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

JEREMIAH TRICKER, deceased, was a native of England, born in February, 1831, and was a son of James and Sarah Tricker. In 1846 he immigrated with his parents to America, they settling near Toronto, Canada, and there he grew to manhood. He was reared to the avocation of farmer, which he has made his life-work, and in his youth received but a limited education in the district schools. He was married in Canada, October 31, 1849, to Francis Grafton, her father being a native of the State of Kentucky, and her mother of Ireland. Nine children were born to this union, of whom six are living - Amy, wife of Marion Buffenbarger, of Adams County; Andrew of Chattanooga, Tennessee; George of Adams County; Millie, Cora and Stewart. In the fall of 1849 Mr. Tricker came to Adams County, Indiana, and bought eighty acres of heavily timbered land located on section 17 of Blue Creek Township, and soon erected a log house, and here he experience many of the hardships and privations which usually fall to the lot of settlers in a new country. He was one of the representative pioneers of Adams County, and did his share toward developing its interests. He died April 22, 1870, leaving his widow and family and a host of friends to mourn his death. He was an active member of the United Brethren church, of which he served as steward and class-leader. In politics he affiliated with the Republican party. He commenced life entirely without capital, but was successful through life, and at this death left 160 acres of land. His widow still resides on the home farm, and is the owner of fifty acres of choice land.

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

ANDREW IDLEWINE, farmer, section 30, Wabash Township, is a native of Ripley County, Indiana, born in July, 1842. His parents, Andrew and Susannah (Beckman) Idlewine, were natives of Germany, where they were married. They immigrated to America about the year 1836, and after stopping a short time at Louisville, Kentucky, they came to Indiana and settled in Ripley County, where they followed agricultural pursuits until their death, the father dying in 1880, at the age of sixty-nine years, and the mother in 1882, aged sixty-six years. Both were members of the German Methodist church. They were the parents of eight children, seven sons and one daughter. Andrew Idlewine, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on the home farm in Ripley County, where he received but limited educational advantages, he being obliged from an early age to assist with the work of the farm. He remained at home until August 22, 1862, when he enlisted in Company H, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, and served his country until June 15, 1865. He was under Stoneman and Phil. Sheridan, and participated in many of the battles of the command, and was mustered out in East Tennessee. He now draws a pension on account of rheumatism contracted while in the army. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to John P. Porter Post, of Geneva. After his discharge he returned to his home in Ripley County, whre he was engaged in manufacturing and shipping staves for two years. He then went to Missouri, where he remained from 1868 to 1870, when he returned to Indiana, spending one summer at Indianapolis. In the spring of 1872 he went to Vermillion County, where he remained on a farm until the fall of the same year, when he bought his present farm in Wabash Township, Adams County. He was united in marriage September 4, 1873, to Catherine Shingledecker, a native of Germany, born January 1, 1846. Her parents came to America when she was a year and a half old, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they remained until about 1857. They then removed to Ripley County, Indiana, where the father died of cholera shortly after. The mother of Mrs. Idlewine is still living, making her home in Wabash Township, Adams County. They had born to them nine children, four sons and five daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Idlewine have five children - Susie E., Charles H., Estella L., Ruby J. and Carrie E. F. Mr. Idlewine has resided on his present farm since his marriage. His farm now contains eighty acres of choice land, forty-five under cultivation, with comfortable residence and out-buildings for the accommodation of his stock. Mr. Idlewine has filled several local officers since becoming a resident of Wabash Township. 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

JAMES G. BURK, proprietor of livery stable at Geneva, is a native of Ohio, born in Tuscarawas County, June 4, 1850, a son of William and Mary J. (Gordon) Burk, with whom he came to Jay County, Indiana, when about three years of age, living there until 1861 or 1862, and then moved to Adams County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood, in Wabash Township, where he received a common-school education. His father being a farmer he was reared to the same avocation, which he followed until he engaged in his present business. His stable is well fitted up with vehicles of various kinds, and his horses are kept in good condition, and by his genial and accommodating manners he has established a good business. Mr. Burk was united in marriage May 31, 1877 to Mary Josephine Vining, who was born in Portland, Jay County, Indiana, December 11, 1855. To this union have been born three children - William Waid, born May 2, 1878; Byron Blaine, born June 19, 1883 and Nora Netha, born March 5, 1886, and died April 16, 1886. Both Mr. and Mrs. Burk are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and respected members of society. Mr. Burk is thirty-six years old and has his first glass of whiskey to drink; he does not use any intoxicating drink, nor coffee, or tobacco in any form. He thinks it pays to be temperate in all things.

