"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
HERMAN H. BEESON, son of William and Hannah (Hamby) Beeson, was born in Stark County, Ohio, September 25, 1831. In 1843, his parents came to Columbia City, then a town of but five houses, and here his father engaged in farming until 1845, when he was taken ill and died. Our subject was then apprenticed to the blacksmith trade, at which he served three years, and then he went into the employ of the New York & Erie Railway Company, and on this and other roads was engaged for twenty-eight years, and then retired to his farm in this township in 1877. He was married, February 20,1855, to Lucinda Foight, and has had a family of eleven children, as follows: Samuel, Elizabeth E., Benjamin F., Eliza B., Frances M., Lucinda B., Satiah P., Henry H., John W., Heber A. and Lydia L., of whom six are still living.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
JOHN BRAND was born March 13, 1822, in the village of Steinbach, Bavaria, and is one of four children born to Peter and Jacobina (Roderstein) Brand. The father was a shepherd in Germany, and the mother of good family, many of her relatives holding high offices under the empire, and she was disinherited for marrying Mr. Brand. They came to America in 1831, lived five years at various points in Pennsylvania, and then settled in Ohio. In early life, our subject worked on a canal, and later on a farm for several years. He then turned to brick-making in summers and brewery work in winter, and so continued till 1851, when he married Mary A. Loudensleger. In October, 1858, he came to Columbia City, and now owns the largest brick-kiln in the county, and in 1881 made 1,200,000 brick, all of which were disposed of in the county. He has a family of eight children, viz.: Catharine, John W., George F., Laura A., Clara L., Alma E., Charles C. and Maud Q. John and George are engaged in the drug business at Churubusco. Mr. Brand is a Freemason and an Odd Fellow, and has held several offices in each fraternity, and Mrs. Brand is a member 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
Columbia Township
DAVID BROWN was born near Canton, Stark County, Ohio, March 27, 1817, the son of David and Sarah (Brothers) Brown, natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject moved to Hancock County, Ohio, in 11339, where he resided three years, and then .came to this township, and for a number of years worked at wood-chopping, rail-splitting and land-clearing, and thinks he has cleared at least 300 acres. Previous to moving in, he had bought forty acres, a part of what is now the Poor House Farm. About 1852, he disposed of this and bought the 100-acre farm he now occupies. His early neighbors were red men, of whom there were about 700 in the county. May 28, 1839, he was married to May Cook, of Stark County, Ohio, and to their union have been born nine children, viz.: Andrew J., John C., Joseph, William H., David, Catharine, Harriet, Melinda and Hannah. The second son, John C., enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry; was in a number of engagements, and was killed at the battle of Mission Ridge, while trying to capture a confederate flag.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
DANIEL D. BROWN, born in Stark County, Ohio, February 12, 1824, is one of twenty-one children born to Daniel and Elizabeth (Houser) Brown, nine of whom are still living. A t the age of nineteen, our subject began life for himself. He had lived in Hancock and Williams Counties, Ohio, prior to 1853, when he came to this township and purchased a farm northwest of Columbia City, which he improved to a considerable extent, disposed of and then bought 195 acres south of the town, where he is engaged in farming and in conducting a dairy. In 1818, he married Rebecca Brenner, who came from Germany at the age of three years, and resided in Hancock County, Ohio. They have a family of eight children, as follows: Levi, Harriet (married and living in Sumner County, Kan.), Alvin (married and living in Whitley County), Peter, Emma J., Ellen, John and Louis.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
JOSEPH COOK, son of Henry and Catharine Cook, was born in Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, April 18, 1819. Mr. Cook came to Whitley County in the spring of 1845, and arrived here with only $5 in cash, and that unpassable . He began as a day-laborer, working for his neighbors at clearing land, chopping wood and splitting rails. He thinks, "without a doubt," he has "cleared at least one hundred acres of land." His best day's wood-chopping was six cords, for which he received 75 cents; best day's rail-splitting, 730. Previous to his moving here permanently, he had entered forty acres Government land, and in 1850, purchased the farm on which he now lives, which he has all cleared and put under cultivation. In 1844, he married Harriet Bronson, and they have five children - Winfield S., Victor E., Eliza I., Anna and Clara. The eldest, Winfield S., is also a 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
Columbia Township
C. H. CREAGER, one of the first settlers of Whitley County, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, August 16, 1821. His parents came to the county in 1836, when the roads were mere Indian trails and almost impassable from mud. On their way to this point, the Creagers were obliged to abandon one wagon in the north part of Huntington County, and our subject, in seeking for help, lost his way in the woods and spent his first night in this county in the open air, without even a fire, and with two inches of snow on the ground. Mr. Creager first settled in Cleveland Township, and for fifteen years worked out, and then bought a farm for himself which he worked, and ran a saw-mill at the same time. In 1860, he was elected County Commissioner, and reelected in 1863, being the only candidate elected on the Democratic ticket. In 1840, he married Susanna Obenchain, who bore him seven children, and died in 1862. In 1863, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Melter, and to this union have been born four children, viz.: Joseph I., Oscar B., Angeline and Armenta.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
