WINFIELD S. SHAFER, M.D. -- Prominent both as a physician and public-spirited citizen, the subject of this personal mention, Dr. Shafer, is appropriately classed among men of progress, and few, if any, have a larger circle of acquaintances in the county than he. In Knox County, Ohio, he was born, Oct. 12, 1852. His parents, now well advanced in years , are David and Sarah Shafer, who are among the oldest and best known citizens of Marshall County, Ind. The father was born in Adams County, Ohio, in the year 1822. His father was Abram Shafer, born in Adams County, Pa. At an early day Abram Shafer's father immigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania. Dr. Shafer's paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. The Shafer homestead in Pennsylvania forms a part of the battle grounds of the memorable battle of Gettysburg, and is still owned by descendants of the family. Dr. Shafer's mother's maiden name was Sarah Ridgeway. She was born in Maryland, near Alexandria, in the year 1824, and died in Marshall County, Ind., May 2, 1896. Her parents were of Scotch origin. Her father was Jonathan Ridgeway and her mother was a Moore. Soon after the marriage of David and Sarah Shafer, over half a century ago, they removed to Ohio, where they resided until 1865, in which year they came to Indiana and settled in Marshall County. They reared nine children, bringing them up on the farm. Hence, the youth of Dr. Shafer was spent on the farm. He gained a common school education of such thoroughness that he commenced teaching at the age of nineteen and taught nine consecutive terms. His literary education was completed by one year's term in the northern Indiana normal school at Valparaiso. During the period of his school teaching Dr. Shafer read medicine under the guidance of Dr. Allen Moore, of Marshall County; then operated a drug store for two years; then took a course in Rush medical college, Chicago, in 1877-78. In 1879 he located at Big Foot, Ind., and entered into the practice of his profession. Four years later he located in Rochester, where his professional career has been an uninterrupted rise to the zenith of medical prominence in this secton of the state. Soon after locating in Rochester he abandoned the practice long enough to graduate from the Eclectic medical institute of Cincinnati, the date of graduation being June 1, 1886. In 1887 he took a post graduate ourse in the Bennett medical college in Chicago. Thus, together with a through preparation for his profession by attending the best of medical colleges, and an active practice of medicine of some fifteen or sixteen years, he has well mastered the subject of medicine and gained an enviable reputation. His high standing as a physician was recently attested by his election to the presidency of the Indiana State Medical association. He is also a member of the Northern Indiana Medical association. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the order of the Tribe of Ben Hur. While he is a firm republican in politics, he has never sought political preferment. The doctor is an enthusiastic devotee of mucis and education, having been a member of the Rochester school board and a founder of the Rochester normal university, being president of the controlling board of trustees. In 1878 Sarah Wiltfong, of Marshall County, became his wife. They have an interesting family of three children, namely, Howard, Effie and Robert. The doctor and his wife are prominent in social circles, and devote much time to the intellectual training of their children and themselves. They are members of the university association class of Rochester, which has for its object the study of universal history. The doctor is unostentatious and unassuming, and is held in high esteem by thos who know him.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

JAMES RANDOLPH SHELTON, the present clerk of the circuit court of Fulton County, is a native of this county, having been born on a farm in Liberty township, Nov. 14, 1844. Mr. Shelton's father, Wilson Shelton, was a Virginian by birth. With his parents he came to Indiana in an early day, settling in Hendricks County, where he married Polly Beattie, whose parents were also early settlers of the same county, having removed to the county from Virginia, in which state their daughter was born. Unto Wilson Shelton and wife were born the following children: Thomas H., a farmer of Fulton County; Isaac, killed by Indians in Oregon; Rhoda Ann, deceased; Lucy A., wife of the late David C. Oliver, of Fulton County; James R., the subject of this sketch, and Amanda, who died young. The parents settled in Fulton County about 1840. The father was a farmer by occupation. In the year 1852 he and his son Isaac started west, bound for the gold fields of California. The father sickened and died on the great plains. The son pressing on and going to Oregon met his death there, as above mentioned. In the year 1857 our subject's mother passed away in death. James was brought up on the farm. His first schooling was obtained in the country schools; then he attended the Rochester schools and later Hartsville college. At the age of twenty-five years he began teaching in the country schools. After teaching several years, Mr. Shelton spent three years in the elevator business, then resumed teaching, also taking up farming. For the last several years he has devoted his whole time to farming and to trading in live stock. Mr Shelton has been successful as as farmer and business man. He has always been progressive and has now the esteem of a wide acquaintance. He has always been a republican in politics. In 1894 his party nominated him for clerk of the circuit court and in the fall of that year he was elected to the office by 104 majority. In 1872 Mr. Shelton wedded Miss Margaret A. Martin, of Fulton County. Two children, Morris Claude and Fatima Beatrice, have been born unto the marriage.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

