JOHN MC KIBBEN, deceased, was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 6, 1827. His parents, James and Sarah (Smith) McKibben, were of Irish descent, and farmers. John McKibben was reared in Richland County, Ohio, receiving a good common-school education. November 12, 1850, he married Miss Nancy D., daughter of George and Mary Ann (Hayes) Shipley, and in April of the following year he and wife, with his father and family, emigrated to John Township, La Grange County, Ind., where they had purchased land the year previous, of which twenty acres were partially cleared, and had a rude log cabin on it. Mr. McKibben moved his family into the cabin, and then commenced reclaiming his property from a forest state. He was a hard working man, and died February 10, 1878. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a respected resident. He left a farm of 340 acres of Johnson Township's best land, on which his widow yet lives, aged fifty-one. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. McKibben are James S.; George R.; William B.; Frank A., deceased; Thomas, deceased; Sarah M., deceased; Harvey, deceased; Adell, deceased; Mary b. and Anna. George R. married Lottie E. Vesey, and resides on a part of the old place. William B. married Miss C.B. Putney, and lives in Johnson Township. James McKibben was born in Johnson Township March 29, 1852. He was married May 2, 1876, to Lissa A. Van Kirk, who was born in Bloomfield Township April 3, 1856. They have two children - Orley Ray and Ledger Dey.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



JACOB MILLS was born in Cayuga county, N.Y., March 19, 1822. He was one of nine children born to Jacob and Catharine (Cornwell) Mills, the father being of English and Sctoch and the mother of Welsh and Germanic descent. Jacob Mills, Sr., was three time married; his second wife being Margaret Passage, and his last wife, who is yet living, being Samantha Sprague. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, was a farmer, and died in the year 1849. Jacob Mills, the subject of this sketch, lived on a farm until fifteen years old, when he began learning the carpenter's trade. Having relatives how had come to La Grange County in 1844, he emigrated to the same place in 1846, and located on the site of his present home. His family, at that time, consisted of his wife, Jane E. Somers, to whom he was married February 2, 1843, and one child. He purchased 80 acres of land, then entirely devoid of clearing, and built log cabin, and then began to build up the home and property he now owns. Mr. Mills has been a very hard-working man, and with his wife's help has risen to a position of comfort in old age. They own 200 acres of good land, and are parents of five children - Charles H., James W., Mary J., one that died in infancy,and Ida A. Charles and Ida are married,and reside in La Grange County. Mary is dead, James W. is single,and is a traveling salesman, with headquarters in Chicago. Mr. Mills was a Democrat up to James Buchanan's administration, but since then has been a Republican. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace four years in Johnson Township.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



C.R. MOON, a prominent merchant of Wolcottville, was born June 28, 1836, one of eight children of Salma and Caroline (Morton) Moon, who were naties of the State of New York. The father was a carriage-maker, and moved with his family to Wayne County, Mich., where he is yet living on the land he entered. His wife died in 1863. Charles R. Moon lived on a farm, until sixteen years old, in Wayne County. In 1852, he began working for himself at the carpenter's trade in Kalamazoo and Coldwater. In 1857, he came to La Grange, where he worked at his trade a number of months. He then went to Ypsilanti, Mich., where he took a thorough course in music under Profs. Foote, Pixly and Pease, during which time he taught school to pay his expenses. At the end of three years, he graduated and returnedto La Grange and engaged in selling organs, teaching music and holding musical conventions. Owing to throat troubles, he has not made it a permanent business, but to some extent has followed it. In 1861, he entered into a partnership at La Grange in the manufacture of carriages, but discontinued that the spring of 1862, when he came to Wolcottville, where he had charge of a branch carriage-shop until he disposed of it. For three years he then traveled in the interests of C.R. Moon & Co., but his family sitll lived at Wolcottville. In 1877, he returned to Wolcottville, and established a trade in the furniture business. He was married in 1861, to Margaret J. McClaskey, and they are parents of three children - R. Ellsworth, C. Alton and Mabel K. Mr. Moon is a Republican, and has held the township office of Justice of Peace. He has had charge three years, and ably edits the Wolcottville department in the La Grange Standard. Mr. Moon has been Sunday school Superintendent of M.E. Church, at La Grange and Wolcottville, for twenty years, and he and wife are adherents of that church. Mr. Moon is the author of some celebrated music, among which are "Leave me and Save the Glorious Flag", "Somebody's Darling is Slumbering Here", etc.; the latter piece being known all over the United States as a fine production. Beside the above, Mr. Moon liberally contributes to the Musical Review, of Dtroit, and other musical periodicals.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



