Having completed his early education in the public schools, Otto L. Kirsch spent four years in the Michigan woods, where he thoroughly mastered every detail of the lumber business, becoming familiar with every operation that converted the standing tree of the forest into the marketable building material of the lumber yards. Thus well qualified for business, he became secretary of the firm of Kirsch, Sellemeyer & Sons Company, which was incorporated in 1912, with Mathias Kirsch as president; H. H. Sellemeyer vice president; and Mr. Kirsch, of this notice, as secretary. A change in the firm was made in the fall of 1917, Mathias Kirsch continuing as president, with Mr. Reppert vice president, and Otto L. Kirsch as secretary and treasurer.

This business is one of the longest established of the kind in Adams County, having been started about thirty years ago by Mathias Kirsch and Erastus Fritzinger, who, at the end of two years sold out to Sellemeyer & Company, who managed it until 1907, when another change was made, Otto L. Kirsch becoming secretary of the new firm. In addition to dealing in dressed lumber of all kinds, the firm has a large trade in a variety of building materials and in coal.

Mr. Kirsch married, at Fort Wayne, Indiana, Elma Seeley, who was born, in 1888, in Fort Wayne , and was there bred and educated. Her father Henry Seeley, a native of Germany , came to this country with his parents in childhood, and has since lived in Fort Wayne . As a young man he was there for several years the manager of a candy factory, and later engaged in business as a grocer. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Boerger, was born in Germany, and when a young girl came with her parents to Indiana and obtained her education in the schools of Fort Wayne. Both Mr. and Mrs. Seeley are members of the German Reformed Church. Mr. and Mrs. Kirsch have one child, Helen Kirsch, born December 20. 1910. Mr. Kirsch is a democrat in politics, and both he and his wife, true to the religious faith in which they were reared, are members of the German Reformed Church.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 972.

The name Archbold is one of the oldest and most honored in Adams County , where it was established about the time the county was organized. The Archbolds are of Irish ancestry. His great-grandfather, Thomas Patrick Archbold, fought as a soldier in the American Revolution and also in the War of 1812. He died either in Pennsylvania or in Tuscarawas County , Ohio . His son, Thomas Archbold, grandfather of William J., was born in Pennsylvania in 1800, and was quite young when he went with his parents to Tuscarawas County , Ohio . He grew up there, and married Malinda Andrews. [snip: Thomas Archbold, Jeremiah Archbold]

There were four sons and five daughters [of Jeremiah Archbold & Lovina Paulison], five of whom are still living, William J. being the fourth in age.

Mr. Archbold was reared on his father's farm, and made the best use of his educational advantages. He worked as a farmer and also taught school until he was twenty-six and after his marriage he taught for two years.

In 1890 he married Miss Izora J. Mann, daughter of Joseph E. and Louisa (Kiess) Mann. Her parents were among the early settlers of Root Township . Her father spent his career as a farmer and died several years ago at the age of sixty-nine. The widowed mother is still living, hale and hearty, and occupies the old homestead, being now nearly three score and ten years old. The Manns were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Arehbold was born in 1871, and was well educated, graduating from the common schools under William J. Archbold as teacher.

In the fall of 1890 Mr. Archbold came to Decatur and for eighteen years was local agent of the Adams Express Company. During part of that time and later he served sixteen years as city treasurer. Mr. Archbold in a business way is known as a manufacturer of specialties for steam boilers and he has built up a successful business and markets the output through his own agency. He and his family occupy a nice home at 38 North Tenth Street . Mr. and Mrs. Archbold have the following family of children: Lawrence, Marion, Earl, Esther and Catherine. Lawrence is a graduate of Purdue University and is now employed as chemist with the Holland Street Sugar Beet Factory of Decatur. He married Miss Alice Elliott of Lafayette , Indiana . The son Marion also pursued technical courses in Purdue University and is a chemical engineer. He saw active service during the troubles along the Mexican border in 1916 and qualified as a first class gunner. The son Earl is now seventeen years of age and in the third year of the city high school, while the two younger children. Esther and Catherine, are aeed respectively twelve and five years. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 639-640.

George E. Steele was born in Ashland County , Ohio . July 13, 1860, and was about eighteen months old when in September. 1861, his parents removed to Adams County . He grew up here and received his early education in the local schools, and under his brother Albert learned the butcher's trade. Albert Steele was for about seven years proprietor of one of the leading meat establishments of Decatur . From 1886 to 1892 George Steele was in Colorado , at Denver and various other cities, following his trade as butcher. He returned to Decatur in 1892, and the following year became associated with his brother in business.

On coming to Adams County his parents, Levi and Charlotte (Barkley) Steele, settled in Union Township . His parents were both born in Pennsylvania and were quite young when their respective families moved to Ashland County , Ohio , where they grew up and married. Levi Steele served an apprenticeship at the tanner's trade with Martin Bender. He remained in Mr. Bender's employ for several years, and on coming to Adams County in 1861 he conducted the tannery of his relative, John Bender, while the latter was serving as a Union soldier. This tannery was noted for its fine leather products, and was conducted according to the old established principles governing the business. After the war Levi Steele took up farming, and continued a resident of Union Township until his death about 1884, when sixty-five years of age. His widow died in 1894 at the age of seventy. They were very active members of the Church of God , and a house of worship was built on their farm and a cemetery laid out there. They were among the leaders of the church and liberal supporters to its cause. Levi Steele was a republican in politics and all his sons followed him in political action. There was a large family, eight of whom grew up, all of them married and three sons and one daughter, Mrs. Ellen Mumma, are still living.

Mr. George E. Steele married at Georgetown , Illinois , Miss Golda McKinnie. She was born in Howard County, Indiana, about 1872, and was reared there. Her parents, William and Mahala (Chandler) McKinnie, are still living at Russiaville in Howard County and are now past sixty-five years of age, but retain a great deal of their physical and mental vitality. They are active members of the Christian Church and her father is now an ardent prohibitionist. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have one son, Irwin W.. aged eleven years, and a student in the public schools of Decatur . He is also one of the talented performers in the Decatur Brass Band. Mrs. Steele and son are members of the Christian Church. Politically Mr. Steele is a republican. In the way of public service he was superintendent of the local waterworks for two years.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 641-642.

He is of German and Scotch ancestry. His grandparents spent their lives in Pennsylvania . John Fordyce, father of Simeon B.. had a brother, David, who became a California forty-niner. Early in 1850 John Fordyce also went out to California, going around by way of Cape Horn, and he and his brother had considerable success in the gold mines of the far west. After a year John returned to Adams County , where he had settled some years previously and in 1854 made a second trip to the West. John Fordyce had left his native state of Pennsylvania and had moved to Guernsey County . Ohio , where he married Mary Brown of Scotch ancestry. Five of their children were born in Ohio and about 1845 the family came to Adams County , traveling over the rough roads into a new and sparsely settled district. They located in St. Mary's Township and here erected a log cabin home in which their three youngest children were born. Simeon B. being next to the youngest. The land was cleared up. and in time constituted a good farm.

Perhaps no family in Adams County sacrificed more to the cause of the Union than the Fordyces. In 1861 two sons of John Fordyce, Jasper and Henry, enlisted in Company C of the Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry. In 1862 the father decided that his services were needed at the front and he went to join the same company and regiment. At the battle of Port Gibson on the Mississippi Jasper was shot through the forearm and the muscles of the upper arm, the ball passing out through the shoulder blade. That wound crippled him so that he was incapacitated for further field duty, and spent the rest of his three years' time of enlistment as a steward in a hospital ward at Madison , Indiana . A week after the wound which incapacitated him his brother, Henry, was killed in the battle of Champion Hill. In the meantime the father, John, had reached the regiment and he was assigned to look after his dead son, and while attending to the burial of his body suffered sunstroke, so that he was discharged and sent home. John Fordyce died in February, 1866, at the age of sixty-two.

