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

GERHARD HESSLER, farmer, Washington Township, was born in Hanover, Germany, November 1, 1816, son of Gerhard and Catherine Hessler. He was reared to manhood in his native country, and in 1841 immigrated to America, landing in New York City. He worked two years on the Ohio Canal. In March, 1852, he came to this county and settled on a farm in Washington Township, where he went to work amid the scenes of pioneer life. He was married in April, 1851, to Elizabeth Smith and to this union were born six children, five of whom are living - John, Gerhard, Elizabeth, August and Annie. Mr. Hessler owns 186 acres of well-cultivated land. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and religiously is a member of the Roman Catholic church.

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

ELIAS NELSON, deceased, was an early settler of Wabash Township, having located there in 1842 and engaged in farming. He came to the county in limited circumstances. He was a native of Kentucky, born in 1795. His father, Charles Nelson, was also a native of Kentucky, and lived there during his life. His wife, formerly Nelly Crouch, was born in the same State. They had a family of nine children, three daughters and six sons. After the father's death Mrs. Nelson emigrated to Fairfield County, Ohio, where she married Edward McCauley, by whom she had two children, one son and a daugher. She died in Fairfield County about 1826. Elias was reared on a farm, and was married in 1820 to Elizabeth Coffman, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1802. They had a family of seven children. The mother died in Licking County in 1830. Mr. Nelson was married again, his second wife being Sarah Coffman, a sister of his former wife. He came to Adams County in 1842, as before stated, when the county was entirely new. Deer and wild turkeys were plenty, and their nearest markets were St. Mary's, Celina and Bluffton. By his second marriage Mr. Nelson had ten children. This wife dying, he married Jane Taylor, and they had one child. The father died in 1859, honored and esteemed by all. He was a member of the United Brethren church.

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

ANDREW B. DAUGHERTY, engaged in general farming on section 14, Monroe Township, is a native of Adams County, Indiana, born in Root Township, June 28, 1847, a son of Andrew and Jane (Montgomery) Daugherty, the father born in Wheeling, West Virginia, July 29, 1805, and the mother a native of Franklin County, Ohio, born June 25, 1810. They were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters. They came to Adams County, Indiana, in 1836, and entered eighty acres of land in Root Township, on which the father still resides and where the mother died March 18, 1882. In politics the father was formerly a Democrat until 1856, when he cast his vote for John C. Fremont for President, working with the Republican party until 1876. He then affiliated with the Greenback party until 1884, when he cast his vote for prohibition. He has held the office of county commissioner, township trustee and justice of the peace, besides filling other local offices. In his religious faith he is a Baptist, his wife having been a member of the same denomination. Andrew B., the subject of this sketch, was reared to the avocation of a farmer on his father's homestead, and received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. He was married January 26, 1870, to Jemina E. Evans, who was born August 7, 1851, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Sparks) Evans, native of Ohio and Indiana respectively. John K. Evans, the grandfather of Mrs. Daugherty, was born in Montgomery County, New York, and lived there from his birth, November 16, 1795, until 1816. He then removed to Columbus, Ohio, and after remaining there about one year went to Dayton, Ohio. In 1820 he settled in Mercer County, living there until 1833, when he settled in Adams County, Indiana. He was the first and last associate judge of Adams County. In 1850 he removed to Fort Wayne, where he died in the spring of 1875. He was an active and enterprising citizen, and a man of good business ability, and succeeded in accumulating a good competence. Mr. Daugherty has always followed farming. He removed to his present farm April 1, 1879, which contains eighty acres of fine land, fifty of which are now under a high state of cultivation. He has one of the finest residences in his neighborhood, which was erected in the summer of 1885, at a cost of $600. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty - Blanche E., born February 11, 1872; Robert G., born July 4, 1874, died November 2, 1874; Lizzie I., born February 5, 1876; Claude D., born December 13, 1878, and an infant yet unnamed, born January 24, 1887. Politically Mr. Daugherty is a Republican. Mrs. Daugherty is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church.