JEREMIAH OUTCAULT, farmer. The Outcalts are of Germanic descent, and came to America three generations prior to the birth of the subject of this biography. Jeremiah Outcalt was reared as a farmer, receiving but a meager education, and residing with his parents until the age of thirty years. He first visited La Grange County in 1839, where, at that date, his brother moved, and, admiring the country, he, in 1846, came with his family to Ontario, where he remained, working at coopering during the succeeding winter. His land in Johnson Township had been purchased previously, and upon this he moved in the spring of 1847. Here he and his family have since lived. From hard labor and good management, the undrained and unhealthful land has been converted into good farming land. One hundred and ninety-seven acres of well-cultivated land, with substantial and comfortable buildings, are among the rewards of this patient labor. Mr. Outcalt was born in Portage County, Ohio, October, 1812, his parents being Schobey and Clara (Sabins) Outcalt, to whom were born ten children. The father had served as teamster in the war of 1812, and was throughout life a respected citizen. Both parents died in Illinois, whither they had moved in 1848. Jeremiah Outcalt's marriage with Elizabeth Ingraham was solemnized in 1840. To them have been born four children - Charles (deceased) and Adelaide, twins; Maryette and Hortense, the latter also deceased. Mrs. Outcalt;s maiden name was Irwin. She married Lewis Ingraham, by whom she had two children - Elizabeth and Sarah J. - both dead. Maryette Outcalt and Nathan Wiggins were married in April, 1869. Mr. Wiggins was accidentally killed in March, 1875. Mr. Outcalt is an enterprising and respected citizen, and has been a good Republican since the organization of the party.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



WALTER H. RODGERS Wolcottville, is a member of the firm of Moon & Rodgers, who do a general business of wagon and carriage manufacturing and repairing. The junior member of this firm, Walter H. Rodgers, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., December 27, 1848, and is one of a family of four children. Three only of these are living, one giving his life in defense of his country in the late war. His parents were Edgar and Lydia A. (Remick) Rodgers. Mr. Rodgers was a jeweler at Brooklyn, N.Y. He died in 1861, but his widow and two children are yet residents of Brooklyn. Walter H. Rodgers lived in that city until fourteen years of age, when he came to Indiana, and worked on a farm near Lima until 1865, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment, Company F, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. After a visit East, he returned to Lima, and learned the blacksmith trade, and then went to La Grange, where for about six years he was employed by Moon & Co. He then took charge of that firm's shops at Wolcottville, but shortly afterward engaged in business in Cleveland, Ohio, Waterloo, and then back to Wolcottville, where he has since resided. In September, 1877, he formed a partnership with S.D. Moon, of La Grange, in the manufacture and repair of wagons and carriages at Wolcottville, Mr. Rodgers having charge of the entire business. They commenced on a small basis, but by honesty and industry have increased their efforts, until they now do a comfortable business of from $8,000 to $10,000 per annum. Mr. Rodgers was married in the spring of 1868 to Amelia Moon, of La Grange, and they have two children - Guy and Earl. Mr. Rodgers is a member of the I.O.O.F., and is a Republican. Mrs. Rosgers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



A.J. ROYER is a son of Jacob and Mary (Mitchell) Royer, and was born in Beaver Township, Union Co., Penn., February 5, 1824. With his parents, he moved to Stark County, Ohio, in 1825, and was there reared on a farm to manhood. His father was a farmer. Mrs. Royer died in about 1865, and Mr. Royer in 1878. At the age of nineteen, A.J. Royer commenced learning the carpenter's trade. December 3, 1849, he was married to Miss Martha Stall, and to them were born three children - only one son, Norman H., yet living. This son married Josie Cosper, and resides in Johnson Township. After his marriage, Mr. Royer continued at his trade in Seneca County, Ohio, where he and his wife had moved, but after two years, returned to their former home. The summer of 1852, Mr. Royer came West. Not having sufficient means to purchase the location he desired, he returned to Ohio; but again returned to this township in 1853, and purchased 60 acres of his present farm. The fall of 1854, he moved his family out to the then new county, and immediately began clearing his farm and working at his trade. His wife, unable to withstand hardships, died February 22, 1856. Mr. Royer's second and present wife is Catharine (West) Royer, to whom he was married January 29, 1857. Mrs. Royer was born in Vernon Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, May 5, 1834, and is a daughter of William and Jane (Patten) Wert. To Mr. and Mrs. Royer were born ten children - Albert J., deceased, Mary M., Charles S., William A., one that died in infancy without a name, Ida M., Eliza J., Laura B., Ira B., deceased and Luella. Mr. Royer came to La Grange County a poor man, but by economy and industry has acquired 165 acres of good land. He is a Republican, and he and wife are leading members of the Evangelical Church.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



