ISAAC GOOD -- Among the pioneers of Fulton County no man is better and more widely known than Isaac Good. He became a resident of the county very early in life. He was the war sheriff, and it was then he made the acquaintance of and won the friendship of the Fulton County pioneers. His official duties gave him practice as an auctioneer, and when he retired to private life his popularity as an auctioneer led him to engage in the business of such. He could sell more goods in a given time than any of his competitors and talk from day to day for a fortnight. He saw much of the rough and tumble in the 40's in "frontier Indiana," and in it all and through it all Isaac Good's chief aim was provide well for those depending upon him. In 1863 he bough a small tract of land near town, which was the nucleus of his present farm. He has it improved in keeping with those of the neighborhood where he lives, and is referred to as one of the substantial farmers about Rochester. Mr. Good was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, July 28, 1826. His father, Isaac Good, had died only six weeks before this event, leaving the widow with an older daughter. She struggled along and cared for her children till about 1833, when she married Peter Sans, born in 1812 in Ohio, and died in this county, aged fifty-nine years. There were six daughters by this union, two of whom reside in Rochester; Mrs. Philip Jenkins and Mrs. D.S.Ross. Peter Sanns left the Buckeye state with his family and reached Lafayette in the fall of 1836. He wintered there and the spring following took up his abode in Fulton County. He located a pre-emption in New Castle township, being the first white settler on Wewissa reserve. A part of this homestead is in the name of A.H.D. Gray, who married Rebecca Sanns. Isaac Good's paternal grandfather, John Good, was born in Pennsylvania. He was one of the earliest settlers in Licking County, Ohio, and built the first grist-mill there. He removed to Fairfield County some years later and built two mills there. His death occurred in that county about 1834, when he was nearing seventy years of age. Isaac Good fgot but a very meager education. His experience in business being the best training he ever had. He came to Rochester in 1844 and learned cabinet making with a Mr. Kitt, and it was about this time that the first school house was being erected and to plaster which Mr. Good carried the hod. He followed carpentering and cabinet work till 1860, when his name was mentioned for sheriff by the venerable Jesse Shields. Although he had never been in politics the wisdom of Mr. Shields suggestion was so apparent to all that he was made the democratic candidate and was elected by the margin of two votes. He was re-elected for a second term by a majority of 215. He made the county a successful and efficient officer and retired from the office with the respect of all. Sept. 15, 1850, Mr. Good married Eliza J., a daughter of Allen Nixon, who came to this county from Canada about that date. Mrs. Good died leaving the following children: Catherine, at home; A.W., a farmer in this county; Sarah A., died young; Alvin H., a farmer near Rochester; Nellie, married to Isaiah Hawley, of Rochester; Susan, wife of Edward Thompson, of Rochester, and Annie and an unnamed infant, both deceased. Mr. Good's second marriage occurred in 176 to his first wife's sister, Sarah A., widow of David Sheets. She has two sons, John B. and Allen B. Sheets, both in this county. Mr. Good has been a member of the I.O.O.F. since 1849.

