JOHN S. TAYLOR, dairyman and farmer, is a native of Center County, Pa., born Nov. 11, 1831. He is a son of William and Susannah (Roop) Taylor, both natives of Pennsylvania, where the father died at fifty-two years of age and the mother now at eighty-one years of age, resides in Westmoreland County of her native state. By occupation the father of Mr. Taylor was a miller and carried on the milling business for quite a number of years in Pennsylvania. Joh S. Taylor received a common school education and then learned the tanner's trade, at which he worked for seven years near Ligonier, Pa. In 1854 he came to Indiana and settled in Miami County, near Peru and there carried on farming for ten years, or until 1864, when he came to Fulton County and for two years lived in Rochester and then removed to his present place of residence one-half mile north of Rochester. In 1868 Mr. Taylor began the dairy business and with the slight omission of one year has continued this industry ever since. His dairy is one of the best in northern Indiana. In connection with this interest he has for many years given considerable attention to stock interests, and now has on his farm of 107 acres some of the best blooded stock to be found in the county. The marriage of Mr. Taylor took place in December, 1852, to Miss Susan Ambrose, who was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Dec. 17, 1833. She is a daughter of Killian and Elizabeth Ambrose, who came to Fulton County about the same time that the Taylor family came. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are these two children: Madge and Charles F. In politics Mr. Taylor is an ardent republican and is a K. of H. He is a man of honest motive and he and family are highly respected.

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


SAMUEL P. TERRY, M.D., a native of this county, born Mary 15, 1861, son of Dr. Samuel S. and Sarah (McCloud) Teryr. The former was born in Tompkins County, N.Y., in 1824, and died in Rochester in 1893. He was a son of Samuel and Laura Terry, natives of New York and of English descent. The late Dr. Terry obtained a good primary education. In 1840 he began the study of medicine and in 1844 graduated from the medical department of Willoughby university. In 1846 he came to Fulton County and located at Akron, but two years later removed to Rochester, where he resided until his death. He represented this and Miami County in the Indiana general assembly from 1864 to 1868. During the war he was first assistant surgeon of the seventy-third Indiana regiment. He was a man of pronounced ability and unquestioned character. The mother of Dr. Samuel P. Terry was born in Ohio and died in Rochester in 1883 and is yet remembered for her grace of character and womanly purity. The subject of this review attended the Rochester schools until September, 1878, when he entered Notre Dame university and there continued for nearly four years. In 1882 he entered the law office of Judge J.S. Slick as a law student. Here he continued until 1884, when he was admitted to practice at the Fulton County bar. He continued the practice of law for some time and in 1894 began the study of medicine at the medical college of Ohio. March 23, 1896, he graduated from the college of physicians and surgeons at Indianapolis and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Rochester. Dr Terry was united in marriage Oct. 12, 1887 to Miss Mary E. Walker, of Rochester. To this union are there children, viz.: Lillian, Samuel W. and Frederick P. Politically Dr. Terry is a republican and a member of Rapier commandery, No. 1 at Indianapolis, and he is the only thirty-second degree Mason in Fulton County. He gave the name to Fredonia lodge, No. 122, K. of P., of which he was a charter member and its first chancellor commander.

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


E.B. TIPPY, whose residence in Fulton County dates from 1875, is accounted one of the practical and progressive agriculturists, and belongs to that class of citizens who have gained for Indiana marked prestige among the agricultural states of the Union. He was born in Franklin County, Ohio, Jan. 20, 1845. The family is of Scotch origin, and the father of our subject, Levi Tippy, was born near Johnstown, Ohio. He married Louie A. Denune, daughter of John Denune, who was born in Paris, France, and came to America with Gen. LaFayette, serving as a drummer boy with the French troops in the colonial army. He married a Miss Barrel, a relative of Gen. Grant's family. Levi Tippy died of cholera in Louisville, Ky., in 1852, at the age of thirty-five. His children were as follows: George, who is living near Colombus, Ohio; E.B.; and Lewis, deceased. Our subject was left an orphan at the age of six years, and was reared by a Mr. Brown in Delware County, Ohio, until nineteen years of age. He then bought his time, and removed to Livingston County, Mo., but returned after eight months and learned the carpenter's trade in Delaware County, under S. Gorsuch. He afterward married and then removed to Boone County, Mo., but in a short time again returned to Delaware County, where he lived for four years. At the expiration of that period he began farming, which he continued in Ohio until coming to Indiana, in 1875. His first land was purchased with money that he had earned at school teaching. He here bought forty acres of land just east of Bloomingsburg, which he operated for four years, when he sold and purchased a farm adjoining the village, comprising 115 acres. He is progressive in his methods and at the same time extremely practical in his work, so that he has won a comfortable competence. Mr. Tippy was married Jan. 20, 1867 to Emma Fix, daughter of David Fix, and their home was blessed with six children - Della, wife of Jesse Emmons; Frank, a popular young man who possesses much mechanical genius; Levi, who married Ella Ross and resides in New Castle township; Ida, a teacher; Eva and Linnie. Mr. Tippy is one of the leaders of the democracy in his township, and is now serving as trustee, having entered upon the durties of the office on Aug. 5, 1895. His geniune worth has won him the high esteem of all, and he well deserves recognition in this volume.

