WILLIAM CONRAD, farmer, sections 9 and 15, owns 175 acres of land. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, December 12, 1836, and when he was six months old his parents removed to Preble Township, settling on section 15, where the father, George Conrad, commenced to make a home in the woods, having entered his land from the Government. He built his cabin on hewed logs, which the family occupied for twenty-five years. He then built a frame house, where he lived until his death, which occurred March 4, 1873. He was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1806, where he was reared and married. The mother, Fredricka (Kunager) Conrad, was also born in Saxony in 1814, and is living on the old homestead with the youngest son. She has had fourteen children - William, Caroline, Frederick, Louisa, Charles, George, Minnie, Rosalie, Christian and Henry. Four died unnamed. Eight are living.
The father was a butcher by trade and followed it in Germany, but never in America. William was reared, educated and married in Preble Township, March 16, 1862, he married Miss Minnie Bley, who was born in Obargrunstad, Weimar, Saxony, Germany, October 20, 1841, and came to America when nearly twelve years of age, her parents, Adam and Rosina (Sieverd) Bley, settling upon the farm in Preble Township where they now reside. In her father's family were ten children, nine of whom are living. Charles, the eldest, died may 10, 1886, at the age of fifty years. Mrs. Conrad is the fourth child. Mr. Bley learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it both in America and Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad have had six children, five of whom are living - Frederick, born February 8, 1863; Charles, born October 2, 1864, died February 15, 1879 (his death was caused by falling from a
barn and breaking his neck); William D., born April 30, 1866; Louis, born December 10, 1867; Augustus, born May 13, 1869; Ernest born September 18, 1870. Elizabeth, an adopted child, was born October 8, 1869. Mrs. Conrad's grandparents were born in Germany, and also died there. Mr. Conrad's grandfather Conrad kept a hotel in Germany. Both grandparents died in Germany.
From "BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF ADAMS COUNTY, INDIANA", The Lewis Publishing Company 1887, page 423.
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CHRISTIAN W. HOCKER, a prominent business man of the village of Monroe, and the present trustee of Monroe Township, is a native of Indiana, born in Decatur County, January 5, 1851, the fourth son of Stephen and Susannah (Wefler) Hocker, natives of Switzerland, the father born in 1812, and the mother in 1819. While in his teens the father immigrated to America, and first located in Columbiana County, Ohio. He afterward went to Stark County, Ohio. About 1850 he removed to Decatur County, Indiana, and in 1851 returned to Stark County, Ohio, In the spring of 1864 he returned to Adams County, Indiana, and engaged in farming in French Township. He was married in Columbiana County, Ohio, and was the father of eight sons and one daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Hocker were formerly Lutherans, but afterward united with the Albright church. Mr. Hocker died in 1872, and the mother
now resides at Newville, in Wells County, Indiana. Christian W. Hocker, whose name heads this sketch, came with his parents to Adams County when twelve years old, where he was reared on the home farm, receiving his education in the common schools of the county. At the age of twenty-one years he engaged in the sawmill and lumber business, which he has since followed with success, although he started with barely enough to pay for the freight, running in debt for the price of the mill. In 1880 he engaged in the mercantile business in Monroe, in company with John W. Hendricks, under the firm name of Hendricks & Hocker, until the fall of 1883, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Hocker then became associated with his brother, Franklin P. Hocker, until the fall of the same year, since which he has conducted the business alone. He is also engaged in farming, and has
a fine farm of 160 acres in Monroe Township. Mr. Hocker has been twice married. He was first married February 10, 1871, to Lucinda A. Bell, who died February 28, 1872, leaving one child - Viola B. He was again married January 10, 1876, to Mary I. Hofer, a former resident of Berne, Adams County, coming to this county in 1856. He was a tailor by trade, and now resides at Fall City, Nebraska. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hocker - Bessie L. and Gertrude E. Mrs. Hocker is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Hocker has been successful in his business enterprises. In 1886 he erected his fine residence at Monroe, at a cost of $2,000, and also erected a commodious business house, which on the morning of March 30, 1886, was entirely destroyed by fire, including the total loss of stock, amounting to about $4,000, no insurance. Although a serious blow
financially, through the influence of his many friends he is again building a new block, and will be actively engaged serving his trade within six weeks of time of fire. The entire community wishes him success. In politics he is a Democrat. He takes an active interest in public affairs, and has held several local offices. He was elected to his present office in 1884, and re-elected in 1886.
