JESSE WILLIAMS, farmer, owns 101 acres of land on sections 28 and 29, Root Township. He came to this county in 1847, settling in Root Township. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1832, and was fitteen or sixteen years of age when his parents came to this county. He remained with his father three years longer, when he went to Holmes County, Ohio. His father's family removed to that county when Jesse was two years old, and remained there until they came to Adams County, Indiana. The father died in 1872, in Richland County, Wisconsin, aged about sixty-eight years. He was of English ancestry. The mother, Catherine (King) Williams, was of German descent. Our subject was married March 29, 1857, to Miss Alice Ruckman, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, June 16, 1838, and when she was seven years of age her parents removed to Ashland County, where she lived until she reached maturity. She was married to Mr. Williams while on a visit to a sister, Mrs. Sarah A. Long. Her father, Watson Ruckman, was born in Virginia, and died in Columbiana County, Ohio, where he went when a young man, and taught school there; he was also married in that county. His death occurred in 1859, aged about sixty years. Her mother was Hannah (Rowler) Ruckman. Both parents were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have had six children - William W., born February 1, 1862, lives in Decatur; Della B., born August 14, 1885, is the wife of Benjamin F. Butler; Loretta A., born May 18, 1888, is the wife of William E. Butler; Watson E., the oldest child, died in September, 1871, at the age of fonrteen years, Mary E., wife of Victor V. Reed, died in August, 1880, aged twenty years, eleven months and nineteen days; Jessie Dallas, born July 20, 1874, and died January 17, 1875, she left two children; Jesse H. died in 1875, aged six years. Mr. and Mrs. Williams commenced housekeeping at Monmouth. All their household goods were placed in a one-horse wagon. Mr. Williams worked out a week after his marriage and earned $3 with which to purchase supplies. It was in the time of wild-cat currency, and each dollar would buy only ninety cents worth. Politically Mr. Williams is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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


LAFAYETTE RAPE, farmer, residing on section 23, Wabash Township, was born in Darke County, Ohio, February 17, 1845. His father, Lewis Rape, was born in Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley, in 1796. His father, Jacob Rape, was born in the northern part of France, and came to America as a soldier under Marquis de Lafayette, serving in the Revolutionary war. After the war he settled in Virginia and went to farming. He married a widow, Mrs. Catherine Howels, who died, leaving four children, three sons and one daughter. He removed to Ohio about 1808, and was one of the first settlers of Preble County. He remained in that county until his death, which occurred October 20, 1831. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. Lewis Rape was married in Preble County, Ohio, July 2, 1835, to Miss Maria Cummings, who was born in New Jersey in 1808, and went to Ohio with her parents in 1818. Her father, William Cummings, was born in New York State, and was also an early settler of Preble County. He was a descendant of the Old Dutch families of New York. The mother was of Scotch-Irish descent. They had five children, two of whom are living - Lafayette. and Charlotte S. The father was a member of the Presbyterian church. The mother was formerly a Presbyterian, but afterward became a member of the United Brethren church. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, and September 14, 1861, enlisted in Company G, Forty fourth Ohio Infantry, serving in West Virginia. He participated in several small engagements; was severely wounded near the Falls of Kanawba, in Virginia, and after leaving the hospital, returned to his company. He remained with them until March, 1863, when, owing to the effects of his wound, he was sent to the hospital at Louisville, Kentucky, and served as clerk in the hospital during that summer. In October, 1863, he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, being on duty at Detroit, Jackson and Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received his final discharge at Detroit, Michigan, October 14, 1864. He now draws a pension. Upon receiving his discharge Mr. Rape returned to his home in Ohio, where he remained one year, and spent the next year in traveling in the West. He visited Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, after which he returned home and engaged in farming. He sold the old farm in 1872, and came, accompanied by his mother, to Adams County, arriving at his present home December 1, 1872. His farm contains 238 acres, 120 of which are under cultivation and 180 are fenced. In addition to attending to his farm he is engaged in selling agricultural implements and machinery in the town of Geneva. He was married in August, 1875, to Sarah F. Buckly, who was born in Shelby County, Ohio, February 17, 1857. They have had six children - Lewis E., Perry D. (deceased) Benjamin F. W., Nelly, Jesse C. and Elmer F. Mr. Rape takes an active interest in public affairs. He held the office of township clerk, in Ohio, which he resigned to come to Indiana. In 1878 he was elected trustee of Wabash Township and served three terms. In politics he is a Republican, and has been a member of the Republican Central Committee about one year. He is a member of John P. Porter Post, No. 83, G. A. R.

