Mr. Rish is a native son of Wabash, born here on the 26th of March, 1872. His early education was obtained in the public schools, and this city has always been his home. At the age of fourteen years, he started to make his own way in the world, his first employment being with the H. C. Underwood Mfg. company. A year or so later an opening was offered him in the plant of B. Wa1ter & Company, and he has been associated with this Company since that time. He is a director of the Citizens Savings & Trust Company, and also has financial interests in several of the prominent business concerns of Wabash.
Politically Mr. Rish has long been an independent voter, confining his interest at the polls to matters of public import rather than to the business of furthering political supremacy of any designated party. His interest in the civic welfare of the city has been praiseworthy, and he has borne his full share in the burdens of communal and civic responsibility. He is identified fraternally with the A. F. & A. M. and with the B. P. O. E., in both of which he is highly esteemed by his brothers.
On August 5, 1895, Mr. Rish was married to Miss Lucy Hanselman, and they have three children, Louise, Howard and Josephine. Mr. and Mrs. Rish are members of the Presbyterian church, and are active in the various departments of church work.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
A son of Moses and Ann (McCollum) McNamee, he was born in the year 1833 in Ohio, and was brought to Wabash county when eleven years of age. The first family home was in the midst of the woods a mile and a half south of Wabash on the Marion road. In that locality his parents spent the remainder of their days, as industrious, but quiet farming people. Thomas McNamee while still a boy came into Wabash, and learned the trade of tinner. In the meantime he had profited by attendance at the primitive local school of the time, but has always relied upon hard work and unwavering integrity and fidelity to his applications to advance him towards success. In 1855 he engaged in business for himself as a tinner, and in 1863, became associated with George N. King in the hardware trade. In 1881 Mr. McNamee and Mr. King extended their operations to farming and banking, and in other ways these two men and other members of the King family were associated in business affairs for nearly half a century.
In 1877, in partnership with George N. King and J. W. Busick, Mr. McNamee organized the Wabash County Bank, then a private bank, changing it to a national bank in 1888, when the name became the Wabash National Bank.
In 1897 Mr. McNamee became president of the Wabash National Bank, and has held that office to the present time, although he is now past the age of fourscore, yet retains all his faculties as a business executive which was notable during his younger life. As a citizen and business man he has been foremost in all that was for the best interests of the community. In 1859 Mr. McNamee married Mary E. Armstrong, now deceased. They were the parents of three sons: Wilbur, Harry and Thomas W. No history of Wabash county could properly be written without frequent mention of the name of Thomas McNamee.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
Courtney Parks was a native son of Kentucky, born there on September 27, 1821. When a small boy he was orphaned and much of his early life was passed among strangers. It is but a small wonder, then, that he was given but the most limited schooling advantages, but his own natural thrift enabled him to acquire a working knowledge of the common branches, so that he was by no means an illiterate man. He early drifted to Toledo, Ohio, and there he found employment with farming men in the vicinity. It was there that he married Julia Ann Huff, and they became the parents of thirteen children, but six of whom are now living. Mr. Parks followed farming all his life. He first bought a small farm in Lucas county, Ohio, and there he lived until the latter fifties, when he came to Wabash, Indiana, and here rented a farm near Urbana. In that vicinity he passed the remainder of his life, and he died there in 1880. Mrs. Parks survived until August, 1909, when she passed away at the age of eighty-four years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Parks had been members of the United Brethren church, and were people who lived lives of usefulness in their community and were known to be individuals of genuine and unquestioned worth. Mr. Parks was honest and upright in his character, temperate in his habits, and he won and held the esteem of all with whom he came in contact in his walk in life. His wife likewise shared in the many excellent traits that characterized him, and she left indelible impress upon the better activities and interest of her community.
The living children of Courtney Parks and his wife are Benjamin F., a resident of Wabash; Rosella, who married Jacob Rish and lives in Wabash; Charles. E., residing in Wabash, as do also George W. and Moses W.; Samuel D. is in the regular army of the United States. All are married, but Samuel D. is now divorced. Benjamin F., it should be said married Mrs. Lane and they now reside in Wabash. Charles E. married Myrtle Gowdy, and they have one daughter; George W. married Lottie Houston and they have one son; Moses married Esther Hale and has one daughter.
Moses W. Park was born on his father's farm in Wabash county on May 7, 1875, and he was four years old when his father died. After that event the family moved into Wabash, in which city Moses Parks was reared and educated, the public schools supplying such education as he gained.
