WILLIAM BAKER is a native of Hackonby, Lincolnshire, England, where he was born in September, 1830. He was one of a family of eight children born to Thomas and Mary (Franks) Baker. Six of these children are yet living. The father was a laborer, and with his large family suffered much from the English land laws. William Baker, in March 1851, boarded the "Ticonderoga", and sailed for New York, where he arrived in twenty-eight days. He worked a short time in Seneca County, N.Y., to get money to continue his journey, and at last reached Milford Township, where his brother was living. He hired out at ditching and other jobs at different places, until 1861 (March), when he married Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas (Crandall) Rude, and in May of the same year purchased a portion of his present farm for $2,000, paying $1,500 down; but did not take possession of his new home until September. He now owns 150 acres of fine land. Himself and wife are parents of seven children - Mary, William, Edward, Daniel, Thomas, Hattie and Eugene. Both parents are members of the Evangelical Church. Mrs. Baker is a native of Tioga County, N.Y., her birth occurring in August, 1834. When she was six weeks old, her parents moved to St. Joseph County, Ind., and soon afterward to DeKalb County, Ind., where they were among the earliest settlers. Mrs. Baker is a worthy woman. Mr. Baker is a Republican, and an excellent citizen.

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



PETER BEACH, the grandfather of John Beach, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He married Miss Hammer, and located on the Genesee Flats, N.Y., to farm. Their eldest child was Nicholas J., the father of John. He was a saddler and a shoemaker. After his marriage with Miss E.J. Fluker, in 1839, he became a farmer. The next year he moved to Wisconsin; but, becoming dissatisfied, he returned East as far as Huron County, Ohio, where he resided until 1848, when ill-health and the family physician admonished him to seek a different climate, whereupon he went to La Grange County, buying forty acres of the land now owned by his son John, paying for the same with his wagon, one horse and the harness. He returned to Ohio and bought of a neighbor there fifty acres adjoining his land in La Grange County, and in 1851 came with his family to his new home. Mr. Beach was an honest, hard-working man, a Democrat and a Second-day Adventist. He died in 1866 and his wife in 1877. Eight of their ten children are yet living. John Beach, the eldest son and third child, was born in Wyoming County, N.Y., February 19, 1841. His education was limited. In October, 1864, he married Elizabeth H. Shipley, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, in April, 1845. Their four children are Ward, Della, Jay and Otto. Mr. Beach is an enterprising and sucessful farmer. He is an Independent, always voting for the man and not the party. He owns a fine farm of 109 acres.

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



ABRAHAM BENDER is one of a family of eleven children; was born in Franklin County, Penn., September 22, 1833, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Etter) Bender, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. When twenty-one years of age, he commenced life on his own responsibility, working out for 50 cents per day. He was married in Pennsylvania, in 1854, to Catharine E. Deahl, and in 1859 he moved to Richland County, Ohio, where he had eighty acrees of land, and began farming. He came to Johnson Township in 1866 and purchased his present farm, at that time only having about thirty acres cleared. The principal improvements now no the place were put there by Mr. Bender. He is one of the progressive men of Johnson Township and is an earnest advocate in the support of educational and industrial enterprises. He is a Democrat, and has held the office of Township Trustee in Johnson Township two years. Mr. and Mrs. Bender are the parents of eight children, as follows: William H., born November 12, 1855, now a merchant of Sturgis, Mich.; George G., born January, 1858, in partnership with William; James A., born May 27, 1860, deceased; Eliza J., born June 24, 1861, deceased; Mary E., born August 12, 1862, deceased; Franklin McC., born July 6, 1864; Anna M., born November 4, 1867; and Charlotte M., born June 19, 1871, deceased. The mother died August 12, 1881. Through all the years of her married life with Mr. Bender she too her share of the burden and was a helpmeet in everything. Mr. Bender owns 116 acres of land on Section 22, where he yet resides.

