Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Henry Gardner, farmer and stock-raiser, Fairfield Township, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Feb. 14, 1830, the youngest son of John and Barbara (Camp) Gardner, and was an infant when his parents moved to Holmes County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated, remaining there till 1859, when he came to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled on a tract of land he had bought in 1850. He built a cabin for his family, and began to clear and improve his land. He now has a valuable farm of 160 acres, and thirty-eight acres a short distance north of his homestead. Mr. Gardner has been an energetic, frugal citizen, and one of the most public spirited and influential men of this township. He was married April 27, 1855, to Eliza Swihart, a native of Holmes County, Ohio, daughter of George and Catherine (Snider) Swihart. They had a family of five children---Sarah A., John Q., George W., William H., and one that died in infancy. Mrs. Gardner died April 10, 1864. Oct. 5, 1866, Mr. Gardner married Mrs. Sarah Ann (Miller) Dunn, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Ash) Miller. To them have been born five children---David S., Clarence E., Harvey E., Cyrus A., and Irvin H. In politics Mr. Gardner is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
John Gardner, one of the most successful farmer of Fairfield Township, is a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., born Jan. 25, 1824, a son of John and Barbara (Camp) Gardner, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. In 1830 his parents moved to Holmes County, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the district schools. Soon after reaching his majority he came to De Kalb County, Ind., and remained two years, entering a tract of land in Fairfield Township. He returned to Ohio and remained till Jun 15, 1854, when he married Catherine Deitz, a native of Holmes County, Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Noll) Deitz. Immediately after his marriage he moved to his frontier home, and together they went to work to improve their land and make a farm, and how well they succeeded is proved by a visit to their beautiful home, where they have 160 acres of choice land all under cultivation and a pleasant residence and good farm buildings. They have a family of five children---Joseph D., Lydia A., Sarah, William A., and John H. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Joseph Gardner, one of the early settlers of De Kalb County, was born in Wesmoreland County, Pa., April 13, 1819, the eldest son of John and Barbara (Kampf) Gardner, his father a native of Maryland and his mother of Westmoreland County, Pa. In 1830 his parents moved to Holmes County, Ohio, where they both died. Six of their nine children are living. Joseph was reared on a farm and early became skilled in the mysteries of agricultural life. He has made that occupation his work through life and has been uniformly successful. In the fall of 1845 he came to De Kalb County and bought a tract of 160 acres of wild land on time, paying for it with money he had earned. After paying for his land he worked for others, at clearing and farming, four years, and then married Catherine Beidler, eldest daughter of David Ash, and widow of Jacob Beidler. After his marriage he settled on his land and began to clear and cultivate it. Possessed of energy and good management, he has accumulated a competency for his declining years. In July, 1884, his residence was destroyed by fire, and he has since erected a neat and substantial two-story brick dwelling. His farm buildings are all large and conveniently arranged. In politics Mr. Gardner was in his early life a Whig, but since its organization has affiliated with the Republican party. His influence has always been on the side of temperance and good order. He has served his township acceptably in various office of trust.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Don A. Garwood, of the firm McClellan & Garwood, attorneys at law, Waterloo, is a native of Cassopolis, Cass Co., Mich., born March 9, 1858, a son of Dr. Alonzo and Ellen (Brown) Garwood. His father is a prominent physician of Western Michigan, and has also figured in State political circles, representing his district in the State Senate in 1856. In 1876 Mr. Garwood entered Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, and after teaching one year graduated in 1881. In September of the same year he came to Waterloo and was employed in the office of Best & McClellan, and at the same time began the study of law. In 1883 he was admitted to the bar, and the following September, Mr. Best having retired from the firm, he was given an interest in the business by Judge McClellan, the firm name being McClellan & Garwood. In October, 1882, Mr. Garwood was married to Jennie, daughter of Judge McClellan. They have one child---Aileen. Mr. Garwood is a member of Waterloo City Lodge, No., 307, F. & A.M.; Wm. Hacker Chapter, No 63, R.A.M., and De Kalb Council, R. & S.M., of Auburn, and of Apollo Commander, K.T., of Kendallville.