Simeon B. Fordyce was born in St. Mary's Township of Adams County January 27, 1847. He was only fourteen years of age when the war broke out, and his patriotic ardor grew from day to day. He saw his two brothers go into the army, later his father, and he tried again and again to get consent to be taken as a soldier himself. Finally in October, 1863, in his sixteenth year, he was enrolled in Company C of the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry. With this regiment he saw some very arduous service, being assigned largely to scouting duty, and after the campaign which ended with the battle of Nashville his regiment was transferred to Missouri in Kansas, and did much fighting of guerillas and Indians. He was granted his honorable discharge at Madison , Indiana , being only nineteen years of age when mustered out. Thus were four gallant soldiers in the Fordyce family and Simeon was the only one who returned from the front practically unscathed.

He resumed civil life as a farmer, and later conducted a grocery store at Pleasant Mills. He gave up that business in favor of farming and in 1890 removed to Decatur , where he entered business as a grocer and conducted one of the best patronized stores in the town for about twelve years until he retired in 1902. He has also dealt extensively in farm lands in Ohio and Indiana , and he owns a well equipped small farm of his own in Root Township . His pleasant home is at 210 South Fourth Street in Decatur .

He is the type of citizen who by experience, activities and judgment the people implicitly trust. For twelve years he has served as a member of the Adams County Board of Guardians, for six years as a member of the County Board of Charities, and served two terms as a member of the city council of Decatur . Mr. Fordyce is an active republican, has served as senior vice commander of Post No. 63 Grand Army of the Republic, and for twenty-five years has been affiliated with Lodge No. 65 of the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Fordyce married Miss Mary Branderbery, a girl who grew up in the same neighborhood with him. She was born in Washington Township April 5, 1849, was well educated and for several years before her marriage taught school. She is member of the well known Branderbery family elsewhere mentioned in this publication. Mr. and Mrs. Fordyce have one daughter, Maggie. She was reared from early girlhood in Decatur , and graduated from the high school with the class of 1897. She is now the wife of Charles D. Teeple, who was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, but was reared and educated in Adams County . Mr. Teeple is now head of the successful clothing firm of Teeple, Branderbery & Peterson of Decatur . Mr. and Mrs. Teeple have a daughter, Alta Fordyce Teeple, born February 21, 1900. She is now a senior in the Decatur High School and her education is to be continued in Vassar College . Mr. and Mrs. Teeple and daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 642-644.

The Sprang name is of Swiss origin. The grandfather Christian Sprang was born in Alsace Lorraine. He served as a soldier under the great Napoleon in the climax of that soldier's career, from 1812 to 1815. He was once slightly wounded. He married a girl from Alsace Lorraine and settled down to farming. All their children were born in the old country, named Frederick, Jacob, Godfrey, Sarah and Christian, Jr. While most of these children were still young the family in 1822 embarked on a sailing vessel at Havre , France , and after a voyage of several weeks landed in New York City . From there they went on west to Wooster , Wayne County, Ohio, where Christian Sprang, Sr., resumed his work as a farmer. He was one of the pioneers of that section and he lived to see his family well provided with the comforts of life. His wife died in Wayne County and some years later he passed away at the home of his son Christian in Ashland County , Ohio , at the age of eighty-seven. He was a Lutheran and reared his family in the same faith, and after coming to America he became a voter of the democratic party. All his sons and daughters grew up, married in Ohio , and all except Christian spent their last years in that state.

Christian Sprang, Jr., was born in Alsace Lorraine in 1816 and was six years of age when he came to this country. In Ashland County he married Sarah Hanver. She was born in the same year and in the same province of France , and she came with her parents to America also in the same year though on a separate vessel. The Hanvers located in Ashland County , Ohio , where she grew up and remained until after her marriage. Christian Sprang and wife after their marriage settled down on a farm near Mohicanville in Ashland County and all their children were born in that locality. The record of these two children is as follows: Fred, who died leaving a family; Magdalena, who married Frederick Hyde and died in Allen County, Indiana, leaving children; Jacob, who is a retired farmer in the State of Kansas and has a family of three daughters and one son; Philip, who died in Allen County leaving two children; Godfrey, a resident of Michigan is father of one daughter; Sarah, who lives in Defiance County, Ohio, widow of John Kuhn and mother of two sons and one daughter; Daniel, who is next to the youngest of the family; and Simon P., a farmer in Allen County, who is married and has children.

Mr. Daniel Sprang was born in Ashland County , Ohio , August 22, 1854. When he was twelve years of age the family left the scenes of his birth and moved to Allen County, Indiana, locating near Poe postoffice. The land which they acquired had been .only partially improved, and it remained for the energies of Christian Sprang and his sons to put it into a productive state of cultivation and a home of modest comforts. This old farm is now owned by two grandsons of Christian Sprang. Christian Sprang died in Allen County in 1875 when nearly fifty-nine years of age, and his widow died later at the home of her daughter in Defiance County , Ohio , at the age of eighty-seven. She was an active member of the Evangelical Church .

Daniel Sprang finished his education in Allen County , had a high school course, and having wisely improved his early opportunities he qualified as a teacher and followed that vocation for four years. While living in Allen County he married for his first wife Alice Lichtenwalter. She was born in that county in 1857. She died at her home in Decatur May 2, 1895. She was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Sprang's only child was Ella, who graduated from the city high school of Decatur , and was for several years a music teacher. She was twice married, her first husband being Harry Bell, and by that union there is a daughter, Margaret, now the wife of Willard Rohrer, living in Michigan . For her second husband she married C. B. Wilcox. Mrs. Wilcox died June 20, 1916.

For his present wife Mr. Sprang married Miss Lucy J. Vail. She was born in Ossian, Wells County , Indiana , May 2, 1864, and is member of the well known Vail family elsewhere referred to in this publication. She was well educated, and for eighteen years was one of the best known teachers in Adams and Wells counties.

When Mr. Daniel Sprang came to Decatur in 1879 he entered the dry .goods business in partnership with Mr. Edington. In 1882 he and Charles F. True bought Mr. Edington's interest, and together they conducted a high class store on Second Street in Decatur until 1899. Failing health compelled Mr. Sprang to retire from this business at the time and he then sold out to Mr. True. After a year of rest and recuperation he put some of his capital into business with Mr. A. T. Vail, and they took up the manufacture of barrel stock, at first at Markel , Indiana . Later they conducted plants at Warren and Bloomfield , Ohio , at Linesville , Pennsylvania , but at present they conduct their plant and find their principal supply of raw material in Arkansas and Missouri . Mr. Vail is the active manager of the business and remains on the ground, while Mr. Sprang still keeps his home at Decatur.

Mr. Sprang is one of the older members of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Decatur . He has various local interests and is one of the men most frequently called upon for cooperation with worthy public enterprises. He has served as noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as district deputy, has filled various chairs in the Masonic Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter, and is a member of Mizpah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Fort Wayne . He and his wife are active in the Methodist Episcopal Church and he has been treasurer of the church since 1889 and many years a trustee.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 649-650.

Mr. Steele is of old Pennsylvania stock. His grandfather, Jacob Steele, was a Pennsylvanian and when his son, Levi, father of Albert, was quite young moved with wagons and teams to Ashland County, Ohio, The grandfather developed a tract of new land, cleared away the forest, and there he and his wife died when they were not yet seventy years of age. They had a large family, the- sons being Levi, Adam, John, George, Samuel, Jacob, Jr., and David. Among the daughters were Mrs. Maria Boyd, Sophia Stoler and Mrs. David Stiefers. Of the sons Levi and David Steele were twins and were born February 9, 1818. They grew up in Ashland County , and David became a carpenter while Levi learned the trade of tanner. In Ashland County he worked at his trade and married Sarah Valentine, who was born in Pennsylvania February 15, 1819, but was reared in Ashland County , where her parents spent many years of their lives. After marriage Levi Steele and wife continued to reside in Ashland County , and all their children were born there. In the fall of 1861 they moved to Adams County , Indiana , and located in the woods in Union Township . Levi had charge of a tannery for George Benders, his son-in-law, during the Civil war, and at the same time managed to put in some hard work in clearing up his forty acres of land. Later he bought another place of sixty acres, and lived on that farm until his death in 1885 at the age of sixty-seven. His widow survived him and died at Decatur at the age of seventy-seven. Both were very active and prominent members of the Church of God and did much to sustain that denomination in the county. Levi Steele was a republican in politics.

