P. MALONEY (deceased) was born in Limerick, Ireland, about the year 1812, and emigrated to America in 1832, locating in Vermont, and two years later removed to Fort Wayne, this State. He was left an orphan when but a small child, landed in this country in destitute circumstances, and had always to take care of himself. At Fort Wayne he followed teaming for a livelihood, and was there married to Mary Cushion, of that city, who shortly after died. In 1840, he married Katherine Welsh, a native of County Mayo, Ireland, who was born in 1812, emigrated with her parents to this country in 1837, and located the first year in Fort Wayne. Mr. Maloney came to this township in 1839, located on Section 12, and began farming in the unbroken wilderness. By hard work, thrift and perseverance, he succeeded in providing for his family a comfortable home of 400 acres, the better part well improved. In his latter days, he dealt extensively in live stock, raising a great many head. He was the father of seven children, of whom three sons and three daughters are still living. After a well-spent life and a useful one, he died February 24, 1862. His widow still survives, and resides with her youngest son on the home farm at the age of seventy years, a member, as was her husband, of the Catholic Church.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

DR. F. M. MAGERS was born in Knox County, Ohio, January 28, 1838, the youngest of eight sons born to Nathan and Winifred (Logsdon) Magers, of Cumberland County, Md., and of English and French descent. The advent of their ancestors in this country was in Lord Baltimore's time. The father of Dr. Magers was a farmer, and one of the very early settlers of Knox County, Ohio. He died September 10, 1842. At the age of thirteen, our subject left his mother to attend St. Mary's Seminary, St. Louis, at which institution and at St. Thomas' College, Ky., he pursued his studies till seventeen years old, and then returned home. In 1855, he came to Avilla, Noble County, this State, and engaged in teaching, which he continued till 1857, and then returned home to manage the farm. The fall of 1862, he came to Allen County, this State, taught school that winter, returned home in the spring of 1863, when his mother died. He settled up the estate and for two years read medicine with Dr. Bryant, of Mt. Vernon, attended lectures at the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, and in May, 1865, located in Churubusco, and began practice, at which he has been very successful. Dr. Magers is a Democrat, and a member of the Catholic Church. November 24, 1865, he married Mary E. Metzger, daughter of Judge A. Metzger, of Fort Wayne, and to their union have been born six children, viz.: Cassimer B., Mary F., Edmund L., Elizabeth W., Ursula J. and Francis A.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

GEORGE W. MAXWELL was born in Eel River Township, Allen County, Ind., February 23, 1853, and his father, Abraham Maxwell, in Sumner County, Penn., in 1809. The latter, at the age of fifteen, came to Knox County, Ohio, and in 1835 to Indiana. November 24, 1836, he married Mary Ann (Geiger) Parks, born in Licking County, Ohio, in 1811, and an immigrant to Allen County, in 1833. Mr. Maxwell first located in Indiana on Haw Patch, Noble County; then moved to Eel River Township, Allen County, where he married, purchased a piece of land, and ended his days March 27, 1863. His widow survives him, and resides on the old homestead. They had a family of seven children, five of whom are yet living, the mother also having two children living, of three born to her first husband, John Parks. Our subject was reared a farmer, but was well educated, and taught two terms of school. In 1873, he came to Churubusco, engaged in clerking and as partner, and for a number of years sold organs and sewing machines. September 9, 1875, he married Miss Sarah F. Deck, and 1876, he and John Deck (his father-in-law), joined as partners in a general store. This partnership lasted five years and a half; Mr. Maxwell now continues the business alone, has been very successful, and carries a stock valued at $17,000, comprising dry goods, clothing, groceries, etc. He and his wife are the parents of two children - Iva A. and Myrta M. In politics, he is a Democrat, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

