Such, in outline, is a review of the career of a man who impressed his personality forcibly upon the community in which he lived and labored so long. Coming to Wabash a poor country youth with the sole assets of a determined spirit and a willingness to work, characteristics which were to be found in many of his fellow pioneers in the commercial world of Wabash county, his career was no rose-strewn path. Each step that he advanced meant the overcoming of obstacles, yet his make-up was such that he was able to cope with the fierce competition that marked the growth and development of this section, and to emerge triumphant from the struggle. Among his business associates he was known as a man in whom could be placed the utmost confidence and who had all the essential qualities for leadership. He had a commendable faith in his own abilities, yet he was quick to recognize another's worth and to give credit where credit was due. No important movement calculated to further the advancement of the community was considered complete until it had secured his support and cooperation, and rare it was that he withheld his support from progressive measures of any kind. He was interested in public affairs, but only insofar as they affected the interests of his community, for he was never a politician. He was very fond of travel, and in 1874 made an extended trip to California, this being followed, in 1878, by a four-months' tour of Europe. On February 6, 1897, when occurred his death, there closed a life which woven into the warp and wool of Wabash county's citizenship made its texture firmer, stronger and brighter.

George N. King married Maria M. Maloney, a native of Dublin, Ireland. She came to Wabash county, Indiana, as a child with her parents. Mr. King is survived by his widow and two children, Mrs. Nellie Snavelly and George Lincoln King, of Los Angeles, California.

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

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

He was born April 3, 1826, in the town of Wittenberg, Prussia. His father, Christopher Hegel, was born in the same village about 1786, and as a young man sold goods over a large territory from a pack carried on his back, and from that modest start built up a large trade and eventually became one of the most prosperous men in his home community. He possessed a good education and had a remarkable memory, and died at the age of seventy-seven years. He lived in the time of Napoleon and often told his children stories of the great Emperor, whose face and figure and whose feats he well remembered. Christopher Hegel married Catherine Hummel, who was born in Wittenberg in 1788 and died in 1846. They were devout members of the Lutheran church, and were of a class of people in the middle rank, enjoying the respect and confidence of those above them and exercising an influence for good among all their friends and neighbors.

The youngest of the family and the last surviving of eleven children, Jacob Hegel, received an excellent education as a young man in preparation for life. His father was a strict disciplinarian and kept all the children at their studies or some useful occupation. When he was eighteen Jacob entered the agricultural college at Wittenberg, an experimental school founded and conducted under the auspices of the King of Prussia. At the end of two years he received his diploma, and almost immediately was appointed to take charge of the estate belonging to Duke Norman. In that capacity he had a large corps of subordinates working under him, and successfully managed the estate for two years. That was during the revolution of 1848, and he had some exciting experiences. At one time it was reported that the rebels were crossing the Rhine with the intention of burning the ducal buildings and destroying all the property they could find. The duke was at that time confined in his bed as a result of an accident and was consequently unable to marshal his forces and prepare for resistance. The chief responsibility thus devolved upon Jacob Hegel, who at once took command and directed that a couch should be prepared, on which the duke was carried to a nearby village and placed in safety. Then returning to the castle he hid the silver and other articles of family value under the floor, and by his promptness and vigilance saved all the property and earned the lasting gratitude of the duke.

Early in 1849 Jacob Hegel resigned his position in Germany and set out for America. On his way he passed through the city of Strassburg, went across France, and sailed from Havre on a sailing vessel which was forty-four days between Havre and New York city. He did not remain in New York, and was soon in Philadelphia, and from there went to Pittsburg. It indicates the state of railroad transportation at the time that for several miles after leaving Philadelphia the car on which he rode was pulled by horse power, and he also rode a portion of the distance over the old canal across the mountains, the canal boats being operated by horses on the towpath. He visited Cincinnati, Ohio, and from there took a boat up the tributary river to Dayton, and finally located in Preble county, Ohio. There he found work on a farm at ten dollars a month, followed his employment during the summer, and in the fall of 1849 came to Wabash county. Thereafter until his death, a period of nearly sixty years, he continued to be identified by residence with this county. While he possessed an excellent education and considerable business experience and training, he had many handicaps to overcome, and one was his lack of knowledge of the English language, which he mastered after coming to Wabash county. His employment at monthly wages continued until 1853, when he bought eighty acres of raw woodland. This he began to clear, and each season saw his fields being extended and the area of the wilderness diminished. In the course of time he became one of the substantial farmers of Lagro township, and practically witnessed every phase of the development of that section from its primitive condition. During the first years of his residence there, modern pike highways were unknown, and railroads either steam or electric were still in the distance of progress. The farmers grew their crops more for home consumption than for market, since it was a heavy and costly undertaking to carry produce to the restricted centers of trade. By hard work Jacob Hegel accumulated a place of about one hundred and sixty acres, all of it well improved farm land measuring up to the high standards of Lagro township, and his comforts and methods of living increased with his prosperity. The first home in which he lived was a log cabin, and its original frame work was from time to time remodeled and improved and eventually became a comfortable modern dwelling.