A.A. SNYDER, merchant, the present Postmaster of Wolcottville, was born in Adams County, Penn., January 6, 1825. He is one of ten children, who through their parents, John and Mary (Kuhnes) Snyder, were descended from an old and honored German family that came to America many generations back. John Snyder was a carpenter by trade, but through life was employed much at cabinet-making, etc. In 1835, he and family moved to Wayne County, Ohio, where Mr. Snyder worked at farming in connection with his trade. Mrs. Snyder died in Ashland County, Ohio, in 1845, and the fall of 1847, the father with the rest of the family, removed to Wolcottvile, Ind., where he had friends. Early in life, Mr. Snyder was in good circumstances, financially, but through the unfaithfulness of seeming friends, he was reduced to straitened circumstances. On his arrival, he began working at his trade. In 1851, he removed to La Grange, where he died in 1868. He was an honest, unassuming man, respected by all who knew him. A.A. Snyder received but the common education. When twenty years old, commenced learning the shoemaker's trade in Ohio. After coming to Indiana, he worked at this business in Northport over a year, after which he entered a partnership at Wolcottville in the manufacture of boots and shoes. The partnership continued two years, and then Mr. Snyder continued it alone, making in all about twenty years at that business in Wolcottville. He was commissioned Postmaster in 1861, by a Republican administration, and with the exception of three months, during Johnson's administration,has retained that position. In 1868, he opened a grocery store, which has since been continued with the addition of rugs. Mr. Snyder is doing a good business. He married Phebe A. Littlefield March 8, 1849, and they are the parents of four children - John A., deceased; Mary S., wife of J.C. Scheffler; Susan E., deceased, and Albert E. Mrs. Snyder was born in Canada, May 17, 1828. Mr. Snyder is a leading Republican, and a respected citizen.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



THOMAS G. STARKEY, retired, was born in Mifflin (since Juniata) County, Penn., January 22, 1819, the youngest of nine children, born to Benjamin and Sarah (Frantz) Starkey. His father was a blacksmith by trade, at which he worked after his removal to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1836. Thomas G. Starkey received an ordinary education. On the 5th of December, 1840, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of William and Susan (Raum) Holsinger and sister of John Holsinger. Mr. Starkey farmed in Ohio until January, 1843, when he came West and looked up a place for a home. He returned to his family in Ohio, where he farmed until he removed here in 1847. He settled on a part of the farm now owned by the heirs of Joseph Eshelman, in Johnson Township, where he remained, clearing and farming, until 1859, when he traded for property in Milford Township. He farmed here until his removal to Wolcottville, in March, 1880, where he has since been living retired. He is a Democrat, and in Johnson and Milford Townships has held the position of Justice of the Peace twenty-five years. During this time, he has solemnized over one hundred marriages. He and wife are parents of fourteen children - William, Jennie, Sure, Benjamin, Dell, Daniel, Addie, Ida F., Ada, Lettie, Bessie, Alice, Rhoda and Johnny. All are living, except the eldest, who enlisted in his country's cause in Company H, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but was afterward transferred to the Fourth Indiana Cavalry. He was wounded while on a scouting expedition, from the effects of which he afterward died. Mrs. Starkey was born in Stark County, Ohio, Spetember 25, 1822. Mr. Starkey is one of the substantial men of Wolcottville and owns two farms in Milford Township, one of 105 acres and the other of 108 acres.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



JOSEPH TAYLOR was born in Morton, Lincolnshire, England, March 2, 1822, a son of Stephen and Maria (Franks) Taylor, who emigrated to America with a family of nine children, in May, 1848. They shipped on board the "Forest King" and, after a voyage of over six weeks, arrived in New York. Having, as they supposed, relatives living in Lima, La Grange CO., they concluded, with the aid of friends, to make that their home. While on their way, on Lake Erie, they ascertained that their friends were either dead or gone to Oregon; but, not having the means to go farther, they settled near Lima in July, 1848. The father of our subject, being a blacksmith, followed that occupation and brewing beer until his death, which occurred in July, 1863. His wife died the next September. Joseph Taylor, at the age of sixteen, was a good blacksmith, and that has been his occupation, to a greater or less extent, through life. He was married, in November, 1850, to Prudence Field, born in Thurlby, Lincolnshire, Eng., March 26, 1824. This lady is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Barber) Field and come to America the same year of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have never had any children born to them, but have raised one boy - Thomas J. Field - from the time he was two and a half years old. Mr. Taylor came to Wright's Corners from Lima, in May, 1849, and commenced blacksmithing in a rented shop. He and wife have been industrious and, by hard labor, have made what they now own. They have over 138 acres of good land and other valuable property. Both were brought up in the Episcopal faith, but since coming to America have never joined any religious society. Mr. Taylor is a Republican and he and wife are most respected citizens.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