J. F. McNEAR was born in Morrow County, Ohio, January 10, 1838, the son of Philip and Rebecca (Williams) McNear, of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch descent. Philip McNear was a farmer, and visited Noble County, Ind., about 1850, but finally settled in Smith Township, this county, in October, 1851, on forty-one acres in Section 24, and passed through all the hardships incident to pioneer life. Mrs. McNear died December 25, 1878, aged seventy years, since when Mr. McNear has married Mrs. Emillie Strong, and still resides in Smith Township. J. F. McNear was reared on the farm, and received the ordinary common-school education; he then attended one or two terms at Columbia City, after which he entered Otterbein University, near Columbus, Ohio; came home in 1860, and cast his first vote for Lincoln; attended school a term, and then taught until 1862, when he enlisted, August 5, in Company B, Seventy-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to the front. He was in the fights at Perryville, Chickamauga, all through the Atlanta campaign, with Sherman in his memorable march to the sea, and through the Carolinas. During the last year of his service, he was Provost Marshal of the brigade part of the time, and aid-de-camp to Gen. Green. He was honorably discharged June 21, 1865. He enlisted as a private; was appointed Corporal and then Orderly Sergeant; after the battle of Chickamauga, was sent home on a recruiting expedition, and there received a commission, in January, 1864, as First Lieutenant. After the war he engaged in school teaching in Columbia City and elsewhere, and in 1869 went to Kansas and engaged in farming and dealing in real estate. He returned to Whitley County in 1874, and has since remained here. September 5, 1867, he married Antoinette A. Tucker, who died June 2, 1875, leaving two children, Aggie I. and Burdette. Mr. McNear is a Republican, and a member of the U. B. Church. He is owner of sixty acres of land in Smith Township, besides other real estate.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

JACOB NICKEY was born in Augusta Co., Va., July 1, 1814, one of ten children of Samuel and Catherine (Balsley) Nickey. Samuel Nickey's parents came from Germany when he was but three years old, in 1769, and settled in Pennsylvania, out removed to Virginia, where he married and resided till his death, February 17, 1832. He had been a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a member of the Lutheran Church. In the fall of 1832, Mrs. Catherine Nickey moved with her family to Ross Co., Ohio, and in the fall of 1834 removed to Lake Township. Allen Co., Ind., and then to Union Township, this county, where she bought sixty acres of land and lived for many years, but died in 1852 at the home of her son David, in this township. She was a member of the M. E. Church. Jacob Nickey, our subject, has acquired a very good education by self-teaching, his early opportunities having been meager. February 19, 1834, he married, in Ross Co., Ohio, Elizabeth Briggs, native of the place, and daughter of Samuel and Agnes (Sheppard) Briggs. By this marriage he became the father of six children, viz.: Elizabeth I., now Mrs. Alex. More; Rose A., now Mrs. George Perry; Ruhannah, now Mrs. J. O. Long; Sarah A., now Mrs. William Krider; Clarissa, now Mrs. Metsker, and Allen S., now practicing medicine in Boone County, Ind. After marriage, Mr. Nickey farmed on shares, in Ross County, till the fall of 1839, when he came to this township and bought 120 acres unimproved land the following spring, and here erected probably the first frame dwelling built in the county. He has increased his farm to 307 acres of well-improved land by adding to it from time to time. Mrs. Elizabeth Nickey died here September 19, 1844, and January 18, 1849, he married Mrs. Catherine (Crabill) Fredericks, born in Shenandoah County, Va., October 29,1821, daughter of William and Catherine (Funk) Crabill, natives of that State, and from this second marriage three children are living, viz.: William S., Mary N. (now Mrs. N. Metsker), and Jacob W. Mr. Nickey has served many years as Township Trustee under both the old and new constitutions, and six years as one of the County Commissioners; he was on the first grand jury ever held in Columbia City, and has always been a Democrat. He and wife are members of the U. B. Church, and are among the leading citizens of the township.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

D. W. NICKEY was born in this township July 6, 1837, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Gradeless) Nickey, who were parents of the following named children: Rebecca, now Mr. Silas Briggs, of Union Township; David W.; Mary A., now Mrs. Samuel Pierce, of Kendallville, Noble County; Martha E., deceased; William A., deceased; and Addison E., who married Orpha Mossman, and lives in Allen County. Samuel Nickey was born in Augusta County, Va., in 1809, and came to Ross County, Ohio, with his widowed mother; taught school there, and there married Miss Gradeless in 1832. In 1833, he and his father-in-law, William Gradeless, and Absalom Hyre came to Indiana, and Messrs. Nickey and Hyre settled in this township, and Mr. Gradeless in Lake Township, Allen County, taking permanent possession in 1834. After many years, Mr. Nickey moved across Eel River to his father-in-law's place in Allen County, and there died August 29, 1864. Mrs. Nickey died April 17, 1861. D. W. Nickey was reared on the farm in this township, which has always been his home. January 4, 1860, he married Miss Alcinda J. Mossman, daughter of Francis Mossman, one of the old citizens of Whitley County. To their union have been born two children - Rhua E. and Alfred J. Mr. Nickey is a farmer, and also deals largely in live stock. He owns 360 acres of good land in Smith Township, and 180 acres in Allen County. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