Albert N. Steele, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, March 21, 1842, was one of a family three sons and one daughter of which are still living, all in Adams County, and one, Samuel L., died in the army. Mr. Steele was nineteen years of age when the family came to Adams County , and besides the lessons he learned from books and schools in his native locality he acquired a full and thorough proficiency in the tanning trade. He worked as a tanner when all leather was tanned by the old processes, including a liberal use of tanbark. For some years he worked as a tanner for Levi Bartlett, was in business as a partner with him, and learned the butcher's trade. In 1875 he engaged in the butcher business with a shop on Second Street in Decatur , and a year later Mr. Bartlett became his partner. After two years Mr. Steele sold his interests and subsequently engaged in the wind mill and pump business, and still later took in his brother, George E., as a partner. They added a plumbing department, and Mr. Steele was one of the familiar figures of this branch of business in Adams County for fully thirty years. In 1911 he sold his interests to his brother George and then retired to look after his private affairs. Mr. Steele owns five fine residence properties in Decatur . In politics he is a republican. He has been a member of the Church of God since boyhood.

His first wife was Julia Stephens, a member of the Church of God . She was born in Pennsylvania but was reared and educated at Moline , Illinois , where she lived in the home of an uncle, George Stephens. Mrs. Steele died at Decatur in the prime of life at the age of thirty-three. She left no children, and was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For his second wife Mr. Steele married at Decatur Mrs. Elizabeth Marquart. She was born in Fort Wayne , Indiana , February 19, 1842, was educated there, and her first husband was Jacob Marquart. Mrs. Steele died August 15, 1914. By her first marriage she had one daughter, Anna M., who was born in 1872 and was reared and educated in Decatur . She married Samuel Laman of Adams County . Mr. Laman is now deceased, and he left a valuable estate worth more than $25,000. Mrs. Laman had two children, Neva and Naomi, aged fourteen and eleven years, respectively, and now attending school at Battle Creek , Michigan . Mr. Steele is guardian and trustee for these two girls and also for their property.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 657-659.

This quality has been a preeminent trait of one of Decatur 's oldest and best known business men, Harry R. Moltz. Mr. Moltz is now secretary and treasurer and is giving most of his time to the business of the Decatur Produce Company. For a number of years he was also a dry goods merchant at Decatur . He possesses a fine and active mind and his superior judgment in business affairs has brought him a high position of esteem among his fellow associates, by whom he is frequently consulted.

The Decatur Produce Company was organized and incorporated in 1905. It is a highly successful business and one of the factors in securing a prompt and equitable distribution of farm and dairy products between the producer and consumer. The business has enjoyed a steady growth and prosperity, and it now has a large plant 80x100 feet, situated with access both to the Erie and Clover Leaf railway tracks. The plant is well adapted for its purposes, one part being for general storage and handling and another equipped with refrigeration facilities. This is perhaps the chief medium in Adams County through which the butter, eggs and poultry raised in the surrounding districts are concentrated and sent to market. The company ships these products everywhere, though New York is the main market. On the average they send out about two carload of eggs every week and a carload of poultry. The entire management and direction of the business is through Mr. Moltz, secretary and treasurer of the company. The other two officers, W. B. Frisinger, president, lives at Rockford , Ohio , while the vice president, J. L. Mosur, is also a non-resident.

Mr. Moltz is also a factor in the same line of business at Bluffton, where he is president of the Berling & Moltz Company, which operates a large warehouse and plant handling produce. The business at Bluffton has been in existence for about ten years.

Harry R. Moltz was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, in 1866, and received most of his early training in the schools at Van Wert, Fulton County , Ohio . When he was quite a young man in 1891 he came to Decatur , and here for twenty-one years was prominently engaged in the dry goods business, most of the time as president of the KueblerMoltz Company, now the Kuebler Company.

Mr. Moltz is a son of George W. and Mary ( Hull ) Moltz, both natives of Pennsylvania and married at Republic, Ohio . After their marriage they settled at Van Wert, where the father spent his active life as a dry goods merchant. He died at the age of seventy-eight and his wife passed away in Van Wert in 1868 when in the prime of life. They were active members of the Lutheran Church .

Harry L. Moltz married at Decatur Anna Dailey, who was reared and educated here, where her parents were well known residents for many years and her mother is still living. Mrs. Moltz is active in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Moltz is affiliated with the Subordinate and Encampment degrees of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a Blue Lodge Mason and a member of the Conhistory at Fort Wayne . Politically he is identified with the republican party.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 859-860.

Mr. Teeple was born in St. Mary's Township of Adams County, March 19, 1860. He grew up in a country community, was educated in the district schools, and at the age of eighteen came to Decatur to learn the trade of carpenter under Sprangler & Mann. He was with them two or three years and then for eight years was in the employ of J. Wilson Merriman. In 1900 he became associated with the well known contracting firm of Mann & Christin, comprising E. A. Mann and C. N. Christin. He handled many of the active responsibilities of this firm of contractors for three years and then entered business for himself.

Mr. Teeple has been one of the leading contractors of Adams County for the past fifteen years. During that time he has built on an average four or five residences or other structures annually, and is still keeping up his work with all the old time efficiency and is noted for the reliability with which he carries out every detail of his agreements and whatever he does is of the same substantial workmanship as his individual character. For thirty-three years Mr. Teeple and family have lived at the corner of Ninth Street and Jackson, in Decatur , where he bought a lot 66 by 132 feet and built his own attractive residence.

Mr. Teeple is a son of George W. Teeple, who was born at Mount Gilead , Morrow County , Ohio , July 13, 1834. The grandfather Samuel Teeple was a hotel proprietor at Mount Gilead for many years. In 1854 he brought his family to St. Mary's Township of Adams County and was one of the pioneers of that district. He had to clear away some of the timber before he could build his log cabin home, and in the course of time a large acreage responded to his efforts as a cultivator of the soil. He finally removed to Decatur , and lived at the corner of Ninth and Adams streets until his death in 1877 when about sixty-five years of age. Samuel Teeple married Esther Ann Kiser, who was born in Pennsylvania and surviving her husband died when about seventy-two. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Samuel Teeple was a strenuous advocate of the principles of the republican party and all his sons and grandsons have followed him in the same political faith.

George W. Teeple married for his first wife Catherine Brittson. She was born on the old Brittson homestead in St. Mary's Township March 22, 1837, grew up there and spent most of her life in that same vicinity. The Brittsons came into Adams County when land was plentiful and cheap, acquired a tract from the Government at $1.25 per acre, and cleared away and developed about 325 acres lying on the Indiana side of the state line. In that community the Brittsons spent many useful and active years. Grandfather Brittson was a cabinet maker by trade, coming to Indiana from Maryland , and he lost his life during a barn raising at James Foster's place, being at that time about sixty years of age. He was the father of seven sons and seven daughters, and one of his sons Isaac became the father of twenty-four children. His daughter Mrs. George W. Teeple was the seventh child, and she died on the old Teeple farm in St. Mary's Township January 19, 1879. Her children were: William B.; Sarah L., wife of Henry Westerfelt, now mayor of the City of Albuquerque , New Mexico ; and Emma A., who is married and lives in Tennessee . George W. Teeple married for his second wife October 9, 1879, Elizabeth Smith, of Van Wert County, Ohio. She died March 22, 1896, leaving no children. For his third wife he married Caroline (Keller) Reed, and there were no children of this union. His third wife, again a widow, is living at Decatur at the advanced age of eighty-five.

Mr. William B. Teeple married at Cedarville, in Allen County, Indiana, Miss Ollie Holopeter. She was born in that village and died at her home in Decatur April 12, 1900. She was born March 3, 1867, and proved herself a very capable wife and mother, diligent in home and faithful to all the duties of life's relationship. She became the mother of three daughters and one son. Iva May, the oldest of the family, is the wife of George W. Davis, foreman of a sash, door and lumber company at Albuquerque, New Mexico. Bessie M. was educated in the local schools of Decatur and is now the efficient housekeeper for her father. Mary A. married Noah Sheets, a farmer in Root Township , and they have a daughter Helen born in October, 1917. The only son, Fred, was born November 10, 1898, and is still at home and finds employment in the sugar beet factory. Mr. Teeple and children are all active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an ardent republican and is affiliated with the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Loyal Order of Moose at Decatur .