When about sixteen years old Mr. Parks launched out for himself as a "hand" in a sawmill, and he later learned the butcher business with a good deal of thoroughness. Later on he began working for L. A. Dawes in the transfer business, and he continued to be thus engaged for a number of years, at which time he and his brother, Charles E., bought the transfer business from Mr. Dawes, which they have since operated jointly, and with a good deal of success. They are among the successful and enterprising business men of the city today and owe their prosperity solely to their thrift and industry.
Mr. Parks is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, but has no other fraternal associations. His politics are those of an independent voter, and his interest in local affairs of that nature are those of a good citizen only with no thought of self or personal benefit of any sort.
On March 18, 1896, Mr. Parks married Miss Esther C. Hale. As has been previously noted, she is the daughter of John B. Hale, who was one of the heaviest stockholders in the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. To Mr. and Mrs. Parks one daughter has been born, Edythe Therell Parks.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
Henry Stephan and his wife settled in Dallas township at a time when the most primitive conditions prevailed. Mr. Stephan was the first to introduce an axe on the place that became his home, and in the years that he spent there, much hard work was put forth in the matter of evolving a home of some sort from the wildness of the forest. In later years his son, Henry, father of the subject, joined him there, together with a brother, and after acquainting himself with the possibilities of the new country, returned to Ohio for his family. They made the trip via the canal as far as the locks and thence on foot through the wilderness. Night caught the little party without shelter, and in the hours of darkness they huddled together for warmth, the mother wrapping parts of her clothing about the children in her efforts to add to their comfort. A flask of whiskey was the only remaining sustenance the fall of darkness found them in possession of, and they passed the night in more or less discomfort, not knowing in the least just where they were. To their chagrin, they found in the morning that they had camped for the night on the edge of their new home, and a few moments' walk brought them to the shelter of the family home.
Henry Stephan had eighty acres of land in the beginning, but he added to it a forty in the course of his years there, so that when he died he was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, all finely improved and in excellent cropping condition. He died there when his son, Martin; of this review, was a lad of fifteen years, and his widow survived him until 1907, when she died at the advanced age of eighty years. They were the parents of seven children: John, Mary, Martin, William, George, Emanuel, and Caroline. The second and fourth named are deceased.
Martin Stephan grew to manhood on the Dallas township farm and attended at intermittent periods the log school in the district. He remained on the home place with his mother until he married, when Sarah Hunselman, daughter of the late Conrad Hunselman, became his wife. To them have been born a goodly family of nine children, here named as follows: Charles; Edward, married to May Laudick; Florence and Flora, twins, the latter being the wife of John Hansel; Margaret is the wife of Charles Pohr and has children Eugene E. and Deloras; Lewis; Ida and Eva, another pair of twins; and Dora, the wife of Lloyd Foulke.
Martin Stephan rented a farm in Dallas township from the time of his marriage until he purchased his present place in 1895, at which time he applied himself diligently to the business of remodeling the house and other buildings and getting it in shape for the family. He succeeded most admirably, so that his farm has long been considered one of the attractive ones of the township, well kept in every detail and altogether a productive and desirable place. General farming is carried on by Mr. Stephan and he is reckoned among the alert and progressive farming men of the township by reason of the nature of his activities and the results he has achieved in the agricultural field.
Mr. Stephan is a republican, and was at one time supervisor of Dallas township, while he is now superintendent of the Rock Spring pike, on which his farm is located. He is a man of much public spirit, and his citizenship has been a thing of value to the town and county since he reached years of manhood.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
Benjamin Wolf was born in Hochstattan, Rhinepfalz, Germany, on March 14, 1842, and he came to America in 1860. For a few months he was occupied variously in Cincinnati, Ohio, after which he came to Wabash, and here he spent his remaining days, gaining a prominence and position of which he was well worthy and which stamped him as one of the big men of the town. For three years after his arrival here Mr. Wolf clerked in the dry goods store of David Bach, and received for his services a stipend of eight dollars a month. He practiced the most rigid economy from the first, and in the course of about three years' time he had saved something like two hundred and fifty dollars, with which, in 1863, he opened a butcher shop. He prospered in that enterprise, and in 1865 saw an opportunity to branch out into newer waters. He bought the dry goods and grocery store of M. & L. Hyman. Three years later he formed a partnership with David Beitman, under the firm name of Wolf & Beitman. At one time Mr. Wolf retired from the firm for a few years, and the name then became Beitman Brothers & Company. In the meantime a son of Mr. Wolf's, Henry Wolf, now deceased, became of sufficient age to enter the business the father bought an interest therein for him. The firm name has since been Beitman, Wolf & Company, and they still conduct the leading department store in Wabash. The senior Mr. Wolf continued his interest in this business until within two years of his death.