GEORGE W. ORNDORF was born in Franklin County, Penn., June 9, 1824, the son of John and Barbara (Stewart) Orndorf, and is one of the two living of their family of three children. The father moved with his family to Richland County, Ohio, in 1836, where he engaged in his vocation of farming. There our subject was reared, and there he married, January 14, 1845, Eve Spinks, and thence emigrated, in 1848, to Eel River Township, Allen Co., Ind. A year later he moved to Lake Township, and in 1877 came to Churubusco. He had learned the carpenter and joiner's trade in 1842, began married life with little or no means at his command, and had but $12 in cash after paying his expenses of removal to this State, had a wife and two children, and no household goods. By thrift and industry, however, he has acquired a good farm of 104 acres in Allen County, as well as valuable town property in Churubusco. He and wife are the parents of eight children, viz.: Priscilla, Mary, Barbara, John, Talitha, Ellen (deceased), George (deceased), and Ida. Of the above, John W. is a leading young man of Churubusco. He has received a good education, has taught school, is married to Jennie Hyatt, is now studying law, and is a Justice of the Peace of Smith Township. The parents of George W. Orndorf moved to Allen County in 1854, where his mother died in 1873. His father moved to Churubusco in 1877, where he died in March, 1880. The family is an old and respected one of Churubusco and vicinity.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

ABRAHAM PENCE was born in Fayette County, Ohio, December 19, 1818, and was one of the eleven children born to George C. and Sarah (Windel) Pence, the former a native of Highland County, Ohio, and the latter of Shenandoah County, Va. Our subject came with his parents to this township in 1836, and has since resided on Section 19, where he was employed on his father's farm until twenty-two years of age, when (in August, 1840), he married Nancy Buckley, a native of Holmes County, Ohio. To their union were born eight children, of whom four are living. Mrs. Pence died in Smith Township in June, 1866, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. May 7, 1867, Mr. Pence married Mrs. Sarah (Hyre) Humbarger, a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and daughter of Wesley and Susan (Van Schaick) Hyre. Mr. Pence farmed on seventy-six acres of the home farm which his father had deeded to him, and by degrees has added to it until at present he owns a farm of 400 acres of well improved land in Smith and Thorn Creek Townships, and has, besides, deeded to his sons 185 acres. Mr. Pence is a Republican, and has filled the office of Township Trustee under the old constitution, and has always been regarded as one of the leading farmers and citizens of the township.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

JOHN PENCE was born in Fayette County, Ohio, April 28, 1823, the Bon of George C. and Sarah Pence, and came with his parents to this township in the fall of 1836, and worked for his father till he reached the age of twenty-three, when his father deeded him eighty acres of the old home place. For the next five years, he improved his own farm, and worked out for others at intervals; in October, 1851, he married Sarah Strein, a native of Allen County, Ind., and daughter of John and Maria Strein. The father of this lady was born on the Atlantic Ocean when his parents were on their passage to this country from Ireland, and her mother was probably a native of Pennsylvania. By his marriage, Mr. Pence became the father of three children. viz.: Joseph M., Sarah C. (now Mrs. Swigert), and Ellen (now Mrs. J. J. Baker). Mrs. Pence died in October, 1864, and March 12, 1865, Mr. Pence married Mary J. Hazen, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Isaac and Rachel (Lafaver) Hazen. To this second union were born four children - Mary A., Nettie J., Virgil.J. and Laura A. In the fan of 1852, Mr. Pence sold his farm and moved to Jones County, Iowa, and thence to Hardin County, stopping one year in each, then returned to this township, and bought back his old farm, which he has increased to 320 acres of well-improved land. For twenty years he and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he holds to Republican opinions.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

