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

JAMES NEWTON FRISTOE, a prominent citizen of Decatur, was born in Licking County, Ohio, the date of his birth being September 24, 1851. His parents, William H. and Nancy (Laughrey) Fristoe, are natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively, the father being of English and Scotch origin, and the mother of German and Irish ancestry. The father was eight years old when his parents settled in Licking County, Ohio, and there he was reared to the avocation of a farmer, which he has made his life-work. In 1865 he left Licking County for Adams County, Indiana, and settled on a farm in St. Mary's Township, where he has since made his home. The mother is a member of the Baptist church at Pleasant Mills. They have two sons - Henry Albert, who is railway postal clerk, and James N., subject of this sketch. James N. Fristoe was fourteen years old when he came with his parents to Adams County, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm near Pleasant Mills, in St. Mary's Township. He received a fair common-school education, and at the age of seventeen years began teaching school, which he followed for eleven years during the winter terms in Adams and Allen counties, Indiana and in Licking and Shelby counties, Ohio and during the summer seasons worked on his father's farm in St. Mary's Township. October 21, 1877, he was united in marriage at Pleasant Mills to Miss Eliza K. MeLeod, who is of Scotch origin. She was born and reared near Pleasant Mills, and was educate in the district schools of that neighborhood and at the high school at Warsaw, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Fristoe are the parents of two children - Earl De Lang and True Rockey. In July, 1879, Mr. Fristoe was appointed deputy treasurer by Anthony Holthouse, the treasurer of Adams County, and has since held that position. In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party.

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

JOHN H. FUELLING, a farmer of Root Township, owns land on sections 1, 3, 4, 10 and 11, also on section 15, Jefferson Township. He has 606 acres in all. He was born in Hanover, Germany, May 7, 1820, and when he was sixteen years of age came with his parents to America. They first lived in Fort Wayne six months, then came to Adams County and settled upon the place where John H. now resides. There were five children in the family, of whom our subject was the oldest - Frederick died in 1869, aged forty-six years, leaving a wife and five children; Engle, wife of Jacob Berger was born in 1826, and is living in Root Township; Fredericka married Charles Frincker, a preacher in Baltimore, and died at Indianapolis at twenty-six years of age, leaving two children; Mr. Frincker again married, and is still living in Baltimore; Henry D. is commissioner of Adams County, and resides in Root Township, on section 4. His parents were Clawer and Anna Mary (Thomas) Fuelling. The father was born in Hanover, Germany, May 7, 1792, and brought his family to Ainerica in 1836. A sister of Mrs. Fuelling came with them, Engel Thomas. She was an invalid, and died in New York City soon after landing. The farm upon which they settled was entirely new, and they were obliged to cut their own road from Monmouth to the farm. There was a small clearing round a pond, that was called the Seventeen-mile Pond, where it was possible to water their stock. The father entered 120 acres of land from the Government, at Fort Wayne, and commenced to make a home. The family stopped with John W. Wise while the cabin was being built. Their nearest neighbor was Mr. Wise, and they had no neighbors north of them, but soon after their arrival immigrants began to come in. A Lutheran missionary used frequently to stop with the family. He was from Germany, and his name was Frederick Wienicken. He died in Los Angeles, California. About 1841 the father built a hewed-log house, two stories in height, which is still standing, and is a part of the present house, having been made over several times. The father died in Root Township December 6, 1854, and is buried in the Lutheran cemetery. The mother died July 3, 1867, and is buried beside the father. Mr. Fuelling was married August 27, 1842, to Miss Hannah M. Reinhart, who was born in Hanover, Germany, March 25, 1820, and when a young lady came to America with her grandparents who settled in Preble Township. Her mother died in Germany, and she was reared by her grandparents. Mrs. Fuelling died June 20 1878, and is buried in the Lutheran cemetery. There are ten living children and one deceased - Eliza, born April 23, 1843, died at the age of fifteen years; M. Engel, born April 15, 1844; H. Clawer, born January 30, 1846; F. Emmillie, born December 13, 1848; Frederick, born May 17, 1851; F Sophia, born September 14, 1852; H. Jacob born May 29, 1854; J. Henry, born September 24, 1856; C. M. Lissetta, born September 28, 1858; Charles F., born July 15, 1860 and H. Martin, born May 31, 1862. All were born in Root Township. Martin is engaged in missionary work at St. Thomas, Dakota. Mr. Fuelling's paternal and maternal grandparents were all born and all died in Germany. When his father first came to Fort Wayne he had $250 in money. As soon as the family was settled he went to work on the Maumee Canal, and the following fall John H. and Frederick also went to work on the canal to earn money to buy provisions. The father was once drafted into Napoleon's army, but was afterward rejected. John H. has the mill-stones that were used in the first grist-mill of this county.

