L.L.WILDMAN, son of Levi and Sally (Stowe) Wildman, was born Januray 25, 1821, in Litchfield County, Conn., and is of Scotch descent. The subject lived in his native State until thirteen years of age, when he came with his parents to Ohio. The father left the family here in 1837, and went to Indiana, with a view of finding a suitable location. He purchased 80 acres of land a mile north of Wolcottville, and that winter worked for George Wolcott. In the spring of 1838, he went to Ohio, and the next fall returned, bringing his family. Building a small log cabin on his place, he moved his family into it and geban to improve his property. Mr. Wildman lived here a number of years, undergoing the trials of pioneer life, and at an advanced age, died on the 20th of July, 1865. His widow died January 25, 1870. L.L. Wildman's education was finished at the La Grange Collegiate Institute, at Ontario. He taught school a number of terms, and in 1846, entered into partnership with C.W. Vaughan, in mercantile business at Wright's Corners. Since that time Mr. Wildman has been indentified in a number of business enterprises at Kendallville, Rome City, South Milford, Wright's Corners and Wolcottville. He at present is engaged in the banking business at the latter place. He had been a driector of the First National Bank of La Grange, but resigned. He is still a stockholder of that bank, and owns about 350 acres of land in La Grange and Noble Counties, and 160 acres in Kansas. He is a Republican, formerly a Whig. He was elected to the State Legislature from La Grange County in about 1858, carrying almost every vote in Johnson Township. He was married, December 31, 1851, to Louisa M. Taylor, daughter of Philo Taylor, and they have had four children - Angeline G., born April 26, 1853; Eva, born December 29, 1854, died November 18, 1863; William W., born December 31, 1856, died June 30, 1880, and Herbert, born April 5, 1860. The first-named is the wife of F. Eugene Dickinson, and the last, Herbert, married _______ Parks, and is a successful merchant of Wolbottville. Mrs. Wildman was born June 13, 1829, and both Mr. and Mrs. Wildman are members of the Baptist Church.

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



CHARLES WILSON was born in Livingston County, N.Y., April 10, 1827. His parents were John and Mary A. (Roberts) Wilson, who had a family of twelve children. The father was a farmer and of Scottish descent, and he and wife died in the State of New York. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Charles Wilson resided on a farm until fourteen years of age, and received a common-school education. In 1841, he commenced learning the blacksmith trade, which was his main employment for a number of years. He came, with his employer,to Indiana in 1843, locating at Wright's Corners, where Mr. Wilson worked at his trade about a year, he then returned to his native State and engaged in the same business about two years, after which he returned to Wright's Corners and again engaged in blacksmithing, continuing up to 1848, when he commence farming. In October, 1854, he purchased his present farm of fifty-one acres, which has since been his residence, excepting a time during the war. He enlisted October 17, 1861, in Company H, Forty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged in October, 1864. He was an active participant in the battles of Forts Donelson and Henry, and of Corinth; after the last-named engagement Mr. Wilson was on detailed duty, and for eighteen months led the supply train. He was married to Margaret Coberly, in 1850, and they have an adopted daughter - Adel. Mr. Wilson is one of Johnson Township's best citizens, and a Democrat. Mrs. Wilson was born October 10, 1827, in Randolph County, Va.; she came with her parents to Crawford County, Ohio, where her mother died; her father returned to Virginia, where he died. After her mother's death she was bound out to a family, and with them came to Indiana when fourteen years old; she lived with this family, working very hard. Commencing at fifteen, she worked out by the week until her marriage with Mr. Wilson. They commenced poor, but by hard labor have acquired a good home.

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



GEORGE WOLCOTT, deceased, was born in Torrington, Conn., July 26, 1806, and was one of a family of twelve children. When sixteen years old he removed with his parents, Guy and Abigail (Allyn) Wolcott, to Summit County, Ohio. His father dying in August of that year, he had charge of the home farm until 1828, when he went to Wadsworth and engaged in farming unti l1832. August 6, 1828, he married Mis Margaret Hine, of Tallmadfe, Ohio, and for a time was engaged in saw-milling and the manufacture of fanning-mills at Wadsworth. In 1836, he sold his possessions here, and in March, 1837, he located on the southern line of Johnson Township, where he built a log house, and the following September moved his family, and then commenced reclaiming the then unbroken forest. On of the first industries started by Mr. Wolcott was a mill fed by a race half a mile long, which he dug himself. By his excellent management, it was not long before a little settlement sprang up around him, which took the name of Wolcottville, in his honor, now a thriving village of 500 inhabitants. He built mils, shops, stores, houses, etc. He erected the Wolcottville Seminary, hired teachers, and through his endeavors made Wolcottville what it now is. He was peculiar in disposition, but was a friend to the poor and needy, and at an early day did much to relieve those suffering from fever and ague, then so prevalent. In politics he was a Whig, but afterward a Republican. He died March 31, 1857, but his widow is yet living, at the advanced age of seventy-eight, in Wolcottville. They were the parents of six children - Ann L., Abby A., Rowena R., Almira J. (deceased), Elton R., Marshall F. and Amelia M. (deceased). Mrs. Wolcott is living a retired life on her property near the village; she owns seventy-four acres of good land and is one of the highly esteemed old settlers of Johnson Township.