JOSEPH J. PENCE was born November 20, 1831, in Fayette County, Ohio, one of eleven children born to George C. and Sarah (Windel) Pence, natives respectively of Highland County, Ohio, and Shenandoah County, Va. George C. Pence moved to this township in the fan of 1836, and bought on Section 19, 640 acres, built a cabin and commenced clearing up. Here Mrs. Sarah Pence died August 18, 1853, in the Methodist Episcopal faith. In the fall of 1855, Mr. Pence traded 120 acres of his original farm to his son, our subject, for 240 acres in Hardin County, Iowa, to which he moved, and on which he resided till his death in 1865, having before his removal deeded the remainder of the Smith Township farm to his children. Our subject at the age of twenty-three, left the home farm and went to Iowa, where he bought the land he subsequently traded to his father. July 28, 1855, he married Susanna Waugh, a native of Ross County, Ohio, and daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Harper) Waugh, natives of the same State. To their union were born six children, five of whom are still living, viz.: Mary E., now Mrs. J. J. Smith; James A. L., David E. M., Florence A. and William J. Mrs. Pence died June 6, 1871, and November 14, 1873, our subject married Alice C. Henny, a native of Jefferson Township, this county, and born September 17, 1850. She is the daughter of Phillip and Charlotta (Richard) Henny, natives of Ohio. Mr. Pence and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Republican.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

HENRY C. PRESSLER was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 5, 1837, one of sixteen children born to John and Maria (Egolf) Pressler, natives of Pennsylvania. John Pressler immigrated into Whitley County, locating in Thorn Creek Township in 1846, and moved to Columbia City in 1875, where he now resides with his second wife, Lydia (King) Pressler, whom he married in 1864, our subject's mother having died in 1857. At the age of twenty, our subject began teaching school, taught three terms, and then entered Heidelberg College, but was soon compelled to withdrew on account of ill health. April, 1861, the military organization to which he belonged was mustered in with Company E, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and Mr. P. went to the front, remained a year, and was then discharged on account of his ill health. In 1864, he re-enlisted in the same company, and remained till the close of the war. In December, 1866, he married Margaret M. Richey. Since 1872, he has chiefly been engaged in mercantile pursuits. In politics, he is a Democrat, and has held the position of Township Assessor and Township Trustee for Smith very nearly twelve consecutive years, and served as Census Enumerator in 1880. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and the father of five children - Wilkis W. (deceased), Willard E., Viola M., Henry C. and Maud.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

MILES RITCHE was born in Northumberland County, Penn., in 1809, one of eight children born to Moses and Rebecca Ritche, natives of Pennsylvania and of German extraction. The boyhood of our subject was passed in attending a country school some two or three miles a way from his home, and in assisting his father on the farm. At the age of twenty-five, he rented the homestead for seven years, then moved to Clarion County, Penn., and farmed there for seven years, and then, to better his circumstances, came to this township in the fall of 1848, and here he has since remained. He found his eighty acre lot in Smith a wilderness, but by perseverance and hard work converted it into a comfortable home, and added to it till it reached 312 acres of productive land, a portion of which he has given to his children. November 2, 1833, he married Marinda Woodrow, daughter of John and Mary A. Woodrow, both natives of Pennsylvania and of English extraction, and to this marriage were born seven children, of whom three sons and two daughters are still living. At his country's call, during the late war, our subject, his three sons and two sons-in-law, were prompt to respond, were sent to the front, and all in safety returned. Mr. Ritche and wife have been members of the M. E. Church for forty years, and he has always been active in the building - up of churches and schoolhouses.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

LEMUEL RICHEY was born in Northumberland County, Penn., January 11, 1347, and is one of seven children, five yet living, born to Miles and Marinda Richey of the said State. Miles was a farmer, was married in his native State, then moved to Indiana, located near the center of this township and purchased eighty acres; has since added to it, and now owns 200 acres of good land, all gained by his own exertions. Our subject, Lemuel Richey, came here with his parents at about four years of age, and was here reared to manhood, receiving a fair common-school education. In the fall of 1862, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth I. V. I., as private. The next spring he was sent to the front and participated in the battles of Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, Nashville, etc., and was then transferred to the Eastern Army, Twenty-third Army Corps. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant October 23, 1863, and Captain of Company D in August, 1865, and discharged in September, 1865, at Charlotte, N. C., when he returned home and engaged in farming. He has since been employed in railroading, merchandising, etc. In 1876, settled in Churubusco, where he has since been engaged in the hardware trade, and at present is a member of the firm of Richey & Craig, owning, also, eighty acres of land in the township. In April, 1869, he married Miss Lavinia Pence, both being members of the M. E. Church. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics is a Republican.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