Jacob Hegel was twice married. In 1853 he married Miss Eliza Bender, and they started together to win their portion of independence as farmers of Wabash county. To their marriage were born two children: Mary, now Mrs. Andrew Werst; and Tena. The mother of these children died March 15, 1863, and the 29th of the following December he married Miss Mary Bitzer. She was born in Lagro township December 20, 1842, and her parents came from Wittenberg, Germany, her father at the age of twenty-one and her mother when thirteen, and were married in this country. Her father died in 1881 at the age of seventy, and her mother lived to be more than eighty years of age. Mrs. Hegel, while American born, had a fluent command of both the German and English languages. To their marriage were born seven children: John; William; Lydia, widow of Samuel Bechtold; Charles F.; Reuben A.; Harry H.: and Loretta.

Mr. and Mrs. Hegel were both strong and active members of the Evangelical Association, which erected two church edifices in Lagro township, one in 1864 and the second in 1893. Mr. Hegel and wife contributed liberally to the construction of each church. He served as chairman of the board of trustees when the church was built and continued in that office for many years. He also was Sunday school superintendent. In politics a non-partisan, he believed it was one's duty to support good men regardless of party ties. His opinion was that a truly good man would not hurt the interests entrusted to his charge, no matter what his party affiliations might be.

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

Charles F. Hegel was born on his father's farm in Lagro township; four and a half miles northeast of Lagro, in January, 1875. The first twenty-one years of his life were spent in the community where he was born, and while he attended district schools he also had his full share of duties at home, and idleness was never conspicuous at any point of his career. From the district schools he also entered and took a course in the Normal College at Terre Haute. His business career has been one of constant progress. Two years were spent in the city of Wabash employed in the coating department of a paper mill; he then clerked at Lagro in the hardware store of Todd & Son about four years, and at the end of that time, having a thorough business training, he and Leonard M. Tyner bought the stock from the Todds. As Hegel and Tyner they did business for nine years, and in August, 1913, sold out to William Raupfer of Columbia city. Six days after this sale was effected, the Lagro Hardware Company was organized, and then bought the stock of goods from Mr. Raupfer. In 1913 the Lagro Press had this to say about the new business: "The Lagro Hardware Company is the title of Lagro's new business firm and is composed of Messrs. D. W. Gillespie, Chas. Hegel, Roy Pinkerton and Chas. Fall. These gentlemen on last Friday purchased the entire stock of the Hegel & Tyner firm, lately purchased by W. E. Raupfer of Columbia city. Every member of the new firm are men well known in the community, and we can feel justly proud that they will carry on the business established years ago by Hegel & Tyner. The old firm did the largest implement business in this section of the country, and it is the intention of the new firm to branch out and work for a larger business, and as every one is a hustler, there is no reason why they cannot accomplish much. Messrs. Pinkerton and Fall will locate here as soon as they can secure houses, and will jump right into the harness. Chas. Hegel has been appointed manager, and with the assistance of the other members of the firm will soon establish a business second to none in the county."

The company was incorporated with a capital stock of sixteen thousand dollars. Mr. Hegel was prevailed upon to remain with the new firm as manager, and was elected president of the company. Recently the stock was moved into a new building adjoining the new bank building, specially constructed for the business. It is three stories in height and equipped with every modern facility for convenient handling of goods, including elevators, wiring for electric light, and ample show and wareroom arrangement. The proportion of the building is 22x70 feet in dimension, and another part occupies ground 70x120 feet. The company carries a complete line of hardware, lumber, coal, buggies, harness, and farm implements.

