Mr. Gaunt was born on this farm December 8, 1879, son of Lafayette and Polly (Swygart) Gaunt. His father was a native of Fairfield County , Ohio , and his mother of Van Wert County, Ohio. Each family came to Adams County in the early days and Lafayette and wife were married here and at once located on the farm where their only son and child now lives and where the parents spent their last years. Lafayette Gaunt was a republican in politics.

Ola L. Gaunt grew up in this locality, had a public school education, and has found abundance of opportunity for good honest work and to provide for himself and family on the old homestead. He owns 100 acres of good land, and has had much success in the breeding of Poland China hogs.

Mr. Gaunt married Clara Worden. They have three sons: Roy D., born December 12, 1896; Arthur K., born in April, 1899, and educated in the local schools; and Zelno W., born July 8, 1905. The son Roy was educated in the public schools and in the Fort Wayne Biblical College, and for the past three years has been a preacher of the Evangelical Association. He was regularly ordained a minister of that faith in April, 1918. The mother of these sons died in 1906, and Mr. Gaunt married for his second wife Goldie P. Breiner. They have two young children: Rolland R. and Mary H. Mr. Gaunt is affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose at Decatur and in politics is a republican.

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. 826-827.

Edward L. Foreman was born on the old homestead in Blue Creek Township , January 1, 1870, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Crandall) Foreman. His grandfather Henry Foreman was a native of Germany and was an early settler in Fayette County , Pennsylvania , where Joseph Foreman was born in 1817. About 1821 Henry Foreman took his family to Butler County , Ohio , and was one of the pioneers in that wilderness section of country. Joseph Foreman grew to manhood in Butler County , had only a common school education, and about 1849 came to Indiana . He was a man of few resources at the time and for a number of years depended on his bare hands as the best means to assist him to independence. In 1857 he came to Adams County , Indiana , and bought a tract of land almost completely covered by heavy timber. He did the pioneer work of clearing it up, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1884, he owned an estate of 700 acres. He was rated as one of the most successful farmers and stock raisers in that part of Adams County . Politically he was a democrat. In 1850 he married Miss Rebecca Crandall, a native of Ohio but reared from girlhood in Indiana . Of their eleven children seven are still living: Elsie, wife of Isaac Emery; Amos, who is in the butcher business at Puyallup , Washington ; Robert, of Grant County, Indiana; James, of Blue Creek Township ; Frank, a barber at Berne ; Edward L., and W. W. Foreman, a railroad man.

Edward L. Foreman grew up on the home farm in Blue Creek Township , had a district school education, and at the age of sixteen started out to make a living for himself. He followed various occupations, but after his marriage acquired part of the old homestead and has since given it his most methodical and careful attention, with results known to all residents in that community.

March 26, 1891, Edward L. Foreman married Miss Virgie C. Irwin. Mrs. Foreman was born in Licking County , Ohio . They have four living children: Claude M., who was cashier of the Western Oil and Refining Company and now in the United States Army at Camp Taylor ; Charles E., a graduate of the Indianapolis Business College and now connected with the insurance department of the Knights of Pythias; Mamie, at home; and Minnie, wife of Frank Myers. Mrs. Foreman is a member of the Evangelical Church . In politics Mr. Foreman is a democrat.

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. 828.

Mr. Case was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, April 3, 1862, a son of Washington and Catherine (Tupinger) Case. His parents were natives of the same county and spent their lives there. They had six children, four living at the present time: John L., of Van Wert County; Warren J., of Van Wert County; Ida M., wife of S. H. Teeple, of Geneva Indiana; and Andrew J. The father married for his second wife Vitha Winings.

Andrew J. Case spent the first fourteen years of his life in his native county and since then has lived in Adams County and practically in the same locality. In 1884 he married Miss Mary E. Watkins, daughter of Jesse Watkins. After his marriage Mr. Case settled on the farm where he now lives and for over thirty years has quietly and unassumingly performed his tasks and responsibilities, has provided well for his growing family, and has one of the valuable farms of that community, comprising 103 acres.

Mr. and Mrs. Case have the following children: Jesse, who married Alta Hawk, and lives a mile west of Pleasant Mills; Rufus, who married Mary Matthewson and lives at Middleton, Michigan; Marion, who graduated from the high school at Wiltshire (sic), Ohio, is now a soldier in the National Army stationed at Camp Taylor; Roy and Mary E., both at home.

The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pleasant Mills. Mr. Case has been a member of that church since he was fourteen ears old and is one of the trustees. Politically he is a democrat and has done much to build up and keep the party organization in his county. He has served as a member of the County Central Committee and is now candidate for county recorder.

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. 827.

Mr. Rich was born in French Township of Adams County November 8, 1860, a son of Joseph and Ann ie (Moser) Rich. Both parents were natives of Basle , Switzerland , the father being brought to this country when four years of age, at which time his parents joined the Swiss colony in Adams County . When about twenty-one Joseph Rich married and went to work to develop 160 acres of land. It is said that his industry and ambition led him to work almost night and day until he had accomplished his object of clearing his farm and endowing it with the improvements which he desired. His first home was a log cabin, and within those humble quarters six children were born and three others came to the light of day in a more substantial structure which replaced the old home. These children were named Peter, Barbara, Joseph J., Chris T., Nicholas, John, Ann ie, Mary and David.

Peter Rich married, March 19, 1887, Catherine Roth. Her parents were also natives of Switzerland and her father came to this country when about twenty-one and her mother at the age of six years. The Roth family acquired 240 acres in French Township and were active members of the Mennonite Church in that locality. Mrs. Rich grew up and was educated in French Township , where her father died in February, 1880, and her mother in April, 1883. Mrs. Rich's brothers and sisters were Lydia , Peter, John, Rosa and Jacob, and two who died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Rich have three children: Joseph C., Eli and Edward. Joseph married Vera W. Andrews and has one child, Janette Alice. Eli married Ollie Andrews and also has one child, Paul Revere. Mr. and Mrs. Rich and family are members of the Mennonite Church and in politics he is a democrat.

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. 830-831.

This farm where he was born and where he now lives is near Washington Church in section 18 of Washington Township , five miles southwest of Decatur . He was born there October 23, 1853, son of Thomas and Eliza (Ball) Johnston. His father, who was a native of Maryland , went with his parents to Tuscarawas County , Ohio , where he grew to manhood and where he married his first wife. Impelled by the desire for new land in a less densely populated section he came to Adams County in pioneer days and here entered a quarter section from the Government in section 18, Washington Township . Thomas Johnston did much of the heavy work of clearing and improving on that land, and its first crops were grown from his planting. His first wife died there and all their four children are now deceased. He married for his second wife Eliza Ball, daughter of James Ball. Thirteen children were born to the second marriage, and those still living are: Rebecca, widow of Charles F. Chaney of Plymouth, Indiana; Martha J., wife of George Christ of Richland Township; Abner S. of Kansas City; Barton B. of Linn County, Kansas; Rachel A., wife of Abe Stoneburner of Decatur; Miss Mary L. of Decatur.

Jacob W. Johnston as a boy attended district school near the old homestead, and at the same time developed his strength by the duties of the farm. Some years after reaching manhood on April 27, 1888, he married Miss Sarah E. Burkhead. She was born in Illinois but was reared and educated in the schools of Adams County , Indiana . Seven children have been born to their marriage: Mary A., wife of Dallas Grim; John F. of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Ada L., wife of William Martin; Eliza, wife of Edward Arnold; Thomas V., of Decatur; Elmer D., unmarried and at home; and Ann a P., wife of Roy Jahn, who is now in the United States army at Camp Taylor.

