Elder Samuel Leckrone, of Lake township, Kosciusko county, Indiana, and a son of Daniel and Sarah (Shrider) Leckrone, was born in Perry county, Ohio, April 25, 1848. His father was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, was of German extraction, and was taken when a boy to Ohio by his parents, who settled in Perry county. He was reared on a backwoods farm and had but few opportunities for an education, but had plenty of hard work and became a good farmer. The Shrider family also emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled near the Leckrones, and thus Daniel Leckrone and Sarah Shrider became acquainted. They were married in Perry county March 15, 1847, the result being twelve children, viz.: Samuel, Lemuel, Isaac (deceased), Alva, Mary, Elizabeth (deceased), Almeda, Sarah R., Benjamin, George, Lamira and John S. Of these Samuel, Lemuel and Alva reside in Lake township, Kosciusko county. Mr. Leckrone, the father of this family, still resides in Hopewell township, Perry county, Ohio, he in his seventy-fifth year, but his wife departed this life March 22, 1902, aged about seventy-four years, the following extract being here reprinted as especially apropos in this connection.
Sister Sarah, wife of Brother Daniel Leckrone, died in the Jonathan Creek church, Perry county, Ohio, March 22, 1902, aged seventy-four years and two months. She was the mother of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, of whom two preceded her. One son is a minister, Elder Samuel Leckrone of the Eel River church, Indiana. All are members of the Brethren church except two sons. She was a faithful sister in the church over fifty-five years. She selected her own funeral text, found in Galatians 2:20. The funeral service was conducted by Elder Samuel Sprankel, assisted by Elder Tobias Hoover.
Samuel Leckrone assisted on the home farm until seventeen years of age, when he went out to work as a farm hand by the month. After he had paid for his necessary clothing he dutifully delivered to his father the remainder of his wages, and so continued to do until within six months of becoming of age. After that he retained his earnings and continued to work out until twenty-two years old.
October 23, 1870, Samuel Leckrone was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary Hendricks, a daughter of Solomon and Lydia (Stoner) Hendricks, natives of Ohio. Mary Hendricks was but nine days old when her mother died, and the babe was reared by her maternal grandmother, who gave her a common-school education. Mr. Leckrone was not possessed of a great deal of cash when married, so he rented a farm from his father-in-law in Knox county, on which he and wife lived about four years. In September, 1874, with his wife and little ones, he came to Kosciusko county, Indiana, and purchased seventy-six acres of land in the southern corner of Lake township, on which, with the exception of the barn, he has erected all the buildings, and here he still resides.
It is the custom of the German Baptist church, to which Mr. Leckrone is so devotedly attached, to place a member of the congregation on trial as helper, and when that member has proven his worthiness and capability to advance him to the dignity and office of minister. August 24, 1876, Mr. Leckrone was put to this ordeal, and after his people became fully satisfied as to his piety and understanding he was advanced to the sacred degree in the ministry August 11, 1879, and has since performed its functions in the most satisfactory manner to all concerned. This office confers upon the incumbent the right to administer baptism, solemnize marriage and break bread at communion. December 24, 1881, Elder Leckrone was advanced to the full ministry and now has charge of three churches, one at Beaver Dam, one at Roann (Wabash county) and one in Jackson township, and he also preaches at other places voluntarily or by request.
To Samuel and Mary (Hendricks) Leckrone six children have been granted to bless their earthly existence. Of these the eldest, Charles, who was born August 25, 1871, passed through the common schools and attended North Manchester College; he then taught school two years, after which he attended Mount Morriss (Illinois) College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1894 and then taught school two terms in Kosciusko county. He next entered the Indiana State Normal School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1897; was then appointed principal of the Brownsburg (Indiana) school, which he taught two years; then entered the State University at Bloomington and was graduated in 1900. He attended the State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, after which he took a post-graduate course at the Chicago University. He is now professor of Latin in the Warsaw (Indiana) high school. He wedded, June 18, 1901, at Brownsburg, Indiana, Miss Ethel Chloe Free. She has an advanced education and was a teacher in Hendricks county, Indiana. Lizzie, the second child born to Rev. Samuel Leckrone, was born March 21, 1874, and is the wife of Gilbert Hartsong, of Lake township. Martha, who was born in January, 1878, attended college at North Manchester. Cora, born August 1, 1882, graduated from the common school in 1901. Lina, born in December, 1885, also graduated from the common school in 1901, and is now attending North Manchester College. Samuel H., the youngest of the family, was born in March, 1891.
Rev. Mr. Leckrone, the father of these children, holds a very high position in the esteem of the citizens of Wabash and Kosciusko counties, and his wife and children share with him the respect which is paid to him. He takes no part in politics and has never voted.
Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902
HENRY L. OLDFATHER.