Mr. Hegel was married in November, 1903, to Harriet Porter, a daughter of George and Mary Porter. To their marriage have been born two children: Ronald George, born September, 1904; and Clarence Jacob, born January 30, 1909. Mr. Hegel has membership in the Masonic Lodge at Lagro, the Knights of the Maccabees and is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and superintendent of the Sunday school. Although his father was in fairly good circumstances, the son has made his own way, and his success is truly creditable.

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

Mr. LaSelle is a native of Erie county, New York, born about twenty miles west of Buffalo, on December 18, 1832. He was three years old when his parents, Bingham and Thurza (Campbell) LaSelle, moved to Wayne county, Ohio, and thence to Abington, Indiana. Their stay in either of these places was but brief and they soon found themselves in Fayette county, Indiana. A little later they moved to Preble county, Ohio, then to Wayne county, Ohio, and in 1844 they set out for LaPorte, Indiana, but they only got as far as Wabash, owing to the condition of the roads which rendered them impassible.

It so happened that the little family put up in the log cabin home of Elizur LaSelle, an older brother of Harvey B., who had located in Wabash some three years previous, and the family spent the winter there. In the spring they moved into a log cabin in the woods about four and a half miles north of Huntington, on what they hoped would develop into a farm in the years to come. Not a tree had been cut with the exception of those that entered into the making of the log cabin, and the place was a veritable wilderness. The whole family applied themselves with energy and determination to the mammoth task of subduing the forest and the clearing, burning, grubbing and planting went on with a hearty good will for years before the place reached the dignity of the title of farm. Here the patient and hard working mother died, leaving five sons and six daughters, and in later years the father sold the property, moving to Wayne county, where one of his married daughters lived, there making his home with her. He later married a second time, and spent his remaining days in the home of Harvey B., of this review, dying there at the age of seventy-nine years.

Harvey B. LaSelle made his home under the roof-tree of his parents until 1854, bearing his full share in the pioneer work that fell to the lot of the family as home-makers in a new country, and in the hardships that never failed to attend pioneer life. His total schooling did not exceed nine months, covering three periods of three months each at the district school of the community, located nearly two miles from his home. In 1854 he came to Wabash and here began working in a sawmill which then occupied the present site of the Big Four Railroad shops. This sawmill was the property of Hanner & Burr, and for his services as a laborer in the mill Mr. LaSelle received $1.25 and his board daily. He became head sawyer of the min, having made continued advancement from post to post, but when he married in January, 1855, he decided to turn his attention to farm life again. The summer following his marriage he farmed the old place in Huntington county, after which he moved back to Wabash county and for three years he occupied a rented farm, three miles southeast of Wabash on the Marion road. Then, in company with his brothers, George and Elizur, he bought a sawmill on the Vernon pike, some two miles south of Wabash, and he was thus engaged until 1863. During that time he sawed the lumber that built a good part of those early plank roads of Wabash county. In the spring of 1864 he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, nine and a half miles northwest of Wabash, only about one acre of which was cleared. He bought the farm for the timber it furnished, but moved to it and lived there from January, 1864, until March, 1875. He and his brother Elizur purchased a circular sawmill outfit and started in sawing timber. About four years later they moved to Wabash and sawed there until 1871, when they moved the mill to Chili, in Miami county, but still made his home on the Wabash county farm. Elizur LaSelle died in the next year and Mr. LaSelle sold the mill, turning his attention to his farm and devoting himself to the business of clearing and improving the place he had bought a few years previous. In November, 1874; Mrs. LaSelle, nee Sarah Jane Mitten, died, the mother of nine children, four of whom are now living, and who are here mentioned briefly as follows: Charles E.; John S.; Ellen, the wife of George Williams; and Clarence H.

In 1876 Mr. LaSelle married a second time, Elizabeth S. Williams becoming his wife. She died in March, 1907. A third marriage of Mr. LaSelle was contracted in 1909, when he wed Miss Cynthia H. Harrell.

In the spring of 1875, Mr. LaSelle left his farm and took up his abode in Wabash, where he has since made his home, and where he has played a conspicuous part in the civic life of the community. He cast his first presidential ballot for General John C. Fremont and has ever since that time voted the republican ticket. For more than fifty years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he has held all chairs in that and the Encampment. He is also a member of the Canton and of the Rebeccas. In the matter of civic service he has served two terms of two years each, a trustee of Noble township, and he has in many ways demonstrated the high character of his citizenship in the city and county. His standing in the community is an excellent one, well worthy of him, and he has a wide circle of friends hereabouts, though he has practically outlived his generation, and is one of the few men of the county who knew it in the early forties, as did he.

