Benjamin Oppenheim was born in Detroit, September 22, 1863, a son of Jacob and Pauline (Goldman) Oppenheim. In 1875 the family moved to North Manchester, and here Jacob Oppenheim opened a dry goods' store and before his death, which occurred eight years later, had placed the business on a sound foundation. Jacob Oppenheim was a good business man and was esteemed for his excellent citizenship as well. In politics a democrat and a public spirited citizen of his community, he lived quietly and was never in public affairs. In his death on October 1, 1893, the community of North Manchester and the entire county lost a valued business man and an able citizen. His widow passed away on Easter Sunday of 1913. Their six children were: Benjamin, Anna, Isaac, Fanny, Ida and Etta.

Benjamin Oppenheim spent the first twelve years of his life in Detroit, where he attended the public schools, and continued his education at North Manchester for a time. He was still a boy when he entered his father's store and his experience acquainted him with every detail of dry goods merchandising. Though only twenty years of age at the time of his father's death, he was well qualified for managing the business, and has since continued its active head. In later years a younger brother, Isaac, was admitted to partnership, and the brothers are now sole owners of the establishment.

In June, 1892, Mr. Oppenheim married Nettie Kohn, a daughter of Marx Kohn of Wabash. They have one son, Gene J., now a student in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

He married Esther Jenkins, and both he and his wife were natives of Darke county, Ohio. After coming to Wabash county, Mr. Jones farmed until about the close of the Civil war, when he turned his attention to the manufacture of lumber, having previously in connection with farming, operated a "muley" sawmill, on the Somerset Pike. From 1865 to 1868 he had a circular sawmill, one of the first in the county. In 1868, he started a hub and spoke factory in Wabash, but later, in partnership with Eli Hutchins and W. D. Jones, converted this into a concern for the manufacture of a cheap grade of furniture for which there was at that time a large demand.

Mr. Jones was uniformly successful, but success was attained only through discouraging circumstances at times, hard work and sound business judgment. Few men have left a better impress for good upon the minds of the people than Mark Jones. He died February 5, 1877, when fifty-two years of age. To this marriage four sons and three daughters were born.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

A son of Mark Jones, whose career is briefly sketched in preceding paragraphs, William Preston Jones was born on his father's farm, three miles southwest of Wabash, November 25, 1849. When a baby he was taken to another place, two and a half miles from Wabash on the Yankee Road, where he lived until twelve years of age. After that his home was in south Wabash until he was married. In the meantime he had acquired an education in the neighboring district schools, and was employed as a farmhand until about twenty years of age. His father in the meantime had become identified with the lumber industry, and also had a shop for the manufacture of cabinet work, and in this shop William P. Jones learned the trade of cabinet maker, and gained a practical ex¬perience in the turning and fabrication of various kinds of furniture. He remained until 1875 in that factory, and in 1876 began his independent career, when he bought an interest in the retail furniture store with Nelson Rector of Jone, Hutchins & Company in Canal street. Three years later, in 1879, Mr. Jones bought the interest of his partner, and has continued at the head of the establishment ever since. With the progress of time other lines have been added to his furniture business, such as carpets, stoves, certain lines of leather goods, curtains and a general stock of household equipment. Undertaking was a feature of the establishment when he bought the property, and Mr. Jones now has a record of having officiated as undertaker at the burial of more people in Wabash county than any other in that profession. In this line of work he has bestowed a care which harmonizes with the affection felt by the living for the dead.

Mr. Jones is a republican, and for four years served in the city council. He has taken the Knights Templar degrees in Masonry, and is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In April, 1875, he married Miss Louise S. Coble. Four children have been born to their marriage as follows: Howard C.; Homer M.; Porter E.; and Paula L., who is the wife of Goldwin Small. Of his sons, Howard C. and Homer M. since 1905 have been associated with their father in business. Porter E. is the manager of the Dearborn Drug & Chemical Company over the states of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, with headquarters at Philadelphia. Mr. Jones holds a birthright membership in the Quaker church.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

Homer Wilson Charles was born October 17, 1855, in Henry county, Indiana. The founder of the Charles family in America was probably William Charles, who at the age of twenty-one years sailed from Gravesend, England, on the ship Assurance on July 24, 1635, for Virginia. Later the family emigrated to what was then Albermarle county, North Carolina, and took a prominent part in the development of that colony. Being Quakers, they were opposed to the oppression of the English church, and lent their influence towards the establishment of freedom of conscience among the colonists. They were large land owners in the country lying immediately north of Albermarle town, and bore a prominent part in the development of that locality. On account of their religious scruples they were opposed to the bearing of arms, and for this reason few of them enlisted in the Revolutionary army, although they gave material aid to the cause, and one of the family, Elijah Charles, is said to have served as a guide to General Nathaniel Greene during his campaign in the South. On account of their opposition to the institution of slavery, most of the family who still remained in the Southern states at that time emigrated North about the beginning of the nineteenth century. The authentic history of the Charles family in this branch begins with Samuel Charles, great-great-grandfather of H. W. Charles. Samuel Charles married Abigail Anderson, daughter of John Anderson and his wife Elizabeth, in February, 1755, in Perquimans county, North Carolina. Benjamin Charles, the great-grandfather, was married in April, 1794, in Perquimans county, North Carolina, to Sarah Jones, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Overman) Jones. Grandfather William Charles was born in North Carolina, May 21, 1900, and died in Henry county, Indiana, August 4, 1849. In early life he removed to Henry county, where he secured land from the government. On August 8, 1828, he married Phariba Pike, daughter of Jesse and Kancy Ann (Waymouth) Pike.

