After leaving the service he returned to his home in Adams county and engaged in the saw-mill business. He continued in this employment for about nine years and was successful. In 1874 he was chosen a deputy sheriff of Adams county and served in this capacity faithfully and well for four years. In 1878 he was elected clerk of the Adams county circuit court and held this important office until 1883. At the conclusion of his service as court clerk he purchased a half interest in the Decatur Democrat and in February of the following year he became sole proprietor of this publication and also founded the Daily Democrat. He published this paper with uniform success for the ensuing twelve years. Failing health caused him to retire from the active management of his newspaper property, and in 1896 he disposed of it. While owner of the Democrat he was appointed postmaster of Decatur by President Cleveland and served in this capacity from 1885 to 1889. However, the newspaper business had still a firm hold on him, and in 1899 he founded the Weekly News, a Democratic paper, which paper he conducted in the interests of the taxpayers of Adams county until his death, which occurred January 15, 1901.

Mr. Blackburn was married at Decatur August 21, 1869, to Miss Sarah J. Stoops, who was born in Monongahela county, West Virginia , May 2, 1843. She was a daughter of James and Mary (Smalley) Stoops, who came to Adams county from their West Virginia home in October, 1852. For a time Mr. Stoops lived on a farm in Adams county, but later removed to Decatur , where he engaged in the harness and saddlery business. Both parents died in Decatur , the father at the advanced age of eighty and the mother at seventy-two. Four children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn, two of whom, Nellie M. and Hattie, the wife of Scott Bockover, are living. The two other children died while still young.

Mr. Blackburn was one of the strong men of the community in which he lived. His death was mourned by a large circle of friends, and these unite in declaring that his life was spent in the betterment of his fellows. He was a member of the Samuel Henry Post, Grand Army of the Republic; a Royal Arch Mason and a Democrat all his life. Both Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn united with the Methodist Episcopal church and both early took an active part in church work. Few men achieve the degree of prominence in life and active affairs that fell to the lot of Mr. Blackburn, and few have gone to their final reward with greater certainty that it will be a reward honestly and fairly won.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 643)

Ten years of the life of Benjamin W.Sholty had passed before his parents moved to Indiana . He received his early education in the schools of Stark county, Ohio , and supplemented this later in the schools of Noble county, Indiana, after his parents came there. He lived on the home farm in this latter county until his sixteenth year, whem he went to Roanoke and entered the schools there. While in the Roanoke schools he was seized with a desire to enter the armv and fight for the Union cause. Accordingly he enlisted in June, 1864, in Company I, of the One-hundred-and-thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He served for the following four months and then was honorably discharged. After leaving the army he returned to Roanoke and resumed his studies in the schools at that place. He remained at Roanoke until 1871.

About this time he engaged in the drug business at Roanoke with his father. This business was conducted by father and son for about two years and was a successful venture. However, after the expiration of the two years it was discontinued and in 1873 Benjamin W. Sholty came to Decatur and engaged in the drug business. He entered the employ of T. T. Dorwin and remained in his employ for the following eight years. He then purchased a drug business of his own and conducted it for several years, finally disposing of his interest in 1881. At this time he received the appointment to the postmastership of Decatur and held this position for about two years, when he resigned. His conduct of the office was entirely satisfactory and he made an able and efficient official. For the next five years following his resignation from the postmastership of Decatur he engaged in the lumber business. After this period he was engaged in the fire insurance business and then took up the study of law. He pursued his studies with diligence and was admitted to the bar of Adams county in 1896. He has since practiced this profession and has gained a favorable prominence in it.

November 15, 1877, Mr. Sholty was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Vincent. His wife is a native of West Virginia , being born at Point Pleasant , in that state. September 27, 1856. She is a daughter of Charles G. and Martha R. (Wood) Vincent. Her parents died in New Orleans and had four children, of whom Mrs. Sholty is the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Sholty have one daughter, Mabel.

Mr. Sholty is one of the respected citizens of Decatur . He is a man who takes a live interest in the affairs of his home city, and is active in movements to increase its development and commercial prosperity. He is a member of Sam Henry Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and is an enthusiastic member of the Masonic fraternity. Both Mr. Sholty and his wife are members of the Eastern Star.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 647)

She was married April 1, 1866, in Root township. Her husband was born on his father's farm in Adams county in 1840. He was the son of Benjamin F. and Mary (Hushaw) Blossom, who were numbered among that band of adventurous spirits who came into the wild country of Indiana in the pioneer days and helped to make the state habitable and productive. Strength is given to the elder Blossom's claim to distinction as a pioneer by the recorded fact that he served as a member of the first grand jury ever assembled in Adams county.