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

WASHINGTON STEELE, farmer, section 35, Washington Township, is the owner of 200 acres of land. He was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1830. In 1837 he was taken by his parents to Richland County, Ohio, and in 1838 removed to Kirkland. When he had reached his majority the family came to this county and settled in the wild woods, where the father built a hewed log house. Here our subject lived three years, then went to work in a saw-mill for Samuel L. Rugg, for whom he worked three years sawing plank for the roads, Mr. Rugg having the contract for sawing and furnishing the plank for the road between Fort Wayne and St. Mary's. Mr. Steele was married April 3, 1853, to Miss Polly Zimmerman, who was born in Fayette County, Ohio, in 1832. When she was two years old her parents and six other children settled in an old log house up the river, about half a mile from David Studabaker's. The father bought a squatter's claim, besides entering land from the Government, and kept adding more land, until at his death he had 900 acres in a body. He also owned 700 acres in Mercer County, Ohio. He could neither read nor write, but could cast interest and make a good bargain. He was born near Harper's Ferry, Maryland, March 19, 1802, and when a young man went to Fayette County, Ohio, where two of his brothers were living, and was married there September 2, 1823 to Miss Polly Smith. In 1834 they came to Adams County, bringing with them four children. Four more were born after they came here. The father died October 29, 1878, lamented by all who knew him. The mother was born in Fayette County, Ohio, in 1804, where she was reared and married. Shed died in 1872, and both were buried in Decatur. She was a very industrious, frugal woman, and in early life was a regular attendant at church; but in later years she became crippled from a fall, and could only walk a short distance. Mr. Steele's father, George Steele, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1799, where he was reared and married, and where five children were born. They removed to Richland County, Ohio, where they lived until they came to this county in 1848. The father died in Kirkland Township February 3, 1878, and is buried in Steele's cemetery. The mother was also born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in September, 1802. She is now living at Pleasant Mills, with her son Henry. The parents had eleven children, nine of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have four children - Mary F., born June 27, 1854; Eli W., born March 11, 1857; John D., born January 27, 1860, and Elizabeth E., born June 23, 1862. All are married except Eli, who lives at home. In politics Mr. Steele is a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Methodist church. He has been a Mason since 1872, and belongs to Decatur Lodge, No. 571. He had there brothers in the late war; John and James were volunteers, and Samuel was drafted. James died in hospital, of chronic diarrhea, at St. Louis. Mrs. Steele remembers when her father had to go to Fort Wayne to mill with an ox team, and sometimes in a keel-boat down the St. Mary's River. When building his first house he bought his hardware at Piqua, Ohio, going for it with an ox team. Before his death he gave his son Eli 900 acres of land. He left an estate valued at $50,000.