For more information on John Denune

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


HOLMES L. TIPTON, ex-recorder of Fulton County, and a representative of one of the old families of the county, was born on his father's farm in New Castle township, Nov. 5, 1854. He is the son of Joshua Tipton, a natie of Choshocton County, Ohio, born March 6, 1813. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Fuller, was born Oct. 2, 1816. They were married in 1835, and in 1838 removed to Kosiusko County, Ind., whence in 1839 they came to New Castle township, Fulton County, where the father successfully carried on farming until his death. He died Aug. 18, 1893, leaving a valuable estate. The children of the home are: Daniel, of Kosciusko County; Thomas, of Butler County, Kans.; John, of Marion County, Iowa; James, of Rochester; Hannah, wife of Obadiah Hopper; Margaret, deceased wife of Amos Hider; Florence, wife of Perry Hamlet, of Barron County, Wis., and Alpheus, wife of Charles Baxter. Mr. Tipton, of this review, spent his childhood as a farmer lad, assisting in the labors of the field and receiving about the usual training in the district schools. On attaining his majoriy he began farming on his own account, at first renting a tract of land and afterward purchasing. His youth experience in this line now proved to him of value and he successfully carried on agricultural pursuits until November, 1891, when he was elected to the office of county recorder on the democratic ticket. His personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by those who know him is shown by the fact that he received all but seven votes of his own party and at least one hundred of the republican party. His prompt and efficient discharge of the duties of the office fully showed that the trust reposed in him was not misplaced. On his retirement from public office he resumed grain farming and stock dealing, and his operations along these lines have proved to him a profitable source of income. He owns some valuable real estate in New Castle township and also in Rochester, where he now resides. On Dec. 1, 1876, Mr. Tipton married Nancy Ashton, who was born in Mansfield, Ohio, thirty-nine years ago, a daughter of Charles Ashton. She was left an orphan at a very early age and was reared by a relative. She has a sister, Annie, now the wife of John Gano, of Chicago, and two brothers, C. Ashton, of Fostoria, Ohio, and George, of the state of Washington. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Tipton are Echo, aged nineteen, who was educated in the Rochester schools, and was her father's able assistant in the recorder's office; Lula, born in 1880; Celia, in 1883; and Bessie, in 1890. Mr. Tipton is one of the best known men in Fulton County. Possessed of excellent business and executive ability, he has won success in his undertakings, and his genial, social manner has made him a popular citizen and gained him many warm friends.

