriving farmer.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
FRANKLIN RIFE is the only child of Abraham and Susan (Lighter) Rife, natives of Pennsylvania; the former died in 1842, in Richland County, Ohio, where Franklin was born October 26, 1833. Mrs. Susan Rife is living, and resides with the
subjext. He learned the carpenter's trade in his early manhood, and followed the same until 1872, since which time he has been engaged in farming. He bought a farm in this township in 1856, which he exchanged in 1864 for the one where he
is now living. Mr. Rife came to this township in 1855, and after he was married, October 20, 1856, took a trip to Ashland County, Ohio, returning to this township in the following spring, where he owns 110 acres of desirable land. Mrs. Mary
A. Rife is the daughter of Isaac and Sophia (Ernsberger) Hogmire. She was born in Ashland County, Ohio, on the 26th of March, 1839. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rife - Samantha, deceased September 26, 1863; Ida A., now Mrs.
Wyland; Laura; Elmer A.; Susanna, died May 12, 1871; Maggie M. and Lilly B.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
JOSEPH ROYER, son of Jacob and Mary (Michael) Royer, is a native of Summit County, Ohio, where his birth occurred November 11, 1838. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania. His father, soon after he was married, moved to Summit County, Ohio,
where he bought a farm and resided until about 1858, then removed to Uniontown, Stark Co., Ohio, where his wife died in July, 1861. He died at the same place in 1879, having, however, married a second time. At the age of eighteen Joseph Royer
learned carpentering; previous to this had worked on his father's farm. He followed his trade several years in Ohio, and continued it in Johnson Township, this county, after moving there in 1861. IN 1865, he bought 80 acres of unimproved land
and worked at clearing in addition to carpentering. In 1873, he sold out and rented a farm near Wolcottville, remaining there until August, 1874, when he came to his present location, having purchased it the preceding spring. Mr. Royer was married
May 12, 1864, to Elizabeth P. Eshelman, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Erford) Eshelman, natives of Pennsylvania. She was born January 2, 1845, in Summit County, Ohio, and is one of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Royer have had three children, Elmer E.,
MAry L. and Emma M. Mr. Royer is a Republican, and himself and family are all members of the Evangelical Church.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
MRS. MARIA SARGENT was born at Lock, Cayuga Co., N.Y. October 27, 1808. Her father - James Young - was a native of Ireland and a soldier of the war of 1812. He held two prominent county offices in Cayuga Co., N.Y. Her mother - Mary (Mow) Young - was
of French descent. She died at Lock, N.Y., September 20, 1845, in her seventy-eighth year. She was a member of the M.E. Church. They were the parents of eleven boys and two girls. Maria, when ten years of age, went to live with Moses Dixon, at Brutus,
N.Y., and remained until February 28, 1830, when she was married to David Sargent. They came to this township in 1840, he having traded his farm in New York for land here, where Mrs. Sargent now lives. This farm Mr. Sargent cleared and improved. Soon
after coming here he had a barn raising and invited his neighbors to assist, as was customary in those days. This they refused to do unless supplied with liquor, which Mr. Sargent refused them, he being a strict temperance man, making a speech that had
the desired effect. The barn is still standing and was the first raised in the township where liquor was not used. Mr. Sargent died at his home September 15, 1881. He was a member of the M.E. Church and was a much beloved and respected citizen. He was
a native of New Hampshire, where his birth occurred January 3, 1805. Of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sargent, five are living, viz.: Eliza R., now Mrs. McKibben; Maria M., now Mrs. John Preston; Alfred; Janet, now Mrs. Rowe; and Mary A., now Mrs. Hodgson.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
ELIAS SCHROCK first came to Indiana in 1842, with his father, and worked at farming and in a saw-mill until he was twenty-two years old, when he bought 126 acres of land in Elkhart County. Previous to coming here he had worked, from the age of seven to fourteen,
in a carding factory in Ohio. After selling his first purchase in Elkhart County, in 1853, he bought another farm of 160 acres north of Goshen. In 1865, he sold and came to Clearspring Township, this county, bought a farm, sold it 1872 and moved to Eden Township;