He was also for many years prominent in the public life of the city, and concerned himself with its institutions in an active manner. In 1888, he was one of the organizers of the Wabash National Bank, of which he was for several years a member of its directorate. In 1902 he sold his holdings in that concern, and became one of the incorporators of the Farmers and Merchants' National Bank. He was a member of its board of directorate from that time until his death, on the 13th of March, 1912. He was the owner of considerable Wabash property and of farm lands in the county to the extent of six hundred acres, so that it will be seen he busied himself in business affairs to some purpose during his active and successful career. He was highly regarded in business and in other circles in Wabash, and he is remembered as one of the admirable citizens of the town.
In 1869 Mr. Wolf married Miss Julia Kittner, of Peru, who died in 1889, leaving one son, Henry Wolf. In May, 1901, Mr. Wolf married Emma Mandelbaum, of Wabash, and to them were born three children, Gladys and twins named Harold and Donald.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
The early education of Judge Plummer was secured in the district schools, and when still but a lad, in April, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Union army, becoming a member of Company G, 142nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. During the summer following his enlistment, he served in the Army of the Potomac between Petersburg and Richmond, but his regiment being what was known as a "short regiment," recruited from the National Guard, he was discharged September 2, 1864. He subsequently reenlisted in Company F, 198th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but had served but comparatively a short time when peace was declared and he received his honorable discharge. Returning to his home, the boy soldier attended high school for one year at Fredericktown, Ohio, and in 1866 came to Indiana, being for one year employed as a farm hand. In 1867 he went to White county, this state, where he lived for seven years, teaching school during the winter months and clerking in general stores in summers, and in 1875 returned to Miami county. There he continued to teach school in the winter terms, while in the summer months he read law in the office of Judge James M. Brown, and in 1881 was admitted to the bar, commencing practice at Roann. He first came to Wabash in November, 1886, as deputy prosecuting attorney of Wabash county, and served as such until February, 1889, when his preceptor, Judge Brown, was appointed to the bench for Miami county, and Mr. Plummer was appointed prosecutor for Wabash county. He was elected to this office in November, 1890, and again in November, 1892, and served until November, 1894, following which he again engaged in private practice. Probably no lawyer who has practiced at the Wabash county bar comprehended the ethics of his profession better than he. His clients knew him to be a man of honor and integrity, and none feared at his hands any underhand dealing or chicanery. This reputation had much to do with his election, in November, 1902, to his present high Judicial office. He took his position on the bench in November, 1903, and was reelected six years later, now serving his second term. In the respect that is accorded to such men as Judge Plummer, who have fought their own way to success through unfavorable environments, we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. Judge Plummer held distinctive precedence as an eminent lawyer and a valiant and patriotic soldier, and as a man of affairs has wielded a wide influence. A most determined individuality, an invincible courage and a strong mentality have so entered into his composition as to render him a natural leader of men and a director of opinion. His Judicial record is one which confers honor and dignity upon the history of the bench of the state and his life has been consistent with itself and its possibilities in every particular. He has long been a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and his fraternal connection is with the Knights of Pythias. Politically, the Judge is a stalwart republican.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana" During his early manhood Nelson Zeigler was identified with his father in the commission business at Brooklyn, New York, whither the family had removed, and after the retirement of the elder Zeigler, the son removed to Lyons, New York, and there conducted a dry goods establishment. Some time thereafter he went to Attica, Indiana, and still later came to Wabash, renewing at once his activities in the dry goods business, and continuing therein until his death. Mr. Zeigler was a capable and wise business man, and he experienced a generous measure of success in his enterprise here. He was well thought of and recognized as a conscientious and reliable man. He was a republican in politics, but never held office, nor did he ever seek office at the hands of the public. He attended the Methodist church for many years. On October 18, 1867, Mr. Zeigler married Annie M. Hughes, who was born and raised in Attica, Indiana, a daughter of John E. and Annie M. (Dutro) Hughes, of Scotch and American nativity, respectively, Maryland having been the birth state of the mother. The father was a farmer and both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Zeigler had four children, two still living. Alma became the wife of Charles S. King, a further sketch of whom is found in this work. Charles S. King and wife and their two daughters Katharine and Josephine, were all killed in an automobile accident, being struck by a limited Pennsylvania train, near Columbia City, Indiana, and all dying instantly. Clinton W. Zeigler married Edna Oliver, and now resides in Southern Missouri. Edward Hughey Zeigler, single, is superintendent of the Peoria & Eastern Division of the New York Central Lines, and located at Indianapolis. One child, the third born, Harry Hughes, died as an infant. Mrs. Zeigler survives her husband and is one of the well known women of the city, where she has a host of genuine friends.