JOHN SHETTERLY, proprietor of the Rochester saw mill, was born in Pennsylvania, Jan. 3, 1849. In 1856 his father, Banjamin Shetterly, emigrated to Berrien County, Michigan, and there John was reared on a farm and educated in the schools of his district. Benjamin Shetterly died in 1874, sixty-six years old. He was a great-grandson of a Switzerland farmer, who came to America in colonial days and learned the lessons of patriotism in the keystone of the colonies. Benjamin Shetterly married Catherine Frain, who bore him seven children, of which number John is the fifth; four others are living in and adjoining Berrien County, Mich.; Mrs. Susan Rough, St. Joseph County, Ind.; Benjamin, George and Sarah Trusler, of Berrien County. John Shetterly was educated limitedly. His youth was occupied with such labors as are required by farmers in a new and wild country of their strong and industrious boys. At twenty he engaged in farming for himself and continued it for two years. He embarked in lumbering at Pine Groe for four years, and sawed out 160 acres. He farmed the next five years, then bought a mill at New Troy and operated it till 1885, when he went to Kansas and embarked in the retail lumber and furniture business. The west was settling up rapidly then and there was an unparalleled demand for pine. He had yards at Oakley, Colby, Wallace, Sharon Springs, Eustace, Tribune and Leoti. Mr. Shetterly was sent to the Kansas legislature as a democrat from Wallace County, and got a bill through organizing his county. He was chairman of the committee on enrolled bils and acquitted himself with credit in this capacity. He returned to Michigan in 1888 and ran a furniture factory at Buchanan two years. His next venture brought him into Fulton County. He purchased Jacob Miller's saw mill at Tiosa and in September, 1895, lost it by fire. In December of the same year he began business at Rochester, where his mill has a daily output of 5,000 feet. Mr. Shetterly first married in 1881 to Sadie Hill. She died without issue. His second marriage was in 1890 to Luella D., widow of J.B. Eckes, and daughter of a Mr. Burwell. Mr. Shetterly is an I.O.O.F. and a K.O.T.M.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

WILLIAM JAY SHIELDS, postmaster of Rochester, was born in this city Aug. 20, 1852. His education was obtained from the schools of the town, and when a lad in his teens became errand boy and then clerk in his father's store. When the father closed his long and successful career as a merchant and wound up his business, Jay engaged in the fruit tree business and continued in it four years. He was from that time till his appointment as postmaster in the employ of county clerk, M.O. Rees, as his deputy. He became postmaster April 7, 1894. Mr. Shields' first public service was as town clerk, to which office he was elected some twenty years ago. Twelve years ago he was the democratic nominee for county recorder, but was defeated, as were many other democrats that year. Mr. Shields is a son of the venerable pioneer and ex-merchant, Jesse Shields, of Rochester. Jesse Shields was born in Madison, Jefferson County, Ind., Sept. 15 1820. His father, William Shields, was born near Lynchburg, Va. He emigrated ot Indiana during the closing years of the eighteenth century and settled first in Jefferson County, but later moved to Jennings County, where he died, 1824. His wife, nee Elizabeth Logan, was born in North Carolina, and died in Washington County, Ind., 1826 leaving four children. Jesse was then only six years old and he was taken by a sister, Rhoda, wife of Nathan Rose, who, accompanied by Elizabeth (Shields) Lindsay, whose husband was the first blacksmith in this county, and William J. Shields, brother of Jesse, came to Fulton County in 1830 and located at the dam east of Rochester. Mrs. Rose and Mrs. Lindsay were the first white women in the county as residents. Jesse Shields learned the carpenter's trade in his youth and for three years made that his business. From 1840 to 1848 he was a foreman in the foundry of Moore & McColm, in Rochester. He went into the company's store and clerked two years. He then opened a store of his own where the postoffice is now, but in an old building, and conducted a very successful business for nearly forty years, retiring in 1890. Jesse Shields has always acted with the democrats. He was electer to the state legislature in 1867, and worked and voted solely in the interest of the taxpayers. Mr. Shields was married first in this county in 1844 to Catharine Welton, who died the same year. Two years later he married Margaret Robbins, who died in 1865, leaving William Jay, our subject; Dr. A.M. and Mary, wife of Charles Kokendorfer, at Newark, Ohio. Mr. Shields' third marriage was in 1872 to Margaret McClung. Our subject was married Sept. 9, 1878, to Margaret Killen, daughter of Mark Killen, Sr., deceased, and Rebecca Apple. Their children are: Edwin J., died in infancy; Jesse Leroy and Harry Killen. Upon taking charge of the postoffice Mr. Shields rearranged its interior so as to give better and more efficient service to the public. The stamp and money order window is open at all office hours and the general delivery service has undergone a marked change inthe interest of the public by reducing the total time of opening the mails to about seventy minutes daily.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