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

JESSE SMITH, deceased, who was one of the old and respected pioneers of Adams County, was a native of the State of Delaware, born November 29, 1814. When he was seven years old his father died, and his mother subsequently removed with her family to Fairfield County, Ohio, and in that county he was reared to manhood, and received a good common-school education. He afterward engaged in teaching school, and followed that vocation in Ohio, and Adams County, Indiana, teaching in all twelve terms. He was married December 15, 1836, to Miss Eliza Nutter, who was also a native of Delaware, born December 15, 1815, and was afterward taken by her parents, Thomas and Mary J. (Covedel) Nutter, to Fairfield County, Ohio, where she was living at the time of her marriage. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, as follows - Isaiah, Jesse H., Christiana C., William, Mary E., Nancy J., Enoch N., Eliza M., Sarah E. and James M. In the fall of 1852 Mr. Smith settled with his family on section 36, Kirkland Township, Adams County, Indiana, on land which he had entered in 1840. He had previously come to Adams County and built a log cabin, 18 x 20 feet, with puncheon floor and clapboard roof, in which the family made their home for several years, when they erected a commodious frame residence, which is still occupied by Mrs. Smith. In politics Mr. Smith was a Democrat. He was a prominent man in his township, and served as trustee, clerk, assessor and school director. At the age of thirteen years he jointed the United Brethren church, of which he was a member until the war of the Rebellion. He then united with the Christian church, of which he remained a faithful member until his death. He was licensed to preach in the United Brethren church, which he followed about twenty years, and at the time of his death he was a class-leader in the Christian church. Mr. Smith commenced life in limited circumstances, but by hard work and industry, assisted by his excellent wife, he made for his family a comfortable home, leaving his farm of 120 acres under a high state of cultivation. Two of his sons, Isaiah and Jesse, gave their lives for their country during the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company I, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry. They were taken prisoners at Munfordville, Kentucky. They subsequently returned home, and were exchanged when they rejoined their regiment. Isaiah died at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in the hospital, February 9, 1864, and Jesse died in the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, April 20, 1863. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Christian Union denomination, but was formerly a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Smith died of typhoid pneumonia, February 5, 1884, after an illness of only nine days.

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

JOHN JACOB SCHEER, son of John Scheer, was born in Seneca Township, Seneca County, Ohio, December 27, 1838. In 1851 his parents moved to Springfield Township, Williams County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and received a common-school education. He followed farming until April 23, 1861, when he enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Ohio Infantry, for three months. The regiment was sent to West Virginia and participated in the engagements at Beverly and Phillippi. August 13, 1861, he was discharged at Toledo, Ohio, and returned home, and December 14, 1861, again enlisted for three years, and was assigned to Company D, Thirty-eighth Ohio Infantry. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and was in the engagement at Mill Springs, where he was detailed teamster. He was disabled and sent to the hospital at Somerset, Kentucky. He rejoined his regiment at Pelham, Tennessee, and with Buell's army looked on that the battle of Perryville, and participated in the battle at Stone River. He became disabled through fatigue, and was sent to Nashville and discharged on account of ill-health, February 19, 1863. He returned home, and worked at the carpenter's and joiner's trade until June 18, 1863, when he enlisted in Company E, Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry, for a term of six months. His regiment was detailed to intercept Morgan on his raid through Indiana and Ohio, and were then sent to Cumberland Gap, where they remained until their term expired, when they were discharged, February 10, 1864, and returned home. He then went to farming and also worked at his trade in Ohio until 1879, when he was employed as engineer in Shafer & Van Buren's mill. October 15, 1881, he moved to Geneva, Adams County, Indiana, where he is now employed as engineer at Scheer's planing-mill. Mr. Scheer was married at Bryan, Williams County, Ohio, December 22, 1870, to Delilah Whetstone, a native of Crawford County, Ohio, born January 27, 1849, her parents being natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Scheer have had five children - Emelia Adenia, born October 2, 1871, died August 17, 1872; Mary Elizabeth, born August 8, 1872; Larurea Carolina, born September 25, 1876; John James, born December 6, 1879; Earlie Calvin, born January 29, 1885, died May 6, 1886. Mr. Scheer is a member of John P. Porter Post, No. 83, G. A. R. 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