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF ADAMS COUNTY INDIANA The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887
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MOSES LOUTHAN, an early settler of Adams County, and a prominent citizen of Monroe, is a native of Ohio, born in Columbiana County, August 14, 1817. He was reared in Wayne County, Ohio, after his sixth year, and there learned the blacksmith's trade from his father. He was married in Wayne County, August 9, 1838, to Mary Nicholas, a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, born July 5, 1812, and to this union were born three children - George W., Reason B. (deceased), and Eliza J. After his marriage Mr. Louthan removed to Greensburgh, Summit County, Ohio, and later settled in Stark County. In 1846 he came to Indiana, arriving at Fort Wayne October 14. From there he went to Wells County, locating near Lancaster, and from there removed to Ossian, Wells County, where he engaged in blacksmithing until the fall of 1856. He then went to New Haven, Allen County, and in November, 1857, he came to Decatur, Adams County, where he worked at the blacksmith's
trade, remaining at that place until the spring of 1871. He then removed to Monroe Township, where he built a shop and worked at his trade, when he was elected constable, which office he held for four years. Mr. Louthan lost his wife by death June 20, 1878, and August 17, 1879, he was married to Mrs. Sarah J. (Brandeberry) Kanabal, who was born in Hocking County, Ohio, June 13, 1837, and to them has been born one child, named Howard T. Mrs. Louthan has been three times married. Her first husband, Lawrence McCune, died one month after his marriage. Her second husband, Henry Kanabal, died in Washington Township, Adams County, leaving four children -John A., Mary E., Edward H. an Effie M. In 1878 Mr. Louthan went to Kansas, remaining one year, when he returned to Adams County, and has since resided in Monroe Township with the exception of one year spent at Fort Wayne, and is at present serving as constable of Monroe Township, being elected to fill that
office in the spring of 1886. Mr. Louthan was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting February 14, 1864, in Company G, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, and soon after his enlistment was promoted to Sergeant, serving as such until his final discharge, September 6, 1865. He participated in several important engagements, including Franklin, Tennessee, and the battle of Atlanta. He was placed on detached service doing provost duty six months. He received his final discharge at Indianapolis, and now draws a pension of $8 a month, for disability contracted while in the army. He is now a comrade of Sam Henry Post, No. 63, G.A.R., at Decatur. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1857. Both Mr. and Mrs. Louthan are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF ADAMS COUNTY (INDIANA) The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887
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JOHN BRANDYBERRY, an early settler of Washington Township, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, July 23, 1838, son of Abraham and Sarah Brandyberry, also natives of Carroll County. In 1844 he came to Adams County with his parents, who were among the first settlers of Monroe Township, and endured the usual toils and privations. Both parents died in 1877. Of their ten children, nine are living -Isaac, Maria, Peggy A., Jesse, Alexander, John, Abraham, Sarah J., Tabitha and Ezra, the latter being in this country, a life-long farmer, receiving a rudimentary education in the early pioneer schools. He was married March 3, 1857, to Miss Harriet Smith, who was born October 18, 1832, daughter of Joseph R. and Lydia Smith, the latter of whom is deceased. She was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, and came to Adams County with her parents in 1841, settling in Washington Township. They were among the early settlers of the township.