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


A.D. TONER, one of the most successful citizens of Fulton County, was born in Fayette County, Ind., June 20, 1834. His parents were Samuel and Anna (Shaffer) Toner. Unto them were born eleven children, of which the subject of this mention is the youngest. He was about eight years of age when his parents came to Fulton County and settled in Wayne township. Mr. Toner grew to manhood on the farm and gained a fair common school education. He remained on the farm till about 1859, when he became a resident of Kewanna and about that time began dealing in live stock, in which business he continued until about 1880. This, his first business venture, proved successful. In 1880 he became the prime factor in a movement for the construction of a railroad from Logansport through Kewanna to South Bend, and was instrumental in the organization of a company of Kewanna citizens for the construction of the railroad. The movement resulted in inducing the Vandalia railroad company to propose building a railroad from Logansport to Lake Maxinkuckee, in consideration of the right of way and $20,000. Mr. Toner, P.S. Troutman, John F. Wilson and Hickman Phillips assumed the responsibility of securing the right of way and the $20,000, becoming responsible to the Vandalia railroad company for the named consideration. They were aided in making this subsidy good by the public, who voted taxation and gave donations. Mr. Toner built thirteen miles of the road as a contractor and , as soon as the road was completed he erected a small elevator at Kewanna. Four years later additions were made to the elevator, and machinery for making flour was placed in it. Since then this mill and elevator has been owned and operated by the firm of A.D. Toner & Brunk. Mr. Toner was one of the parties who built the Masonic temple of Kewanna. In 1886 he erected what is now the Toner house, which hotel building he owns. Mr. Toner has done much toward the upbuilding of Kewanna. He has erected several fine brick business houses, as well as several residences, and now owns considerable property in the town. He is progressive and ever ready to contribute to the improvement of the town. It was mainly due to him that the H.J. Hinze company was induced to establish a pickle salting house at Kewanna in 1894. July 25, 1893, Mr. Toner established the Kewanna bank, of which he is sole proprietor, and H.D. Howell cashier. He has always been interested in farming and now owns in Wayne and Union townships nearly 1,000 acres of highly cultivated land. He built the second frame barn erected in Union township. He began his business career without a dollar, but by means of his superior business ability, energy and enterprise he amassed considerable wealth. In politics he has always been a democrat. He served as representative of Fulton and Pulaski counties in the general assembly of Indiana session of 1884-85.

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


JOHN HENDERSON TONER is of one of the oldest and best known families in Fulton County. He was born in Shelby County, Ind., Jan. 7, 1826. His parents were Samuel and Annie (Shafer) Toner. His father was of Irish descent and his mother of German. They were born and married in Northumberland County, Pa., came to Indiana in 1832, and first settled in Wayne township, Fulton County, where they resided till death. They had eleven children. The subject of this biographical sketch gained a fair common school education and very early in life began farming on his own account. For many years he continued farming and, though he began as a renter, success followed his efforts and at present he owns a fine farm of 381 acres. In 1889 Mr. Toner removed from his farm into Kewanna, where he has since lived, and in 1891 he and his son-in-law, D.W. Sibert, established the Exchange bank of Kewanna, which they have since operated. Mr. Toner has been twice married. In 1848, he wedded Elizabeth Updegraff, who died leaving no children, and in 1857 he married Hester A. Graham. Unto the second marriage was born a daughter, Lulah by name, now the wife of D.W. Sibert. In church faith Mr. and Mrs. Toner are Methodists. He has been a member of the I.O.O.F. since 1857. Mr. Toner enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, and has always been identified as a representative citizen of the county. In politics he was formerly a democrat, but isnow a prohibitionist. He has never sought political preferment.

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


JOEL R. TOWNSEND, of Liberty township, is a son of the late Joel Townsend, who was a settler in this township as early as 1834. His log cabin was of the rudest sort. His bed was supported by pins in the wall and chest or trunk served as his table. His means were very limited, so much so that at one time he was forced to dispose of a copper kettle brought from Ohio to get money to pay his tazes. But he was frugal and industrious and before his death, May 31, 1879, fortune had put him in possession of over 1,000 acres of land and much personal property. He was born in England in 1808; came to the United States in 1820, and was reared near Cleveland. He married Vesta Collins, who shared all his privations and enjoyed with him the years of his prosperity. Their living children are: Ansel B., Joel R., Lucy A., Harrison, living in Tabor, Iowa, and John N. Joel R. Townsend was born in Liberty township, Fulton County, May 12, 1848. He was educated at the Oliver school house and was engaged in merchadising in Macy. In three years he retired from this business and went on the road as traveling salesman for Isaac Stern & Co., of Kokomo, dealers in cigars. He remained in this business four years and next engaged with the Alsen vinegar company, of St. Louis, and was with these people four years. His next employers were Huffman & Co., Indianapolis, with whom he remained till Dec. 6, 1895. Since that time he has resided on his farm of 150 acres, keeping up the odds and ends about a well conducted farm. Mr. Townsend was first married Nov. 26, 1869, to Elizabeth Stibbs, who died in March, 1875, leaving one child, viz.: Mary, wife of Robert Miller, Macy, Ind. Nov. 25, 1875, Mr. Townsend married Clarissa, daughter of George Carter. Mr. Townsend is a republican and is quite active in party politics in the county.