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Harlow F. Gee, farmer and stock-raiser, Concord Township, is a native of Ohio, born in Ashtabula County, April 19, 1827, the second child of Anson and Amelia Gee. When he was four years of age his father died, leaving his mother in limited circumstances with three children to care for. As soon as they were large enough, he and his elder brother were obliged to follow the plow and clear the land. His mother subsequently married Enoch Hayford, and in 1834 they moved to Bartholomew County, Ind., where his stepfather died. In 1840 they came to DeKalb County and bought eighty acres, to which he afterward added forty acres near Newville, paying $3 an acre. He was married Aug. 25, 1850, to Lucinda Loomis, daughter of Amos Loomis, and settled on the homestead. In 1851 he bought his present farm of fifty acres in Concord Township, all under cultivation. To Mr. and Mrs. Gee have been born eight children---Harriet A., wife of James Sichler; Mary A., wife of James Lindermuth; Elizabeth, wife of George B. Wilson; Marcellus D., married Carrie Coburn; Judson O.; Caroline, deceased; Burton A., and an infant, deceased. In politics Mr. Gee is a Republican. His success in life is due to his habits of industry and economy learned in youth form the counsels of a wise mother.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Prentiss Gill, harness-maker, Waterloo, Ind., was born in Summit County, Ohio, Dec. 29, 1839, a son of Thomas and Sarah (Sapp) Gill, his father a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Maryland. They were among the early settlers of Summit County, locating a little before Akron was laid out. Prentiss was reared and educated in his native county, and when thirteen years of age began working at the harness-maker’s trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Nineteenth Ohio Infantry (three months service) and was the first volunteer enrolled from Cuyahoga Falls. He served four months, participating in all the engagements under General McClellan. He was mustered out, and eleven days later enlisted in Company D, Fifteenth United States Infantry, Second Division (General McCook) Army of the Cumberland; afterward First Division, fourteenth Army Corps. He participated in the battles of Chattanooga, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, and Jonesboro, Ga. He was mustered out as sergeant at Atlanta in 1864 and returned home but soon after enlisted in Company ___, One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Ohio Infantry, and served a year. In July, 1865, he came to Indiana and began working at his trade in Kendallville, Noble Co. Remained there a few years, and then moved to Waterloo, where he now has a good trade. He was married Dec. 25, 1865, to Nancy Yant, who died in Waterloo in 1881, leaving three children-Kate, Jessie and Lloyd. In 1883 Mr. Gill married Mary Warren. He is a member of Waterloo Post, No.52, G.A.R.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Frederick Ginder, farmer and stock-raiser, section 26, Wilmington Township, was born in Ashland County, Ohio April 25, 1843. In 1853 his father, Jacob Ginder, moved to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled in Wilmington Township, where he was reared and educated, attending school in the log cabin school-houses. When eighteen years of age, in 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and participated in all the battles and skirmishes of the regiment, including Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga. He was discharged in the fall of 1864, and returned to the farm, where he remained till the spring of 1868, when, in company with Henry Gunsenhouser, a fellow-soldier, he bought a saw-mill of Bass & Hannah at Fort Wayne, and ran it till January, 1876, when they exchanged it for land. In February, 1877, Mr. Ginder settled on his present farm, where he is doing a successful business. He was married Oct. 22, 1865, to Emily McDannell, daughter of David McDannell, of Stafford Township. To them have been born nine children---Jacob S., John P., Hiram and Byron (twins), David O., Nora M. and George Merril. Frederick and Margaret are deceased; the latter was burned to death at the age of five years. Mr. and Mrs. Ginder are members of the United Brethren church.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Jacob Ginder, farmer, section 22, Wilmington Township, was born near the City of Worms, Germany, Nov. 6, 1822, a son of Jacob Ginder. He was educated in the public schools of his native country, and in 1833 came to the United States with his parents, settling in Seneca County, Ohio, and in 1838 moved to Wayne County, and thence in 1840 to Richland County. In 1854 Mr. Ginder came to De Kalb County and settled on the northwest quarter of section 27, Wilmington Township. He bought 200 acres at $10 an acre, giving his note for $900 of the money. He has been successful, and has paid his indebtedness and given his son forty acres of land. He still owns 200 acres, which is now improved, and also town property in Butler. He ran an ashery three years on his farm in company with Elias Fisher, and subsequently ran a threshing-machine and clover-huller four years and saw-mill four years. When Mr. Ginder was married he did not have money enough to pay the 'Squire, but chopped wood for him for the fee. He now has a good property and can look forward to an old age of peace and plenty, gained by his own frugality and industry, assisted by a noble wife. Mr. Ginder was married Jan.10, 1843, to Margaret Miller, a native of Germany, daughter of Frederick Miller. To them have been born eleven children, but five of whom are living---Frederick, Catherine, Philip D., Eva and Mary. One son, George W., died in his twentieth year from the effects of a cold in a slight cut on his knee. Mr. and Mrs. Ginder are members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Ginder is a liberal, public-spirited citizen, and is always ready to assist any charitable enterprise or anything of benefit to the community.