The great task of clearing the land of its timber in early years can scarcely be realized by the people of today. Not a crop could be sown nor an orchard tree planted until the large trees had been cut down and removed with fire or with a team of horses . Even then the stumps were a great hindrance and it is doubtful if so much as half a crop could be raised until they had been pulled out or burn up. The amount of hard labor required to remove the timber seems almost incredible. It was a task that seemed never to end, and all members of the family were required to assist early and late and at all seasons of the year. The subject of this sketch had his full share of this work. He was born in Wabash county, Indiana, May 24, 1852, and is the son of Adam and Caroline (Berger) Oldfather. Both families were of Germanic descent, but came directly from Pennsylvania, where the ancestors had settled a great many years ago. The grandfather after his marriage removed to Montgomery county, Ohio, and to him were born seven sons and two daughters. The seven sons lived to be over seventy years, but neither reached eighty years of age. A singular fact is that they died in the order of their births. Adam Oldfather upon reaching maturity married Miss Berger and they became the parents of these children: Susanna, who wedded Andrew Knoop and lives in Clay township, her husband being deceased; Sarah, the wife of Daniel Bolin, died, in Illinois; Samuel T., who married Miss Libbie Messmore and now resides at North Manchester, Indiana, served as a private soldier for eight months in the war of the Rebellion; Emma, who became the wife of George Leffel, lives in North Manchester; Henry L., subject; Melissa, who married Thomas A. Joutz, resides in Seward township; John F., who married Ellen Ohmart, lives in Silver Lake, Indiana; Irene B., who, wedded Edward Beyer, lives in Rochester, Indiana. Adam Oldfather emigrated to
Kosciusko county in 1852 and entered a tract of government land, all in the deep woods. This farm he cleared and improved with the help of his family. He was a pioneer in fact and a man of sterling qualities. The task was great, as stated at the outset of this article, but it was met with courage, industry and perseverance, and time worked wonders. He was a quiet man, but, like the quiet stream of water, he ran deep and wide. After a long life he finally passed away in August, 1893, but his widow is yet living and resides in Silver Lake, aged seventy-four years. The subject of this memoir was reared on the farm and early learned the meaning of the words "hard work." He secured a good education and in early manhood taught school in the country districts for five years, exhibiting excellent powers of government. One of his pupils became a noted divine in the Methodist Episcopal church, due, of course, to the excellent instruction given by Mr. Oldfather. In 1875 he wedded Miss Flotilla Loop, who was born January 28, 1852, her parents having been early settlers of Ohio. One child blessed this union, Iva, born February 14, 1879. She is an accomplished young lady, both in schooling and in music. She married Harry W. Cline, a teacher of this county, and lives in Seward township. Mr. Oldfather is a member of Lodge No. 164, K. of P., at Silver Lake. He has for five years past been engaged in shipping stock. He served as secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Association for nineteen years and did a vast amount to render the association useful and successful. He was largely instrumental in making it one of the strongest companies in the state. He is a Republican and at one time was the candidate of his party for county commissioner . He is well and favorably known throughout the county and is one of its leading and substantial men. Mr. Oldfather is keenly interested in the formation of a telephone company, under the name of the People's Mutual Telephone Company of Kosciusko county. The officers of the company are as follows: President, Henry L. Oldfather: secretary, Samuel B. Flora; treasurer, Harry W. Cline; on the board of directors there are in addition to the gentlemen named, Ephraim Wells, Arthur Smith and Owen F. Brown. The company is incorporated and is capitalized at ten thousand dollars. Mr. Oldfather has in his possession a valuable relic in the shape of an old parchment deed, dated August 10, 1837, and signed by President Martin Van Buren.
Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902
WILLIAM BAKER.
