"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
JAMES BLEE is a native of County Donegal, Ireland, and was born February 22, 1810, one of twelve children of James and Margaret (Mahaffey) Blee. In 1833, accompanied by his brother John, he immigrated to America, and spent the time till 1841 in working about the' country, part of the time in New Orleans. In the fall of 1841, he came to Jefferson Township, bought 120 acres of land, increased it to several hundred, and still resides there with his brothers William and John. Mr. Blee was never married. In politics, he is a Democrat, and he is a member 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
Jefferson Township
FREDERICK BROCK is a native of Canton Basel, Switzerland, and was born April 1, 1822. His father and mother, Rudolph and Elizabeth (Smossman) Brock, also native of Switzerland, were the parents of five children, of whom our subject was the eldest. He received a good education in the old country, and emigrated thence in company with his parents in 1840, and came to Fairfield County, Ohio. He remained with them till of age, and then worked for himself three years at farming and carpentry. February 22, 1846, he married, in Fairfield County, Elizabeth Amman, also a native of Switzerland, and, in 1850, came to Thorn Creek Township, this county, and settled on eighty acres improved land, where he remained till 1866, when he purchased the 100 acres in this township, where he now lives. In politics, Mr. Brock is a Democrat, and he held the office of Justice of the Peace from 1872 to 1876.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
JAMES BROXON was born in Kent County, Del., April 3, 1821, the only child of Daniel and Amelia (Ross) Broxon, natives respectively of England and Scotland. The father was a farmer, and died when our subject was but nine years old. Commencing the fall of 1836, James worked on a farm in Fayette County, Ind., three years, and the succeeding three years he served as apprentice to Jeremiah Jeffrey, a blacksmith. November 25, 1842, he married Margaret A. Tyner, of Fayette, and then started a blacksmith-shop of his own. In the fall of 1845, he located on eighty acres of unimproved land in Cass County, near Logansport, erected a forge and followed his trade. In the spring of 1854, he removed to this township, bought 160 acres of land, and for twelve years divided his time between his farm and shop. In 1866, he bought 220 acres in the eastern part of the township, where he now lives. His wife has borne him eleven children, of whom nine are still living - Melissa J., Amelia A., John T., Mary E., William C. (all married), and Walter M., Reuben E., Charles O. and Laura D. (single). Mr. and Mrs. Broxon have been members of the Christian Church since 1840; he, also, is a Mason, and has been Postmaster at Saturn for fifteen years. He has held the office of Township Trustee two years, was Justice of the Peace from 1858 to l862, and again from 1866 to 1878.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
J. W. BURWELL is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born December 13,1847. His father, Joseph Burwell, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., in 1817, and married in 1839, in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he remained until his death, March 7, 1863. Mrs. Deborah Burwell, the subject's mother, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1817. After her husband's death, she removed to Whitley County, Ind., with her family, which comprised five children - Rebecca J., Sarah F., J. W., Margaret E. and Ellen M. She yet resides where she first settled on Section 34, Thorn Creek Township. J. W. Burwell has been a resident of this county since coming here with his mother in the spring of 1865. September 21, 1871, he was married to Caroline C. Craft, who was born in Columbia City, Ind., March 13, 1852. He farmed the old homestead until in 1881, when he moved to Forest and embarked in his present enterprise, buying out the firm of Edwards & Anderson, dealers in hardware and agricultural implements, and is meeting with deserved success. He also owns a farm in Thorn Creek Township. He and wife have had four children - Edna B., Cora E., deceased, Joseph P. and Lester E.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
JOSEPH BUSH was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, June 16, 1828, and was one of four children born to George and Catherine (Miller) Bush, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. They moved to Stark County, Ohio, in 1830, and there resided till their death. In 1853, our subject bought eighty acres of land in De Kalb County, Ind., and commenced clearing it, but in 1855 removed to this township and settled on eighty acres, where he has since lived. This farm he has increased to 200 acres, and it is one of the finest in the township, and well supplied with good buildings. March 11, 1852, he married Miss Auer Barbara, who died in 1872, and he subsequently married Catherine Wolfert, who has borne him six children: Amos, Sarah, Albert, Phoebe A., Wilson and Minerva J. Mr. Bush is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Democrat.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