PHILO TAYLOR was born in Connecticut in 1796. His iwfe, Orabell (Harmon) Kent, a widow lady with one daughter, waas born in Vermont in 1795. They were married November 22, 1818, in Lawrence County, Ohio. The father of Philo Taylor was a native of England, and came to the United States about the time of the Revolutionary war. Philo Taylor was a carpenter by trade, and when a young man went to Lawrence County,Ohio, where for six years he was engaged as a millwright. He then moved to Portage County, and resided there ten years. He next emigrated to Indiana, locating as Wolcottville, on the La Grange County side, where he purchased 320 acres of land, which he improved. He was one of the early settlers, and one of the most influential in building up the town. He received many positions of honor, among them that of County Commissioner, to which he was elected several times, and at one time was a candidate for Associate Judge. He was a Whig, and afterward a Republican. He was also a member of the Baptist Church. He died February 16, 1876, and his wife June 13, 1856. They were the parents of six children - Sylvester, V.R., O.B., Louisa M., William S. and Henry L. Sylvester and William are dead; Louisa M. is the wife of L.L. Wildman, whose biography appears in this work. The family of Taylors are of a sterling type, and have made their mark wherever duty has called them. Hon. V.R. Taylor resides in Wolcottville, just across the line in La Grange County.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



HON. V.R. TAYLOR was born November 28, 1821, in Lawrence County, Ohio. He was reared a farmer, and came with his parents to Wolcottville in 1837. He received a good education, which was finished at La Grange Collegiate Institute at Ontario. For a period of six years he taught in the public schools of La Grange and Noble Counties, and November 28, 1850, he married Miss Ann Rowe, who bore the following children: Philo J., William L. and George H. The mother's death occurred May 10, 1873, and January 28, 1875, he married Elizabeth A. Betts, his present wife. Mr. Taylor is an active worker in the interests of the Republican party, by which he was elected to the State Legislature in the fall of 1880. Although young in legislative affirs, he has shown a degree of judgement in his work at Indianapolis that ranks him among the leading men of the House. He is a farmer, owns 100 acres of land, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



HON. O.B. TAYLOR was born in Portage County, Ohio, June 10, 1827. When his parents emigrated to Indiana he was ten years old, and after coming to the State he received the greater part of his education, finishing at the same place as did his elder brother. At the age of seventeen, he commenced his career as a district school pedagogue, but continued it only for three years, when he entered Goerge Wolcott's store in Wolcottville. He continued with Mr. Wolcott until the spring of 1852, when he commenced business at South Milford, under the firm name of O.B. Taylor & Co. On the 27th of January, 1859, he married Catharine J. Henry, daughter of Hon. Francis Henry (deceased), of La Grange County, and the next October moved to Wolcottville, where he engaged, under the firm name of Wildman & Taylor, in a like trade to that at South Milford. In 1867, the partnership changed to O.B. & H.L. Taylor, which continued some years. The senior partner then sold out to O.L. Woodruff, but after a time purchased H.L. Taylor's interest, the firm name continuing as O.L. Woodruff & Co. Mr. Taylor was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature by the Republican party in 1878, and was re-elected with an increased majority. He was a hard-working member, and was instrumental i the adoption of the Ditch or Drainage Law. He was chairman f important committees, and served with distinction and satisfaction to his constituents. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and parents of three children - Frank P., Marshall N. (deceased) and Albert H. They also have an adopted daughter - Lana B. Besides vaulable town property, Mr. Taylor owns 270 acres of good land near Wolcottville.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



HENRY L. TAYLOR was born in Portage County, Ohio, December 1, 1835. He received a common-school education, and at the age of twenty-one began life's battle on his own responsibility. Up to 1869, he engaged in farming; and then, in partnership with O.L. Woodruff, entered into mercantile pursuits at Wolcottville, continuing for six years. He then sold his interest to O.B. Taylor, and since, has been engaged in buying and shipping grain. He also has a farm of 400 acres. He was married April 19, 1860, to Jane Nicholson, who died September 7, 1861. His present wife is Eliza J. Stevenson, daughter of Martin L. and Laura A. (Tozer) Stevenson, born April 3, 1843. They are parents of three children - Charles H., Archie S. and Ruth. Mr. Taylor is a Republican, and at one time was the nominee of tht party for office of County Commissioner. He is a member of the Baptist Church.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



