ELIAS KEPLINGER was born November 9, 1815, in Washington County, Md., one of a family of nine sons and three daughters born to Joseph and Catharine (Snyder) Keplinger, natives of Maryland. The parents moved to Virginia, near Harper's Ferry, soon after their marriage, and from there, in 1832, to Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Here the father died at
the age of eighty-four years. His widow survives him and is eighty-six. Elias Keplinger was brought up to farm labor. He married Miss Emily Hoverstock, in 1842. She was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, January 25, 1825. They had seven children, four of whom are yet living, viz.: Catharine, Mary E., Charles H. and Etta M. Mrs. Keplinger died
February 22, 1865. Mr. Keplinger married Miss Lydia A. Medaugh, a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, for his second wife. She died, December 5, 1878. December 11, 1879, he was united in
marriage with Miss Lizzie Fridlie, born in the conton of Berne, Switzerland, May 13, 1844. Mr. Keplinger came to this county in 1864, and purchased his present farm. He began life as a poor boy, and is a self-made man. He is a Republican, a member of the M.E. Church, and a successful farmer and stock grower.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
OMAR A. KIMBALL, was born in Orland, Steuben Co., Ind., November 9, 1837. He is the son of Augustus Kimball, a native of the Empire State, who came with his parents to Calhoun County, Mich., in 1833. After two years the family removed to Orland, where the grandfather of our subject erected one of the first grist-mills in Northeastern Indiana. Here
Augustus Kimball married Miss Eliza Eaton, and to them were born three children. He has been engaged in farming and milling at Orland for some time. Omar A. Kimball received a common-school education, and when fourteen years old was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, serving a term of five years at $3 per month. After he had learned his trade, he
worked at Orland some time, and then went to Sturgis, Mich., and worked over three years. In 1857, he came to Lima, but soon went West, stopping two years in Kansas. He then returned to Lima, and worked at his trade until 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He became regimental blacksmith, and served until the
close of the war. Since his return from the army, he has worked at his trade in Lima. He was married, January 18, 1861, to Mrs. Emily L. Morse, born in Williamson, N.Y., May 27, 1829, to Zimri and Vashti (Overton) Atwater, who removed from New York State to Lima Township, in 1835. They were the parents of nine children. There was one child born to
Mrs. Kimball by her first marriage, viz.: Loren. From her union with Mr. Kimball there were two, viz.: Lillie and Charley. Mr. Kimball owns a large two-story brick building where he carries on his trade. He owns a nice home property, and is doing a good business. He is a Republican.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
J. CALVIN KINNEY, is a native of Burlington, Vt., and is of Scotch descent. The family came to the United States during the seventeeth century. The grandfather of our subject assisted the Colonies in their struggle for independence, and two of his sons served in the war of 1812 - one as a Captain. John C. Kinney was a machinist, and when a young man
worked at his trade in New York, where he married Miss Amy Rowley, and soon afterward moved to Burlington, Vt. After some years, he removed to Huron County, Ohio, and in 1832 started on horseback through Indiana. He returned to Ohio the same year, and in 1833 moved his family to Lima, and ever afterward made La Grange County his home. For some years
he carried the mail on horseback from Toledo through to Fort Defiance, White Pigeon and other places, and while engaged at this, died. J. Calvin Kinney was born January 3, 1828. When seventeen years old, he learned the shoemaker's trade. After working at this eight years, and farming three years, he came to Lima. In 1855, removed with his family to
Minnesota, but returned in three years. Mr. Kinney assisted in the organization of the First National Bank of Lima, and engaged in banking, brokerage, collecting and dealing in real estate, and has arisen to a position of wealth and comfort. He was married, February 22, 1848, to Miss Teressa Griffeth, who was born in Wayne County, N.Y., July 27, 1829.