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

HERMAN BOSSE, an old and respected citizen of Decatur, Adams County, was born in Bersenbruck, Hanover, Germany, February 15, 1817, where he was reared to manhood. He learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, which he followed at his birthplace and at other places in Germany until 1844. He was married at Bersenbruck, in 1843, to Miss Margaret Holthouse, and to this union have been born four children - Catherine, wife of Lewis Conter; Frank, Mary and Willie, all residents of Decatur, and all members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mr. Bosse immigrated to Amenca with his wife in 1844, and first located at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1849. He then came to Decatur, Adams County, Indiana, and engaged in contracting and building, which he followed until 1869, when he carried on a grocery and saloon until 1873. He was then variously engaged until 1881, and in that year he graded two miles of the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad by contract, after which he retired from active business life, and is now taking that rest which is the reward of years of persevering toil and industry. He has been a resident of Decatur since 1849, and has lived to see the surrounding country change from a state of nature into thriving towns and well-cultivated farms, and has always taken an active interest in the development of his county.

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

EMORY MAY, farmer, section 4, Union Township, was born in that township April 23, 1850. He has been reared in his native county and educated in the common schools. His father, William May, was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 24, 1817, where he was reared and lived until his marriage. He came to this county in August, 1846, with wife and two children. Moses died of typhoid fever February 22, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee, aged nineteen years. He was a member of Company I, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry. Abaline is the wife of John Johnson, and is living in Decatur, this county. The children born in this county are Emory, Jonathan C., who died in infancy; William Charles, Louisa, wife of James Crozier; Isaiah, living in Van Wert County, Ohio; Oliver, a resident of Fort Wayne, and Permelia, at home. Our subject was married December 21, 1873, to Miss Mary Heath, who was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, April 19, 1853, daughter of Benjamin and Harriet (Plummer) Heath. Her father was born in Harrison County, Ohio, and died November 11, 1878, aged about sixty-two years. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania and died April 6, 1869, aged forty-three years. There were seven children in her father's family - Maria, John, David, Mary, Jane, Anna and Amanda. Maria and David are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. May have had five children, four of whom are living Francis, born February 9, 1876; Lorenzo, born September 1, 1878; Eva V., born Docember 29, 1881. and Sophia Elsie, horn August 19, 1884. An infant, unnamed, is deceased.

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

JACOB SPADE, farmer, and also engaged in the saw-milling business, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, August 16, 1840, a son of Henry and Bosanna (Alspach) Spade, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively, the father born in 1800, and the mother born in the year 1807. The father was twice married and had one child by his first marriage. Seven children were born to his second marriage, of whom six survive, our subject being the youngest child. In his religious faith the father was a Lutheran, and the mother was a member of the German Reformed church. The former died in 1842, his widow surviving until April, 1885. Jacob Spade, whose name heads this sketch, grew to manhood in Pickaway County, receiving a common-school education in the schools of his neighborhood. At the age of thirteen years he began learning the carpenter's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of three years, working at his trade till attaining the age of twenty-three years. In June, 1862, he came to Adams County, Indiana, and purchased the farm where he has since resided, in Kirkland Township, which contains 120 acres of well-improved land. October 15, 1863, he was marned to Miss Mary A. Kiser, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, June 20,1841, and to this union were born twelve children - Clara E., Mary A., William G., Edwin C. (deceased), Frank W., Charles C., Ralph R., Cora M., Jennie L., James A. G., Hattie B., and an infant unnamed. Mr. Spade enlisted in the late war December 12, 1864, and was assigned to Company E, Twelfth Indiana Infantry, serving until July 17, 1865. He was with Sherman in North Carolina, and at the grand review at Washington, receiving his final discharge at Indianapolis, when he returned to his home in Adams County, and resumed fanning. In 1879 he formed a partnership with Mr. Arnold in the saw-milling business, thus forming the present firin of Spade & Arnold. Mr. Spade is a member of Sam Henry Post, No. 63, G. A. R.

