Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887

JAMES NIBLICK, deceased, was one of the old and honored pioneers of Adams County, settling on section 6, Washington Township, in the fall of 1834, and is said to have been the ninth settler in the county. He subsequently sold his farm in Washington Township, and removed to Decatur, where he resided two years. He then went to Missouri, where he lived till his death in the fall of 1869. Mr. Niblick was a native of County Armagh, Ireland, born in the year 1801. He was brought by his parents to America when two years of age, they settling in New York state, where they lived several years, removing thence to Ohio, where the father followed agricultural pursuits. James Niblick, our subject, learned the cooper's trade, which he followed a number of years, and for ten years after coming to Adams County was the only cooper in the county. He was twice married, his first wife being Anna Carter, by whom he had eight children, five sons and three daughters. Her father was at one time a slave-holder, but afterward freed his slaves. For his second wife Mr. Niblick married Sarah A. Ball, who died in the fall of 1886. Eight children were born to this union, one son and seven daughters. Mr. Niblick was numbered among the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of his county, and always took an active interest in any enterprise which he deemed for the public welfare. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and was much respected by all who knew him.

Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887

DANIEL P. BOLDS, a prominent business man of Geneva, was born in Hartford Township, Adams County, Indiana, October 9, 1857, son of Alexander Bolds. He remained at home until he became of age, and received a common-school education. After reaching his majority he followed farming until the winter of 1882, when he removed to Geneva and engaged in the mercantile trade, which he followed until the spring of 1886, then sold out and went to Kansas, where he purchased 640 acres of land in Ford and Finney counties. He owns property in Geneva, where he still resides, and a farm within one mile of Geneva. He was married September 26,1879, to Josephine Deffenbaugh, a native of Hartford Township, daughter of Theodore Deffenbaugh. She was born December 26, 1862. They have two children - Forest, born July 24, 1880, and Ernest, born November 16, 1882. In politics Mr. Bolds is a Democrat. In 1880 he was elected constable of Hartford Township, and served two years, and after his removal to Geneva in 1884 was elected councilman of the First Ward, and was appointed president of the Town Board, serving two years. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans, John P. Porter Camp, No.11, Division of Indiana, and has held the offices of first lieutenant and quartermaster.

Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887

ALEXANDER BOLDS, farmer, section 28, Hartford Township, was born in Medina County, Ohio, August 22, 1830, son of Philander and Clarissa (Doris) Bonds, also natives of Ohio, and of English ancestry. They were married in Ohio, where the father engaged in farming. They came to Adams County in 1836, and settled in what was then Alexander, in Wabash Township. They remained here several years, then returned to Ohio, where the mother died. The father started to visit a son in Michigan, and was never heard from afterward. They had two sons and three daughters. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Our subject grew to manhood in Indiana and Ohio, and received a common-school education. He has always been engaged in agriculture. He settled permanently in Adams County in 1856, on the farm where he now resides. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and served until June 12, 1865. His regiment was attached to the Fourth Army Corps, under General Thomas. He participated in the battles of Franklin, Columbia, Pulaski and Nashville, where he was severely wounded, losing his arm by a gun-shot wound, for which he receives a pension of $40 a month. After this he returned to his home in Adams County, where he has since resided. Politically Mr. Bolds is a Democrat, and has held the office of township treasurer. He was married August 14, 1856, to Lehr Pontius, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, June 3, 1835, daughter of John Pontius, also a native of Pickaway County. Mrs. Bolds is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Bolds are the parents of four children - Daniel P., George W., Ruffina M. and Otta. Mr. Bolds owns 200 acres of land, and is engaged in general farming.

Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887

NIMROD DAILEY, deceased, was a farmer, residing on section 34, Root Township, where he owned 297 acres of land. He was born in St. Mary's Township, Adams County, September 21, 1842, where he was reared on his father's farm. He remained at home until his marriage, which event occurred February 13, 1868, to Miss Rosanna Mills, who was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, September 28, 1848, where she was reared and married. Her parents were Halsted and Mary (Pearson) Mills. Her father was born in New Jersey, April 4, 1812, and when he was very young his parents removed to Miami County, Ohio. Soon after his marriage he removed to Van Wert County, where he died November 11, 1885. Her mother was born in Miami County November 29, 1822, and died October 6, 1877, in Van Wert County. Mr. Dailey's father, James Dailey, was born in Athens County, Ohio, September 18, 1816, and died in St. Mary's Township, this county, in 1863. His mother, Mary (Johnson) Dailey, was born in West Virginia September 22, 1823, and died December 3, 1885. Mr. Dailey died February 5, 1886, and is buried at Mount Tabor cemetery, St. Mary's Township. He left three children - Anna, born May 25, 1869, in St. Mary's Township; Mary, born September 18, 1874, and Jesse Davis, born June 5, 1882. Politically Mr. Dailey was a Republican. Mrs. Dailey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Dailey's graudfather Dailey was born in Ireland. His grandmother, Mary Dailey, was born in Wales. His great-grandfather Dailey was a native of Ireland. His maternal grandfather, Enoch Pearson, and his grandmother, Rosina (McClure) Pearson, died in Miami County, Ohio, the latter in 1886, aged eighty-eight years. Mrs. Dailey's grandfather, William Mills, was a native of New Jersey, and died in Miami County, Ohio. Her grandmother, Elizabeth (Clark) Mills, died in Miami County when Mrs. Dailey's father was eighteen years of age. Her maternal grandfather, Joseph Johnson, and her grandmother, Mary (Davis) Johnson, died in Van Wert County, Ohio.

Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887

ROBERT EVANS, farmer, sections 20 and 21, Root Township, owns 225 acres of land, more than half of it being under cultivation. He came to this county with his parents in 1832. There were the parents and three other children. The father came before them, in company with two or three others whom he hired to cut away and clear nine acres of the land, and put in corn and potatoes. He then returned to Mercer County for his family and moved them to the farm. They made a comfortable place for camping out while their cabin was being built. The cabin was made of round logs, scotched down on the outside, a bedquilt for a door, and no floor. The father hired some men in Ohio to build him a hewed-log house. It was two stories in height and was built by Ebenezer Goddard. It was commenced soon after the family arrived, and was finished in a few weeks. The family then moved into it, and the first one was converted into a stable. The one made of hewed logs is still standing and is in a good state of preservation. Mr. Evans' parents were John K. and Margaret (Wise) Evans. The father was born in Montgomery County, New York, November 16, 1795. He moved to Columbus, Ohio, in 1816, where he remained a year, then in 1817 removed to Dayton, and in 1822 to Shane's Crossing, thence to Allen, now Adams County, this State. He was the first and last associate judge of Adams County. In the spring of 1850 he moved to Fort Wayne, where he died February 22, 1874. He was very successful during life and amassed quite a fortune. When he was twenty years old he bought one year of his time of his father, and went among the farmers and worked by the month until he earned money enough to buy eighty acres of land in Mercer County, Ohio. This was his beginning. He died leaving an estate valued at $200,000. He was twice married. By his first marriage were five children, three of whom are living - Robert, Elizabeth and Harriet. By his second marriage were four children, all of whom are living. Our subject was married September 3, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth Sparks, who was born in Dearborn County, this State, July 7, 1828. When she was a child the family removed to Tippecanoe County, settling on a farm, and in a few years came to Adams County. Her father was a Methodist minister, and had charge of the Decatur circuit for two years. He then went to De Kalb County and had charge of that circuit two years. He is now living at Kewanna, Fulton County, Indiana, and is eighty years of age. He was born in Ohio January 11, 1806. The mother was born in the State of New York, November 11, 1805. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have had eleven children - Cynthia A., born August 9, 1845, died at the age of five months; Harriet J., born December 10, 1848; Jernima F., born August 7, 1851; Robert M., born November 3, 1853, died in early infancy; Jesse F., born July 5, 1856; Emma J., born March 24, 1859, died September 8, 1884; John R., born September 11, 1861; Ida E., born October 8, 1865; Jeremiah C:, born October 20, 1869; Thomas E., born July 23, 1872; an infant unnamed died very young. In politics Mr. Evans is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist church. His grandfather, Robert Evans, was born in Massachusetts, and died in Root Township, this county, in 1845, aged seventy-seven years. He came from New York to Adams County, and died at the home of Robert's father. His maternal grandfather, John Wise, was born in Germany, and came to America when a child. He died near Richmond, Indiana. His grand mother, Sarah (Sowders) Wise, died in Ohio, near Piqua. She was American born. Mrs. Evans' grandfather, Jesse Sparks, was a native of Ohio. Her maternal grandparents, Stephen and Esther (Peck) Thorn, died in Tippecanoe County. Her parents were Jesse and Jemima (Thorn) Sparks.

Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887

DENNISON TINKHAM, an old settler of Blue Creek Township, was born in Vermont, September 28, 1814, a son of Isaac and Synthia Tinkhain, natives of Vermont. In his infancy his parents moved to Franklin County, Ohio, where he was reared, receiving good educational advantiges, and in the winter of 1837 accompanied his father to Adams County, settling in Blue Creek Township, where they improved a tract of heavily timbered land. He has been successful, his labors being rewarded by a competency for his declining years. He owns 180 acres of choice land, and has one of the pleasantest homes in the township. He is one of the oldest living pioneers of the county, and rejoices to see the improvements that have taken place in the last half century, feeling a sense of pleasure in the thought that he has been instrumental in advancing the improvement. Mr. Tinkham was married January 25, 1844, to Margaret Scoles, daughter of Andrew and Hannah Scoles, early settlers of Adams County. To them were born ten children, but six of whom are living - Lorenzo, William T., Francis M., Sylvester C., Rebecca and Elizabeth. Mr. Tinkham died September 18, 1885, leaving a large circle of friends to mourn her loss. She was an earnest Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Tinkham is also a member of the Methodist church. In politics he is a Democrat.

Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887

JOHN G. SHEETS, farmer, resides on section 10, Union Township, where he owns seventy-two acres of land. He was born in Harrison, Van Wert County, Ohio, December 6, 1853, and was reared and educated in his father's district. His parents were Jahue and Susanna (Rummel) Sheets, and were born in Columbiana County, Ohio. Both are living on the old homestead where they first settled, the father having entered the land from the Government. The farm consists of 164 acres in Ohio, and sixty-four in Union Township, this county. April 20, 1882, our subject was married to Emma D. Bailey, who was born in Union Township January 18, 1863, and was reared and educated in her native county. Her father, Nathaniel Bailey, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, August 8, 1818, died November 12, 1883, and is buried in Clark's Chapel cemetary. The mother, Catherine (Harvout) Bailey was born in Ashland County, January 18, 1820. The parents were married in that County, and came to Adams County, this State, with three children. After their settlement in this county eight more children were born. Six of their eleven children are living - three in Union Township, one in Allen County, one in Kosciusko County, and one in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Sheets have had two children - Oliver Otto, born October 26, 1883, died August 8, 1884; Mary Aletha, born September 14, 1885. The Sheets are of German ancestry. His grandfather, George Rummel, died in Harrison Township, Van Wert County, Ohio.

Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887

FRANCIS JOSEPH GILLIG, a pioneer of Adams County, was born Kulsheim, Baden, Germany, December 11, 1813. When he was fourteen years of age he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, serving an apprenticeship in his native city. In 1834 he came to America, landing in New York City July 4. He worked at his trade in Newark, New Jersey, Sandusky, Ohio, Buffalo, New York, and again in Sandusky, until October 7, 1838, when he came to Adams County, Indiana. There being but three houses in Decatur, he rented a log house across the river and east of the town, in which he lived until spring. In August, 1839, he moved to Fort Wayne, but in the spring of 1841 he returned to Adams County, and located in Union Township, entering 120 acres of land from the Government. This land he cleared and improved and made his home fifteen years. He then sold his farm and subsequently bought another in Washington Township, on which he lived until 1869, when he sold his farm and moved to Decatur, and has since lived retired from active business. January 1, 1838, Mr. Gillig was married in Sandusky, Ohio, to Teressa Spuwler, a native of Switzerland, born Jannary 26, 1817, daughter of George and Mary (Keller) Spuwler, who came to America in 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Gillig have had eight children; but two are living - Amos, a lumber manufacturer of Decatur, and Julia, wife of Sylvester Spangler, a contractor and builder. Leo died in Virginia City, Nevada, Decetuber 27, 1868, aged twenty-seven years; Simon died May 15, 1869, aged twenty-two years, while a student at the mercantile college at Poughkeepsie, New York; Mary died December 14, 1852, aged five years, and three died in infancy. In politics Mr. Gillig is a Prohibitionist. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The parents of Mr. Gillig, Lawrence and Francisca (Kolhler) Gillig, died in their native country, the father in 1848, aged sixty years, and the mother in 1872, aged eighty-two years. They were both reared in the faith of the Catholic church.

Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887

JOHN ROBISON, a progressive farmer of Adams County, residing on section 26, Monroe Township, is a native of Perry County, Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being September 1, 1835. His parents, John M. and Jane (Baxter) Robison, were also natives of the same State, and of Scotch descent, and to them were born nine children, three sons and six daughters. They immigrated to Crawford County, Ohio, in 1837, and there engaged in farming. The mother died about the year 1859, aged sixty-two years, and the father died in Van Wert Coutity, Ohio, in 1872, aged seventy-six years. Both were members of the Presbyterian church. John Robison, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest child of his father's family. He was reared on his father's farm in Crawford County, and received his education in the common schools. He was united in marriage March 31, 1857, to Miss Sarah E. Kerr, who was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1835, daughter of James W. and Rosanna (McLelland) Kerr. Of the nine children born to this union seven are yet living - Jane R. Alva B., William E., John M., Martha A. Orrin M. and Esther D. After his marriage Mr. Robison engaged in farming in Ohio remaining in that State until April, 1865 when he came to Adams County, Indiana and bought the farm in Monroe Township, where he has since followed general farming. His farm contains eighty acres of choice land, and its entire surroundings show the owner to be a thorough, practical farmer.

Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887

JESSE MYERS, of Washington Township, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, September 1, 1814, son of David and Catherine Myers, natives of Virginia and early settlers of Columbiana County. When he was about fourteen years of age he went with his parents to Stark County, and four years later to Carroll County. He was raised among the pioneers and educated in the early district schools. In 1837 he came to Allen County, this State, prior to its organization into a County, and again endured the hardships of pioneer life. He was married May 28, 1838, to Mary Mick, and they became the parents of eight children, four of whom are living - Cordelia, Andrew, Anna and David. Mrs. Myers died in 1855. On year later Mr. Myers came to Adams County, remaining a short time at Monmouth. He removed to Washington Township in the fall of 1883. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the United Brethren church.

Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887

JONATHAN BOWER, one of the substantial farmers of Kirkland Township residing on section 10, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Berks County February 12, 1827, a son of Simon and Ann (Ramei) Bower, who were also natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. They subsequently immigrated to Fairfield County, Ohio, where they followed agricultural pursuits till death. Both were members of the Lutheran church. Their family consisted of fourteen children, four sons and ten daughters. Jonathan Bower, the subject of this sketch, was reared to the avocation of a farmer, which he had made his life-work. He remained on the home farm till his marriage, January 13, 1850, to Lydia Spade, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born December 23, 1831. Her parents, Henry and Rosanna (Alsbough) Spade, were natives of Pennsylvania and Fairfield County, Ohio, respectively, the father born in 1800 and the mother in1807, both being of German origin. In his religious faith the father was a Lutheran, the mother being a member of the German Reformed church. The father was a farmer all his life. He died in April, 1842. He was twice married, having one child by his first marriage. His second wife was Rosanna Alsbough, a sister of his first wife, and to this marriage were born eight children, three sons and five daughters. Mrs. Spade is also deceased, her death taking place Apri1 6, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Bower have had twelve children born to them - Henry T., Mary A. (deceased), Margaret E. (deceased), Sarah J. (deceased), Laura A., Rosanna, Simon J., Josephine I., Charles W. (deceased), Emma E., Hattie B. (deceased) and George B. After his marriage Mr. Bower engaged in farming for himself. In 1861 he came to Adams County and located on the farm where he now resides, he having purchased the land five years before coming to the county. His farm was then heavily covered with timber, and his first residence in the county was built of logs, as well as his farm buildings. He now has 160 acres of fine land, seventy acres under cultivation, a comfortable and commodious residence, and good out-buildings for the accommodation of his stock. Mr. and Mrs. Bower are members of the Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Bower is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in the politics of his county. He has held the office of assessor, and was township trustee almost five years.

Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887

JACOB BUHLER, dealer in lime, hair, cement and plaster of paris, also flour and feed exchange, at Decatur, was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, February 25, 1825. He learned the stone mason's trade when a young man, and traveled as a journeyman mason in his native country for three years. In 1847 he came to America, landing at New York June 26, and from there went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked at his trade until 1848. He then went to Licking County, Ohio, and there worked at his trade until coming to Adams County, Indiana, in 1849, where he has since resided at Decatur, with the exception of five years spent in Wabash County. He followed contracting after settling in Adams County, and in 1875 began dealing in lime and building material, in which he is still engaged. He was united in marriage at Decatur, June 3, 1851, to Rose Ann Chronister, born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, a danghter of Henry and Elizabeth (Helem) Chronister, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. They came to Adams County, Indiana, in 1847, when Mrs. Buhler was about sixteen years of age, and located on a farm in Union Township, where the father died in 1859, aged sixty-four years. The mother died at Decatur in 1884 at the age of seventy-nine years. Both were members of the Lutheran church. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Buhler, of whom six are living - Emanul, Samuel, Jacob B., Albert, John and Chester, all with the exception of Albert, who is in Nebraska, being residents of Decatur. Those deceased are - David A., who died August 4, 1854, aged one year, and Henry C., who died May 3, 1862, aged six years. Mr. Buhler is a rnember of St. Mary's Lodge, No.167, I. O.O. F. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He and his wife belong to the Evangelical church at Decatur, and for three years he has served as steward of his church.

Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887

ALBERT HUSER, proprietor of a saw-mill at Preble Station, was born in Wabash Township, this county, January 16, 1859. He was reared on a farm and when fourteen years of age he left home and hired out to work on a farm until he was twenty-one years old. He then purchased a saw-mill at Friedheim, Preble Township, and still owns it. In March, 1885, he bought the mill he is operating at the present time, and manufactures from 6,000 to 7,000 feet of lumber per day, and at Friedheim, 5,000 feet per day. Mr. Huser's parents are George and Mary (Shuler) Huser, who were born in Germany. They now live at Friedheim. The father came to America alone, when a young man, settling in Pennsylvania, where he was married. He came to Adams County with wife and three children, and since his settlement here five children have been born. Mr. Huser was married October 31, 1882, to Miss Louisa Buuck, who was born at Friedheim August 25, 1861. They have one child - Paulina, born August 28, 1883. Mrs Huser is a daughter of Diedrich and Mary (Werfelman) Buuck.

Biographical and Historical Record - Adams and Wells Co. Indiana Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1887