To this union were born seven daughters - Alice T., Amy E., Arroma L., Amelia M., Annettie D., Ada C. and Annie L.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
JOHN R. KIRBY was born in Leicestershire, Eng., March 2, 1802, one of eleven children born to John and Charlotte (Reddals) Kirby, who emigrated to this country in 1831 and settled in Lake County, Ohio. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John R., when young, began working at hosiery making. He came to this country with his parents and
engaged in farming near Painesville, Ohio. He was married in England, in 1829, to Miss Hannah Kirby. They had two children - Albert, who died at seven years of age, and Amy L., who died May 18, 1861. She married John Taylor, of Lima. They had one child. Mrs. Hannah Kirby died in 1847. On the 5th of October, 1859, he married Mrs. Abigail W. (Charter)
Durand, born in Burton, Ohio, May 13, 1815. They had three sons, viz.: Burritt E., Charles P. and James A. The latter is the only one living. He was born in 1853, and married Miss Emma White in 1879. She was born in Lancaster, Penn., in 1858. All the Durand boys received a liberal education, Burritt E. graduating from the Iron City College, at
Pittsburgh, Penn., July 14, 1865. James A. is engaged in the drug trade at Lima. Mr. John R. Kirby cam to Lima in 1859, and after about three years engaged in the drug trade. In 1878, ill health compelled him to retire. He and his wife are members of the M.E. Church.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
ALONZO D. MOHLER, A.M. and A.B., is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, born January 26, 1848. His ancestors were from Germany, who came to this country in the eighteenth century. His father, Amos Mohler, was a native of the Keystone State and his mother (Maria Rasor) of Ohio. They were married in the Buckeye State and had ten children, of whom Alonzo D.
was the eldest. The father, in early life, learned the carpenter trade and after his marriage took up contracting and building. He worked at his trade in Dayton, Ohio, a number of years, and then engaged in mercantile pursuits in Shelby County, Ohio. In 1865, he moved to Huntington, Ind., where he now resides. He is a man of intelligence and greatly aided in
the remodeling of the old school law of Ohio. Alonzo D. Mohler learned the carpenter trade with his father; after which he served an apprenticeship at cabinet-making. Up to the time he was twenty years of age he had received coomon education. After some private instruction, he entered Asbury University, at Greencastle, Ind., and in 1873 received the degree of
Bachelor of Arts and in 1876 that of Master of Arts. Soon after graduating, he took charge of the Muncie High School, and after one year came to La Grange to take charge of its public school, which he has raised to their present high standard. He left the La Grange school and was given charge of the Lima school, with four assistant teachers. He was united in
marriage with Miss Albina Davies January 1, 1874; born in Huntington County, Ind., July 27, 1850. To them have been born two daughters, viz.: Inez and Ruth. Mr. Mohler is a Republican and a member of the M.E. Church.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
CHARLES G. NICHOLS, son of Drusus and Rebecca B. (Graves) Nichols, who were born, raised and married in Sherman, Litchfield County, Conn. In 1834, Mr. Nichols came to La Grange County, and purchased the mill at Mongo (or Union Mills). He operated this some two years, during which time he purchased a tract of land, and then returned to Connecticut for his
family. Mr. Nichols was a thorough business man, and was largely engaged in famring, milling and mercantile pursuits, at one time owning a commission warehouse in Fort Wayne. He assisted in building the old plank road in La Grange County, and was on hand where enterprise was required. Charles G. was born September 13, 1835, in Litchfield County, Conn., and is
the only survivor of three children. At the age of nine years he returned form Indiana to his native State, where he remained until eighteen, receiving a good common-school education. He was married, June 21, 1859, to Miss Ellen Burnell, who was born on English Prairie, La Grange County, May 8, 1840, and to them have been born the following family: Drusus B.,
Mary, Charles S., Samuel B., Morse F. and Gunther. Mr. Nichols lived in Greenfiled Township until within the past year, when he removed to Lima to educate his children. He is a Republican, and has held the position of County Real Estate Appraiser. He owns 450 acres of good land.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
SAMUEL S. PARKER was born in the city of Philadelphia, in 1817, son of Samuel Parker, a native of the Bay State, who, during the war of 1812, went to Philadelphia to work at carpentering, and there married Miss Sarah Long, a native of Nova Scotia. He worked at his trade in Petersburg, Va., and at other points, till 1818, when he moved to Columbia City, Penn.,
and subsequently to Genesee County, N.Y. In 1833, he came to Lima Township, with four double teams and a one horse buggy, probabl the first brought to Lima Township. He bought a large tract of land and engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was a man of much more than ordinary ability, generous to a fault, and scrupulously honest. He died in 1857, and his wife