This well-known citizen is an excellent representative of the better class of farmers of the United States. He comes from an ancestry that distinguished itself in the pioneer times. When the county was covered with an almost interminable forest of large trees and the woods filled with wild animals his people came here and began to carve from the primeval forests, build schools and churches, and introduce the customs of civilization in the wilderness. They were genuine pioneers, willing to take the hardships that they might acquire the soil and the home that were sure to rise. Subject was born in Harrison township, this county, January 8, 1855, and is the child of Ahraham and Lethy (Huffman) Baker. The father was a native of Richland county, Ohio, and came to this county in 1847. As this was before the time of railroads, he walked the entire distance of two hundred miles, and brought with him five hundred dollars in cash which he had earned by day labor in Ohio. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of government land for two dollars and a half per acre, but as he was not ready yet to begin clearing the timber from the same he hired out for the winter of 1847-8 to clear off timber for another man in Wabash county. The following summer, however, he began to clear on his own place in earnest. On March 22, 1849, he was united in marriage with Miss Lethy Huffman, sister of George L. Huffman, and immediately moved upon his land and began the task of clearing the same. It was covered with dense woods, but life was before them and time was long and so they steadily took the sunshine with the storm and built up in the course of time a happy home. There he has resided to the present day. He is now eighty-one years old, and his long life has been one of the highest integrity and the strictest honor. He is known far and near and no one can say a reproachful word against his blameless life. He has attended strictly to his own business, and cleared in his time two hundred acres of timberland. He was successful and at one time owned three hundred and twenty acres, worth from fifty to sixty dollars per acre. He was first a Whig, but when slavery threatened to crush the union of the states he became a Republican. His first wife died June 20, 1869, and he afterward wedded Barbara Delaney. There were eight children born to the first wife, as follows: Samuel, who married Miss Jane Griffiths and is deceased; Mahala, who became the wife of Noah Ailer and lives in Fulton county, Indiana; William, subject; Loucina, who wedded Ira Wertenberger and lives in Franklin township; Mary, who married Ebenezer Odel1, who died, and she then married Albert Tucker and now lives in Mentone; Susan, who became the wife of William E. Dille and lives in Fulton county; Matilda, who wedded Joshua Garwood and resides in Harrisol1 township; Andrew, who died in infancy.
Because of surrounding circumstances, William Baker did not complete his school training, but he remedied this defect in after life very greatly by extensive reading. He chose farming as his occupation through life, and as he became older he began to make progress in his farming operations. When he attained his majority he rented the farm of his father and continued to thus conduct it for the period of seven years.
During that time he saved a considerable sum of money for himself. On January 28, 1882, he married Miss Hannah Latimer, daughter of the old settler, Lyman Latimer, and to this union were born three children: Blanche B., born July 1, 1883, now in the eighth grade in school, and two children that died in infancy. At the time of his marriage he had amassed about three thousand dollars and had bought sixty-two acres of the old farm. He now owns one hundred and sixteen and one-half acres of the old place, all well improved. He has one of the finest hank barns in this part of the county, and built the same in 1899. All the floors of the basement are cemented, except in the horse stable. The whole place generally is an excellent example of modern farm improvement and reflects great credit upon the enterprise and advanced ideas of Mr. Baker. He raises high-grade cattle, horses, sheep and hogs, and sells many each year, making no little money from this branch of husbandry. As a general farmer he is highly successful. His life has been busy and filled with good actions, and the world is better for his having lived. He is a strong Republican, but is not an office seeker, though he would grace any office within the gift of his neighbors. He is well known and his word is as good as a bond.
Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902
GABRIEL ULREY.
Gabriel Ulrey, a farmer and stock raiser of Jackson township, also a minister of the German Baptist church, is a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, and son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Swihart) Ulrey. The fami1y name in the original German style is spelled "Ulrich." The subject was born December 26, 1839, and when a little over four years old was brought to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where he has since lived and prospered. He grew to maturity on a farm and received his preliminary education in subscription schools taught principally by Andrew Whistler, Gabriel Swihart, Jr., Gabriel Swihart, Sr., and his own father, Joseph Ulrey, who were among the ear1iest pedagogues of Jackson township. By making the most of his opportunities he obtained a fair knowledge of such branches as were then taught and also became familiar with the German language, which he learned to read and write with ease and fluency. After reaching his majority he attended school at Warsaw two years and then obtained a teacher's license and in the winter of 1861 taught his first term in the public schools in Kosciusko county. With the exception of one year, the winter of 1871-72, he was engaged in educational work from 1861 to 1876 inclusive, meanwhile attending normal schools and institutes for the purpose of increasing his efficiency as an instructor. During the time that he was thus engaged Mr. Ulrey earned an enviable reputation as a teacher and his long retention in the same district was a compliment to his ability and attested the high esteem in which he was held by both patrons and pupils. In 1876 he gave up teaching and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, moving in the spring of that year to the farm in Jackson township on which he has since lived. On the 8th day of May, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Kreiter, daughter of Henry and Rosa A. (Kasler) Kreiter, who came to Kosciusko county from Ohio in the year 1848. Mrs. Ulrey was born July 27, 1843, in Stark county, Ohio, and since her fifth year has lived in the county of Kosciusko. There were eight children born to Henry and Rosa Kreiter, five sons and three daughters. Of these there are but four living, Mrs. Ulrey and three brothers. Of the latter Samuel is married and is a resident of Los Angeles county, California; Monroe K. resides in the old Kreiter home in Lake township, this county, while the third brother is married and lives at Cambridge, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Ulrey are the parents of eight children, viz.: Rosa, wife of A. J. Wurtenberger, of Kansas; Anna, wife of Jacob N. Miller, of Jackson township; Lizzie married Jacob A. Metzger, also a resident of Jackson township; Alice is the wife of Albert Miller, a farmer of the same township; Mattie, who became the wife of Samuel N. Hawley, lives in California; Asa wedded, ,March 12, 1902, Miss Edna Shirley, of Kosciusko county; Alpheus married Cora Ross and carried on farming in the township of Jackson; and Ella, now Mrs. E. P. Tridle, lives with her father on the home place.