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

Mr. Rose, the cashier, resigned in January, 1913, being succeeded by George Martin. Mr. Latchem died in July, 1913, and was succeeded by Charles S. Baer, and Miss Lucy Latchem was elected assistant secretary and treasurer. On the 15th of October, 1913, Mr. Baer retired from the secretaryship of the company and was succeeded by Miss Lucy Latchem. In January, 1914, Mr. Baer sold his interests in the company, and has since been devoting his time to his private business. The Wabash County Loan & Trust Company has enjoyed a prosperous existence, and has the complete confidence of the public which it serves.

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

Mr. Baer is an example of a farm boy who was reared and trained in the rural atmosphere, and by force of ability has won a successful position in commercial affairs. He was born on a farm near Canton in Stark county, Ohio, August 2, 1856, a son of William C. and Christina Baer. When he was ten years old his parents moved to Kosciusko county, Indiana, locating on a farm, where he grew up and received the usual advantages of the schools of an Indiana community. On March 27, 1879, Mr. Baer married Ella Truxell of Wabash, a daughter of William and Eliza Truxell.

For one year after his marriage he continued on a farm in Kosciusko county, and then moved to Liberty Mills in Wabash county, had one year's experience as a school teacher, and in 1881 became identified with the lumber business in Wabash. His first employment was with the L. Bruner & Son in their spoke and bending factory. He was factory inspector and later traveling salesman in the distribution of their products, and continued with the Bruner concern until 1889, when he engaged in the saw milling business in Wabash. Since 1895 his attention has been exclusively devoted to the hardwood lumber trade.

Mr. Baer was one of the organizers of the Wabash Valley Loan & Savings Association in 1894, was elected its first vice-president, later becoming president, and holding that office for fifteen years. When the Wabash County Loan & Trust Company succeeded the older association, Mr. Baer accepted the place of vice-president, but sold out his interests and retired in January, 1914.

Mr. and Mrs. Baer are the parents of two children: Bess, who is a graduate of the Wabash high school and of DePauw University, and is now teacher of mathematics in the Wabash high school; and Miss Lou Baer, who lives at home. His fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Active in community affairs, he served nine years on the Wabash Board of Education, from 1903 to 1912. He has also served as a member of the Carnegie Library Board of Wabash, and is now a member of the Falls Cemetery Board of that city. Mr. Baer is one of the trustees and on the board of stewards of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Wabash.

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

Born in Fayette county, Indiana, in July, 1826, he was a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Dicken Conner, farming people of that part of the state. His early life was spent on a farm and he received his scholastic training in the district schools and a seminary. Although a poor boy, he obtained a good education for those days. After attending the district school he was a student in the seminary for two or three years. After finishing his education he taught school through the winter months and worked on his father's farm during the summer vacation months. Being the son of a poor man, much of his time was demanded upon the home farm during his school period. He made the most of his opportunities, however, and when he was ready to enter upon his career went at life's work with a determination to succeed that nothing could thwart and by hard and conscientious labor accumulated a competency.

Mr. Conner's efforts were ever directed on the side he thought right and just and no worthy enterprise, either of a public or private nature, was brought to his notice but that received his earnest moral and financial support. Early in life he turned his energies into the real estate business and also conducted a dry goods establishment at Raleigh, Rush county, Indiana, and in both lines was unusually successful. Hard work and close attention to business he made his motto, and his success in life was due entirely to his own well-directed and unremitting efforts. In 1862 Mr. Conner came to Wabash, Indiana, and here opened a general dry goods establishment, the best of its kind in the city at that time. Nine years later he retired from the active business cares of life, intending to remove to Indianapolis to spend his declining years, but shortly afterwards became ill and as a consequence remained in Wabash. After one month's illness he passed away October 24, 1871, while on a visit to his wife's parents' old home in Franklin Co., Ind. In his death the county lost one of its best and most public-spirited citizens and a man who had left his mark indelibly upon the business interests here. It is to such men as Mr. Conner that Wabash owes its standing among the counties of the state. Although he died while still in the prime of life, he could point back during his last years to a record for honorable business dealings and fidelity to every trust which devolved upon him, a man loyal to his friends, to his county and to his state. In financial circles he was widely known, and was one of the prime movers in the enterprise which culminated in the organization of the Citizens State Bank of Wabash, in which he was for a number of years a stockholder.

