"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

R.B. MINTON was born in Henry County, Ky., August 24, 1849, and is the son of William T. and Armenia Minton. The former was born in Kentucky in 1812, the latter in Indiana in 1822. They were married in Bartholomew County, Ind., in 1838, and in 1847 moved to Henry County, Ky., and thence, two years later, to Fulton County, Ind., where the father died in 1859. His widow married W.W. Mahler and still resides in Fulton County. Her children are seven in number - John G., Mary C., Reuben B., William, Harriet and Emma, by her first husband, and Edwin by her second husband. Reuben B. Minton was married, April 21, 1873, to Sarah J. Murray, who was born in Berrien County, Mich., March 31, 1854, and has given birth to three children - Lillie, Anna B. and Pearl. In 1880, Mr. Minton bought a farm in Harrison Township, this county, on which he resides until April, 1882, when he sold and purchased the 150 acres of Section 7, where he now lives.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

GEORGE W. MULL was born in Rush County, Ind., March 10, 1834, and is a son of George and Mary Mull, both natives of Virginia, the father having been born in Loudoun County in April, 1799. The father moved with his parents to Ohio in 1820, and was there married in 1823 to Mary Ball, and subsequently came to Rush County, this State, being one of the earliest settlers. He and wife are still living in retirement on the old homestead. Their children were eight in number - Sarah, Mary, William, infant son (deceased), Henry, George W., Catherine and Margaret. August 28, 1859, George W. Mull was married, in Rush County, to Sarah J., daughter of Jeremiah and Drusilla Willey. She was born in Butler County, Ohio, September 6, 1841, and in 1847 was brought to Rush County by her parents, the latter still residing there. She was one of the seven children following: Henry, Elizabeth, Sarah J., Charlotte, Huldah, Amanda, and a deceased infant. In September, 1859, Mr. Mull came to Pulaski County, and settled on his farm of 485 acres in this township. He has had born to him a family of four children - James W. (deceased), Cyrus W., Lucinda A. and Lavantia A.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

WESLEY NOLAND was born n Montgomery County, Ohio, August 25, 1833, and is a son of Wesley and Martha Noland, natives of Virginia. The mother died in Shelby County, Ohio, in the spring of 1847. The father moved to White County, Ind., re-married, and four years later moved to Madison County, where his second wife died. He then returned to Shelby County, where he died in 1867. His children were named as follows: Catherine, James, Damas, William, Mary, Philip, Drusilla, Sarah A., John W. and Wesley. At about his nineteenth year, Wesley Noland went to California, where he mined two years, and then returned to Cass County, Ind., where he purchased a farm. He was married, December 25, 1853, to Sarah J. Korner, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, April 28, 1837. In 1857, he sold his farm and purchased the one on which he now lives in this township. Mrs. Noland died July 25, 1865, and August 5, 1867, he married Susannah Counts, a native of Shelby County, Ohio. Mr. Noland is a Mason, and has held the office of Township Assessor for several years. His children are as follows: William A., John W., James F., Philip D. and Elizabeth D., by his first wife, and Milton (deceased), by his second wife.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

DR. JOHN W. NOLAND was born in Cass County, Ind., January 31, 1856, ad is the son of Wesley ad Sarah J. Noland. He attended the schools of his district until the fall of 1874, when he entered the North Salem College of Shelby County, Oho, where he took a full course of study, ending in the fall of 1876. He then engaged in teaching school, and in studying medicine under Dr. Allen Hussey. In the spring of 1877, he entered the Medical Department of the Northern Indiana college at Valparaiso, and thence he went to Jackson Centre, Ohio, where he had charge of a high school for two years, at the same time reading medicine under Dr. John M. Carter. He next came to Star City and took charge of the graded school, reading medicine under Dr. Pattison, of Winamac, meanwhile. He next returned to Valparaiso, took a preparatory course in the medical department, and then came back to Star City, again taking charge of the school. In February, 1882, he entered the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, taking a complete course, and receiving his diploma June 28, 1882, and also three honorary diplomas. Since then he has been a practitioner at Star City, and has met with pronounced success.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