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



O.L. WOODRUFF, merchant, Wolcottville, of the firm of O.L. Woodruff & Co., is a son of Charles and Jane (Landon) Woodruff, natives respectively of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Charles Woodruff in early life learned the tailor's trade, but when he arrived at maturity abandoned that business, and studied the Eclectic system of medicine, and that has been his chief employment since. After a successful practice in Ohio a number of years, he came to Huntington County, Ind., in 1845; but after a residence there of six months, returned to Ohio, and again, in 1852, emigrated to Indiana, locating in Albion, Noble Co. He purchased the Samuel Woodruff farm north of town, but soon afterward traded it for the Worden House. During the excitement regarding the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad at Albion, he subscribed almost his total possessions to the enterprise, and it ruined him financially. In 1869, he went to Ligonier, and engaged in the drug trade, and the practice of his profession. The spring of 1880, he purchased a farm near Ligonier, of our subject, and has since been engaged in farming. O.L. Woodruff, was born in Sunbury, Delaware Co., Ohio, in 1839, and is one of six children. He lived with his parents up to the time of his father's failure, and since the age of fourteen has been doing for himself. At eighteen he had saved sufficient money to attend school one year at a Fort Wayne college. After this he attended the Wolcottville Seminary over a year, paying the expenses by teaching. Owing to ill-health, he left school, and in the spring of 1861 went to Albion, and there enlisted in the Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, but was rejected on account of poor health. He then clerked in a drug store at Albion, and from there went to Kendallville to clerk. By economy, he had saved a sufficient amount to enter into a partnership at Wolcottville in 1869 in a general store, and has continued that trade at this place. His present partner is Hon. O.B. Taylor. The firm name is O.L. Woodruff & Co., and they do an average annual business of $20,000. Mr. Woodruff was married in 1867 to Lydia Garrison, and they have one adopted daughter. Mr. Woodruff is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the M.E. Church.

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



J.W. YOUNGKINS, M.D., born in Lancaster Co., Penn., 1834; is the youngest of eight children, of whom Abraham and Sarah J. (Montgomery) Youngkins were the parents. Dr. Youngkins, at the age of fourteen, came with his parents to Richland Co., Ohio, where the parents died. Received only a common education in Ohio, and in 1855 began the study of medicine, graduating from the Medical College at Columbus in 1856. From that time until the breaking-out of the war, he practiced in Hancock County, Ohio, and in May, 1861, enlisted in the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and received his commission as Surgeon. After serving out his time - three months - he re-enlisted with his regiment, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. For two years he was on detailed duty at Winchester, from where he received his discharge in December 1864. After the war he resumed the practice of his profession in Mansfield, Ohio. From there he removed to Butler, DeKalb Co., Ind., and from there to Wolcottville, in 1876, where he has since resided. Dr. Youngkins has a large and lucrative practice, and is a man of extended information, having traveled across the plains of America in 1851, Mexico and Central America in 1852, and Texas in 1872. He has been twice married. First, to Mary Ann Hill, who bore him one daughter - May; and his present wife is Eliza Bingham. Dr. Youngkins is a Democrat, and a member of the I.O.O.F. of Wolcottville.

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



WILLIAM BELLAIRS was born in England July 31, 1820. In 1845, he came to America and located in White Pigeon, Mich., where he remained until after he was married. December 19, 1852. He then came to this county and settled on a farm he had previously purchased. After living here for a period of five years, he returned to St. Joseph County, Mich. In 1863, he again returned to this county, having exchanged his farm in Michigan for the one that he now occpuies, in this township. He owns 300 acres of good land, well improved. Mrs. Bellairs, formerly Ruth Julin, was born in Ohio, October 8, 1831. They are members of the Methodist Church and have a family of eight children - Olive, Ann, George, Henry, Caroline, Josephine, Levi and Mary. Mr. Bellairs is an enterprising citizen and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having attained the third degree in that order.

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



ELMER BELOTE is the son of John and Fanny Belote; was born in Monroe County, N.Y., August 10, 1814. His father was a native of Connecticut, born May 2, 1789, and his mother's birth occurred in Rhode Island January 1, 1796. They were married in New York State, February 14, 1813, and, in 1835, emigrated to La Grange County and lcoated in this township on Section 29, where the remainder of their lives was passed. He died August 22, 1850, and her death occurred October 26, 1871. They were parents of eleven children, viz.: Elmer, James S., Joseph M., John B., William M., Jefferson A., Naomi E., David E., Andrew I., Amos and an infant. Elmer Belote came to this county with his parents and lives on the farm where they first located. He and brother John own the old homestead of 200 acres and they are both single. Their brother William, who is married, lives with them. The subject is a good citizen and has the confidence of all. He has served creditably as Township Trustee for a number of years.