in 1870. They had the following children: Lucy A., Samuel S., Lucy A., Ursula R., Orlinda, Romilda, George H. and Columbus c., four of whom are yet living. Samuel S. married Miss Orilla French, in 1854. She was born in Lake County, Ohio, in 1833. They had ten children, viz.: George H., Orlinda, Theodore, Romilda, Rosamond, Mary and Fanny, living; Goerge, Timoleon
and Homer, deceased. Mr. Parker owns 600 acres of land, and has a beautiful home just across the State line, in Fawn River Township, St. Joseph County, Mich. As a Republican, he has held the office of Justice of the Peace in the township in which he lives.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
JOEL SANDERSON was born in the town of Brookfield, Orange Co., Vt., December 26, 1816, son of James and Rebecca (Hovey) Sanderson. The father was the first white male child born in Woodstock, Vt. The mother was a natie of Canterbury, Conn. They were married at Lume, N.H., and took up their residence at Woodstock, Vt. In 1828, they removed to Huron County, Ohio. Here,
Spetember 2 of the same year, the father died. There were ten children - Joel being the youngest. He, soon after his father's death, began working out, receiving but small pay. During the winter months, he would work for his board and attend school. In this way, he received his education. His marriage with Miss Mary A. Legg occurred August 7, 1842. She was born in
Chisleborough, England, August 11, 1816. They had eight children, Viz.: George W., James, Wilbur F., Sarah A., Rebecca, Eva, Asenath E. and Charlotte. Mr. Sanderson came to this county in 1844, and purchased a farm in Greenfield Township, where he lived until 1869, when he purchased his present place, consisting of 280 acres, well improved. He is a Republican, and had
held various official positions. He was at one time Major of the Second Ohio Militia.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
GEORGE D. SEARING is the son of I.W. and Ruth B. (Upson) Searing. The father was born in Essex County, N.J., December 10, 1802, and the mother in Morris County June26, 1808. They were married November 19, 1828, and had the following children, viz.: Caroline, Noah, Angeline, Henrietta, George D. and Susan. Mr. Searing's mother died when he was a child, and he lived with
friends until about twelve years of age, when he entered a chair factory, where he remained seven years. He then worked as a "jour" two years, after which he engage in business for himself, in his native county, remaining there until 1837, when he came to this county, and purchased 100 acres of land on Pretty Prairie, and engaged in farming. In 1870, he came to Lima and
embarked in the furniture trade, in which he has since continued. Mr. Searing is a hard-working, industrious citizen. George D. was born in Greenfield Township, this county, March 31, 1847. He received a common-school education, and married Miss Sarah Byron, January 20, 1876. She was born in Darke County, Ohio, September 21, 1842. From this union there are two children -
Annie and George. George D. is connected with his father in the furniture trade and undertaking. He is Justice of the Peace for Lima Township, and is a stanch Republican.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
JOHN SMITH. This gentleman was born in Clark County, Ohio, October 24, 1823; son of David and Elizabeth (Hurd) Smith, whom came with their family to this township in 1833. [See biography of William Smith.] Our subject was reared on a farm, receiving such education as the schools of that early day afforded. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah R. Parker March 19, 1855.
This lady was born in Genesee County, N.Y., January 12, 1827. From this union there was one child, viz.: Sarah A. Mrs. Smith died March 26, 1860. January 23, 1862, Mr. Smith married Miss Serena Craig, who was born November 19, 1827, in Columbia County, Penn. From their union there were tow children, viz.: Mary J. and Charles C. Mr. Smith first voted with the Whig and
then with the Republican party. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and a practical and successful farmer. He has done much to improve the stock in the county, and now has on his place as finely bred horses, cattle and sheep as are to be found in this locality.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
WILLIAM SMITH was born in Clark County, Ohio, January 10, 1822, one of ten children to David and Elizabeth (Hurd) Smith, natives respectively of Virginia and Maryland, and married in Ohio. The Smiths are of Irish descent. David Smith served in the war or 1812, under Gen. Harrison. The Hurds are of German extraction, and came to Clark County, Ohio, as did also the Smiths,
during the war of 1812. David Smith and family emigrated to La Grange County in 1833, locating on a farm now owned by John and Hugh Smith, in Lima Township, purchasing 360 acres, on which he resided until his death. Mr. Smith became a faithful worker with the Abolition party, and was among the first County Commissioners. He advocated and practiced temperance and frugality.