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


EMANUEL GOSS is one of the best known citizens of Liberty township and certainly no man can say aught derogatory to his character, for he has lived by honest toil from the day on which he cast his lot with this county to his retirement from the labors of the farm in September, 1895. Mr. Goss was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Aug. 2, 1827. His father was a farmer in poor circumstances and could do nothing for his sons when they reached an age when they must support themselves. At eighteen young Emanuel was informed of this fact by his parent and told he could have his time to use as his own. In the month of May, 1845, he joined a neighbor, who was coming west, and agreed to drive his cow for the privelege of being in the company of the family. This man was John Plank. They reached Rochester in June and young Goss engaged to work for his cousin, Sebastian Goss, at six dollars a month. He continued to do the work of a servant for five years, saving his wages, with which he bought land at $1.25 per acre, the government price. He entered a tract in Liberty township and moved onto it about 1850. His work of clearing up was interrupted frequently by his having to do day labor to support himself and family while a crop was growing. He could turn his willing hand to anything, being frequently called on to cry sales, at which business he seemed peculiarly fitted. In a few years his fields were large enough to support the family, and Mr. Goss was enabled to devote all his days to the improvement of his home. His 177-acre farm is in prime condition, good buildings, good fences, good orchard, and during his forty-five years occupancy of the farm there was no funeral from his household. He gave up the farm because the "old machine" was run down. Its day was done. No more could be expected of it. It had done enough. Mr. Goss' father, Hnery Goss, was born in Switzerland. His father, also Henry Goss, settled in Fairfied County, Ohio, and died there in the town of Basil, which he laid out. Emanuel Goss' mother was Ulerich Wagoner's daughter Elizabeth. Her childre are: Emanuel, Anne, wife of Aaron Rouch, of Liberty township; Jonas and Tobias, both in Rochester. Emanuel Goss married Margaret Reed in 1851. Her father, Richard Reed, came from Darke County, Ohio, to Fulton County. Mr. and Mrs. Goss' children are: J.B. and Isaiah, both in Washington state; Rosie, wife of John Hagan, of Rochester township; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Willis Carter; Lyman W. and Frank J., both in Liberty township. Mr. Goss moved to Rochester in September, 1895, and will remain a retired farmer until death shall removed him. He has been a United Brethern for nearly forty years.

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


WILLIAM GOSS, of Rochester, is one of the recognized enterprising young men of the county. His advantages for the best general mental equipment were not in keeping with the ambitions of the boy. There seemed greater need on his father's farm of boys of strong muscles than of well-stored brain. However, he picked up such of the rudiments of an education as have enabled him to become a successful competitor in the race of life. He made his full hand on the farm early after entering his teens, and before he was twenty was the main manager of the farm. On becoming of age he followed the plow and drove the reaper for a few years, both in Rochester and New Castle townships and gradually drifted into the business of buying, feeding and shipping stock; at one time handling the bulk of that product brought to this market. Although he has dropped out as a regular shipper he is still handling cattle and trading in stock generally and in real estate. He owns a farm in Liberty township and one in Rochester, aggregating 246 acres and besides improved property in Rochester. For a few months he was a hardware merchant in Rochester in company with J.R. Barr. His political faith is democratic. Mr. Goss was born in this county May 23, 1860. He is a son of Sebastian Goss, a well known pioneer of this county, and a farmer of influence and means. The Gosses are of German extraction, and the pioneer ancestor of this family was Jacob Goss, who came from Europe and entered land in Fairfield County, Ohiol and laid out a town in it. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Sebastian Goss is the youngest of seven children. His mother died in 1831, aged 33. In 1833 Jacob Goss came to Fulton County and entered 280 acres and died here in 1877. Sebastian Goss was born Aug. 29, 1825. He married Elizabeth Rouch, daughter of George and Mary Rouch, Sept. 23, 1847. William Goss married, Sept. 9, 1882, Dora Pyle, whose father, John Pyle, was born in Virginia and was killed in this county by accident years ago. Mrs. Goss was born in 1861. Her children are: Caroline and Mabel.