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



CHRISTIAN BERGER is the son of George and Eve Berger, who were born, married and died in Germany. The former's birth occurred in 1799 and the latter's in 1809, their marriage in 1829 and their deaths in 1871 and 1848 respectively. They were parents of ten children, viz.: Jacob, George, Eve, Magdalena, Katie, John, Harriet, Jane, David and Christian. The latter, our subject, was born May 14, 1831, and remained in Germany until October, 1852, when he came to America, going to Erie County, Penn., where he was married, November 10, 1852, to Miss Mary Pfieffer, also a native of Germany, born September 3, 1829. In 1860, they removed from Pennsylvania and have since resided in La Grange County. In 1869, Mr. Berger bought his property in this township, Section 21, that he has since farmed and improved. He owns 203 acres of land and has a family of seven children - Levi B., born January 21, 1856; Abner A., October 31, 1859; Charlie F., September 16, 1861; Joseph L., February 18, 1865; Emma M., March 31, 1867; John H., May 14, 1869; and Edward C., May 14, 1871. Mr. Berger is an enterprising resident. Himself and wife are members of the Evangelical Church.

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



AMI BERRY, son of Conrad and Lois Berry, is a native of this county and was born April 16, 1841, on the farm where he is now living. After his marriage, which was consummated March 4, 1868, he settled on the old homestead farm in this township. Mrs. Berry is a native of Germany, where her birth occurred July 19, 1844. Her maiden name was Mary Bardon, and she was one of ten children in the family of Michael and Catharine Bardon, who were also born in Germany, the former January 6, 1810, and the latter April 27, 1812. The subject's parents were natives of Ohio. His father born June 15, 1813, and his mother September 28, 1814. Mr. and Mrs. Berry are members of the Baptist Church and are very worthy people. They own 140 acres of good land. Mary A., their only child, was born December 10, 1868, and died December 5, 1871.

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



DANIEL BOYER is the son of Daniel and Mary Boyer, of York County, Penn., where they were born, married and died. They had a family of ten children. Daniel, the eldest, was born in York County, Penn., September 17, 1821, and remained there until 1856, when he located on Section 21, of this township. He was first married in his native county, in 1843, to Miss Sarah Sleeger, of the same nativity as himself, born in 1822. She died November 9, 1848. They had two children - Emanuel, born May 27, 1844, and Mary E., December 31, 1845. The latter died June 28, 1881. Mr. Boyer's second marriage occurred April 29, 149, to Mrs. Catharine Sleeger, the daughter of Michael and Mary Boeckel, natives of Germany. She was born in York County, Penn., February 10, 1820. They have two children - Jemima and Franklin S., the former born January 18, 1851, and the latter May 24, 1854. The subject and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church and citizens that are well respected. Mr. Boyer owns 183 acres of land. His father was born in 1800 and his mother in 1802. They were married in 1819. The father died in 1864 and the latter in 1881.

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



STEPHEN BROWN is living on the old homestead farm, situated in this township, and composed of 176 acres of land. He is the third child in a family of seven, born to Isaac and Catherine Brown, and is a native of the Hoosier State, born in 1840, on the 16th of June. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married, subsequently removing to this State, where Isaac Brown died in 1848, and his widow married John Wenzer in December, 1860. He died April 8, 1878 and she died March 7, 1880. Stephen Brown was married in Elkhart County, Ind., March 17, 1861, to Mary Wenzer, a natvie of that county, born April 8, 1844, and the oungest of seven in the family of John and Mary Wenzer. August 18, 1864 Mr. Brown enlisted in Company B, Twelfth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, srving throughout the entire war. Previous to purchasing the old homestead farm, Mr. Brown was located in Section 8, in this township, where he moved about one year after his marriage. Four children have blessed their union - Samuel I., a native of Elkhart County, Ind., born February 10, 1862; John F., born in this county January 7, 1864; Jonas A., born May 26, 1868, and Alvie M., whose birth occurred August 11, 1870.