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Philip D. Ginder, farmer and stock-raiser, section 27, Wilmington Township, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, March 7, 1846, a son of Jacob Ginder, who settled on section 27 in 1854, and now lives across the street from his first settlement, on section 22. He was reared a farmer and has always followed that vocation. He lives on apart of the land entered by his father, and in connection with his own cultivates his father's farm. He owns forty acres of valuable land. His residence is a fine two-story brick, the main part 18x28 feet, with a one-story L 24x26 feet. He has the finest barn in the township. It is 36x62 feet in size, and eighteen feet high. Mr. Ginder was married in January, 1871, to Sarah C. Swaidner, daughter of John Swaidner, of Hicksville, Ohio. To them were born two children; but one, Mary A., is living. Sarah is deceased. Mrs. Ginder died Sept. 4, 1873, and April 16, 1874, Mr. Ginder married Martha McDannell, daughter of David McDannell. To them have been born five children, but three of whom are living---Jacob L., Inez B. and Zantha A. Ida and an infant daughter are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ginder are member of the United Brethren church.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Charles P. Glazier, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Aug. 28, 1848, a son of Mosley and Alzina Glazier. When he was four years of age his parents moved to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled on section 27, Butler Township. His father died in Ohio, Jan 14, 1877, while visiting relatives, and his remains were brought to Huntertown, Ind., where his eldest son now resides. His mother still lives at the old homestead in Butler Township. Their family consisted of four children---Ellen J. born July 16, 1836; Nathan C., born March 25, 1846; Charles P., born Aug. 28, 1848; Ann E., born Oct. 8, 1855. Ellen J. married Samuel Clark from Ohio, and subsequently moved to Wisconsin where Mr. Clark died, and she afterward married M.F. Lunt. Nathan married a daughter of Thomas and Ellen Rowley. Ann E. married M.A.Carnahan, and resides on the old homestead. Their father was a very energetic and hard laboring man. At the time of his death he had just completed a nice residence. C.P. Glazier remained with his parents till his marriage, and then located on section 31, Jackson Township, where he has a fine farm of 113 acres. He is a great lover of sports, especially the chase, and since the game has been driven from this county he occasionally goes to Wisconsin for a few weeks’ deer hunting. In the winter of 1884 he visited his sister Mrs. Lunt, in Clark County, Wis., and brought home several trophies of his expertness. In politics he is a Democarat.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
James M. Goetschius, known by the early settlers as the noted wolf hunter of De Kalb County, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., July 4, 1812, a son of Lewis and Helen (McMasters) Goetschius. In 1815 his parents moved to Tioga County, N.Y., and there he grew to manhood and married, in 1833, Miss Betsy Waterman, a native of New York. The next spring he moved to Huron County, Ohio, where, in August, 1834, his wife died, leaving a daughter ---Catherine, now the wife of Daniel Hoffman, of Auburn, Ind. In the spring of 1836 he came to Indiana and entered 240 acres of land in Butler Township, De Kalb County. He cleared and improved a part of the land, built a log house, and May 22, 1839, married Miss Catherine Barnes, a native of Tioga County, N. Y. They had many hardships to contend with, but were young and ambitious, and succeeded in making the farm tillable, and in placing themselves on an equal footing with their neighbors. In 1850 Mr. Geotschius crossed the plains to California and remained there a year and a half, successfully engaged in mining. He returned home through Central America, via the Nicaraugua route. In 1856 he sold his farm in Butler Township and bought the one in Richland Township, section 14, where he has since resided. His farm contains 160 acres of land, and his residence and farm buildings are among the best in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Geotschius have had ten children, but six are living---Helen, Elizabeth, Emily, Philander, Abraham and Ira. Mary and three infants are deceased. Politically Mr. Goetschius is a Democrat. He has held many offices of trust and responsibility in the township, and served three terms as County Commissioner.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
David Goodrich, son of Philander and Salmeda (Jewett) Goodrich, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., Jan 31, 1838. He remained with his father till his death, and then worked by the month till after the breaking out of the war, and Aug. 8, 1862, enlisted in Company A, Eighty-eighth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battles of Perryville and Stone River, and was then placed on detached duty till the close of the war. He was discharged June 26, 1865, and returned to De Kalb County, and in 1866 bought his present farm, to which he has added till now he owns ninety-four acres of land all under cultivation. He was married Jan. 10, 1867, to Mary A. Phelps, daughter of Chauncey and Mary (Chadwick) Phelps. They have had a family of six children, but five of whom are living---Orrin G., Albert B., Laura B., Derward G., and Edna May. A son died in infancy. Mrs. Goodrich is a member of the Disciples church. In politics Mr. Goodrich is a Republican.