HENRY C. CROWEL was born in Preble County Ohio August 4, 1816, and was one of the nine children of Michael and Hannah (Wells) Crowel, natives of Maryland and South Carolina. At the age of sixteen our subject left his home and entered an apprenticeship of three years to a tanner of New Paris, Preble County, and the next three years were passed in Cincinnati in learning the carpenter's trade and in going to school; in 1839, he moved to Madison County, and for three more years taught school. April 3, 1842, he married Margaret Stickler, of Virginia, and then taught school in Preble County and in Wayne County, Ind., till the fall of 1844, when he came to this township and pre-empted forty acres of land, on which he still resides. In 1852, he went to California, and returned in 1856. Mrs. Crowel died May 21, 18d5, leaving five children of the seven borne by her, viz.: William, married and a prosperous farmer of the township; Mrs. Margaret Foster, Mrs. Mary J. Creager, Elmina and Mrs. Tabitha Cooper. June 16. 1867, our subject married Lucinda Mumford, of Miami County, Ohio, by whom he has had seven children, viz.: Orrie E., J. Fay , Jay, Elzinie, Roland H., Say J. and Charles O. He is now the owner of 160 acres of well-improved land, is a member of Fort Wayne Lodge, F. &, A. M., No. 25, and of Grange No. 1,163. He also served on the Board of Township Trustees and was a member of the Board of School Trustees under the old constitution.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
JAMES C. F. CROWEL was born in Preble County, Ohio, August 21, 1830, the youngest of nine children born to Michael and Hannah (Wells) Crowel, natives respectively of Maryland and South Carolina. On reaching his majority, James started out as a peddler of books, which he followed three years; and the next three he spent in peddling jewelry, traveling, during this time, through twenty-seven States. Finally, in 1857, he commenced farming in this State, working for various parties, until, in 1865, he and his widowed mother settled on 160 acres of choice land in this township, which his father had bought for him when he was sixteen years of age, and on which he has since lived. August 17, 1869, he married Miss Margaret McLaughlin, and to their union have been born five children - Hannah L., Elizabeth J., Martha C., William M. and John T. Mr. Crowel is a man of extensive reading; he is a Granger, and in politics a Democrat.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
OLIVER J. CROWEL was born in Whitley County, Ind., June 7, 1850, the eldest of six children born to John W. and Martha (Sheaffer) Crowel, natives respectively of Preble County, Ohio, and Green County, Tenn. At the age of twenty-two he left the homestead and began working in a saw-mill in this township, and within a year bought a share in a portable saw-mill in Washington Township, which he ran till the summer of 1874. In the fall of 1875, he purchased an interest in the saw-mill he at present owns in its entirety, and which he continues to successfully run. 0n the 24th of July, 1875, he married Mary A. Schoda, and to their union have been born two children, Edward W. and Joy J. In politics, Mr. Crowel is a Democrat, and is looked upon as a rising and prosperous young business man.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
JONATHAN S. DUNFEE is a son of James and Sophie (Hazlett) Dunfee, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Kentucky, and was born in Adams County, Penn., June 9, l826, being one of thirteen children. He was taken to Wayne County, Ohio, when but five years of age, and there reared and educated till twenty years of age, when he went to carpentering for two years, and the following three acted as overseer for his widowed sister's farm in Holmes County, Ohio. October 19, 1848, he married Mary A. Quick, of Holmes County, Ohio, and in the fall of 1850 he came to this township and settled on the eighty acres of land where he now lives; and to these eighty, 412 have been since added as the result of industry and economy. He is the father of seven children, viz.: Justus C., Margaret W., David J., Martha E., Emily A., Althea M., and Louis W.; and during all his stay in this county his doctor bills have not exceeded $35. He is a member of the U. B. Church, and in politics a Republican; his farm is in a high state of cultivation and supplied with excellent buildings, and the signs of prosperity and happiness are all about him.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