Jesse Pike Charles, father of the Topeka educator, was born November 6, 1831. On October 8, 1854, he married Lorinda Miner. The family continued to live in Henry county, Indiana, until the autumn of 1863, when they removed to Wabash county. Following the example of the family as far back as the early colonial times, Jesse P. Charles was a tiller of the soil. His education was limited to that which could be acquired in the common schools of the period. In religion he was a Quaker in early life, but later became a member of the Methodist church. In politics he was a republican, having cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. His last vote was cast for William H. Taft in 1908. This was in fact his last public act as he was stricken with his fatal illness on the day following the election.

Jesse P. Charles, though not a wealthy man, left his family in comfortable circumstances. He never sought preferment or worldly honors, and as measured by the standards of the world his lot was a humble one, but he loved his family, his neighbors, his country and his God. His ideals were few, but he lived up to their full measure. Honesty and integrity were his measure of a man and he never fell below the standard he set for others. His death occurred November 17, 1908, and he was buried in the family lot in Center Grove cemetery, nine miles southeast of Wabash.

Lorinda Miner, wife of Jesse P. Charles, came of an English family, the history of which dates back to the year 1339, when Henry Miner, the first of the name, who lived in Somersetshire, England, was given a coat of arms by King Edward III to whom he offered his services in Edward's war against France. The first of the family in America was Thomas Miner, who came to New England in 1630 with John Winthrop. He landed at Salem, afterwards went to Saybrook, Connecticut, and still later removing to Stonington. He was buried in the ancient burial ground near Stonington, and his headstone bears the oldest inscription of any in the yard. When King Philip's war broke out he was appointed a lieutenant in the colonial troops. The grandfather of Lorinda Miner was Peter Miner, whose death occurred August 16, 1822. Her father's name was James Miner, who was born December 18, 1794, and died near Lewisville, Indiana, February 20, 1851. On April 3, 1820, he was married to Elizabeth Cartwright, who was born April 13, 1803, and who died April 28, 1880. Lorinda Miner, who was born in Henry county, Indiana, December 14, 1836, had only a common school education.

Homer Wilson Charles, who through his ancestry thus represents old and strong American stock, was eight years of age when his parents moved to Wabash county in 1863. He attended the public schools, and at the age of eighteen began teaching. Like many others, educational work was no stepping stone to other professions, but has remained the object of his studious endeavors and active energies throughout his career. Mr. Charles subsequently attended the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, and still later the Northern Indiana Normal Schools, now known as Valparaiso University, where he was graduated in 1879. In the fall of the latter year he became principal of Amboy Academy at Amboy, Indiana, remaining there two years, for the following two years was principal of schools at Somerset, Indiana, and then for one year was principal in the schools of South Wabash.

In September, 1885, a few weeks after his marriage, Mr. Charles moved to Sedgwick, Kansas, where he had been elected principal of schools. That was his position for eight years, and he was then elected superintendent of city schools at Washington, Kansas, where he likewise gave his services for eight years. Mr. Charles in 1901 was appointed superintendent of the State Industrial School for Boys at Topeka. His experience in public school work had fitted him for that position of responsibility, and his success is shown by the fact that he has served the state through five administrations and is now finishing his thirteenth year as superintendent. Mr. Charles has always been a student of social affairs and brought into this new field of effort a broad view of the problems with which he deals in his educational capacity. He now has one of the largest private libraries in the United States, of works relating to the problem of juvenile delinquency. Mr. Charles has delivered addresses in many states upon subjects relating to delinquent boys, has been president of the State Conference of Charities and Correction in Kansas; was vice president and for several years was a member of the executive committee of the National Conference on the education of Backward, Truant and Delinquent Children, and was also a member of the executive committee of the National Conference of Charities and Correction. As an author Mr. Charles has contributed a number of articles on subjects relating to the work in which he is engaged, including among other titles "Physical Defects that Contribute to Delinquency," "A Study in Juvenile Delinquency," and "Till the Doctor Comes: A First Aid Manual." At the present time he has in manuscript form a work upon The Delinquent Boy which is to be published at an early date.

Mr. Charles cast his first vote for Rutherford B. Hayes, and has always been a republican, but with little time for matters outside of the strict lines of his profession. Although never in active military service, he has been interested in military affairs, and at this time holds a major's commission from the governor of Kansas. Mr. Charles has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for more than forty years, and almost his entire life has been a worker in Sunday school and in the various departments of church activity. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years, and has attained thirty-two degrees in the Scottish Rite.

On August 20, 1885, shortly before moving to Kansas, Mr. Charles married Maude Harvey of Somerset, Indiana. She was born at Somerset, November 16, 1865, a daughter of Elmer Gordon and Alice E. (Jones) Harvey. Mrs. Charles is a graduate of the Somerset high school and has been a close student of social problems, especially those relating to the social conditions that produce juvenile delinquency. Her father, Elmer G. Harvey, was a member of a prominent family of Knox (now Morris) county, Ohio, where he was born May 20, 1835, and at an early age removed with his parents to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where he lived until the breaking out of the Civil war. He enlisted in the Twelfth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was with his regiment until discharged. By trade a wagon maker, he followed that occupation many years, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. G. E. Barley, at Washington, Kansas, March 10, 1914. Alice E. Jones, the mother of Mrs. Charles, came from an old and respected family of early colonial times, two of her ancestors having served in the Revolutionary army during the war for independence. She was born in Peru, Indiana, August 26, 1846, and died at Somerset, Indiana, March 1, 1875. Mr. Charles and wife have had two children: Beatrice Alice, born May 20, 1886; and Margaret Harvey, born September 5, 1888, both at Sedgwick, Kansas. Beatrice died September 4, 1903, at Topeka. At the time of her death she was a member of the sophomore class of the Topeka high school and a young woman of great promise. Margaret completed the grades in the schools of Topeka, entered the College of the Sisters of Bethany at Topeka, where she was graduated in music in 1908, and the following year continued her studies in the conservatory of Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois . On October 16, 1912, she married Alfred Lirch Thiele of Orofino, Idaho. They immediately took up their residence at Orofino, where Mr. Thiele is engaged in the banking business. On August 1, 1914, a son, Homer Charles Thiele, was born to them.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