LEWIS C. DOWELL was born in Holmes County, Ohio, July 3, 1838, and is one of a family of ten children born to Lewis and Christina (Long) Dowell, eight of whom are still living. His father was born in Virginia, and his mother in Maryland. Our subject received a medium common school education, and remained with his parents till he reached his majority, when he turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, which he soon abandoned and went to farming. His parents came to this township December 25, 1850, and purchased a farm of 120 acres, of which his father cleared about 100 acres and then disposed of it, and, in 1861, he and his father purchased the farm on which he now resides. He was married August 4, 1863, to Miss Mary Brown, of Noble County, and to their union have been born six children, named as follows - Phoebe J., Jacob L., Martha I., Elzadie, Charles A. and Warren E. Mr. Dowell is a member of the Church of God, northwest of Columbia City.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
W. H. DUNFEE was born in Adams County., Penn., April 10, 1822. He is a cabinet-maker, and carne with his parents to Ohio in 1831, and with them lived till 1845, when he came to Fort Wayne, and worked at his trade till the spring of 1847, when he came to and settled in Columbia City. In 1854, he was elected Sheriff of Whitley County as a Democrat, and re-elected in 1856. He had previously been chosen County Assessor, and afterward served two terms as Township Assessor, when he retired to private life. When Mr. Dunfee came to the county Columbia City was little else than a cross-road settlement, and the surrounding country a vast body of woods. March 5, 1848, he married Catherine Jones, of Columbia City, and to them have been born eight children, four of whom are living. They were respectively named as follows: Laura V., Sophia E., Henrietta R., William J., Albert E., Harry H. and Flora C.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
GEORGE EBERHARD, SR., a Whitley County pioneer, was born in Huntingdon County, Penn., September 15, 1806. His father, a farmer, emigrated to Stark County, Ohio, in 1820, and our subject worked on the home farm until twenty-four years old. April 14, 1829, he married Catharine Snyder, of Stark, who died February 22, 1870, in the sixty-fourth year of her age, and of her marriage life the forty-second. July 23, 1872, he married Mary C. Kil1ian, his present wife. After his first marriage he carried on a distil1ery for sixteen years. In 1852, he came to Whitley, and at that time and subsequently purchased 2,300 acres of land, 1,500 of which he has divided among his children. He was always an industrious man, and accumulated his wea1th by hard work, stock-raising and good management, and is now retired to enjoy the fruits of his labor. By his first wife he was the father of eight children, six still living and married, viz.: Annie, Harry, John, George, Elizabeth and Catharine. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and has, in his time, built two church edifices, one in Ohio and one in Whitley, contributing one seventh of the money for the same, and has also donated the land for what is known as the Eberhard Graveyard.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
JOHN EBERHARD, son of George Eberhard, Sr., was born in Stark County, Ohio, November 7, 1832. He has a farm of 440 acres, and is engaged also in rearing, buying and selling live stock. He is very fairly educated, though a considerable part of his schooling was obtained at the log schoolhouses of his early days. He came with his parents to Whitley County in 1852, and the greater part of his life has been spent in hard work, clearing land, etc. He was married September 22, 1857, to Catharine Markel, a native of Germany, who died January 26, 1867, leaving four children, named Josiah, Henry, John J. and Lavinia. He was married to his present wife, Elizabeth Brown, of Whitley County, August 16, 1838, and by this union has had born to him a family of three children, viz.: Minnie L., Sarah A. and Mandila. Mr. Eberhard, like the other members of his father's family, belongs to the 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
Columbia Township
GEORGE EBERHARD, JR., was born in Lake Township, Stark County, Ohio, September 7, 1834, and is a son of George Eberhard, Sr.; is a farmer and stock-raiser, as was his father, and came to this township with his parents in 1852, where he now owns three farms, comprising 384 acres. He has also been engaged in steam threshing, and in 1863 had the misfortune to lose an arm while occupied at that business, but still keeps a machine and does his own threshing and that of some of his neighbors, yet does not make it a business. He was married, October 7, 1855, to Barbara Nible, and to this union have been born eleven children, viz. : Eli, Catharine, Franklin, George, Fanny, Daniel, Ellen, Mary A., Melissa A., Laura and Barbara. Of these, Eli and Catharine are married and reside in Whitley County. Our subject and wife are members of the 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
Columbia Township
CHRISTIAN KOURT was born in Switzerland January 13, 1829. His parents, Christian and Susanna Kourt, came to America and settled in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1833, where they died in 1855. Our subject's education was quite limited, his whole schooling consisting of twenty-one and a half days. He began working for himself at the age of twenty-four, and followed farming. In 1836, he came to Whitley County, and now has a farm of 115 acres in this township. He was married to Mary A. Fridiger, of Licking County, Ohio, March 24, 1854, and has had a family of nine children, named as follows: Elizabeth, John, Christian, Mary and Sarah (twins), Caroline, Henry, Ida and Julia A. The eldest of these, Elizabeth, is married and resides in Whitley County. Our subject and wife are members 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