D.W. SIBERT was born in Washington County, PA., Jan. 9, 1855. His parents were Daniel and Phebe (Sanders) Sibert. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and were married in that state. The father was of German descent and the mother of English. They came to Indiana in 1858, and first settled in Huntington County; one year later they settled in Henry township, Fulton County. The first eighteen years of Mr. Sibert's life were spent on the farm. Learning the trade of silver-smithing, he came to Kewanna in 1879, and made his first business venture. Here he had since conducted a jewelry and book store. He has been very successful and though he began on limited means, he is now in the best of financial circumstances. He owns five business houses and three dwellings in Kewanna. In 1891 he and his father-in-law, J.H. Toner, established the Exchange bank of Kewanna, which has been a successful institution. In 1881 Mr. Sibert married Miss Lulah Toner.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

BYRON E. SLICK, one of the representative farmers of Union township, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, May 27, 1853. Mr. Slick is a son of John and Susan (Halmon) Slick. His father was a son of Philip Slick and was born and brought up in Maryland. Mr. Slick's mother was born and reared in Pennsylvania. These parents were married in Ohio. They removed to Indiana in 1853 and settled in Union township, Fulton County. Here the father died in 1867. He was a successful farmer and a representative citizen. In politics he was first a whig, then a republican. His widow now (1896) resides with her son Elmer, a very successful teacher. Unto John and Susan Slick there were born the following children: Elvira, Byron E., Melvin, Herman and Elmer. Byron E. was reared on the farm and given a common school education. He remained under the parental roof till he reached the age of twenty-one years, and then began life for himself as a farm hand, working for monthly wages. April 3, 1878, he married Lucy Guise, of Union township,and then settled down in life. He has always farmed and success has crowned his efforts. He owns a good farm of 122 acres, and has it well improved. Politically he has adhered to the principles of the republican party. He and his wife are members of the United Brethern church, and they have an interesting family consisting of the following children: Milo B., Lessie, Jay, Stella, Vida and Emma.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

HON. MILO R. SMITH, the subject of this biographical mention needs no introduction to the people of Fulton County, among whom he has lived many years. He was born in Logansport, Ind., July 1, 1829. He came of excellent parentage, but, unfortunately, death deprived him of their guidance and counsel when a mere boy. His parents were Rev. James and Nancy Smith. They were pioneer settlers of Cass County, and located at Logansport when that city was a frontier town. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and a very skilled workman in steel. While following his trade at Rising Sun, Ind., Gen. Tipton induced him to to to Logansport to do the government blacksmithing at that place. He was a devout Christian, and soon after going to Logansport began preaching. He possessed a fine intellect, generous heart and a strong desire to do the will of God as revealed in the Scriptures. His labors as a Baptist minister were interrupted by death, in 1833, when forty-five years of age. He married Nancy Fertad, a Frenchman's daughter. She was an excellent woman, a devoted wife and mother. She bore him the following children: Crandon C., Amanda, Julia, Susan P., George P., Anthony F., Rev. Oscar F., Mary and Milo R. As noticed above the last named, Milo r., was left an orphan and for a short time resided with a sister in Knoxville, Ills. He became dissatisfied, left the home of his sister and started out in life on his own responsibility. Going west, he went on board a Mississippi river steamboat as cabin boy, and for about one year followed the river between St. Louis and St. Paul. At the solicitation of a brother he returned to Logansport, where he was employed until the year 1856, when he came to Rochester, where he and his brother opened a dry goods store, unter the firm name of A.F. Smith & Bro. This business venture was attended with indifferent success, and the firm went out of business after a duration of three years. Then Mr. Smith began the study of law and accepted employment in the county auditor's office. In 1863 the democratic party, with which he is identified, made him its candidate for county recorder, to which office he was elected in the fall of that year. He served two terms and such was his popularity as warrents the conclusion that he would have been again elected to the office but for legislation which prohibited the possibility of his succeeding to the office. In 1872 Mr. Smith was again honored by the people, who elected him to the state senate from this and Cass County. For many years he has been engaged in the practice of law and in the loan and insurance business. He is unassuming and unostentatious, pleasant and agreeable in intercourse with his fellow-man, and is conversant on many subjects of interest. He has led an honest life and enjoys the esteem of many friends. His marriage with Eliza E. Lyon was solemnized March 26, 1863. Mrs. Smith's parents were David W. and Sarah (McCracken) Lyon. They have the following children: Estella, Gertrude and Eliza E. Mr. Lyon came to Rochester from West Liberty, Ohio. He was a good man, a successful merchant and respected citizen.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