Daniel Urschel was born in Germany, there grew to manhood and was educated, and adopted farming as his life work. After his marriage he decided that a better future and greater opportunities awaited him in the United States, and he accordingly emigrated to this country and located in Stark county, Ohio. There he settled in the woods, built a small log home and other buildings, cleared off the timber, cultivated the land and became a substantial and highly respected farmer . It is related of Mr. Urschel that he was often heard to express his wonder of what "the people would do when all the land was cleared." He passed away after a useful and energetic life, aged eighty-six years, while the mother was also granted advanced age, being eighty-two when she passed away. In their family were eight children who grew to maturity and several who died in infancy.

Andrew Urschel obtained his education in the public schools of Stark county, Ohio, and there resided until he went to California in 1865, returning in 1871. Previously he had taught school six terms in Stark county. In 1879 he came to Wabash county. He had become a farmer on his own account when he attained his majority, and on locating in Chester county he settled on his present property, which has continued to be his home to the present time. Mr. Urschel was married (first) to Miss Maria Evans, a daughter of Henry Evans, and they had five children, as follows: Daniel Clay, Maggie May, Cora Alice (who died at the age of nineteen years), William E. and Ivy Myrtle. Mrs. Urschel died of consumption in 1884, and Mr. Urschel married (second) Miss Priscilla Wolford, a daughter of George and Catherine (Winters) Wolford. Mrs. Urschel was born in Allen township, Miami county, Indiana, a member of a family of eight children, of whom three were born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and the remaining five in Miami county, Indiana, and three are now living: Mrs. Urschel, John and Rosette, the last named being unmarried. The parents of Mrs. Urschel were married in Ohio and became early settlers of Allen township, there being an old Indian trail which led to their farm of forty acres. Mr. Wolford was known as an enterprising and industrious agriculturist, who directed his operations intelligently and gained a full measure of success from his work, at the same time winning and retaining the respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen because of his sterling integrity, his public-spirited citizenship and his loyalty to his friends. He was a stanch republican in politics, but not an office seeker, and was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He passed away when seventy-eight years of age, while the mother survived him some years and died on her eighty-eighth birthday. Mrs. Urschel taught her first term of school when but fifteen years old, receiving fifty cents a day, and she taught for thirteen terms.

Mr. Urschel has always engaged in general farming, and his enterprises have been crowned with success because he has given to his work an enthusiasm and knowledge that have overcome all obstacles which have arisen in his path. At this time he has a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, all secured by his own efforts, and he has an excellent set of buildings, with modern equipment and fixtures and up-to-date machinery. His live stock is of a superior breed, and his entire property shows the owner to be a man of intelligence and enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Urschel are members of the Christian church, and have been active in its work. He is fraternally connected with the Odd Fellows, and has numerous friends in his local lodge, although he prizes the comforts of his home far beyond those to be secured in any fraternal organization. In political matters he has until recently been a supporter of democratic principles, but now votes independently, preferring to use his own discretion in his choice of the candidates to represent the people.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

Mr. Singer was made a Mason in Somerset Lodge, No. 383, F. & A. M., in 1878. He served as Worshipful Master for four years in this same lodge and in which he holds his membership. He is now one of the trustees of the lodge. He is also a member of Wabash Chapter, No. 26, R. A. M., and Wabash Council, No. 13, R. & S. M. He and his wife are members of Wabash Chapter, No. 90, O. E. S., and was Worthy Patron of this Chapter in 1896.

On December 24, 1881, Mr. Singer was married to Sarah E. Bright. To them were born Hugh Quintin, Gracie May, Ethel Agness, Mabel Joan, and an infant which died at birth. Grace May died September 22, 1896, at the age of twelve years; Hugh Quintin was married to Mazy Anderson, November 27, 1892; Ethel Agness married Harry W. Davis, January 31, 1906; Mabel Joan married Hurschal V. Nellans, March 13, 1909. Mr. Singer started housekeeping in his own home in 1882, on the Sommerset Pike, where he yet lives, at the age now of fifty-nine years. In politics he was always a republican until 1912, when he cast his lot with the progressive party, and he is now their candidate for County Assessor.

Mr. Singer is an associate editor of this work and is one of the best posted men in the southern part of the county.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

Mr. King was a native of Wayne county, Indiana, and was born in October, 1833, a son of Dean and Esther (Carpenter) King. He was reared to manhood in Clinton county, Ohio, where he received only a common school education, and at the age of twenty-one years came to Wabash county, probably attracted here by the fact that people from his section in Ohio had come here and were prospering. Mr. King purchased land near Pioneer, which at that time had but few improvements. Some time later the parents of Calvin C. King came to this county and settled near Wabash, in Noble township. They subsequently moved to Lafayette, and from there to Wayne county, near Richmond, where they passed the remainder of their days. Calvin C. King was hard working and industrious and with the passing of time accumulated considerable property, at one time owning 240 acres. He was married twice, his first wife being Mary Heston, by whom he had two children, and his second wife was Adeline Votaw, who bore him four children. His second wife was a daughter of John Votaw, who was one of the earliest settlers here, coming to Wabash county in 1841. Calvin C. King was a farmer of more than average ability. He was a subscriber to several agricultural periodicals, was, an advanced thinker along scientific farming lines, and was a pioneer in the breeding of a higher grade of stock than the common scrub variety. He was one of the first to join in with other farmers to bring a thoroughbred Norman horse to Wabash county, and also, in a similar way, was a pioneer in the introduction of Short Horn cattle. He served as president of the Agri¬cultural Society of the county and in many ways was a man of superior attainments. In religious belief he was a Quaker, but after being dropped from membership owing to having married outside of the church, he became a Methodist, and in that faith passed away in August, 1895. In polities he was a republican. He stood for all that was good for the best interests of the community, and was a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises. Charitable in his actions towards his fellow men, he com¬manded universal respect, and had the regard of a wide circle of ad¬miring friends.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