Columbia Township
WILLIAM M. HUGHES, youngest child of Charles W. and Mary (Rivers) Hughes, was born in Columbia City February 10, 1850. His parents were natives of Virginia and came to this county in 1842. His father was a farmer by occupation, but in 1844 was appointed Auditor of Whitley County, and served nine months in that office. A short time after he was chosen Probate Judge, and held that office for three years. In 1847, he was elected Treasurer of Whitley County, and held the office for three years. After a short retirement he was again called to the office, and in 1856 was elected Recorder. After the expiration of his office, he withdrew from public life, and engaged for a short time in dealing in stock. He was competent to fill any office and always ready to assist the needy. He died January 26, 1864, after a long and useful life. William M. Hughes, our subject, is a farmer and is owner of 248 acres of finely cultivated land. He was married, March 23, 1871, to Jennie C. Yountz, and has a family of three children, viz.: Charles W., Virginia and Mary.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
ELIAKIM MOSHER, one of the earliest settlers of Whitley County, was born in Oswego County, N. Y., August 29, 1830, and was one of a family of six children born to Benona and Cynthia (Pierce) Mosher, who came here in 1841, and settled on the farm where our subject now resides. The father hewed into the forest, erected a log house and moved in March 3, 1841, and began clearing the farm. The nearest neighbors were Indians, but they proved themselves friendly and were a great help to the family. Our subject well remembers the removal of the Indians from the county and many incidents connected with them prior to that time. His father died when he was fourteen years of age, and in consequence he did not receive a very good education, and yet, although a farmer, he can turn his hand to various employments. His farm comprises 160 acres, of which 100 are under cultivation. December 25, 1852, he married Catharine Mowrey, who died January 19, 1870, leaving a family of eight children, viz., Adam B., Francis S., Charlie F., Michael H., Clara J., Abram H., Julia A. and Clarinda. November 21, 1871, our subject married his present wife, Mrs. Rhua Grimes. He is a member of the Methodist Church of Columbia City.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
SANFORD T. MOSHER was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., November 5, 1827, and was one of eight children born to Peter and Mary (Birch) Mosher, five of whom are still living. Our subject was fairly educated, and came with his parents to this county in October, 1840, and settled on forty acres in the northwest corner of this township, then one vast forest, and set to work to clear a farm. The father traded this land for the farm on which our subject now resides, taking possession in 1846, and they have succeeded in bringing it all under cultivation. In those days, our subject was a great hunter, and numberless deer have fallen before his rifle, and even now he is not averse to a hunt. In November, 1847, he married Lucy A. Helms, and by her had a family of ten children, nine of whom are yet living, and named as follows: Aurelia E., Mary A., Lyman C., Hiram L., Charles B., Alzada M. (deceased), William J., Eugene E., Rosanna D. and Phoebe L. Of these six are married, and all live in Columbia 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
Columbia Township
WILLIAM PLUMMER was born in Rutherford County, N. C., April 5, 1805, one of six children born to Joseph and Sarah Plummer. At the age of twenty-one, our subject came West and went to boating, running between Terre Haute and New Orleans. He came to Whitley County in 1832, entered eighty acres Government land, made Union Township his home from 1838 to 1850, and then sold out and purchased his present farm in this township, now all under cultivation. In January, 1862, he enlisted in the Fifth Indiana Battery of Light Artillery, and took part in the battle of Perryville, Ky., Stone River, Tenn., and many other engagements. In the Stone River fight, he was wounded; was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, sent to Washington, and served there until his discharge, January 31, 1865. When Mr. Plummer came to Indiana, Columbia City was unthought of; there was not a white inhabitant in Jefferson Township, and the country was filled with Indians. October 15, 1835, he married Miss Sarah Crowel, of Preble County, Ohio, by whom he had seven children, five of whom are now living. They were named as follows: Michael C., Joseph E., Mary E., Jacob W., Sarah J., William C. and David L. Michael, Joseph and Jacob were soldiers in the late war. Jacob, with whom our subject now lives, served from 1862 to 1865, and was at Chickamauga - where he was wounded at Mission Ridge, and with Sheridan on his march to the sea. He was also wounded while on a guerrilla expedition. After the war, he spent six years in the West and then returned to his home. September 26, 1879, he married Caroline Londt, and he has been a resident of the county for nearly forty years.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