The Johnston family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington Township and Mr. Johnston is one of the church trustees. He belongs to the Adams County Detective Association and in politics is a democrat. His farm consists of 100 acres that has produced probably fifty or sixty crops and is still fertile, productive, under a high state of cultivation and one of the best farms and finest homesteads in the county.

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. 835-836.

Mr. Rawley has lived on his farm in Washington Township since 1882. He was born in Wabash Township of Adams County October 23, 1847, and he grew up and received his education here. He was one of a large family of children born to Tilmon and Elizabeth (Harshbarger) Rawley. Tilmon Rawley was born in Rockingham County , Virginia , in October, 1812, and his father was a native of England . His mother was of German stock. In 1840 the Rawley family moved to Wabash Township of Adams County, but two years later returned to Clarke County , Ohio , where for several years Tilmon was engaged in merchandising. He finally returned to his farm in Wabash Township , and he lived there until his death when about sixty years of age. The Rawleys were members of the Dunkard Church , and the father of Tilmon Rawley having grown up in Virginia came to hate the institution of slavery and was a stanch abolitionist. As a party man he was first a whig and afterwards a republican. Tilmon Rawley married in Clarke County , Ohio , Elizabeth Harshbarger, a native of that state. She was of German parentage. To their marriage were born eight children, six sons and two daughters. Tilmon Rawley for a time after his marriage farmed rented land and also engaged in merchandising, he accumulating over 800 acres of land, which he divided among his children before his death. He died at the age of sixty-three and his wife at sixty-four. Tilmon Rawley made his success in a very humble start. He had practically nothing when he went to Clarke County , Ohio , but in course of time developed a large farm and was a man of many resources. He and his wife were good Christian people, having been born in the Dunkard faith. Tilmon Rawley was a republican in politics.

In 1870 Mr. Jacob Rawley married Miss Rhoda Coverdale, member of an old and substantial family of Adams County . She was born in Muskingum County , Ohio , in 1853, and was three years of age when her parents Dr. Lemuel N. and Mary A. (Shaver) Coverdale moved to Allen County, Indiana. Her parents were also natives of Muskingum County , Ohio , and their eight daughters and three sons were all born in that section. Doctor Coverdale was widely known as a medical practitioner in Northeastern Indiana, and for a number of years practiced at Monmouth in Adams County . He finally retired to the farm now occupied by Mr. Jacob Rawley, and he died there when past seventy-five years of age. One of his sons is Jonas S. Coverdale, a prominent physician at Decatur .

After his marriage Mr. Jacob Rawley lived on his father's farm in Wabash Township and subsequently secured a farm in Blue Creek Township . While there his good wife passed away in 1878 in the prime of life. She was the mother of two children. Nelson Tilmon, the older, was born in 1876 and died in 1898. Mary S., the only surviving child, was born in 1878 in Blue Creek Township and was educated in Washington Township . She is the wife of Mr. E. T. Jones, who was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, forty-seven years ago, was well educated and for a number of years was a successful teacher. He is now active manager of the Rawley farm in Washington Township . Mr. and Mrs. Jones have one daughter, Rhoda Matilda, born December 27, 1903, and now a student in the eighth grade of the public schools. All the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pleasant Mills. Mr. Jacob Rawley is a republican.

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. 841-842.

The daily enthusiasm and the work to which Daniel A. Rumple devotes his time and energies is operating a farm in Jefferson Township of Adams County, the specialty of which is the breeding and raising of the big type Poland China hogs. Experts are pretty well agreed that no finer examples of the big type Poland Chinas are found anywhere than those constituting the Rumple herd. The head of his herd is Rumple's Wonder 101809, an animal which by its size and characteristics and breeding record has attracted attention from swine men all over the country.

Mr. Rumple's farm and the home of his industry is in Jefferson Township, 5y2 miles east and 2y2 miles north of Geneva and the same respective distances east and south of Berne. The Rumples are an old and prominent family of Jefferson Township and Mr. Rumple was born on a farm adjoining his home place July 25, 1889, a son of J. H. and Louisa (Kelley) Rumple. Both parents are still living. Daniel spent his boyhood days on the farm, was educated in the district schools during the winter, and at the age of twenty did his first work as a teacher. He taught three terms in Jefferson Township . After his marriage he went to farming and has made a success largely through concentrating upon his specialty. Mrs. Rumple is a loyal assistant and advisor in his business and is largely responsible for another specialty of the Rumple farm, the breeding of high class Brown Leghorn chickens. Mr. Rumple holds annual sales of his hogs and these sales are attended by swine men from all this part of the country and there is keen competition among them for the animals offered for sale. Mr. Rumple is also a stockholder in the Berne Grain & Hay Company, is a stockholder in the Pure Serum Plant at Thorntown , Indiana , is a stockholder in the National Poland China Association of Winchester, Indiana, and is a member of the Evangelical Association and is teacher and treasurer of its Sunday school.

In 1898 Mr. Rumple married Miss Emma Booher, who was born in Jefferson Township and was educated here in the common schools. They have one daughter, Mayme A., born in March, 1899.

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. 846-847.

Mr. Teeple was born in St. Mary's Township of Adams County, Indiana, on May 7, 1855. His birthplace was where the village of Revere now stands. He is a son of James B. and Mary (Smith) Teeple, both natives of Ohio , his father of Franklin County and his mother of Fairfield County . His father was one of the successful agriculturists of Adams County from early manhood and married here Miss Mary Smith, who had come to the county at the age of two years. Isaac Teeple's maternal grandfather, Zachariah Smith, was the first elected sheriff of Adams County . He was born in Ohio in 1809 and in 1835 came with his wife and family to Adams County , Indiana , settling in St. Mary's Township. Upon the organization of the county he was elected sheriff and served two terms and made a splendid record as an officer. It was his unpleasant duty to escort the first convict sentenced in the county to prison. He also filled the office of assessor three terms, and was narrowly defeated as a candidate for the legislature. He helped lay out the county seat of Wells County . Zachariah Smith was drowned in the St. Mary's River on July 7, 1844, while endeavoring to cross that stream on an unselfish mission in behalf of a sick person.

Isaac Teeple was reared on the old farm in St. Mary's Township and derived his early advantages from the district schools. At the age of twenty-one he married Miss Rachel S. Moser of Van Wert County, Ohio. After their marriage they lived in St. Mary's Township four years and then moved to Jefferson Township . At the present time Mr. Teeple owns 290 acres of highly improved and valuable land in both Wabash and Jefferson townships.

He was one of the organizers of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank at Geneva and has been vice president since the organization. He is especially well known over this part of the state for his business as a livestock dealer and buys, sells and ships large numbers of hogs, sheep and cattle from the primary points of production to the markets. Politically Mr. Teeple is a republican. His wife is an active member of the Christian Church. They have a family of seven children: David H., Lola G., James L., Joseph, Ray, Fay and Paul.

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. 848-849.

Mr. William Lammert was born in Preble Township of Adams County November 3, 1857, a son of William and Elizabeth Lammert. The parents were both born in Germany , came to this country in 1842, and a few years later invaded the wilderness of Adams County and secured a tract of eighty acres of completely new land, covered with woods and without any improvements worthy of the name. William Lammert, Sr., had a big task before him in felling the trees, digging up the stumps, getting the virgin soil under the plow, draining the low spots and otherwise developing a farm, but he did a man's part and both success and esteem came to him as one of the good and true men of the county. He and his wife lived long and industrious and useful years and both passed away in 1893, the father in the summer and the mother in the fall. William Lammert, Sr., paid $500 for his first eighty acres of land in Adams County . That same land today at a most conservative value would be worth at least ten times as much.