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


GEORGE SHAFER, farmer, section 5, Union Township, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, October 17, 1843, where he was reared to manhood and educated in the common schools of his father's district. August 18, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, under William T. Wilson, and joined the West Virginia Division at Winchester, under Colonel Milroy, afterward under General Sigel, and still later under General Hunter, and finally under General Sheridan. The regiment was assigned to the Eighth Army Corps. September 3, 1864, he was wounded by a minie ball in the upper right arm, the bone being shattered and the arm unjointed. Almost the same instant a minie ball passed through both thighs, entering above the left knee, passing out about six inches above the knee, then passing through the right thigh. He lay upon the battle-field from Saturday evening until the following Monday evening, forty-eight hours. The rebels had possession of the field, and on Monday evening he was taken to the hospital at Winchester. Here his arm was amputated by his own regimental surgeon, who was in charge of the Union hospital of that place. He was detailed to take charge when our forces retreated. Mr. Shafer was then taken to the general hospital at Frederick, Maryland, after being in hospital at Winchester about six weeks. He remained at Frederick until his discharge in January, 1865, then returned to Crawford County, Ohio, but was able to do nothing for a year after his return. He then went to work on his father's farm, and remained there until his marriage, which occurred February 25, 1868, to Sarah F. Wert, who was born in Crawford County June 6, 1843. After his marriage Mr. Shafer bought a house and lot in Liberty Township, where he lived three years, then sold and removed to his father's home, taking charge of his father's farm eighteen months. In the spring of 1874 he purchased forty acres of land in Sandusky County, Ohio, and lived there eight years. He then sold and bought eighty acres where he now lives, the family coming in April, 1882. His parents were Philip and Mary Magdalene (Lebo) Shafer. The father was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1805; was reared and married in that county, and soon after marriage removed to Crawford County, Ohio, which was in 1834. He settled upon a new farm among the pioneers of the county. He entered eighty acres from the Government in Lykins Township, improved it and lived upon it until 1845, when he sold and removed to Illinois, where he rented land for eighteen months, then returned to Crawford County and rented land a few years, and finally bought a small farm where he passed the remainder of his days. His death occurred July 2, 1883. The mother was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, October 1, 1803, and died October 2, 1873, in Crawford County, Ohio. Both are buried near the old homestead, in Roop cemetery. They were members of the Lutheran church, and exemplified their religion in their daily life. They reared a family of nine children, eight of whom were living at the time of the father's death. John was in the army, and was supposed to have been killed at High Bridge a day or two before the surrender of Lee, never having since been heard from. He was a member of Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Infantry. George, our subject, was the youngest son, but there was a daughter younger. Mrs. Shafer was a daughter of Adam and Mary (McManus) Wert. Her father was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, June 5, 1817, and when he was nine years of age removed to Crawford County, Ohio, with his parents, where he lived until his death, which occurred December 6, 1884. The mother was born in Crawford County, January 13, 1822, and is living upon the homestead where the father died. They had eleven children, nine of whom are living. Mrs. Shafer was the second child, having an older brother, William Henry, who is living in Ottawa, Putnam County, Ohio. He was formerly an artist. Mr. and Mrs. Shafer have had six children, five of whom are living - Mary A., born November 14, 1868; Rosa E., born July 27, 1871; John W., born June 20, 1873; Franklin J., born January 18, 1875, died in the fall of 1882, aged seven years; William W., born October 4, 1878; Charles E., born February 23, 1885. Mrs. Shafer's grandfather, Joseph Wert, and her grandmother, Barbara (Kitch) Wert, were born in Pennsylvania, and died in Crawford County, Ohio, the former, who had been blind twenty years, at the age of seventy-nine years, and the latter aged nearly seventy-eight years. Her maternal grandfather, James McManus, died near Fremont, Ohio. Her grandmother, Sarah (Walter) McManus, was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Crawford County, Ohio. Some of her ancestors served in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Shafer served as assessor in Ohio for three terms. The Shafers and Lebos are of German ancestry.