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


VERNON GOULD, M.D., one of the oldest practitioners of medicine and most favorably known citizens of Fulton County, was born near Boston, Mass., Feb. 11, 1829. His parents were Jeremiah and Mary (Copen) Gould, both of whom were born in Sharon, about fifteen miles from Boston. Jeremiah Gould was a son of Nathaniel Gould, also a native of the Bay state. The Goulds were among the oldest of New England families, the first representatives of the family in America having come from Wales. In 1844, an early day in the history of the county, Dr. Gould's parents came direct from their native state, and settled in the northwestern part of Fulton County, where the father became a pioneer farmer of the county, and died about 1854; his wife having preceeded him in death one year. These parents had six children, namely: Vernon, Robert, Marietta, Willard, Daniel S., and Emma. Vernon was about fifteen year of age when his parents came of Fulton County. He gained a fair education in the schools of his native state, andon coming to this county, though but a youth, began teaching in the county schools, and also worked on the farm. He taught several years, and meanwhile studied medicine, and after practicing medicine for awhile in Marshall County, he entered Rush medical college, of Chicago, where he graduated in February, 1855. Then he located in Rochester, where he has since resided and continued the practice of his profession save for a period of time, during which he served in the war of the rebellion and as clerk of the county. In March, 1863, he became assistant surgeon in the Eighty-seventh Indiana infantry, and served as such until the close of the war. In the fall of 1865 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, which office he held for five years, and then resumed the practice of medicine, becoming one of the ablest in his profession in this section of the state. Dr. gould has always been a student no only in medicine, but also other subjects, especially minerology, geology and chemistry, in which subjects he has gained breadth of learning. he has collected many fine specimens of minerals and other curios. in 854 he married Almira O. Rannells, who remained his faithful companion some eighteen years, and then answered the summons of death in 1872. She bore him the following children: Francis, deceased; Dr. Charles E., now associated with his father in the practice of medicine; Hattie; Carrie E., deceased, and Lucius V., deceased. In 1876 the doctor married a second time, wedding Nancy M. Rannells, a cousin of his first wife. She died in 1882. In 1886 he united in marriage with Mrs. Margaret Cowgill, widow of the late E.E. Cowgill. In politics Dr. Gould has always been a staunch republican. He is also a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, McClung post, of Rochester. "Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896


GEORGE W. GREGSON, a resident of Rochester township since 1848, and a native of Morgan County, Ind., was born Feb. 8, 1836. He is a son of William and Mary (Myers) Gregson. The father was born in North Carolina in 1803 and the mother in Kentucky in 1805, and their deaths took place in Kansas, to which state they removed from Fulton County, Ind., in 1873, the father of Mr. Gregson dying in 1882 and his mother in 1890. George W. Gregson is the fifth in a family of eight children, of whom only three are living at this time. In the thirteenth year of his age he came to Fulton County and the first school he attended in the county was taught in a private house. Upon the coming of the Gregson family to Fulton County there was found one continuous forest and the settlement was made in the woods. In 1865 Mr. Gregson settled where he now lives, in the northeast corner of Rochester township. Here he has eighty acres of land and also owns forty acres in New Castle township in close proximity to the home farm. These 120 acres are well improved. The entire life of Mr. Gregson has been devoted to farming and he is considered a successful man in this line. In 1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine E. Shaeffer, a native of Ohio. To this union are these nine children, viz.: Sarah E., Charles A., Mary B., Cora F., Anna May, William H., Clara L., Alva M. and Nora O. Politically Mr. Gregson is a democrat, though in local affters he supports the man rather than the party. He and wife are members of the Liberty Chapel Christian church. This church was erected in 1895 and Mr. Gregson took a most active part in its building, giving both time and money. The Gregson family is one of the oldest in the northeastern part of Rochester township and is one of the most highly respected.