William Lammert, Jr., grew up in Preble Township , had the environment of the home farm for his scenes of youthful play and training and was educated in the public schools. He has one sister living, Mrs. Earnest Schlickman, and a half-sister, Mrs. William Hilgeman. Those deceased are Henry Hildebrand and Lizzie Hildebrand.

William Lammert lived on the home farm in Preble Township where all his children were born till he sold it and purchased a 120-acre farm l/2 miles northeast of Berne . Here he farmed for seven years and then sold this place and purchased what was known as the John Bogner farm containing 165 acres, 100 acres being river bottom land along the St. Mary River. After living on this for two years he traded it for the farm he now owns and which was all cleared and improved. After closing this deal Mr. Lammert retired from active life and turned the farm over to his two sons who now run it. Mr. Lammert owns a house in Decatur and here he now lives as a retired farmer. He is sixty-three years old and in good health. He married Elizabeth Scherry and they became the parents of six children, Otto, Bertha, Rhoda, Hulda, Anthony and Albert, all living.

Mrs. Lammert's parents also came from Germany and were pioneers of Preble Township , where her father bought forty acres from the Government and later sixty acres more. Both families have always been members of the Reformed Church, and Mr. and Mrs. Lammert give their active support to that denomination. Mr. Lammert is a democratic voter.

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. 849.

He was born in Hocking County, Ohio, April 9, 1862, a son of Abel G. and Sarah J. (Moffit) Poling. His father was a native of Hocking County and his mother of Pennsylvania . After their marriage in Ohio they lived on a farm in Hocking County until 1866, when they brought their family to Adams County and first located in Washington Township . Later they bought eighty acres in Kirkland Township and that was their home during the rest of their active years. The father finally retired to Decatur where he died in October, 1901. His wife passed away March 3, 1891. Abel Poling was prominently identified with the Washington Methodist Episcopal Church, serving it as class leader, trustee, and superintendent of the Sunday school. Politically he was a republican. He had seven children, and five are still living: Arminda E., wife of William Russell of Fort Wayne ; Miss Maggie; Charles B.; Robert W. and John W., twins, the former of Decatur and the later of Dunkirk , Indiana ; and the son Levi died December 5, 1917.

Charles B. Poling was old enough to have a few conscious recollections of the removal of the family from Ohio to Adams County . He grew up at the home of his father, attended the district schools, and was trained for a teacher in the county normal school. While living at home he taught school for eleven years.

On March 27, 188, Mr. Poling married Ida K. Parish. She is a native of Adams County and was born on the farm where she now resides April 6, 1865. She also had a public school education and attended the county normal, and for about three terms was a teacher. After their marriage Mr. And Mrs. Poling rented land for a year, then bought a farm near their present place, and from it came to the old Parish farm where they now reside. This is located on Rural Route No. 5, 4 ½ miles southwest of Decatur . The Poling farm consists of 101 2/3 acres and is one of the highly productive places of that community. Mr. Poling has had much success in the breeding of registered hogs and sheep. They are the parents of three children: Rolland G., at home; Mary N., a graduate of the Decatur High School and also at home; and D. Merle, who went from the Decatur High School into the Angola Normal School and has been successful as a teacher. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Poling is a trustee and class leader. He belongs to the Adams County Detective Association and is a republican 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. 850-851.

Mr. Rumple was born in Jefferson Township April 13, 1883, a son of John H. and Louisa (Kelley) Rumple. His parents were also natives of Jefferson Township , and spent their active careers as farmers and good citizens. His father acquired a large amount of land in the township. He was an active democrat. Of the six children five aue still living: D. A. Rumple of Jefferson Township; Cora E., wife of J. H. Yehr of Bluffton; Jonathan; Alta M., wife of J. L. Buryer; Cleo, unmarried and living at home.

Jonathan Rumple was educated in the district schools and since early youth has manifested special ability in handling stock. Besides directing the operations of Mulberry Stock Farm, he is an extensive dealer in hogs and cattle and his farm comprises 160 acres, and in many respects its condition and improvements rank it as one of the best farms in the county. In 1916 he erected a modern home, and it is.modern in every sense of the word, and might without disparagement be placed side by side with the best of city homes. Mr. Rumple has installed all the conveniences usually found in cities, including an individual electric light plant, a hot and cold running water bath facilities, and it is such a home as to satisfy the ambitions of himself and wife and in which they may be well satisfied to rear their children.

June 30, 1904, Mr. Rumple married Miss Sarah A. Booher, daughter of I. D. and Mary C. (Heinz) Booher. Mrs. Rumple was reared and educated in Jefferson Township . They have three children, Henry I., born April 14, 1908; V. Ruth, born April 19, 1911; and Robert J., born October 14, 1917.

Isaac D. Booher, father of Mrs. Rumple, was born at Dayton , Ohio , October 23, 1841, son of Daniel and Ann a ( Clark ) Booher. He spent his early life on a farm, and after his marriage to Catherine Heinz, who was born in Bavaria , Germany , February 4, 1841, he continued farming in Montgomery County, Ohio , until 1874, when he removed to Jefferson Township of Adams County. He and his wife had eight children, Mrs. Rumple being next to the youngest. Mr. Booher is still living in Jefferson Township .

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. 850-851.

Dr. McKean was born in Washington Township of Adams County April 8, 1873, a son of John W. and Lydia (Stalter) McKean, the former a native of Harrison County and the latter of Allen County, Ohio. They married and lived for a number of years in Allen County before coming to Adams County , Indiana . In this county John W. McKean spent many years as an industrious and practical farmer, but finally retired and moved to Decatur. His wife having died, he went to live with his son at Linn Grove, and while there married a second time and he and his wife now live in Bluffton. There were ten children by the first marriage, seven of whom are still living. One of the sons is George E. McKean, former county surveyor of Adams County .

Dr. T. J. McKean spent his early life on a farm southwest of Decatur , and in his early years he aspired to some service and position not bounded by the horizon of the fields in which he worked. He attended the common schools, also the Monroe High School , and subsequently entered the Marion Normal School . For about six years he was one of the teachers of the county and largely through that profession paid his way through medical college. Doctor McKean entered the Indiana Medical College of Indianapolis in 1901 and graduated M. D. April 19, 1905. The following eighteen months he practiced at Monroe , but in September, 1906, moved to Linn Grove. He is a member in good standing of the Wells County and the State Medical Societies. Doctor McKean was for two years president of the Bank of Linn Grove, is still one of its stockholders, and among other property interests he owns considerable land in the county. He is a democrat in politics, is a member of the Evangelical Church at Linn Grove, is past grand of Linn Grove Lodge No. 683, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a member of the Encampment at Geneva , and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. Doctor McKean married Clara B. Yake of Adams County . They have one son, Gorman Ferdinand, now attending the public schools of Linn Grove.

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. 865-866.

Samuel H. Teeple was born in St. Mary's Township, Adams County, Indiana, July 19, 1857. His parents were James B. and Mary (Smith) Teeple, the former of whom was born in Fayette County, Ohio, and was yet young when he came to Indiana . The latter was also born in Ohio and was brought to Indiana in infancy. They grew up in the same neighborhood and married and a family of nine children was born to them, the survivors in 1917 being the following: Isaac, who is vice president of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank at Geneva; Samuel H., who was a member of the first board of directors of the above bank; Sarah, who is the widow of Alfred Ayers, lives in Monroe Township, Adams County; and Catherine, who is the wife of John L. Case of Van Wert, Ohio.