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


HOWARD W. THOMPSON, a farmer of Washington Township, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, February 4, 1837, son of Gabriel D. and Elizabeth Thompson, the former a native of Hartford County, Maryland, and the latter of Otsego County, New York. They were pioneers of Carroll County, and had born to them eight children, seven of whom are living - Gilbert, Lydia A., Antoinette, Howard W., Harvey L., Basheba, Sarah A. and Joseph W., the latter being deceased. The mother died in August, 1868. The father survived until March, 1874. Harvey L. served as treasurer of Harrison County, Ohio, six years. Our subject was reared to manhood in his native county, and received a common school education. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he followed five years. The greater portion of his life has been spent in farming. He was married April 9, 1865, to Miss Catherine Kirby, born in Carroll County, Ohio, March 21, 1844, and daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth Kirby, who were natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Carroll County. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had five children - Lizzie M., born May 2, 1867; Frances E., born January 15, 1869; Cranston A., born September 17, 1871; Ida M., born June 27, 1879; and Ephraim K., born December 25, 1881. Mr. Thompson came to Adams County with his family in the spring of 1868, and has since been a resident of Washington Township. He settled upon his present farm on section 34, which was then in its primitive state, and has 100 acres of land. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, and in politics a Democrat. He is a self-made man, and obtained what he has by industry and good management.

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


REV. HERMAN THEODORE WILKEN, rector of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Decatur, Indiana, was born in the village of Soegel, Kingdom of Hanover Germany, October 19, 1844, a son of Benedict and Theela (Volmaring) Wilken. In 1860 his parents came to America and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his father died March 5, 1861. He being the only son the care and support of his mother devolved on him, and although not seventeen years old, he went bravely to work to fulfill his trust. He was for a time employed in chair factory in Cincinnati, and in 1864 was employed as Government carpenter at Nashville, Tennessee. In the latter part of 1864 he entered the Jesuit College at Cincinnati with the intention of preparing himself for the priesthood, and graduated in 1869. He then attended the Theological Seminary of Mount St. Mary's, and November 9, 1872 was ordained priest. After his ordination he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he was assigned to the pastorate of St. Patrick' Church at Arcola, Allen County, where he remained until July, 1880, when he was transferred to Decatur and placed in charge of St. Mary's parish. He is an earnest, indefatigable worker, a good speaker, and St. Mary's is steadily advancing in interest and growing in membership under his supervision.

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


BAZIL HENDRICKS, an early settler of Washington Township, resides on section 33. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, September 1, 1818, son of John and Susannah Hendricks, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Harrison County in the year 1806, and were among the first settlers of that county. The father died February 21, 1848, and the mother March 1, 1850. Of ten children born to the parents three are living - Charlotte, Matilda and Bazil. Our subject passed his early life in his native county, and received a rudimentary education in the early subscription schools. He was married in Ohio, in March, 1841, to Miss Catherine Cutchall, of Harrison County, and they became the parents of five children - Oliver T., Jane, John, Adaline, now Mrs. Dr. V. B. Simcope, and Jacob D. Mrs. Hendricks died July 30, 1856, and October 31, 1856, Mr. Hendricks was married to Mrs. Mary E. Hower, widow of Henry Hower, of Adams County, and daughter of David and Rebecca Coffman, who were among the pioneers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks have had five children - Harriet M., wife of Lacey Sells; David M., James A., Minnie B. and Ella M. In 1848 Mr. Hendricks immigrated with his family to Adams County, coming with a team and wagon containing the family and the household goods. Mr. Hendricks entered 360 acres of land, which is his present home, built him a log cabin and commenced to clear his land in a true pioneer style. After a few years he built a better house and other commodious farm buildings. He now has 280 acres of good land. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is acting as trustee of that church. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, and in polities a Democrat.