WILLIAM OSBORN was born in Hampshire County, Va., October 6, 1821, and is the son of J. and Elizabeth Osborn, who were natives respectively of New Jersey and Virginia, were both twice married in Marion County, Ohio, February 11, 1844, to Rebecca Dilts, who was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, December 16, 1827, and is the daughter of Daniel and Martha Dilts, natives of New Jersey. In 1859, Mr. Osborn came to White County, this State, where he remained six years, and then came to Rosedale, this township, where he yet lives, and where he has been engaged in milling since 1876. He has had born to him nine children, viz., Emily (deceased), Charles, William, C.H., Rebecca, Elizabeth, Erastus (deceased), and two infants who died unnamed. Mr. Osborn is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is an Odd Fellow, and has been a Justice of the Peace at Rosedale for eight years.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

P.P. PHILLIPS was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, April 28, 1830, and is a son of Ralph and Jane Phillips. The father was born in Hunterdon County, N.J., in 1806, and about 1826 moved to Coshocton County, Ohio. In 1828, he married Jane Lemasters, who was born in Virginia in 1810. He died September 13, 1859, leaving the following named children: Philemon P., Elijah H., Ralph, David, Theophilus, Simeon, Francina, Rebecca J. and Drusilla. P.P. Phillips was married in Coshocton County, Ohio, March 25, 1852, to Hannah Leighninger, who was born in the same place February 23, 1830, and is the daughter of George and Mary Leighninger. In 1872, he came to this township, and bought the farm of 380 acres on which he now lives. His children are eight in number - Theodore, Mary J., Winfield S., Ralph A., Fremont C., Alice, Effie and Philemon.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

PETER SKILLEN was born in Shelby County, Ohio, April 10, 1832, and is the son of Benjamin and Catharine (Hartman) Skillen, who were born in Pennsylvania, but who moved to Shelby County, Ohio, when quite young, and were there married. About the year 1842, they came to this county, and here the father died, the mother still surviving him. Their children were the following: Mary, James, Peter, Eva J., Sarah, Elizabeth, Lettie J., Jonathan, and two not named. Peter Skillen was married November 20, 1853, to Maria Badger, who was born in Marion County, Ohio, September 15, 1833. He then moved on a farm in this township, which had been given to him by his father. In March, 1874, he purchased and moved upon his present farm. There have been born to him ten children, as follows: Mary J. (deceased), Benjamin R., Helen C. (deceased), Sarah M., Mary C., Daniel A., William (deceased), Lettie E., Avilla M. and William W.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

DARIUS SOUTH was born in Clermont County, Ohio, June 15, 1832, and is one of the eleven children born to Benjamin and Catherine South, natives of Kentucky, who early settled in the county named, where they were married, and were they both passed the remainder of their lives. They were of English and Irish descent, and their children were named as follows: William, Rosanna, Isaac, Sarah, Martha, James, Richard, Hannah, Darius, Zedekiah and Benjamin. Darius South began the carpenter’s trade in his eighteenth year, which trade he followed successfully for more than eighteen years. He was married, November 13, 1852, to Elizabeth Warman, who was born in New Jersey October 2, 1829. In the fall of 1868, he moved to Pulaski County, settling first at Star City, where he opened a store, and about three years after moved to Rosedale, where he opened another store, which he is still successfully conducting. Mr. South is a member of the I.O.O.F., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His children are two in number, and are named Truman C. and Charlie.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

W.S. STALNAKER was born at Logansport, Cass County, Ind., May 15, 1847, and is one of the ten children born to Eli an Malinda Stalnaker, natives respectively of Virginia and Indiana. These parents were married in Cass County, Ind., where the mother died February 3, 1863. The father was thrice married, and became the parent of fifteen children, W.S. Stalnaker being one of the ten born from the first wife. In October, 1863, W.S. Stalnaker enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until 1864; he then re-enlisted, joining Company B, One Hundred and Forty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until July 18, 1865, when he was discharged at Louisville, Ky. Returning to Logansport, he married, February 3, 1877, Alice Fink, who was born in Cass County May 10, 1848, and is the daughter of Jacob Fink. The following fall Mr. Stalnaker moved to Star City, where he engaged in carpentering until October, 1882, when he opened a general store, in which he has met with abundant success. His only child is named Guy H.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