The district schools in St. Mary's Township afforded Samuel H. Teeple and his brother and sisters their educational training. Their father was always interested in the schools as he was in other uplifting agencies, and brought up his children in the Christian Church. He followed farming as a vocation and also worked at the carpenter.

Until he was thirty-five years old, Samuel H. Teeple confined his attention rather closely to farm pursuits. He came then to Geneva and for five years bought and shipped hay from this point, afterward being connected with other business lines and entering somewhat more actively into the political field, in which he has been a factor in the county since he was seventeen years old. For five years Mr. Teeple was interested in a sawmill and then turned his attention to merchandising and for five years more conducted a clothing and shoe business and then was appointed postmaster of Geneva, by former President Theodore Roosevelt. He served with complete efficiency in this office for four years. As an earnest citizen, Mr. Teeple has taken a deep interest in many worthy enterprises here and has given substantial support to many. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank, and, as mentioned above, was one of the first board of directors.

Mr. Teeple was married in early manhood to Miss Cora A. McCollum, who died October 29, 1910, survived by two sons: Jesse F., who is a salesman for the Holland Shoe Company; and James M.. who is in the dry cleaning and pressing business at Cambridge City , Indiana . Mr. Teeple was married second, in 1912. to Miss Ida May Case, who was born and reared in Van Wert County, Ohio.

In addition to some improved property at Geneva , Mr. Teeple owns an exceedingly fine farm of 125 acres and has interests in both Jefferson and Wabash counties. He is an active member in the United Brethren Church , being one of the first of his name to sever relations with the Christian Church body, but in both organizations he has been sincere and helpful and enjoys the esteem and confidence of every one.

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. 882-883.

Benjamin O. Jones is proprietor of the lumber yards at Geneva , and is one of the energetic and constructive factors in business affairs of Adams County . While he has lived in this county only a few years Mr. Jones represents a family that were pioneers here.

Mr. Jones was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, March 11, 1874, a son of Benjamin and Mary (Dailey) Jones. Benjamin Jones, a native of Medina County , Ohio , was brought to Adams County , Indiana , in 1846, when nine years of age. The Jones family located east of Decatur , in the midst of the heavy timber, and two years after they came here the father died and after that the support of the rest of the family devolved largely upon the youthful shoulders of young Benjamin. He worked hard, spending the winter months in the woods clearing the land for cultivation and was the mainstay of the family until he was twenty-four years of age. At that time he was called to the service of his country, enlisting in Company A of the Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry. After three years he veteranized, and altogether was in the army four years and four months, until the close of hostilities. He thus proved faithful to those primary interests which revolve around the family and its integrity and also to that patriotism which makes men give up their all and sacrifice everything for their country. At the end of the war he returned to Adams County and married Mary Dailey. Mary Dailey was born in Adams County , Indiana , in 1846, a daughter of James and Mary Dailey. She is still living in Van Wert County, Ohio, where they settled son after their marriage, and where Benjamin Jones, Sr., died in 1903. He was a republican and an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. One interesting relationship is that Benjamin Jones, Sr., had a grandmother on his father's side who was a niece of Benedict Arnold, whose name figures ingloriously in the annals of the American Revolution. Benjamin Jones and wife had thirteen children, all living except one: Emma, Eva D., Dailey, Esaies, Benjamin O., James, who died in infancy, Charles J., Harry O., Mary A., Harland H., Clyde C., Fred C., and Clara A.

Benjamin O. Jones spent his early life on his father' farm in Van Wert County, Ohio. He attended the district schools and the high school at Wren in that county, and he found ample employment for his energies at home until 1906. In that year, with the modest capital of $300, he started south and for three years was engaged in the lumber business. He bought a half section of timber land in Alabama. On returning north he started a lumber yard at Cayuga, Indiana, but after two years and eight months he came to Geneva in December, 1911, and bought his present business. His trade has grown rapidly and he now has one of the substantial concerns that make up the business prosperity of Geneva. Mr. Jones is also a stockholder in the Bank of Wren, Ohio.

In September, 1908, he married Esther A. Morgan, of Van Wert, Ohio. They had three children, Dailey M. and Henry J., still in the home circle, and Mary A., who died January 10, 1918. Mr. And Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Geneva and he is one of the church trustees. Politically he is a republican.

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. 878-879.

He is now comfortably situated as proprietor of a good farm of eighty acres two miles from Decatur in section 9 of Washington Township . He has his land thoroughly improved, with commodious farm buildings, including a comfortable residence of seven rooms, and a barn 36 by 56 feet. This has been his home for twenty-seven years, and practically every year good crops have responded as a reward of his labor and judicious management of the soil and its resources.

Mr. Barkley represents a rather old and widely honored name in this section of Indiana , where the Barkleys have lived for sixty years or more. Several different branches of the family have been in Adams County , and all of them trace their earlier ancestry back to the Pennsylvanians known as the Pennsylvania Dutch. Henry Barkley was born in Ashland County , Ohio , November 13, 1853. He was four years of age when his parents came to Adams County , Indiana . He is a son of Andrew and Hannah (Kahl) Barkley, also natives of Ohio . The father was born in 1823 and was a little older than his wife. He died June 27, 1890, and his widow survived him nearly a quarter of a century until September, 1914. They married in Ashland County , Ohio , and were farmers there as well as in Indiana . All their four children were born in Ashland County . Lovina, the oldest, who died September 14, 1915, was the wife of Emory Rummel, and by that marriage had ten children, two sons and eight daughters, all living now except the oldest child and all married and with children of their own except one son. The second in the family is Henry Barkley. The third, Catharine, died after her marriage to John Cook, who is now living in the West. They had a family of six children. James A., the youngest of the family, lives on a farm in Van Wert County, Ohio, and is married and has children.

When this branch of the Barkley family came to Adams County they settled on land in Union Township . They had little more than established themselves on that farm when Andrew Barkley left home to serve as a soldier in the Civil war. He was gone fourteen months and while he escaped actual wounds he suffered much from diarrhea and other diseases of the camp and returned home in greatly impaired health. He soon afterward left the farm and established a butcher shop at Decatur , operating it with a relative as partner. For some years they conducted this business and some of his surplus earnings he invested in the farm that is now owned by his son Henry in Washington Township . His wife and children lived on that farm and later he and his wife resided in Decatur until his death. The widowed mother spent most of her remaining years in the home of her son Henry. They were active members of the Evangelical Church of Decatur. Andrew Barkley was a democratic voter, and while living in Union Township before the war was appointed and served as the first land appraiser of the county.

Henry Barkley had only limited opportunities to obtain an education, and the only source of instruction he had was the common schools of the country district. But he has kept himself well informed on the issues of life and has always maintained the reputation of a man of direct honesty and one who fails in none of those essential services that make up good neighborliness and true citizenship. He has lived most of the years of an average lifetime and yet has never been sued nor has he sued anyone as a means of obtaining justice.