BENJAMIN RANDOLPH FREEMAN, M.D., son of Dr. William and Elizabeth (Randolph) Freeman, was born in Hamilton, Ohio, June 3, 1844. In 1849 he was brought to Indiana by his parents, they locating at Camden, where he remained until 1856. He then attended school at Hamilton until August, 1861, when he returned to Indiana, and enlisted as a private in Company C, Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry. After serving eight months he was promoted to Commissary Sergeant of his regiment, and about six months later, was appointed Hospital Steward. In February, 1864, he re-enlisted as Hospital Steward, in the same regiment, serving as such until his final discharge at the close of the war in August, 1865, when he returned to Camden, Indiana. December 24, 1865, he was married to Miss Margaret A. Johnson, a daughter of David and Margaret Johnson, of Jay County, Indiana. They are the parents of three children - Clara R., Willie and Benjamin R. After his returned from the war he attended Liber College several months, when in January, 1866, he began the study of medicine at Camden, under his father. He graduated from Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, in March, 1873, after taking three courses of lectures. He then practices medicine with his father at Camden, until 1875, when he located at Geneva, Adams County, and practiced there until September, 1876. From Geneva he came to Decatur, and became associated with Dr. T. T. Dorwin, with whom he practiced until April, 1878. In April, 1883, he formed a partnership with Dr. James S. Boyers, with whom he has since been associated with under the firm name of Drs. Freeman & Boyers, and both being well skilled in the knowledge of the profession, have established a good practice, and become well and favorably known. Dr. Freeman has taken three post-graduate courses in the medical department of the Northwestern University at Chicago, Illinois; first in 1880, second in 1882 and again in 1885. He is employed as surgeon of the Chicago & Atlantic, Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago, and the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City Railway companies. He is a member of the county, district, State and national medical societies. He is a comrade of Samuel Henry Post No. 63, G. A. R., of Decatur; also Assistant Surgeon Third Indiana Ledion, with captain's commission. Dr. William Freeman, the father of our subject, was born, reared and educated at Lockport, New York. He studied medicine, and graduated from the Geneva Medical College of Geneva, New York, and in 1840 located at Hamilton, Ohio, where he practiced medicine until 1849. He then came to Indiana, and practiced his chosen profession at Camden, Jan County, until his death in 1884, at the age of seventy-five years. In 1862 he was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the Fifty-second Indiana Infantry, and a few months later was made Surgeon of Seventh Indiana Cavalry, which position he resigned in 1864, on account of failing health. For may years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The mother of our subject was his first wife, whom he married at Hamilton. She died at Camden, Indiana, in 1854. She was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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

ANDREW JACKSON GOULD, deceased, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, February 21, 1815. When ten years old he went with his parents to Jefferson County, Ohio, and there he grew to manhood on a famr, and subsequently learned the tinner's trade. He was married December 28, 1843, to Rosamond Erwin, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, born April 13, 1824. Her parents were born in the State of Pennsylvania, but removed to Jefferson County, Ohio, where they resided until their death. Robert Hill, Sr., maternal grandfather of Mrs. Gould, removed from Pennsylvania before the war of 1812, where he purchased a section of land and settled his children around him. To Mr. and Mrs. Gould were born - Mary E., James, William, Jonathan H., John L., Robert, Lavinia and Sarah J. Mr. Gould followed farming in Jefferson County until October, 1861, when he came to Adams County, Indiana, and settled on section 11, Monroe Township, on land which he had purchased in November, 1853. His first purchase was eighty acres, and by persevering industry and good management he added to this until his farm contained 120 acres. He resided on this farm until his death, which occurred July 21, 1865, and was numbered among the prominent men of his township. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and during his residence in Adams County held local offices. He was in his religious faith, a Presbyterian. Mrs. Gould was also a member of the Presbyterian church, but in the fall of 1883 she united with the Society of Friends, of which she is still a member. She still resides on the old homestead in Monroe Township.