I.L. WASHBURN was born in this county April 17, 1842, and is the son of Moses L. Washburn, of Indian Creek Township. He was married in Cass County, Ind., February 2, 1862, to Mary E. McCombs, who was born in that county December 13, 1844, and is the daughter of John and Alice McCombs. Mr. Washburn engaged in farming in Cass County until March, 1865, when he moved to this township; in 1867, he purchased a farm on Section 4 and 5, which he resided on and improved until March, 1880, when he sold and moved to Star City, where, in the fall of 1882, he entered into the hotel business, which he is still engaged in, with profit to himself and to the satisfaction of the public. He has had born to him five children - Susannah, Rachel A., John E., Martha A. and Francis M. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., has held the office of Assessor two years, was a school-teacher for four terms, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

E.W. WELCH was born in Perry County, Penn., January 13, 1833. His father, Edward Welch, was born in the same State February 29, 1802. He learned to be a miller, and was married, in Perry County, Penn., about the year 1826, to Miss Fannie Hicks, who bore him one son - John H. - and died shortly after. The following year, he married Miss Isabel Dunken, who gave birth to nine children - James F., Edward W., Isabel, Ann M., Matilda, Watson D., George W., Ephraim A. and William A. About 1836, the family moved to Miami County, Ohio; nine years later, they went to Shelby County; in January, 1852, they moved to Cass County, Ind., where Mrs. Welch died June 11, 1868, and Mr. Welch August 24, 1876. E.W. Welch was married in Cass County, Ind., August 4, 1853, to Charlotte Demoss, who was born in Cass County, January 7, 1835, and who died September 11, 1854. August 1, 1858, Mr. Welch married Hester A. Demoss, who was born in Cass county, November 23, 1839, and is the daughter of Peter J. and Lovina Demoss, and sister of his first wife. In April, 1866, Mr. Welch purchased eighty acres of land on Section No. 7, this township, and at once moved thereon, and has since made it his home. His eleven children were as follows: Laura A., Amanda C., Martha J., Emma M., Theresa B., Ida F., John F., and infant son (deceased), William A., Eddie L. and Cora. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the Seventh-Day Advent Church.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

HENRY WILDERMUTH was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 25, 1820, and he is one of five children born to Abraham and Elizabeth Wildermuth, natives of Pennsylvania. From Ohio the family came to Pulaski County in about 1844, where the father shortly after died - the mother surviving him until 1880. They were the parents of the following children: Henry, Lydia, John, George and Leah. Henry Wildermuth was married in Fairfield County, Ohio, June 29, 1843, to Elizabeth Wisley; in the fall, he moved to Cass County, Ind., and about a year later came to this county, and entered the farm of 120 acres, on which he still lives. May 7, 1848, his wife died, and the following fall he returned to Fairfield County, Ohio, and December 29, 1848, married Barbara Brown, who was born in Germany December 28, 1830. In the following spring, he came back to this township. He is the father of twelve children, viz.: Joseph, Louisa, and an infant son, deceased, by his first wife; Elias, John R., Thomas F., Loretta, Minerva J., Oliver P., George W., Elizabeth H. and Lewis, by his second wife.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

JESSE M. WOLTZ was born at Lancaster, Ohio, September 23, 1834, and is the son of Jesse and Elizabeth Woltz, natives of Maryland. The father was born in 1791, and the mother in 1799, and they were married in Lancaster, at which place, also, the father died, the widow subsequently marrying Isaac Hollenback, with whom she came to this county. She had borne her first husband ten children - Mary M., James M., Margaret, Josephine M., Olive M., Amanda M., Henrietta M., Louisa M., Jesse M. and Emeline V. In 1853, Jesse M. Woltz, who had come to this county with his mother and step-father, returned to Lancaster, and served an apprenticeship of three years at saddle-making; he next went to Hocking County, Ohio, thence to Lancaster County, Penn., where he engaged in mercantile business, and in 1859 came back to Pulaski County. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged in September. He then re-enlisted and served until the close of the war. He was married in this county, November 1, 1869, to Miss Sarah A. Whitcum, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, September 11, 1843, and to this union one child, Jesse J., was born August 29, 1870. In 1870, he moved to Fulton County, but returned, and in 1878 settled on his present farm of ninety-six acres. He owns besides valuable town property at Monticello, White County.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