Mr. Ulrey has been a thrifty farmer and is now well situated financially. With the exception of some small assistance from his own and wife's parents, he has made the comfortable fortune which is now his and is entitled to much credit for the successful manner with which he has concluded his business affairs. In the spring of 1864 he was elected trustee of Jackson township and served as such by re-election until 1867, discharging the duties of the office in an able and praiseworthy manner. His second election was without opposition, a fact which speaks well for his standing with the people among whom, irrespective of party affiliation, he is held in the highest esteem. In 1891 the subject and wife took a three months' trip to the Pacific coast and speak very highly of that country.
Mr. Ulrey is a valuable man in the community and his judgment and clear insight in matters of business have caused him to be retained by his neighbors to adjust matters, which without his assistance might have led to expensive litigation. He has served as administrator on some valuable estates, among which may be cited that of Joseph Fruit, which, representing over fourteen thousand dollars, has been settled to the entire satisfaction of all parties concerned. In April. 1866, he united with the German Baptist church, of which communion he has since been a faithful and consistent member, looking with the deepest interest after the affairs of the local congregation to which he belongs and by a blameless life, consecrated to the service of God and his fellow men, exerting a wholesome influence in the community where he lives. October 11, 1879, he was made a deacon of the church and in November following his brethren set him apart to the work of ministry. Subsequently, December 24, 1881, he was advanced to the second degree of his holy office, and, while not regularly engaged as a pastor, he preaches wherever his services are required and has accomplished much good by his public ministries. His daughters also belong to the church and with himself are considered among its most earnest and zealous members. The building in which the local society meets was erected on three acres of ground donated by the subject's father for church and burial purposes, the cemetery being free to all who desire to bury their dead therein, and the house open to all denominations for funeral services. In politics Mr. Ulrey is a stanch Republican. As a citizen none occupies a more conspicuous place in the confidence of the public and as a neighbor he has long been loved and honored by the people of his township.
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Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902
JOHN M. WAINWRIGHT.
Among those in this part of the county who have built up a highly creditable reputation and have distinguished themselves by right and honorable living is the subject of this brief memoir. His prominence in the affairs of the community is conceded and his deeds will speak for themselves. Some men speak loudest by talking volubly and frequently, while others speak loudest by their actions. The subject of this notice is able to express himself well when talking is needed, and is also well qualified to carry into execution his thoughts. He is one of the strongest factors in this community where there are many men of sound sense and ripe judgment. He has shown his fitness for official honors after many years spent. In the public service, and he is willing that his record should speak for him. He was born in Union county, Indiana, February 14, 1862, and is the son of Charles W. and Sarah (Ring) Wainwright. The Wainwright family came originally from Virginia, where Isaac, the grandfather, was born and brought up. The latter moved to Union county, Indiana, in 1830, when the country was yet a wilderness. The Ring family have lived in this state many years, also coming here when the country was very new. They first lived in Madison county, and afterward in Union county, where the two families intermingled. The father and mother were married in 1859 and in 1865 they removed to Miami county, Indiana, where the father bought a saw-mill near Gilead, which he operated for a number of years, making money steadily and rapidly. Unfortunately he was accidentally burned out, the loss falling upon him with crushing force, as he had no insurance. In 1869 he came to this county and located near Sevastopol, and in 1870 he moved into Seward township and located near Yellow Creek lake. He took the job of digging a big ditch running from this lake and by good management and hard work made a snug sum of money, sufficient in fact to partly if not wholly reimburse him for his p.evious loss. In 1872 he removed to Palestine and engaged in the pump and well business, and continued thus until the time of his death in 1893. He was a Republican in his political affiliations, and as such was elected justice of the peace and was serving as such at the time of his death. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church and served a number of years as Sunday-school superintendent. He was an excellent example of the high-minded Christian citizen. His life was filled with action, but through all he ever retained his excellent standing and won the respect and confidence of his neighbors. His widow still survives him, in her sixty-second year, and resides with her son John in Palestine. To their marriage there were born two sons, John M. and William H. The latter was born in 1863 and upon attaining manhood was united in marriage with Miss Effie Miller and resides in Warsaw, Indiana.
John M. Wainwright was a boy of ten years when his father moved to Palestine. He attended the local school until he was sixteen years old, going to school in the winters and working on the property of his father in the summers. When he was sixteen he was so well advanced that he received a certificate to teach, but owing to his immature years he did not essay the role of a teacher. Upon reaching the age of twenty-one years he engaged in the pump and well business with his father under the firm name of Wainwright & Son, and a little later they added cement and sewer pipe to their other commodities. Upon the death of the father the business was managed by subject until 1894; at which date he bought the present business and has since done a thriving trade.