GEORGE ROBERTS was born in Holmes County, Ohio, February 12, 1823, and is the youngest of five children, four living, born to William and Ruth (Tribey) Roberts, natives of Virginia, who emigrated to Ohio at an early day. Our subject is a tanner and worked at that business until he came to Whitley County in 1854, when he located on what is now the Poor House Farm, in this township, and resided there two years and then spent the seven years following in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, when he returned to Whitley and purchased the 160 acre farm he now resides upon. In 1845, he married Elizabeth Poulson, of Holmes County, Ohio, and they have now a family of four children, namely, Nathan, Mary E., Amanda and Sarah J. Mr. Roberts, by hard work and the exercise of sound judgment, has acquired a good farm and a fine brick house. He and wife have been members of the Methodist Church forty-two years, and their children are married, excepting the youngest, and all reside in Whitley 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
Columbia Township
WILLIAM ROUCH, son of Samuel and Louisa (Hamer) Rouch, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, January 25, 1840. His father is a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Germany, and they came to this township in 1854, and settled on the farm the father still occupies. Our subject is also a farmer, and owns a fine farm on the banks of Eel River. March 5, 1863, he married Jerusha Page, and they had three children, as follows: William E., born April 8, 1864; Howard G., born August 12, 1868; Louisa M., born December 12, 1869. Mrs. Rouch died in 1872, and in 1880 he married Martha Churchill, and to this union has been born one child - Samuel Merritt.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
J. M. SHERWOOD was born in Wythe County, Va., May 29, 1829, the second child of Benjamin and Catharine (Williams) Sherwood, and was taken by his parents to Morrow County, Ohio, in 1831, where his father died in 1834. Our subject, James M. Sherwood, came to Columbia City in 1850, and worked for F. H. Foust for three years, and then went to farming and butchering till 1859, when he moved to the farm he now occupies, on which there was only a small clearing west of his house for a garden patch, the balance being unbroken forest; but by industry, he has succeeded in clearing nearly all, and has now a splendid farm. He was married, April 21, 1853, to Mary E. Jones, of Columbia City, and they have a family of four children, viz., Jane V., Hugh M., Florence M. A. and Josephine M.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
JOHN B. STERLING was born in Holmes County, Ohio, April 23, 1828, and was one of seven children born to James and Mary (Battey) Sterling, four of whom are yet living. The father was a farmer, and also ran a saw-mill. Our subject had no advantages for an early education, his boyhood being occupied at work at home. In 1849, he began life for himself, and arrived at this point with but 65 cents in his pocket. He began work with a brother in a sawmill on Eel River; remained there over a year, and then, in 1852, moved to the place he now occupies, and has lived here ever since. In February, 1851, he married Sarah J. Wantz, of this county, who died in May, 1853, leaving two children - John and Mary J., both now dead. In 1857, he married Barbara Brenneman, who died September 22, 1862, leaving one son - Abraham F., now in California. He was married to his present wife (Eliza Stoner) in 1867, and by her has had two children - Ida E. and Cora B. Mr. Sterling is an Odd Fellow, and also a granger.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
WILLIAM TANNEHILL was born in Knox County, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1825, the son of William and Eleanor (McMullen) Tannehill, natives respectively of Scotland and Ireland. They came to Knox County in 1820, and settled on a farm in Brown Township, remaining there till 1838. They had eleven children, five boys and six girls, of whom two girls and one boy have died. The mother also died in 1846, and the father February 16, 1878. The latter had been Constable for a number of years, was of a jovial disposition, and was well liked throughout his township. William, Jr., lived with his father till of age, 1846, and then sought work about the county, on his own account, till about 1848, when he came to Whitley County, Union Township, and remained here till 1852, then went to Fulton County, Ohio, for one year, thence to Williams County, where he remained till 1861, clearing and farming. In 1850, he there married Miss Mary Jane Smalley, who bore him eight children, but who died October 14, 1874. May 9, 1876, Mr. Tannehill married Miss Annie Sherick, whose parents were natives of Germany. May 10, 1876, he returned to Columbia Township, this county. He redeemed sixty-two acres of land from what was then a wilderness, and put it in good farming order. He was elected County Commissioner in 1878, and re-elected in 1880, and still fills the position to the satisfaction of his constituents . By his present wife he is the father of three sons, all living. He is a thriving farmer, prominent in his township, 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
Columbia Township
TOBIAS WAGNER, a pioneer of Whitley County, was born in Pennsylvania, April 28, 1816, and is one of a family of eight children born to Peter and Margaret (Betts) Wagner. His parents moved to Seneca County, Ohio, when he was about twelve years of age, and there he remained till October, 1841, when he came to Whitley. He received a good common-school education, which he has improved by his own efforts. He settled first in Richland Township, and farmed four years; then bought a farm east of Columbia City, where he resided, with the exception of a few months in Wisconsin, till 1879. He now lives in Columbia, and still does some farming, owning about 315 acres of land. He married during his residence in Ohio, Elizabeth Bosler, January 14, 1838. She died in October, 1860, leaving six children - Mary A.., Milton D., Laura, John P. (deceased), Julia and Elizabeth; all married except the youngest. In September, 1861, he married Rachel Beeson, and to this union were born seven children, three of whom still survive - Jesse Tobias, Sadie B. and Heber B.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Columbia Township