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana" In 1890 Mr. Summerland was elected treasurer of Wabash county, and in September, 1891, entered upon his official duties at the county seat. By reelection to the office, he served four years, and gave a most creditable administration of his office. He had already taken a somewhat active part in the public affairs of his home township of Chester, where he had served four years as trustee, and for three years was a member of the North Manchester school board. After the expiration of his second term as treasurer, Mr. Summerland bought his present farm in Noble township, comprising one hundred and forty acres, and located near the city of Wabash. While a resident of Wabash, Mr. Summerland has given active attention to the management of his fine farmstead. In October, 1913, he was appointed Inheritance Appraiser by Judge Plummer, and is now occupied with the duties of that position. Mr. Summerland is a republican in politics, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Masonic Order. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Summerland have been born six children, whose records are as follows: Ruth Ellis, born September 6, 1870, died October 5, 1889. Parke Arthur, born January 1, 1874, now lives in the state of Idaho. John Kenneth, born August 24, 1876, was a soldier in the Spanish-American war, and died August 8, 1905. At the time of his death he was a detective on the Wabash Railroad. Charles Burton, born January 16, 1879, is a resident of Dallas, Texas. Grace Ellis, born September 29, 1881, married Fred Fowler, June 16, 1904, and they have one child, Betty Lou, and live in Wabash. Hoyte A., married Marie Long, and they have one child, Sarah. He operates his father's farm.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana" Dr. C. S. Ellis was born near Salem, Alabama, November 16, 1824, and died at his home on West Main Street in the city of Wabash, November 22, 1894. Six days before his death he had passed his seventieth birthday, so that he was full of years and accomplishments when death called him. When he was about twenty years of age his family moved to Indiana, and at LaFontaine he took up the study of medicine under Dr. Matlock, one of the foremost of the pioneer physicians in that locality. On completing his studies, Dr. Ellis located for practice at Somerset, and continued his work without interruption in that quiet community until the beginning of the war of the Rebellion. On August 20, 1861, he went out as first lieutenant in Company I of the Eighth Indiana Infantry. On September 25, 1862, he resigned his commission and returned home. Again in 1863, he entered the service, this time as captain of Company E in the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Indiana Regiment. Soon afterwards he was promoted to the rank of major in the regiment, and continued until the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth was mustered out of service. In the spring of 1865, a few months before the close of the Rebellion, Dr. Ellis once more tendered his services to the cause, and this time went to the front as lieutenant colonel in the One Hundred and Fifty-third Indiana Infantry. While his commission was never higher than lieutenant colonel, he was appointed commander of the post at Rushville, Kentucky, and commanded the brigade to which his regiment was attached. With the close of his service as a soldier, Dr. Ellis returned to his old home in Somerset, and quietly resumed his duties as a country practitioner. In 1866, he was again called into public service at his election as treasurer of Wabash county. He then moved his family to the city of Wabash, and served as treasurer two terms. On leaving the office of treasurer, Dr. Ellis went west, and participated in the mining activities of the new territory of Montana for about five years. After his return from the west Dr. Ellis continued a resident of Wabash and in the practice of medicine until the close of his life. Dr. Ellis was one of the best known members of the Grand Army in Wabash county, and filled all the important offices in his post, being surgeon at the time of his death. He was an honorary member of St. Anastasia Mesnil Lodge, No. 46, I. O. O. F. In 1847, a year or two after he had established himself in the practice of medicine in Wabash county, Dr. Ellis married Miss Caroline C. Hale of LaFontaine. She was born near Lexington, Kentucky, October 22, 1831, and died at her home in Wabash, May 10, 1893, about a year and a half before the death of her husband. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Hale, who were early settlers of Wabash county, having moved to this section when she was about three years of age. Dr. and Mrs. Ellis became the parents of ten children, six of whom survived Dr. Ellis. The children are: Sarah, who is Mrs. J. C. Summerland; Viola C., Mrs. M. W. Coate; Arthur T., who lives in Peru; Milo Hale, who died in October, 1910; Josephine, who died aged four years; Grace A., now Mrs. A. M. Oswalt; India R., now Mrs. Wood Rhodes, of Wabash; Charles L., who died aged sixteen years; Naomi, wife of J. W. Prince, of Parsons, Kansas; and Van M., who died aged four years. Dr. Ellis was a member of the Presbyterian church; had been educated for the ministry, but preferred to become a physician. His father, Sylvester Ellis, a native of Vermont, was a missionary preacher among the Indians at Salem, Alabama, at the time of his marriage and his wife, Sarah Hoyte, was a teacher among the Indians there.