LEVI EBERSOLE is a native of Lancaster County, Penn., and was born April 15, 1838, the fourth of seven children of John and Sarah (Siberd) Ebersole, natives of that State. Our subject's father died when the former was eight years of age. At the age of sixteen, he went as apprentice to a bricklayer, and he has more or less followed that trade since he reached the age of eighteen, when he began for himself in Elizabethtown, Penn. In 1862, he moved to Wayne County, Ohio, and began farming. August 14, 1862, he married, in Wayne, Sarah E. Miller, and lived on a rented farm of eighty acres till the spring of 1805, when he bought and removed to the eighty-acre farm in this township, where he still lives, part of the time working at his trade. Of his eight children, five are still living, viz.: Emeline C., Margaret S., William W., Levi E. and Jennie M. He is a member of the United Brethren Church; in politics, he is a Democrat, and in the spring of 1882 was elected Trustee of Jefferson 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
Jefferson Township
BENJAMIN F. IHRIG was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 1, 1843, one of eleven children born to John and Ann (Lash) Ihrig, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey respectively. The family, when our subject was nine years of age, came to Washington Township, this county, where they located on 140 acres of land, and where the father died in 1847. Benjamin remained on the farm till of age, and then, for two years, worked for his neighbors. He married Martha A. Maring, October 25, 1866, and shortly after located on forty acres in this township, where he has since resided. He now owns 112 acres of the best land of the section, and on a part of it the town of Forest is now being built. To his marriage have been born seven children, six of whom are yet living: Alfretta, Judson J., William W., Clarence W., Minnie L. and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Ihrig are both members of the Christian 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
Jefferson Township
GEORGE JEFFRIES was born in Rush County, Ind., January 6, 1836, to William and Elizabeth (Rippey) Jeffries, the parents of eight children. His father was a farmer, and came to this State from Kentucky in 1808, and his mother was a native of Ohio. With his parents, our subject came to this township in 1851, and he spent his time with them till he reached the age of thirty-two. October 20, 1867, he married Miss Axie Thomas, who was born in Huntington County, Ind. He then settled on 180 acres rich land, and has since added eighty more. He has two children, Minnie M. and Edna E. In youth he attended the common schools, the Fort Wayne High School one term, and Adrian (Mich.) College nearly two years. He held the office of Township Trustee from 1867 to 1868, and votes with the Republicans. He was twice drafted during the war, but procured substitutes. He has taught five terms of school, is a leading farmer, and a man of intelligence and influence.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
SYLVANIS KOONTZ was born in Stark County May 25, 1844, the Bon of Baltzer and Susannah (Whistler) Koontz, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. When our subject was nine years old, he was brought by his parents to Washington Township, this county, where his father bought eighty acres of land, which he farmed till his death. In 1862, our subject enlisted in Company I, Fifty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, and served fifteen months under Grant in the Mississippi campaign, taking part in nine battles. In October, 1864, he re-enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-second Indiana Volunteers, and served till the end of the war. Then he worked three years as a carpenter, and in 1870 began the study of medicine, attending the Ohio Medical College, and in 1872 commenced practice in Forest, where he now lives. March 15, 1874, he married Marilla J. Haley, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1843, and who died April 26, 1876. November 28, 1878, he married Adelaide M. Kilpatrick, a native of Summit County, Ohio, and to this union there has been born one child, Jessie. Dr. Koontz is a member of I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 546, and his wife is a member of the Lutheran Church. Baltzer Koontz, Sr., was born in Maryland, and married Catharine Harman, a native of the same State; date of death unknown; descendants, seven boys and two girls. Baltzer Koontz, Jr., third child of above, was born in Franklin County, Md., November 8, 1793; February 21, 1822, married Susannah Whistler, daughter of Andrew and Catharine Whistler, and born in Lancaster County, Penn., November 15, 1798; died November 12, 1877, in this county; descendants, ten boys and four girls: Catharine Ann (deceased), Caroline, John W., George, Jacob, Elizabeth (deceased), Baltzer, Irvin W., Andrew (deceased), Alfred, Eli (deceased), Rebecca, Margaret A., William and Sylvanis. Mrs. Susannah (Whistler) Koontz still resides on the home farm, now under the charge of her son John W., in Washington Township, this county. Mrs. Adelaide M. (Kilpatrick) Koontz, our subject's present wife, is the daughter of Hugh and Mary B. (Gaylord) Kilpatrick, and was born in 1858.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