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 667-668.

Mr. Dailey was born in that locality in June, 1863, a son of James T. and Mary (Johnson) Dailey. His grandfather, James Thomas Dailey, Sr., was born in County Cork , Ireland , and was ten years old when brought by his parents to the United States . His father was a sea captain and was drowned at sea. James Thomas Dailey soon after coming to America was left an orphan and for a number of years found it a difficult matter to earn a living and uncover prospects for the future. At Baltimore , Maryland , he learned the shoemaker's trade and from there went to Virginia , where he married and where he took up farming. From that state he moved his family to Athens County , Ohio , buying land in Lee Township , and lived there honored and respected until his death at the age of seventy-seven. His children were Eliza, Rebecca, Matilda, Esais, Nimrod, Robert, William, James T. and David.

James T. Dailey, Jr., was born in Virginia , but was reared in Athens County , Ohio , and lived there until he was twenty-two. He then came as a pioneer settler to Adams County , Indiana , locating in St. Mary's Township and bought a portion of the wilderness and constructed his cabin in the midst of the woods. That land was the scene of his laborious activities the rest of his life. He was reared a democrat but afterwards took up with the republican doctrine. He married Mary Johnson, who was born in Harrison County , Ohio , daughter of Joseph and Mary ( Davis ) Johnson. Joseph Johnson was born in West Virginia , married there, and in 1836 became an early settler in Van Wert County, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his years. James T. and Mary (Johnson) Dailey had twelve children: Nimrod, Davis, Mary, Joseph, Rebecca, Amy, Samantha, Almina, Emily, Maggie E. and James T., twins, and Esais W. Seven of these are still living, Davis; Mary, a widow living in Van Wert County; J. J. Dailey of Blue Creek Township; Mrs. Emily Moses; Maggie; James T.; and Esais W.

Esais W. Dailey grew up on the home farm and supplemented his education in the public schools by courses in the National Normal College at Lebanon , Ohio . With this preparation he became a successful teacher and taught both in Adams County and in Van Wert County, Ohio. Along with teaching he carried on farming and after his marriage gave all his time and attention to farming.

March 31, 1903, Mr. Dailey married Laura Bunner. She was born and reared in Adams County , and died February 28, 1914. Mr. Dailey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bobo , Indiana , as was also his wife. Mr. Dailey is a republican in politics and has served as county central committeeman. The fine farm he owns and controls consists of 355 acres, and it has been kept up to a high degree of efficiency under his direction. He breeds and feeds good grades of livestock.

His older brother, Davis Dailey, a farmer living three miles southeast of Decatur , was born in section 9 of St. Mary's Township, July 2, 1844, was well educated and for twelve years taught school. He married for his first wife Almina Lee and they had two children, Cora L. and Lee N. His second wife was Alice C. Smith, who became the mother of two children, Rollie and Alice. Davis Dailey married for his third wife Ellen Kern, and they have one child, Elizabeth. Davis Dailey is a republican but has never held any office. He has been a successful and enterprising farmer and has 240 acres.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 956-957.

His paternal grandfather, Joshua Parrish, was born and bred in Belmont County , Ohio , and was there united in marriage with Sarah Rulin. Subsequently removing to Tuscarawas County , he took up a tract of land that was still in its virginal wildness, and on the farm that he cleared he and his wife spent their remaining days, both living to be upwards of three score years of age. At their deaths, their bodies were first interred in the family plot on the home farm, but were subsequently removed to the little cemetery in the churchyard, both having been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he was affiliated with the old Whig party.

John Parrish was born in Belmont County , Ohio , in 1813, and as child was taken to Tuscarawas County , where he was educated and married. A tiller of the soil, he carried on farming in his native state during the earlier years of his life. About 1850, accompanied by his wife and seven children, he came to Adams County , Indiana , locating in Washington Township . Buying land from the Government, he soon made an opening in which he erected a log cabin for himself and family. All of this part of the county was then a comparative wilderness, the pioneer settlers subsisting principally on the wild game that everywhere abounded, and on the scant revenue they received from the black salts they made from the ashes obtained from the timber burned when clearing up their homesteads, and putting the land in a productive condition. He improved a good farm, and continued his residence upon it until his death, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a public-spirited citizen, interested in public matters, and after the formation of the know-nothing party became identified with the democratic party. He married Margaret Johnson, who was born in Tuscarawas County , Ohio , a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Archbold) Johnson, who came from Ohio to Adams County , Indiana , with their children, and spent their first years on a farm in Washington Township . They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters. Two of the children were born in Adams County ; seven grew to years of maturity, and were married; and two sons and two daughters are still living.

The eldest child of the parental household, Joshua R. Parrish, was a youth of fifteen years when he came with the family to Washington Township . He completed his early education after coming here, and at the age of twenty-two years entered upon a professional career, taking charge of a public school in Kirkland Township , and subsequently teaching in the same school building until 1862.

In August of that year, his patriotic ardor being aroused, Mr. Parrish, leaving his wife and seven-months-old boy, Jay Newton, enlisted in Company H. Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under command of Col. C.D. Murray, and was immediately ordered to the front. At Munfordville , Kentucky , he first met the enemy in battle, and his regiment, with three others, was forced to surrender, but on certain conditions were allowed to move back to a river under guard. Governor Morton then furloughed Mr. Parrish and his comrades home for a period of twenty days. Being in the meantime exchanged, he was then sent south, and took part in many important engagements. On April 9, 1864, at Pleasant Hill , Louisiana , Mr. Parrish received what was regarded as a mortal wound, a minnie ball passing through his groin, and lodging in his back. He was left to die on the field of battle, but having fortunately been found by his two brothers, Joseph L. and Abner S., who were members of the same regiment and company, he was rolled into an ambulance and carried thirty miles to a hospital, where, four days later, the bullet was removed, and he began to recuperate, the operation by which it was removed having been performed in New Orleans. When fully recovered from his serious operation, Mr. Parrish rejoined his command and at the battle of Nashville , Tennessee , helped defeat General Hood. On July 28, 1865, he was honorably discharged from the service, with a record for bravery of which he may well be proud.

Returning home, Mr. Parrish began farming on his little estate of forty acres, and since then has cleared the timber from 240 acres of land, and sold it at a profit. For the past seventeen years, he has lived retired from business cares in Decatur , having a pleasant home at No. 607 West Jefferson Street . He is a steadfast adherent of the democratic party, and for twenty-three years he served faithfully and efficiently as township assessor.

Mr. Parrish married, in Adams County , Indiana , Deborah Russell, who was born in Washington Township , February 9, 1839, and died at her home in Decatur , October 19, 1917. Her father, William Russell, was accidentally killed at the early age of twenty-five years when out hunting, having been mistaken for a deer by another hunter who fired the shot that made his death instantaneous. The following children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Parrish, namely: Jay Newton, who died in 1913, leaving a widow and two children; Ada K., wife of Charles Paling, who occupies the old Paling homestead, has one son and two daughters; Mary A., wife of Emerson Beavers, in furniture business at Decatur, has two children, a son and a daughter; John R., principal of the North Ward School, is married, and has a son and a daughter; Anna, deceased, was the wife of the late Leo Annan; Marion F., living with his father, married Addie Yocum, and they have two children, Richard K. and Miles. Mr. Parrish is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mrs. Parrish also belonged, and he is a member and past commander of the Samuel Henry Post No. 63, Grand Army of the Republic, which he served for many years as chaplain.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 682-684.