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

HENRY LUTTMAN, farmer, resides on section 2, Root Township, where he owns eighty acres of land. He was born in Hanover, Germany, March 11, 1836. When he was fifteen years of age he came to America in company with some acquaintances, landing in New York. They went to Henry County, Ohio, living there about six months, then came to Root Township, this county, where Mr. Luttman has since resided. He worked among the farmers for about five years, then married Engel Koester, January 20, 1858, who was born in Prussia, February 13, 1837, and when she was eighteen years old came to America with her parents, who settled in Root Township. They first stopped with Mrs. Luttman's uncle, on the farm now owned by Mr. Luttman, and the father rented a farm for a few years. There were only two children in her father's family, she being the oldest. William, her brother, died in 1856. He was struck by the limb of a tree and died in three days. He was nearly seventeen years old. Mrs. Luttman's parents were Charles F. and Margaret Mary L. (Shaphorster) Koester, both of whom were born in Prussia, the father, September 14, 1807. The father died December 25, 1864, and is buried in Church cemetery. The mother was born February 12, 1810, where she was reared and married. She is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Luttman. Mr. Luttman's parents were John C. and Elizabeth Luttman. The mother died in Germany when Henry was about two years of age. She was twenty-three years old, and Henry was the oldest child. The father again married, and died in Germany in 1861. He was born in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Luttman have had ten children, seven of whom are living - Harmon H., born May 11, 1859; Christian H., born October 8, 1860; Engel M., born December 27, 1861; Engel H. E., born October 3, 1863, died October 1, 1864; Charles F., born April 11, 1865; William H. A., born December 7, 1866, died November 26, 1884; Frederick W. M., born September 28, 1868; F. W. Edwards, born March 11, 1870; H. F. Andrew, born December 1, 1875. Mr. Luttman was elected township trustee in 1880, serving four years; was elected justice of the peace, serving three years, and also served as constable one year. Mr. Luttman's grandfather Luttman, John H., was born in Hanover, Germany, where he spent his whole olife. His grandmother Luttman died in Germany when Henry was two years old, just four weeks after his mother's death. Mrs. Luttman's grandparents were all born in Germany, and all died there.

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

NATHANIEL BAILEY, was born in Richland County, Ohio, August 8, 1818, a son of Elias and Mary (Polk) Bailey. He came to Indiana in the fall of 1844, and bought a tract of wild land in Union Township, Adams County, which he improved and made his home until his death, November 12, 1883. He was married November 28, 1839, to Catherine Harvout, daughter of Isaac and Jane (Greer) Harvout. To them were born eleven children - Jane, wife of N. Tilbury; Mary, wife of William Swartz; George W., who was a member of Company I, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and died at Memphis, Tennessee, during the war; Maria E., wife of John Barkley, died in 1873; Huldah A., wife of Simon Barkley, died June 30, 1871; Isaac M., of Allen County, Indiana; Albert J., of Union Township; Philip S., died September 26, 1860; Lewis H., of Union Township; Elizabeth, died in infancy, and Catherine E., wife of John Shultz. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Christian church. Mrs. Bailey still lives on the old homestead in Union Township.

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

JOHN GODFREY WAGNER, deceased, was born in Butler County, Ohio, and of German descent. His father was a shoemaker, of whom he learned the trade, which he followed several years. He then engaged in mill-wrighting and followed that business until 1861, when he enlisted in the United States service as a soldier. He enlisted as a private, but was appointed First Sergeant on the organization of his company, which was Company C, First Indiana Infantry. He participated in the skirmish at Woodsonville, Kentucky, besides some other skirmishes. He was taken sick and sent to the field hospital, thence to Evansville, Indiana, and was then brought home by his brother Masons, living only a week and three days after arriving home. He was buried under Masonic rites June 10, 1862. Mr. Wagner was a well-educated man, and followed teaching when a young man, until about 1856. He was an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and had charge of Newport circuit, Wayne County, this State, also the Cameron circuit, in Jay County. He traveled this circuit until about 1860, when, owing to poor health, he was obliged to give up the charge. He then engaged in operating a saw-mill, removing to West Liberty, Jay County. After that he followed shoemaking until called away as a soldier in defense of his country. Mr. Wagner was married to Ann F. Powell, who was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Michael Powell. To this union ten children were born.