In 1848 Mr. Conner was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Cushman, daughter of Frazier and Sarah Cushman, pioneer settlers of Rush county, and to this union were born six children, of whom all died in infancy except Ella M., who still survives and lives in her beautiful home in Wabash, in the sweet remembrance of her father and mother, and where she is favorably known in the city and in her church, being a valued member of the Baptist church at Lafontaine. Mr. and Mrs. Conner were devout members of this church and worshipped with the congregation at Lafontaine, Indiana.

Mrs. Caroline Conner was born in Rush county, Indiana, in July, 1825, and died at Wabash December 13, 1893. She was in many respects a very remarkable woman, known for her capability in business affairs, for her work at home, and for the interest she had in improvement and welfare of the city, and for her interest in her church. She was reared on a farm, attended the district schools and a girls' seminary in Rush county. Although her parents were comparatively well-to-do for that period, after her marriage she helped her husband in many ways to lay the foundation of their fortune, and in their early married life, while operating the mercantile establishment, she spent many hours behind the counter assisting her husband to wait on trade. She was ever a helpful and faithful wife and made many sacrifices and self-denials in their early married life. After they had moved to Wabash and were well on the road to a deserved prosperity, she continued to take an active interest in all her husband's affairs. At the time of his death a great deal of unfinished business remained, although her husband had retired from active business, he had invested largely in farm land and real estate and died before these deals had been entirely completed. Mrs. Conner carried out faithfully and with excellent judgment his last wishes and finished the business perhaps as capably as Mr. Conner could have done had he been spared. In 1881-82 Mrs. Conner erected on the grounds on West Main Street, where they had long lived, what was then the finest home in Wabash county, and which still stands a handsome monument to her business ability. A fine engraving of that old land mark in the residence district of Wabash accompanies this sketch.

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

Daniel Sayre was born in Seneca county, New York, a son of Benjamin Sayre, a stone mason by trade. The family moved to Miami county, Ohio, when he was a small child, and later to Richmond, Indiana, during the early history of the state. His father was one of the contractors of the old National road and built the abutment and piers of the bridge over Whitewater river at Richmond. From Richmond Benjamin Sayre moved to Muncie, Indiana, where he lived for many years, and thence to Wabash, where he died at 90 years of age; a son, Henry C. Sayre, is still living here. Daniel Sayre was born June 6, 1815, and in 1832 went to Fort Wayne and there found employment as axeman and general utility man in the construction of the Wabash & Erie Canal. He went down the canal as far as Logansport with the surveying party, and either in the fall of 1832 or the spring of 1833 came to Wabash county, Ind. for a time lived with a man named Rogers, in Lagro township, opposite the mouth of the Salamonie river. In 1834 he purchased a tract of land from the Government, located on Section 6, Township 26 North, Range 7 East, on which he erected a round-log cabin and began to clear his farm. As time passed he improved and cultivated his land, and about the year 1835 was married to Mary Newhall Grover, who was born in Lexington, Kentucky, a daughter of the Rev. Joel Grover, a Methodist preacher. Daniel Sayre did not live on this property long, however, but moved to Hopewell (now so-called), three and one-half miles north-east of Lagro. In 1848 he moved to the latter place and embarked in mercantile pursuits, and for many years lived there as well as at Wabash, continuing in the same line of endeavor. In 1865 he retired from active business pursuits, but in 1876 was appointed postmaster at Wabash, and was reappointed by President Garfield, serving in all eight years. Previous to this time, in 1872, he was elected a member of the state legislature, but, with others, resisted in order to break a quorum, as it was known the democrats were planning to gerrymander the state. He died in 1897 and the mother in 1902. Of their nine children four are now living, Warren G. being the sixth in order of birth.