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


JOHN E. TROUTMAN, born in Fulton County, Ind., April 17, 1851, is a son of John and Amanda (Blandin) Troutman. The father was born in 1828 in Kentucky. He died in Fulton County, Ind., in 1851. He was a son of Ambrose Troutman, also a native of Kentucky, and a son of Michael Troutman,who was born in Germany and emigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where he died. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in 1830, in New York and died in Fulton County, Ind., in 1875. She was a daughter of Jesse and Maria Blandin, who were of German lineage. Her parents removed from New York to Ohio, thence to Indiana, settling in Fulton County, near Leiter's Ford in 1840. Ambrose Troutman, the paternal grandfather of J.E. Troutman, removed from Kentucky to Attica, Ind., in 1828. In 1839 he settled in Fulton County, near Kewanna. The marriage of John Troutman and Amanda Blandin occurred in Fulton County. The subject of this mention is their only child. His father died in the same year the son was born. His mother remained on the farm and the management of the farm was assumed by John E. when he was but eleven years of age. His mother's second husband was William Mossman, who served in the civil war for four years. During his absence, while in the service, John E. took charge of the farm. Hard work and perseverance, therefore, he shared very early in life. He had but little time for going to school, but attended the country schools a little and while at home by the fireside he applied himself to his books, and at the age of twenty years he became a teacher in the district schools. For twenty-three years he taught in the schools of Fulton County. He has always had farm interests and lived on the farm till 1886, when he became a resident of Rochester. He was elected justice of the peace in 1884, but on removing to Rochester he resigned the office. In 1894 he was elected justice of the peace again and is the present incumbent of that office. He is a republican in politics, is a member of the Evangelical church of Rochester, member of the order of Red Men and of the I.O.O.F. In 1884 Mr. Troutman married Malina Neff, of Fulton County. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Troutman have two children: Chloe and Earl.

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


EMANUEL JOSEPH URBIN, farmer and citizen of Wayne township, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Dec. 8, 1854. His parents were John and _____ (Poff) Urbin. They were born in Germany, but married in Ohio. They came to Fulton County in the spring of 1864, and settled where the subject of this sketch now resides and owns sixty acres of land. They both died in the years 1876, when she was sixty-one years of age and he seventy-one. They were members of the German Reform church, and were highly respected. The subject of this sketch began life for himself at the age of eighteen, by working out as a farm hand. In 1876, when twenty-two years of age, he married Harriet J., daughter of A.J. Toner, Esq. Unto the marriage the following children have been born. Elsie Floyd, Mirtie Fay, Bessie May, deceased; Toner Lee, Ernest Guy and Victor Joseph. Mr. Urbin is a progressive and respresentative citizen; is prosperous and has a fine farm.

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


JOHN W. VANKIRK, a thrifty and enterprising farmer of Aubbeenaubbee township, Fulton County, Ind., first saw the light of day on March 25, 1854. Mr. Vankirk was born in Pulaski County, Ind., in which county his father settled at an early date, removing there from Pennsylvania, his native state. Mr. Vankirk was reared on the farm and taught the valuable lessons of industry, perseverance and frugality, and these he has crowded into his life. He remained with his father until he was twenty-four years of age, and then began life for himself. Selecting a wife in the person of Mary E. Wagoner, whom he married Dec. 22, 1877. Mr. Vankirk started out in life by moving to one of his father's farms, where he farmed on the shares for seven years, at the close of which he removed on a farm of 55 acres, which his wife had inherited. Later he purchased interests of other heirs in sixty-three adjoining acres, and now Mr. Vankirk controls both tracts. Here he has resided for a number of years and diligently applied his talents in the honorable calling of farming, growing prosperous and highly respected. Though a strong republican in politics, Mr. Vankirk has never aspired to office. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Vankirk has been blessed by the birth of three children, George, Etta and Albert.

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


JACKSON WAGNER, the son of Jacob and Rebecca (Hendricks) Wagner was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, Jan. 21, 1843. Jacob Wagner was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1812. Rebecca, was born in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1823. The parents were married in Ohio and came to Indiana in 1850, and settled in Aubbeenaubbee township, Fulton County, Ind. The father was through life a very hard and diligent worker and at the time of his deathowned 139 acres of valuable land. He died July 20, 1880. The mother still survives and resides with her son-in-law, John Cohler. Unto Jacob and Rebecca Wagner were born the following children: Jackson, Elizabeth, Noah, Emanuel, Mary, deceased; Jacob, deceased; Sarah, deceased; John, Ellen, deceased; Jonas and Jacob F. Jackson, the subject of this sketch, remained with his parents until the age of twenty-one years. He then worked out as a farm hand for two years, was then a renter for two years, and finally, March 5, 1868, was married to Miss Mary Hood, the daughter of Frederick and Mary Hood. To the marriage were born the following children: Arthur N., Ida, Captola, Elnora, Jacob F. and Lula May, twins, one of the twins, Lulu May, is dead; George, deceased; Etta and Nanetta, twins. Mr. Wagner has always farmed, and at the present time owns some 187 acres of good land. He received a small amount from home in 1888. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has always been a staunch democrat. He has been a hard and diligent laborer throughout his life.