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

JOHN WILLIAM BOSSE, druggist, and compounder of Marshall's proprietary medicines, successor to the Marshall Medicine Company of Decatur, was born in Decatur, Adams County, Indiana, October 5, 1858, his parents, Herman and Margaret (Holthouse) Bosse, being natives of Germany. John was reared to manhood in Decatur, and educated in the schools of that city, and at the age of eighteen years began teaching school in Adams County. In 1876 he entered the drug store of Dorwin & Holthouse, of Decatur, remaining with that firm as clerk until 1882, when he became a member of the Marshall Medicine Company. He subsequently purchased the interest of the company, of which he is now sole proprietor and by his good business management and strict attention to his business, he has succeeded in establishing a good trade. His medicines now find a market in eleven States where he sells to only wholesale dealers. Mr. Bosse is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Decatur, and for two years has held his position of president of the Catholic Young Men's Society. Mr. Bosse is numbered among the public-spirited and enterprising young men of Decatur, and by his upright and honorable dealings he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him.

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

NATHAN B. SHEPHERD, laborer, Geneva, was born in Wabash Township, Adams County, Indiana, June 3, 1852, a son of Edward and Lucy A. (Buckingham) Shepherd. He grew to manhood in his native county, being reared to the avocation of a farmer, and receiving in his youth a fair common-school education. In 1871 he began working in a stave factory at Bluffton, and since then has been engaged at various ocenpations. In 1877 he entered the employ of S. W. Hale & Brother, remaining with that firm to the present time. He was united in marriage October 26, 1879, to Sarah E. Connor, who was born in Jay County, Indiana, June 15, 1856, a daughter of William and Catherine (Farbee) Connor, who were natives of Ohio and early settlers of Jay County, Indiana. In his political views Mr. Shepherd is a Republican. He is at present a member of the village board. His father, Edward Shepherd, was a native of Ohio, born in Franklin County July 5, 1826, his parents, William and Olivia P. (Emery) Shepherd, being natives of Virginia, the former born August 18, 1788, and the latter August 19, 1788. Edward Shepherd was married in Wabash Township April 23, 1847, to Lucy A. Buckingham, a native of Maryland, born May 25, 1826, a daughter of Nathan and Frissell (Michael) Buckingham, and to this union were born nine children - William E., born March 7, 1849; Margaret E., born December 29, 1850; Nathan B., subject of this sketch; Martha A., born August 17, 1854; Pyreny J., born March 17, 1856, died September 2, 1881; Alfred A., born January 10, 1858, died November 7, 1877; John H., born August 5, 1860, died November 11, 1866; Morton G., born February 3, 1863, and Emma, born September 18, 1865, died January 17, 1878. Edward Shepherd was reared to the avocation of a farmer and followed agricultural pursuits through life. He came to Adams County, Indiana, when about twelve years of age, and made his home in Wabash Township till his death, December 14, 1866. His widow is still living in Wabash Township. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, their parents being members of the same church. The paternal grandparents of our subject, William and Olivia P. Shepherd were married in Virginia July 14, 1809, and of the eight children born to them all are deceased. They removed to Franklin County, Ohio, in an early day, being among the first settlers. They immigrated to Indiana about the year 1838, settling on section 36, Wabash Township, Adams County, where the father entered some 1,200 or 1,400 acres of land, living there till his death, which occurred June 17, 1862. His wife died April 25, 1856. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was at the siege of Fort Meigs and also at the siege of Toledo, beside other engagements. The maternal grandparents were natives of the State of Maryland. They immigrated to Fairfield County, Ohio, where they resided seven years, removing thence to Indiana, locating in Jay County, where Mr. Buckingham died June 6, 1852, his widow surviving him until 1868. They were the parents of a large family. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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