John Housel Depuy was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1820. He was of French lineage, being a descendant of one of three brothers who came from France at an early period and settled in New Jersey. John Depuy, the father, moved with his family to Stark county, Ohio, in 1823 and there the son, John H., grew up among pioneer surroundings. He assisted his father materially in thinning out the forest trees, in grubbing out the stumps and in clearing away the brush, and in the meantime, during the short winter terms, pursued his studies in the district school. At the age of seventeen years, with money which he had been able to save from his work, he continued his studies at Zanesville Academy. Having early decided to take up the study and practice of medicine as his life work, in 1841 he entered upon a course of private reading under the instruction of Dr. Henry Everts, of Cleveland, and later entered Willoughby Medical College. In 1845 he was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and in the following year embarked upon the practice of his profession at Lagro, Indiana. His advent in Wabash occurred in 1864, in which year he purchased a farm in the vicinity of the city, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, subsequently accumulating 1,500 acres of land and doing a large business in raising livestock. The Doctor was successful as a practitioner, and had built up a large and representative professional business. His ready sympathy, his kind heart and his gentle nature made him beloved by those who had occasion to call him in a professional capacity, and his devotion to the best ethics of his calling made him widely known in medical circles allover this part of the state. Yet, when he turned his attention to business matters, he was firm and unyielding in his decisions, although ever honorable. He gained ready recognition among the leading business men of Wabash by reason of his executive power and foresight, and his success in his real estate ventures fully equalled that which rewarded his efforts as a physician. Although never a politician he took a deep interest in civic affairs, and as a public spirited citizen his standing was high. The city-mourned when he passed away, July 20, 1904, at the age of eighty-three years, ten months and twenty days.

On September 28, 1847, Doctor Depuy was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Long, who was born October 17, 1825, a daughter of Stephen Long, of Wabash county, and to this union there were born two sons: Romeo L. and Frank. Mrs. Depuy, who survives her husband, makes her home in Wabash, where she is widely known and has hosts of appreciative friends.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

Nelson G. Hunter was the oldest of his parents' children. He was largely reared on the farm of his maternal grandfather, and owing to having to help in caring for the family his educational advantages were decidedly limited. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in Company G, Seventeenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry (Wilde's Brigade), and after joining his command at Louisville, Kentucky, went to Nashville and Gravelly Springs in Tennessee, and on to Selma, Alabama, and Macon, Georgia. At Nashville his regiment was assigned to what is known as the Wilson Command. At Ebenezer Church a skirmish was engaged in when they met Forrest's Cavalry, Company G meeting the entire brunt of the enemy's attack and being almost totally destroyed. Captain Taylor was killed in a hand-to-hand encounter with no less a noted personage than the great Confederate general himself. At Selma, about a week later, about 350 Union soldiers were lost, but the attack resulted in the capture of that place and its large quantity of stores. The regiment then moved up the Alabama, following the retreating enemy to Montgomery and Columbus, Georgia, and then to Macon, when the city surrendered, some 5,000 of the enemy surrendering. About a week after this Mr. Hunter was with others on detailed duty sent to release the Union prisoners at Andersonville, and still later sent to capture Jefferson Davis. He was mustered out of the service at Macon, and finally received his honorable discharge at Indianapolis, in September, 1865.

Returning to his home, Mr. Hunter resumed the pursuits of peace as a farmer, and continued to be so engaged for some two years. At the end of that time he moved with his family to Rochester, Indiana, and while there was able to find time to attend a public school under Prof. William H. Banta. He became proficient in penmanship to such an extent that he taught that branch for a number of years, and while thus employed came to Wabash county, July 12, 1879. This city has been his home ever since. In the early summer of 1877 Mr. Hunter began to read law with Maj. M. H. Kidd, and was thus engaged for four months, in the meantime teaching writing during the evenings and clerking during the day time in a store. Legal work was soon thrust upon him, and he later returned to continue his studies under Major Kidd, whose partner he became in a limited way in September, 1879, and in October was admitted to the bar before Judge Pettit. He continued in partnership with Major Kidd for some fourteen years, and has continued to be in active practice ever since. In 1882 Mr. Hunter gained much fame as a public speaker, when he introduced Major Kidd for the Congressional nomination, which he failed to receive, however. He has been active in democratic politics ever since, and in 1896 supported the gold standard platform.

In 1884 Mr. Hunter was induced to accept the editorship of the Times, a newspaper which he conducted through the campaign, then relinquishing control for several months, when he resumed his position with John C. Eastman, now of the Chicago Journal, for five years. Even after this he continued to be connected with the paper, but eventually sold his interest to Charles Lovelace. During all this time he had kept up with his law work. In 1893 Major Kidd was appointed a member of the Indian Commission, and this necessitated the dissolving of a partnership that had been mutually congenial and beneficial. In December of the same year Mr. Hunter became a partner of his brother-in-law, the late Judge Jacob S. Shirk, which continued for eleven years, and after three years alone Mr. Hunter, in September, 1903, became associated with Hon. Warren G. Sayre, this now being conceded to be the strongest legal combination in the city. Although Mr. Hunter's legal practice demands a great deal of his attention, he has found time to enter into other enterprises, and at this time is president of the Wabash Loan and Trust Company and the Home Telephone Company, and is a director of the Service Motor Company and its first president.