JOHN WOLFE was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 1, 1834, and is one of a family of ten children born to Daniel and Catharine Wolfe, five of whom are still living. Mr. Wolfe has a good common-school education. He came to Whitley County in 1858, and settled in this township, where he is engaged in stock-raising as well as farming his tract of 308 acres. Previous to coming to this township, he had worked at his trade of carpenter. August 11, 1858, he was married to Catharine Eberhart, also of Stark County, Ohio, but at the time of her marriage a resident of Whitley. To their union have been born a family of seven children, named as follows: Andrew J., Catharine A.., Henry, John, Eli, Benjamin F. and Elizabeth. Mr. Wolfe and wife are consistent members of the 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
Columbia Township
J. W. WYNKOOP was born in Clark County, Ohio, February 23, 1826, and was the second of a family of five children born to Garrett and Elizabeth (Ryerson) Wynkoop. His father by trade was a cabinet-maker, at which business our subject has worked also and has, besides, learned painting. He received a good common-school education, and worked at home with his father, at painting, till he was twenty-six years of age, when, in 1861, he was married to Nancy A. Prichard, of Stark County, Ohio, but at the time of her marriage a resident of Whitley County, Ind. He came to this township in 1852, and settled on his present farm. Here his wife died in 1862. His farm consists of eighty acres, which he still continues to work. He joined the Masonic order just after reaching his majority, and is still a member in good standing. He has an only son, named Cassius 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
Columbia Township
ARNOLD FAMILY. - This well known family is of English descent, and settled in North Carolina during the last century, but some time later moved to South Carolina and, early in the present century, to Ohio. The head of the family was Moses Arnold, who located in Warren County, Ohio. His family was large, one of the sons being William, who, in the course of his life had a family of thirteen children, twelve of whom reached maturity. William, at the close of the war of 1812, and while yet a young, though married, man, settled near Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio. Here he followed farming and stockraising, and by industry made himself a good home. George, John, William, Jesse, Henry H., Isaac N. and a sister, Maria (Arnold) Hopkins, were children of William. George came to this county in 1842, settling four miles east of South Whitley. Four years later, John came and settled near his brother George. Jesse came in 1852, and the other members of the family followed him, arriving at intervals. James lives in Blackford County, and is a prominent citizen there. John and William are dead. George lives at Bluffton, Ind., is a capitalist and is Postmaster of that town. Isaac and Henry H. live at Huntington, Ind., and are prominent citizens. Jesse lives in North Manchester, Wabash Co., Ind., as does also his sister Maria, whose husband, S. V. Hopkins, is editor of the North Manchester Journal.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Cleveland Township
JOHN ARNOLD was born near Greenville, Ohio, in November, 1820, and was a school-teacher in early life, but soon after reaching his majority was given $500 in land in Cleveland Township by his father. He lived for some time on this farm, but then removed to South Whitley. His first wife, Annjanette Folger, bore him three children - Augusta, John and Wilson. His second wife, Mrs. Elmira Thomson, to whom he was married in 1857, bore him four children - Eva, James, William and Ruskin. In 1851, a subscription was started to obtain means to induce some one to build a flouring-mill at South Whitley. The Arnold brothers took the matter in hand, built the saw-mill in 1852 and the grist-mill in 1853; and, about the same time, John and several of his brothers began merchandising in South Whitley. Their various interests there became so extensive that it was found necessary eventually to commence a banking business, which was done in 1871 by John and Jesse, who founded the bank at North Manchester, and in 1878 the one at South Whitley. John was thus engaged at the time of his death in 1880. But few men who ever lived in the county deserve greater merit for actual worth than John Arnold. He was uniformly kind-hearted and charitable, and his excellent business qualifications were impressed upon all his associates. Men who were in his employ think of him as their benefactor, and hundreds mourn his loss. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1840, and was, during the remainder of his life, a consistent member. Save the little given him by his father, all his property (quite a fortune) was accumulated by his own industry and management. At the time of the death of John Arnold, James, his son, who was attending college at Asbury University, came home to assist in settling his father's estate, since which time he has not returned to school. He is in business at South Whitley, and in all his associations with the world shows those sterling qualifications which have characterized the Arnold family. He is cashier of the bank, buys large quantities of grain for the grist-mill, and, with other members of the family, has general oversight of the extensive business interests left by 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
Cleveland Township