Ira Blossom was reared on his father's farm in Adams county and lived the same life that scores of farmers' sons did during that period. He secured the rudiments of an education in the district schools that were available and later in life supplemented this early education by faithful and intelligent reading. The serious life of the farmer claimed his whole time and energies until the breaking out of the Civil war. He listened to his country's call for volunteers and answered it in October, 1861, by enlisting as a member of Company C, Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was an able and intelligent soldier, and after serving a short time in the ranks of his company was promoted successively to the second lieutenancy and then the first lieutenancy of his company. At a later date he was again promoted to the captaincy of his company and commanded it until the close of the war. He rendered distinguished services in the field and took part in some of the hottest campaigns and actions of the entire war. Following the close of the war Mr. Blossom returned to his home in Adams county and resumed the peaceful pursuit of farming. He was an accomplished agriculturist and under his management and direction his farm continued to improve and to become more and more productive. He erected model buildings, including a comfortable home and barns and other needful buildings. His property came to be pointed out as one of the model properties of its kind in the entire country. Mr. Blossom continued to operate his farm until about the year 1882, when he removed to Decatur , which city he made his home until his death, August 6, 1893. He was a lifelong Republican and was ever loyal to his party and to its principles and ambitions. He subscribed to the Presbyterian faith and was an active and earnest member of that church. At one time he was a candidate for sheriff of his county and was defeated by but a small margin. He took the keenest interest in all public questions and was ever joined with those who stood for progress. He was a charter member of Sam Henry Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and was at one time its commanding officer.

Mr. and Mrs. Blossom had born to them eight children, three of whom are still living. These are: Jessie O., Edith M., the wife of Anselm Bremerkamp, and Richard I. A daughter, Florence , died when twenty-three years of age and the others died in infancy.

Mrs. Blossom has taken an active part in the life of her home city. She manifests a live interest in educational affairs and is a member of the Historical and Shakespeare clubs. In addition she is interested in the cause of temperance and served as secretary of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union for fifteen years.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 649)

John C. Moran was the eldest son and the fourth child in order of birth of his parents' family of nine children. He was reared on his father's farm and spent his boyhood there. He received his preliminary education in the schools of his neighborhood and later supplemented this schooling with courses of study at the Ohio Normal University at Ada , Ohio , the normal school at Portland , Indiana , and the normal school at Valparaiso , Indiana . He was an industrious student and made excellent progress in his studies at the various institutions he attended. Early in his school career he decided to adopt the law as his profession. To this end he read law in the office of R. H. Hartford at Portland while he was a student in the normal school. An incident of his school life was teaching school for several winter terms between the sessions he spent in the various normal schools. After the completion of his studies in law and literature Mr. Moran was admitted to practice law at the bar of Adams county, and in 1897 he opened his first office for the practice of law at Berne, Adams county. He remained in Berne for the next three years and gained enviable prominence in his profession. He was a candidate for the office of county prosecuting attorney while living in Berne and was elected by a handsome majority. His election occurred in 1900 and necessitated his removal to Decatur , the county seat. He removed to Decatur and served through his first term of two years with credit and distinction. He was renominated by his party for the office a second time and again elected. Again in 1904 his party chose him as its candidate for the office of county prosecutor and for the third time he was swept to victory at the polls. In all he served as prosecutor of Adams county six years and one and one half months. During the incumbency of his office he discharged all of its duties and obligations with intelligent fearlessness and marked ability. He tried numbers of important cases and in each he displayed a profound knowledge of the law, and skill as an attorney. His chief concern was the interest of the public he served, and he retired from office with the plaudits of the members of all political parties and the esteem of his fellows.

Mr. Moran was married in Decatur , September 23, 1901, to Miss Rosella Yager. His wife was born in French township, Adams county, and is a daughter of Charles and Magdelene (Beitler) Yager, both of whom are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Moran are the parents of one child, a daughter, Margaret. Since he gave up the office of prosecuting attorney Mr. Moran has been engaged in practicing law in partnership with Shaffer Peterson, the firm being known as Peterson & Moran. Mr. and Mrs. Moran are esteemed members of St. Mary's Catholic church and are among the most earnest and generous supporters of the aims and charities of this denomination and church. He is active in municipal matters and takes a keen interest in all things that have as their object the promotion of the commercial and social welfare of Decatur and Adams county. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks and the Red Men and is an active worker in all of these organizations.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 651)

When John was eight years of age he came to Indiana and made his home with an uncle, Henry Michaud, in French township, Adams county. He continued to live with his uncle until he reached his majority. In his youth he attended the common schools of the neighborhood and gained the rudiments of his education. When he reached his twenty-first year he came to Berne and secured employment in a livery stable, in which line of work he continued for two years. He then took employment in a tile factory near Berne , but after a year gave up his place and began clerking in a drug store. This business appealed to him and he continues in it as clerk and proprietor of a store for ten years. During these years he was chosen marshal of the village of Berne and was the first marshal the village had. In addition to this he was a member of the village school board for three years. Following his withdrawal from the drug business he operated the Cottage Hotel for a year and then entered the employ of the Brooks Oil Company as a traveling salesman. He was connected with this firm for twelve years. It was while in the employ of the oil company that he became a candidate for the office of treasurer of Adams county on the Democratic ticket. He was elected to this important county office in November, 1904, and assumed the duties of his new office in June, 1906. He has ever been a man of pronounced public spirit and has taken an active and aggressive part in all movements that had for their objects the betterment of local and state conditions.