Mr. Sayre received his early education in the public schools of Wabash, and was graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York, in 1865. He then commenced reading law in the office of John U. Pettit, at Wabash, and in 1866 he was admitted to the bar of the state. Ever since that time (with the exception of a period of four years) he has been engaged in practice in Wabash. In 1865 he was appointed county school examiner, in 1868 was elected mayor of the city of Wabash, an office which he held for four successive terms, and in 1880 was elected joint senator from Kosciusko and Wabash counties. In 1884 he was elected representative from the same counties, and in 1886 was elected representative from Wabash county, and in the session beginning in 1887 was chosen speaker of the house. During all this time his earnest and conscientious efforts in the performance of his duty was attracting widespread and favorable attention, and November 4, 1889, he was appointed by President Harrison a member of the Cherokee Commission which was created to extinguish the Indian titles of land in Oklahoma in order that it could be opened for settlement. At the end of four years, this stupendous task was completed, the commissioners having spent over $13,000,000 during this time in buying Indian lands and bought an area equal to two-thirds of Indiana. In 1902 and again in 1904 Mr. Sayre was elected to the legislature from Wabash county, and he has also been a candidate for the nomination for governor of the state. Few men have had such a long experience in high public office, certainly none has brought more honor and distinction to his native county. In his fraternal connections, he is a valued member of the local lodges of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On January 8, 1865, Mr. Sayre was married to Miss Martha Jane Bronk, of Albany, New York, who died October 22, 1906, being the mother of four children, only one of whom, Daniel Bronk Sayre, is now living. Mr. Sayre married again, November 13, 1909, Mrs. Ida A. (Smith) Davis, whose father, Thomas G. Smith, is a well-known attorney at Huntington, Indiana, becoming his wife. She was the widow of Charles W. Davis, a merchant at Wabash, by whom she is the mother of two children, viz.: Mrs. Charles Huff of Wabash, and Dr. Thomas K. Davis, of New York City. Mr. Sayre is now a great-grandfather, his son's daughter, Henrietta V. Sayre having united in marriage with Mr. Edward Raymond McClung, June 12, 1912. Mr. McClung is a graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy, and he is now an Ensign, and with the Destroyer Warrington in Mexican waters. His son, Edgar Raymond McClung, Jr., was born June 10, 1913.

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

U. A. Anderson was born in Marion county, Indiana, October 8, 1864, and is a son of Elijah and Lucy (Walters) Anderson. His father was born and reared in Marion county, and his mother in Hendricks county, Indiana, and moved to Wabash county in 1868, settling in Lagro township, one mile east of Urbana. The father spent his entire active career in the tilling of the soil and at this time is retired from hard labor and is enjoying his declining years quietly at his home at Lagro, surrounded by the comforts which his years of industry have brought him. He and Mrs. Anderson have been the parents of four children: Uriah A., of this review; Frank, of Lagro; Alice, who married E. Haguewood; William, of Lagro; and Maude, who died at the age of twelve years.

Uriah Alexander Anderson was given good educational advantages in his youth, first attending the district schools of Lagro township and later being a student in the Lagro High school. When he left the latter institution he became apprenticed to the trade of carpenter, at the age of seventeen years, and applied himself to learning thoroughly every detail of that occupation. This accomplished, he embarked upon a career of his own as a carpenter, and remained at Lagro until 1888, in which year he went to Indianapolis, there following his vocation until 1893. He then returned to Lagro, which has since been the scene of his activities. By the time of his return, through his industry and frugality, he had accumulated enough to start in business as an independent contractor in a small way. In this he has been successful, the growth of his business having been steady and continuously to the present time. Associated with him in business is his son, Guy E. Anderson, one of the progressive and enterprising young business men of the city. Mr. Anderson gives his support and his vote to the candidates and principles of the republican party.

On September 29,1888, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Ella Barry, daughter of the late Patrick Barry, and to this union there have been born two children: Guy, who married Magdalena Noonan, and Grace.

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

Born in Huntington county, Indiana, October 14, 1867, Gottlieb William Schroeder is a son of Fred and Sophia (Poehler) Schroeder. Both parents were born and grew up and were married in Germany, came to the United States and lived in Huntington county for five years, and soon after the birth of their son Gottlieb located on a farm in Dallas township, in that county, where both lived until their death. The father owned one hundred and seventy acres, and all his land and prosperity were acquired through his independent efforts. There were five children, as follows: Henry, Gottlieb W., William, Charles, and Dick.

Gottlieb William Schroeder grew up in Huntington County, had the advantages of the district schools, and has followed a career of hard work and constant attention to business the result of which has been a generous prosperity . On December 26, 1895 occurred his marriage with Miss Theresa Young, the only daughter of P. P. Young, who was a well known citizen of Lagro township, Wabash county. Mrs. Schroeder died on April 10, 1911. There are seven children living: Philip, who is a student in the Fort Wayne Business College; Adolph; Appolonia; Arnold; Sophia; Theresa; and Lawrence.