ANDREW J. FOREMAN, a successful agriculturist of Blue Creek Township, where he resides on section 33, is a native of Ohio, born in Butler County, May 9, 1830. His parents, Henry H. and Mary M. Foreman, were natives of the State of Pennsylvania. They settled in Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana, in 1853, where they resided until death. Thirteen children were born to them, of whom seven still survive - Elizabeth, James, George, Andrew J., Samuel, William and Mary. The father was one of the representative pioneers of Adams County, having settled in the woods of Blue Creek Township, where he endured many hardships and privations. He began life a poor man, but owing to his habits of industry and economy he met with success, and was numbered among the enterprising farmers and respected citizens of his township. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics he was a Democrat. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Andrew J. Foreman, whose name heads this sketch, grew to manhood in his native county, being reared amid pioneer scenes, and receiving such educational advantages as were common to farmer boys of that day. He came to Adams County after reaching his majority, settling with his parents in Blue Creek Township. He was united in marriage October 11, 1861, to Miss Nancy McAlhaney, who was born in Ohio, but at the time of her marriage was living in Adams County. To this union were born seven children - Sarah E., deceased; Mary E., wife of John N. Smitley; Samantha J., wife of William H. Agler; John W., Henry H., William L. and Ida M. Mr. Foreman settled on his present farm in 1861, where his wife died December 14, 1875, leaving a family and a host of. friends to mourn her loss. Mr. Foreman has met with success in his farming operations, having commenced life for himself without means, and has now one of the finest farms in Adams County, his farm containing 120 acres of well-improved and highly cultivated land. In his political views Mr. Foreman affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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

CHARLES T. RAINIER, M.D., an active and public-spirited citizen of Monroe, Adams County, is a native of Ocean County, New Jersey, born October 28, 1842, a son of Aaron B. and Esther T. (Pratt) Rainier, natives of New Jersey and Maryland respectively, the father born November 6, 1805, of French descent, and the mother born May 8, 1804. They were married in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1828, and to them were born eight sons and two daughters, our subject being the ninth child. Early in life the father learned the cabinet-maker's trade in New York City. After his marriage he settled at Columbus, New Jersey, where he experienced religion and entered the ministry, uniting with the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1844 he emigrated with his family to Franklin County, Indiana, and worked at his trade at Metamora. He entered the Southern Indiana Conference when he first came to the State. He afterward left Franklin County for Madison Connty, where he followed farming for three years, when he entered the Northern Indiana Conference, of which he was a member until his death, November 6,1878. After disposing of his farm he spent three years on the Middletown Circuit, after which he returned with his family to Philadelphia and engaged in the mercantile trade, which he continued about three years. He then returned to Middletown and re-entered the ministry, and while there was a presiding elder of the Northern Indiana Conference. He afterward removed to Richwood, Delaware County, Indiana, where his wife died Angust 3, 1861. He afterward traveled over many of the counties in the northern and central part of Indiana, being one of the circuit riders of that day, and would frequently be gone several weeks at a time. He died at the home of his son at Monroe, Adams County. Charles T. Rainier, whose name heads this sketch, came with his parents to Indiana when about two years of age. He remained at home with his parents until July 18, 1862, receiving his education in the common school of his neighborhood. He then enlisted in Company H, Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry and was with the Thirteenth Army Corps. He participated in the battles of Richmond, Kentucky, Arkansas Post, and siege of Vicksburg, besides other battles and skirmishes. He served until October, 1864, when he was discharged for disability contracted in the army. He now draws a pension. After his discharge he returned to his father's house in Grant County, Indiana, and for three years following he was engaged in teaching school during the winter terms, and reading medicine in the summer months. He then began the practice of medicine at West Liberty, Jay County, Indiana, but after a time, his health failing him, he was obliged to give up his practice, after which he went to Allegan County, Michigan, and attended a course of lectures in the medical department of the Michigan State University. After remaining there a year and a half he came to Adams County, Indiana, in September, 1869, and engaged in the practice of medicine at Salem. He remained there two years, when he removed to Monroe, Monroe Township, where he followed his chosen profession. He was one of the first settlers, and he erected the first building on the present site of Monroe. The Monroe postoffice was established mainly through his influence, and he was appointed its first postmaster, which office he resigned shortly afterward. He remained at Monroe until about 1878, when he removed to Marshall County, and was engaged in the practice of medicine there for six years. He then returned to Monroe, where he still resides, but is living retired from the active duties of life, having given up his practice on account of his health. The doctor was married October 27, 1866, to Nancy J. Gilpen, who was born in Blue Creek Township, Adams County, Indiana, May 20, 1850, a daughter of Washington and Mary (Brokaw) Gilpen, natives of Ohio, the father born in Pennsylvania County, February 1, 1828, and the mother born in Belmont County in December, 1828. They were married in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1848, and in 1849 came to Adams County, settling in Blue Creek Township, where the mother died November 30, 1880. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are yet living. Six children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Rainier - Alice L., Willis B. (deceased), Mary A., Washington E., Lulu B. and Charles L. The doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as trustee, and was also recording steward of the Monroe Circuit. He is a member of the Sam. Henry Post, No. 63, G.A.R., at Decatur.

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