The religious phase of life has always had a strong attraction for Mr. Lachot. He has taken an active part in the church work of his village and community, and with the members of his immediate family is a member of the Evangelical church. He has been prominently interested in Sunday-school work and has been superintendent and teacher of the Sunday-school of the church at Berne . He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

He was married in Berne on June 9, 1885, to Miss Martha A. Everhart, who is a native of Blue Creek township, the daughter of John and Martha Everhart, and was born December 28, 1866. Her parents were among the old settlers of Blue Creek township, her grandfather being Kalida Jacobs, one of the pioneers of that section of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Lachot are the parents of six children, five of them now living. They are: Herbert, Lilah, Dwight. Dewey and Noble. Ruby, the eldest child, died when three months of age.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 653)

Mr. Laman was married in Allen county, Ohio , December 2, 1858, to Miss Sarah Welch, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio , January 26, 1843. Her father was Jackson Welch and her mother was Mary Ann (Point) Welch. Her father died in Delaware county, Ohio , and her mother, who survived him some years, died in Allen county, Ohio . Mrs. Laman was the eldest of two children and had a brother, who enlisted for the Civil war and died while in the army. Mr. and Mrs. Laman have had four ch!dren. Mary E. is the wife of John S. Bowers; William, who died at the age of twenty-nine years; Samuel J. and Hala Cathering (sic), the wife of Wilson Lee.

Mr. Laman is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is a Republican in politics. He has never sought political office, but has been a man who kept in close touch with the progress of political events and movements. Both Mr. Laman and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have been professing Christians for about fifty years. He is looked upon as one of the strong men of his community and has not alone the respect, but also the confidence of all those whose privilege it is to know him. He can have the satisfaction of looking back on a life well spent and with the conviction that he has at all times done his full duty as it was manifested to him.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 657)

Mr. McKean was married in Allen county, Ohio , January 14, 1864, to Miss Lydia Stalter, who was bom in Allen county, November 19, 1842. She was a daughter of Christian and Catherine (Huddel) Stalter. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and both her parents died in Allen county, where they are buried. Mrs. McKean was the fifth child of a family of ten children. Mr. and Mrs. McKean also have been the parents of ten children. Of this number George E., John W., Charles, Thomas J., William F., James T. and Homer S. are living. Catherine A., who was the wife of Ephraim Bolinger, died in her twenty-second year; Emmy F., who was the wife of Joseph Russell, died in Washington township, aged twenty-three years, and Terisa, who died in infancy, were the remaining children.

Mr. McKean has lived a useful and complete life. He is a man who has taken an active and aggressive interest in all movements that were destined to better his fellows. His life has been characterized by a high order of public spiritedness and he has contributed generously to the development of his county in economic and social ways. He is a Democrat in politics and although history does not record that he aspired to public office, his voice has been heard in his past councils and his words have carried weight. He and his wife have taken and intelligent part in the activities of the religious side of life. Both have long been affiliated with the Brethren of Christ, and for fifteen or twenty years Mr. McKean preached the doctrines held by those of this faith. He has been heard in many churches throughout the state. Now, as the shadows of his exemplary life are lengthening he rests after labors well performed. He has the esteem of all who know him and his life might well serve as a model for the youth of the growing generation. The wife of Mr. McKean died in April of 1907.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 659)

Louies Kleine was born on his father's Preble township farm, March 12, 1866. He spent his boyhood on the family estate and received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. He was reared a farmer and received an excellent practical education in agriculture from his father. He has continued as a farmer all his life. April 25, 1897, Mr. Kleine was married to Miss Minnie Doehrmann, who was also bom in Preble township, April 6, 1873. She is a daughter of Conrad and Louisa (Reese) Doehrmann. Her father was a native of Adams county and was born in Preble township. Her mother was born in Fort Wayne , Indiana . After his marriage Mr. Doehrmann made a home for his bride in Preble township, and they are still residents of that section of Adams county. They are the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are still living. These children are: Minnie, William, Henry, Ernst, Louisa, Conrad, Fred, Adolph and Lydia . Mrs. Kleine lived with her parents on the old home place until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Kleine are the parents of four children : Gustav, born September 17, 1898; Louies, born September 3, 1899; Ella, born October 7, 1901, and Hermann, born November 7, 1904.

Louies Kleine is one of the leading men of his community. He is a successful farmer and has a country place that is a model of its kind. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land and has brought it to a high stage of cultivation. His land is all well improved. His residence is a substantial home and his barns and outbuildings are excellent. His place is carefully tiled and drained and his fences are among the best in the township. A thorough believer in modern methods and modern machinery as aids to the cultivation of the soil, he has added these latter to his farm equipment and uses the former in applying his skill. His crops are generous and are satisfactory and highly profitable.

He is a man who takes an active part in the affairs of his neighborhood and county. He is a Democrat and has been active in furthering the interests of his party. He is an earnest party worker and was recently rewarded for his faithful service by being elected township trustee. His election occurred in 1904 and he assumed the duties in January, 1906, and continues to discharge them with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents and fellow residents of Preble township.

Mr. and Mrs. Kleine are members of the Lutheran church and accord this denomination and church their generous and hearty support. They are interested in charitable movements and projects and are numbered among the best and most highly respected people of the community.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 661)

There was nothing in the early life of Henry Dirkson that was unusual. He came to Indiana with his parents when they removed from New Jersey . At the time of this removal he was ten years of age and lived with his parents in Allen county for two years before the farm in Preble township was purchased. As a boy he lived on the family farm and attended the winter sessions of the schools of the district. He received a common school education and from his father learned the art and lessons of husbandry. He became a proficient farmer, and by the time he reached manhood was accounted one of the expert agriculturists in the county. He conducted and managed his father's farm during the latter years of his life, and at his father's death succeeded to its ownership.