Mr. Hunter was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Holmes, of Rochester, Indiana, and to this union there have been born two children: Harry B. and Holmes. Mr. Hunter is a valued member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

Michael Snideman was the sixth child in a family of six sons and six daughters. His early life was passed on the home farm, much in common with the manner of the average youth of his period, and he bore his full share of the burden of clearing the wilderness farm and aiding in the support of the always large family. His schooling was but limited, though his lack of education was in a measure remedied in later years by studious reading and unfailing observation. He came with his family to Wabash county and lived with them on the home farm in Waltz township until he volunteered for service in the suppression of the Rebellion. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, 75th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which later became a part of the Army of the Cumberland. At the battle of Chickamauga he was severely wounded in the breast by a fragment of a shell from the effects of which he was incapacitated from service for about three months. Upon his recovery he rejoined his command and served with it until he was honorably discharged at the close of the war.

Returning to Wabash county, Mr. Snideman farmed for a time, then moved to the vicinity of Dayton, in Montgomery county, Ohio, where he continued in similar activity, moving one year later to Miami county, Indiana. For about fourteen years Mr. Snideman continued a resident there, then moved to a farm in Whitley county, which he had just purchased. From that place, after four years, he moved into North Manchester, where he continued to live, retired from active business pursuits, until his death.

Mr. Snideman was twice married. His first wife was Margaret Welsh, whom he married on December 21, 1865, and she died on November 27, 1872. He later married Susan Swank, on December 2, 1879. Two children came of the second marriage. Andra E., married Samuel Conradt, and now is a resident of Ottumwa, Iowa; and Dr. Clora J. Snideman.

Dr. Snideman was born on the Miami county farm on August 1, 1878. He had his early education in the public schools of North Manchester, and followed that training with a course at Willenberg College at Springfield, Ohio, covering two years of study. He was twenty years of age when he volunteered for service in the Spanish-American war, and was mustered into Company D, 157th Volunteer Infantry of Indiana on May 10, 1898. His command only reached Tampa, Florida, and on November 1, the same year, they were mustered out at Fernandina, Florida.

In September, 1899; the young man entered the Dental Department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and he finished his dental training in the Indiana Dental College at Indianapolis, being graduated there from in 1902. He began his dental practice in Wabash soon after his graduation, and here he has since been engaged successfully in his work.

Dr. Snide man is progressive in his political tendencies, and he is fraternally identified with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Two college fraternities also claim him as a member.

On June 9, 1903, Dr. Snideman was married to Miss Annie L. Hess, a daughter of Captain Alex Hess of Wabash. They have three children: Mary Virginia, Richard and Susanne. Mrs. Snideman is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Michael Snideman was a man gifted with a greater than the average degree of good, practical sense. He thought and reasoned for himself and was a man of strong convictions all his days. During his life time he held various local offices in the various communities wherein he had his residence, the more important of which was the office of Commissioner of Wabash County, to which he was elected in 1894, and to which he brought a quality of service well worthy of his and of enduring good to the county. Always an ardent republican in the greater issues of politics, in voting he never permitted party politics to interfere with his ideas of right when he presented himself at the polls. He was ever stanch in his fealty to the Christian church, of which he was long an earnest and zealous member. While Mr. Snideman could be said to have no predominating qualities that made him conspicuous, he possessed a well rounded character that gained and won for him the constant esteem and regard of his fellows. Honest, unassuming and upright in all his deeds, standing ever for the best interests of the community, he represented an honored type of American citizenship. He died on October 10, 1911, and his widow still survives him at this writing.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

Mr. Kunse was born on March 25, 1853, one of the children of David and Maria (Crawford) Kunse, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. His parents were pioneers in Wabash county and citizens who contributed from first to last in generous measure to the development and upward progress of the communities wherein they maintained a home in various periods. David and Maria (Crawford) Kunse were married in Germantown, Ohio. In the 'thirties they moved from Fayette county, Indiana, to Wabash county. The father was a brickmaker by trade, and made brick and built a house, after which he returned to Connersville, in Fayette county. On bringing his family to Wabash county he settled on a piece of land in the central part of the county, built a log cabin on a spot that is now occupied by one of the fine homes of the county, and there his children were born and reared. He applied himself with enthusiasm to the task of clearing up a part of the land. He built a cane mill and made many gallons of molasses for the early settlers, though it was operated by man power. This was the first mill of the kind in that district. Mr. Kunse was further distinguished as being the man who made the first bricks used in the community. He cleared about sixty acres of timber, using the lighter timber for his brick kilns. David Kunse died in August, 1889, just about two years after the passing of his faithful wife. Nine children were born to these parents. Two of them died in infancy. They were born on the farm where the parents carried on the best activities of their lives, and all were educated in the schools of Wabash. In childhood they attended a frame school that stood on the river. The Miami schoolhouse was constructed by their father, and though all the children in town attended, half the building was sufficient for their accommodation. Three months was the average length of the school year.

When Jesse H. Kunse finished his educational training, he learned the brick making business with his father and later went to Mobile, Alabama, where he made twenty-five thousand brick and laid them. Then returning to Wabash county he settled in Noble township. He has long been engaged in brick making and in contracting here, and prominent among those buildings that he has had in charge have been the South Side school, the Methodist Episcopal church and the brick work on the Big Four buildings. Mr. Kunse is also the owner of a fine farm, but for a number of years until his son grew up hired labor to operate it.

Mr. Kunse married Cora Markley, the daughter of Daniel Markley, and to them has been born one son, Robert, who is a graduate of Purdue University, and since then has been operating his father's farm and experiencing a degree of success consistent with the scientific training he had in his university career along that line. The son married Beatrice Franklin, a daughter of Leslie Franklin, of Lafayette.