J. F. SHOAFF was born in Miami County, Ohio, September 15, 1831, one of eleven children born to John P. and Priscilla (Freeman) Shoaff, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio. John P. Shoaff was a farmer by occupation, but a miller by trade. He married Miss Freeman in Miami County, and when the third of their eleven children was born, emigrated, in 1836, to Eel River Township, Allen County, Ind. (five miles from the line of this township and county), and located in the woods. At that time there were only three white families in the township, and the country was overrun with Indians, deer, wolves, wild cats and lynxes. After a couple of years' experience in the wilderness, Mr. Shoaff relinquished farming and began dealing in stocks, which have since engaged his attention. He has accumulated property, valued at $75,000, all by his own exertions. His wife died May 1, 1881, and he still lives on his homestead at the advanced age of seventy-eight. Our subject, J. F. Shoaff, was reared a farmer, and in November, 1857, married Martha Work, who died March 18. 1868. He married his present wife, Annie E. Johnston, September 11, 1872, and to their union have been born two children - Priscilla J. and Eliza J. He employed himself in farming and stock-raising until he came to Churubusco, in July, 1874, where he is doing business as a broker and dealer in real estate. He owns 466 acres of land in Allen County, besides some good property in town. In politics, he is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

GEORGE W. SLAGLE was born in Kanawha County, W. Va., December 9, 1811, the eldest of fourteen children of John and Margaret L. (Erwin) Slagle. The parents brought our subject, when a child, to Ross County, Ohio, and later to Greene County, where he received a common-school education and worked for his father and others till 1831, when he married, September 8, Martha Long, born in Augusta County, Va., April 13, 1814, one of eight children of Peter and Margaret (Ewing) Long, and to this union were born ten children, viz.: Leander, Peter L., Margaret (now Mrs. Jere. Heffelfinger), John H., Aaron P. (who died in 1880, leaving a wife and two children), Martha J. (now Mrs. Horace Hoxia), Mary A. (now Mrs. William Whery), George B., William W. and Emma J. (now Mrs. Henry Jerken). After his marriage, our subject took a lease of part of his father's farm, clearing it up in summer and working as a carpenter in the winter. In 1840, he moved to Lake Township, Allen County, this State, and one year later came to this township, bought fifty acres of wild land, built a hewn-log house and cleared up a farm. He now owns seventy-six well-improved acres. Soon after his coming he began working as a brick and stone-mason, which trade he has since followed in connection with farming. He was a charter member and the first Worshipful Master of Churubusco Lodge, No. 515, A., F. & A. M., is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

GEORGE B. SLAGLE, farmer, was born in this township, December 8, 1849, received the ordinary common-school education, and worked for his father till of age. December 4, 1870, he married Mary E. Donaldson, born in Wood County, Ohio, February 22, 1852, the only child of Hiram and Margaret (Kennedy) Donaldson, natives of Ohio. From this union two children remain - Charles W. and Walter M. After his marriage, Mr. Slagle operated his father's farm for one year, and then moved in March, 1872, to Wood County, Ohio, where he owned a farm, which he sold and returned to this township the same year, and bought a farm of eighty acres, but has resided on his father's farm ever since. He is a Republican in politics, and is a rising young farmer.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

JACOB STOCKERT was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1832, the son of John J. and Margaret Stockert, and in his native land learned the blacksmith's trade from his father and worked at intervals on the farm. He received a good German education, and when twenty-two years of age emigrated to this country, locating in Stark County, Ohio, where a brother had preceded him three years previously. On his arrival, he found himself $15 in debt, and so began his new life worse than empty-handed. He worked at first at jobs, and soon recovered himself. In the spring of 1858, he married Mary Bear, daughter of George and Susan Bear, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and to their union were born five children, of whom two sons and two daughters are now living. Our subject farmed on rented land in Ohio till the spring of I865, when he moved to this township and purchased eighty acres from Jerry Krider, on which was a small log cabin, which has long since been replaced by a substantial frame residence and other good buildings, and the land increased to 185 acres, all well improved. He is recognized as an enterprising citizen and one of the most foremost in the advancement of home industries. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