His death was a serious loss to the community. William Smith received a liberal education, and for twenty years taught school winters and worked at farming summers. He taught the first term in the new schoolhouse in Lima; represented La Grange County in the State Legislature, in 1855 and 1867; he cast the deciding vote in rechartering the "Stte Bank of Indiana," and in his
second term assisted in electing O.P. Morton to the U.S. Sentate. For some time he has been in the lumber trade and agricultural implement business. He is a Republican, a Mason, and belongs to the Presbyterian Church. He was married in 1847 to Esther Craig, born in Northumberland County, Penn., in 1822, and died in 1866, leaving three children - Senator B., Mary E.A., and
John C. In 1870, Mr. Smith married Kate Wood, who was born in La Grange County, Ind., in 1844. To them were born two children - William D. and Ione C.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
OSCAR J. SPAULDING was born in Windsor County, Vt., April 20, 1824, son of Thomas and Sabra (Proctor) Spaulding. The father was born in Massachusetts, in 1801, and his wife in New Hampshire, in 1800. They had five children. Mr. Spaulding followed peddling in Vermont until 1827, when he moved to Wayne County, N.Y., and engaged in the manufacture and sale of patent medicines.
In 1835, he came to this county, remaining some time. He returned to Wayne County, and the following year came back to this county and purchased quite a tract of land. In 1837, he moved his family here, and engaged in farming and speculating. He was one of the directors of the first bank at Lima, and was, in an early day, Associate Judge of La Grange County. The children
were Oscar J., Wesley J. (now a Professor in an Iowa college), Maritta C., Antoinette H. and Lois A. Oscar J. was married to Miss Mary A. Tyler, Spetember 27, 1844, and followed farming until the break-out of the rebellion. Under the first call in 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Seventy-eighth New York Volunteer Infantry, and went into active service in Virginia.
After about six months, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant, and was successively promoted through all the grades until he held a Colonel's commission. He was in thirty-six engagements and was twice wounded, remaining until the end of the war. He has a brilliant war record of which he may justly feel proud. After his discharge, he engaged in farming and stock-raising.
He owns 335 acres of land, well improved. Mrs. Spaulding was born in Trenton, Mich., July 24, 1826, daughter of Isaac and Eleanor (Knapp) Tyler, who were early settlers of St. Joseph County, Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding have had the following children: Mona E., Jonathan L., De Alton F. and Florence A.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
ROBERT D. THOMPSON was born November 19, 1828 in Morris County, N.J., one of five children born to Aaron and Mary (Dayton) Thompson, native of New Jersey. The Thompson family settled in New Jersey before the Revolutionary war, and during that long and bitter struggle they were active in serving the best interests of the colonies. Aaron Thompson was a farmer, and in 1835 emigrated
to La Grange County with his parents locating in Greenfield Township, where he resided until 1857, when he removed to Lima, which, ever afterard, was hishome. He was a man who commanded the respect and confidence of his neighbors. Robert D. Thompson was fairly educated, and February 18, 1858, was married to Miss Mary Cooper, born in Morris County, N.J., September 2, 1837; to them
have been born five children - Hal S., Stephen C., Mary D., Elizabeth B. and Robert H. Mr. Thompson resided on the farm until the spring of 1865, when he moved to Lima and engaged in the gran and produce trade. He is a Republican and has held various township offices. He is prospering and stands well as a business man and citizen.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
JONATHAN B. UPSON was born in Morris County, N.J., March 13, 1810, one of seven children. His father, Jesse Upson, was a native of Litchfield County, Conn., and descended from an old New England family. He studied medicine, became a physician; served in the war of 1812, and for a number of terms servedhis constituents in the State Legislature of New Jersey. He held the position
of Associate Judge of the circuit Court in the district where he resided; married Mary Dayton, a native of New Jersey, and emigrated to La Grange County in 1838, where he afterward died. He was twice married, his first wife, Ruth Bronson, a native of Connecticut; bearing him three children. Jonathan B. is a son of the second marriage; he was reared on a farm and received a fair
education. In 1835, he came to Indiana, purchased land, returned home, and March 13, 1838, married Phoebe Dayton, who was born in New Jersey, April 5, 1818. After marriage he returned with his wife and his parents, locating in Greenfield Township; after a number of years he moved to Lima. Mr. Upson began life poor, but, with his wife's assistance, has made a comfortable fortune.
