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

PETER B. MANLEY, an attorney at law at Geneva, is a native of Jay County, Indiana, born August 4, 1854, a son of Jeremiah L. and Mary A. (Beckler) Manley. He received his education in the common schools, and also attended Liber Couege, near Portland, in his native county. He studied law with his father and was admitted to the bar, at Decatur, Indiana, in 1879, Judge Bobo presiding. After this event he formed a partnership with his father, under the firm name of Manley & Son. This partnership continued until the death of the father, and our subject took charge of the business and has since conducted it alone. Mr. Manley is a Republican in politics, has held the office of village clerk, and was a candidate for prosecuting attorney for the Twenty-sixth Judicial District, and though the district was largely Democratic, and he made no effort whatever to secure his own election, he reduced the majority of his opponent several hundred. He was married June 17, 1880, to Miss Dora McKaig, who was born in March, 1858, in Mercer County, Ohio, and died in 1884. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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

SAMUEL FETTERS, farmer, Jefferson Township, was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 24, 1847, a son of John W. and Elizabeth (Gross) Fetters. In his third year he was brought by his parents to Adams County, Indiana, where he was reared to manhood on the home farm in Jefferson Township. March 23, 1865, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and was discharged at Dover, Delaware, August 24, 1865, when he returned to his home in Adams County. He was united in marriage July 30, 1871, to Miss Lavina Woodward, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 3, 1855, a daughter of William and Lucinda (Rash) Woodward, who were also natives of the same State. They came to Adams County, Indiana, in 1863, where the father still lives. The mother died in Jefferson Township in February, 1877. They had a family of eleven children, six sons and five daughters. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fetters - Frank R., Charles M., James F., Harry H. and Emma C. Mr. Fetters has always followed agricultural pursuits, and is a thorough, practical farmer. He settled on his present farm in the fall of 1874, which contains eighty acres of choice land under a fine state of cultivation. In politics Mr. Fetters is a Democrat. He has served eight years as justice of the peace and is now serving his nrst term as township trustee, having been elected to that office in the spring of 1886. He is a comrade of John P. Porter Post, No. 83, G. A. R. John W. Fetter, the father of our subject, was a native of Stark County, Ohio, born March 14, 1818, a son of Philip Fetters, who was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, of German descent, and died in Ohio. John W. Fetters grew to manhood in Stark County, and was there married, in 1840, to Elizabeth Gross, a native of New York City, her parents being natives of Germany. To this union were born seven children, four sons and three daughters. The parents were members of the Lutheran church. The father exchanged eighty acres of land in Stark County for three eighty acre tracts in Adams County, Indiana, locating here in the fall of 1849, and made his home on section 21, Jefferson Township, till his death. He was very successful in his farming operations, and added to his land till he had almost 400 acres. In politics he was a staunch Democrat. He took an active interest in public affairs, and held the office of justice of the peace for a period of twenty-four years, and also served as township clerk during the old township organization, and was a prominent citizen.

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

JEREMIAH L. MANLEY, deceased, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, November 15, 1826, son of Robert and Margaret (Lasure) Manley, early settlers of that county, where they lived until their decease. He remained at home during his youth, attending the common school, and also attended school at Zanesville, Ohio, and studied law there. He married Mary A. Beckler, September 2, 1849, a native of Athens County, Ohio, after which he moved to Jay County, Indiana, where he practiced law, coming to this county in 1874, and opened an office at Geneva, where he practiced until his death, December 6, 1880. In politics he was a Republican, and held the office of justice of the peace, besides other local offices. He was a member of the village school board, and was formerly a member of the United Brethren church, but afterward united with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Manley were the parents of eight children - Delilah B., Robert J. G., Peter B., John C. F., Benjamin F., Maude M., Thomas B. and Jennie F. Mrs. Manley married a second time, and resides in Wood County, Ohio. Mr. Manley was a man of strong temperance principles, was opposed to secret societies, was an active member of the church, and was generally successful in his practice - a good reasoner and a forcible speaker.