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

ELISHA V. ELZEY, retired farmer, came to this countyOctober 7, 1836, with his parents, three sisters and three brothers. One sister was married and came with her husband and two children. The family settled on section 31, Root Township, upon the farm now owned by Scott Hughes. The father entered the entire section from the Government, and divided it among his children, keeping 280 acres for himself. He entered the land in May, 1836, then returned and brought his family. They moved with four wagons and nine horses. They also brought several cows with them. The family came from Clinton County, Ohio, where Elisha was born July 26, 1815, and where he was reared. The parents were William and Elizabeth (Nichols) Elzey. The father was born in Delaware in 1783, and was reared in the State of Maryland. He was married in that State, and removed to Cincinnati with wife and one child. They afterward removed to Clinton County, when the country was new. He went to Ohio previous to the war of 1812, but being disabled for military duty on account of a broken collar bone, he was exempt. The mother was born in Maryland, and was some younger than the father. She died in December, 1834, in Clinton County. Elisha was married February 28, 1837 to Miss Elvira Johns, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, one mile from Cuba, in 1818, where she was reared and educated. Mr. Elzey returned to this county immediately after marriage. Before leaving he had built a log cabin on an eighty-acre lot given him by his father. He lived on this farm with his family until he moved to the city of Decatur in 1880. All his children were reared and married on this farm. Mrs. Elzey died December 28, 1839, leaving one child seven months old - Hiram, now living in Muscatine County, Iowa. April 26, 1840, Mr. Elzey was married to Miss Mary Row, who was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, and came to this county with her mother and brother in 1839, settling on the Reynolds farm. The second wife died the following May, within six weeks of her marriage. He was married the third time March 26, 1842, to Comfort Ann Whitehurst, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1820, and came to this county with her mother and two brothers in 1841. She died in February, 1879, leaving six children - Richard S., Jane Rachel, Alfred, Mary, William and Caroline. In October, 1882, Mr. Elzey married Mrs. Rachel Fisher, who was born in Frederick County, Virginia, March 18, 1816, was reared and married in that State to Lewis Fisher, and removed to Clinton County, Ohio, in 1834, and lived there until her family came to this county in 1840, settling on a farm adjoining Mr. Elzey's. They then sold out and removed to French Township, where Mr. Fisher died April 18,1854. He was born October 26, 1810, in Virginia, where he was reared and married. He died leaving nine children - Elizabeth, William, Thomas, Mary, Clinton, Catherine, Delphey, Ann and Melissa. One child, Samantha, died at the age of thirteen months, previous to the father's death. Of these eight children, four are living, two sons and two daughters. When Mr. Elzey came to this county with his father to enter the land, there was no house in Decatur. One house was built the following October, and a surveyor by the name of Jacob Hoffer lived in it. The first election held in the county was at the house of John Reynolds when Samuel L. Rugg was clerk. The first letter that he and his wife received through the Decatur postoffice Mr. Rugg brought to them two and a half miles. They used to fan their buckwheat, and sometimes their wheat, with quilts. Mr. Elzey's grandfather, John Elzey, died in Maryland, and his grandmother, Mary Elzey died in Clinton County, Ohio, at a hale old age. His maternal grandparents died in Maryland. Mrs. Elzey's parents were William and Elizabeth (Braning) Williams, who were born and died in Virginia. Her grandfather, Hugh Williams, was born in Wales, and settled in Virginia when a young man, whre he died. Her grandmother, Nancy (Keatch) Williams, was born in England. Her maternal grandfather, John Braning, was born in Ireland, and when eleven years of age ran away from home and came to America, settling in Frederick County, Virginia, where he passed the remainder of his days. His parents found where he was and sent for him to come home, but he was afraid to go, although his father was old and there was a million dollars for him. He married Rebecca Keatch, and their eldest daughter, Elizabeth, married William Williams. The grandmother, Rebecca (Keatch) Braning, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, and died in Berkeley County, aged ninety-one years.