In Van Wert County, Ohio, Mr. Barkley married Caroline Whitenbarger. She was born and educated in that county, her birth occurring October 25, 1860. Her birthplace was within half a mile of the Indiana State line. Mrs. Barkley died at the home farm in Washington Township of Adams County August 26, 1915. She was a daughter of Joseph and Susanna (Rummler) Whitenbarger, both natives of Ohio . Her parents married in Van Wert County and her mother died there when about fifty-six years of age and her father afterwards moved out to Kansas and died at the age of about seventy. He was at one time reckoned the wealthiest farmer in Harrison Township of Van Wert County, and was otherwise well known throughout that section of Western Ohio . He was a very decided republican in politics and his wife was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church . In the Whitenbarger family were four sons and four daughters, and only one son is now living.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barkley. Curtis A., who died in Washington Township several years ago, married Jessie Bossimor of Adams County , who survives him, but their only child, a son, died three weeks after the death of the father. Jessie A., the second child, is the wife of Clay Engle, a farmer in Washington Township . They have a daughter, Bernice Marie, now a student in the public schools. Mary is the wife of Cecil Harvey, a farmer in Union Township , and their family consists of two daughters, Mabel and Gladys. Glenn E., the only surviving son of Mr. and Mrs. Barkley, is thirteen years of age and is now a student in the high school at Decatur . Mr. Barkley has always been an active member of the Evangelical Church and his wife was a devout worshiper in the same faith. He is now and for years has served as trustee, is head of the building committee, and both through official and private relations has done all he could to support and keep up the "church as an institution and a beacon light in the community. Politically he is a democrat.

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. 888-890.

His place comprises eighty acres of land in section 32 of Washington Township . When he bought the land only about eight acres were partly cleared, but all is now under improvement except a valuable wood lot of three acres of native timber. The improvements alone would represent a modest fortune. Mr. Corson has built for his stock one of the largest barns in the township, 100 by 60 feet. Around and near it are various other buildings for some special purpose. His home is a substantial structure of nine rooms.

Mr. Corson has always been known in this section for his ability as a stock raiser. Up to 1906 for fourteen years he had one of the best herds of high grade Shorthorn cattle in the county. Perhaps his farm has received the greatest publicity and advertising because of the herd of deer which he kept there from 1900 to 1917. He had a park especially set aside for these fine animals, and he took a great deal of pride and showed a great deal of attention to handling and looking after them. He refused to sell any of the deer. Recently some epidemic struck the herd and killed all except a fawn seven days old, which he still keeps. Mr. Corson came to Adams County from Shelby County, Ohio, in 1883. He was born in Fayette County of that state December 30, 1847. In 1856 at the age of nine years he went with his widowed mother to Shelby County , when that was still a somewhat new and sparsely settled district. According to popular tradition many witches were still in the woods of Shelby County and the superstitious and ignorant ascribed most of their ills to the presence of these evil spirits. Mr. Corson's paternal grandparents came from Rockingham County , Virginia , and were early settlers on a farm in Fayette County , Ohio . His grandmother died there in 1856, and his grandfather six or seven years prior to that, so that Mr. Corson knew very little of them as a boy. They were all members of the Primitive Baptist Church and the family for generations supplied democratic voters. Mr. Corson's father was Abraham Corson, who spent practically all his life in Fayette County , Ohio , where he died in the prime of life. His death was the result of an accident while he was engaged in repairing a water power sawmill. Abraham Corson married Diana Couts, who was born in Shelby County, Ohio. After the death of her husband she moved with her family to Shelby County , and there married Jacob Consolver. In 1885 she went west and settled fifty-two miles west of Aberdeen , South Dakota , where she died at the age of seventy-eight. Her husband was past eighty when he died. Mr. and Mrs. Consolver had two sons and two daughters.

John B. Corson is the oldest of five sons and one daughter of his father's children still living, and one son is deceased. All those living are married except one. John B. Corson grew up in Shelby County, Ohio, and lived at home on his mother's farm. He acquired an education rather better than that supplied to most of the country boys of his time.

Mr. Corson married for his first wife Mrs. Selma Watkins, who brought him a family of two daughters and one son, all of whom are now married. Mr. and Mrs. Corson had five sons, and of the triplets, two died in infancy. The survivor, Victor, now lives in Porter County, Indiana; Ross also lives in Porter County and the whereabouts of Frank is unknown. Mrs. Selma Corson died in 1884, her youngest child being about eighteen months old. Three years later Mr. Corson married his second wife being Mrs. Martha Lahabrun, a widow with three young daughters. These children were the greatest comfort to both Mr. and Mrs. Corson and all of the girls married neighbor boys and two of Mr. Corson's sons married in Porter County . They all have families and good homes. After sixteen years of married life Mrs. Corson died and in 1905 Mr. Corson rented his farm to the youngest girl's husband. On June 1, 1906, Mr. Corson started for the Pacific Coast where three of his brothers are living. He stopped off in South Dakota to visit a brother and sister. He remained all that winter at Seattle , Washington , where one brother lives and at Koose Bay , Oregon , where the other two live. In the spring of 1907 while visiting a neighbor near Germantown , Ohio , he met a widow with one child. In the fall of the year they married and Mr. Corson lived on his wife's farm for three years, renting his Indiana farm. At the end of that time they came to live on the Indiana place. About Thanksgiving Day, 1913, Mrs. Corson went to Ohio to visit her daughter and here took sick and died and was buried with her first husband.

For his present wife Mr. Corson married in Adams County April 9, 1914, Malinda Good, who was born in Washington Township June 16, 1860. She is a daughter of Jacob and Ann a (Beery) Good, both natives of Ohio , her mother of Fairfield County where the parents married. After the birth of their children, Mary and Solomon Good, Mrs. Corson's parents moved to Adams County , Indiana , locating in the woods in section 18 of Washington Township . Their first home was a log cabin and they lived with its modest comforts until the parents were able to build a better structure which is still standing. Her father died there in 1888 at the age of seventy-five. He was an active democrat. His widow passed away some years later in December, 1907, at the home of a son in Dayton , being at the time eighty-nine years of age. The Good family were active members of the River Brethren Church . After they came to Adams County seven more children were born, and of these nine three sons and four daughters are still living and all are married and have children. Mrs. Corson first married Lewis Andrews, who died in 1910. By that union she became the mother of eight children, all of whom are now deceased except two. One, Mrs. Ann a Maloney, died leaving three children, Edith, Winifred and Galley. Another, Mrs. Amy Smith, died leaving a son, Glenn. Among the other children of Mrs. Corson now deceased were Fannie, who died at the age of nineteen, and Lauran E., Lydia L., and Floyd, who died when quite young. The two living children of Mrs. Corson are: Virgil L. Andrews, who is seventeen years of age and has completed the work of the public schools; and Eli A. Andrews, who is still attending school. Mrs. Corson is an active member of the River Brethren Church . Mr. Corson is a Master Mason in the Decatur Lodge, and during his long residence in Adams County has won hosts of friends both in the county seat and in his home community.

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. 890-891.

Mr. Dailey was born in Lancaster Township of Wells County, April 21, 1870, and is a member of a family that has lived in this section since the days of wild Indians, the big timber and log cabins. His father was the late James Dailey, who in his time was accorded some of the highest honors paid to a public spirited citizen in the county.

James Dailey was born at Camden , New Jersey , September 24, 1815, and died in his eighty-fifth year on January 27, 1900. His parents were James and Mary Ann (Miller) Dailey, who in 1827, when their son was twelve years of age, moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, in the following year to Franklin County, Indiana, and in their wilderness home in that section James Dailey spent his youth, getting only a rudimentary education in the subscription schools but developing strength of muscle and good judgment by the heavy work of clearing and cultivating a pioneer farm. Despite the lack of early advantages he qualified himself to teach school, and some of the first money he earned after his majority was in teaching the children of people among whom he had grown up. He also learned the trade of carpenter and was largely employed as a carpenter or teacher until coming to Wells County .