On December 24, 1884, the subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary E., daughter of E. W. and Hannah Uplinger, of this county, but formerly of Pennsylvania, whose birth occurred July 19, 1865. Mrs. Wainwright received a good education in her girlhood and finished by attending the high school at Warsaw for two years. She secured a teacher's certificate and taught for some time in the schools of this county. To her marriage with subject there have been born these children: Vallie B., born July 31, 1886, graduated in the class of 1902 in the common schools; Carl A., born August 25, 1891; Charles W., born May 22, 1898; M. Ruby, born May 6, 1900. Upon the death of his father Mr. Wainwright was appointed to fill out the unexpired term as justice of the peace, and so well did he give satisfaction that he was re-elected and has served down to the present time. During the administration of President Harrison he was appointed post- master at Palestine, and was again appointed by President McKinley. He is active in politics and wields great influence in the councils of his party. He has served in county conventions and as a member of the county central committee and is a leader among men. He is a member of Camp No. 3525, M. W. A., Forest Lodge, No. 46, K. of P., and of Warsaw Lodge, No. 83, I. O. R. M., and he and his good wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has been superintendent of the Sabbath school for eight years and has also served as trustee of the church for eight years. The county cannot boast of a better citizen.
Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902
THOMAS J. COLBERT.
In the first settlement of the West, the settlers came from all quarters of the East, every state there being represented by its best and mast adventurous people. Many came from Pennsylvania and many from New England. Old Virginia sent a great many, nearly all of whom had been previously slave owners and gave up that institution from motives of principle. Immediately succeeding the Revolution there was little thought of except to build up homes and fortunes, but about the beginning of the nineteenth century and continuing until the great Rebellion, the fight against slavery was one of the principal reasons for the emigration of many of the people of Virginia to the free northwest. Among the families which left that state at an early day to seek a home northwest of the Ohio river was the father of the subject of this sketch. He located near Tiffin, Ohio, and there found employment as a stone-cutter, which was his trade. He was quite a boy when he came to Tiffin, but he went to work and soon made a name for himself. He became a prominent contractor on the Erie canal, building locks under contracts and otherwise assisting that great improvement. He finally met his death at Lagro, Indiana. Wil1iam, the father, upon reaching manhood met and married Miss Christina Hill, her family being of German descent and natives of the Keystone state. The Hills moved to Seneca county, Ohio, at an early day, and there William and Christina met. They moved to Kosciusko county, Indiana, in 1839 and settled in Clay township, or what is now Lake township, where he entered from the government one hundred and sixty acres of woodland. Not long after this William Colbert went to his death. To his marriage two children were born in Ohio, Jesse, who married Miss Emma Smith, enlisted in the defense of his country, serving three years, and died from the effects of his service after his return home, and Thomas J., the subject. After the death of William, his widow married James Bradley, and as young Thomas could not fully agree in all things with his step-father, he left home when he was fifteen years old and started out in the world to do for himself. One of the first things he did was to secure a contract far digging a ditch, and a little later he became a salesman on the road. He engaged in various other things and made more or less money. Soon he began to put his money into farms and thus he steadily grew in the measure of this world's goods. He is now the owner of two farms, one of one hundred and ten acres in Miami county and a smaller one in Marshall county. All this was made by shrewd management and hard work. Although he started as a poor boy, he has acquired a good property and has made a fine success. He was born at Tiffin, Ohio, April 29, 1838, and his early life was spent in the woods. The education he received was very meager, for he had to work hard in clearing the trees and stumps from his father's farm. When he was thrown on his own resources by the unfortunate death of his father, he was obliged to forego all further schooling, but he has in later years managed to add much to his former deficiency by constant reading. He is now one of the leaders in this portion of the county. He possessed the qualities which attract friends and retain them, and he has always been benefited by his friendships, for it was found by all that he could be implicitly trusted.
He was married December 25, 1858, to Miss Rebecca, daughter of David Pontious, who was a native of Virginia, and to this union five children were born, as follows: William E., who married Miss May Price and resides in Marshall county; Ola A., who wedded Scott Lawrence and lives in Wabash county; David, who married in Ohio and lives in Miami county; James W., unmarried; John, who is associated in business with his father• in a general store at Silver Lake. Recently Mr. Colbert traded for a stock of goods at Silver Lake and is at present engaged in trading his goods for cash or good credit. He has an excellent trade and the entire confidence of the community. His stock consists of dry-goods, boots, groceries and clothing. He is a Democrat and is the party's most active worker in this part of the county. He is a member of Lodge No. 576. I. O. O. F., of Silver Lake, and has represented his lodge in the grand lodge.