Mr. Hower's paternal grandfather, Andrew Hower, was born and bred in Pennsylvania , and as a young man ventured as far west as Ohio . In the early '40s, he came to Adams County , Indiana , locating on a tract of heavily timbered land in Kirkland Township . In common with the other pioneers of that day, he labored with unceasing toil to improve a homestead, at the same time being an important factor in developing the resources of the county. Wild turkey, deer and other game were abundant, helping supply the family larder, and the women of the household did their full share of pioneer work, raising the sheep, and carding, spinning and weaving into cloth the wool obtained, and by their own hands fashioned the clothes worn by the family, including the adults as well as the children. On the farm which he had cleared, Andrew Hower and his wife, formerly a Miss Buroaker, spent the remainder of their lives, his death occurring when he was but sixty years old, and hers several years later. They were God-fearing people, liberal and open-hearted, and ever ready to lend aid to the poor and needy. They reared five children, as follows: Noah, now living, is married and has a family; John, died, leaving four children; Elizabeth Ann, widow of John Sovine, lives in Wells County and has sons and "daughters; Adam, mentioned below; and Henry, who died in the west, leaving a family.

Adam Hower was born in December, 1838, in Ashley County, Ohio, but grew to manhood in Kirkland Township , where he assisted in the pioneer task of redeeming a farm from the wilderness. He bought land in Washington Township later in life, and on his well-improved farm of fortv acres he lived until 1913 when he moved to St. Mary's Township. He is now almost four score years of age. His wife, whose maiden name was Aleena Steele, was born in Washington Township in 1842, being the youngest of a family of children born to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Steele, thrifty and active pioneers of that township, who there spent their last days, Mr. Steele dying at the age of eighty-seven years, while she attained the venerable age of ninety-four years. Nearly all of their children grew up and married, and several of their sons served in the Civil war, two being killed on the field of battle. Acquiring a good education when young, practically in the schools of Pleasant Mills, Milton E. Hower entered upon a professional career at the age of twenty years as a teacher in District No. 6, Washington Township , and for eight years taught in the country schools. Subsequently he taught in Decatur for two years, being principal of the West Ward School one year, and of the South Ward School the same length of time. Abandoning the teacher's desk, Mr. Hower embarked in the grocery business in 1899, locating in Decatur , where he is still in active business, his present fine store building being the second one that he has occupied in the city, the other one having been located on different corners of Seventh and Monroe streets.

Mr. Hower has been twice married. He married first Mary E. Stevens, an orphan, born and educated in Adams County . She died in Decatur , in 1902, aged thirty-two years. Two children were born of their union, namely: Frech C., now in the store with his father, married in August, 1917, Ercie Butler, who was born in Tipton County , Indiana , twenty-one years ago, but was bred and educated in Decatur ; the other child died in infancy. Mr. Hower married second, in Decatur , Maud A. Scott. She was born in August. 1881, in Mount Etna , Indiana , a daughter of David E. Scott, a prominent politician of Huntington County . Of this marriage, four daughters have been born, namely: Marcella A.. Geraldine E., B. Isabclle, and Eleanor Catherine. Mr. Hower and his family are Methodists in religion, and active in church work. Fraternally Mr. Hower is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Loyal Order of Moose.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 681-682.

J. Q. Neptune was born August 8, 1859, in St. Mary's Township, Adams County , Indiana , on his grandfather's old homestead, later owned by his father and now owned by Doctor Neptune, never being out of the Neptune name since entered from the Government. His grandparents were William and Lydia (Beaman) Neptune. The grandfather was born in eastern Ohio , of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and the grandmother was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock. Possibly it was 1834 when they first came to Adams County and settled in St. Mary's Township, their first home being a "lean-to" built against a large log. They came from Ohio with wagon and team and fortunately brought two fine milch cows for they found little to subsist on in the new home at first. The grandfather had been a distiller and was well-to-do before he lost his fortune. In the fall of 1835 he built a substantial log cabin on his land which he cleared off before his death. He had children, and one of his sons, James Ira, became the father of Doctor Neptune.

James Ira Neptune was born in Ohio and was eight years old when he accompanied his parents to Adams County , Indiana . When the Civil war came on he entered the Union army as a drummer boy in Company K, Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. At one time he was captured by the Confederates with his regiment, but was paroled and finally exchanged, and he immediately returned to his command and served through three years. Many times his life was endangered, but he escaped all serious injury and lived to return to his home, where his death occurred in 1904. In 1852 he made the trip to California , going by way of the Isthmus of Panama , and passed through many adventures while in the mining districts. He was married first to Lorena Jacobs, who belonged to an old county family, and they had one child, Louisa. His second marriage was to Mrs. Isabelle (Flagg) Barnhart. She is a daughter of Samuel Flagg and wife, who came to Adams County as the first pioneers on St. Mary's River and lived for a time with friends on what was known as the Devil's Backbone. Samuel Flagg later became a merchant and tavern keeper in Decatur . He died at the age of eighty-one. By her first marriage, the mother of Doctor Neptune had one daughter, Mary Celestia Barnhart, who is the wife of John Bradlock, who was one of the youngest soldiers enlisted for the Civil war from Adams County . They have nine children and live in Nebraska . Five sons and four daughters were born to the second marriage of James Neptune. J. Q., C. R. (Dick), and Frances, wife of ex-Attorney General N. G. Denman of Toledo , Ohio , are living. The deceased are Lovinia, Harry, Curtis, Samuel Oren, Latell Annota, and one died in infancy. The mother of Doctor Neptune lives in the Town of Willshire , Van Wert County, Ohio, and is now aged eighty-three years.

In his boyhood Doctor Neptune had very few advantages, times being hard. The youth was ambitious and early determined to learn the profession in which he has become eminent, but in large measure he had to make his own opportunities for schooling and progress in the direction he wished to go and these often entailed self-denial and wounds to his pride that were hard to bear. However he never turned back and the time came when he reached his goal and on March 6, 1886, he was most creditably graduated from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, Cincinnati . On June 9, 1886, he came to Dectaur and opened an office on Second Street, where he remained for twelve years, and for ten years his brother, Dr. C. R. (Dick) Neptune, was associated with him, the latter now having a separate office. Doctor Neptune in 1898 moved to his present location, in the Spangler Block, on East Second Street , where he has fine accommodations, including a waiting room, an operating room and a laboratory, all connected. His equipments are those made use of by modern dentists and his treatments are according to the latest scientific discoveries in dental surgery.

Doctor Neptune was married first to Miss Clara Counterman, who was born at Willshire, Van Wert County, Ohio, and died at Decatur in 1906. She was a lady of education and refinement and for seven years prior to her marriage had been a school teacher in Ohio . She was the mother of two sons, both of whom survive: Gregg C., who is a graduate of the Northwestern Dental School and is now in practice in the city of Winnipeg, Canada, with bright professional prospects; and James Glenn, who served first on the Mexican border and became a seasoned and well trained soldier and was a member of the contingent selected to accompany General Pershing to France for service in the World war.

Doctor Neptune married for his second wife Celeste Kintz, a lady of great musical talent and leading member of the choir in the Roman Catholic Church, of which body she is a member. Doctor and Mrs. Neptune have three children: E. Isabel, Mary D. and Robert Jean.

In addition to his large practice, Doctor Neptune's income is considerably derived from other sources, for he has additional interests. He owns 180 acres, all in one tract, situated in St. Mary's Township, Adams County , which farm is well improved and very productive. He also owns his grandfather's old farm of forty acres, situated in the same township.

Doctor Neptune, like his talented wife, is very musical, and is especially proficient as a player on the snare drum, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church choir for thirty years. He has long been active in the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the Council, and for twenty years has had charge of the musical programs for the lodges, and also for public occasions, such as Decoration Day and other meetings of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is an interested and generous member of this religious body at Decatur . Visitors to his office and home may be permitted to examine a very large and interesting collection that the doctor has made, some of these being old family relics and others curiosities brought from distant parts. He values the drum sticks which his father beat on the snare drum as he marched toward the enemy, a drummer boy, so many years ago. A number of game trophies may also be noticed decorating the walls. His friends know that these have been secured through Doctor Neptune's own prowess during his periods of recreation, when he hunts wild game in the northwest and the Rocky Mountains .

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 687-688.