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana" The bank opened its doors for business in 1912 in the old McNown Building, but plans were almost immediately made for the construction of a new building, specially designed for the bank. This bank building has since been completed, and is a handsome structure of brick and stone adjoining the new building of the Lagro Hardware Company. Most of the stock in the Citizens State Bank is held by residents in and about Lagro, and it is almost purely a local institution, farmers, merchants, retired citizens and others being the backers of the institution. The bank fills a long-felt want in this part of Wabash county, and its business has been increasing rapidly ever since its books were first opened. The officers and directors at this writing (1914) are as follows: Charles F. Hegel, president; Alexander Fulton, vice president; Robert Fults, John A. Thomas, Hugh Jackson, S. D. Tyner, L. A. Schmalzried, Daniel Ryan and John Hegel, directors; and D. W. Gillespie, cashier.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana" His birth occurred in Liberty township, Wabash county, July 24, 1877. He was one of the children of John W. and Sarah (Brane) Gillespie, old residents of Wabash county, who were born in Ohio. The children were: William, deceased; John D.; Anna, wife of Charles Sinclair; George M.; David A.; Charles L.; Theo W.; Minnie M., wife of William Devricks. D. W. Gillespie grew up on the old home farm in Wabash county. When he was about three years old his mother died, and he was orphaned by the death of his father at the age of fifteen. In the meantime he had attended country and grade schools at Lincolnville, and finally qualified for work as a teacher. He began when little more than a boy to instruct the youth of a country district school and taught for two terms in Lagro township. For three years he was a student in Valparaiso University where he graduated in the scientific course in 1899. After that four years were spent as a teacher in the Burdick schools in Porter county, after which he returned to Lagro township, and spent seven years in the school room. He resigned his position as a teacher, in order to accept a place of cashier in the Citizens State Bank at Lagro, when that institution opened its doors in 1912. In the meantime he had been steadily prospering in a quiet way and his surplus earnings were invested in a farm of eighty acres in Lagro township. He moved from his farm and bought the George Todd residence at Lagro in 1913. He still owns the farm, has bought and built valuable business property at Lagro, and was one of the organizers and is a stock holder in the Lagro Hardware Company, a business concern which is sketched elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Gillespie was married July 24, 1903, to Miss Anna Miller, a daughter of Charles Miller, now deceased, who for many years lived near Valparaiso. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie have three children: Estella Marie, who died October 5, 1912, at the age of eight years; Marguerite Irene, who is now four years old; and Helen Marine, six months old.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana" John Lynn was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on November 5, 1821, and came early to Preble county, Ohio, where he continued until 1839, when he came to Wabash county, Indiana. His first trip to this county was made on foot from his Preble county home, and at Fort Wayne he entered land lying along the LaFontaine Pike, four miles southeast of Wabash. This was the Southwest quarter of Section 28, Township 27 North, Range 8 East, and the deed for this preemption was signed by President Zachary Taylor. In the same year he bought eighty acres of canal land, the same being described as follows: The east half of the southwest quarter of Section 20, Township 27, North of Range 7. The deed for this purchase, as well as for the government entry, are now in the possession of Frank Lynn, of Wabash. On his government entry of land John Lynn built a log cabin, haying in the meantime occupied the cabin of William Huff. It should be here stated that after he had made his entry of government land, Mr. Lynn returned to Preble county, was there married and brought back his wife, who in her maiden days was Elizabeth Freel, and whom he married in Preble county, Ohio, on September 21, 1841, his removal to Wabash county following in October, 1841. His second trip to Wabash county was accomplished with a team and wagon, a vast improvement over his first journey into the new country. The cabin which Mr. Lynn built was, through an error, located on the land of another man, and it is a notable fact that when the mistake was discovered and the cabin moved, it was again wrongly located, and a third move finally brought the cabin to its rightful resting place. In this cabin, three of his children were born,one at each location. It is, perhaps, unnecessary to say here that the country was in those early days in a most uncivilized state. The hand of the white man had scarce invaded the district, and Mr. Lynn found it necessary to make vigorous stand against the wild beasts that had so long held sway in the forests, their rights undisputed by mere man. Indians, too, played an important part in the life of the pioneer of that period, and Mr. Lynn found his ingenuity taxed to its