He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, and he is one of the substantial and reliable citizens of the county.
Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902
SAMUEL J. CARR.
It is at all times very interesting to compile and preserve the experiences of the old soldiers who went out to fight the country's battles during the slaveholders' rebellion forty years ago. These gallant old fellows are fast passing away, and we should get all of their experiences first hand, before they pass away, and leave on record. It is important that we preserve these personal experiences, for after all those are the events which make history. What would history be worth were it not for the vivid actions of the individuals? That is all there is to the splendid histories of ancient and modern times. The story as told by one who passed through the bloody experiences of four years of struggle and was in numerous battles, marches, campaigns, and, perhaps, prisons and hospitals, is far more interesting than narrated long hence by some writer who may distort events out of their true historic significance. The subject of this notice was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 11, 1845, and is the child of John and Edna (Scowden) Carr. The Carr family came original1y from Ireland and settled in Virginia, but when John was a young man he went to Kentucky and served for a number of years as pilot on the rivers in that section of the country. This occupation he continued until the time of his death. The Scowdens were formerly from Pennsylvania, but went to Cincinnati at an early day, and there the father and mother of subject met and were married, the ceremony occurring in October, 1838. To this marriage two children were born. Alice, born in July, 1840, received a good education in Lane's Young Ladies' Seminary, of Cincinnati, and became the wife of William B. Dunbar, of Mount Vernon, Ohio. The latter was a printer by trade, and became a lieutenant in the One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Rebellion. He passed through thrilling services, and was quite severely wounded at the bloody battle of Chickamauga. Samuel J. Carr lost his parents when he was a smal1 boy, and he was taken to he raised by his grandfather, Mrs. Sarah R. Scowden. Thus he was provided for until he was fifteen years old, receiving a good education, and was then taken by his uncle, Theodore R. Scowden, who was a civil engineer, and worked for him during the summer of 1860. The grandmother having moved to Ripley county, Indiana, he remained with her until the spring of 1861, when he enlisted in the Union army in Company C, Thirteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Indianapolis, June 19, 1861. After a time spent in camp of instruction, he was sent to the field and first engaged the enemy at Rich Mountain, Virginia. After that he fought at Green Brier in October, 1861, Buffalo Mountain, December, 1861, Winchester, March, 1862, helping to defeat Stonewall Jackson, several skirmishes and battles with Longstreet, and in one of these engagements got severely hurt and was sent to the hospital. In September, 1863, he joined his regiment at Charleston and was present at the siege and battle of the same name. About this time his time of enlistment expired, but he enlisted again and after veteran furlough joined his regiment at Jacksonville, Florida. He was sent north and was in the many bloody battles of the Richmond and surrounding campaigns: Bermuda Hundred, Foster's Farm, Chester Station, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom, Chapman's Farm, Fort Fisher and on to the surrender . For gallantry in battle he was promoted, first to corporal, and then to first lieutenant, the latter being made May 1, 1865, and the commission being signed by Governor Oliver P. Morton. He was mustered out at Goldsboro, North Carolina, in September, 1865, having served over four years. He participated in more than thirty different engagements, and was in many arduous marches and harassing campaigns. He afterward drew a pension of twelve dollars for his disabilities. After the war he was employed in the fire department at Nashvil1e, Tennessee, by the government, and later at Jeffersonville until August, 1868, when he came to North Manchester, Indiana. About this time he married Miss Jennie Klime. He went west in 1869 and worked on the Union Pacific railroad, but the same year returned to Indiana and here he remained until his death. To this marriage two children were born, a son and a daughter, the son being deceased. Ethel, the daughter, was born August 1, 1876, was well educated and married Ed Braude, a merchant of Disco, Indiana. Mr. Carr was a strong Republican and was the postmaster at Silver Lake, receiving his appointment June 1, 1901, from President McKinley. He was a member of Post No. 306, G. A. R., and his splendid war record was well known to all his associates. He was one of the strongest political elements in this part of the county, and one of the most prominent citizens. Mr. Carr departed this life on the 7th of June, 1902, and his funeral was conducted by the Grand Army of the Republic.
Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902
GIVEN K. SMITH.
Forty years ago, when the slaveholders' rebellion broke out with all its fury at Fort Sumter and when it looked as if the Union that all loved so much would be dissolved, several members of the family to which the subject belongs enlisted to save the federation of the states, even though they had to free the slaves in order to do so. It was a time when there could be no temporizing and no halting, -no half-way position,- for all who were not for the Union were against it, and both sides hated the man who c1aimed to be neutral because he did not want to risk his skin on the field of battle and had no principles to sustain. The members of this family were alive to the gravity of the national conflict, and realized that the struggle impending was something more than a holiday undertaking and knew that it meant great hardship and the shedding of rivers of blood before the flag could again wave from Maine to Florida and from Florida to California. But they did not hesitate, be it said to their everlasting renown.