JEREMIAH ALLEN was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, May 9, 1809, and is one of the twelve children born to Jeremiah and Rebecca (Watson) Allen. Of the twelve, Sylvanus, Jeremiah, Sarah, John, Mary and William only survive. The father, a native of Virginia, was a soldier in the war of 1812; he was a farmer, and died in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1872, at the age of eighty-one years. Jeremiah Allen farmed about five years in Montgomery County, Ohio, one year in Miami County, and five years in Shelby County. He came to this township in 1844, and has lived on his present place ever since. He was married, May 21, 1829, to Hannah Brelsford, who gave birth to eleven children - Isaac, Alvina, Mary, Lawson, Sylvanus, Sarah, Wilson, Samuel, Rebecca, William and Romelia. Isaac, Alvina and Sarah are dead. It will be seen that Mr. Allen was among the earliest settlers of the township. His farm comprises 145 acres, and is situated about one mile and a quarter northeast of Monterey. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and is universally respected.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Tippecanoe Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

SAMUEL C. ALLEN was born in this township April 13, 1846, and is one of the eleven children - six boys and five girls - born to Jeremiah and Hannah (Brelsford) Allen. At the age of twenty-four, Samuel went to Plymouth, Ind., where he lived about six years, then moved three miles north, having purchased a farm of 120 acres, and there lived about two and a half years. In 1880, he returned to Monterey, resided about a year in town, and then moved upon his present place, one mile west, comprising 157 acres. He was married, March 23, 1869, to Alma Wiseman, at Plymouth; she has borne him four sons and two daughters, viz.: Mettie, Hettie, Lawson (deceased), Dow, Jerry and Sample. Mr. Allen gives his chief attention to raising wheat, corn and clover, and also stock-raising. He owns, besides his homestead, twenty acres of timber land in Fulton County. He is a trustworthy citizen, and is a member of the Methodist Church.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Tippecanoe Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

WILLIAM ALLEN was born in Tippecanoe Township, Pulaski Co., Ind., May 26, 1852, and is one of the eleven children of Jeremiah and Hannah (Brelsford) Allen. William worked on the home farm until he was eighteen years old, when he began teaching school; at the conclusion of his first term, he attended the Plymouth (Ind.) High School, the school at Monterey, Winamac, Star City, and the Northern Indiana Normal School. He gave such satisfaction as teacher that he was employed in one school for twelve consecutive terms. He owns a farm of 104 acres one mile and a half northeast of Monterey, and is chiefly employed in stock-raising for the Chicago market. In June, 1882, he went into partnership with B.F. Hay, and the firm have a commodious building in which they carry on cabinet-making, undertaking, and dealing in furniture, and carry a stock valued at $4,000. This is the only establishment of the kind in the town, and it is contemplated to add agricultural implements to the stock in trade.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Tippecanoe Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

JACOB BAUER was born in Germany April 4, 1822, the only child of Jacob and Mary (Lisburer) Bauer. The father was born in Germany in 1793; was a farmer all his life, and died at his birthplace in 1864 or 1865. The subject of this sketch came to America in 1854, landing at New Orleans. From that port he came almost directly to Union County, this State, where he remained thirteen years. He next moved to Fayette County, where he resided two years, and in 1869 came to this township. He was married, February 4, 1845, to Elizabeth Sand, who has given birth to five children, three boys and two girls, named George, Rosa, Matthias, John and Mary. Of there, Rosa alone is deceased. Mr. Bauer now lives one mile west of Monterey. He owns a fine farm of ninety acres (ten acres of timber land being in Fulton County), improved with a fine dwelling and capacious stables. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and is a worthy citizen.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Tippecanoe Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

CHARLES BECKER was born in this county February 16, 1849, and is one of the ten children born to John and Elizabeth (Feller) Becker, - John, Elizabeth (both deceased), Charles, Joseph, John (second), Mary, Peter (deceased), Frank, Rosa and Elizabeth (second). Charles was married December 25, 1881, to Christina Seltz, who has borne him one child, named Aggie. Mr. Becker devotes himself chiefly to the raising of corn and wheat, and to the rearing of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. He owns a fine farm of eighty acres three miles northwest of Monterey, on which he has a comfortable house, and commodious and substantial stables. He is an industrious and thriving farmer, and a member of the Catholic Church.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Tippecanoe Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