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

DANIEL RAILING, liveryman, and dealer in and shipper of horses, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Cumberland County, October 16, 1830. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Railing, were natives of Pennsylvania, the father of Scotch and the mother of German parentage. His father died in 1840. When he was ten years of age he was obliged to work for his own maintenance, and found employment with farmers, working for wages until nineteen years old, when with his mother he came West as far as Ohio, and lived in that State until 1855. They then came to Adams County, Indiana, where with his brother David he purchased eighty acres of land near Decatur. In connection with farming they for fourteen years ran a threshing-machine, and in that time threshed grain in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Iowa. In 1864 Mr. Railing began to buy and ship live-stock, and in 1874, with others, embarked in the livery business. He was married at Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1853, to Miss Elamina Kern, formerly of Ohio. They have two children - Salmona, wife of John B. Rice, and Christina, wife of John Vail. Mr. Railing is a member of Decatur Lodge, No. 571, A. F. & A. M.

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

WILLIAM KLINE, farmer, section 7, Union Township, owns 120 acres of land. He was born March 25, 1840, in Root Township, this county, where he was reared, and educated in the common schools of his father's district. His parents were Jacob and Barbara Kline. He was married August 5, 1860, to Miss Nancy E. Mumma, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, June 23, 1840. When she was thirteen years of age she came with her parents and three other children to Adams County, the family settling in Root Township, where the father died October 16, 1878, and is buried at Pleasant Valley cemetery. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, February 7, 1810, and when a boy removed with his parents to Tuscarawas County, Ohio. The mother was born in Maryland March 25, 1810, and when a girl removed with her parents to Tuscarawas County. She is still living. Both parents were members of the United Brethren church. Mr. and Mrs. Kline have five children - Louisa J., born May 23, 1861, now the wife of John Nidelinger; Emma F., born September 6, 1863; Franklin E., born September 4, 1866; Elmer A., born April 13, 1872; Bertha A., born September 22, 1881. Mrs. Kline's grandfather, John Mumma, died in Union Township, this county; her grandmother, Magdalena Mumma, also died in Union Township, and both are buried at Pleasant Valley cemetery. Her parents were John and Catherine (Snyder) Mumma. Her grandmother Catherine Snyder, died in Root Township and is buried in Pleasant Valley cemetery. Mr. Kline joined the army September 22, 1864, rendezvoused at Wabash, then went to Indianapolis, where he and his comrades were distributed among different regiments. Mr. Kline was assigned to Company I, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and joined his company at Bridgeport, Alabama. His first skirmish was at Columbia, Tennessee; then followed the battles of Franklin, Duck River and two days' fight at Nashville, where the regiment suffered great loss. He was under fire thirty-five days. He was discharged June 17, 1865, and returned home and engaged in farming.

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

J. A. BUNNER was born in the town of Clinton, Monongalia County, West Virginia, and is the fourth son of Randolph and Sarah Ann (Sapp) Bunner, who were also natives of Virginia. His paternal grandparents were John and Sarah (Carl) Bunner, and his maternal grandparents were Benjamin and Sarah (Guthrie) Sapp, and were natives of Virginia. The nationality of his ancestors is Irish, and they are also Protestants, many of them being members of the Disciple church. One of Mr. Bunner's brothers is a minister in that denomination. His great-grandfather, Joseph Sapp, fought seven years under General Washington. The brothers and sisters of our subject are - Alvinza Alexander, Benjamin Franklin, John Randolph, Jefferson Jackson, Sylvia E. Lee, Joseph Edwin, George Washington, Sanford Pickenfall, Albert G. Davis, Sarah Jane and Margaret Ellen. His mother had nine brothers - Selva, Joseph, Samuel, William, Edmund, John, Henry, Jasper and James, the sisters were - Rebecca, Charlotta and Phebe. The father's brothers and sisters were - James, John, Joseph, Enoch, Washington, Sarah Jane, Mary and Betsey. His ancestors were generally farmers. His father possessed unusual oratorical powers and had a good knowledge of law. Franklin Sapp, was a soldier in the Union army during the late civil war, holding the rank of Lieutenant and receiving an honorable discharge for faithful and patriotic service. His parents began domestic life in West Virginia, upon a tract of land consisting of 145 acres, which was totally unimproved, but by patient toil it was developed into one of the finest farms in that region. The father erected commodious buildings, and also built a saw-mill and a grist-mill, and being a good mechanic, did much of the work himself. He died June 9, 1883, in his native State. James remained at home until 1876, and April 14 of that year he went to Wetzel County, Virginia, remaining there seven years, where he engaged in farming. After a few years he went into the scale business, and became a professional scale builder. From Wetzel County he went to Jackson, where he purchased a lot and erected two dwelling-houses, and supplied one of them with a valuable library of miscellaneous works. He devoted a few months to the study of law, abandoning the task, however, for more congenial pursuits. June 29, 1885 he removed to Missouri, where he remained about one year. He was accompanied by one Peter Millhone, who became homesick soon after his arrival there. From Missouri he came to St. Mary's Township, this county, and engaged in building scales. In connection with this he also pursues other lines of business. His accumulations of property have been of his owns efforts. His mother resides in one of his houses in West Virginia, and is well provided for. The family is scattered through the North and through the South. An uncle, Alexander Bunner, and a cousin, George A. Bunner, are among the most respected pioneers of St. Mary's Township. June 3, 1886, a brother of Mr. Bunner met with an unexpected and sad death. While walking along the railroad near Grafton, West Virginia, the passenger train ran over him, killing him instantly. He was about eighteen years of age, of fine personal appearance and noble qualifications. This was a very severe bereavement for the family. The other children, except John Randolph, are all living. James contemplates removing to Virginia in the near future.