CHARLES LIVENSPARGAR is the son of Jacob and Mary (Babb) Livenspargar, natives of Pennsylvania, where our subject was born July 18, 1822, one of five children. He came with his parents, when two years old, to Summit County, Ohio, where his father died in 1830. Upon this event, he took up his home with his grandfather till he was seventeen, then went to live with his step-father, who was a farmer and weaver, where he remained till 1846, dividing his time between the farm and the shop. The two following years he spent on his grandfather's farm, and then began teaming on his own account. He then bought a half-interest in a threshing machine and engine and ran them six years. In 1856, he hired to Ball, Aultman & Co., of Canton, Ohio, and worked for them seven years. Next, in 1864, he came to Forest, this township, and bought the saw-mill located there. He also owns eighty acres of land in the township and considerable property in the town of Forest. October 30, 1853, he married in Summit County, Ohio, Sophia R. Irwin, a native of Clearfield County, Penn., and who lived for some time in the family of the famous John Brown. To this union six children were born, four of whom are living - George F., James B., Amanda E. and Mittie L. In politics, Mr. L. is a Democrat, and he was a Granger when that society was in existence.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
LEONARD S. MARING was born in Richland County, Ohio, March 6, 1817, and was one of seven children born to Philip and Sarah (Lash) Maring, who were both natives of Virginia. January 16, 1841, our subject was married in Richland County, to Elizabeth Bell, a native of that county. He there rented a farm, on which he remained until the fall of 1843, when he came to Washington Township, this county, and settled on 100 acres of wild land, cutting his road eight miles through the wilderness, and camping out while his cabin was being built. Here he remained one year, and then moved to this township, and located on the 130 acres where he now lives. He is the father of six children - Mrs. Amina Bennett, Flora C., one• who died in childhood, Weltha A., Charles H. (deceased), and Richard H. Mrs. Maring died July 8, 1880, a consistent member of the Church of God, of which Mr. Maring is also a member. He is a Republican; was elected Justice of the Peace at the first election ever held in the township, and held the office three years; he was also a member of the Township Board of Trustees from 1848 until 1851.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
JOHN L. McGLAUGHLIN was born in Philadelphia March 28, 1837, and was the eldest of five children born to Thomas and Mary (Blee) McGlaughlin, natives of Ireland, who came to this county in 1841, and settled in this township, where the father died. John has remained on the homestead since childhood, and now owns one-half of the place. November 29, 1864, he was married in Chester County, Penn., to Kate Dougherty, who has borne him four children - Thomas, William E., Mary A., James. Mr. McGlaughlin served as Town Assessor in 1879, and is now Township Trustee. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and votes with the Democrats.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
JOHN H. McTAGERTT was born in Boone County, Ind., March 18, 1809, and died January 14, 1880. He was of Scotch-Irish extraction, and when a boy was apprenticed to a tanner in Boone County, at Jamestown. When about eighteen, he began work in Louisiana, on the Mississippi banks, and then three years later took to trading and boating on the river. About 1836, he came to Huntington County, Ind., and traded with the Indians, and for a time ran a saw-mill. About 1840, in connection with another party, he bought several hundred acres of land in Huntington and Whitley Counties, and in 1844 settled in the southeast corner of Jefferson Township, where he died. He was married in Huntington County, December 13, 1843, to Catherine Lewis, and to their union were born two children, both now deceased, the mother dying February 2, 1852. The latter part of the same year he married Mary J. McClellan, who bore him two children - Jesse V. and Estella, the latter deceased. Jesse V. has always lived on the old homestead, where he was born October 8, 1853. November 25, 1879, he married Caroline Miller, a native of Fort Wayne, and to them has been born one child - Estella B. Jesse now owns a farm of288 acres, lying partly in Huntington County. He is a Democrat, as was also his father.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