utmost to maintain an existence in his new home without molestation from the marauding forces of uncivilized nature. Magnificent forests of oak, beech, walnut, maple and other more or less rare and exceedingly valuable timber were subjected to the merciless fury of the axeman, and the noble trees were cut into lengths suitable to handle, heaped in immense piles and burned where they were felled. True, some of them were put to use by being split into fence rails and utilized for fencing purposes, and many of them found their way into the solid construction of houses and barns. And an occasional block house may be found today in Wabash county to bear witness to the quality of building that was done by the early settlers of the district. John Lynn was all his days a sufferer from asthma, and though he was always a hard working man, his malady was one that made it impossible for him to perform the hard and incessant manual labor that his neighbors found to be the incidents of a day. He always hired a good deal of help on his place, and when his sons reached years of sturdy youth they took their places in forest and field and worked valiantly to subdue the forces of nature and establish more securely in the wilderness the supremacy of man. Mr. Lynn's beloved wife and helpmeet played well her part all her days, bearing her full share in the development of the community, uncomplainingly and cheerfully. She reared her family of ten children as best she might, teaching them all she knew of books, and by example and precept instilling into their young minds and hearts those principles of honor and uprightness that had marked her own and her husband's lives, and rearing them in a reverence of God that helped to make of each of them useful and valuable citizens. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lynn were of the Methodist faith, but in later life, in order to be convenient to a house of worship, they united with the Presbyterian church, and continued among its members to the end of their days. Mr. Lynn was one of those de1ightfully old fashioned men, whose like one never sees today, and he was always a power for good in his community. He was a man of fine character, honest from principle, and generous in thought, word and deed, with a high sense of honor and a just regard always for the rights and privileges of others. He was ever a neighborly neighbor, and an honest, God-fearing man. Of the ten children of Mr. and Mrs. Lynn, six are now living, and five of them are living in Wabash county homes. Of these children, Frank Lynn was born in the log cabin home of the family on October 12, 1844. He had but few opportunities for education, but was one with a natural gift for learning, and was always a great reader and a keen observer, thus adding much to the meager training afforded to him in boyhood. He was reared on the home farm, and when yet a boy he began to launch out independently, starting. as a cattle buyer in a small way. Later he went into the work extensively, and for nearly forty-four years he followed that business. During his activities in that enterprise, he visited not only every nook and cranny of his native county, but of Grant, Huntington and Miami counties as well. During these years he lived on the old farm and carried on activities as a farmer, and to the present day he is in charge of the operations on his farm lands, comprising 172 acres. He has long had a wide acquaintance in the county, and it has been said of him that he could call more people in Wabash county by their Christian names than could any other individual in the county. He still has an enormous acquaintance, and has long been prominent here. Mr. Lynn is a republican, and he has held certain public offices, among them being treasurer of Wabash county, in which he served four years and four months. He was elected to that office in 1894, and since that time has maintained his residence in this city. On January 30, 1886, Mr. Lynn was married to Miss Margaret Hittle, a daughter of John and Adeline (Kendall) Hittle. She was born in Liberty township, on August 2, 1848, and to them have been born three children. Oliver, the eldest born, died in early manhood; Lou Anne married Elias Scott and became the mother of three children: Oliver Lynn Scott, Kittie Bernice and Mary Adeline, deceased. After the death of Mr. Scott on August 27, 1903, Mrs. Scott married Dr. N. T. Hale and lives in Eustis, Nebraska. Ella, the third child of Mr. and Mrs. Lynn, resides at home. The family are members of the Presbyterian church, and are active in the various branches of the good works of that organization.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana" John Hittle came of farming people, and he was reared on a farm, learning the trade of a blacksmith when a young man, and for many years carrying on that occupation. He married Adeline Kendall on December 4, 1842, when he was scarce twenty years of age, and three years later came to Wabash county, locating eight miles southeast of Wabash on the LaFontaine pike. There he erected a shop and followed blacksmithing and farming during the greater part of his life, while for twenty years he kept the toll gate on the LaFontaine pike. There he came into contact with the rank and file of the citizenship of the county, and made acquaintance with all in the genial and kindly manner that was characteristic of him and pleasing to the public. Both Mr. Hittle and his wife were devout Baptists, and like many another old pioneer, he was noted all his days for his uprightness of character, for his many neighborly qualities and for the universal esteem in which he and his faithful wife were ever held. To them were born six children, all of whom died in infancy excepting one daughter, Margaret, the wife of Frank Lynn, of Wabash. Mr. Hittle died on March 9, 1897, having outlived his wife by a number of years. She died on April 17, 1881, and like her beloved partner in life, she is still mourned by the many people hereabout that knew her.