Immediately after his marriage Mr. Schroeder came to Wabash county and bought one hundred and twenty acres from Henry Wendell, in Lagro township. Subsequently he bought forty acres from John Steuber, and from time to time has added to his acreage, until he now possesses three hundred acres in this part of Wabash county. He is one of the largest land owners in the northeastern part of Lagro township, and has a highly creditable standing in the community and is regarded as one of the most successful farmers and business men in that section. He was one of the organizers, and is a director of the Bippus State Bank, and owns stock in the Farmers National Life Insurance Company. In politics he is an independent voter, and is a member of the Lutheran Church.

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

Jacob A. Shultz is a son of George and Catherine (Karns) Shultz, early residents of Lagro township. Catherine Karns who was born in Switzerland, came to the United States with her parents, who located in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where she married George Shultz. The latter came to the United States from Germany with his parents, Peter Shultz and wife, who also settled in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. George and Catherine, following their marriage, moved to Indiana, and the Shultz family came at the same time. They all located in Lagro township of Wabash county, and the Karns family came and settled there soon afterwards. George Shultz bought a tract of land from the government, paying a dollar and a quarter per acre. That tract in itself indicates the early settlement in this vicinity, and a traveler in those days could drive for miles through the woods and across the swamps, and seldom see a cabin or a clearing. The land office was at Fort Wayne, and George Shultz went there to make his entry and pay his land office fee. Fort Wayne itself was then in the woods, and most of the houses of this section of Indiana were of logs. There were few, if any, good roads in this part of the state, and the swamps made it necessary for the settlers to follow devious routes in order to reach market. About 1870 George and Catherine Shultz moved to Paw Paw township, where he died about six years later at the age of fifty-five. Catherine Shultz died in Paw Paw township on the old farm about 1888. George Shultz at the time of his death owned several valuable farms, one of five hundred and twenty acres in Lagro township, one of one hundred and sixty acres in Noble township, and one hundred and twenty-eight acres in Paw Paw township. He was a self-made man in the fullest sense of the term, coming here without any means and dying a comparatively wealthy man. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, the first dying in infancy, and the others mentioned as follows: Elizabeth, deceased; Catherine; Peter, who went west and was not again heard of; Sophia, deceased; Jacob A.; Mary; Philomena, deceased; Sarah, deceased; George, deceased; Fred, deceased.

Jacob A. Shultz was born on the Shultz farm, in Lagro township, land which his father had taken up from the government, grew up in that locality, attended the public schools at Urbana, about two months each winter, and as soon as his strength permitted he was given all he could do in the varied duties of the farm, and also did his share of the clearing and improving. When he was a boy of about thirteen, the family moved to Paw Paw township, and he lived at home until after his marriage. In the fall following that event he bought one hundred and thirty acres, and began farming for himself. His father-in-law, Asa Kanower, owned thirty acres adjoining, and Mr. Shultz later bought that place giving him a full quarter section of land. His steady industry gradually wrought many changes in the land, it was thoroughly cultivated, the low places were tiled, and the farm came to be esteemed as one of the most productive in the township. General farming has been the line chiefly followed by Mr. Shultz, and after he had spent about twenty-six years on his original homestead, he decided to retire and let his sons work the land on shares. Therefore he bought his present place of seventy-six acres at Urbana, on the west side of the Manchester Pike, remodeled the house until it has become a large modern residence, and has since lived there in comfort, busied only with the supervision of his varied interests.

In the spring of 1881, Jacob A. Shultz was married to Mary L. Kanower, a daughter of Asa and Jemima Kanower. Her father is now deceased. To their marriage have been born four children, as follows: Homer F., who married Lucy Helkema, a native of Holland, and they reside in Noble township, and have one child, Nada; Clarence F., who manages his father's farm; Naomi and Nondus, twins. Naomi is Mrs. Charles Kefaber, a resident of Chester township, and they have two children, Ruth and Kenneth; Nondus is Mrs. Ezra Pretorius, and they live on a farm in Lagro township, and have one child, Josephine. Like his father before him, Jacob A. Schultz is a strong democrat. Although his father for his time was quite prosperous and gave his children all a start in the world, Jacob A. has made a fine success outside of what his father was able to give him. It is such men as Mr. Shultz who have made Wabash county what it is today.