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



DANIEL W. BOWER. Phillip Bower, father of the subject of this sketch, is a native of Stark County, Ohio, his birth occurring April 11, 114, and he is a son of John and Elizabeth (Raber) Bower. His parents were farmers, and he was reared on a farm, but early learned the carpenter's trade, which has occupied his attention considerably through life. November 15, 1836, he married Mary Yeager, and to them were born eleven children, nine yet living. In May, 1865, the mother died, and in March, 1876, Mr. Bower married his present wife, Mrs. Rebecca (Faulkner), widow of Richard Austin, who bore him four children; three youngest are now living. Mr. Bower and family emigrated to Johnson Township in October, 1842, and were among the early pioneers of this locality. Damiel W. Bower was born April 11, 1842, in Stark County, Ohio, and came with his parents to La Grange County, and this has since been his home. He received but a common education, and September 24, 1861, he was enrolled a member of Company H, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Fort Donelson he was wounded severely, through both thighs, by a musket-ball, from the effects of which he was sent to the hospital at Cincinnati, where he remained until sufficiently recovered, and then came home. He was discharged, July 23, 1862, and February 18, 1864, married Miss Harriet A., daughter of Andrew J. and Isabell S.J. (Kapel) Atwood, old settlers of La Grange County. Mr. Bower subsequently enrolled as member of Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as Sergeant, and was finally discharged August 30, 1865, and in October of that year moved to his present place. He and wife are parents of one daughter, Flora May. Mrs. Bower was born in Livingston County, N.Y., September 6, 1842.

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



DR. F.H. BROUGHTON, physician, son of William and Rebecca (Cooper) Broughton. Subject of this sketch was born in Noble County, Ind., April 20, 1849, and was raised on this father's farm. In February, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and after bravely participating in the engagements of Peach Tree Creek, Buzzard's Roost, Atlanta, and a number of other skirmishes, was discharged in August, of 1865. After the close of the war, Dr. Broughton came home, and for one year engaged in farming. He then attended the schools of Kendallville and Auburn, and in 1868 began the study of medicine under Drs. Teal and Gilbert, of Kendallville. While pursuing his studies under these gentlemen he took the preliminary course of lectures at Detroit, succeeding which he took two full courses of lectures at that institution. The winter of 1873-74, he attended the Medical Department of the State University, at Indianapolis, from which he graduated with honors. After his graduation Dr. Broughton practiced his profession in Allen County a short time, after which he formed a partnership with Dr. Dancer, at South Milford. In February, 1878, he removed to Wolcottville, where he has since resided. Dr. Broughton is one of the best read physicians in the county, and one of the most successful practitioners. He has a good practice and the esteem of his neighbors. He was married December 24, 1876, to Abigail Call, daughter of Joseph Call, of Milford Township. When he entered the army, at fourteen years old, he only had 5 cents.

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



ZOPHER CASE was born November 2, 1816, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and is a son of Zopher and Annie (Randle) Case. He is a grandson of Capt. Charles Case, a native of Connecticut, and a member of the company that formed Washington's Body Guard in the Revolutionary war. Capt. Case left his native State in 1798, and came to Warren, Ohio. Zopher Case, Sr., was born in Connecticut, and during the war of 1812, enlisted and served with distinction as Major in Col. Hayes's regiment. He died in Ohio, and the spring of 1833 the widow and family emigrated to Sturgis, Mich. The spring of 1836, the subject of this sketch and four others came to the neighborhood where Mr. Case now lives, and entered land. Mr. Case erected a cabin just across the line in Milford Township, and then returned to Michigan for his mother and the rest of the family. The same year they located on their land. Mr. Case's is among the best farms in Johnson Township. Mrs. Case, his mother, died in April 1870. Subject is of a limited education. He married Nancy Highbargin, in 1838, and to them were born five sons and five daughers - Leander, Leroy, Clinton, Orin, George, Lenora, Alice, Mary, Clara, and one that died in infancy. The mother died in 1866, and in 1868 Mr. Case married Annie Smith, who has borne him four children - Riley, Guy, Zopher and Gaylord. Mr. Case is a representative of the self-made men. He began with nothing, at the age of twelve, working for $3.00 per month. By labor and economy, he has acquired one of the largest and finest stock farms in the county, and at present owns 800 acres, having given the remainder to his children. He is an enterprising citizen, a Democrat, and a member of the Masonic fraternity of Wolcottville.