This is one of the nourishing financial institutions of Adams County . It was organized and began business on January 2, 1915. The first officers were James Rupel of Bryant, Indiana, president (now deceased) ; John LaPollette of Portland, Indiana, vice president; Mathias Kirsch, cashier; and W. A. Lower, secretary. Mr. Kirsch was elected to the office of president to succeed Mr. Rupel and the vice president now is H. M. Gillig. The bank still retains its original capital stock of $50,000, and though in existence less than three years its prosperity^and growth have been nothing less than remarkable. At the beginning of its second year its resources had climbed to over a hundred eighty-two thousand dollars, at the beginning of the third year to approximately two hundred seventy-eight thousand dollars, while in June, 1917, the reported resources were almost three hundred thirty thousand dollars. The bank pays four per cent interest on time deposits and the growth and prosperity of the institution are proof of the wisdom of its founders. The management throughout has conducted the business with special emphasis upon safety and service, and while it has all the facilities for the service of a general banking institution, it also provides safety by insuring all the money deposited in its keeping.

Mr. Kirsch is a banker and business man of wide experience. For eight years before entering the People's Loan and Trust Company he was vice president of the Old Adams County Bank. He has been in the lumber business at Decatur for thirty years, and is still carrying on a big business in that line, with extensive retail yards handling building materials and supplies, builders hardware, lumber, etc. He engaged in the lumber business at Decatur in 1887. Prior to entering the lumber business in Decatur he was in the mercantile business in Bellmont, Wabash County , Illinois , for about eleven years.

Mr. Kirsch was born in the beautiful old City of Heidelberg , Germany , August 17, 1856. He comes of an old family of Baden people. His grandfather, Adam Kirsch, was born in 1805. Two sons of Adam, Christoph and Carl, came to America about 1848. They crossed the ocean in sailing vessels, being several weeks en route, and first landed at New York City . Carl was a teacher by profession and first located at Pittburgh, but later came to Indiana and was a successful educator for fifty years. He died a number of years ago, leaving a family of children. Christoph Kirsch separated from his brother and went to the mining districts of Lake Superior . He was there four years, and then planned to go out to California and become a gold miner. In the meantime he went back to New York , and while there decided to return to the old country for a visit. A good many years passed before he saw America again. In Baden he fell in love with a young woman of that country, Katharina Stern, a native of Baden and of old German stock. They married and for several years continued to live in Germany . The children born to them were Barbara, Mathias, Peter and Catherina. In 1868 the entire family, together with Christoph's father, Adam, came to America . They embarked on the boat Saxonia, a combined sailing and steamship, and after a voyage of fourteen days landed in New York City . From there they came west to Fort Wayne and soon afterwards settled in Preble Township of Adams County. Here Christoph Kirsch bought a partly improved farm. On that old homestead the grandfather, Adam Kirsch, passed away in 1880. His wife had died in Germany in 1859 in middle age. In the old country the family were Evangelical Protestants, but after coming to Indiana became affiliated with the German Reformed Church. As American citizens all the male members of the family became democrats. Grandfather Adam Kirsch had three other sons who also came to America , Valentine, Peter and Adam, Jr. Adam is still living. Valentine served as a soldier in the American Civil war, going through as a private, and died at the age of eighty-three years in Illinois . His brother, Peter, is also deceased, having married and leaving a family. Adam is a farmer in the state of Minnesota and has a family.

Christoph Kirsch and wife in their latter years lived retired at Decatur , where he died at the age of seventy-one and she at the age of seventy. Christof was born in 1828 and his wife in 1833. Their two daughters are both now deceased, but were married and left families. The sons, Peter, John and Mathias are all living and all married and have childen. Peter is a resident of Decatur , while John has his home in Fort Wayne .

Mr. Mathias Kirsch married at Fort Wayne an Adams County girl, Amanda Langenbacher. She was born in Adams County June 20, 1857, and was reared and educated here in the public schools. Her father, Mathias Langenbacher, was a native of Baden , Germany , and in the old country learned the trade of clock maker. He followed that trade to some extent in Indiana , but after his marriage engaged in farming in Preble Township , and he died at the age of seventy-eight, in Decatur . His wife's maiden name was Harriet Spangler. She was a native of Ohio , and died also in Decatur , at the age of seventy-four. The Langenbachers were active members of the Reformed Church. Mrs. Kirsch had one sister, Sarah, wife of A. H. Sellemeyer of Decatur . They have two children, Jesse and Esther. Esther is now in China as a missionary. Mr. and Mrs. Kirsch have three children: Delia was born at Bellmont , Illinois , was educated in Decatur and is the wife of Fred Reppert. They have two children, Helen 0. and Rollin M. Otto L., the older son of Mr. Kirsch is manager of his father's lumber business, lie married Miss E. Selig of Fort Wayne . The youngest child, Harold E., has completed his education and is assisting his brother in the lumber business. The family are all members of the Reformed Church, in which Mr. Kirsch has served as an elder for thirty years. He is a democrat in politics.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 688-690.

Mr. Butler was born in Root Township March 27, 1862, son of James and Catherine (Earhart) Butler . His father was born in Wayne County, Indiana, and his mother in Pennsylvania . At the time of their marriage they settled on a farm in Wayne County, Indiana, and later went to what was comparatively a frontier district, buying Government land in Page County , Iowa . They lived there as pioneers and farmers five years and then traded their farm, household goods, farm implements and stock for a home in Adams County , Indiana . They secured 200 acres of land, known as the old Reynolds farm. Only part of the acreage had been cleared and put under cultivation, and the rest of that heavy work was accomplished by Jesse Butler and still later by his son Benj. Jesse Butler was a man of decided popularity and prominence in Adams County for a long period of years. He always considered himself a farmer, though in later years he dealt extensively in livestock. He and his wife were active Methodists and he held nearly all the church offices. The children were Mary, Edna, Albert, Benj. F., William, John, Samuel, Harry, Melvin J. All are living except John and those living reside in Adams County except Albert, whose home is in Fort Wayne.

Benj. F. Butler had the average education of an Adams County farm boy, developed his strength by contact with the plow and other implements of farm industry, and has been in the ranks of productive farmers in this county now for over thirty-five years. On his present farm he located in October, 1902. He sold his portion of the old homestead comprising ninety-five acres. His present farm contains some of the best soil in the county, and is improved with an excellent group of buildings. Mr. Butler is a republican in casting his vote, is a member and has been an active official of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with Decatur Tent No. 95 of the Order of the Maccabees.

On May 7, 1881, he married Miss Della Williams, daughter of Jesse and Alice (Ruckman) Williams. Her father was a pioneer of Adams County , locating in Root Township in 1847. He was born in Westmoreland County , Pennsylvania , March 3, 1832, and was only fifteen years of age when his parents moved to Adams County , Indiana . His father of died in Wisconsin in 1872. On March 29, 1857, Jesse Williams married Alice Ruckman, who was born in Columbiana County , Ohio , June 16, 1838, daughter of Watson and Hannah (Rowler) Ruckman. After their marriage Jesse Williams and wife began housekeeping at Monmouth, and had a very limited equipment of goods and they earned all their subsequent prosperity by hard work and thrifty living. Both were active members of the Methodist Church and Mr. Williams was a republican. They had six children: Watson E., who died in 1871 at the age of fourteen; William W., born February 1, 1862; Delia B., born August 14, 1865; Loretta A., born May 18, 1868; Mary E. who married Victor V. Reed and died in 1880 at the age of twenty years, eleven months, nineteen days; Jessie Dallas, born July 20, 1874.

Mrs. and Mrs. Butler have every reason to be proud and satisfied with the fine family of boys and girls who have grown up in their home. There children are: Earl, who married May Spuehler and lives at Decatur; Harvey who married Amelia Winters of Washington Township; Dessie, who became the wife of William Evans of Root Township; Vena, the only one deceased; Herbert, who married Frances Russell of Root Township; Kenneth, Brice and Nile, all unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Butler, also have half a dozen grandchildren. Their son Earl has a daughter, Martha E.; Dessie Evans has two children, Richard and Juanita; Harvey has two, Harold and Hubert; and Herbet is the father of one son, Russell.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 709-710.

On this farm he was born February 4, 1879, a son of Benjamin P. and Rebecca J. (Mumma) Harkless. His father was a native of Indiana and his mother of Pennsylvania . The father died after a long and honorable career in Adams County on August 19, 1910. The mother is still living, with a home in Decatur .