Of their eleven children, ten are living -Anna M., Mary S., Sarah L., Samuel, Simon, Simeon, Joseph, Ellen Orpha, Hattie and Victoria, who is deceased. Anna M. is the wife of Joseph Gass, of Washington Township; Mary S. married Thomas Buckmaster, of Decatur; Sarah L. married Frank Froat, of Washington Township. Mr. Brandyberry settled upon his present farm on section 25, Washington Township, about 1867. He owns 120 acres of good land that is well cultivated. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and became attached to the army of the West. He was in the battle of Munfordville, where he was taken prisoner by the Confederate forces, and immediately paroled. He then came home on furlough, and shortly after returned to his regiment, serving about fifteen months. He was discharged in February, 1863, and re-enlisted in the winter of 1865, in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, having been
commissioned Second Lieutenant. He continued in the service about four months, when the war closed, and he was discharged in May, 1865. He is a member of Lodge No. 244, A.F. & A.M., at Decatur, belongs to the Christian Union church, being one of the trustees of that church, and in politics is a Republican.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF ADAMS COUNTY (INDIANA) The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 pg 374
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CAPTAIN HARRY W. KIRBY, a brother of Mrs. Thompson, was born at Lamartine, Carroll County, Ohio, December 18, 1845. Entered Harlem Springs College in 1860. In 1861 enlisted in the Eightieth Ohio Regiment, served through the war under Grant and Sherman and rose to Captain. In 1865 he entered the University of Michigan, and remained until his senior year, when he accepted the position of Professor of Mathematics in Harlem Springs College; studied law under Judge Tripp, of Carrollton, Ohio, was admitted to the bar in 1880, never settled down to practice, but has handled many intricate cases successfully. In 1882 he came to Willshire, Ohio, to nurse his brother with small-pox; after which was principal of schools at Pleasant Mills, Indiana, for three years, and has since made his home in Adams County. He served one term as deputy county surveyor. He has contributed to the leading journals of the country, and is at present arranging to publish a volume of his own poems.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF ADAMS COUNTY (INDIANA) The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 pg 400
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LEWIS W. LEWTON, farmer, section 17 and 20, Root Township, was born in Adams County, Indiana, November 12, 1841. When he was quite young his parents moved to Adams County, locating in Decatur, where the father died in December, 1845. The latter was born April 16, 1815, and was married March 2, 1837. He was a son of Perry and Mary (Le Masters) Lewton, the former a native of Carroll County, Ohio and when a young man came to Adams County, Indiana. He was married in Adams County. The mother was born in Carroll County, Ohio, April 11, 1816. Her parents were John and Nancy (Baxter) Le Masters, both of whom died in Root Township. Mr. Lewton's grandmother died January 9, 1864, her husband having died previously. Mr. Lewton was reared in Decatur and Root townships. After his father's death the family removed to a farm. The mother afterward married Zedekiah Brown. There were three children in the family of Mr. Lewton's father -Nancy E., born February 10, 1838, died at the age of thirteen years; Lewis, and Perry
A., born March 12, 1845. All were born in Adams County. There was one half brother -James B., born September 22, 1852, and died April 16, 1853. Our subject was married November 24, 1867, to Miss Sarah J. Robison, who was born in Adams County, and died August 15, 1870, leaving two children -Mary E., born August 20, 1868, and Lewis C., born December 6, 1869. January 3, 1872, Mr. Lewton was married to Miss Mary C. Robison, a sister of his former wife. Her parents were James and Elizabeth (Douden) Robison. Mr. and Mrs. Lewton have had six children -Carrie D., born January 14, 1873; Amos J., born January 17, 1875; Ada M., born June 15, 1877; Hattie, born June 7, 1879, died August 27, 1880; Edgar W., born May 8, 1882, and Daisy, born October 9, 1884. Politically Mr. Lewton is a Democrat. He was elected township trustee in 1884, and re-elected in 1886. His grandfather, Jacob Lewton, was born in Maryland, and died in Harrison County, Ohio, at the age of eighty-five
years. He was twice married, and the father of fifteen children. During the late war Mr. Lewton enlisted in Company K, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and served three years. He enlisted August 28, 1862, and was mustered out July 19, 1865, at Mobile, Alabama. His first battle was at Munfordville, and was there taken prisoner September 17, and was paroled the same day and went to Indianapolis. He returned home and remained until exchanged. His regiment was in General Bank's Red River expedition, under the command of General A.J. Smith, Division Commander.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF ADAMS COUNTY (INDIANA) The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 pg 360
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JAMES WALKER LINTON, general farmer, residing on section 18, Jefferson Township, is a native of Darke County, Ohio, born September 17, 1836, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Walker) Linton, old settlers of Adams County. He was brought by his parents to Adams County in 1838, and here he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. He remained on the home farm with his parents until his marriage December 26, 1858, to Miss Mary Ann Wheeler. She was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, September 21, 1836, a daughter of Amos and Rebecca (Hedge) Wheeler. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Indiana when a young man, and helped clear the land where Indianapolis now stands. He subsequently went to Ohio, where he was married. He came to Adams County, Indiana, with his family and settled in Wabash Township in 1839, entering land on section 30, on which he lived till his death. He died in the spring of 1877, aged about eighty-five years.