JESSE ARNOLD was born in Darke County, Ohio, October 24, 1831. His youth was spent on his father's farm, and, in early manhood, he received an academic education. After coming to Whitley County, in 1852, he joined his brothers in milling, merchandising, and, finally, in banking pursuits. The large grist-mill is yet owned by the Arnold family. Jesse engaged in banking at North Manchester in 1872, and thus continues at present. His wife, Sarah (Thomson) Arnold, to whom he was married in 1858, was born in Rutland County, Vt., and has borne her husband three children - Thomson, Fanny and Narcissa. She is a graduate of Fort Wayne College, delivered the valedictory of her class at the commencement exercises, and graduated at the head of her class. She is a lady of fine mind and culture. Her son, Thomson, graduated at Asbury University in 1882. He was one of the brightest students in the University, and in the school election in 1881, for speaker to represent the University in the State oratorical contest, he came within a fraction of one vote of securing the position. This is all the stronger from the fact that the successful candidate not only gained the prize at the State oratorical contest, but also at the Inter-State oratorical contest. Jesse Arnold was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature in 1878, and was the author of several important bills, which are now the laws of the State. At the time of his election, unknown to him, his brother James, of Blackford County, was also elected to the same session in the same House. Each did not know of the other's election until a short time after the honor had been secured. All the Arnolds have been of unusual natural ability. This, combined with their unfaltering honor, freely-offered charity and excellent management, has made them invaluable servants to the society in which they have moved.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Cleveland Township
ABRAHAM COLLETT was born in Baltimore County, Md., October 3, 1815, the son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Dorsey) Collett, natives of the same State. The mother died in 1833, and the father, for a second wife, married Chloe Miller. To the first marriage there were born eight children, and to the second there was one. In 1835, the father and family moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, and four years later to Wabash County, Ind., where the father died in 1873 and the mother in 1879. The father had served in the war of 1812, and he and family were highly respected. Our subject was reared on the home farm till twenty-two, when he went to work for himself, by the day, month or job, carefully saving his earnings. September 17, 1840, he married Miss Catherine Ramsey, who was born in Washington County, Md., February 10, 1819, and to this union were born three children - James, Aaron and Angeline. James, the only one now living, was born in Wabash County, Ind., November 12, 1841, and, December 25, 1865, married Miss Susan Moore, who was born in this county November 16, 1843, and to this couple five children have been born, viz.: Lizzie B., Ada C. and Lulu, living; and Charley and an infant, deceased. James Collett enlisted in the fall of 1861 in Company E, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; served till the close of the war, and saw much active service; he now resides on a farm in the township, an honored and respected citizen. In 1842, our subject settled on Section 18, this township, and engaged in farming and stock-raising till 1865, when he removed just over the county line into Jackson Township, Kosciusko County, where he still resides. At the time of his marriage he had saved enough of his earnings to purchase 160 acres unimproved land, which he has increased to 300 acres, and, besides this, has given his son a good farm. He is a self-made man, but has been ably assisted by his good wife, who is a woman of ability and good sense. He has always followed farming, with the exception of eight years passed in Collamer in mercantile pursuits. He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Christian 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
Cleveland Township
REGINALD H. COLLINS was born February 28, 1853, in this county, the son of Judge James S. Collins, of Columbia City, a prominent lawyer and citizen. Our subject received his earlier education in the schools at Columbia City, then attended school at Ann Arbor, Mich., three years, and then began reading law with his father. He was duly admitted to the bar, but his practice has been chiefly confined to office work, of which he has done a great deal. He at last formed a partnership with Clugston & McLallen in mercantile business at South Whitley, where he now resides and has charge of the business, and runs a complete line of dry goods, boots, shoes, hats, caps, groceries, carpets, and all goods sold in a general store. They have a large and steadily increasing trade, brought about chiefly by the shrewd and careful business talent of Mr. Collins. He married Miss Josephine H. Fleming, April 15, 1878. She was born near Wilmington, Del., September 6, 1853. To this union have been born three children, viz.: James W., Samuel and Helen. He is a stanch Republican, is a member of the Masonic order, and is recognized in the township as a business man of sound integrity.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Cleveland Township
CYRUS S. COTTON was born in Holmes County, Ohio, August 10, 1826, the son of James and Rachel (Gooden) Cotton, both natives of Beaver County, Penn., where they were married, and whence they moved in an early day to Holmes County, Ohio. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died when our subject was six years of age. In 1844, the mother and family moved to this township; they were poor, but the mother was a good manager and hard-working woman, and reared her family with credit, one of her sons, John S., being twice elected to the Legislature as well as holding other public positions of trust. Our subject helped in caring for the family up to the time of his marriage, in 1851, to Miss Sarah Wantz, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, May 13, 1836, and who has borne her husband twelve children. viz.: Clarinda, Franklin P., Frederick, Wellington, Barton, Augusta, John, Mary C., and four others that died in infancy. Mrs. Cotton died April 22, 1874, and September 3, l874, our subject married Christina Schultz, a native of Huntington County, Ind., and born September 1, 1851. To this union there have been born three children, viz.: Charles, James and George. Mr. Cotton is self-made; the eighty acres of well-improved land he now owns carne from his own hard work and thrifty habits. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a useful citizen 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