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



J.A. CUTLER was born in Worchester County, Mass., August 14, 1831. J.H. Cutler was his father. His mother's maiden name was Reed. His father was a carpenter and joiner and one of the early settlers of Steuben County, Ind., where he is yet living a retired life. When the subject of this biography was seven years old, his mother died, and up to the age of seventeen he lived with his father. He received a common-school education. The fall of 1831, his father and family emigrated to Steuben County, Ind., where they were among the first settlers. Mr. Cutler worked at chair-making a number of years, but carpentering was his chief employment. J.A. Cutler learned the carpenter's trade in Ohio in 1848; after which he went West and engaged in boat building. In 1851, he returned to Indiana. He was at a boat explosion near Peoria. He located in Orange Township, Noble County, and worked at his trade a number of years. He lived in Rome City seven years and, in connection with his trade there, worked at the mill business. He has since lived in the neighborhood of Wolcottville. He, at one time, was engaged in wagon and carriage making. The spring of 1880, he was engaged by the Monumental Bronze Company as their agent in La Grange and Noble Counties. Mr. Cutler was married, in 1852, to Mary J. Lee, and to them have been born six children, three only of whom are living, and they are the only living male descendants of the old family of Cutlers. Mr. Cutler is a Republican, a member of the I.O.O.F. and for the past fifteen years has been a worker of the M.E. Church, of which he and wife are members.

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



B.J. DICKINSON, the subject of this sketch was born in Livingston County, N.Y., March 13, 1819. His father, Ichabod Dickinson, was a native of New York and his mother, Mercy Tripp, was a native of Rhose Island. They were the parents of five sons and five daughters, only one son, our subject, and one daughter, Eliza, of whom are yet living. The father was a farmer and he and wife were honest and respected. B.J. Dickinson was reared a farmer and received but a limited education. Having a brother who came to Johnson Township, La Grange County, Ind., in 1836, he determined to go there and make a home. After his arrival he engaged in farming, which he has since followed. In about 1842, he married his brother's widow, Mrs. Louisa (Perkins)Dickinson and to them were born five children - William F., Henry, George, Emma, and Artemas F. Of these, all are living and all are married except Artemas. Mrs. Dickinson had one daughter by her first marriage, Georgie Anna, who is yet living. Mr. Dickinson is a farmer by occupation, owns eighty acres of well improved land, is a Republican and an enterprising citizen, favoring the advancement of all laudable public enterprises. Mrs. Dickinson was born in Livingston County, N.Y., September 10, 1818. She married her first husband, George Dickinson, September 11, 1836.

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



F.W. DRAGGOO was born in March 22, 1809, in Mercer County, Penn. His father, Frederick Draggoo, was a native of Virginia and of French descent. His mother, Martha (Angel)Draggoo, was of Irish-English descent and a native of Pennsylvania. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812 and a farmer. He and wife were the parents of thirteen children, of whom our subject is the oldest living. F.W. Draggoo received but a limited educaton, was reared a farmer and when seven year of age came with his parents to Richland County, Ohio, who were among the early settlers of that country. His parents died here. December 2, 1830, F.W. Draggoo and Ann Mitchell were married. At one time, he had considerable property, but was of a generous disposition and was induced to go security in money matters, which resulted in his failure. In 1846, he emigrated to his present place in Johnson Township, then all woods, and again commenced to make a home in a new country. He and wife endured many hardships. Mr. Draggoo came to the county a poor man and now he is comparatively wealthy. He now owns 123 acres of well improved land. He and wife are the parents of eight children - William M., John A., Randle M., George W., Ellen, Frederick, Rosena B. and Sarah A. Six died of consumption, John and Randle surviving. The former married Maria Weatherwax and the latter Melissa Free. Both are living in Johnson Township and both have families. The Draggoos are among Johnson's best citizens.

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



JOSEPH A. DRAKE was born in Wood County, Ohio, September 4, 1845, and reared on a farm. His father, Joseph Drake, was a native of Pennsylvania, as was also his mother, Mary (Sweny) Drake. They moved to Wood County at a very early period, and Mr. Drake was one of those who assisted in the construction of the old Ohio Canal. He was a class-leader in the Methodist Church over twenty-nine years. His eife died in 1847, and he in 1862. May 2, 1864, our subject enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged in August the same year. He went to Indianapolis in November, 1864, in the employ of the Government, and remained there about two years; from there he went to Fosteria, Ohio, and commenced retailing medicine for Dr. Chance. Having received considerable experience in this business, he commenced studying, and by diligent sutdy he was enabled to invent several first-class remedies; some of his leading remedies are, "The World's Benefactor", the "Blood and Liver Tonic", "Drake's Ague Drops", etc. The real value of these medicines is undoubted. Mr. Drake was married August 22, 1867, to Miss Severnia E. Turner, who was born in Ohio April 15, 1848. This lady moved to Seneca County, Ohio, with her parents, when four years old, and from there to Hancock County. At the time of her marriage with Mr. Drake, she was one of the leading milliners of Fostoria. By their union have been born two daughters - Mary A. and Emma E. Mr. Drake is a Republican and a member of the Knights of Honor of La Grange. Both are members of the Medthodist Church of Valentive, near which village they reside on their farm.