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Philander Goodrich, deceased, was born in the State of New York in 1809, a son of Zebulon and ______, Goodrich, his father of Puritan and his mother of German descent. He was reared on a farm, remaining with his parents till manhood. He was married about 1836 to Salmeda Jewett, a native of Connecticut. In the fall of 1840 they moved to Lagrange County, Ind., where his wife died in 1841. Mr. Goodrich afterward moved to Steuben County, and in 1846 to De Kalb County and settled in Smithfield Township, but in less than a year moved to Fairfield Township and bought a tract of unimproved land, which he began to improve, and on which he lived till his death in 1856. His family consisted of three children, two sons and a daughter---David, William A. and Harriet. The Latter is deceased.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Samuel Goodwin, one of the old settlers and representative citizens of Union Township, was born in Center County, Pa., in October 1816, the second son of seven children of David and Catherine (Zimmerman) Goodwin, native of Pennsylvania. In 1822 his parents moved to Wayne County, Ohio, and subsequently to Ashland County, where the father died and where Samuel grew to manhood. He was married in 1843 to Elizabeth Good, and settled in Ashland County, Ohio, where they lived till 1854, when they moved to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled on the farm where he now lives. At that time it was a tract of heavily timbered land, but by hard work and perseverance he has cleared and reduced it to an advanced state of cultivation. He owns 115 acres of choice land and his residence and farm buildings are large and comfortable. Although his early years were full of toil and hardship, he has accumulated a good property, and his latter years can be spent in comparative ease, free from care and labor, with a consciousness that his life has not been lived in vain. His wife died in 1865, leaving five children---Mary E., now the wife of Alfred Keck; Leander S. married Rebecca Hively; Joseph W. married Olivia M. Brown; Lucy, now Mrs. Stephen George; Alice, now Mrs. William Atwood. Mr. Goodwin subsequently married Mrs. Mary J. (Prosser) Brubaker, and to them have been born three children---Ina, married, Frank Parnell and William F. Mrs. Goodwin has three daughters by her former marriage---Jennie, wife of Philemon Goodwin; Catherine, wife of Oscar Zimmerman; and Emma, wife of John Lilling. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin are members of the United Brethren church, and take an active part in the promotion of all objects of a religious or charitable nature.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
George W. Gordon, Postmaster, Auburn, Ind., was born near Republic, Seneca Co., Ohio, Dec. 7, 1834. In 1841, when he was seven years of age, he came to Indiana with his mother and stepfather, Lydia and George Ensley, and was reared in Butler Township, De Kalb County. He received a good education, attending the district and select schools, and afterward the Methodist College at Fort Wayne. He assisted his stepfather to clear and cultivate his farms, and endured all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, remaining on the farm, and teaching school during winter months, till the breaking out of the Rebellion. Sept. 25, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, as a private, but was promoted to Orderly Sergeant. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth. While on duty during the siege of Corinth he was taken sick with typhus fever and rheumatism and was sent to the United States Hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, where he remained under treatment from July till December, returning to his regiment on the battle-field at Stone river. He participated in all the further engagements of his regiment, including battles of Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. After the latter battle his regiment was detailed to provost duty at Chattanooga, and remained there till the end of their term of service. He was mustered out at Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 22, 1864, serving three years and nearly three months, and returned to Indiana. Soon after he went to Fort Wayne and engaged in the art of photography, remaining there one year. He then returned to the old home in Butler Township and engaged in farming till 1871, when on account of failing health, the result of army life, he located in Auburn, and opened a studio which he carried on till January, 1882, when he was appointed, by President Arthur, Postmaster of Auburn. In politics Mr. Gordon is a Republican. In 1856 and 1857-'8 he served as Clerk of Butler Township, and in 1870 was nominated County Auditor, but was defeated by seventy-five votes, the county going Democratic. He was married Nov. 22, 1856, to Mary C., daughter of Charles F. Crouse. They have one daughter---Minnie M. Mr. Gordon is a member of Mentor Lodge, No. 591, I.O.O.F., and De Long Post, No. 67, G.A.R. He is Past Grand of his lodge, and is Deputy Grand Master of the 467th District of Indiana. He is Commander of his post. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Richard Gramling, section 10, Smithfield Township, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1831, a son of Isaac and Mary (Hornberger) Gramling. Isaac Gramling was a native of Bucks County, Pa., born in 1805. He was married in his native State and subsequently moved to Stark County, Ohio, and from there in 1849 to De Kalb County, Ind. He settled on a tract of unimproved land on the southwest quarter of section 4, Smithfield Township, which he improved and made his home till his death July 2, 1883. His wife died in April, 1881. They had a family of eleven children, eight of whom came with them to De Kalb County. The eldest was married, but followed his parents to Indiana the next year. Six of their children are living, all in Smithfield Township, within a mile of the old homestead---Richard, Peter, John, William, Frank and Amanda. Eliza, Sarah, Henry, Susan and Mary are deceased. Richard Gramling was married in 1858 to Margaret Mortorff, daughter of Moses Mortorff, who settled in De Kalb County in 1843. They have one son, William Albert, born Sept, 24, 1859; married Mary, daughter of Lewis Chapman, and has one son---Rollin. Mr. Gramling has a fine farm, on which he settled in 1860. His residence and farm buildings are good, and he is one of the most enterprising farmers of the township.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Daniel Greenwalt, section 31, Stafford Township, was born in Berks County, Pa., June 26, 1837, a son of Jacob and Trafna (Correll) Greenwalt, and grandson of John Correll. His parents came to De Kalb County in 1847, and settled in Concord Township, and the next spring his father bought the farm now owned by Catherine Greenwalt, where the father died in July, 1882, and the mother February, 1883. There was a family of three children, but two of whom, Daniel and Catherine are living. Lovina is dead. Daniel and his sisters are unmarried and live together on the old homestead, which contains forty acres of good land. He recently sold a farm of forty-seven acres in Wilmington Township. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Company F, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served three years and four months. He participated in the battles of Stone River and Perryville. He was wounded at the battle of Stone River and has never recovered from its effects, and draws a pension $15 a month. The greater part of his term of service he was detailed to duty in the hospital at Evansville. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwalt are members of the Disciple church. Mr. Greenwalt is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Gilbert F. Greenwood, farmer and stock-raiser, section 4, Franklin Township, was born in Stafford Township, De Kalb Co., Ind., Nov. 30, 1859. His father, Benjamin F. Greenwood, was a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, a son of Oliver P. Greewood, a native of Stockbridge, Mass., born Feb. 20, 1808, and grandson of John Greenwood, a native Rehoboth, R.I., of English descent, and a sailor on a man-of-war for the United States in the war of 1812. He settled in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1818. Benjamin F. Greenwood moved to DeKalb County, Ind., in 1858, and settled in Stafford Township, and in 1873 removed to Franklin Township, and settled on the farm where our subject now lives. He married Maria, daughter of John Henry, and their family consisted of two sons---Gilbert F., and Eugene, of Steuben County. Gilbert F. Greenwood remained at home till manhood. He received a good education completing it at Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind. He was married Sept. 4, 1879, to Orilla Felger, daughter of David Fegler, of Defiance, Ohio. They have three children---Floyd, Ethel and Benjamin F. Mr. Greenwood owns 236 acres of valuable land, and is among the prosperous young farmers of Franklin Township.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Edward A. Griffin, section 16, Wilmington Township, was born in Licking County, Ohio, Feb. 16, 1847, a son of Eli B. Griffin, a native of New York, and an early settler of Licking County, moving there in 1834, and in September, 1848, moving to De Kalb County and settled in Jackson Township, and in 1865 moved to Wilmington Township, where he died in April, 1875. Edward A. Griffin was reared a farmer and educated in the common schools. Arriving at manhood he began farming for himself, and now owns seventy-two acres of choice land, well cultivated, with a good residence and farm buildings. He was married Feb. 27, 1868, to Susannah M. Miller, daughter of Jacob Miller. But two of their three children are living---Elvin S. and Lewis F. Mrs. Griffin died July 29, 1874. Aug. 22, 1875, Mr. Griffin married Mary A., daughter of Peter Menges. They have had three children; but one is living-Elnora L. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin are members of the United Brethren church.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Lafayette Griffith, engineer, Wabash Railroad, Butler, Ind., was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. 7, 1847, a son of Joseph Griffith, who moved to Wells County, Ind., in 1848 and settled in the northwest corner on an Indian reservation. These Indians were of the Miami Tribe, the chief's name, White Loon. They were peaceable and our subject often visited them and learned their language. He received a good education attending Roanoke Seminary. Before his majority he learned the carpenter's trade, serving an apprenticeship, but not liking it he went to work on the Wabash Railroad as a laborer on a work-train, and has since been in the employ of the company, being gradually promoted till he reached his present position in 1874. He lived in Peru, Ind., from 1866 till 1871; in Fort Wayne from 1871 till 1880; and in Butler since 1880. He ran a freight engine between Fort Wayne and Lafayette seven years, and Oct. 10, 1880, was transferred to the Detroit & Butler branch of the eastern division, and ran the first express engine over the road west from Detroit. Mr. Griffith was married Sept. 29, 1870, to Mary E. Walters. They have three children---Minnie A., Jessie B. and Harry Lafayette. Mr. Griffith has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1870, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Nelson