JAMES TUCK, of the firm of Dickenson & Tuck, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, December 20, 1842, and is one of three children whose names are James, John and Elizabeth; the last named is single and is a landscape and portriat painter, of Chicago. John served his country in the late war and died from gunshot wounds at the hospital in Mobile, Ala. James Tuck was but two years old when his parents removed to La Grange County, Ind. September 24, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and received his final discharge at Nashville, Tenn., on the 14th of September, 1865. For over two years he was in active service at the front, and was a participant in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, etc. He was commissioned Commissary Sergeant, May 1, 1861, a position he held until the close of the war. Succeeding his discharge he came home and commenced clerking in a dry goods store at La Grange, at which he continued until 1867, when he came to Wolcottville, and, in partnership with L.B. Dickenson, engaged in the drug trade, meeting with good success; they have since added groceries and are doing a lively business. Mr. Tuck has been twice married; first to Mary Jane Law, who died shortly after their marriage, and in 1868 to his present wife, Miss Nancy T. Nichols, daughter of Nelson and Keziah Nichols. His last wife has borne to him two daughter - Mary and Grace. Mr. Tuck is a Freemason, a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. His is a son of Shuble and Mary (McGrew) Tuck, who were natives of New York. Shuble Tuck was a farmer, and from his native State moved to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he afterward married. He emigrated with his family to La Grange County, Ind., in 1844, and purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Tuck died in 1857 and Mr. Tuck in 1859. They were eaerly settlers of the county and endured many hardships of pioneer life.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



C.W. VAUGHAN, deceased, was born in Vermont May 16, 1821, son of William and Elizabeth (Weller) Vaughan. He was given a good practical education. At the age of eighteen, he went to Troy, N.Y., where he engaged in the molding business, thence to Akron, Ohio, where he was a bookkeeper in a woolen factory. In about 1844, he came to Northport, Noble Co., and engaged in mercantie pursuits. He married Melinda M. Wright on the 22nd of October, 1847, a daughter of Levi Wright. From Northport, Mr. Vaughan came to Wright's Corners, in 1846, and entered partnership with L.L. Wildman, in a general store; from this point he moved to Ontario, and from there to Fulton, Ill. In 1867, he removed to Chicago, where he engaged in live stock trade a number of years. He died November 14, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan were the parents of three children - Ida, Gertrude and Lillie; only one is now living. Ida married Robert Dykes and bore him one daughter, Grace M.; the mother is now dead. Gertrude married Herbert Vaughan, and they were the parents of one child that died in infancy; the mother is also dead. The family home has been in Chicago for a number of years, but the widow and daughter own 526 acres of land in La Grange County, Ind., where they at present reside. They are accomplished people and are in the best circles of society.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



MICHAEL WESTLER, lumber dealer. The Westler family came from Maryland to Ohio at an early day, where the subject of this sketch was born,in Green Township, Summit County, July 30, 1827. John and Elizabeth (Blatner) Westler were his parents, and their occupation was farming. Michael Westler lived with his parents on the farm until fourteen years old, when his father died. From that time until 1847, he worked at farming, went to school, and in the fall of that year commenced the study of dentistry. In October, 1848, he went West and bought a farm of 104 acres, on Section 29, Johnson Township, La Grange County, paying for it $2.50 per acre. He boarded at a neighbor's and began improving his place. He was often called upon to work at dentistry. When he first bought the land there was no clearing on it. After building him a log cabin; he, on the 5th of April, 1853, married Sarah Ann Stroman, and to them were born - Francis M., Ida M., Charles J., deceased, Elmer E. and Etta R.R. Mr. Westler has been married three times. By his second wife there was born one son - William M., who died when about seven months old. He married his present wife (Naomi Wilcox) November 3, 1875. She bore him one daughter - Ottley E. In February, 1865, Mr. Westler enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged August 31, 1865. In about 1869, he sold a part of his farm, moved to Wolcottville, and engaged in milling. For a time he had an interest in a saw-mill, but at present is engaged in the lumber trade and the agricultural implement business. He is a Republican, and has held various township offices. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. of Wolcottvill, and of the La Grange Encampment. He has represented the lodge at the Grand Lodge, and has held all the offices of both lodges, except that of Secretary. Mr. Westler is an honest gentleman in every respect. During the war he was a decided loyalist, and during the trouble with blacklegs from 1856 to 1858, he was one of the first to become identified with the Regulators.

Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Johnson Township



Deb Murray