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

Mr. Amber's parents came to Indiana when still young people and were married in this state and settled down to farming, a vocation which Mr. Amber followed all of his life. He was a man of excellent education, possessed great reasoning power, and was noted for his remarkable memory. His success as a self-made business man caused him to be called upon frequently to settle up the affairs of others, and for many years he served as a justice of the peace. He died in 1898. Mrs. Amber, who survives her husband, is now one of the oldest women of her township. In an entertaining and instructive manner she recalls numerous incidents and experiences of pioneer life in Indiana, when only the strong, courageous and self-reliant were able to cope with conditions as they were found. At the time of her arrival deer, wolves, small game and bear were found, Indians still roamed the forests, neighbors were far apart and homes, schools and churches were of the most primitive kind. Travel was by horseback or wagon, it being many years before the steam horse worked its way into the fastnesses of the wilderness; telephones were still a thing of the distant future, the hand plow and cradle were still in use, and the many amusements of today were represented by an occasional visit to the home of a far-distant friend. Mrs. Amber has lived through a remarkable period of transformation, and has been granted the privilege of witnessing the most phenomenal period of her state's development. In spite of advanced years she is alert and active, in possession of her faculties, and takes a keen interest in all that goes on about her. She has been the mother of twelve children, of whom the following are living: Maggie, who is the wife of Lawrence Thompson; Margarey, who is now Mrs. Charles Stewart; Samuel, of this review; Emanuel; Matilda, who is the wife of Grant Long; and Mary.

Samuel Amber was about three years of age when the family moved to a farm two miles west of Urbana, and there he attended the district school until reaching the eighth grade. In the meantime he assisted his father in the work of the home farm, and after completing his education remained with the elder man until he purchased a property of his own, this being a tract of forty acres near the home place. Upon selling this, some time later, he invested in sixty acres of land three miles west of Urbana, and this continued to be his home for ten years, when he sold it and bought forty acres two miles west and one-half mile south of Urbana, where he also remained for ten years. During all this time Mr. Amber had followed general farming, using modern methods and making his land pay him handsomely for the work he expended upon it. He also made a specialty of Poland-China hogs, and for twenty years was a leading exhibitor at the various state and county fairs, where his animals took many prizes. In 1910 Mr. Amber disposed of his agricultural interests and came to Urbana, and in that same year took over the Hotel Central from his son, Jesse, who has since been engaged in farming. At that time he also erected the building for his store and bakery, the latter being the first exclusive bakery at this point. From this establishment Mr. Amber supplies various merchants all over this part of the county, and in addition has a large family trade, the excellence of the bread, pies, cakes and delicacies having gained a widespread reputation. Although Mr. Amber has devoted a large amount of his time and attention to this store, it is his frequent remark that the real head of the business is his daughter, Miss Mayme Amber, whose ready smile, courteous manner and constant desire to please have gained numerous friends for the store while making her personally very popular. She has made a close study of every detail of the business, which she has constantly at her finger-tips, and her father never hesitates to consult her judgment, which experience has shown him is of the best. To Mrs. Amber must be given the credit for much of the success of the hotel. The tired and hungry traveler, with digestion ruined by ordinary hotel cooking, sits down to one of her famous chicken dinners, country style, with expectation, and arises therefrom with a smile of complete satisfaction. Commercial men have been known to alter their routes completely in order that they may make Urbana and the Hotel Central at least once a trip. There can be no happier connection than that which exists between members of a family and in which all are possessed of the ability to do their share. It is because of this that the Ambers are so well known in this part of the county, where the name has ever stood for upright living and honorable dealing.

In December, 1880, Mr. Amber was married to Miss Carrie Gurtner, who was born north of Wabash, Indiana, and whose parents came from Switzerland. To this union there have been born the following children: Daisy, deceased, who married Ben Hiner and had two children, Vera and Oma; Jesse, who married Lucy Brannan, and has two children, Muriel and Kenneth; Mayme, who is her father's capable assistant in the bakery; Hazel, who married Prof. Paul Stone, a well-known educator in the Urbana High school, and has one son, Robert, and an infant daughter, Josephine; and Velma and Virginia, who reside at home with their parents. Mr. Amber is essentially a home man, and is never as happy as when in the midst of his family, yet he is not indifferent to the pleasures of companionship among his fellows, and is a popular member of Banner Tent No. 70, Knights of the Maccabees, at Urbana. His political belief coincides with that of the republican party, but he has never been an office seeker, and his interest in public matters is confined to that of any good citizen who has the welfare of his community at heart.

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