ROBERT L. PENCE, born in Stark County, Ohio, June 2, 1835, was one of seven children of William and Nancy (Black) Pence, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ireland respectively. Our subject left the home of his parents at the age of seventeen, to fight the battle of life for himself, and farmed for different parties till 1855, in which year, on February 22, he was married to Mary A. Ummel, born in Columbiana County, Ohio, and who bore him seven children, two only of whom are living - William E. and Hiram M. Mrs. Pence died February 10, 1866, and March 20, 1867, Mr. P. took for his second wife Magdalen Biery, also a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, by whom also he had six children - Norman H., Cora E., Corwin, Denver N., Charles E., Harvey E. Mr. Pence owns eighty acres of fine land in this township, and a one-half interest in the Forest Flouring Mill, which he purchased the spring of 1882. In politics, he is a Democrat, and in 1869 was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he still retains.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
JOSEPH B. PLUMMER was born in Preble County, Ohio, April 4, 1839, the third of a family of six children, born to Samuel and Catherine (Berry) Plummer, natives of North Carolina and Ohio. At the age of twenty, our subject came with his parents to this township, where the father bought eighty acres of land, and where Joseph lived till he reached his majority. August 17, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; was wounded at the battle of Mission Ridge, and was honorably discharged January 17, 1885. After his return from the war, he worked as a carpenter until the fall of 1868, when he moved on a farm of eighty acres in this township he had purchased three years previously, and he still resides there. October 21, 1866, he married Amelia A. Broxon, of Rush County, Ind., and to their union have been born two children - Henry and Lewis. He and his wife are members of the Disciples' Church, and in politics he is a Republican. He has a comfortable home and a well-cultivated farm, and is a prosperous agriculturist.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
B. F. PUTT, M. D., is the son of John W. and Mary Putt. His father was born in Washington County, Md., March 24, 1819, the son of Benjamin and Barbara Putt, born in the said county. They moved to Stark County, Ohio, in 1826, and settled on the spot where Massillon now stands. Benjamin was born in 1756, and was of Holland descent. At the age of nineteen, he enlisted in the Revolutionary war, serving under Capt. George Lancaster a part of the time and under George Washington the balance. After the war, he settled on a farm in Bucks County, Penn. Was married, in 1813, to Barbara Lawmen; moved to Washington County, Md., and, in 1826, to Stark County, Ohio, and there died in 1852, aged ninety-six years, his wife surviving him four years. They left a family of four boys and three girls. John W. was the fourth son, was born in Washington County March 24, 1819, came with his parents to Ohio, and was there married, January 1, 1841, to Mary Wiest, who was born in Huntingdon County, Penn., January 1, 1819, the daughter of Jacob and Catharine Wiest, who emigrated from Germany to Cumberland County, Penn., about 1805, and purchased a large tract of land, which was all lost through a poor title, and then moved, in 1827, to Massillon, Ohio, where the father shortly after died, leaving a wife and seven children, Mary being the eldest daughter; shortly after, the mother followed the father. John W. followed his trade of wagon-maker in Stark County until 1853, when he moved to Allen County, Ind., and purchased the farm on which he and wife now reside, enjoying life at the ripe age of sixty-five, after having reared a family of eight children, born and named as follows: Sarah A., October 9, 1841; Harvey A., May 20, 1843; Caroline, April 19, 1845: William, March 25, 1849; John, March 24, 1851; Benjamin F., August 16, 1853; Rosana, March 19, 1858, died January 23, 1861; Charlie, August 6, 1859. At the age of six years, our subject, Benjamin F., began his studies in a country school, which he continued till his twelfth year, when the family moved to Fort Wayne; here he attended the Western College four years, when his father moved back to his farm. The New Year's Eve of 1868, our subject lost three fingers from his left hand by the explosion of a gun, which accident disabled him as a farmer, and he then began the study of medicine. Having