His wife died in the fall of 1876, aged seventy-five years. They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Linton -Rebecca J., born February 3, 1861, died October 3, 1867; Charles Sylvester, born February 24, 1863; Samuel R., born March 18, 1866; Mary E., born January 18, 1868; John W., born April 2, 1870; James E., born March 24, 1872; Amos W., born December 13, 1873, and Joseph M., born June 29, 1878. Mr. Linton enlisted in the late war February 11, 1865, and was assigned to Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-third Indiana Infantry. He was taken sick with measles at Camp Carrington, at Indianapolis, and was discharged there May 23, 1865. After his marriage Mr. Linton engaged in farming on section 33, Wabash Township. Since that time he has owned and lived on several different farms, and in 1881 purchased the farm in Jefferson where he now resides, where he has seventy-two acres of
choice land. Mr. Linton is a member of the German Baptist church. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist, and has held several local offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to this constituents.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF ADAMS COUNTY (INDIANA) The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 pg 309
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JOHN FRANK, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 33, Blue Creek Township, was born in Darke County, Ohio, February 11, 1840, a son of Joseph and Nancy Frank, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. They were the parents of five children, four of whom grew to maturity, and at the present writing only two are living. John Frank grew to manhood in Adams County, Indiana, his youth being spent in assisting his father with the work of the farm and in attending the district schools, where he obtained but a limited education. He was married in Van Wert County, Ohio, November 3, 1867, to Mrs. Sarah Robison, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, January 2, 1837, a daughter of Samuel and Charlotta Chilcoate. Four of the five children born to this union are living -Samuel L., James C., Laura C. and David M. Jesse W. is deceased. By her marriage with Robert Robison Mrs. Frank had two children, named Charlotta and Millard, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Frank has lived in
Adams County since two years of age. He began life for himself in limited circumstances, but through a persevering energy combined with good management he has met with success in his agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of eighty-four acres of choice land on section 33, Blue Creek Township, under a high state of cultivation. In politics Mr. Frank is a Democrat. Mrs. Frank is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Both are respected citizens of the community in which they reside. Their postoffice is Berne, Indiana.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF ADAMS COUNTY (INDIANA) The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 pg 380
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JOSEPH WHERRY, farmer and stockraiser, Union Township, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, December 17, 1837. When he was about fifteen years old he and his parents came to Indiana, first settling in Monroe Township, Allen County. There were seven children besides himself in his father's family. They lived in Allen County two years, on rented land, and then the father bought a farm. He built his own log house, which was 18 x 20 feet in size, and a story and a half in height. He afterward added a kitchen, and lived in that house until his death. The father, Adam Wherry, was born in Pennsylvania, January 27, 1814, and when a young boy removed to Carroll County, Ohio, with his parents, and was there reared to manhood. He died April 26, 1881, and is buried in Clark's Chapel, Union Township. His mother was Eve (Umbaugh) Wherry. His paternal grandparents were born in Pennsylvania, and died in Carroll County, Ohio. His maternal grandfather, George Umbaugh, was born in Pennsylvania and died in Carroll County, Ohio,
and his grandmother Umbaugh also died in Carroll County. Mr. Wherry was married November 21, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth H. Rice, who was born in Union Township, Adams County, May 16, 1844, where she lived until her marriage. She is a daughter of William P. and and Frances (Rabbett) Rice. Mr. and Mrs. Wherry have nine children -William P., Mary E., Frances E., Joseph A., Alice E., Hulda E., Warren A., Bessie V. and Hannah. Mr. Wherry owns 168 acres of land. He built his house in the summer of 1881, at a cost of $2,500. Politically he is a Democrat.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF ADAMS COUNTY (INDIANA) The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 pg 490
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WILLIAM VANCE, deceased, who was one of the pioneers, as well as a prominent man of Adams County, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, about 1793, a son of William Vance, an early settler of Darke County, Ohio, where he lived till his death. His wife died in Wells County, Indiana. William, our subject, was reared to agricultural pursuits, his father having been a farmer by occupation, and in his youth he received a good common-school education. He was twice married, first to a Miss Mills, by whom he had a family of four sons and one daughter. For his second wife he married Miss Sarah Miller, in Darke County, Ohio, where she was born in 1803. To this union were born seven children, five sons and two daughters. Mr. Vance came to Adams County, Indiana, in the spring of 1835, locating on section 17 of what is now Wabash Township. He came to Indiana a poor man, giving his coat to pay for moving his family. David Studabaker loaned him money to enter his