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



M.W. DUNTEN, Superintendent of the County Poor Farm, was born March 6, 1842, in Allen County, Ind., son of F.H. and Sophia (Crook) Dunten, who were from Jefferson County, N.Y. The Duntens are of English descent and trace their genealogy back to two brothers who came to America at an early period; one was a sea captain, the other settled in Boston and engaged in mercantile pursuits. As a class, they are farmers, but a few have deviated from this course. The father of our subject came to Allen County, Ind., in 1831, and ten years afterward returned to New York and married our subject's mother; he then came back to Allen County, where he farmed and kept hotel in Fort Wayne a number of years. In 1845, he came to Ontario, this county, where he was for some time in the hotel business; before the war he sold his hotel and farmed near La Grange unitl 1868, when he moved to Johnson Township. Morris W. Dunten was reared a farmer and received a good common-school education. In 1862, he enlisted in Company G, Eighty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until he was taken sick and was honorably discharged, June 21, 1863, then came home and began teaching school. On the 15th of July, 1871, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Ayars, and to themhas been born one daughter - Linnie G. Mrs. Dunten was born in Sanilac County, Mich., in 1851. Mr. Dunten was appointed Superintendent of the County Poor Farm in March. 1874, and has since continued in that capacity, giving excellent satisfaction. Mr. Dunten is an Independent, voting in all cases for the man and not the party. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. of La Grange, and an intelligent, enterprising citizen.

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



JOSEPH ESHELMAN, deceased, was born June 10, 1809, near Harrisburg, Penn.; he was a son of Henry and Jane (Brady) Eshelman, who were natives of Germany and Scotland; they came to the United States when young and were married here. The husband was born in 1789, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and a farmer; he died in 1854. The wife was born in 1785 and died in 1829. Joseph Eshelman, deceased, was a farmer, and had but an ordinary education. In Pennsylvania, in March, 1832, he married Mary Erford, who was born March 6, 1815. After their marriage, they lived in Stark County, Ohio, and Summit County, Ohio, for a time, and are now at Johnson Township, La Grange County. Mr. Eshelman came to the county in 1849, and purchased eighty acres of land where his son Levi now lives. He died December 11, 1879; was a member of the Evangelical Church. His widow still survives him and resides in Johnson Township. They were the parents of thirteen children, only eight of whom are now living. Levi Eshelman was the eldest, born in Stark County, Ohio, August 22, 1838; he received but a limited education, and came with his parents to Indiana, in 1850. He assisted in clearing his father's place, and was married in 1861 to Nancy A. Newman, daughter of Asbury Newman. For seven years after his marriage Levi farmed in Orange Township, Noble County. In March 170, he came to his present place. He is a Republican, owns 200 acres of good land, and he and wife are the parents of six children, and members of the Evangelical Church. Their children's names are John J., George F., Leroy L., Mary E., Henry e. and Harvey G.

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



WILLIAM GEISER was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, October 25, 1825, and is the youngest of eleven children born to William and Ann Mariah (Rush) Geiser. Mr. and Mrs. Geiser also determined to cross the Atlantic. Accordingly, in 1838, they emigrated to Richland County, Ohio, where Mr. Geiser began working at his trade - shoemaking. In 1844, Mrs. Geiser died, and on the 30th of October, 1850, our subject was united in marriage with Sophia Smith. He resided in Ohio a number of years succeeding his marriage, working at shoemaking. Mr. Geiser and family, together with his father, emigrated to Johnson Township, October, 1854, where he has since resided. He purchased eighty acres of land on Section 22, and moving his family into a cabin, began working at his trade, and clearing and improving his land. He and wife are the parents of eleven children - Louisa, Mary S., Henry F., Lelie, Charles W., Etta, John M., Iva, Ellen, and Frank and George deceased. The two oldest daughters are married. Mr. Geiser started out in life a poor boy, but by hard work and economy has been reasonably successful in the acquirements of this world's goods. He has never been identified with any political par. He has held the position of Trustee of Johnson Township twelve years. Mr. Geiser is an active worker in the advancement of education, and an enterprising man. His father died in 1864.