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana" The founder of the name in Indiana was Jess Higgins, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1806, and was of English extraction. On December 27, 1841, he married Ann M. Rodebaugh, who was born at Albany, New York. In 1846 Jess Higgins and wife came to Indiana and became early residents of the city of Peru. He was a miller by trade, and his first occupation was the management of the old Peru Mills. Subsequently he was a real estate dealer, and from 1858 to 1860 served as deputy treasurer of Miami county. He had a prominent place in local affairs, served as mayor of Peru, and held various other positions of trust and responsibility. His death occurred January 17, 1879. He and his wife had five children. The late Dr. Carter B. Higgins, father of the Lagro physician, was born in Preble county, Ohio, December 15, 1843, and was the oldest child of his parents. He lived in Miami county from the time he was three years of age, and his education at the Peru high school was supplemented by study in Earlham College at Richmond, and when eighteen years old took up the study of medicine in the offices of Drs. Constant and Walker at Peru. In October, 1865, he became a student in the Rush Medical College at Chicago, and was graduated Doctor of Medicine in 1866. His first practice was at Peru in association with Dr. Walker, under whom he had previously studied. Their relationship continued until 1869, when Dr. Higgins moved to Rochester, Indiana, but soon afterwards returned to Peru, and was in active practice there until his death in 1894. He was regarded as one of the ablest men in his profession in Miami county. He served as secretary of the Miami County Medical Society, was honored with the office of treasurer in the State Medical Society, and belonged to the American Medical Association. For some years he was surgeon in charge to the Wabash Railway Hospital at Peru. On January 22, 1868, Dr. Higgins married Sarah E. Jay, of Miami county, a daughter of Thomas Jay. After the death of her husband Mrs. Higgins lived with her son Dr. Higgins of Lagro, and her death on December 26, 1911, was the result of an accident which befell her while she was driving across the railway tracks on her way home. There were three children in the family: Clara, Dr. Jess B., and Alice. The late Dr. Higgins was a member of the Masonic order, and was held in high esteem in his community in every relation, either as a physician or as a citizen. Dr. Jess Braxton Higgins was born February 24, 1878, at Peru in Miami county. He grew up in that county, attended the public schools at Peru, and for five years was a student in the Howe Military Academy in Howe, Indiana. Following the example of his honored father, he determined upon medicine as his vocation, and entered the Fort Wayne College of Medicine, and at the end of four years, in 1901, received his degree from that school. His practice was begun at Lagro in the same year, but at the end of three years he moved back to his home town of Peru, and remained in practice there five years. Dr. Higgins in 1909 again located at Lagro, and has since built up a large and prosperous business. His office and residence are near the St. Patrick's Catholic church, of which he is a member. On September 9, 1903, Dr. Higgins married Miss Elizabeth O'Rourke, a daughter of Patrick and Mary O'Rourke, both now deceased and formerly well known farming people of Lagro township.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana" Dr. Little was born in Granville, Ohio, December 1, 1845, a son of Rev. Jacob and Ann (Thompson) Little, natives, respectively, of New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. He grew up amid Christian surroundings, and received his early scholastic training in the public and private schools of his native town, this being supplemented by a brief course at Dennison University. Following this he took the complete course of four years at Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio, and after teaching school for two years in the public institutions of that city, took a three years' theological course in Lane Theological Seminary, Cincinnati, where he was graduated in May, 1872. In the fall of that year, Mr. Little was called to the pastorate of the Presbyterian church at Wabash, and has since been continuously retained in this position. On April 14, 1879, Mr. Little was united in marriage with Miss Annie L. Thurston, daughter of the late W. K. Thurston of Wabash, and to this union there have been born the following children: George T., a resident of New York City; Robert, a minister of the Presbyterian faith holding a pastorate at Newcastle, Pennsylvania; and Mary T., who is residing at home with her parents. For thirty-five years Mr. Little had been state clerk of the Presbytery of Muncie, and for twenty years had held a like position in the Synod of Indiana, resigning these positions in 1910. In that year he was elected moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly, in the United States of America, at Atlantic City, New Jersey, having also served one year in the capacity of moderator of the Synod of Indiana. He has borne his preferment well, and has earned the love and respect everywhere of those with whom he has come in contact. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Western College of Oxford, Ohio.