already acquired considerable knowledge of anatomy and physiology, he made very rapid progress. He entered a drug store at Nine Mile, Allen County, as druggist and Deputy Postmaster, at the same time practicing medicine until 1876, when the Medical College at Fort Wayne was organized. Here he attended a five-months course of lectures, had access to the hospital wards daily, and read in the office of W. H. Myers, the well-known surgeon. Having completed his collegiate course, he came to Forest in 1877, and resumed practice in association with Dr. John Richards, and soon gained the confidence of the public as a competent, careful and attentive physician. April 17, 1878, he married Miss Lillian E. Barger, daughter of Elias and Mary Barger. Elias Barger was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, October 15, 1833, his wife in Delaware County, Ind., October 4, 1833, and they were married at Roanoke, Huntington County, Ind., September 10, 1857, where they still reside, enjoying every comfort and the respect of a1l who know them, and the enduring love of their two children - Lillian E., born April 2, 1860, and Flora E., born August 29, 1862. Shortly after his marriage, Dr. Putt purchased property at Forest, and withdrew from his partnership with Dr. Richards. In 1881, he took a second course of lectures at Fort Wayne College, and graduated with high honors. His practice is now very extensive as well as lucrative. He has a fine residence, a we1lstored library, and has made a number of paying investments. He has one son - Harold F., born September 23, 1880. He is a member of the Masonic order, which he joined in 1876; and is also Deputy District Grand Master of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is altogether a popular and rising young man.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
JOHN RICHARDS, M. D., son of William and Rachel Richards, is the eldest of a family of seven children, and was born October 21, 1836, at Gettysburg, Darke County, Ohio. His father was a native of Kentucky, and his mother of Tennessee; the former was born June 28, 1813, and the latter June 30, 1809. They were married in Darke County, Ohio, in 1835, and resided a short time at the town of Gettysburg, removing in 1840 to Indiana. Her death occurred in this county September 5, 1864, and the fo1lowing year William Richards went to Andrew County, Mo. In 1814, he returned to this State and settled at Five Points, in A1len County, where he died on the 9th of the ensuing June. John Richards, with his parents, went to the town of Warren, and there engaged in teaching school. In the fall of 1855, he abandoned this pursuit and studied medicine one year with Dr. Law, and one year was under the tutelage of Dr. Palmer. After attending a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, he returned to Warren and resumed studying under his old preceptor, remaining with him until August 1, 1859, when he began practicing at Dundee, Blackford County, Ind. After nine months, he went to Lancaster, Huntington County, Ind., and while there was actively engaged in practicing his profession. October 26, 1862, he came to this county. In the fall of 1870 he went to Cincinnati, and after attending several courses of lectures at the Eclectic Medical Co1lege, graduated from that institution May 25, 1871. He returned to this county, and soon after located at Forest, where he has built up a large practice, and, as the leading physician, has the confidence of the community. He also is engaged to some extent in the milling business, and is the patentee of several inventions. Dr. Richards was married to Elizabeth Williams October 6, 1858. She was born in Preble County, Ohio, July 5, 1839. They are the parents of the following children: Mary A., Wi1liam R., John S. (deceased), Edwin R. and Lillian E.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
FREDERICK SCHOENAUER was born in Switzerland April 3, 1831, the second of four children born to John and Magdalen (Salomon) Schoenaner, and at the age of twenty-one came with his elder brother to America, and began working in Holmes County, Ohio, on a farm by the month. Two years later, he went to Wells County, and in 1857 returned to Holmes, and married Sarah Fabra, a native of that county. In 1859, he came to Elkhart County, this State, farmed one year, then changed to Cold Springs, Etna Township, this county, invested in a stock of dry goods and groceries, and ran a store for four years. In 1864, he was drafted, and served till the close of the war. In 1865, he settled on twenty acres of land in this township he had purchased before the war, remaining on it a little over a year; in 1867, he bought forty acres of the farm on which he now lives, which he has increased to 120 acres of as fine land as there is in the township. Of ten children born to him, eight are living, as follows: Alfred, William, Mrs. Mary L. Hasty, John F., Edward C., Sarah A., Ella J. and Clara E. In politics, he is a Democrat, and his religion is that of the German Reformed 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