WILLIAM VAN METER, JR., was born in Pendleton County (now West Virginia), May 15, 1807, the youngest of five children born to William and Phebe (Wece) Van Meter, natives of Augusta and Hardy Counties, Va. The father died when our subject was quite young, and the latter remained with his mother till nineteen years old, and then hired out by the day or year till 1828, when he married Mary Harmon, a native of Pendleton County, and to their union were born six children, viz.: Mrs. Christina Myers; Phebe, now Mrs. John Diffendaffer; Adam, who died in this township in his twenty-seventh year; Rebecca, now Mrs. W. Sterling; John and Julia A. (afterward Mrs. David Hurd), who died in 1866, leaving three children. About 1835, Mr. Van Meter moved to Ross County, Ohio, where he farmed on shares; in 1837, he brought his family to this township, where he bought 160 acres of wild land, to which he has added from time to time, and now owns 636 acres, well-improved. Mrs. Van Meter died at her home in this township in 1841, and January 15, 1859, our subject married Melinda Cratzer, born in Stark County, Ohio, February 17, 1839, the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Brightbill) Cratzer, of Pennsylvania, and to this union six children have been born, as follows: America, now Mrs. B. Gradeless; Scott, Almeda, Melinda M., William and Alpha. Mrs. Van Meter is a member of the M. E. Church, and in politics he is a Republican, and one of the oldest pioneers of this township.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

OBADIAH J. WADE was born in Virginia March 2.5, 1814, one of nine children born to Richard and Rhoda (Harler) Wade. Richard Wade was a farmer by occupation, a reed maker by trade and a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject learned to read at Sabbath school, walking five miles every Sunday to attend the same. He worked on his father's farm till twenty-one years of age, and then went to Augusta County, W. Va., and worked out by the day, month or year. January 28, 1837, he married Caroline Holt, who was born in Augusta County, September 26, 1814. Their children number nine, as follows: Mary J., now Mrs. Chockley; John S.; Elizabeth A., now Mrs. Crockston; William I., James A., Francis A., Richard W., Augusta V. (now Mrs. Leigh), and Charles W. In the fall of 1841, Mr. Wade moved with his wife and family to Thorn Creek Township, this county, where he remained till the spring of 1848, when he moved to this township. Here he bought forty acres of unimproved land, built a log house, and cleared up his farm, which he has since increased to 293 acres. Mr. Wade served as Township Trustee under the old constitution, and he and wife have for many years been members of the M. E. Church.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

C. C. WALKLEY was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, December 17, 1810, one of four sons, two of whom are living, of David and Prudence (Foot) Walkley, natives of Connecticut. David Walkley was a farmer, and moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1805, and was among the oldest settlers. Our subject received a common-school education, and passed his early years in assisting his father in his work as a pioneer. November 26, 1829, he married Miss Ruth L. Richmond, daughter of Elder Edmund Richmond, of Otsego County, N. Y. Mr. Walkley became infatuated with frontier life, and the winters of 1833-34 found him alone near the head-waters of the Blue River, in Noble County, this State, where the abundance of game satisfied his passion for the chase. In 1835, he purchased some land and brought out his family, and the succeeding summers were passed in clearing and farming and the winters in hunting and trapping. He took great interest in the affairs of Green Township; for seventeen years was Justice of the Peace, and was held in general esteem. About 1875, he moved to Churubusco, and has since lived here, engaged in the grocery trade. He and wife have shared the trials and hardships of frontier life for fifty-three years, and have had born to them ten children, five of whom have died. The survivors are as follows: Charles R.; Flavia A., now Mrs. Boner; Parrnelia, now Mrs. Hutchin; Harriet, now Mrs. Gillett; Ruth L., now Mrs. Greer. Mr. Walkley is an old-time Democrat, and Mrs. Walkley is a member of the Baptist Church.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

DAVID M. WAUGH, was born in Ross County, Ohio, December 15, 1840, and is one of eleven children of Joseph and Nancy (Harper) Waugh, natives of said State. Our subject came with his parents to this township in 1850; here attended the public schools, and worked on his father's farm till 1864, when he enlisted in Company E, Seventeenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, with which he served through a11 its marches and engagements till mustered out at Macon, Ga., in August, 1865, having taken part in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Selma. On his return, he settled on an eighty acre farm his father had bought for him during his absence. September 16, 1866, he married Mary Kinsey, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in January, 1847, the daughter of Levi and Caroline Kinsey, natives respectively of Ohio and Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Waugh are the parents of six children, viz.: Ida :M., Lillia C., Susie M., Harvey, Edna and Harrie G. In politics he is a Republican, and he is considered one of the rising young farmers of the township.

"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Smith Township

Deb Murray