Cleveland Township
ELI L. EBERHARD, M. D., was born in Columbia Township, this county, June 23, 1857, and is the son of George and Barbara (Neible) Eberhard, respectively natives of Stark County, Ohio, and Wurtemberg, Germany. They were married in this county, to which they both came at an early day, and to them were born a family of five sons and seven daughters. They now reside in Columbia Township and rank among the county's best citizens. Our subject was reared on a farm, but received a good academic education and began the study of medicine with Dr. Lawrence, of Columbia City, when about nineteen, remaining with him and attending lectures till he graduated from the Medical College of Ohio, in the spring of 1880. He then located in South Whitley, and has built up a practice second to none. February 21, 1882, he married Miss Mollie C. Casner, of Wooster, Ohio. The Doctor is a well-informed gentleman, is well posted in his profession, and is a good citizen. He owns a very pretty home, and his prospects in life are indeed bright.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Cleveland Township
MILTON B. EMERSON was born in Wayne County, Ohio, June 23, 1830, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Merriman) Emerson, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. They were married in Wayne County, Ohio, to which the parents of the mother had come in a early day, and the father when a young man. They were both leading members of the M. E. Church, and to them were born eight children. Our subject was reared on a farm and received a fair education. In the fall of 1851, he came to Whitley County, taught school that winter, returned to Ohio in the spring and harvested his wheat, and soon after came back to this county, and for some time worked at carpentering and shingle-making. February 27, 1854, he married Miss Elizabeth Scott, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 3, 1835. In 1855, he located on a farm in Washington Township, and engaged in saw-milling, stockraising and farming till 1877, when he purchased his present farm in this township. He held the office of County Commissioner six years, and during his incumbency the new jail was built and other county improvements were made. He also held the office of Justice of the Peace four years, to the satisfaction of all parties. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and in politics is liberal, voting for principles and not party. He is owner of 205 acres of well-improved land, and is the father of the following family: Robert J., Franklin P., Noah W., William E., Leander F., Celesta E. and Sarah E., to all of whom he has given good educations.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Cleveland Township
GEORGE. H. FOSLER was born in Wayne County, Ind., June 29, 1842, the son of George and Catharine (Heagy) Fosler, natives of Cumberland County, and there married in 1835. In 1838, they moved to Dayton, Ohio, and three years later removed to Wayne County, and in 1863 came to this township. The father is a farmer and miller, and built and operated, in connection with his sons, one of the first steam saw-mills in the township. Our subject was reared on the farm and in the saw-mill, and at the age of twenty-three assumed charge of his father's farm, and later he and a brother ran the sawmill about four years. December 25, 1868, he married Miss Sarah A. Dunlap, who was born in Lancaster County, Penn., June 20, 1844, and died March 25, 1880, and to this union were born two children - Euda M. and Clemie D. February 5, 1882, he married Miss Emma Meyers, who was born in this township July 3, 1860. In connection with his father-in-law, W. P. Dunlap, he built the "Franklin House," the first hotel of any consequence in South Whitley, and also a large livery stable, which he still operates. He has always been a great lover of horses, and has done much to improve the quality of the stock in the county. He has usually twenty or twenty-five head on hand, and buys and ships a number of car loads each season. He is a Republican in politics, and has the reputation of being a thorough 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
Cleveland Township
JOHN GLASSLEY was born in Lancaster County, Penn., July 1, 1830, one of nine children born to John and Elizabeth (Motter) Glassley, natives of same place. He began life for himself at the age of eighteen, learning fancy weaving, such as coverlets, counterpanes, etc.; worked at the trade some years, and then engaged in brick-making. In 1862, he came to South Whitley, and entered the store of Arnold Bros., as clerk, remained with them several years, then returned to his native State, where, for three years, he had charge of a woolen-mill. He then returned to South Whitley and erected a coverlet and counterpane factory, which he operated three years, then started a grocery, which he ran alone or in partnership till the spring of 1882, when he sold out. In 1880, he and Samuel Pritchard put up a two-story brick business building, half of which Mr. Glassley now owns, as well as fine home property in the village. September 14, 1856, he married Miss Sarah Winters, who was born in Lancaster County, Penn., March 26, 1838, and there have been born to them five sons and one daughter, viz.: William W., Elias, David, Jesse A. and Harry. The daughter died in infancy. Mr. Glassley is a self-made man; is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, an Odd Fellow, and in politics 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