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


P.H. GRELLE, insurance and real estate of Rochester, one of the promoters of the Indiana Farmer's Building and Laon association, and for the past three years its secretary, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, Oct. 12, 1851. His father, Samuel Grelle, was an Ohio farmer, born in Perry County, that state, in 1816. He served his county as commissioner two terms, and diedin 1888 as he had lived, a representative and respected citizen. his father was Philip Grelle, born in Germany and came to the United States at the solicitation of his relatives to escape service in the German army in the Napoleonic wars. The young German was not himslef averse to military service, for when he arrived inthis county he at once took sides with America against England, and enlisted for the war of 1812. One of his three children is still living, a Mrs. Stewart, of Howard County, Ind. Samuel Grelle married Hezekiah Brinkerhoff's daughter Ellen. She was of Scotch Irish descent and her ancestors settled in Pennsylvania near Gettysburg. P.H. Grelle is the youngest son. The living members of his father's family are: A.W., Logansport, a gunsmith; George H., merchadising in Mexico, Ohio; P.H. and Mary, wife of A.B. Duey, Miami County, Ind. P.H. Grelle received his physical and mental training onthe farm till twenty-two. He spent two years in Heidelberg college, at Tiffin, Ohio, and on leaving there began reading law at Sandusky, Ohio, in the office of Robert McKeely. He went to Cincinnati two years later and completed a course in a law college and was admitted to practice by passing a test examination. He was for a time in the office of John A. Trimble in Cincinnati. In 1875 he lcoated at Logansport and practiced law and conducted an insurance business having for his partners in the latter H.B. Aldrich and later William H. Jackson, grand master of the Odd Fellows for Indiana, and now a United States official in Canada. In 1885 Mr. Grelle located in Rochester and engaged in the insurance and loan business, dropping the law. His leading insurance companies are Aetna Life, Ohio Farmers', Westchester of New York, Concordia of Milwaukee, and German of Indianapolis. He was interested with Dr. Shafer in the sale of property to raise funds for establishing the normal university, served as secretary of the Rochester improvement company two years. In November, 1880, Mr. Grelle married in Logansport, Ind., Edith Hidy Enyart, a daughter of George Hidy, deceased, and adopted daughter of Joseph Enyart, who married the widow of George Hidy. Mrs. Enyart's maiden name was Lavina Abbott. Mr. and Mrs. Grelle's two children are: Lefa, aged ten, and Nondas, aged eight. Mr. Grelle is a member of the society of Ben Hur.

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


HENRY GUISE, of Union township, is one of the leading and enterprising farmers of Fulton County. His birth occurred in Aubbeenaubbee township, Sept. 30, 1848. His father, Benneville Guise, was born in Northumberland County, Pa., June 23, 1819, and came to Fulton County in 1844 and settled in Aubbeenaubbee township, where he lived until 1869, when he removed to Union township, where he died at seventy-four years of age. In politics he was a democrat and had served as trustee of Aubbeenaubbee township. He was a man of pure character and in his death the county lost one of its estimable citizens. The mother of Henry Guise was Sarah Guise, whose maiden name was Wentzel. She was also born in Pennsylvania and died in this county in February, 1856. Mr. Guise, the third child, was raised upon the farm. He was a student at the country school and had as a classmate Enoch Myers, who is now a prominent lawyer of this county. Mr. Guise remained at home until about twenty-one years of age, when he began farming for himself. He now owns 195 acres of fine land, forty acres of which are just over the line, in Pulaski County. Mr. Guise cleared from the green ninety acres of his land. His farms are well improved and as a farmer he is abreast of the age. His marriage with Miss Julia Luntsford was solemnized in 1873, and to this union are these six children, viz.: Mark B., Perry, Pearl, Harvey, Maude and Grace. Mrs. Guise was born in Pulaski County and has always resided near her present home. In politics Mr. Guise is a democrat, and is a member of the Lutheran church, while his wife is a member of the German Reformed church. For forty-eight years he has been a resident of Fulto County and is one of its careful farmers and honest, conservative citizens.

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


JOHN HAGAN, one of the men of Fulton County who has been the promoter of his own success, was born within a quarter of a mile from where he now resides, April 25, 1854; son of Frederick and Hannah Hagan. They were both born in Germany, the father March 6, 1826, and the mother in 1824. In 1851 they emigrated to the United States and settled in Fulton County, Ind., where the father died June 12 1889, and where the mother now resides with her children. By occupation the father was a farmer and as a man and citizen, he was most highly respected. John Hagan is the second eldest of four living children. As a boy he worked upon the farm and attended district school. At about twenty-two years of age he began life for himself and settled where he now resides. This land at the time he settled upon it was one dense forest, which Mr. Hagan converted into a fine farm of ninety-three acres, five and a half miles southwest of Rochester. Of this land, seventy acres are under cultivation. In 1877 Mr. Hagan was married to Miss Rosa Goss, daughter of Emanuel and Margaret Goss. Mrs. Hagan was born in Liberty township, this county, Jan. 23, 1856. To Mr. Hagan and his wife there have been born these seven children, viz.: Charles W., Edward V., Pearl E., Mollie J., Omer D., Otis H. and Effie May. In politics Mr. Hagan uports the democratic ticket in national affairs, but in local matters he supports the men who, in his judgement, are the best fitted for office. He is a member of the order of K.O.T.M. and Tribe of Ben Hur, while he and wife are prominent members of the United Brethern church.