Griffith was born in Fayette County, Pa., Jan. 24, 1812, a son of Asa and Jane (Blair) Griffith, native of York County, Pa., of Welsh and Irish descent. In 1817 his parents moved to Wayne County, Ohio. When he was eighteen years of age he went into a woolen factory and served an apprenticeship of three years. He then worked in the same factory four years as a journeyman. In 1839 he moved to De Kalb County, Ind., and entered eighty acres of land in Jackson Township, where he lived fourteen years. In 1853 he sold his farm and purchased the one in Richland Township where he now lives. At the time he bought his land it was mostly heavily timbered, but he has cleared and improved it, and now has one of the finest farms in the township. Mr. Griffith was married March 19, 1837, to Sarah Ann Cobbler, daughter of Philip and Charlotte (Wolf) Cobbler, who moved from Lancaster County, Pa., to Ohio in 1822. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith have had ten children, eight of whom are living---Lewis C., Annie, Clark W., Philip A., Lottie, John and Aaron (twins), Dewitt. The deceased are Harriet and David K. Politically, Mr. Griffith is a Democrat. He has served as Assessor of his township six years and as County Commissioner three years. He and his wife are members of the Disciples church.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Hiram Griswold, bridge contractor and builder, of Auburn, Ind., was born in Litchfield County, Conn., April 4, 1827. He went with his parents when a child to Stark County, Ohio, and later to Massillon. In 1844 he began clerking for Freeman McMillan, wholesale dealer, in dry goods, and groceries, Massiollon, remaining with him four years. In 1848 he went to Toledo, Ohio, and for three seasons followed boating, and from there to Dayton, where he followed the same business till 1853. In the summer of 1854 he came to Indiana and was associated with his father, Willis Griswold, in the saw-mill, which subsequently was burned. They then bought the old___ Mills, which they carried on several years. He was then variously employed, being for some time Marshal of Auburn and Deputy Sheriff several terms, serving under S.W. Ralston, Jeremiah Plumb and John McMillan. In 1861 he began a bridge building, and has since built the greater part of the bridges in De Kalb, Whitley and Steuben counties. He was married December, 1849, to Mary Copsly, of Dayton, Ohio. She died in June, 1869, leaving three children---Grant, Alfred and Lilly, wife of Charles McDonald, son of J.B. McDonald, of Whitley County.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Daniel Grogg, one of the early settlers of Union Township, was born in Stark County, Ohio, Aug. 13, 1818, a son of Solomon and Mary (Snyder) Grogg, natives of Northampton County, Pa., who emigrated to Stark county in an early day. The father died in Ohio, and the mother afterward came to De Kalb County, Ind., with her children and died here at the age of ninety-five years. Daniel Grogg was reared on a farm, reciving a common-school education. In May, 1849, he moved to De Kalb County, Ind., and settled on the farm where he still lives, at that time a tract of wild land. He first bought 120 acres, and to this has added till he now owns 380 acres. His residence is a large, two-story brick building, and his farm buildings are among the best in the township. He has made a specialty of wheat, but has also paid considerable attention to stock-raising. He was married in Ohio, in 1843, to Elizabeth Hutz, and to themhave been born five sons---John, Abraham, George, Peter and Franklin. Their only daughter died in young ladyhood. Mr. and Mrs. Grogg are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Grogg is one of the representative farmers of Union Township, and has acquired his property by his good judgement and strict attention to his business.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Jacob Grogg, retired farmer, is a native of Ohio, born in Canton, Stark County, Feb. 14, 1814, a son of Solomon and Mary (Snyder) Grogg. When twenty-one years of age he began to learn the miller’s trade in Rufner Mills, near Canton. In 1840 he took charge of the Roop Mills at Pekin, and remained one year. The next ten years he took charge of the Hostetter and Roop mills, and in 1851 came to Indiana and prospected in De Kalb County where he had two brothers, Peter and Daniel. He purchased land in what is now Keyser Township, an in the spring of 1852 moved his family to the wilds of De Kalb County. He cleared and cultivated his farm, residing on it till the fall of 1869, when he moved to Auburn, although he still owns it. He has never aspired to official honors but has at different times been elected to positions of trust and responsibility. In November, 1937, he was married to Sarah Becher, of Canton, Ohio. They have had five children, but two are living---Julia Ann, wife of Isaac W. Bard, of Dayton, Ohio and Melinda, widow of Frank N. Barclay. Solomon died at Rufner Mills, Ohio, July 3, 1845, aged three years; Adam died December, 1865, aged twenty-eight years; and Sadie, Feb. 11, 1876, aged twenty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Grogg are members of the Lutheran church.