Mr. Dirkson was married to Miss Lusetta Aumann November 19, 1863. His wife is a daughter of William and Mary (Hosmeyer) Aumann, and was born in Allen county July 28, 1844. Her parents were both natives of Germany . They were married in Germany and came to this country and settled in Allen county, Indiana. Later they removed to Adams county and established themselves on the farm in 1849, where their daughter was reared. Her father continued to reside on his Adams county farm until his death at sixty-three years of age. His wife lived until she was seventy-eight. Ten children were born to them, of which number nine grew to man and womanhood, These were: Louisa, Minnie, Hannah (deceased), Lusetta, Augusta, Mary, Eliza, Emily and William. Mr. and Mrs. Dirkson are the parents of four children: Edward W., Ann a, the wife of Henry Scheimann, of Preble township; Louisa, the wife of William Kolin, of Preble township, and Mary, the wife of Otto Ebel, of the same township. Another child, Emma, died when two years old.

Among the citizens of Adams county and Preble township none takes a livelier interest in the affairs of the county than Mr. Dirkson. He is in every way a progressive man. His farm comprises one hundred and seventy acres of land and is a fine property, well improved, and is operated along lines of the most approved modernity. His buildings are ample and substantially built and his crops are always among the largest and most profitable of all raised in the county. He carries into all of his business affairs the same energy and intelligence he shows in his management of his farm property. He is an active politician and a member of the Democrat party. He is an earnest party worker and served for five years as township trustee. Following the expiration of his last term in this office he was selected to represent his county in the state legislature and was a member of the lower house of that body for two terms. He has been elected a justice of the peace several times, but did not qualify for that office. His career as a citizen and a public servant has been a memorable one and such that he can look back upon with pride, confident in the belief that he has discharged his duties and responsibilities well and served his constituents faithfully and honestly.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Dirkson are faithful and generous members of the congregation of St. John's Lutheran church of Preble township. When this church was organized and the present structure built Mr. Dirkson was a director and he has continued to take a prominent part in its affairs.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 665)

Henry Jaus lived on his father's farm during his boyhood and experienced the life of a boy in the pioneer period. He secured his elementary education in the common schools of Carver county and attended a parochial school at Hamburg . Finishing his course in the parochial school, he decided to enter the ministry of the German Lutheran church, of which denomination his parents were staunch members. Accordingly he went to Springfield , Illinois , and entered the Concordia Theological Seminary at that city. He pursued his studies in theology at this institution for five years and then was graduated "cum laude" in the spring of 1892.

He was a careful and earnest student at the seminary and he took high rank among his fellow students. At the conclusion of his course he was well prepared to assume the duties of a pastor of a congregation. His first charge after his graduation was at Tipton , Indiana . He went to that city and served as pastor of the church there for six years. He then received a call from Allen county. There were many members of the Lutheran denomination in Allen county and numbers in Washington township, but there was no church. Mr. Jaus was called for the purpose of organizing a congregation and launching a church. He was successful in this new field of labor, and organized the Bethlehem church and continued to serve it as pastor for the following six years. During his pastorate the church throve and members were added to it from time to time until it became an important religious body of the community. At the end of this period he was called to the pulpit of St. John's church in Preble township.

In accepting the call extended by the Preble township church Mr. Jaus found himself, in 1905, at the head of an aggressive and progressive church body. The building that was erected in 1873 was a substantial edifice and adapted to the needs of the congregation. In addition to the church building a handsome parsonage awaited him and a fine parochial school building that had been recently built at a cost of seven thousand dollars. The combined value of the real estate held by the church, including a teachers' home and twenty acres of land, was in the neighborhood of fifty thousand dollars. The church to which he had come was one that was hallowed by tradition. Since its organization by Henry Wyneken, more than a half century ago, it had been served by men whose names became famous throughout the county. Its former pastors had built the church up to its present standard, and no mean task confronted the new pastor to maintain these high standards of leadership and to further foster the growth of the church. The pastors since the organization of the church were: The Rev. Husmann, the Rev. Fritze, the Rev. W. Kolb, the Rev. Philip Wambsganss, the Rev. Traub, the Rev. H. F. C. Evers, the Rev. R. A. Bichoff and the Rev. C. F. W. Huge. Of the list but two are living at the present time. Under the charge of Mr. Jaus, however, the church has developed and has grown in membership. The present number of communicants is four hundred and fifty-eight and the parochial school has a large nurnber of pupils.

Mr. Jaus was married at Springfield , Illinois , October 13, 1892, to Miss Ann a Paul, of Springfield , Illinois . She was born in Fort Wayne , Indiana , May 24, 1867, and is the daughter of Henry and Sophia Paul. Her parents died in Springfield . Mr. and Mrs. Jaus are the parents of two children: Latto and Clara. They are among the most highly respected people of the county and are a force for good in their community.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 669)

Henry Gallmeier was reared on his father's farm and passed through the usual experiences of a boy of the pioneer period. The life was necessarily rough and there were few pleasures and little beside the actual necessities of life. But the sturdy nature of the pioneer had been transmitted to him from his parents and he easily adapted himself to his life. He received a common school education in the rude cabin school houses of the neighborhood and in the intervals between school sessions helped his father to improve and cultivate the homestead. He always has lived on the homestead farm and now owns it. It is a tract of one hundred and twenty acres.