purchased 200 acres of land and sold it in 1873, for $100 per acre; next locating in this township, where he has a farm of 180 acres. March 5, 1850, Mr. Schrock was married to Eliza Gerber. She was born, May 13, 1826, in Stark County, Ohio, and his birth occurred
March 11, 1826, in Holmes County, Ohio. She was the eldest of thirteen children born to David and Susanna (Buchtel) Gerber, natives of Pennsylvania. They are members of the German Baptist Church, of which Mr. Schrock has been a minister about fourteen years. They
have had nine children - Anna B., now Mrs. Yoder; Louis C., who died July 8, 1874; Lydia M., now Mrs. Berkey; Susanna, now Mrs. W.H. Swihart; Harriet E., now Mrs. Rudisill; David D.; Melvin C.; Emma D.; and Mary R. The parents of Elias Schrock were David and
Margaret (Borntrager) Schrock, both natives of Lancaster County, Penn., the former born August 24, 1797, and the latter November 26, 1790. David Schrock, when about eighteen, moved to Holmes County, Ohio, where he was married in April, 1817. His business was carpentering
and farming, and he was a member of the Amish Church until after Mrs. Schrock's death, December 22, 1850. Mr. Schrock was again married, in 1852, to Mrs. Melissa (Ball) De France, a native of the East, and on the day of their union both united with the German Baptist
Church. In May, 1842, he moved to Elkhart County, Ind., farmed and operated a saw-mill until he entered the mercantile business at Goshen. He died October 31, 1873. His ancestors were Swiss and German and he was the father of eight children.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
ISAAC SEARS is a native of Onondaga County, N.Y., born November 7, 1828, is a son of Eleazer and Sarah Sears, natives of New York, the former of Saratoga and the latter of Onondaga County. They came to this county in 1841, and located on Brushy Prairie, where they died and
were interred in Brushy Prairie Cemetery. Eleazer Sears died from an accident caused by a team running away that was hitched to a reaper, from which he received injuries and expired about seven hours afterward. Isaac Sears received an average education, and remained with his
parents until he was married, February 13, 1853, in this township, to Miss Laurinda Tuttle. Her parents, Lemon and Diadamie Tuttle, were natives of Ohio and farmers by occupation; they died in this county. Subject and wife settled on a farm of 236 acres, in Springfield
Township, this county, that Mr. Sears had previously purchased. He increased his land to 436 acres, and farmed and raised live stock on a large scale. May 10, 1874, his wife died and he was married in Onondaga County, N.Y., February 11, 1875, to Miss Sarah Van Alstine, the daughter
of James and Abigail Van Alstine, natives of New York, where her father died and her mother is yet living, at the age of sixty-six. They removed from Springfield to this township in October, 1880, where they have a well improved farm, good buildings and fine brick residence. Mr.
Sears now owns 868 acres of land, and has given eighty acres to his son. All of his property has been accumulated by his own efforts and industry, with the exception of 100 acres of land and $400 in money, that he inherited. He is extensively engaged in live stock dealing, and his
farm annually yields large profits. For 1878 the wheat crop alone was 3,000 bushels, averaging thirty-two bushels per acre. Mr. Sears is one of the most prominent citizens, and has two sons, Charles E. and David A., both of whom are married.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
ORMUND SISSON is a native of Norway, Oneida County, N.Y., where his birth occurred March 18, 1810. He is the son of Abraham and Amy (Cole) Sisson, and the youngest of three children. When Ormund was ten years old his mother died, and he was bound out to Alfred Martin, with whom he
remained until he was eighteen, then went to Ontario County, N.Y., and was employed working on a farm and stage driving, afterward learning the carpenter's trade, which he has followed to some extent ever since. He received but a few months schooling, and December 25, 1832, was married
to Ann Brooks, who was born in England June 13, 1817, and is one of nine children in the family of George and Elizabeth (Smith) Brooks. In October, 1841, Mr. Sisson bought eighty acres of land in Steuben County, Ind. In 1852, he returned to Ohio and engaged inthe grocery business at
Montpelier. He continued this enterprise about a year, then settled on a farm in Williams County, Ohio; disposing of his property in 1854, he emigrated to Indiana, bought his farm of 120 acres, and has ever since resided in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Sisson have had nine children born