Given K. Smith is the son of Frank and Margaret (Holmes) Smith, and was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, June 19, 1838. The Smiths of which he is a worthy representative were natives of that state, and of English descent, and were members of what became famous in history as the "first families" of Virginia. These people were famous for their hospitality, their fine manners, the beauty of their women and the gallantry of their men, and for their skill in statecraft. Through this particular family ran a trace of Irish blood, sufficient to sharpen their wits and cause them to be willing to fight at any and all times to maintain their rights and liberties. The Holmes family were also of the same blood and possessed the same indomitable characteristics. The blending of these two admirable elements had an excellent result in the off-spring, as is shown in the lives of the subject of this sketch and his brothers. Frank and Margaret Smith removed to Miami county, Ohio, where they engaged in farming and stock raising. To them nine children were born, as follows: William, Jeannette, Caroline, John, James, Henry, Given K., subject, Frank and Samuel. William, John, James and Henry are deceased. They and subject served, as before stated, in the Union army during the Rebellion, and the family should be known by all as the "Soldier Family" by reason of their splendid service. John particularly distinguished himself and was promoted to a captaincy, while the others, in a less conspicuous way, were also famed for their gallantry on the field, their intense loyalty and their hardihood on the march and in the hospitals. When to the above are added the names of Frank and Samuel, it will be found that there were seven boys of this splendid family to assist Uncle Sam in maintaining his political life. Subject enlisted in Company B, Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in August 1, 1862. After a brief period in camp of instruction he was sent to Kentucky and there saw his first rebel in arms and smelled his first gunpowder. He was engaged at Perryville in August, 1862, ere he scarcely knew how to march straight, but he showed his pluck under fire and did not falter. He was severe1y wounded at Smoky Hollow, and was discharged for disability after having served honorably and gallantly for about two years. Throughout all this bloody warfare he was ever ready for the fray, and was always ready and anxious to strike the enemy a deadly blow. After his discharge he returned home and resumed the work of the farm. A little later he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Long, a native of Ohio and of Germanic descent. To them five children were born, as follows: Ella, who became the wife of Charles Yates and lives in Paducah, Kentucky; Alice, who married Samuel Doutts, resides in Warsaw, Indiana; Clara, who wedded Lawrence Underhill, lives at Silver Lake; Myrtle, who became the wife of Charles Pearston, lives at Elkhart; Earl C. is unmarried and lives at Elkhart. In 1866 the subject moved from Ohio to Noble county, Indiana, thence to Kosciusko county in 1887. He first was interested in railroading, being employed for five years on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and later bought a small farm west of Silver Lake, and on the same lived until the death of his wife in June, 1898, when he came to town. His splendid military record makes him a conspicuous character here. He is a member of Post No. 306, G. A. R., at Silver Lake, and of Lodge No. 576, I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which and in its Sunday school he has been an active worker. He is an uncompromising Republican and an active member of his party. He is prominent in the affairs of the township and the county, and the county does not possess a better citizen.
Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902
MRS. RACHEL ROCKHILL.
The life history of the amiable and popular lady whose name heads this sketch most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out noble purposes. It is a story of a life whose success is measured by its usefulness - a life that has made the world better and brighter. Her career has been dignified and womanly, her manner unaffected, and her actions, springing from a heart charged with love and good feeling for humanity, have been a blessing to all who were within the range of her influence. She is a representative of one of the pioneer families of northern Indiana, and for many years was the wife of one of Kosciusko county's most worthy and honorable citizens.
Rachael Teegarden, daughter of George and Sarah (Teel) Teegarden, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 22d day of July, 1832 Her paternal grandfather, a native of Germany, came to the United States a great many years ago and settled in Greene county, Pennsylvania, where his son George was born and reared.
George Teegarden was reared a farmer and when a young man married Sarah Teel, whose ancestors also came from Germany and in an early day settled in the county and state where the Teegardens originally located. He engaged in agricultural pursuits in Greene county and continued to live there till he came to Columbiana county, Ohio. He later disposed of his possessions in that county and migrated to Kosciusko county, Indiana, about 1831, settling in the township of Harrison. Here he purchased land, cleared a farm and became one of the substantial and enterprising men of his community. He was a pronounced Methodist in his religious views and as long as he lived worked zealously to establish organizations of that faith in various parts of the country. His moral character was pure and clear, his influence was always exercised in behalf of the good of his kind and he left to his children a name and fame which the tongue of slander never attacked and which today are deemed of far greater worth than a heritage of lands and gold.
George and Sarah Teegarden had nine children, whose names are Eliza, Lavica, Salomon, Thomas, Moses, Wil1iam, Jeremiah, George and Rachael.