In March, 1842, he arrived in this county accompanied by his wife and one child. His cash possessions on reaching here were only 75 cents. He located on a rented tract in section 10 of Lancaster Township , and his first crop was put in on the five acres which constituted the only clearing. A year later he bought on credit and moved to a forty acre tract in the heavy timber on section 21 of the same township. That was his home for seven years, and besides clearing away some of the woods and brush, he taught school and worked as a carpenter. His chief business was farming, and from that source he gained a prosperity that made him one of the substantial citizens of Wells County . For many years he owned one of the larger farms of Lancaster Township .

He had not been long in the county before his character and abilities brought him public attention, and in 1845 he was elected magistrate of his home township. He resigned the duties of this office in 1850 upon his election as county auditor. He filled the office two terms, and during that time lived at the county seat at Bluffton, the homestead being where the county jail now stands. In 1850 he also helped take the census of Wells County . He was deputy and acting sheriff of the county in 1865-66 and for several years was a member of the Bluffton School Board. In 1867 he returned to his farm in Lancaster Township and after that was repeatedly honored with local offices. He was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternity, and had voted the democratic ticket from the time of Andrew Jackson.

James Dailey was twice married. In Franklin County, Indiana, November 1, 1837, he married Lydia Garton, daughter of Jonathan Garton. She died on their farm in Wells County February 13, 1850, in her thirtieth year. She was the mother of five children: Charles, Lewis, Joseph S., Mary Ann and Rachel. Of these children Joseph S. became one of the most eminent members of the Wells County bar, while Lewis entered the Union army as first lieutenant of Company I Twenty-second Indiana Infantry, being the youngest officer in his regiment, and died in his twentieth year at the battle of Pea Ridge , Arkansas . The daughter Rachel married Thomas J. Sowards of Lancaster Township .

On April 21, 1851, James Dailey married Adeline E. Niblick, who was born in Tuscarawas County , Ohio , November 9, 1829, daughter of James and Ann a (Carter) Niblick. The Niblicks are prominent among the leading pioneer families of Adams County , Indiana , where they established their home, a few miles west of Decatur in the year 1838. Mrs. James Dailey is still living, in her ninetieth year, in perfect health, and with intellect as unimpaired as many a woman of forty. She is one of the historic personages of these two counties, and her memory travels back a longer time in the now dim and distant past than perhaps any other resident. There are many incidents of pioneer life of seventy or eighty years ago which are still fresh in her mind. She became the mother of eleven children, named briefly as follows: Edgar A., who married Ann ie Ritchie; James T., who first married Cora Sunior and for his second wife Ellen Fitzgerald; Edessa M., who married Lemuel Sturgis; Dora J., who married Ben Hoover; Augusta May, who became the wife of P. P. Hartman; Robert M., who married Ellen Nash; Nellie A., wife of A. C. Ferguson; Willard L., who died in his nineteenth year; Melbra Addie, deceased; John 0.; and Jesse N., who married Eva Hoover.

John 0. Dailey spent his early life on his father's homestead in Lancaster Township , was educated in the public schools there, and after reaching his majority applied his efforts to farming. He now owns a fine stock farm of 140 acres, improved with excellent home and barns and other buildings, does general farming and stock raising, feeding hogs by the hundred and cattle by the carload, and is one of the largest stock shippers out of Wells County . Mr. Dailey is a man far above the average intellectuality and has always possessed the ability to make money and render important service in a business capacity. A number of years ago he became interested in the private bank of Tocsin as a stockholder and cashier, and the management of that successful institution has largely devolved upon him. Mr. Dailey is a democrat in politics and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias lodge.

On February 21, 1906, he married Miss Ella J. Ferguson, daughter of James and Mary Ferguson of Jefferson Township , Wells County . Mrs. Dailey's brothers and sisters are: Eliza, wife of Frank Archibald; Clarence, who married Artie Leisure; Grace, wife of J. C. Gallivan; Victor, unmarried; and Floyd, who married Opal Paulison. Mr. and Mrs. Dailey have three bright young children: James Ferguson, aged ten; Mary Adeline, aged three; and Jesse Victor, who was born in 1916.

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. 901-902.

Mr. Moser represents one of the original Swiss colonies in Adams County , and his own birth occurred in French Township November 27, 1858. He spent his early life on a farm and acquired his early education in the district schools. At the age of nineteen he left home and for a number of years did work as an operator of threshing outfits. He gradually developed his skill to a point where he was almost constantly employed as an engine machinist, and his services were called to look after broken down engines all over this part of the state. He was kept exceedingly busy and found it difficult to perform a maximum amount of work since so much of his time was used up in traveling about from place to place. In order to conduct his business more efficiently he therefore moved to Berne , and opened a shop to which much of the work requiring his attention could be brought. He also hired help, and for one year rented his quarters, and then constructed a shop of his own, a building 70 by 40 feet on Main Street . Here for the last ten years he has done a large and flourishing business in the various lines in which he is expert, as a general machinist, heating and plumbing operator, and has in recent years gradually adapted his business to the needs of the automobile industry. The business was incorporated in 1904, Mr. Moser as president, and is now operating with $30,000 capital.

Mr. Moser's grandfather Peter and the father Jacob G. Moser were both natives of Switzerland . Jacob was born in 1833, and when about three years of. age Peter Moser brought his family to America . Leaving Switzerland , they embarked on a sailing vessel at Havre , France , and after a voyage of thirty-six days landed in New York . Thence the journey westward was made up the Hudson River, over the Erie Canal to Buffalo , by lake boat to Cleveland , and down one of the Ohio canals to Wayne County . A year later a sturdy pair of oxen drew a wagon loaded with the goods and family of the Mosers through the woods and over the rough trails and roads to Adams County . Their destination was a tract of Government land, heavily wooded, and without an acre in cultivation. Peter Moser spent some time in picking out his farm and selected the highest land he could find in order that his house and fields might be out of the water which at that time covered a large part of the county many months of the year. To this day the site of the farm is known as Moser Hill in section 21 of French Township . After arriving in the county the family spent three weeks camping under a big oak tree until their first log cabin could be completed. Gradually their labor transformed their surroundings into a farm and a good home and Peter lived there, reared his family, and late in life sold out and moved to Monroe Township , locating near Berne , where he and his wife both died when past seventy years of age.

Jacob G. Moser grew up on the old homestead in French Township and subsequently became its owner. He continued the improvement and cultivation where his father had left off and he was one of the substantial men of that locality. He died at the age of seventy-two. In that township he married Elizabeth Straub, who was also a native of Switzerland and about three years her husband's junior. She was a small child when her parents joined a colony bound for America , and this family also located in French Township of Adams County , where Mrs. Jacob Moser was reared and educated. She died at the age of fifty-two. She became the mother of a large family of children, seven sons and four daughters, two of whom died in childhood, while all the others grew up and married and had families of their own. Eight of them are still living.

Abraham J. Moser married at Berne Miss Barbara Lehman. She was born in Adams County in 1860 and is member of that prominent Lehman family which has done so much for the upbuilding of the country around Berne, and which at one time owned the land on which the village was founded. Mr. and Mrs. Moser are the parents of three children: Palmer, sixteen years old and a student in the Berne High School ; Millard, who is in the grade schools; and Marcella, now six years of age. The family are all members of the Mennonite Church and Mr. Moser 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. 907.