Cleveland Township
ANDERSON GRIMES was born in Wayne County, Ind., June 18, 1810, the son of James and Sarah (Scears) Grimes, natives of Kentucky. The father first came to Indiana in 1806; he was a soldier under Harrison in 1812, and of his two sons and one daughter, Anderson alone is living. September 4, 1829, our subject married Miss Susanna Beeson, who was born in Wayne County, Ind., June 19, 1810. He followed farming in Wayne till 1853, when he came to this township and settled on the farm he now owns, which then consisted of 320 unimproved acres; he has now 162 well-cultivated acres, having deeded the balance to his children. Mrs. Grimes died January 19, 1869, the mother of ten children, viz.: Mahlon, James, Sarah J., Pamelia, William, Jesse B., John, Isaac, Ford and Mary C. Of these, four sons enlisted in the late war, as follows: William, April 1361, in Company E, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, wounded at Hoover's Gap, and died at Stone River from effects of wound; James, August, 1861, Company C, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served till close of war; Jesse, August, 1862, Company K, Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served till the close; Isaac February, 1864, Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served till close of the war. They all made good records. Most of our subject's children are living in Whitley, and are public-spirited citizens. Mr. Grimes has always followed farming and stock-raising, and in politics was first a Whig and then 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
Cleveland Township
JEREMIAH GRIMES was born in Wayne County, Ind., October 15, 1820, the son of Alexander and Pamelia (McHenry) Grimes, both reared and married near Lexington, Ky. They moved to Wayne County about 1806, and there died. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served his time out, and then that of another man. He was twice married, and was father of ten children, five by each wife. Our subject, issue of the first marriage, was reared on a farm, and was married in Wayne County, October 17, 1844, to Miss Mary A. Haines, born in Clark County, Ohio, August 18, 1823, and to this union there have been born six children, viz.: Charles A., William B., Walter, Clem R., Harry, and a daughter that died in infancy. He continued at farming in Wayne County till 1850, when he came to this township and located on unimproved land. He has now eighty acres of finely improved property, and has also disposed of considerable. He is a Democrat, liberal in his views, and a member 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
Cleveland Township
DANIEL HALDERMAN was born in Preble County, Ohio, May 17, 1830, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Swihart) Halderman, natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania, married in Preble County, Ohio, and parents of eight children. The mother died in this county July 6, 1861, while on a visit to our subject; the father took for his second wife Elizabeth Demmick, to this union were born three children. He followed farming till 1845, and then became a dealer in flaxseed and lumber, which trade he followed till his death, June 28, 1875. Our subject was reared on the home farm, and when twentytwo years of age came to this county, and purchased an interest in the Swihart grist-mill, of Columbia City, in which business he remained about four years, and then for seven years engaged in mercantile pursuits in Collamer and Liberty Mills. In 1865, he embarked in the mercantile and lumber business at Larwill, and in 1873 moved on his farm of 160 acres near Collamer. About this time, also, he purchased the Collamer grist-mill, which he has since successfully operated. September 9, 1860, he married Miss Nancy Moore, who was born in Wayne County, Ind., April 11, 1841. They became the parents of five children, viz.: Sarah E. and Albert E., living, and Mary E., Nellie and Kittie, deceased. Mr. Halderman is an energetic business man, a good citizen, a Republican, and a member of the Christian 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
Cleveland Township
MICHAEL B. HARE was born in Baltimore County, Md., September 18, 1818, the son of Michael and Catharine (Baublits) Hare, who were also born, reared and married in the county and State named above, and were the parents of five children. Our subject, up to tile age of eighteen, lived on his father's farm, and then went to work out on his own account, at which he continued two years, at the rate of $7 per month. In 1839, he came West and stopped in Darke County, Ohio, for about two years, and worked for $10 per month. He then came to Wabash County, this State, and there worked by the month or job. In the latter county he married, December 31, 1846, Miss Susannah Eby, who was born in Baltimore County, Md., June 15, 1826, and to their union were born six children, viz., Sarah, Thomas, Mary J., John M., Martha E. and Susan A. In January, 1847, our subject and wife moved to this township and settled on the 120-acre farm they now own. They had no means to speak of, and the land was unimproved, but they worked hard, and have accumulated considerable property, now owning 475 acres in Cleveland Township, and 180 acres in Kosciusko County. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. Hare is a Democrat, though liberal in his views.
"Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana. Historical and Biographical" by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard
Published by F.A. Battey & Co. in 1882
Cleveland Township