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

SAMUEL S. STEELE, a member of the firm of Steele & Lenhart, proprietors of the saw and planing mill at Peterson, Adams County, was born in Kirkland Township, Adams County, Indiana, January 25, 1856, the youngest son of Samuel Steele, who is now deceased. He grew to manhood in his native county, receiving a common school education in the schools of his neighborhood. He remained at home with his parents until seventeen years of age, being reared to the avocation of a farmer, when he began working for neighboring farmers by the month. In 1876 he engaged in his present business with his brother David, the latter being succeeded by Mr. Lenhart, the present member of the firm of Steele & Lenhart. Mr. Steele was married March 15, 1879, to Miss Sarah J. Krick, who was born in Adams County, Indiana, in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have had five children - Harry K. and Harvey K. (twins), born in January, 1880; Lana M., born August 2, 1881; Ida A., born September 4, 1884, and M. E., born February 21, 1887. Besides his mill property, Mr. Steele owns about eighteen acres of fine land in Peterson, where he resides, and his comfortable and commodious residence, which was erected in the summer of 1886, at a cost of $1,200. Mr. Steele is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to St. Mary's Lodge, No. 167, I.O.O. F. at Decatur.

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

JOSEPH PARENT, a farmer of Washington Township, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, October 11, 1841, son of Paul and Angeline Parent, both of whom were born in Lower Canada and of French ancestry. They had several children, six of whom are living - Joseph, Gilbert, Matilda, Militime, Paul and Mary L. The mother died August 9, 1859, and the father November 5, 1880. He was reared on a farm in his native country, and educated in the early schools of his time. June 22, 1870, he was married to Phoebe A. Troutner, born in Allen County, Indiana, January 4, 1854, daughter of John and Frances Troutner, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and a pioneer of Allen County, this State. He used to carry the mail over the Government trails between Defiance, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Indiana. He died March 14, 1870, in his seventy-ninth year. To Mr. and Mrs. Parent have been born seven children - Joseph A., born December 21, 1871; William H., born October 19, 1873; Priscilla, born March 30, 1876; Mary A., born August 26, 1878; Eddie E., born July 26, 1882; Vivena M., born February 5, 1885, and Francis T., born March 30, 1887. Mr. Parent came to this county in 1870, and in 1873 was naturalized. He owns a good farm of eighty acres, and is a successful farmer. He is a member of the Catholic church, and in politics a Democrat.

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

JOHN HENRY LANKENAU, a school teacher in District No.1, Preble Township, was born in Hanover, Germany, September 19, 1842, and in the spring of 1844 came to America with his parents, who came via New Orleans, and landed in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in August of that year. Our subject was reared there until he was nineteen years of age, then enlisted as a soldier in the army, becoming a member of Company D, Fifth Indiana Cavalry. He first served in Kentucky under General Judah, and their first hard work was in the Morgan raid. He was captured during the Stoneman raid through Georgia August 30, 1864, and taken to Andersonville, where he remained until he was removed to Millen, Georgia. Thence he, with others, was removed to Florence, South Carolina, thence to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he was turned over to our forces. He was then sent to Camp Chase, and discharged at Columbus, Ohio. He then returned to Fort Wayne, where he remained until 1875, a part of the time employed as a type-setter in a newspaper office. In 1875 he went to Van Wert County, Ohio, and taught school for several terms, then came to his present position as teacher in the common and church school of the St. John's German Lutheran Church. He was married July 18, 1867, to Miss Catherine Shumm, who was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, July 31, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Lankenau have ten children - Frank, Ada, Clara, Louisa, Flora, August, Adolph and Oscar (twins), Alma and Enno. Mr. Lankenau's parents were Frank and Catherine (Meislahn) Lankenau, who were natives of Germany. The father was born in Hanover January 5, 1818, and came to America in 1844. He was a carpenter by trade. He died August 15, 1880, and is buried at Fort Wayne. His mother was born in Hanover October 30, 1821, and is living in Fort Wayne with her youngest unmarried son.