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


MARK ASPY, deceased, a pioneer of Wabash Township, this county, settled here in 1848. He was a native of Rush County, this State, born October 17, 1823. His father, Lawrence Aspy, was born in Pennsylvania, and removed to Ohio, thence to Indiana, settling in Rush County in an early day. He removed to Adams County, and settled on a farm in Wabash Township, where he remained until his decease. He was twice married; first to Jane Morgan, whom he married in Rush County. Her father, Jonathan Morgan, was one of the first settlers of Rush County. By the first marriage there were seven children. His wife dying, Mr. Aspy married Jane Jones, who survived her husband, and after his death she went to the western part of the State, where she, too, died. Mark, the subject of this notice, was raised on his father's farm, and received a good common-school education. He remained at home until he attained his majority. He was married December 15, 1844, to Elsie Ann Short, a native of Jackson County, Virginia. Her father, Lamlin Short, immigrated to Indiana and settled in Rush County in 1824, and was one of the first settlers of that county. Her mother was also a native of Virginia. Her maiden name was Nancy Goble. Mr. Aspy, wife and two children came to this county in 1848, where the father died on the old homestead July 27, 1885. They had a family of seven children - Elizabeth, born October 8, 1845, died October 12, 1851; Benjamin F., born March 19, 1847; Mary J., born June 15, 1849; Hiram M., born December 23, 1850; Josiah L., born September 5, 1852; Sarah A., born March 8, 1854; William A., born April 6, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Aspy united with the Disciple church, previous to their marriage. Mr. Aspy was formerly a Whig, but united with the Republican party upon its organization. He held the office of justice of the peace of his township for eight years; was also township treasurer and township trustee six years. He was well liked by his neighbors and friends, and his death was lamented by the whole community. At the time he settled in the township the country was new and his farm was covered with heavy timber. Game was plenty, and Mrs. Aspy remembers seeing deer pass the house while sitting in her door.

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


PAULUS RIES, of Preble Township, teacher of the Lutheran Zion's Church, was born in Switzerland, in Canton Glarns, near Linthal, June 28, 1846. At the age of four years, his father died, and two years later he came to America with his mother, one brother and three sisters. His mother, Chnstiana (Martz) Ries, settled in De KaIb County, three miles northwest of Fairfield Centre. Here our subject was reared until seventeen years of age. He then entered the Evangelical Lutheran school at Fort Wayne, and one year later went to Addison, Du Page County, Illinois, where he attended school three years, graduating in 1867. His first school was at Wyandotte, Wayne County, Michigan, where he remained ten months, then went to St. Clair, same State, where he taught school seven years. From there he went to Kendallville, Noble County, Indiana, and was there three years; thence to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for two years; thence to Friedheim, this county, in 1880, where he is still teaching. March 29, 1868, he was married to Miss Sophia Classen, who was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, October 3, 1849, and when seven years of age came to America with her parents, Christian and Mary (Martin) Classen, who are still living near Wyandotte, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Ries had nine children, eight of whom are living - Paul, Frederick, Mary, Anna, Henry, Hermaun and Gustav (twins), and Charles. John, the first child, died at the age of three months. After the ministers ceased to teach where Mr. Ries now teaches, the next teacber was Kirach, who taught nearly twenty-five years at Friedheim, then removed to Cowling, Wabash County, Illinois, and is now teaching near Worden, Illinois.