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

VERNON L. SNOW, son of James B. Snow, deceased, resides on the family homestead, section 29, Wabash Township, where he was reared to manhood and educated in the common schools. He was born in Jay County, March 26, 1859, and came with his parents to Adams County when five years of age. When his father died he came into possession of the old homestead. He was married November 6, 1880, to Mary C. Vance, daughter of Marshall P. Vance, an old settler of the Township. She was born in Hartford Township, this county, October 28, 1862. They have had three children - Jessie A., deceased; Gracie and Bertha. Mr. and Mrs. Snow are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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

MICHAEL ENGLE, an active and enterprising farmer of Wabash Township, residing on section 13, was born in Luemburg, Germany, in the year 1833. He grew to manhood in his native country, being reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1856 he immigrated to the United States, locating in Albany County, New York, where he worked for farmers, remaining in that county until 1860. In 1859 he was married to Miss Catherine Snorr, a native of Prussia, born in 1837. She came to America with her parents when a child, they settling in Albany County, New York, where they made their home till death. To Mr. and Mrs. Engle have been born nine children - Kate, John, Lena, Mary, Elizabeth, Maggie, Jane, William and Frederick. In 1860 Mr. Engle came to Indiana, residing in Wayne County until 1875, when he came to Adams County, living in Jefferson Township until March 1, 1884, when he bought and removed to his present home in Wabash Township. His farm consists of eighty acres of land, forty acres being under fine cultivation, and he is devoting his attention to general farming. Mr. Engle came to America in limited circumstances, and by his own industry and persevering energy, assisted by his excellent wife, he has succeeded in securing their present comfortable home, and gaining the respect and good will of all who know him.

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

IRA ALLEN BLOSSOM, of Decatur, Indiana, is a native of Adams County, born in Root Township, February 19, 1840, , the youngest of two sons of Benjamin F. and Mary (Hushaw) Blossom. His mother died when he was an infant, and he was taken to the home of an uncle in Fort Wayne, with whom he lived in various places in Indiana, spending the most of his time, however, in Adams County, and is now one of the business men of Decatur.

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

REV. ISAAC TEETERS of Adams County, Indiana, is a native of Ohio, born in Darke County January 21, 1855. When he was fourteen years old he came with his parents to Adams County, and here he was reared and educated. After completing his education he began teaching school, which he followed successfully for several terms. At the age of eighteen years he experienced religion and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and in 1877 he entered the ministry, which calling he has since followed. He is now a minister of the Disciple church, having united with that denomination in 1882. He was married January 1, 1880, to Miss Lydia A. Glancy, a daughter of William G. Glancy, of Adams County, and to this union have been born two children - Olive O., born June 12, 1881, and Mary Viola Gracie, born January 15, 1883.

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