Mr. Gallmeier was married August 25, 1897, to Miss Minnie Kleine. His wife was born in Preble township, June 18, 1863. She is a daughter of John F. and Henrietta (Speckman) Kleine. Her parents were born in Germany and were brought to this country in their youth by their parents. They were married October 12, 1S50. in Fort Wayne and soon after removed to Preble township, where they lived, with the exception of a year spent in Iowa , till their deaths. Mr. Kleine died at the age of sixty-six and his wife lived to be seventy-two. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are living: Mrs. Gallmeier, Lisette, the wife of Henry Gerke, of Allen county; Sophia, the wife of Frederick Scheimann, of Preble township, and Louisa. Mr. and Mrs. Gallmeier are the parents of one child, a daughter, Ida, born May 10, 1899.

Under the management of Mr. Gallmeier his farm has been developed into one of the best in the county. To see it today would convince the observer that modern methods and up-to-date management are in use. The crops are large and rotated with judgment and the output of the farm is sold each year at a handsome profit. The early rude buildings have been replaced with modern ones. The house is comfortable and attractive and the barns and other buildings ample and well constructed. Mr. and Mrs. Gallmeier are among the most highly respected people of their community. They both are faithful and consistent members of St. John's German Lutheran church and they give their hearty support and co-operation to that denomination.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 671)

William Aumann was reared on his father's farm and attended the common schools of the neighborhood when a youth. When he was eleven years of age he attended the German Lutheran parochial schools in Will county, Illinois , but with the exception of this period he has not lived outside of the township. He learned the lessons of agriculture under the tutelage of his father, and he has followed the agricultural business during his whole life.

June 17, 1880, he was married in St. John's Lutheran church to Miss Sophia Dirkson, who was born in Preble township, January 6, i860. She was a daughter of John and Christina (Droege) Dirkson. They were both natives of Germany and reference is made to her father in the sketch of Henry Dirkson appearing on another page in this volume. They were successful farmers of Adams county and lived in Root township. Mr. Dirkson died at the age of sixty-three and his wife at the age of seventy-seven. They were the parents of five children, who grew up: Sophia, Henry, Eliza, Christina and Charles. To Mr. and Mrs. Aumann four sons have been born and these children are still living. They are: Henry, Martin, William and Edmund.

Mr. Aumann owns his father's homestead in Adams county. It is a fine tract of some sixty acres and is at a high point of cultivation. In addition to this tract he owns two hundred and fifty-six acres in Root township. His land in Adams county is among the more valuable tracts. His buildings are thoroughly modern and well adapted to their uses. His stock is of a good grade and his crops each year are satisfactory and profitable. So far as the world's goods may represent the measure of a man's success, he is a successful man, who has lived prudently and with an eye to the future. He is a patron of education and believes in good schools. For a time he was a school director. He has always taken a keen and intelligent interest in township affairs, is a stockholder in the Fort Wayne & Springfield Interurban Railroad and has contributed his full share to the advancement of his neighborhood.

Mr. Aumann and the members of his family are numbered among the faithful and consistent members of St. John's German Lutheran church. He has been active in the affairs of this church and has held various offices in the church. He is one of the denomination's firmest adherents and accords a liberal support to its aims and projects. He is in no sense a public man and is not active in politics. However, he combines the qualities a man must possess in order to be a good citizen and a man of mark and respect in his community.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 673)

John, the subject of this short sketch, was the fourth of his father's family in order of birth, and is the only survivor. He was between four and five years of age when his parents removed to Ohio , and he grew to manhood in that state. Early in life he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at this trade in Ohio . He secured a fair education in the district schools of Mahoning county and was an earnest and considerate son. He found plenty of work in Mahoning and Trumbull counties in those early days and he was a successful carpenter and a good workman.

In 1846 he was married in Trumbull county to Miss Elizabeth Daugherty. The wedding was solemnized on September 30th of that year. His bride was a daughter of John and Isabella ( Campbell ) Daugherty and was born in Mahoning county, April 7, 1827. Her parents were both natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania . They died in Trumbull county, Ohio , Mrs. Daugherty in the spring of 1844, at die age of forty-five and her husband lived until 1856, when he died at the age of sixty-five. They were the parents of nine children: John, Sarah, Mary, Campbell, Elizabeth, Ellen, Jane, Martha and Hannah.

Mr. and Mrs. Rupright continued to live in Trumbull county until the month of October, 1852, when Mr. Rupright then removed to Indiana with his wife and two children. He drove all of the way from Trumbull county in a two-horse wagon and settled in section 21 of Preble township, Adams county. He purchased eighty acres of land some time before and he made his home on this land. It was wild and unimproved, but that circumstance offered no terrors to the pioneers. It was not many days before a log cabin home was erected and this was the family dwelling for the succeeding ten years. He worked industriously at clearing his land and while doing this he secured work at his trade of carpenter at intervals that added materially to the income the family depended on. He combined farming and carpentering successfully for thirty years and became an expert at both trades.