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


A.J. HAIMBAUGH, president of the Fulton County Agricultural and Mechanical association, and one of the representative farmers and stock raisers of this county, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1854. He is a son of Henry and Apalina Haimbaugh. The family came to Fulton County in 1855 and settled in New Castle township, where the parents of Mr. Haimbaugh still reside. The subject of this review isthe second oldest of six children, all of whom are living. He was a student at the public schools of New Castle township. On his father's farm he continued to work until he gained his majority, and then took up farming upon his own account, and this avocation in connection with stock interests has been his business. In 1892, having disposed of his farm in New Castle township, he purchased what is known as the John Walters farm, locating two miles south of Rochester, upon the Michigan road. Ths farm consists of 275 acres of well improved land, and it is considered one of the best farms in Fulton County. In 1896 Mr. Haimbaugh was elected president of the Fulton County, Agricultural and Mechanical society, after having held the office of vice-president two years, and ever since his connection with the society he has labored for its success. He was united in marriage in 1876 to Miss Sarah A. Waugh, a native of Ohio. To this union are these three children: Lulu B., Katie W. and Henry Porter. In politics he is a free silver democrat, or at least believes in the theory of 16 to 1 ratio and is for tariff reform and a sufficient revenue to satisfy all the legitimate demands of the government economically administered. He and wife are leading members of the First Baptist church of Rochester and , in July, 1895, Mr. Haimbaugh was elected superintendent of the First Baptist Sunday school of Rochester. Mr. Haimbaugh is recognized as one of the leading men of affairs, and one of who honesty and integrity there can be no question.

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


DR C.F. HARTER, the pioneer physician of Akron, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Nov. 18, 1834, and is a son of Andrew and Mary (Motzer) Harter, natives of Germany, whence in 1834 they removed to America, and settled in Columbiana County, Ohio. The father died at the old homestead in 1880, at the age of ninety years. Five of his family of seven are yet living, namely: John, George, Mrs. Spencer Strong, David and the doctor. Our subject spent his youth on his father's farm and at the age of fourteen became a student in the academy at Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio. Deciding to take up the sutdy of medicine he began reading at East Palestine with Dr. A. Sheets, and in order to defray his expenses at college he engaged in teaching school. He was graduated at the Ohio medical college in 1858, and acquitted himself so creditably that he was at once elected interne of St. John's hospital at Cincinnati. On Jan. 1, 1859, he came to Fulton County. locating in Henry township, where he soon built up an excellent business, and was recognized as one of the most successful physicians in this section of the state. He succeeded Dr. S.S. Terry in this field, and like that gentleman went to Rochester to enlarge his field of operations, there forming a partnership with Dr. Robbins, being absent from Akron thirteen years. He had accumulated a handsome competence, when in 1869 he retired from practice and engaged in the elevator and grain business in Rochester, but within five years he lost over $30,000, and resumed the practice of medicine, in which he regained much of his former financial prestige. Dr. Harter was married May 10, 1860, in this county, to Clara E., daughter of William Whittenberger, the founder of the well known family of that name in Henry township. Their children are Carrie, wife of B.F. Templeton, of LeRoy, Ills.; C. Della, who was educated in Battle Creek, Mich., at the National College of Music in Chicago, and is now a teacher of music in Hickman college of Kentucky; and D.W., a stenographer for the Chicago telephone company. The doctor is a democrat in politics, and is a member of the board of pension examiners for Fulton County. He belongs to the Indiana State Mecial society, and is an esteemed representative of his profession and a man whom to know is to honor.