The family maintain their residence on the farm, the home being one that was built by David Kunse. Certain improvements have been made in the place, and the barn is practically new, but in the main, the old place is much as it was left by the man who shaped it into a habitable dwelling place from the wild and uncultivated spot that he found. There are one hundred and forty acres, and Robert Kunse of the third generation successfully conducts the agricultural activities that have made it one of the most productive and fertile spots in the county.

Socially the Kunse family is prominent in and about Wabash. Mr. Kunse is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a Mason of Knights Templar degree. He has always been a stanch republican and has been active to a fair degree in the work of the party up to the time of the birth of the progressive party, when he transferred his allegiance to the new faction.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

He received such education as the public schools of Virginia gave thirty years ago. He then entered Bridgewater College, Virginia, where he spent two years in preparation for teaching. He taught in Daleville College, Virginia, from 1891 to 1893 and later was president of the same institution, 1897-1900.

In the meantime he had continued and completed his college course at McPherson College, Kansas, Kansas University and Ohio State University. From this last named institution he received the A. M. degree in 1900. In the same year he was called to Manchester College to act as Chairman of the Faculty. Since then he has been continually connected with the institution. During the years when the school was having its greatest difficulties he was one who helped to keep it going.

When the school was re-organized under its present management he was elected secretary, which position he still holds. To him is due much of the credit of the recent success of the college. Mathematics and Astronomy are his favorite subjects. His official duties do not permit him to do as much teaching as formerly.

Prof. Ikenberry was married in 1894 to Miss Lizzie Bucher, a native of Pennsylvania, who was educated at Bridgewater and Daleville Colleges. To them have been born two daughters, Anna Kathryn, born at Ada, Ohio, and Flora Marie born at North Manchester, Ind.

Prof. and Mrs. Ikenberry enjoy a large circle of friends. He is active in the work of the Church of the Brethren, being an ordained elder in the church.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

William H. Peebles was born in Clinton county, Ohio, July 8, 1841, a son of John E. and Mary A. (Hunnicutt) Peebles, both of whom died on the Wabash county farm. When the family settled in Noble township, nearly all the country was wild, and the land had little improvement except a small log cabin. Indians still dwelt in this neighborhood, and though not hostile their presence at times was annoying. The family of John K and Mary A. Peebles comprised six children. Elizabeth, Steven T., Benjamin F. and Micajah are all deceased. The two still living are William H. and Mary, now Mrs. Mary J. Hollingsworth of Marion, Indiana. In the years while these children were growing up schools were primitive as compared with present educational facilities, and the boys and girls in the Peebles family did not fare any better than the average youth of their time.

After his experience as a youth on the farm and in the district schools was completed, William H. Peebles took up the serious business of life and in December, 1865, married Lydia J. Jones. She was the daughter of Daniel and Sylvia Jones, who were among the early settlers in Wabash county. To this union have been born five children: Florence, the first, married William Galamore and they live in Wilmington, Clinton county, Ohio; Rosaline, deceased; John Clinton married Edith Bruner and lives in Noble township of Wabash county; Roscoe W. graduated from Earlham College at Richmond, Indiana, in June, 1914; and Oris died in infancy. All the children were born in Wabash county.

Mr. Peebles moved to his present farm in 1891. It comprises fifty-one acres of highly cultivated and valuable land, and besides the home place he is proprietor of seventy acres located about one mile south. Farming has proved a profitable business for Mr. Peebles, and his long residence in one community has been accompanied by the neighborly traits and the public spirit which make the good citizen. A member of the Friends church, he has served as a trustee and an elder, and has also been quite active in Republican politics.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

Mr. Fawcett has been a lifelong resident of Wabash county, having been born on a farm in Noble township, west of the city of Wabash, November 3, 1854, a son of Milton and Sarah (Haines) Fawcett, natives of Ohio, where they were educated, reared and married. After the birth of their first child they migrated to Indiana by way of wagon, settling in the woods west of Wabash, where not a stick of timber had yet been cut. It is related that the father, standing in one spot, and that not any appreciable distance from his door-step, could "shoot enough squirrels to last over Sunday." On this wild forty acre farm Mr. Fawcett put up a log cabin, but after he had made a number of other improvements disposed of it and moved to what is now the city of Wabash, buying 127 acres which land is all now in the city limits and the owner of which is Allen W. King. A man of progressive spirit, far ahead of his day, he took the lead in agricultural work in his section, and made his property pay him full value for the labor he expended upon it, generally raising eighty bushels of corn to the acre. Coming to this locality a poor man, through intelligent work and perseverance he rose to a position of substantiality, and when he passed away, at the age of fifty-four years, of typhoid fever, no man in the community stood higher in public esteem. He invested to some extent in realty, and was the owner of many shares in the old Tole (now Mill Creek) turnpike. He was a republican, but not an office seeker. Mrs. Fawcett nursed her husband and children when they had the typhoid fever, and came safely through that siege, but ten years later contracted the disease herself and did not recover therefrom. Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett were the parents of five children, the first born in Ohio, and the last four in Indiana, namely: Mordecai, who is deceased; Zimri, of this review; Mary Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of John Werst; Levi, who met his death in the great San Francisco earthquake; and Lydia, who is the wife of Elwood Ridenour.