Benjamin J. Waggoner was born at Monmouth in Adams County July 7, 1871, son of D. C. and Elizabeth C. (Rice) Waggoner. His father was for fourteen years proprietor of a general store in the Village of Monmouth , and on giving up the mercantile business returned to the farm. He was a man held in the highest respect for his many estimable qualities, was thorough in business, careful and methodical in the management of all hi3 affairs, and all his neighbors and acquaintances were kindly disposed toward him.

His wife, Elizabeth C. Rice, was a daughter of Benjamin Rice, who was born in Virginia November 17, 1817, son of Sampson and Elizabeth Ferguson Rice, who were also natives of Vioginia. From Virginia the Rice family moved to Carroll County , Ohio , about 1827, and in 1836 when Benjamin was nineteen years of age they came among the first settlers of Adams County , Indiana . They arrived in this county on Christmas Day of that year. Two years later, on September 6, 1838, Benjamin Rice married Elizabeth Pillars, who was born April 18, 1817, and died April 23, 1846. Mrs. Elizabeth Waggoner was one of the four children of this marriage.

D. C. and Elizabeth Waggoner had five children: John O, unmarried and living in Chicago; William A., a single man living in Pennsylvania; Jessie, wife of Ed Luthman of Sturgeon Bay, Michigan; Molly, wife of Adam Brown of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Benjamin J.

On March 25, 1894, Benjamin J. Waggoner married Phoebe Martin, member of an old and prominent family of Adams County and daughter of Josephus and Elizabeth Martin. Her father, Josephus Martin, was born in Hampshire, Virginia, September 30, 1803. His parents were natives of the same state and his grandfather had settled there about the time of the Revolution. From Virginia the Waggoner family removed to Warren County, Ohio, Josephus accompanying them, and while living there on March 25, 1830, he married Catherine Summerfelt. She died in 1844 and in 1845 Josephus Martin married Elizabeth Deffenbaugh. Mrs. Waggoner's mother was born in Maryland in 1828. Mrs. Waggoner was the youngest of her father's twelve children. Her brother, Q. A. Martin, now deceased, was for a number of years proprietor of a general store at Geneva in Adams County and he left two sons and a daughter, and the daughter and her son now continue a general mercantile establishment at Geneva . Her brother Morton is still living on the old homestead in Hartford Township . Her sister Ellen married Daniel Pontius of Adams County , and has two children, Lizzie and Wesley Sherman. Her sister Emma married Adam Schaupp and lives at Pasadena , California , mother of Vera and Harold Schaupp. Her brother Morton married Bertha McCollen and has five children, Robert, Catherine, Lulu, Mildred and Thomas.

Mr. and Mrs. Waggoner have three children, named Harry, Jessie and Ralph.

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. 909-910.

The Zimmermans as the name indicates are of German origin. The great-grandfather of George W. Zimmerman on coming to America settled in Virginia and spent the rest of his years near Harpers Ferry . He married and among his sons and daughters was Eli Zimmerman, who was born near Harpers Ferry and when a young man moved to Ohio . From there he came as a pioneer to Washington Township , settling in section 2, where he acquired a section of land and erected a log cabin shelter. It is said that his first crop was four acres of corn. His possessions comprised some of the best black walnut timber land along St. Mary's River. Year by year by persevering industry he cleared his land until 400 acres were under the plow. Later he left his first homestead and moved nearer Decatur , at a time when that town contained only three log houses. Here he made his home until his death on October 29, 1878. He was one of the oldest pioneers and one of the most respected citizens of Adams County , and by his thrift and energy had accumulated property which made him regarded as one of the county's wealthy citizens. All that he had was the fruit of honorable dealing and strict integrity and the comforts of his later years merely repaid the hardships and privations he had endured in early life. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity and of the Presbyterian Church. His land accumulations at one time totaled more than 600 acres. He married in Adams County Polly Smith, a native of Fayette County , Ohio , and she died in Adams County March 24, 1871. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom grew up and married and had families of their own and all but one lived to mature years. The only one of these children now living is Washington Kerns of St. Mary's Township.

The next generation of the family is represented by Eli Zimmerman, Jr., who was born on the old Zimmerman farm in Adams County , October 23, 1842. This farm is now locally known as the Edward Ahr farm. His early life was spent in a rustic environment, and with only such advantages as were supplied by the schools of Washington Township . Soon after he reached his majority and toward the close of the Civil war he went to the front with a Union regiment, but was never engaged in any important battles. After the war on January 7, 1867, he married Miss Melinda Drayer, who was born in Pennsylvania and spent her early life and received her schooling at Reading . When a young woman she came to Adams County, and after her marriage she and her husband started out as farmers and their mutual labors enabled them to accumulate a fine property in Washington Township, comprising over 1,000 acres of land, some of the best soil in that vicinity. Eli Zimmerman had the same purposeful activity and energy that marked other members of the family and was a man of influence and substance. Politically he was a democrat. He died at the old farm February 10, 1894, at the age of fifty-one. His widow, who was born in 1848, is now living at Fort Wayne and still possesses all her active faculties. She is a member of the Baptist Church . Three children were born to their marriage, Zachariah dying in early childhood. The other two are Isaac W. and George W., the former was a native of Adams County , spent many years as a farmer here and died as a result of blood poisoning at Fort Wayne April 1, 1916. He left no surviving children.

George W. Zimmerman was born at the old home of his father in Washington Township November 20, 1869. His early years were spent on the farm which he still owns and operates. This farm comprises 236 and a fraction of acres, and it has undergone many improvements since Mr. Zimmerman began applying his strength and judgment to its cultivation and management. Some years ago he erected a beautiful twostory modern ten-room house, which is one of the most complete and convenient country residences in the entire county. While he has one of the large farms of the county, Mr. Zimmerman is a thoroughly intensive agriculturist, and works and tends his crops with as much method and thoroughness as many who have much smaller holdings.

Mr. Zimmerman married Miss Jessie Burwell, who was born at Bluffton , Indiana , thirty-seven years ago and grew up and received her education in that city. She is a member of one of the noted pioneer families of Wells County , the Burwells having located there fully seventy years ago. Her parents were George and Jane (Reed) Burwell, both natives of Ohio , but were married in Bluffton. Her father made a splendid record as a soldier of the Civil war. He went out with an Indiana regiment, saw service in many severe battles, and in one engagement was capturned and put in a Confederate prison. After many months of tortuous captivity he was released and came home nearly starved. In one battle he had lost an eye, but in spite of these handicaps and misfortunes he lived a successful and prosperous life and died in Wells County July 14, 1891, at the age of fifty-one. He was born in Mercer County , Ohio , in 1840, and his wife was born there August 19, 1840, and died at the home of Mrs. Zimmerman April 19, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Burwell were active Baptists and he was a democrat in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman are also members of the Baptist Church and he keeps up the political affiliation of his forefathers. Fraternally he is a member of 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. 913-914.

For over thirty years Mr. Teeple has been engaged in the draying and transfer business at Decatur . He has carried merchandise back and forth over the streets, from railroads to store, from house to house, and is in a position to appreciate the changes made in the local streets perhaps better than any other citizen. In early days he carted goods over streets paved principally with mud, though in places cobblestones furnished something like reliable footing. At the present time his automobile trucks and horse vehicles traverse many blocks of fine pavement. He has a large amount of money invested in equipment. He has two automobile trucks, one 1/2 ton and the other two ton capacity, and also has three large horse trucks. He handles practically all the service for the three railway companies. The only exception to his continuous service of thirty years was one year when he turned his business over to another party. Mr. Teeple owns a large lot on North First Street and there he has his modern ten-room house, and also a large brick storage and horse barn.