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


WILLIAM HEETER, postmaster and merchant at DeLong, was born in Pulaski County, In., Nov. 10, 1854, and is a son of Adam Heeter, who was born in Union County, Pa., Dec. 3, 1818, and whose parents were Adam and Catherine Heeter, both of whom were natives of Northumberland County, Pa., and of German descent. In 1827 they emigrated to Seneca County, Ohio, and there died. Their son, Adam, was united in marriage to Mary Young, in 1841. Unto that union were born Elizabeth, Levi, Amelia, George, William, Ellen and Mary. Adam and Mary Heeter came to Indiana in 1848, settled in Pulaski County, lived there seventeen years, then removed to Aubbeenaubbee township, Fulton County, where they now reside. They are members of the German Reform church. William Heeter, the subject of this sketch, was brought up on the farm, and worked at farming up to 1884, in which year he began working on the railroad as a section hand, and continued at the same up to 1892, when he opened a general store in DeLong. Since then he has followed merchandising with success. He became postmaster of DeLong in 1893. May 3, 1894, Mr. Heeter married Roxy, daughter of the late George DeMont, of this county. Mrs. Heeter was born Jan. 29, 1859, in Marshall County, Ind., where her parents were early settlers. George DeMont and wife, whose maiden name was Kisire Owens, were natives of New York. He was of French descent. Mr. and Mrs. Heeter are members of the M.E. church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a democrat in politics.

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


HENDERSON BROS. & CO. -- Of this firm Bruce and Lee Henderson are members. They are brothers and are the owners of the well know Fairview stock farm. They are natives of Fulton County and though young, neither of them being yet thirty years of age, they are thorough-going and enterprising business men. They are sons of Joseph and Arvilla (Steevens) Henderson. Their father was born in Pennsylvania, 1840, and died in Fulton County, 1889. Their mother was born in Marshall County, this state, in 1850, and died in Fulton County in 1882. They had three children. It was in 1857 that the father came with his father, John Henderson, to Fulton County from Pennsylvania. After his marriage he settled in Union township on a farm and here the Henderson brothers were brought up. They were given a common school education and very early in life were under the neccessity of shifting for themselves. Bruce Henderson made his first business at Bruce Lake, this county, in 1887. Later he clerked for about two years in Kewanna, and then opened a store at Marshland, where his store was burned out some nine months later, causing him a loss of about $700. In the winter of 1890 he was advertising manager for Dr. Scott, of LaPorte, Ind. In 1891, he joined his brother Lee, who had been clerking in Chicago, where for three years Lee had management of the grocery department in "The Fair." In February, 1892, these brothers, with a capital of $350 between them, began to manufacture and sell (in New York City) what is known as "Henderson's Wild Cherry Beverage," first with indifferent success, but success became more marked as time passed. P.F. Henderson became associated with them, and the firm of Henderson Bros. & Co. soon grew into a mammoth business. "Henderson's Wild Cherry Beverage" is known far and wide, and has been extensively sold. In 1893 the Henderson brothers purchased 150 acres of land just west of Kewanna and established the Fairview stock farm. The next year they began to raise fine horses. They have gained considerable reputation as breeders of fine race, road and draught horses. Among the number of fine horses they own are the following: Jesse, record 2:24 3/4; Tycho, record 2:28 3/4; Rostoko, record 2:24 1/4; Anto J., pacer, and Pandore, a Percheron Norway grey, of 2,050 pounds weight. On July 12, 1895, their barn was burned at a loss of some $10,000. Since then they have build a new and large barn and have it arranged for great convenience in taking care of their stock. In 1895 Mr. Bruce Henderson's health failing, he moved to the farm and since then the manufacture and sale of their beverage has been under a manager in New York city. Mr. Lee Henderson has been on the road as a salesman of the beverage a great deal. He recently married Miss Celia Centelivier, of Sioux City, Iowa. In politics these brothers are democrats.

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


Deb Murray