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

JACOB BRENEMANN, , one of the active business men of Berne, Adams County, is a native of Switzerland, born April 26, 1835. He grew to manhood in his native country, and there followed the butcher's trade. He came to America in 1868, landing at Boston, August 2, and from there went to Chicago, Illinois, and there he worked at his trade. He came to Adams County in 1875, and in May, 1876, he opened a butcher shop at Berne, which was the pioneer butcher shop of this place. In May, 1878, he opened a saloon, which he carried on in connection with his butcher shop until the fall of 1881, when he disposed of his business and returned to Switzerland on a visit. He remained in Switzerland until the spring of 1882, when he returned to Berne, Adams County, Indiana, and erected a building, and resumed the occupation at which he had previously been engaged. In 1886 he erected the building in which he now carries on his liquor trade. His buildings are among the most substantial in the place, and are valued at $3,000, besides which he owns several lots within the corporation. Mr. Brenemann was unfortunate in business, in his native country, and lost several thousands of dollars, this being the main reason of his coming to America. He began his business career in Berne on the sum of $25, and from this small beginning he has become one of the prosperous citizens of the place. Mr. Brenemann has been twice married. He was first married in Switzerland in February, 1862, and by his first marriage had four children. He was married a second time in the spring of 1882, to Miss Anna Kohler, a native of Switzerland born in the year 1845, and of the three children born to this union only one, a son named Edward Herman, is living.

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

WILLIAM RAWLEY, a successful farmer, residing on section 2, Wabash Township, a son of Tilmon Rawley, of Adams County, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, the date of his birth being January 27, 1846. When nine months old he was brought by his parents to Adams County, Indiana, and here he was reared to manhood on the homestead farm in Wabash Township, receiving his education in the common schools of his township, and subsequently taught one term in the school of his district. He was united in marriage May 6, 1875, to Miss Emma E. Patterson, a native of Ohio, born March 31, 1853. Her parents, Thomas and Margaret (Shamp) Patterson, were natives of Ohio, and came to Adams County about the year 1859, settling in Root Township, where they lived till their death, the mother dying in 1862, and the father in 1877. They were Presbyterians in their religious belief. They had a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. To Mr. and Mrs. Rawley have been born six children, of whom five are living - Orra D., Thomas T., Lizzie E., Maggie P. and Jessie M. Orva G., a twin of Orra D., is deceased. Mr. Rawley has always resided on the old homestead in Wabash Township, with the exception of three years spent near Decatur, where he was engaged in the manufacture of brick. He now devotes his entire attention to his farm, which contains 100 acres of good land, of which seventy acres is under a high state of cultivation.

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

MARION SYLVESTER ELZEY, jeweler, and one of Decatur's active and enterprising business men, is a native of Decatur, Indiana, the date of his birth being November 27, 1849. His parents, John and Maria (Pyle) Elzey, were natives of Clinton County, Ohio, and Pennsylvania respectively, and were reared principally in Ohio. They were married in Ohio in 1842, and to them were born eight children, all of whom are living in Adams County - Thomas J., Aquila and Alexander are farmers by occupation; Marion S., the subject of this sketch; John Douglas, a farmer; Sarah Jane, wife of William Baker; Hannah, wife of John Kibler, a farmer, and Mary Emily, wife of Frank Sanders, engaged in the butcher trade at Decatur. The father came with his family to Adams County, Indiana, in 1844, and purchased land in the vicinity of Decatur when that now prosperous town was a hamlet of three houses, and at once began to improve his land, on which he lived until 1868. He was a natural mechanic, and although he never served an apprenticeship he could work at almost any trade. On coming to Adams County he worked on his farm during the day-time, and at night worked at the shoemaker's trade, which he followed some fifteen years. In 1862, while carrying on his farm, he began working at the jeweler's trade at Decatur, and in 1866 engaged in that same business for himself, carrying on that business at Decatur till his death in 1868. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party. His widow still survives, and is now making her home on the homestead where they first settled when coming to the county. Marion S. Elzey, whose name heads this sketch, was reared on the home farm till attaining the age of eighteen years, when he began to learn the jeweler's trade under James Lallie, of Decatur, with whom he worked almost two years. He then traveled as a journeyman jeweler two years, when in 1871 he established his present business at Decatur, in which he has met with success. October 22, 1871 Mr. Elzey was married at Decatur to Miss Cornelia, daughter of Justin and Rachel (Reynolds) Mann. They have two children - Fayette Raymond and Oliver Dosson, students at Decatur High School. Both Mr. and Mrs. Elzey are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Decatur. He is a member of St. Mary's Lodge, No. 16, I. O. O. F. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Democratic party.

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