Considerable of his real estate he has disposed of, retaining only fifty acres, and is living a quiet and retired life.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
WILLIAM H. WALKER was born in Hocking County, Ohio, August 2, 1827, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Harman) Walker, naties of Yorkshire, England. They were married in Ohio, and removed from there to Elkhart County, Ind., in 1835. After four years, they came to Eden Township, this county, which became their permanent home. The father worked at blacksmithing before coming to this State.
They had a family of nine children. William H., after his father's death, took charge of the farm until 1862, when he came to this township. He was married to Miss Sarah s. Coldren June 1, 1851; she was born in Lima Township May 4, 1832, daughter of Nenniah and Sibel (Newton) Coldren. Mr. Coldren was a native of Pennsylvania, reared in Delaware County, Ohio, and came to this county
in 1828. He was married at White Pigeon, Mich., in 1830, and lived in Lima Township until 1833, when he moved to Eden Township. He was the first Sheriff of this county and was County Commissioner six years. Mr. and Mrs. Walker had seven children - Augusta S., Gertrude L., Charles J., William C. and Edward - living; Florence and Willie - deceased. Augusta S. is married and resides
at Goshen, Ind. Mr. Walker owns 210 acres of good land, and is a Republican.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
MRS. SARAH B. WEST was born in Connecticut Farms, N.J., March 6, 1819. She is the daughter of Stephen and Henrietta (Beach) Thompson, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. In 1836, they came to this county and located at Lima, where they ever after resided. Mr. Thompson was a Presbyterian minister, and a man of education and refinement. He did much for the cause of Christianity,
and was in high repute with all who knew him. He reared a family of five daughters, three of whom are yet living. Mrs. West remained at home until her marriage with MR. Samuel West, March 10, 1839. This gentleman was born in Columbia County, N.Y., in 1802, and came to this county in 1836. He was a farmer and stock-raiser, and was much respected. He died December 26, 1850. In his
family were six children, viz.: Anna, Emma, Stephen T., Sarah, David and Charles. Mrs. West is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a lady who has a large circle of friends.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
SAMUEL P. WILLIAMS is a native of Lebanon, Conn.; a son of Solomon and Martha (Baker) Williams, both of English descent. He was born in 1815, and received a fair education. At the age of seventeen, he went to White Pigeon, Mich., where for four years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He then came to Lima, where for many years he conducted one of the largest general stores ever in the
town. Soon after his appearance there, he purchased 160 acres of land, a portion of which is now Williams' Addition to Lima. From 1848 to 1855 he owned a branch store at McDonough, Ill., but the bulk of his mercantile and general operations was at Lima. Mr. Williams possesses both genius and talent of a high order, and has shown remarkable financial ability. He now owns large banking interests
at some five or six towns in Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana. In 1843, he married to Miss Jane Hume, a native of Delaware County, N.Y., born in 1822. Five children have blessed this union, as follows: Rebecca, now the wife of Rev. Vannuys, of Goshen, Ind.; Mary, wife of S.T. Cooper; Ella, wife of Ira W. Nash, of Goshen; Catharine and Jane. Mr. Williams was at the treaty of Fort
Dearborn (Chicago), in 1833, a delegate to the River and Harbor Convention at Chicago in 1847, served in the Lower House of the State Legislature in 1857, and has also served as delegate to two Republican National Conventions. He contributed largely towrd the building of the Grand Rapids Railroad, assisted in organizing the first bank in the county, founded and conducted a female seminary at
Lima, and has dealt largely in real estate. He has a happy home and a large circle of friends.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township
LEVI WOLF, SR., is of the family of Henry and Charlotte (Rude) Wolf, who were born, reared and married, and who died in Lancaster County, Penn. They were the parents of five sons and three daughters, also born there. Levi was reared a farmer, receiving only such education as the common schools of that day afforded, his birth occurring January 5, 1809. On the 25th of November, 1841, he was united
in marriage with Miss Fanny Zuck, who was born in Erie County, Penn., November 19, 1824. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf lived in Erie County, Penn., until 1860, when they removed to Lima Township, La Grange County, Ind., where they have ever since resided, farming. They have been hard-wrling people, and are among the substntial and well-to-do farmers of Lima Township. Mr. Wolf is a Democrat. He owns 250
acres of land in Lima and Van Buren Townships, besides valuable town property in Lima. He and wife are parents of seven children, all living, namely: Sarah, David, Sophia, Levi, Eliza A., Henrietta and George W.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Lima Township