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

JOHN FLETCHER SNOW, superintendent of the public schools of Adams County, and an active and public-spirited citizen of Decatur, was born in Portland. Jay County, Indiana, the date of his birth being June 17, 1854. In the spring of 1860 he was brought to Adams County by his parents, they settling on a farm in Wabash Township, on which the village of Ceylon was subsequently platted. Here he was reared receiving his elementary education in the district schools, later attending the Ridgeville College in Randolph County, Indiana. On attaining his majority he began teaching school, and followed the teacher's profession in Adams County, Indiana, for eight years. August 25, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Alice Hoskinson, who was born near Newark, in Licking County, Ohio a daughter of Andrew J. and Mary (Foster) Hoskinson, the father of Irish, and the mother of English ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Snow are the parents of one son, named Edwin Earl. In June, 1883, Mr. Snow was elected by the township trustees of Adams County, superintendent of the public schools, being re-elected to the same office in 1885 for a term of two years, and is serving with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. His father, Barton B. Snow, was a native of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and of English parentage. When a young man he went to Ohio, and in 1837 removed to Jay County, Indiana, where he began to educate himself, working to obtain the means to defray his expenses. In 1843 he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Milligan, of Portland, Indiana, and in 1854 graduated from the Louisville Medical College at Louisville, Kentucky, after taking a thorough course of lectures. In 1852 he was married to Rebecca Hannah McDonald, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. She came to Adams County with her parents, they settling in Decatur, her father afterward being elected to the office of county sheriff. She died on the homestead in Wabash Township in 1873, she having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church the greater part of her life. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Barton Snow, only five are living - Solan McD., principal of the schools at Ceylon; Ella, teaching in the school at Geneva; Addie and Loretta, teaching in other districts of Adams County, and John Fletcher, whose name heads this sketch. After his graduation Dr. Snow practiced medicine at New Corydon, Indiana, for several years, when he returned to Portland, and succeeded his preceptor, practicing there until 1860. In that year he came to Wabash Township. Adams County, Indiana, and platted the village of Ceylon, where he practiced ten years, when he abandoned his profession. He then engaged in farming and dealing in lumber on an extensive scale which he followed till his death, December 8, 1875. In 1866 he was the Democrat nominee for Congressman in the Eleventh Congressional District, but was defeated, the district being strongly Republican. He was a man widely known throughout this section of the county, and few local men possessed the confidence and respect of the public to greater extent than he.

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

JOHN W. ELEY, a prominent farmer of Monroe Township, residing on section 27, was born in Knox County, Ohio, of German descent, the date of his birth being October 17, 1839. When four years old he was brought by his parents to Adams County, and here he grew to manhood, receiving such educational advantages as the common schools of that day afforded. He was reared a farmer, and has followed that avocation through life. He settled on his present farm in Monroe Township in 1871, where he has 109 acres of valuable land, with good improvements. February 24, 1871, he was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Mattax, who was born in Monroe Township, Adams County, January 4, 1843, a daughter of Lewis Mattax, who was one of the first settlers of Adams County. They are the parents of two children - Lewis M., born January 7, 1872, and William W., born January 12, 1874. Both Mr. and Mrs. Eley are members of the Lutheran church. Samuel Eley, the father of our subject, was one of the pioneers of Adams County, coming here in the year 1843, when he settled on section 23, Monroe Township. He lived on this land several years, when he returned to Ohio, returning a short time later to Adams County, locating at Decatur. He subsequently lived in Blue Creek Township, remaining in the county until 1877, when he went to Whitley County, and died in that county November 8, 1886. He was a native of the State of Pennsylvania, born in Greene County in 1813. He was four times married, and by his first wife, Susannah Stopher, had four children, two sons and two daughters. By his second wife he had two children. Three children were born to his third marriage, and by his last marriage he had no children. He was a prominent man in his day in township and county affairs, and for several years served as township trustee, and for four years served as county assessor. In politics he is a staunch Democrat. He was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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

LAWSON LINHARD, farmer, Root Township, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, March 18, 1820. He came to this county with his parents and nine other children in the fall of 1839. The family settled on the farm now owned and occupied by Jay Rugg, which was then in its wild state. There were no improvements on the place, and the family camped out two weeks beside a large oak log while a cabin was being built. It was made of round logs and scotched down on the inside, a punchcon floor, clapboard roof and a mud fireplace. They lived in this house a few years, when the father built the house that is now standing on the place. After occupying it several years, the father sold, and bought the farm now owned by widow Dailey, where he died at the age of eighty years and two months. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1797, and died May 18, 1877. A portion of his youth was passed in his native county, and a portion in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he was married and where nine children were born to them. One child was born in Adams County. Our subject was the oldest child, and all are livinmg except John. The other children are - Sarah, Peter, Catherine, Mary and Elizabeth (twins), Joseph, Ann and William. The mother was born in Maryland September 22 1801, and died May 20, 1873, aged seventy- two years. Both parents are buried in Alpha cemetery. Lawson was educated in the common schools of his father's district, and his occupation has always been farming. He remained at home until he was twenty-four year of age; then commenced to work for himself, working by the day, month or job, just as he could find the work to do, until he was married. His wife, whom he married May 3, 1847 was Miss Lois Brown, who was born in Medina County, Ohio, March l0, 1830, and when she was five years old her mother brought her to this county. Her father died in Medina County, and her mother is still living in Root Township with Mrs. Linhard. Her father, Josiah Brown, was born in Broome County, New York, and was aged about fifty-two years at the time of his death. The mother, Sarah (Warner) Brown, was born in Greene County, New York, May 9, 1811 where she was reared and married. Soon after her marriage, she and her husband emigrated to Medina County, Ohio, and were among the early settlers of that county. Mr. Brown opened a farm there. Mrs. Linhard's paternal grandparents were Josiah and Abigail (Porter) Brown. Her maternal grandfather, Abijah Warner, was born in Connecticut, and died in Root Township, this county. Mr. Linhard's parents were Job and Rebecca (Burl) Linhard. Mr. and Mrs. Linhard have seven children - John H., Samantha A., Mary E., Sanford P., Lawson C., Marcus N. and Artie E. Mr. Linhard votes the Republican ticket.