Jefferson Township
MAEROD SCHIMBECKLER was born in Switzerland January 15, 1815, and was one of seven children born to Frederick and Benedicta Schimbeckler. Our subject remained on his father's farm till he reached the age of sixteen, and then for two years worked for others in the neighborhood, after which he engaged for eight years longer in dairies in the southern part of the German empire. In 1849, he came to this country, and for two years worked at carpentering in Stark County, Ohio, after which he rented a forty-acre farm, ran it two years, then moved to eighty acres in the vicinity, and shortly after made a third location. In 1854, he came to Wells County, this State, worked a year at his trade, and in the spring of 1855, bought eighty acres of land in this township, on which he has ever since lived. May 13, 1849, in Stark County, Ohio, he married Mary Auer, a native of Germany, and to their union were born thirteen children, of whom nine still live, viz.: Mrs. Mary A. Walters; Fred, married; Mrs. Leh Clark; Mrs. Susan Kiefer; Frank, married; Katie, Lizzie, Augustus and Emma. Mrs. Schimbeckler died in October, 1866, and our subject, in 1870, married Katherina Kaufman, who was born in Germany and died in the fall of 1873.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
HENRY VOGELEY was born in Canton Schaffhausen, Switzerland, March 20, 1836, one of six children born to Jacob and Anna (Wurtenberger) Vogeley. The father, who was a farmer, died in his native land in 1857. Our subject left his father's farm at the age of twenty-four, and came to this country, expecting to return in at least three years. He landed in New York in May, 1860, and thence came directly to Stark County, Ohio, and went to work on the farm of Nathan Shaffer, and remained till the fall of 1862. The following spring he came to this township and bought eighty acres of partly improved land, on which he still resides. July 23. 1863, he was married to Catharine Smith in Stark County, Ohio. In 1870, he paid a visit to the land of his birth, and returned the year following. In politics, he is a Democrat, and held the office of Township Trustee from 1876 to 1880; and in the spring of 1882 was elected Assessor of Jefferson 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
Jefferson Township
MANFORD D. YONTZ was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, December 30, 1847, one of four children born to William H. and Sarah (Chapman) Yontz, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. The father is a carpenter, and about the year 1867 came to Columbia City, where he still resides. The first three months after his arrival in Columbia, our subject, then twenty years old, worked in a saw-mill, then took a position in Mr. Bainbridge's dry goods store, which he retained till 1872, when he took charge of a stock of goods belonging to Ulerich & Worth, and in 1875 again entered the employ of Mr. Bainbridge. In 1878, he was given charge of a store belonging to Mr. D. M. Bainbridge, in Forest, where he now lives. July 28, 1870, he married Peoria Rice, native of Peoria, Ill., and to their union have been born two children - Ora N. and Cora B. He is a member of the M. E. Church and of I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 176. He is a Democrat, was Treasurer of Columbia City in 1874, and in the spring of 1882 was nominated for County Auditor. He has always taken an active part in politics, and is looked on as one of the rising young men of the county.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township
WILLIAM A. YOUNG was born in Summit County, Ohio, February 9, 1844; he is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Shook) Young, and the eldest of a family of ten children. William was eight years old when his parents moved to Washington Township, this county, and he remained with them till twenty-three years of age - the last two in his father's saw-mill. After his father's death, in 1867, he bought his father's share in the mill, and in 1876 it was removed to Forest, where it is still in operation, in connection with the Forest Flouring Mills, which were erected by Young &, Co., and which have contributed materially to the growth of the place. December 7, 1868, he married Mary E. Wince, who was born in Muskingum County, Ohio. This couple are the parents of five children, viz., Clara A., Ina I., Byron E., Samuel O. and Ora. Mr. Young received a good common-school education, and since his majority has voted with the Democratic party.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Jefferson Township