James C. Harkless spent the years from 1890 until he was well past his majority in assisting his father to clear off the land. He swung the axe and cut down the trees, rolled the logs together in piles, burned the brush, and made himself a helpful factor in every one of the operations by which the land was brought into its present high degree of cultivation. Many days he hauled logs to Decatur , where they were delivered to a local sawmill. He also did that back-breaking work which has a special distinction as one of the early vocations of Abraham Lincoln - splitting rails. He split rails by the thousands and helped make many of the old-fashioned fences which are now rapidly going out as a feature of fence improvement around Adams County farms.

Some years ago Mr. Harkless bought the sixty acres from his father's estate and he also owns forty acres in Union Township of Adams County. Both farms are cleared and well improved. A part of the original log house where his father lived in early times still remains among the building of the home farm. Mr. Harkless has two sisters, Nettie, wife of Ross Harden, Union Township , and Mary, wife of Ed Ahr, of Root Township.

Mr. Harkless as a boy also attended the district schools of Root Township , but the work of the farm was at least equally important to the instruction he received from books. Mrs. Harkless' brothers and sisters are: Annie, wife of Louis Woodward, of Root Township ; Simon, who married Katie Beltz, of Union Township ; Edward Frances and Edith, all unmarried.

May 12, 1907, Mr. James C. Harkless married Alvina Bucher, daughter of John and Minnie Bucher. Mr. and Mrs. Harkless have four children: J. Frank, born in 1907; Fay, born in 1910; Bennie, born in 1911; and Jimmie, born in 1917. Mr. Harkless is an independent voter and is a member of the United Brethren Church.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 708-709.

Born September 2, 1837, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Cyrus W. Ray grew to manhood on the parental homestead, and there acquired a broad knowledge of the science of agriculture. After farming there for a few years on his own behalf, he migrated with his family to Iowa , where he was engaged as a tiller of the soil for five years. Disappointed in the results of his toil, he came back as far as Indiana , and settled in Adams County , where he carried on general farming successfully until his death, April 22, 1906. He was a man of sterling worth, and one of the more highly respected men of his community. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary J. Hendricks, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, December 8, 1843, and died in Adams County, Indiana, June 10, 1914. They were the parents of six children, as follows: John M., Lydia E., Thomas F., Jesse A., Josiah B., and Hosea O. Both parents were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and reared their children in the same religious faith.

Acquiring his early education in the schools of Monroe Township , Jesse A. Ray began as a boy to assist his father on the home farm, obtaining a practical knowledge of agriculture that has since been of inestimable value to him in his favorite pursuit. Becoming a farmer from inclination and choice, Mr. Ray has now a half interest in a ninety-five acre farm, pleasantly located three miles southeast of Decatur . This farm is under a good state of culture, and constitutes with its substantial improvements one of the most desirable pieces of property in the neighborhood.

Mr. Ray has been twice married. He married first, April 22, 1892, Lucretia Smith, daughter of Barclay and Amanda Smith. She died in early womanhood, leaving four children, Grover, Loma, Homer P. and Burman C. Mr. Ray married second, March 16, 1908, Edith Beaber, who was born in Huntington Township , Huntington County, Indiana . Her parents, Rev. Thomas and Emma A. Beaber, were natives of Tuscarawas County , Ohio , but spent the larger part of their married life in Indiana , both dying in this state. Beside their daughter, Edith , Rev. Thomas and Mrs. Beaber reared four other children, Ralph V, Elsie L., Grace E., and Milton F. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ray four children have been born, namely: Charles Doyle, born in 1910, Gerald Albert, born in 1911, Oscar Thomas, born in 1913; and Floyd J., born in 1915. Politically Mr. Ray is a democrat, and religiously he and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church .

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 717-718.

Mr. Baker was born in Champaign County , Ohio , May 15, 1846, a son of Jacob and Sarah (Hower) Baker. His parents came originally from York County , Pennsylvania , were pioneers in Clark County , Ohio , and about 1828 settled in Champaign County of that state. On both sides the family is of German stock. When Philip Baker was ten years old, in August, 1856, his parents moved to Adams County and a year later settled upon the farm in Root Township where Mr. Baker now lives. This was a tract of wild land comprising eighty acres, and it improvements as well as its subsequent care and productive development have been the work and result of constant expenditure of labor upon the part of the Baker family.

Jacob Baker was long and prominently known in Adams County , and died here in July, 1893. He had survived his wife many years, her death having occurred in 1863, when Philip was seventeen years old. They had a large family of children, named: Susanna, deceased; Phillip; Joseph, deceased; William H.; Mary E., deceased; John M.; Sarah E., deceased; and Thomas A. deceased.

Mr. Philip Baker was reared and educated in Adams County, attended the common schools of Root Township, and his early training and discipline on the home farm fitted him for the vocation which he followed for many years. For fourteen years Mr. Baker lived in Decatur and was engaged in the manufacture of saddle stirrups. In January, 1894, he bought the old homestead from his father’s estate and has managed it so as to provide amply for the needs of his family and to produce a reasonable competence for his later years. Mr. Baker is a democrat in politics, though more and more inclined to independence in casting his vote. He is affiliated with St. Mary’s Lodge No. 167 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Decatur . He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

November 18, 1877, Mr. Baker married Nancy B. Kimsey, daughter of William and Nancy Kimsey. Her brothers and sisters were: John, deceased; Sarah E.; William T.; Robert N., deceased; Joseph F., deceased; Mary E., deceased; and Emma, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Baker’s children are Bertha A., who married Emerson Elzey and lived in Van Wert County, Ohio; Charles E., who married Flossie Bolinger and lives at Decatur; Harvy M., who married Augusta Ketchum; Alva D. who married Annota M. Dailey, of Root Township; Franklin O., who married Opal Butcher, of Root Township; Lola D. and Lulu B., twins and Carl, deceased. Of the twin daughters, Lola married William J. McCague, and Lulu is now deceased. The grandchildren are: The two children of Alva D. are Philip D. and Forest; Franklin O. has three children, Otis Melroy, Kenneth C. and Vernon M.; Mrs. Lola D. McCague has two children Frances B. and Philip A.; Mrs. Bertha Elzey has one child, Dorothy L.; Charles Edward has two children, Mildred and Charles E., Jr.; Harvy M. has one child, Marion H.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 726-727.

He and his family are well known in Adams and Allen counties. Mr. Schieferstein was born in Marion Township of Allen County , January 9, 1872. He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Brown) Schieferstein, old time residents of Allen County . George Schieferstein came to the United States from Prussia , Germany , in 1850. He was a single man then, had given service for three years in the German army, and came to this country in company with the Brown family, whose daughter he afterward married. His first home in Indiana was a small log cabin about five miles from Fort Wayne on the Peter Smith farm. He lived there about two years, and his principal occupation was cutting cord wood at 20 cents a cord. He was poor but industrious, a man of strict probity, got along well with his neighbors, and in the course of time his labors began to show fruit. In 1861 he bought a farm of his own, consisting of eighty acres, and from that time forward his prosperity has been on the increase. The land which he bought was acquired by Government title and was in an absolutely primitive condition. He cleared away a few acres and built the humble home in which his son Phil and six other children were born. Four of the family are still living: Harry, Fred, Phil and George. The daughter Christina died several years ago.

George Schieferstein in 1881 bought fifty-five acres in Root Township of Adams County, and this is the land now occupied by Henry Schieferstein. Phil Schieferstein grew up at the old home in Allen County , acquired a common school" education, and by experience and observation has perfected himself as a practical and progressive farmer. His home is in Root Township , a short distance from the old Village of Monmouth and about three miles north of Decatur .

Phil Schieferstein married Miss Ada May Lewton, daughter of L. W. and Mary Lewton, of Monmouth, Root Township . To their marriage were born three children, Thurman D., Marlow F. and Elizabeth Hattie. These children have all had the advantages of the local district and high schools. Mrs. Schieferstein has brothers and sisters named C. D., Amos, Edgar, Effie M. and Daisy. Effie married L. W. Frank and Daisy married Vesta Brokaw.