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

ISAAC D. BOOHER, a progressive farmer, living on section 16, Jefferson Township, Adams County, was born in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio, October 23, 1841, a son of Daniel and Anna (Clark) Booher, who were also natives of Montgomery County, and of French descent. The father was a farmer by occupation. He was twice married, his first wife dying October 26, 1841, leaving three children. For his second wife he married Catherine Sears, and to this union four children were born, two sons and two daughters. Isaac D., the subject of this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm, receiving a common-school education. He was married in Ohio to Miss Catherine Heinz, a native of Bavaria, Germany, born February 4, 1841. She came with her parents to America when nine years old, they settling in Montgomery County, Ohio, where she lived till after her marriage. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Booher - Anna M. (deceased), Jacob D., William F., Alvina C., Emma F., Ida C., Sarah A. and Charles (deceased). Mr. Booher followed farming in Montgomery County until the fall of 1874, when he bought his present farm in Jefferson Township, to which he then removed with his family, his farm containing 120 acres of well-improved and well-cultivated land. In politics Mr. Booher is a Democrat, and since coming to Jefferson Township has held the office of justice of the peace. Mrs. Booher is a member of the Lutheran church. Their son, Jacob D., was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, August 26, 1869, but was reared from boyhood in Adams County, where he received his education in the common schools. May 1, 1886, he received a diploma from County Superintendent Snow. He has already taught a subscription school in his district, but is not yet old enough to teach, according to the laws of the State.

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

JOHN J. WATSON, of the firm of Watson & Mac Whinney, dealers in general merchandise, and shippers of railroad ties, staves, etc., was born in Hamilton, Canada, February 3, 1844, son of Richard R. and Mary A. (McCarty) Watson, the former a native of England and the latter of Ireland. They came with their parents to Canada when young, where they were married. The father was an architect and carpenter, and while at work on the cornice of a church building in London, Canada, he sustained injuries from the effects of which he died one year later. The family remained there until John J. was twelve years old, when the mother came with her family to St. Mary's, Auglaize County, Ohio, where they remained four years, thence to Wapakoneta, in the same county. Our subject enlisted September 26, 1861, in Company C, Fifty-seventh Ohio Infantry, and served until October 28, 1864. After his discharge he was employed in the Quartermaster's department at Lexington, Kentucky, remaining until about the lst of February, 1865. He raised a company in Auglaize County, then returned to Columbus and assigned his men to the One Hundred and Eighty.fifth Ohio Infantry, and re-enlisted as sergeant, serving until October 28, 1865. He was discharged by general order, it being the close of the war. Mr. Watson returned to his home in Ohio and learned the cooper's trade, which he followed until 1874, then came to Ceylon, Wabash Township, built a shop and engaged in coopering. In 1879 he engaged in the mercantile business. His first stock of goods amounted to $205, opening up in his cooper shop. His business increased so rapidly that he was soon compelled to rent a larger business room, and afterward bought the building. One year later he purchased a still larger building, the first one purchased being insufficient to contain goods to supply his customers. He remained in the last building until 1882, when he sold out his stock and buildings, and went to Celina, Mercer County, Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile trade there. He lived there one year, then went to Spencerville, same State, remaining but a short time, then returned to Adams County in June, 1885; and established his present business in Geneva. He is a member of John P. Porter Post, No.85, G. A. R. He was married March 22, 1871, to Ella G. Jackson, born September 7, 1852, at Mount Vernon, Ohio. Her father has been a prominent attorney of Auglaize County, Ohio, for thirty years; he still resides there. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have four children - Eltie R., Susie A., Charles P. and Gracie B.

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