first land, which consisted of thirty-three acres. He afterward entered 160 acres more,and by persevering industry and strict economy he was able to add to his original tract of land till at his death he owned 233 acres. In connection with his general farming he was quite extensively engaged in stock raising. In his political views he was a Whig and took an active interest in the political affairs of his township, and believed in a protective tariff. He was the first assessor of Adams County, and assessed the whole county. He represented several counties in the State Legislature, was also county commissioner for some time, and for many years served as school trustee. In his religious views he was a Universalist. His death occurred in 1848 or '49. His widow survived until January 4, 1864.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF ADAMS COUNTY (INDIANA) The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 pg 498
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JAMES W. BARR, teacher, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, March 7, 1834. His parents, Stephen and Rachel (Hester) Barr, were natives of Virginia, where the father died in 1858. He was a blacksmith by trade. The mother came North during the war, and died in Michigan in 1882. They had six children, three daughters and three sons. The family are of Scotch-Irish descent. James W. was educated at Woodstock Academy, Shenandoah County, Virginia, and has now taught school thirty-four years. He went to Delaware County, Ohio, in June, 1861, where he taught school the next nine years. In 1870 he went to Southwestern Missouri, where he taught school, thence to Indian Territory, teaching five years, thence to Rush County, Indiana, four years, thence to his present home. He was married September 27, 1860, to Rebecca A. Bader, who was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, January 9, 1841. They have had seven children -Rosa, deceased, William F., Carrie M., Stanley B., Cora Grace, Charles S. and Ida P.,
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Barr are members of the Christian church. Mr. Barr was living in the South at the breaking out of the Rebellion, and was one of the many Union men who were opposed to the war. He was forced into the Confederate service, but came North the first opportunity after the beginning of hostilities. He now resides on section 25, Wabash Township, and followed farming in connection with teaching. He united with the church about 1856, and having a call to preach, followed that calling ten years. He was finally obliged to retire from the ministry on account of his health. He left his wife in Virginia, in June, 1861, while he came North, in company with another family, and they were carried from one place to another by Union people until they reached the Union lines. They were held as prisoners ten days by the Confederates and then discharged. Mrs. Barr reached her husband in Delaware County, Ohio, January 5, 1862.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF ADAMS COUNTY, INDIANA The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 - page 407
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ANSON A. O. ROLL, tonsorial artist, Geneva, was born in Darke County, Ohio, January 14, 1851, son of Orrin and Susan (Biteman) Roll, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. They now reside in Defiance County, Ohio. Our subject remained at home until thirteen years of age, then went to learn the plaster's trade, which he followed about six years. He learned the barber's trade at Union City, Indiana, then removed to Geneva, where he opened a shop. He was married April 2, 1872, to Samantha Higgins, a native of Jay County, and they have one child -Louroy.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF ADAMS COUNTY, INDIANA The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 - Page 385
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MICHAEL McGRIFF, sheriff of Adams County, Indiana, was born in Darke County, Ohio, November 14, 1848, a son of John and Martha (Bannois) McGriff, also natives of Darke County, the father of Irish and the mother of English parentage. John McGriff is a twin brother of Richard McGriff, of Randolph County, Indiana. He was engaged in farming and stock-dealing in his native county until 1871, when he came to Adams County, Indiana, and now lives with his son Michael. He is a Democrat in political faith, casting his first vote for Andrew Jackson. His wife died in Darke County in 1850, aged thirty years. They had two sons -Michael, and Simon, a dealer in live-stock at Selma, Ohio. Michael McGriff was reared on a farm, remaining there until eighteen years of age, when he began teaching school, which he followed two years. In 1868 he went to Fort Recovery, Ohio, and with his brother dealt in live-stock until 1871, when he came to Adams County, and
first located at Geneva, where he was engaged in the grocery business until 1880. In 1882 Mr. McGriff was elected sheriff of Adams County, and was re-elected in 1884. March 5, 1875, he married Mrs. Lizzie (Darr) Wall, a native of Jay County, Indiana.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL RECORD OF ADAMS COUNTY, INDIANA The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887 - Page 374
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