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Peter Grogg, a successful and enterprising farmer of Richland Township, residing on section 22, was born March 2, 1821, in Stark County, Ohio, the youngest of seven sons of Solomon and Mary (Snyder) Grogg. After attaining his majority he worked for the neighboring farmers and rented land in Stark County seven years. In 1849 he came to Indiana and bought 160 acres of his farm in Richland Township, De Kalb County. His land was a wild, uncultivated tract, but he and his wife were industrious, and came to a new country expecting to undergo hardships and privations, and looking ahead to the time comforts. They endured their hard life without a murmur of complaint. He has been successful, and now has 320 acres of finely cultivated land, a good residence and comfortable farm buildings. He was married Sept. 3, 1846, to Eliza Smith, a native of Stark County, Ohio, daughter of Benjamin Smith. They have had a family of nine children---Amy Ann, Benjamin S., Lucinda, Jacob W., James H., Mary, Daniel S., Ellen and Elmer Ellsworth. The eldest is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Grogg are members of the English Reformed church. Politically he is a Republican.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
John Frederick Groscop, is a native of Germany, born June 12, 1821. His youth was spent on a farm in his native country, receiving a common-school education. When he was twenty-one years of age he enlisted in the regular army and served seven years. At the expiration of his term of service he returned home, and soon after married Christina Crennion. In 1852 he started for the United States with his wife and three children. His wife and one child died on shipboard and he arrived in New York with his two children, without friends and with very little money. He went to Buffalo and remained one winter, and in 1853 came to Indiana and found employment on the railroad in De Kalb County. From his earnings he saved enough to pay for sixty-five acres of land, and to this has since added till he now owns 100 acres. When he bought his land it was mostly heavily timbered, but he went bravely to work and soon had sufficient cleared to plant a crop. He has been industrious and frugal, and now has one of the finest farms in the township. He has a new two story brick house, and a new barn 40x50 feet in size. His other farm buildings are large and convenient. Mr. Groscop was married a second time to Mary Myers, a native of Germany, cousin of his first wife. He has a family of nine children---William, Charles, Frank and Frederick (twins), Harmon, John, Caroline (wife of Charles Rees), Emma and Sophia. Mr. Groscop and his wife are members of the German Reformed church. When Mr. Groscop was married the second time he had but fifty cents, and the first hay be bought he paid for with $3 of his wife's money.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Calvin Grub, farmer, section 12, Keyser Township, was born in De Kalb County, Ind., July 23, 1853, the second son of John and Catherine (Ketchum) Grub, prominent citizens of Keyser Township. He was reared on his father's
farm, and from him learned the practical and hence successful mode of agriculture, and since attaining manhood has utilized his knowledge for his own benefit. Mr. Grub was married March 5, 1873, to Miss Mary Rhodenbaugh.
To them have been born two children---Allie May and John. Politically Mr. Grub affiliates with the Democratic party.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Peter Grube, section 16, Stafford Township, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born Dec. 26, 1804. He was married in December, 1835, to Elizabeth May, also a native of Bavaria, born Nov. 23, 1811. In the spring of 1836 they came to the United States and lived the first two years in New York City, and in August 1838, moved to Stark County, Ohio, and in August, 1844, to De Kalb County, Ind. The second year after coming here he left his wife with two small children and went to Hicksville, where he worked at fifty cents a day to buy flour for his family. When he reached New York he had but $11, and at one time had but fifty cents, but by hard work and perseverance he has accumulated a competency for his old age, owning at present 215 acres of choice land, When he bought his first eighty acres he paid $50 cash, and the rest in eight years at 6 per cent interest, it being school land. His son Peter now has charge of the farm, his health not permitting him to perform the duties necessary on so large a farm. His wife died Dec. 22, 1868. To them were born five children, but three of whom are living---Henry, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Cannon, and Peter. Kate and Jacob are deceased. Mr. Grube has been a man of almost unlimited endurance. He has often walked to Auburn and return, a distance of twenty-nine miles, in one day, reaching home by four o'clock in the afternoon. He worked on his farm in the daytime and at weaving in the evening.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
William Henry Grube, section 9, Stafford Township, was born in Massillon, Ohio, in October, 1843, a son of Peter Grube, of this township. He was reared a farmer, having but limited educational advantages, and after reaching manhood worked at farming by the month several years. He then bought a Canton, Ohio, thresher, and during the summer threshed seven years, working in the pineries of Michigan in the winter. He now owns a fine farm of 111 acres, and is a successful farmer and stock-raiser. He was married May 20, 1881, to Mary Haas, daughter of Michael Haas. They have one child---Charles, aged three years, and one child died in infancy. Mr. Grube has been a member of the Odd Fellows' order fifteen years.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