Mr. Teeple was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, July 7, 1869, but in 1875, at the age of six years, his parents came to Decatur , where his life since then has been spent. He is a son of Thomas H. and Delana (Springer) Teeple, both natives of Lancaster County , Ohio . They married in Van Wert County, and for over forty years have lived in Adams County , Indiana . His father was for many years a railway employee, also for a time was in the draying business, and though now seventy years of age is still sprightly and active and is doing good service as a crossing watchman for the Erie Railway at Decatur . His wife died about ten years ago, when sixty years of age. They were Evangelical Church people, and in politics the father is a republican, principles which he probably inherited as a result of his service as a soldier of the Union army. He was in the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry, was in many battles, had many narrow escapes, was once slightly wounded but was never absent from duty or roll call on account of injury or sickness. He and his wife had eleven children, and David F. and three sisters are still living, all married.

In Decatur David F. Teeple married Agnes Reardon. She was born in Van Wert County about seven years after her husband, but grew up and was educated in Decatur . Her parents died in this city many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Teeple had thirteen children, one of whom died in infancy. They are Louisa, David, Naomi, Marcella, Leo, Aurena, Letitia, Josephine, Lorena, Helen, Franklin, Edward Anthony and Anthony Edward, twins. The only one married is Louisa, wife of Martin Braton, of Decatur , and they have a son, Robert. The son David drives a truck for his father. Naomi is a student in the eighth grade, Marcella in the seventh grade, Leo in the fifth grade, and Aurena in the third grade. The family are all active members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mr. Teeple is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, and he and his wife are members of the Catholic Benevolent League of Indiana. Politically Mr. Teeple is a republican.

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. 919-920.

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.

Mr. Niblick was born in Kirkland Township of Adams County September 15, 1860. He is a son of Robert and Catherine (Hartman) Niblick and a grandson of James Niblick, the founder of the family in Adams County . The Niblicks were among the first dozen settlers in that county.

James Niblick was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1801 and was brought by his parents to America when two years of age. He grew up in Ohio, learned the cooper's trade, and in the fall of 1834 settled on section 6, Washington Township, in Adams County. For ten years after coming to Adams County he is said to have been the only cooper in the county. He subsequently sold his farm and moved to Decatur and later went out to Missouri where he died in the fall of 1869. He was twice married, his first wife being Anna Carter and his second wife Sarah A. Ball. There were eight children by each union.

Robert Niblick, father of George W., was born in Tuscarawas County , Ohio , February 10, 1824, and was ten years of age when brought to Adams County . He received only such advantages as the subscription schools of that day afforded. After the death of his mother he was sent back to Ohio , but finally returned to Adams County and after his marriage located on a farm in Kirkland Township . This land was then heavily covered with timber and his first home was a log cabin, with greased paper for windows. After eleven years in that humble abode they built a fine brick residence which was one of the best in the township. The brick and lime were burned on the Niblick farm. Robert Niblick became a prosperous farmer and large land owner, gave away much of his land to his children, and had a comfortable competence for his last years. He died January 15, 1900. He was a Union soldier, a member of Company E of the Twelfth Indiana Infantry and was with Sherman on the march to the sea and participated in the Grand Review at Washington . For many years he was affiliated with Grand Army Pest No. 69 at Decatur . He held several local offices, and for a number of years after coming to Adams County was the only republican in his township. In 1864 only five republican votes were cast for Lincoln in the township. For a number of years the postoffice of Gath was kept in the Niblick home, and his wife had charge of the local mails. Robert Niblick married April 19, 1849, Catherine H. Hartman, who was born in Westmoreland County , Pennsylvania , March 22, 1830, a daughter of Philip and Susanna (Hess) Hartman. The Hartman family came to Adams County in 1840 and were also pioneer residents of Kirkland Township. Robert Niblick and wife had ten children: James T.; Susan E.; Mary E., deceased; Charles B.; Margaret, who married C. Curan; George W.; Jennie; William J., deceased; Harvey P.; and Anna Belle. The mother of these children died November 15, 1899.

George W. Niblick grew up on his father's farm, attended the public schools of Kirkland Township , and since early manhood has been a hard working and industrious citizen, active as a farmer in Adams County , and on March 26, 1911, came to his present place in Wells County . He has his farm of eighty acres in first class condition, and is doing a good business as a general farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Niblick is a republican and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

On August 21, 1886, he married Miss Annie Lowdermilk, daughter of Alfred and Mary Jane (Cox) Lowdermilk, who came from North Carolina . Mrs. Nibiick's brothers and sisters are: David, who married Annie Michaels; Bert, who married Miss Stinson; Ella, who married William Kain; and Maggie married Charles Curren.

Mr. and Mrs. Niblick are parents of the following children: Minerva J., who married John Sarfen, of Fort Wayne: Dorcy T., who married Alica Liest; Sadie, who became the wife of George Loutzenhein; Belle, wife of Daniel Foy; Edith, who married E. Rateliff; Rufus, unmarried; and Milo, who married Mary Dedrick.

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. 503-504.

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.

It was in 1835, a year before Adams County was formally organized, that Thomas Archbold brought his father to this section of Indiana . He located a tract of government land in Root Township a mile and a half northwest of Decatur . At that time there-were numerous Indians, but friendly, and they were less an obstacle to the pioneers than more natural difficulties that stood in the way of cultivation and improvement. Much of the land was low and swampy and it was also covered with heavy timber. The woods furnished one source of support to the pioneers in the abundance of game. The Archbold family knew Decatur as a village of a few houses and their neighbors were few and far between. Thomas Archbold cleared a space in the wilderness, erected a log cabin, and in the course of many years by unremitting industry had a first class farm. Thomas Archbold died on the old homestead in 1872 at the age of seventy-two. His wife was born in 1802 and died in 1874. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Thomas Archbold was one of the most influential democrats in the early days of Adams County. He was the father of three sons and six daughters, nearly all of whom reached old age, and two of the daughters are still living.

Jeremiah Archbold, father of William J., was the fourth child in his parents' family. He was born in Ohio September 25, 1829, and was six years of age when brought to Adams County. He grew up with the old Root Township farm as his environment, and eventually owned half of that farm, comprising a little more than 100 acres. To its cultivation and superintendence he gave the active yeirs of his life, and he died there honored and respected on June 10, 1917, when nearly eighty-eight years of age. He was a lifelong supporter and voter with the democratic party. For twenty-six years he held the office of justice of the peace. Whether officially or otherwise he was a man whose word was almost accepted as law. and he presided over his justice court with such dignity and impartiality that few decisions were ever appealed and rarely was one of them reversed by a higher court.

In Adams County Jeremiah Archbold married Lovina Paulison, who was born in New Jersev in 1832, was taken when very young to Ohio and was still a girl in her teens when she came to Adams County and settled in Root Township with her parents, John and Elizabeth (Van Camp) Paulison. Her parents spent the rest of their days in Root Township , and her father died in his fiftieth year. There were many sons and daughters in the Paulison family, but only one of them is still living. The Paulisons were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Lovina Arehbold died at the old home at the age of eighty-three. She became a member of the Methodist Church . There were four sons and five daughters, 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.