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


NOAH WAGNER, the son of Jacob and Rebecca Wagner, and a brother of Jackson Wagner, mentioned elsewhere in this work, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, Jan. 14, 1847. He remained with his parents until the age of twenty-one, having in the meantime received a common school education. Dec. 30, 1869, he was married to Elizabeth Coon, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Coon. At the time of his marriage he owned one horse and possessed $15 in money. He began farming on the far he now owns. The farm was then the property of his father-in-law. From time to time he purchased the rights of his wife's brothers and sisters until now he is the owner of 160 acres of valuable land. He has been interested in stock-raising in connection with his farming. Unto him and his wife have been born eight children: Sarah Aletta, William Lee, Lizzie Jeanette, Rebecca Viola, deceased; Noah Harvey, Nellie Edna, Hetta Alma,and Netta Leona. He has always supported the democratic party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church and are leaders in their community.

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


KRYAN WALSH, one of the most successful farmers and one of the highly respected citizens of Fulton County, was born in county Kilkeeny, Ireland, Nov. 7, 1830. His parents were James and Margaret (Gaul) Walsh, both of whom were natives of county Kilkenny, Ireland. Mr. Walsh's paternal grandfather was Kyran Walsh, and for him Mr. Walsh was named. The Walsh family, like many other Anglo-Normans, adopted an Irish surname and title, and was known for ages as "Branach", which signifies in Irish a Welchman. At an early period it had extensive possessions in Waterford and Kilkenny. For four centuries it was only inferior in estate and power to the Butlers and Graces. Thus the subject of this personal mention is a descendant of one of Ireland's oldest and most prominent families. In the schools of Ireland he gained the rudiments of a common school education. Throughout life he has been a close observer and an extensive reader. Hence he is a well informed man, and being a man of foresight and wisdom he stands as a leader among his fellow-citizens. He came to America on the ship Thames, landing in New Orleans Jan. 14, 1849. His ship set sail for America with a passenger crew of 900, of whom but about sixty landed alive, owing to ship fever and other diseases which originated at sea. From New Orleans Mr. Walsh went to Cincinnati, where he arrived in the midst of the cholera, from which there were many deaths daily at that time. Mr. Walsh landed in Cincinnati May 13, 1849, and there engaged in the dairy business. Six years later he removed to Dayton, Ohio, where he took up farming, at which occupation he had been reared. In January, 1859, Mr. Walsh landed in Wayne township, Fulton County. Here he has since resided. On coming to the county, he was a very poor man, but, determined on success, he began farming as a renter, and continued as such until 1862, when he purchased eighty acres for a home in future years, to which, by industry and integrity, he added other acreage, until he has become the owner of nearly 400 acres, a part of which has been divided among his children. He has improved his farm and made it one of the best in the county. He has a good and substantial frame residence, which he built. A few years ago a very fine barn of his was burned, causing him a loss of about $2,900. In 1854, Mr Walsh was fortunate in securing in holy matrimony the hand of Ann Hoynes, a native of Ireland, also. She is the oldest daughter of Patrick and Margaret Hoynes. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Walsh has been blessed by the birth of the following children: Margaret, Jmaes, Patrick, deceased; Edward, deceased; Mary Ann, deceased; Mary Ann, deceased; John J., William W., and Hannah, deceased. Mrs. Walsh is a most excellent lady, a faithful wife and loving mother. The entire family belongs to the Roman Catholic church, and is one of the leading families of the community. In politics Mr. Walsh has always been a staunch democrat, and was twice elected justice of the peace with overwhelming majorities. He has led a consistent life, dealt honestly and kindly with his fellow-man, reared a respectable family, gained the esteem of his neighbors, and won from reluctant fortune a good estate, and to-day stands as a representative and progressive citizen.

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


Deb Murray