As the years passed he prospered and in ten years after settling on his farm replaced the log cabin home and the other rough buildings with modern and comfortable ones. He fenced, cleared, ditched and otherwise improved his original holdings until his farm became highly productive. From time to time he added other tracts to his original purchase and in the end was the owner of two hundred and ninety-two acres of land all under cultivation and forming one of the most valuable and profitable estates in the entire county. In addition to his regular work of cultivating his acres he engaged in the breeding, buying and selling of stock. This branch of his business he made profitable and he became known as one of the largest shippers of stock in his neighborhood.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rupright as the years went by. These children are still living and are: William H., the president of the bank at Ossian, Indiana; Granville Wentz, a farmer of Preble township; Mary Alice , the wife of Alex White, of Wells county; Elizabeth, the wife of Samuel Kreigh, of Wells county; Susanna, the wife of John Rex, of Decatur; Matilda Jane, the wife of Felix Summers, of Wells county, and Ida, the wife of Sylvester Mills, of Wells county.

Mr. Rupright has held a number of important public offices. He was a deputy land appraiser in 1874-5, and a trustee of Preble township for eight years. He was appointed by the county commissioners as county assessor and served from 1873 to 1874. Later, from 1880 to 1886, he served as a member of the board of county commissioners. He has always taken an active interest in all things for the betterment of his county and township, and through a busy life has done much to promote the growth and advancement of Adams county. Although not a member of any church, he has given the churches of Adams and Wells counties his support and financial aid. He is now living a retired life, conscious of having played his part in the world's affairs to his credit and lasting satisfaction.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 677)

In January, 1900, he was called to the pulpit of St. Paul 's church in Preble township, Adams county, Indiana, and he removed with his family to this new charge. He at once began a vigorous campaign to build up this church and was rewarded. He appreciated the need of a German Lutheran church in Decatur , there being many members of this faith in the city, and in 1902 he organized Zion 's congregation and established a church. He is the pastor of this church in connection with his duties at St. Paul 's church.

Rev. Klausing was married in Cincinnati , September 3, 1890, to Miss Emma Berghegger, who was born in that city. He and his wife have become the parents of seven children: Walter, Carl, Florentina, John, George , Lydia and Lorna. The eldest of these children, Walter, is studying for the ministry and is a student at Concordia College , at Fort Wayne .

Both the Rev. Mr. Klausing and his wife are splendid types of Christians. He is devoted to his pastoral work and is ably assisted by his wife. Under his charge his church has grown and progressed financially. The congregation numbers four hundred and twenty-five souls and an excellent parochial school is maintained by the church.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 679)

His first charge after his graduation was at Avilla, Noble county, Indiana. He served the Avilla Lutheran congregation for about eight years and was then called to the pastorate of Zion Lutheran church in Preble township. During his incumbency of the pulpit of the Avilla Lutheran church he served also as pastor of the churches at Auburn and at Garrett. He began his duties with Zion 's church October, 1893. This religious body is one of the oldest in northeastern Indiana . It was founded by members of the faith, who became pioneers in early times, and the church has been in existence since early in the nineteenth century. Since its organization the church has had many pastors and among them some of the most notable preachers of the gospel in the northeastern section of the state. It is a strong church body and its membership is about six hundred. In addition to and in connection with the church a parochial school is conducted, and this school numbers about seventy-five pupils. Rev. Preuss has proven a strong pastor. He is a man of firm and strong convictions. He is uncompromising and a fearless preacher and doer of the word. As a man he is esteemed by all who know him. He is a force for good in his community, and as a citizen he is exemplary.

Rev. Preuss was married at Avilla , Indiana , May 11, 1886, to Miss Emma Sodtmain, a native of Avilla. and the daughter of Fred and Margaret (Berkes) Sodtmainn. Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Preuss are the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living. These are: Martha, Emma, Paul, Esther, Mary, Walter, Martin, Arnold and Theodore. Benjamin, a son, died in infancy.

In 1902 the present church edifice was built. It is a brick structure, built at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars and is thus one of the best in the county.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 681)

Robert Case was reared in Bluffton. He spent his boyhood in that city and was educated in the common schools. After completing his elementary education he entered Notre Dame University at South Bend for a course of study. Finishing his work at the university, he decided to return to his home and engage in farming. He did this and was a cultivator of the soil from 1875 until 1884. In this latter year he gave up his farming and removed to Magley, where he engaged in the general mercantile business. He has continued this business in Magley with the exception of the year 1895 since he established it. In the year 1895-96 he engaged in the shoe and drug business with Adam Gilliom, but re-entered the general merchandise business at the close of this partnership arrangement.

Since he opened his Magley store he has done a profitable business. His stock is suitable to the needs of his patronage, which is constantly growing. He is a judicious buyer and knows the needs and the preferences of the residents of Magley and of the farmers of his vicinity. He devotes all of his energies to the store he operates and has made it a paying proposition.

August 14, 1875, Mr. Case was married to Miss Sarah Arnold, who was born in Kirkland township, September 14, 1859. She is a daughter of August and Augusta (Jahn) Arnold, who were among the first settlers of Adams county. Mr. and Mrs. Case are the parents of seven children. Of this number Edward died in infancy. The living children are: Mindwell, George, Ralph, Irvin, Almon and Harold.