SILAS SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Fulton County Sept. 18, 1849, and is a son of Jonathan and Lucy Smith. His father, who was a pioneer of this county, was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 3, 1814, and his death occurred in this county Sept. 13, 1893. He married in his native state, wedding Lucy Ann Kreps, also a native of Pennsylvania. Unto the marriage the following children were born: George, died in infancy; John, a farmer and citizen of Union township and ex-soldier of company B, Eighty-seventh Indiana volunteer infantry in the civil war; Henry, Silas, Wilhelmina Sallie, deceased, and Jonathan K. The father and mother came by way of wagon from Ohio to Indiana, and in 1844 settled in Union township, this county, and here lived till they were called away by death. The mother died about 1856, and later the father married a second time, wedding Mary Ann Snyder, who bore him no children. She was a native of Pennsylvania, and died some two years prior to the date of his death. Jonathan Smith was one among the hardy pioneers of the county, and his first landed possessions in the county he entered. He grew prosperous and at the time of his death owned 320 acres of land. He was a staunch democrat, but never cought political office. He was a life-long member of the Reform church, and brought up his family in the faith of that church. He had an extensive acquaintance and enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him. His son, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared on the farm, and remained on the farm with his father until he reached the age of twenty-one years. In 1870 he married and settled down in life for himself. He was then not twenty-two years old. He married Harriet Overmyer, daughter of DAvid Overmyer, Esq. She was born April 2, 1852. Unto the above marriage have been born the following children: Henry Albert, Howard, Cora, Millie, deceased, Walter Boid, Early, deceased, and Naomi. Mr. Smith has been very successful as a farmer and stock-raiser, and owns a fine and well improved farm of 228 acres. He is democratic in politics, and has served as assessor of Union township. He and wife are members of the Reform church.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

ARCHIBALD STINSON, a thorough going and representative citizen of New Castle township, was born of pioneer Ohio parents in Ross County, that state, Aug. 21, 1847. He obtained his knowledge of the three r's in the usual way of boys reared on the farm and this has served as a base for the broader and more liberal education of experience. His permanent abiding place was on the old homestead until after his marriage. April 10, 1878, when he was induced to visit Cleveland, Ohio, by a friend in the oil business. He accepted a position in the same business and remained in the city between two and three years. Having interests in Indiana that must be looked after, he resigned and came to Fulton County and settled on his present farm in 1882 or 1883. The next year he built his commodious residence, one of the largest in the township and has been busy since with such other improvements as a progressive, industrious farmer sees the need of. His farm contains 140 acres, which he purchased while on a trip here some twenty-six years ago. In politics Mr. Stinson is a staunch republican. He is referred to as one of the party managers in the county. Mr. Stinson is a son of Archibald Stinson, born in Ross COunty, Ohio, 1800. He died there in 1876. He was a very successful farmer, being able to give each of his children a farm out of his own estate. He married Silence McCoy, whose father, John McCoy, was the first settler of Ross County, going there from Kentucky. Twelve children were born of this marriage, of whom our subject is the youngest. Our subject's wife was Josephine, a daughter of Stephen Davidson, a prominent farmer of this county and a pioneer. He was a representative to the state legislature from this district two terms and his prominence as a farmer led to his appointment as a member of the state board of agriculture. His brother is the Hon. W.H. Davidson, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Stinson's only child is Arthur E., born Jan. 26, 1879.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