to them - Elizabeth (now Mrs. Metzger), William A., Edward O., George K., Laura P. (now Mrs. Spears), Amy A. (now Mrs. Munger), John H., Albert H. and Edgar F. Edward O. served in the recent war, was a member of Company G, Eight-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. George K. served in the
same company and regiment. He died in hospital, January 20, 1863, at Nashville, Tenn.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
SAMUEL SOMES came to this township in 1855, and in 1859 bought eight acres of unimproved land which is now a cleared and improved farm, comprising one hundred and twenty acres. The four year preceding this he worked out by the month, receiving from $12 to $15 wages. He was married, January 1,
1861, to Sarah A. Mills, a native of Cayuga, N.Y., where she was born April 3, 1838. She is one of three children in the family of Jacob and Margaret (Passage) Mills. Mr. and Mrs. Somes have a family of three children - Eugene S., Ettie J. and Nathaniel W. Mr. Somes has been a member of the
I.O.O.F. for about eighteen years, and has passed all the chairs. He is the son of Samuel and Mary (Barnes) Somes, of New York, and is next to the youngest of eight children, all of whom are living, subject being born March 10, 1834. Mr. Somes served actively in the Regulator movement, and is
a substantial farmer and citizen.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
ANDREW J. TAGGART is the son of James and Sarah (McCasson) Taggart, of Salem County, N.J., who moved in 1823 or 1824 to Muskingum County, Ohio, where Andrew J., one of nine children, was born May 18, 1829. James Taggart died in Licking County, Ohio, in 183, after residing there two years. Mrs.
Sarah Taggart subsequently went to Fairfield County, Ohio, where her death occurred May 29, 1869. They were both descendants of Quaker families, and Mr. Taggart followed tailoring in the early part of his life, but latterly became a farmer. In 1853, Andrew J. Taggart started from Hebron, Licking
Co., Ohio, overland to California, in company with four others. While in Salt Lake Valley, the Mormons threatened to prosecute them for burning timber on Government land, the Mormons claiming it as their own. In California Mr. Taggart kept a trading-post near the summit of the Sierra Range, about
two months, during which time he met with an adventure with a grizzly bear. For three years he was engaged in mining, then returned to Licking County, Ohio, arriving December 31, 1856. He came to this township in 1857, and was married, February 4, 1858, to Helen M. Gould. She was born September 5,
1839, in Marion County, Ohio, and her parents, natives respectively of Vermont and Ohio, were Hiram and Abigail (Brundage) Gould. Mr. and Mrs. Taggart had five children, three now living - Jennie A., Hiram J. and Frank. Mrs. Taggart died April 7, 1873, and Mr. Taggart was married to Nancy J. Schermerhorn
June 21, 1877. She was born in this county March 16, 1855. Her parents were Michael and Mary (Poynter) Schermerhorn. Maud A. is the only child of the subject and wife. Mr. Taggart is a member of the I.O.O.F. which order he joined in California.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
JAMES THOMPSON was born in Marion County, Ohio, December 11, 1838, and is the eldest child of Joel and Lucinda (Odle) Thompson. The latter was born July 21, 1810, in Maryland. Her father, William Odle, served in the war of 1812, and was stationed several months at Fort Wayne. Joel Thompson, a native of
Pennsylvania, born February 26, 1813, was orphaned at an early age, but cared for until the age of thirteen by an uncle, John Thompson, by whom he was taken to Marion County, Ohio, and afterward lived with James Dota until he became of age. He was married, February 9, 1835, and settled on eighty acres of land
given him by Mr. Dota in Marion County. In 1842, he sold out and came to this county; bought eighty acres of land on Brushy Prairie, built a house and began clearing. He again sold in 1854, and came to this township; bought a farm of eighty acres; sold in 1862, and removed to La Grange, whre he died December
28, 1868. Mrs. Lucinda Thompson died at the home of the subject in this township May 2, 1875. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. James Thompson was commonly educated and reared on his father's farm. November 2, 1859, he was married to Miss Patience Clark, who was born in Fulton County, N.Y.,
August 5, 1835, the daughter of John Y. and Hester (Westbrook) Clark. They have two children - Clara B. and LEnora. For six years Mr. Thompson farmed on shares for his father, then removed to Johnson Township, this county. In 1871, he bought the farm of eighty acres in this township where he continues to reside.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