Mr. Case is one of the substantial men of his community and takes a lively interest in the affairs of his township. He is in the van of all movements destined to increase the welfare of the township and advance the commercial and industrial interests of Adams county. He has taken an active part in local politics and has served as postmaster of Magley continuously since locating in that village with the exception of the years he resided in Decatur. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, which he joined in 1877, and is a liberal supporter of the churches of his neighborhood.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 683)

Alpheus N. Acker was born on his father's farm in Saint Mary's township, October 4, 1859, and spent his boyhood on the parental estate and received his earlier education in the schools of the township. After completing his education he engaged in school teaching and taught from 1876 to 1880. In this latter year he decided to give up his work as an educator of the youth of the township and to embark in some mercantile pursuit. He established himself in the mercantile and general store business at Pleasant Mills, and the business was known under the firm name of N. Acker & Son. This business venture was a success from its inception and the trade the store controlled grew to large proportions. A line of general wares was carried and the patronage of the farmers of the neighborhood was given to the enterprise. Mr. Acker continued in this business until 1895, when he disposed of his interest in the store.

The year before he disposed of his interest in the mercantile business at Pleasant Mills he built the elevator at that place. In 1895 he assumed the management of the business of the elevator and also the management of the Farmers' Grain Company, in which latter concern he owns a half interest. Under his management both enterprises have become substantial investments and are on a certain and paying basis.

Mr. Acker was married in June, 1885, to Miss Edna A. Faust. His wife is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Gard) Faust. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Acker. Of these two are dead: Olin R., who died when eighteen months of age, and an infant son, who died unnamed. The living children are: Nackie E., James N., Charles C. and Neva F.

In matters that have to do with the commercial, political and social interests of Adams county Mr. Acker takes a lively and intelligent interest. He is in every sense a progressive man and is active in those movements that are destined to increase the prosperity and fair repute of his community. He is interested in politics and has served his fellow residents of Saint Mary's township in the capacity of assessor for seven years. There is no better example of what a citizen should be than that furnished by him. He is fearless in expressing opinions that he knows are honest, and he is in every sense a good neighbor.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 695)

The childhood and youth of Charles Yager were spent on his father's farm in Saint Mary's township. He attended the schools of his neighborhood and the schools of Pleasant Mills, where he received a good English education. He learned the business of farming and when he reached manhood he was considered one of the most expert farmers of his section of the county. He was a faithful worker and a dutiful son and did much to improve his father's estate and to bring it to a high stage of cultivation and productiveness. He continued in the occupation of farming until 1895, when he went to Pleasant Mills and engaged in the mercantile business.

In the winter of 1888 Mr. Yager was married to Miss Kannie Steele. The wedding occurred December 12, 1888. Mrs. Yager was a daughter of Samuel and Polly Steele and was born in Kirkland township, Adams county, and died in Pleasant Mills December 13, 1893. One child, a son, Milton, was born of this union.

Five years after the death of his first wife Mr. Yager married again. This time he chose as his bride Miss Grace N. Ayres, a daughter of Nathan and Sarah Ayres. The wedding was solemnized Christmas day, 1899. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Yager. These are: Mildred, born October 7, 1900, and Mary G., born October 14, 1902.

Mr. Yager is one of the successful business men of Pleasant Mills. His store is a model of its kind and controls a large share of the trade of his immediate neighborhood. He is a wide-awake, progressive man and is esteemed by his associates. He takes a lively interest in the affairs of his town and county and is foremost in movements designed to increase the prosperity and commercial significance of his town. He has served his fellow residents of Saint Mary's township in public office and was a trustee of the township at one time and discharged the duties of this important office faithfully and well. He is an active member of the Knights of Pythias and is a man who lives in every way a consistent, exemplary life.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 693)

Dr. Vizard was reared on his father's farm and received a preliminary education in the common schools of his neighborhood. Early in his school life he showed a peculiar aptitude for study and after finishing his early education he attended schools at Fort Wayne , the Middlepoint Normal School at Middlepoint , Ohio , and the Holbrook National Normal School at Lebanon , Ohio . It was while attending this latter institution that he decided to adopt medicine as his profession. Accordingly, after his classical course was completed, he matriculated in the medical department of the same school. He was a careful and earnest student and was graduated in medicine from the Lebanon school August 12, 1892. After he had graduated and was admitted to practice he established himself in an office at Dixon , Ohio . He continued to practice his profession at Dixon for six months and then removed to Pleasant Mills, in Adams county, Indiana . He opened his office in Pleasant Mills in April, 1893. His career as a practicing physician has been a most successful one. He attracted a large patronage almost from the beginning of his practice, and this clientage has grown until it is one of the largest and most profitable in his community.