"History of Wabash County, Indiana"
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
NELSON ZEIGLER, was a man fifty-six years of age when he died at his home in Wabash, on September 12, 1897, and he had for many years been identified with the business activities of Wabash in a prominent and effective manner. He was born in Perrysville, near Toledo, Ohio, on December 15, 1841, and was a son of William and Almira (Van Luven) Zeigler.
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
JOHN C. SUMMERLAND
A former county treasurer of Wabash county, and in other capacities identified with the public affairs of both township and county, John C. Summerland has been a resident of this locality nearly fifty years, and acquired a position of solid prosperity chiefly through his industry as a farmer.
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
C. S. ELLIS, M. D.
Of the older members of the medical fraternity in Wabash county, those who perform their quiet, but effective. service to humanity as "country doctors," one of the most conspicuous was the late Dr. C. S. Ellis, whose home was in this county for about fifty years. Besides his practice as a physician, he was a man of prominence before the public, served with ranks of captain, major, and lieutenant colonel in the Civil war, was at one time treasurer of the county, and also served one term as a member of the Indiana State Legislature. In his time he was one of the men of "light and leading" in Wabash county, and he leaves descendants who honor his name in this and other communities.
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
CITIZENS STATE BANK OF LAGRO
The first banking institution ever opened at Lagro is the Citizens State Bank, which was incorporated March 9, 1912, under the laws of Indiana, with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. Its charter, its facilities for handling business, its officers and directors and principal stock holders, are all of a character to give the people unqualified confidence in the institution as a financial stronghold, and its success has more than justified the anticipations of its founders.
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
D. W. GILLESPIE, the cashier of the Citizens State Bank at Lagro, has for a number of years been one of the vigorous and effective workers in this community of Wabash county. Many remember him as a successful teacher, and for a number of years he combined the vocations of teaching with farming. Mr. Gillespie owns a well improved and valuable homestead in Lagro township, and is otherwise identified with the business and civic affairs of the locality.
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
JOHN LYNN
The late John Lynn, long a resident of Wabash county, Indiana, and one who bore the part of a true pioneer in the development and upbuilding of the county, was a man whose many excellencies of heart and mind made him a valuable addition to the county all his days. His life was a hard one, as measured by present day standards of what constitute the reasonable ease of life and its opposite, but it is probable that he never regarded it as such, but rather as being the common lot of man, for he never complained, and he went on with his work unfalteringly to the end. It is undeniable that the hardy spirit of those fine old men and their equally fine wives has had much to do with the results that are apparent everywhere today in communities that are now populous and thriving. Any lack of determination or hardihood on their part must have resulted inevitably in a failure in the progress that is the pride of the nation, and all honor is due to them. It is fitting indeed that specific mention be made of them and their part in the civilizing process that has meant so much to us all, in a historical and biographical work of the nature of this publication.
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
JOHN HITTLE
Sixteen years have passed since John Hittle passed from earthly life to his reward, but his genial personality is well remembered in and about Wabash today. He was, undoubtedly, one of the best known men in Wabash county for a great many years, and he was one who enjoyed the kindly regard and esteem of all. He was a native son of the state, born in Rush county, Indiana, in 1823, and he was a son of Isaac and Margaret Hittle.
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
JESS BRAXTON HIGGINS, M. D.
One of the leading physicians of Wabash county is Dr. Higgins of Lagro. He has practiced medicine in this county for the past eight years, and his qualifications and experience has been such as to give him a well deserved leadership in the medical fraternity of this locality. Dr. Higgins is a son of a former prominent physician of Miami county, and represents the third generation of the family residence in this section of the state.
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
REV. CHARLES LITTLE, D. D., LL. D.
The old aphorism which tells us that gentle words and kind deeds live forever is one which not only inspirits the mind with its beauty, but its truth is brought home to us so often and so forcibly that at times it renders comfort that we do not feel. All men who have been so abundantly endowed with that most precious of human attributes - love for their fellow men - are fully reimbursed for their self-sacrifice, their generosity and their benevolence; for their submissiveness and obedience to the mandates of the Deity. This truism has been abundantly exemplified during the lifetime of the Rev. Charles Little. At the time of this writing (1914), for forty-two years pastor of the Presbyterian church at Wabash, he has accomplished inconceivable good and lightened numerous burdens worldly and spiritual, and has been content to reap the harvest of brotherly love, rather than hoard sordid accumulations.
Clarkson W. Weesner
Lewis Publishing Co.
Chicago and New York
published in 1914
Deb Murray