JOHN BECKER was born in this township September 20, 1852, and is one of the ten children of six boys and four girls, born to John and Elizabeth (Feller) Becker. The father was born in France in 1817, and was a weaver. He came to America in 1835, lived four years in Ohio, entered land in this State, worked another year in Oho, and then returned to France. He came back in 1841, and farmed till his death, in Monterey, in 1870. John Becker was married November 24, 1877, to Nancy Florin, who has borne him two children - Franklin and Leander. Mr. Becker pays especial attention to the raising of wheat and clover, and also rears some live stock. He lives two and one-quarter miles west of Monterey, on his fertile farm of eighty acres, upon which he has erected a beautiful frame dwelling and comfortable stables. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and is a trustworthy citizen.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Tippecanoe Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

J. GEORGE BITTERLING was born in Bohemia, a province of Austria, March 13, 1830, and is the only living child of three born to Johannes and Margaret (Fuchs) Bitterling. The father was also a native of Bohemia, and was born in 1799. He was a farmer and a shoe-maker, and died in 1834. In 1853, our subject came to America, landing at Baltimore. After living in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri, the war broke out, and in 1861 he enlisted in the Second Illinois Light Artillery. He was in the service about four years and four months, taking part in the battle at Pea Ridge (where he was taken prisoner and confined for seven weeks at Van Buren, Ark.), Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, campaign through Georgia, etc. In 1866, he came to this township, and October 13, 1866, he married Elizabeth Hoesel. Mr. Bitterling had worked at weaving before coming to America, and was a master of his calling, weaving the finest broadcloth, dress goods and broche shawls, and working in the factories of the largest cities in Germany. In this country he has followed farming chiefly. He owns 200 acres of land four and a half miles southwest of Monterey (forty acres being three-quarters of a mile southeast of his home), and has cleared up about one hundred acres. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and a thriving and intelligent husbandman.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Tippecanoe Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

JOSEPH P. BOLINER was born in Rockingham County, W. Va., and is one of the seven children of James and Ann Boliner, viz., Peter (deceased), Patrick, Joseph, Isabel, Ann, James and Mary (the last three deceased). The father was born in West Virginia; was a farmer and a carpenter, and died in Fulton County, Ind., in 1849. When Joseph P. was very young, he was taken by his father to Huron County, Ohio, where he passed several years; thence he was brought to this State, and after living in LaGrange, Noble, Fulton and Marshall Counties for a long time, Joseph came to this county in 1873, and Monterey, with the exception of four years passed in Marshall County, has ever since been his home. He was married, May 4, 1871, to Elizabeth Florin, who has borne him four children - Edward, Mark, Oscar and Leo. Mr. Boliner is a farmer, and also a carpenter. He began working at the latter business twenty years ago, and still pursues it in connection with millwrighting. He is a member of the Catholic Church; is a skillful workman, and a respected citizen.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Tippecanoe Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883

KASPAR BRUCKER was born in Baden, Germany, January 6, 1828, and is one of seven children born to Celestin and Crescina (Deckerd) Brucker, the living being named Kaspar, Sylvester and Mary. The father was born in Baden in 1776; he was a carpenter, but paid some attention to farming. He was a German regular, and was with Bonaparte at the burning of Moscow, and at the battle of Waterloo. In 1836, he came to America, and died in Ohio in 1861. Kaspar Brucker came to this country with his father, and settled in Seneca County, Ohio, where he lived for thirty years, farming most of the time. In 1866, he came to this county and purchased a farm of 160 acres three miles west of Monterey, on which he has ever since resided. He was married, October 20, 1850, to Mary Slecht, who was born September 14, 1833, and who has given birth to ten boys and five girls. Mr. Brucker is the owner of a fine farm of 220 acres. He pays particular attention to the raising of wheat, corn and clover, and to the rearing of live stock. Both he and wife are members of the Catholic Church.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Tippecanoe Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883