EDWARD W. VALENTINE is the son of John and Sarah (Talbott) Valentine, natives of Maryland. In early manhood, John Valentine went to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he owned a farm and was married. About 1828, he moved to Seneca County, Ohio, entered 160 acres, and lived there until his death, which occurred in October,
1862. He served in the war of 1812. Mrs. Sarah Valentine died in November, 1867. They were both members of the M.E. Church, and had a family of ten children. Edward W. was born in Seneca County, Ohio, March 5, 1832, and, until he became of age, worked on the home farm; after which, he farmed for his father eleven years
on shares. In 1864, he removed to and located permanently in this township, where he owns a well-improved farm of 120 acres. September 6, 1855, he was married to Lydia A. Coon, who was born in Canada February 10, 1839, and is one of seven in the family of J.W. and Eliza C. (Shipman) Coon, natives of Canada. Mr. Valentine
is a reliable and enterprising Republican citizen. They have had a family of five children - Salina B. (now Mrs. Rose), Viola V., Revilow L. (who died at his father's home, February 4, 1882, in his twenty-second year), Nettie M. and Lilly Bertha.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
DAVID VAN KIRK is a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., where he was born August 20, 1827. His parents, Thomas and Eleanor (Johnson) Van Kirk, were born in the same county - September 16, 1791, and October 17, 1800, being the respective dates of their births; ten of eleven childre born to them are yet living. Thomas Van
Kirk was in the war of 1812, moved to Richland County, Ohio, in 1830, and two years afterward entered eighty acres of land in Seneca County, that he subsequently traded for 160 acres of improved land in Huron County, Ohio. He sold this farm in 1845, and came to this township, built a saw and carding mill, which he was engaged
in operating up to the time of his death, which occurred September 1, 1861. David Van Kirk worked in his father's mill from 1846 to 1850, and after his marriage, November 2, 1851, farmed on shares several years, buying, in 1855, the farm upon which he now dwells. It comprises 108 acres, and the log cabin is yet standing where
they first lived. Mr. Van Kirk, since 1848, has been a member of the Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 76, A., F. & A.M., and has represented the same in the Grand Lodge; he also belongs to the La Grange Chapter, No. 36, R.A.M., of which he was High Priest four years. Mrs. Van Kirk was formerley Lucretia Newell, and was born in Wayne
County, N.Y., January27, 1828. She is one of eleven children born to Thomas B. and Lois (Thurston) Newell. The parents were natives of New York, and early pioneers of La Grange County; his birth occurred April 15, 1801, and her's December 3, 1802. Mr. and Mrs. Van Kirk have three children - Lucretia I. (now Mrs. McNutt), Lissa A.
(now Mrs. McKibbin), and David A. The subject's mother yet survives, and is a resident of Iowa.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township
BENJAMIN W. VESEY is one of six children in the family of William and Adaline (Copeland) Vesey, natives of Orange County, Vt., where also the subject was born February 8, 1829. William Vesey, in 1835, emigrated to Lake County, Ohio, thence to Elkhart County, Ind., in 1838. Here he bought 120 acres ofland that he subsequently sold,
removing to a farm near Goshen. He was a Democrat, and, in 1862, was elected Sheriff of Elkhart County; served in the late war as a private some time, but afterward was detailed in the Commissary Department until he was discharged. October 3, 1872, he died at this home, and being a member of the A., F. & A.M., was buried with Masonic
honors. Benjamin Vesey received a fair education, and one year attended the University at Greencastle, Ind. In 1849, he went overland with an ox team to California, wehre he was engaged in mining and teaming until 1851, when he returned to Indiana, and bought a farm in Lima Township, this county; sold in 1855, and bought one in
Springfield Township in 1857, removing in 1864 to La Grange, and settling on his present farm of 365 acres in 1865. In 1853, February 8, he married Sarah P. Waterhouse, the daughter of Joseph and Esther (Penley) Waterhouse, natives of Maine, and parents of nine children. Sarah P. was born in Audroscoggin County, Me., February 26, 1836.
Mr. and Mrs. Vesey have a family of five children, viz., George E., William J., Allen J., Charles E. and John H. Mr. Vesey is a Republican, and a leading farmer.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Bloomfield Township