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



NATHAN K. GREEN is a native of Addison County, Vt., was born in February, 1820; his parents being Truman and Polly (Kinsley) Green. He is one of a family of twelve children, but four of whom are now living. The Greens are of Celtic, and the Kinsleys of Scottish descent. The father served two years as a substitute in the war of 1812. He emigrated to Jefferson County, N.Y., in 1821, and to Sandusky County, Ohio, in 1834. In about 1842, he moved to Ottawa County, Ohio, and in 1856 to St. Joseph County, Mich., near Burr Oak. Some eight or nine years later he came to La Grange County. At the end of three years, he returned to Ottawa County, Ohio, where his wife died. In 1877, he came back to Johnson Township, but went to Ohio soon after, and the the following year came back to Johnson Township, and reside until his death, in September, 1879. When Nathan K. Green was fifteen years old, he fired to a farmer in Huron County, Ohio, and afterward to one in Erie County, same State. In March, 1841, he married Miss Mary Thomas. This lady bore her husband six children - William, John, George, Mary, Champ and Sarah - William and Mary being dead. Mrs. Green died in February, 1870. The family moved to La Grange County, in 1843, settling first in Lima Township, but in June, 1847, removing to Johnson Township. Here he has since resided, having built a comfortable home. He got his start working by the day. He now owns ninety acres of good land. His second and present wife is Maria, daughter of Daniel Martin, and widow of John Stoner, who at his death, left two children - Arthur and Andrew E. They were married in June, 1871, and by this union have one son - Nathan Clair. Mrs. Green was born in New Jersey February, 1836, and is a Free-Will Baptist. Mr. Green is a Republican, and has held various official positions in the township.

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



WILLIAM HEALEY is a native of Albion Isle, his birth occurring in Bulby, Lincolnshire, in March, 1828. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Holton) Healey, to whom was born a family of eleven childre, five of whom are yet living. Joseph Healey was a poor but industrious man, and owing to the peculiar laws of England could not give his children even a common-school education. William grew to manhood, and in July, 1849, married Jane, daughter of William and Elizabeth Hubbard. One daughter born to them in England. They boarded the sailing ship "Continent", and at the end of six weeks were landed in New York. They reached Lima, La Grange Co., in July, 1851, almost destitute of everything to make life comfortable. They entered a small cabin north of the village, using two saw-horses with boards for a bed, a meat bench for a table, and boxes, trunks, stools, etc. for chairs. They labored hard, saved and suffered, living in Lima Township some eight years - a portion of the time on a farm. By 1860 they had saved enough to buy a forty-acre farm, and have since added eighty more. They have nine children - Ann, William, Elizabeth, Jane, Joseph, Edward (deceased), George, John and Clayton, four of whom are married, one living in La Grange County, two in Noble County, and one in Minnesota. Mr. Healey is a member of the Lutheran Church, is a Republican, and a good citizen.

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



D. LIVERGOOD is a son of Jacob Livergood, who was born in Philadelphia, Penn., October 31, 1791. Jacob Livergood was a house-joiner and carpenter, but made farming his principal occupation. He married Rachel Buffington, 1818, in Chester County, Penn., and they moved to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1821, then to DeKalb County, Ind., in 1847, and lived there until their death. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father died March 25, 1855. The mother was born in Chester County, Penn., July 23, 1796, and died November 7, 1856. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are living. Jacob L. served in the war of 182. Davis Livergood was born in Perry Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, June 12, 1828. At the age of seventeen, he went to Guernsey County, Ohio, where he learned the tanner's trade. In 1849, he came to Auburn, DeKalb County, Ind., and in spring of 1850 established himself at this trade. In 1851, he came to La Grange, and engaged at tanning, in connection with a harness and shoe shop, until 1857, when he sold all his interest and removed to Johnson Township. He first purchased sixty-five acres of land, on which Jacob Mills now resides. He sold that in 1865, and in 1866 moved to his present place, which now comprises 160 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Livergood was married February 9, 1852, to Editha Stevens, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Wilson, and widow of John Stevens. By this marriage were born four children - Mary N., deceased; Lycurgus, a hardware merchant of La Grange; Alice E. and Maggie E. Mrs. Livergood by her first husband, had two children - Thomas and Minerva. The former served his country in suppressing the rebellion, and died at Cairo, Ill., from disease contracted while in the service. The daughter is the wife of T.H. Sefton, a partner of Lycurgus Livergood, at La Grange. The mother was born in 1824, in Wayne County, Ohio. Mr. Livergood is a Republican, and a member of the I.O.O.F. of La Grange, also a member of La Grange Encampment.

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



Deb Murray