DANIEL STRUCKMAN, one of the leading and enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of Fulton County, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Sept. 29, 1838, and is a son of Henry and Sophia (Ebright) Struckman, natives of Germany, who emigrated to the United States about 1830 and settled in Fairfield County, Ohio, where the father died at about fifty-five years and the mother at the advanced age of eighty-two years. The subject of this review is the fourth in a family of nine children, of whom four are living at this date, 1896. He was raised upon the farm and was a student at the early slab-seated school house in Fairfield County, Ohio. In 1860 he began farming upon his own responsibility in his native county, where he continued for four years, or until 1864, when he came to Fulton County and settled where he now resides. He first erected a log cabin, 16x20 feet, which was burned a few years later, and he then put up a frame structure, which was about the same size, and about eight years ago he built his present home. About eleven years ago his first good barn was erected and two years later it was struck by lightning and together with some thirty tons of hay was completely destroyed and he then built his present barn. When Mr. Struckman settled upon this land it was almost one continuous forest. He has cleared 180 acres and now owns 221 acres of fine land, all of which is located about three miles northeast of Rochester. In 1862 Mr. Struckman was united in marriage to Miss Samantha Fenstermaker, who was born in Ohio. To this union are these two children, viz.: Florence, now Mrs. Frank Carr, and William H. Politically, Mr. Stuckman is a supporter of the democratic party. He is a progressive farmer and it would be better for Fulton County if she had more such men wihin her borders.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

JACOB STUDEBAKER, of Liberty township, was born in Morgantown, Ohio, June 3, 1840. His father brought his family to Carroll County and located north of Delphi early in the 40's. When he moved again it was to Cass County. Jacob was reared and educated sparingly in that county, and when he settled down for life it was in Fulton County that he located. His capital to begin business on was a colt and a calf. His beautiful home and productive farm lies on the south line of the county of Fulton. He bought it in 183, and its present condition is the result of his industry and thrift. Mr. Studebaker was first married April 12, 1865, to Mary Ellen, daughter of Thomas Day, who was born in Ohio. Mrs. Studebaker died April 22, 1877, leaving Thomas, Joseph, Annie Belle, married to V. Buckingham, Fred, Elbert and Frank. Oct. 6, 1881, Mr. Studebaker married Mary Ellen, widow of Mr. Baker, and daughter of Samuel Kirk. Jacob Studebaker is a son of Joseph Studebaker, born in Pennsylvania, but reared in Ohio. He died in Cass County, 1880, at seventy-five years of age. The subject's grandfather, Philip Studebaker, was in captivity by the Indians of western Pennsylvania for seven years. His father had moved too far west for safety and his family was attacked by the Indians and he himself killed and his children carried away. The mother of our subject was Susanna Most, born in North Carolina and reared in Ohio. Her children are: Elizabeth, deceased; Jacob, Nancy, wife of David Pownall, and David Studebaker, of Cass County. Mr. Studebaker is a strong republican and a worker in the Methodist church.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

DR. A.B. SURGUY, druggist of Tiosa, was born in this county Aug. 4, 1850. He grew to manhood on his father's farm and secured his primary training from the district school. He completed his literary training in Oberlin college, Ohio, graduating in 1870. He chose medicine as his life work and to engage in the study of it he went to LaPorte, Ind., and became a pupil of Drs. Higday & Meeker, remaining with them three years. He took his first course of lectures at Rush medical college and the next two courses in the Indiana medical college of Indianapolis, receiving a diploma from that institution Feb. 28, 1873. He practiced successfully in Kosciusko County, residing at Etna Green, some six years. He went abroad then and took a term of lectures in Queen's college hospital, London, England. He returned after a year's absence, located at Rochester, Ind., and became associated with Dr. Brackett. After four years of devotion to his profession here he retired temporarily and rusticated in southwestern Missouri a few months. He engaged in business next in Chicago, having his office at 64 and 66 Washington street. In 1890 he retired from practice and came back to Fulton County and engaged in the drug business at Tiosa. Dr. Surguy's father, William Surguy, was born in England. He came to America at twenty years of age, located in Brown County, Ohio, and married there, wedding Rachel Bell. They settled in Fulton not long after their marriage. Here Mr. Surguy died in May of 1894, at ninety years of age. His wife died soon after the birth of the subject of this sketch. Their living children are: John, residing in Wisconsin; James, of Shawneetown, Ills.; Mary C., wife of John Perschbacher, of Tiosa; Sarah, wife of Joseph Ormsbee, of Tiosa; Annie, wife of H.B. Turner, of Union Mills, Ind.; and Dr. A.B. Dr. Surguy is a single man, a Mason and respresentative citizen.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

Deb Murray