Mr. Schieferstein bought two other farms in Root Township , the McConnell and Bottenberg farms, comprising altogether 117 acres. The family are members of the Lutheran Church .

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 727.

Joseph Frisinger was born in Ohio , of German parentage, in 1836, and his wife, whose maiden name was Martha Smith, was born in 1837, in Indiana , of pure Scotch ancestry. Both are living, as are all of their five children, four of whom are married and have homes of their own.

Receiving a liberal education when young, John M. Frisinger taught school for seven years, a part of which time he had charge of schools in Ohio . Retiring from his professional labors, he entered upon an entirely different career in June, 1895, exporting a load of horses to Germany, being the second man in the United States to embark in that industry. His first shipment, which consisted of good draft horses, he sold immediately, the demand for that kind of horses in Germany exceeding the supply. Continuing in that profitable industry until 1900, while operating in Germany , he sold draft horses to Swedish, Danish and Russian dealers, sometimes making two trips a year across the Atlantic . In the fall of 1900, Mr. Frisinger, while at the Paris Exposition, became convinced of the merits of the Belgian horses, and on his return to Indiana brought with him twelve registered stallions, for which he found ready sale. Some of the stallions are still in use in Adams County , and many of the descendants of that first dozen are in the county. Since that time he has imported Percherons which, like the Belgians, are held in high estimation by horse breeders in all parts of the country. Mr. Frisinger continued the business until the breaking out of the war, his last importation having been in the fall of 1913. He imported stallions that weighed 2400 pounds, and he has sold in Adams County seventy-nine horses, and in nearby counties over 100 horses, receiving about $2,500 apiece for them. Among the many fine horses which he has imported is the well known stallion “Balladier”, one of the very best in the country, and now owned by a Mercer County man. He has been an extensive breeder of his own account, for a time having had associated with him Eli Springer, who is now engaged in the same profitable business in Michigan.

Mr. Frisinger is now actively engaged in business in Decatur as a dealer in hay, and in Washington Township has a finely equipped farm of 300 acres, which he is managing successfully, getting satisfactory returns for the labor expended.

Mr. Frisinger married in Adams County , Mary J. Peterson, the descendant of a pioneer family of prominence, and a sister of the well known lawyer, Shaffer Peterson. Mr. and Mrs. Frisinger have six children, namely: Maynard, a former postmaster of Decatur, having been the youngest person to be appointed to a presidential position in the state, now in business with his father, married Mary Daily and has three children, Margaret, Robert and Elizabeth; Fannie, a graduate of the Indiana University, married Roger Gipe, an American soldier in the World’s war; John F., also a graduate of the State University, and now manager in Akron, Ohio, of the productive department of the Rubber Works, is a volunteer in the American army and has joined the forces; Mary, who attended Miami University, of Oxford, Ohio, two years, and the Indiana University three years; Ruth, a pupil in the Decatur High School; and Richard, a school boy. Politically Mr. Frisinger is a republican and served as national elector on the ticket when Taft was elected. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has recently enlarged his activities by entering into the Southern lumbar business. He has taken over a 3,000 acre plantation in Louisiana , Concordia, Paris County , which has a fine body of virgin hardwood timber.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 732-733.

A native of Pennsylvania , Gideon Bowman wended his way westward to Indiana when young, settling in Adams County . He subsequently bought 120 acres of land in French Township , and with true pioneer courage began the improvement of a homestead. Laboring day in and out, he cleared the farm on which he and his wife spent their remaining days. He married Alice Sutbine, a native of France, and they reared a family of six children, as follows: Isaac J. of this sketch; Angeline, deceased, was the wife of Henry J. Derr; A. M., living east of Decatur, Indiana; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. E. P. Davenport of Craigville, Indiana; Lauretta, wife of Frank Randall of Lancaster Township, Wells County; and Nettie, widow of Charles Shaffer.

Spending his early life in French Township , Isaac J. Bowman was educated in the district schools, and on the home farm, where he lived until twenty-one years old, acquired a varied and practical experience in the science of agriculture. Ambitious and enterprising, he then began the struggle of life for himself by buying forty-four acres of land in French Township , and running in debt for a part of the purchase price. But, with the resolute spirit of sturdy manhood, Mr. Bowman set to work with a determination to succeed, and ere many years had slipped by he had not only cleared his farm of indebtedness, but had added to its original acreage by purchase, and now has a finely improved estate of 245 acres, on which he is carrying on general farming and stock raising after the latest approved methods.

Mr. Bowman has been twice married. He married first Anna Houck. She died in early womanhood, leaving one son. Van Bowman, a farmer in Monroe Township . Mr. Bowman married for his second wife Maryette Urick, and to them four children have been born, namely: Josephine, wife of Art Baumgartner of Decatur , Indiana ; Mary, living at home; Harvey, also living with his parents; and one child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are valued members of the Zion Church and generous contributors towards its support. Politically Mr. Bowman is an active and useful member of the democratic party, and though not an aspirant for official favors has served as township supervisor.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 734-735.

Doctor Mangold is a product of Decatur, having been born in that city August 18, 1883, a son of Noah and Rachael (Weldy) Mangold. His maternal grandfather, Daniel Weldy, was born in Fairfield County , Ohio , and at an early date came with his wife to Adams County , Indiana , locating on a farm in Kirkland Township , where they passed the remaining years of their lives. Mrs. Weldy died many years ago, but Mr. Weldy survived until September 15, 1915, having attained the remarkable age of ninety-two years. He was a democrat in politics, was prominent in his community, and at one time served in the capacity of county commissioner. Fraternally, he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Noah Mangold was born in Fairfield County , Ohio , April 22, 1853, and as a lad of ten years came to Adams County , Indiana , with his parents, Abraham Mangold and wife. The family made a settlement in Preble Township , where, on a farm the grandparents passed the remainder of their lives, dying when pas eighty years of age. They were members of the German Reformed Church, and Mr. Mangold, who was well known and infuential in his community, was justice of the pearce during a long period. After their marriage, Noah Mangold and his wife located at Dectur, where Mr. Mangold engaged in the butter and egg business. Subsequently he was in the hardward business, then became a dealer in horses, was for forty years county auditor of Adams County , and then became proprietor of a racket store. For the past six years he has represented the National Mill Supply Company of Fort Wayne , but makes his headquarters and home at Decatur . Both Mr. and Mrs. Mangold are well and favorably known here and have numberous friends who have been attracted to them by their many excellencies of heart and mind. Mr. Mangold is a democrat and has been quite active in local politics. Mrs. Mangold belongs to the Christian Church. They are the parents of the following children: Burt; Arthur, a member of the firm of Mangold & Baker, grocers of Decatur, is married and has a daughter, Helen; Ireta, who died at the age of six years; and Glen, a graduate of the Decatur High School, class of 1914, is cashier of the Fisher-Harris Grocery.

Burt Mangold grew up at Decatur , where he attended the grammar and high schools, and, having early made his choice of profession, was graduated from the Indiana Dental College , Indianapolis , in 1905, before he was twenty-two years of age. Returning at once to Decatur , he began his practice, and now has a large and representative practice. He is a most excellent practitioner, skilled, conscientious and progressive, and from the very first has prospered. He has gained the full confidence of the people, not only as a professional man, but as a good citizen. keeping fully abreast of his profession, he belongs to the Indiana State Dental Association, and the Northern Indial Dental Society, and also holds memberhsip in the National Preparedness League, a scharitable organization, as a member of which he does dental work for the needy soldiers without charge. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, The American Yeomen, the Knights of Maccabees, the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a democrat, but his profession has demanded his time and he has found no leisure of participation in politics. In all progressive movement he has taken a creditable part and his good citizenship has never been doubted. Doctor Mangold and his wife are memberso the Christian Church, in which he is serving as a member of the board of trustees and financial secretary.

Doctor Mangold was married at Monroe, Adams County , to Miss Nora Andrews, who was born in Washington Township , Adams County , June 11, 1887. She grew up and was educated there and later at marion, and prior to her marriage was a teacher for several years. Doctor and Mrs. Mangold have no children.

Submitted by: Margie Pearce
Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Vol. II, John W. Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh; Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co, 1918, p. 740-741.