John Grub was born in Stark County, Ohio, Sept. 22, 1822, a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Rex) Grub, natives of Pennsylvania, of German and French descent. When he was five years old his father died leaving his mother with nine children to rear and educate. He remained with his mother on the farm till twenty-five years of age, and from his eighteenth till his twenty-second year taught school in the winter, working on the farm in the summer. In 1844 he began clerking in a store and remained there till 1851, when he came to Indiana and bought a tract of unimproved land in what was then Butler Township, De Kalb County. When he came to Indiana he had but $150; this he paid for his land, and then commenced to improve and make a home. He has by his indomitable will and perseverance overcome the obstacles of settling in a new country, and has by his continued additions to his first purchase a landed estate of 424 acres, all under cultivation. Having no one but himself to rely upon, he early in life learned the lesson of independent action, and it has tended to make him through life self-reliant and sagacious. Mr. Grub was married May 7, 1847, to Catherine Kutchner, a native of Stark County, Ohio. They have had five children, but three of whom are living---Jefferson, Calvin and Clara. Politically, Mr. Grub is a Democrat. He served his township as Justice of the Peace eight years, and as Trustee four years, and has proved himself to be an efficient and worthy officer, attending to public affairs with the same fidelity as his own. Mrs. Grub is a member of the Dunkard church.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Isaac Gunsenhouser, section 4, Newville Township, was born in Stafford Township, De Kalb County, Ind., on the old homestead, on the southeast quarter of section 6, March 8, 1838. In 1836 his father, John J. Gunsenhouser, came to this county and settled in Stafford Township. At that time the county was all heavily timbered and the inhabitants were principally Indians and wild animals. Isaac Gunsenhouser was reared a farmer and has followed that vocation the most of his life, with the exception of the decade from 1872 to 1882, when he ran a steam saw-mill on the St. Joseph River at Newville. He received a common-school education, attending the schools of his native township. He moved to Newville Township in 1872 and settled on section 4, where he owns seventy-six acres of choice land, under a good state of cultivation. He served as Justice of the Peace three years in Stafford Township, and has held the same office eight years in Newville. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married in 1860 to Rosanna, daughter of Jacob Dickerhoff. They have had two children---Inez (deceased) and Mary E.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Jonathan A. Gushwa, a representative of one of the pioneer families of De Kalb County, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, Jan. 15, 1835, and was ten years of age when his parents moved to this county. His youth was spent in assisting his father clear and improve a frontier farm, and six months before his majority, his father gave him his time and he then worked for wages till the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. August 10, 1961, he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and served thirty-seven months. The first half of hies service he was detailed teamster. He contracted the erysipelas in his leg while in the army and has never fully recovered from its effects. After his return from the war he settled on the old homestead and took charge of the farm for his father till his marriage, Jan. 4, 1866, to Harriet Williams, daughter of David and Mary Williams. He then settled on a farm of his father’s in this township, where he lived sixteen years, and then bought forty acres of land, but three months later sold it and rented a farm of his brother a year. Nov. 1, 1883, he moved to the farm where he now lives, where he owns eighty acres of choice land, with a pleasant residence and good farm buildings. His wife died Jan. 18, 1883, leaving two sons---Charles and Edward. Oct. 4, 1883, he was married to Mrs. Margaret Jane Swinhart, sister of his first wife. Mr. Gushwa has been a prominent man in his township, and held several offices of trust and responsibility; among others those of Supervisor, Constable, road Supervisor; and in the fall of 1884 was elected Justice of the Peace. In Politics he is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Albright church.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.
Philip Gushwa, Jr., the fifth son and ninth child of Philip and Mary A. (Mahr) Gushwa, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, March 5, 1841, and was four years of age when his parents moved to De Kalb County. Here he was reared and educated, remaining with his parents till the breaking out of the Rebellion. Nov. 20, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and participated in many hard-fought battles, the more important being Chickamauga where he was wounded in the right thigh, the ball passing out of his leg. This disabled him from service for three months. He served till the expiration of his term and was discharged Nov. 20, 1865. After his return home he worked on his father's farm where he has since lived with the exception of three years, when he lived on land of his own in the same township. He was married Sept. 7, 1867, to Sarah Williams, a native of Holmes County, Ohio, daughter of David and Mary Williams, who came to De Kalb County, in 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. Gushwa have been born three children---James F., Alva W., and Nellie M. In politics Mr. Gushwa affiliates with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
History of De Kalb County, Indiana.
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.