Zimri Fawcett was born in the little primitive log cabin on the first farm, but when he was a boy the family moved to Wabash. Like all farmers; sons of that day, he was early set to such tasks as could be accomplished by youthful hands, and when he was only three years of age, while picking up chips after the ax of his brother Mordecai, he lost the index finger on his right hand. He assisted in the work of clearing the homestead from the timber and was trained thoroughly in agricultural work by his father, whose progressive spirit and enterprise the youth inherited. His educational training was secured in the old home district schools of his day, and he remained at home until his marriage, November 18, 1880, to Miss Julia Koons, the daughter of Absalom and Isabella (Ray) Koons. In the meantime he had purchased a farm on the Mill Creek turnpike, which is now the home of Sam DuBois, and there lived during the first nine years of his married life. This was a tract of thirty-four acres, and it was so highly developed and improved that in 1890 he sold it at the then record price of $100 an acre, considered so astonishing that the newspapers of this section all printed an account of the transaction. His present farm, a tract of 108 acres, in Paw Paw township, on the east side of Laketon turnpike, about seven miles north of Wabash, he purchased for forty dollars an acre from the Heath heirs. He completed clearing the land, put in many rods of tile (one ditch costing $478), erected a set of seven buildings, put up a new modern residence, and now values his property at $200 an acre. Like his father, Mr. Fawcett has delighted in making his land produce great crops. On some of his property he has raised 100 bushels of corn to an acre, and holds many prizes won as premiums at corn shows held at Urbana and other points. He has also raised 1000 bushels of oats on ten acres. While he specializes in these, he also carries on general farming and stockraising through his sons, he having retired from the active labors of the farm. Mr. Fawcett bears a high reputation in business circles and has numerous friends throughout Wabash county. Politically a republican, public life has held out no attractions for him, he preferring to remain a simple tiller of the soil. His religious faith is that of the Quakers, in which he was reared.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett: Olzro, of Chester township, Wabash county, who married Katie Miller and has three children, Maxwell, Eunice and Paul; Harley E., who is engaged in cultivating the home farm; Lilly, who is the wife of C. R. Ball and has two children, Dorothy, a resident of Noble township, and a daughter Helen, born April 13, 1914; Nellie, who is now Mrs. C. C. Myers, of Texas; and Orval B., who is at home.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

James P. Ross is a son of William Olin Ross, who was one of the pioneers of Wabash county. He was born on his father's farm in Noble township, Wabash county, September 15,1846. When he was three years of age his father died, and the widow and the children had many hardships and privations in order to make a living and keep up the semblance of a home. As a boy James P. Ross worked at any honorable occupation that presented. In a tan yard he was given employment in beating tan bark, and an interesting phase of his early experience was as a printer's devil and paper carrier on the old Wabash Intelligencer at a time when Naaman Fletcher was editor. He also was employed by the farmers in the neighborhood, and dropped corn in the field, swung an axe, and there are few tasks which might be enumerated in the local industry of that town which he did not perform. Necessarily, in view of this constant work from childhood, he had little opportunity to attend school, and has had to perfect his education by self study rather than under the instruction of teachers.

In 1864, when he was seventeen years old, he was engaged in selling war stationery throughout the country, and one day started for Peru, ostensibly on this business. However, he kept on to Indianapolis, and in that city on February 28th enlisted in the Fourteenth Indiana Battery. With his command he reached the front in time to join the army under Thomas which crushed the hopes of Hood in the great battle of Nashville. After that his battery was sent to Mobile Bay and• participated in the reducing the fort and the capture of that city. This battery was the first to open fire on Spanish Fort, and also played its guns upon Fort Blakely. On September 1, 1865, some weeks after peace had come between the armies, he was given his honorable discharge and then returned to Wabash county. Here he found employment as clerk in a drug store at Wabash, and later started a book store, and sold books and stationery and other sundries to the trade for several years. In November, 1867, Mr. Ross had his first experience as a public servant in the office of Deputy County Clerk. For eight years he held that position and became thoroughly familiar with all the details of the office, and in 1875 the people of Wabash county elected him to the office of County Clerk. He gave a capable administration of the office for four years, and since retiring has at different times returned to the office as deputy under four administrations. His entire official connection with the clerk's office covers a period of twenty-three years, and when anything somewhat remote in records is an object of search at the courthouse the final authority and source of knowledge is usually designated as James P. Ross. For the past twenty-eight years Mr. Ross has devoted his attention chiefly to the insurance and real estate business.

There is probably not a man in Wabash county better known than Mr. Ross. A republican in politics he has for forty years kept in touch with political conditions, and has attended a great number of county, district and state conventions of his party. He is one of the honored veterans of the war, and is a former commander of the local grand army post. In Masonry he has taken the degrees of the Blue Lodge, the Chapter and Council, and is also a Knight of Pythias.

In February, 1876, Mr. Ross married Alice Burnes, daughter of Rev. John Burnes, a prominent Presbyterian minister. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are the parents of the following children and have ten grandchildren: Ruth, Mrs. Thomas R. Aten, of Nevada, Ohio; Florence, Mrs. Wheeler O. North, of San Diego, California; Elizabeth, Mrs. Daniel M. Gillen, of Wabash; Esther, Mrs. Paul Evvinghouse, of Wabash; Ina, Mrs. Paul J. Wilson, of Detroit, Michigan; and Vida, a teacher in the public schools of Wabash.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

Mr. Mills was born November 18, 1839, in Montgomery county, Ohio, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Singer) Mills. His father was born at Mount Holly, Monmouth county, New Jersey, a son of Joshua and Lucy (Curlis) Mills, there being seven sons and four daughters in the family. John Mills received a good common school education, and after spending some time in studying surveying went to Montgomery county, Ohio, in young manhood. There he was married to Mary Ann Singer, and in June, 1854, they came to Wabash county, Indiana, and settled east of North Manchester. Mr. Mills devoted the greater part of his attention to agricultural pursuits and was successful in his ventures because of his industry, perseverance and well-directed ef¬forts. A republican in politics, he took a keen and intelligent interest in local matters, and was known as one of his party 's influential men. His death occurred about thirty years ago, and he was survived by his widow for about eight years.