Rachael spent her childhood days and youthful years amid the bracing airs of the country and grew to womanhood among the beautiful rural scenes of her native county of Columbiana and the newer county of Kosciusko. The influence which close communion with nature in its varied loveliness had upon her youthful character was very marked and the early religious impressions made upon her mind and heart by the teachings of godly parents had a decided tendency in moulding her life for good and shaping her destiny towards high ideals. In the common schools she received a fair education and while attending them made acquaintances and formed ties which time has not dimmed nor circumstances severed. She grew up strong and healthful in body and mind and was early taught the lessons of industry and thrift which have had such a marked influence upon her subsequent career as a maiden and matron.
On the 7th day of April, 1853, two years after coming to Indiana, she was happily married to Mr. Aaron Rockhill, a young gentleman of blameless character, whose arrival in Kosciusko county antedated that of her father's family about one year. He also settled in Harrison township, but purchased an eighty-acre farm one mile west of Etna Green, Marshall county, and it was on this place that the young couple set up their domestic establishment and began married life. Mr. Rockhill was a man of much more than ordinary energy and but few years elapsed before he began adding to his original purchase. He possessed sound judgment and superior business abilities, and as a farmer took high rank among his neighbors, nearly all of whom looked upon him as a model agriculturist and regarded him with favor as a man of broad intelligence and a leader in enterprises for the general prosperity of the community. He continued from time to time to purchase real estate until he became the owner of two hundred acres of as rich and valuable land as northern Indiana could boast of, part of which lay in Kosciusko county and part just across the line in the county of Marshall. He was very fortunate in all of his business transactions and everything in which he engaged seemed to prosper. By successful management and continual industry he acquired quite a respectable fortune, his real estate alone representing a value of over twelve thousand dollars.
Mrs. Rockhill proved an able and valuable assistant to her husband in the labor of clearing the farm, and deemed it not beneath her womanly dignity to go into the clearing and gather and pile brush and attend to firing the log heaps. She also made a full hand in the harvesting and hay making, at the same time looking after her household affairs with the most scrupulous care, never neglecting a single domestic duty. Always cheerful and kindly disposed, she labored by the side of her husband and made the time pass merrily while engaged in the most severe and exacting toil. Much of the success which Mr. Rockhill attained is directly attributable to the willingness and self-sacrifice of his companion, and when the bright day of prosperity finally dawned she shared with him its welcome rays and together they enjoyed the ample fortune which in the end crowned their mutual efforts.
Mrs. Rockhill bore her husband six children: Anna, born April 19, 1854, is the wife of Henry Plummer and lives in Etna Green; George, born February 7, 1858, married Amanda Beck and resides in Marshal1 county; Nathan F., whose birth occurred June 3, 1861, married Minnie Porter and is a business man of Plymouth; Solomon was born June 16, 1863, and died October 10, 1893: Homer, born October 24, 1866, married Lillian Hayherst and resides in the town of Knox, this state; Nora, the youngest of the family, was born on the 28th day of October, 1869. She became the wife of William Wissler, who died February 21, 1894, since which time she has lived with her mother in Etna Green.
In his political affiliations Aaron Rockhill was a Republican, later a Prohibitionist, and in religion he was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was quite active in religious work and for a period of about twenty-five years held the office of class leader, besides filling other important official positions in the church at Etna Green. To him religion was seemingly as essential as the food he ate and the air he breathed; he was a close student of the Holy Scriptures and by living a life consecrated to the service of the Most High was inspired to noble deeds and great activities in his life and amply prepared to "see the King in His beauty and behold the land that is afar off" when the time came to exchange the church militant for the church triumphant. He was a good man and a just one and when the final summons came, November 7, 1899, he fearlessly entered the valley of shadows, cheered by the presence of Him who is the "resurrection and the life."
Since her husband's death Mrs. Rockhill has manifested fine business abilities in the management of the large estate and she looks carefully after the interests left in her charge. In the year 1890 Mr. and Mrs. Rockhill turned the farm over to other hands and retired from active life, purchasing a neat and comfortable home in the beautiful village of Etna Green, where she now resides. Like her husband, she, too, is of a sincerely religious nature and her life has abounded in good works in the church and among the deserving poor in the world outside. Among her neighbors she is held in the highest esteem and she numbers warmhearted friends by the score in the town where she is spending her declining years. She has experienced many of life's vicissitudes, enjoyed many of its triumphs and is now surrounded by those who have long known and respected her for her kindly disposition and sweep moral nature. She is passing down the shady side towards the journey's end, honored by all and cheered by a living faith in Him who in the afterwhile, when "life's fitful fever is over," will welcome her with the sweet plaudit, "Come thou blessed of the Father, enter into the joys of thy Lord."
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Progressive Men and Women of Kosciusko County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen, Publisher
Logansport, Indiana
1902