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


IRA CARPENTER, one of the old pioneers of of Adams County, was born in Portage County, Ohio, August 12, 1825, a son of Philander and Esther (Beech) Carpenter, and of English and Irish nationality. They were the parents of four sons and two daughters - Aaron, William, Ira, Luther, Esther and Lucinda. Ira grew to manhood on his father's farm, being reared to the avocation of a farmer. He went to Marion County, Ohio, and from there came to Adams County, Indiana, in 1842, settling in Union Township, on a tract of 160 acres, where he erected a log cabin. This land had been previously entered by his father, who afterward returned to Ohio. He was united in marriage June 27, 1844, to Martha Ann Teeple. He continued to reside on his farm in Union Township about ten years after his marriage, where he removed to St. Mary's Township, where his wife died November 16, 1861. He was again married May 18, 1862, to Sarah Catherine Debolt, and of the four children born to this union only two are living - Annetta Florence, born August 26, 1866, and Seymour H., born May 17,1871. Ira MeClelland was born July 7, 1863, and died July 18, 1863, and Sarah Catherine, who was born November 17, 1864, died December 5, 1864. Mrs. Carpenter is a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Poundstone) Debolt, who came to Adams County, Indiana, from Licking County, Ohio, about thirty-three years ago and settled in St. Mary's Township. They were the parents of the following children - John, Marion, Abraham, George, Isaac, David, Amanda and Sarah Catherine. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are comfortably settled on their farm in St. Mary's Township, in a neat and commodious farm dwelling, their farm being one of the best in the township. When Mr. Carpenter first settled on his farm it was entirely unimproved, and heavily covered with timber, but by patient toil he has cleared acre by acre until the forest was changed into a very well improved and productive farm. The nearest voting precinct when he settled in the county was Decatur, but after a few years Union Township was organized and the entire county was laid out into townships. There were no improved roads in the county, and it was a common occurrence for the early settlers to go as far as two or three miles to work out land tax. Mr. Carpenter was elected supervisor, and assisted in opening out two miles of the road to Pleasant Mills, then called the Mill road, and also assisted in opening up a part of what was then called the Decatur road. Wild animals were numerous in that early day, and sheep had to be secured in pens to protect them from the wolves. Flax and wool were manufactured into cloth by the thrifty housewife, which was made into clothes for both male and female. Trading and milling was done at Fort Wayne, twenty-nine miles distant. Salt sold at $3 a barrel. Hogs, when dressed were sold at the same trading point for 2 cents a pound, which the early settler considered a good price. Mr. Carpenter carried the mail for three months from Fort Wayne to Cold Water, Michigan, a distance of seventy-one miles, receiving for his services $6 a month. All the harvesting was done by hand, the price paid being 50 cents a day, or if the laborer preferred he could have instead a bushel of wheat for his day's labor. Many were the hardships and privations experienced by Ira Carpenter and his family, but they have lived to see the country covered with well cultivated fields and thriving villages, and are now enjoying the fruits of their years of toil and industry, surrounded with all the necessary comforts of life, and are well respected among the citizens of the county where they have spent so many years.

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


CLARK J. LUTZ, attorney-at-law, Decatur, Lndiana, was born March 14, 1862, at Williamsport, Allen County, Indiana. At the age of sixteen years he engaged in the drug and general mercantile business in Williamsport, Indiana, with his brother, Jacob S. Lutz, under the firm name of Lutz Bros., in which business he continued until 1882, when he removed to Decatur and entered the high school. In 1888 he engaged in the real estate business with J. F. France under the firm name of France & Lutz, and in 1884 the firm was dissolved and he entered the law office of France & Merryman as a student. Early in 1885 he was admitted to the bar, but continued as a student until January, 1886, when he commenced the practice of law. In polities he is a Democrat. On the 14th day of October, 1886, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. Lewis, of Decatur, Indiana, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio, September 22, 1862. In 1879 she removed to Decatur and resided with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McGonagle. In 1879 and 1880 she attended the conservatory of music at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in 1883 and 1884 she received instructions in music from Professor Emil Leibling, of Chicago. Her parents were natives of Ohio, and her father, Dr. J. V. Lewis, is now a practicing physician of Richmond, Indiana. The parents of Mr. Lutz were born in Stark County, Ohio, and removed to Allen County, Indiana, near Williamsport, in 1852, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Lutz are members of the First Presbyterian Church, of Decatur.

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


Deb Murray