Henry Mills received his education in the vicinity, of his birthplace, and accompanied his parents to Wabash county as a lad. Here he grew to manhood on the home farm, and on December 25, 1859, was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Baugher, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Baugher, pioneers of Whitley and Noble counties. Three children have been born to this union, namely: Eleanora, who is the wife of J. A. Browne; John A.; and Elizabeth B., who resides with her parents. After his marriage, Mr. Mills embarked in agricultural operations on his own account, but in 1864, moved to North Manchester, where he established himself in the grocery business, to which he subsequently added a stock of clothing. He continued to be the proprietor of this enterprise for some thirty years, during which it grew to large proportions, due to his energy and progressive spirit. In January, 1882, he embarked in the lumber business with J. A. Browne, under the firm style of the J. A. Browne Company, a firm which is still rated among the leading business houses of the city. The electric lighting plant at North Manchester was established by George Burge, but after several years of changes, during which the affairs of the plant were in anything but a satisfactory condition, it became the property of Mills & Browne, and has since remained under their control. It has continued to be successful, and is giving the people of the city excellent service. During his long residence in Wabash county, Mr. Mills has invested considerable capital in farming properties, and at this time owns two fine tracts, of 250 and 270 acres respectively, near North Manchester and Laketon, these properties being operated by renters under Mr. Mills' supervision. He is a stockholder and director of the Lawrence National Bank and one of his city's leading business citizens along various lines of endeavor. In politics a republican, he has never cared for public office, preferring to confine his attentions to his extensive private interests. In a genera1 way he is interested in the Christian Science church.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

He was a medical man and practiced the profession of medicine all his life.

Dr. Lewis H. Tennant was a babe of eight months when his parents moved from Canada to the States, and he had his early education in the public schools. He early decided upon his father's profession as the one best suited to himself, and after adequate preparation for that work, he established himself in Warsaw, Kosciusko county, opening an office for the practice of medicine and there continuing until 1893. It was in that year that he came to North Manchester, and here he has since been successfully engaged in his profession. He has a widespread practice and an excellent reputation in professional circles.

Dr. Tennant is a member of the Blue Lodge of the Masons, and is a member of the united Brethren church. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted early in the fight as a member of Company C, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, serving three years. He was honorably discharged at Indianapolis in 1865, immediately after which he returned home. He was married in that year to Miss Elizabeth Barron, a daughter of John Barron of Logansport, and to them nine children have been born. They are here named as follows: John; Charles; Demarious, now the wife of Emmett Mills of Kosciusko county; Lewis W., engaged in the practice of medicine at Larwell; Walter; Frank; James; Frederick and Otis.

Doctor and Mrs. Tennant are among the most highly esteemed people of Manchester, where they have a wide circle of friends.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914

In the year 1835 Absalom Wilson, Sr. came to Miami county from his native state in company with his father, George Wilson. He at once established himself in farming activities here, and his son, Absalom, attended the Miami county schools. When he grew up he remained there until the year 1849, and in that year he went to California, during the gold excitement which prevailed throughout the country. He drove an ox team across the plains, and he met with several hardships while on the trip, one incident of which was the falling ill of one of the members of the party, named Glassburn, with a sharp attack of cholera, and which resulted in his death. The others of the party, impatient to be gone and fearful of the outcome of too close contact with the victim, went on, leaving Mr. Wilson to care for the unfortunate man; it being impossible for him to leave his erstwhile companion to die alone on the plains. He nursed him tenderly until his death, and then buried him. He, himself, fell a victim of the disease, and was nursed through his illness by a man named Cady. It later happened that this Mr. Cady met with an accident resulting from an explosion of dynamite, and Absalom Wilson cared for his injuries. So it is that "chickens come home to roost," as the old familiar saying has it, though in this instance the chickens were birds of beautiful plumage, indeed. When Mr. Cady was able to travel the two young adventurers set out for home together, and they lived neighbors in Miami county to the time of their death.

The first farm of the senior Absalom Wilson consisted of two hundred acres, with a log cabin in the woods, and there he continued to make his home to the end of his days. At one time he was engaged in the woolen mills in Peru, and for a number of years was occupied in packing pork. He was county commissioner of Miami county for one term, and was trustee of Peru township on one occasion. His father before him was a county commissioner of Miami county when the old court house was first built in Peru, so that the Wilson men have been identified with the public life of Miami county for many years. Absalom Wilson was an Odd Fellow, and was a Democrat in politics. He was long a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but his wife was a member of the Dunkard church.

Nine children were born to Absalom and Magdalene (Fisher) Wilson, named as follows: Oscar, who married Julia C. Scovil; Thomas Jefferson, who married Emma Wallace; George F., who married Emma Jane Butt; Omer, who married Dora Bell; Absalom, of this review; Oliver, who married Della Gangeer; Lena, unmarried; Ella, who married William Richer and after his death married Clarence Stadler; and Noah, who married Emma Craning.

Absalom Wilson married in 1891 Christena Working, a daughter of John and Amanda Working. She was also born in Miami county. To them have been born nine children: Sylvan is the eldest; Levi married Clytis Nash; Allen, Ira, Byron, Frances, Owen, Oscar and Absalom are the others. The two eldest children were born in Miami county, the next four in Pulaski county, and the three youngest in Wabash county.

After his marriage Mr. Wilson farmed the home place for about two years, and with the settling of his father's estate he moved to Pulaski county. He later came to his present place in Noble township, Wabash county, where he has a fine farm of two hundred and fifty-five acres, much of it under the plow and yielding richly to his careful handling.

The family are members of the United Brethren church, and Mr. Wilson is a Democrat. His aged mother, now in her eighty-third year, is still on the old homestead in Miami county, and is bright and active for one of her years.

"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914