Politics have always held a live interest for Dr. Vizard. Soon after establishing himself in Pleasant Mills he began to take an active part in the politics of his county. He is a Democrat and has taken an important part in the political struggles of his section of the state under the banner of this party. His efforts and work were rewarded in November, 1904, when he was elected to the state legislature on the Democratic ticket. He showed himself an able representative and took a leading part in the deliberations of the state's law-making body in the session of 1905. So well and satisfactorily did he do his work that he was re-elected to the legislature for the session of 1907. The records of that memorable and stormy session show that Dr. Vizard bore himself gallantly and that his voice and vote were ever to be found on the side of the measures that were for the people's interests, as opposed to the interests of corporations or "special interests." His service in the legislature was with distinction at both sessions and gave added reason for the high respect in which he is held.

On May 14, 1896, Dr. Vizard was married to Miss Myrtle M. Acker, a daughter of Norman and Loretta Acker. She was bom in Adams county and was always a resident of Saint Mary's township. Her parents were among the oldest settlers in the township. Three children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Vizard. These children are: Paris D., Ruth M. and Gordon A. Mrs. Vizard is an active member of the Baptist church.

As a physician Dr. Vizard ranks very high in his profession. He is a progressive and an aggressive man. He realizes that to be a successful physician means to keep abreast with the changes, developments and discoveries in his profession. This he does by careful reading and by keeping in close touch with the leaders of medical thought. His equipment is most admirable and he deserves the distinction he enjoys of being one of the best and most accomplished physicians of northeastern Indiana . He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 65, at Decatur .

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 691)

Dr. Grandstaff was reared at his father's home and secured his earlier education in the Monmouth schools. Finishing this preliminary educational work, he entered the normal school at Marion , Indiana . He then taught school in Root township for five years. Following this period he decided to take up the study of medicine. He entered the office of Dr. J. L. Smith at Hoagland, Allen county. He made creditable progress and then entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati . He graduated from this institution with the class of '99 and returned to Hoagland. For some time he practiced medicine in Hoagland with Dr. Smith, his old preceptor, and then decided to remove to Preble, Adams county. He made this change in 1901 and has since practiced in this latter place.

Dr. Grandstaff was married in 1896 to Miss Lillie Fleming at Decatur and took his bride to Cincinnati . She died March 8, 1897, and left a son, Curtis H. Dr. Grandstaff was married for the second time to Miss Ethel S. Mann, who was born in Root township, and is the daughter of Joseph E. and Lucy (Kiess) Mann. Two children have been born of this second union: Francis M. and Floyd L.

Dr. Grandstaff is considered one of the substantial citizens of his county. He is a progressive man and is one who believes that the price of success so far as his profession is concerned lies in keeping thoroughly abreast of all changes and in touch with new developments and discoveries. To this end he is a careful and consistent reader and through association with the members of his school and through the meetings of his association is continually adding to his large store of medical knowledge and experience. He is a conservative physician and is one who enjoys the entire confidence of his community. He has taken an active interest in the politics of his neighborhood and has worked for the interests of his party. At the election in the fall of 1906 he was a candidate for the office of coroner of Adams county and was elected by a handsome majority. He still serves in this capacity.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 689)

William H. Teeple was the eldest of his father's children. He was reared on the family homestead in Saint Mary's township. His early education was secured in the district schools of his neighborhood and he completed his school work at Northwestern Ohio Normal. He assisted his father in the improvement, clearing and cultivation of the homestead. He decided earlv in life to adopt the profession of teaching and he labored to fit himself for this calling. After he had completed his preliminary work he began teaching in 1873. He continued to teach in Adams county, Indiana, and in Van Wert county, Ohio , for a quarter of a century, and in this time taught thirty terms of school. He gave up his work as a teacher in 1901 and took up that of farming. In his long career as a teacher he gained a most favorable reputation as an educator and he was one of the best and most popular of his district.

He was married in Saint Mary's township, December 16, 1877, to Miss Rosetta Gulick, who was born in Saint Mary's township March 3, 1855. She is a daughter of Amos and Elizabeth (Acker) Gulick. Her father was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, February 29, 1824, and her mother was born in New York state, September 6, 1829. Her parents came to Adams county, where her father died January 20, 1888, and her mother September 11, 1896. They were the parents of seven children: Catherine E., who was the wife of Joseph W. Smith, and died October 31, 1874, in the twenty-eighth year of her age; Samuel, Rosetta, Eldora, who died in April, 1866, in her ninth year; James W., who died aged seven ; Iva A., who was the wife of Willis Wagers, and died July 16, 1903, in her thirty-eighth year, and Amos W.

Mrs. William H. Teeple was reared on her father's farm and attended the schools of her home township. She was a teacher for four years preceding her marriage. Seven children, six of whom are still living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Teeple. The living children are: William G., John A., Mamie P., Benjamin W.. Ann a A. and Don O. Jason D. died February 20, 1898, when he was three years of age. The two older sons are students at the Tri-State Normal at Angola , Indiana .

Mr. Teeple is one of the successful farmers of his district of the county. He is the owner of a fine estate of one hundred and seventy-five acres and has cleared sixty acres of this tract himself. The land is all highly improved and is at a high stage of cultivation. His home and other buildings are well adapted to their uses. He rotates his crops with excellent judgment and they are uniformly profitable and of a high grade. He is a man who takes an active and aggressive interest in the affairs of his county and attributes his success to his motto: "Honesty, Industry, Economy." In politics he is a Republican and is trustee of Saint Mary's township. He was a candidate for county superintendent of schools in 1879.

Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce
Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907, (image 687)