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



AMI CALAHAN is the son of Nathaniel and Anna Calahan. The former was born in Delaware July 20, 1788, and when twelve yeras old accompanied his parents to Washington County, Ohio, where he was afterward married. The latter was born in the State of New York, November 19, 1795, and moved to Ohio, when a child, with her parents. She married Nathaniel Calahan in 1810, and they emigrated to White Pigeon, Mich., in 1830, remained but a short time, then came to this county, settling on Section 17, this township, where he entered land in June, 1831. June 7, 1837, Mrs. Anna Calahan died and he was married in 1847, to Mrs. Esther Olney, and removed to Section 19, where he died July 20, 1855, and she died in February, 1858. Mr. Calahan, Sr., had a family of fourteen children. Ami, was born in Washington County, Ohio, June 21, 1818, and came to this county with his parents. He was married June 18, 1843, to Lucinda Selby, a native of Ohio, born March 25, 1817, and the daughter of Charles W. and Elizabeth Selby. Soom after this event, Mr. Calahan settled on his present farm, having purchased it in 1840. He now owns 477 acres of land. Mrs. Calahan died June 4, 1880, having borne her husband five children - Alfred M., Almon L., Ami N. (deceased), Charles R. and Edmon.

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



JOHN DALTON, son of Major and Anna Dalton, was born near Albany, N.Y., July 6, 1810. At the age of fifteen, he went to Geneva, Ontario Co., N.Y., remainded about seven years, and was married there, June 11, 1831, to Catharine Cooper. She was born in Waterloo, same county, November 4, 1809. They subsequently resided in Rochester, N.Y., where Mr. Dalton followed painting about four years. In 1836, he bought land and engaged in farming in St. Joseph County, Mich. Here Mrs. Catharine Dalton died, July 21, 1838, after which Mr. Dalton visited in New York about six months, then returned to Michigan. December 11, 1839, he was married to Laura E. Fitch, who was born in Ohio, September 1, 1817. In April, 1841, they came to this county, and located in this township, where she died. August 18, 1842, Mr. Dalton married his present wife - Anna Hayner - December 20, 1843. She is a native of New York, born August 22, 1812. In 1867, he removed from Section 12, to Section 13, where he is yet living. Mr. Dalton started in life a poor boy, and his efforts have met with abundant success. He owns 1, 227 acres of land, and is an esteemed and prominent citizen. He has held honorable positions in office a number of years, having served as Treasurer and Trustee, and he and wife are member of the M.E. Church, the subject having united with that denomination in 1834. Mr. Dalton, by his first wife, had three children, as follows: Charlotte E., born in New York, August 15, 1832, now Mrs. Bycroft; Mary J., also a native of New York, born May 2, 1836, now Mrs. Frost, and Cornelius A., born in Michigan, February 4, 1838. His present wife has born him three daughters - Frances A., born January 27, 1847, now Mrs. Otland, is residing on the homestead farm; Katie A., born July 1, 1849, died June 11, 1873, and Lucelia, born March 23, 1853, now Mrs. Huff. Mr. Dalton has also reared an adopted child, Henry A., born October 1, 1845, and died May 14, 1868.

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



NATHANIEL DAVIDSON is a native of Lancaster County, Penn., where he was born June 17, 1831. His parents were natives of the same county; his father, Michael Davidson, was born March 1, 1794, and his mother, Rebecca Davidson, May 12, 1794. In 1840, they removed to Erie County, Penn., where Michael Davidson died in February, 1869, and she is yet living. Their family was composed of four children - Sarah, Catharine, Nathaniel and Michael. The subject went to Erie County, Penn., with his parents, and remained nine years; he then went to Erie City to learn the shoemaker's trade. After serving an apprenticeship of three years he returned home, then again resumed his trade in Erie City, and was employed by various parties. In 1854, he came to Goshen, Ind., made a limited sojourn, and went back to Pennsylvania. In 1855, he went to Iowa, and after spending two years there returned again to his native State, and was married, October 8, 1857, to Mrs. Martha Gerst, who was born in Erie County, Penn., April 24, 1832. In 1861, they came to La Grange County, and located in this township. They lived four years with his parents, then Mr. Davidson went to the village of Van Buren, where he was engaged in working at this trade about three years. The following nine years he was employed in working on the home farm, removing then to his present farm, of 198 acres, in Section 27. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson belong to the Methodist Church, and have had five children - Charlotte V., David P., William E., Sarah C., and Earl, deceased.

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



VOLNEY C. DIBBLE is the son of Andrew and Perc Dibble; the former was born in Connecticut, in 1777, and the latter in New York, in 1782. They were married in 1798, in the last-named State, where they spent the rest of their lives, and where their children, eleven in number, were born. Andrew Dibble died in 1875, and his wife in 1863. Volney C. Dibble's birth occurred January 8, 1807, in New York State, and he was married, December 31, 1829, to Fidelia Parker, who was born November 3, 1811, in New York, where they lived until 1843, then came to this county, and settled in Lima, where Mr. Dibble started a wagon-shop, and continued that business until 1859, when he sold out, went to Elkhart County, Ind., and one year subsequently returned to this county and bought a farm in Newbury Township. Afterward resided four years in DeKalb County, Ind., then settled on his present farm of 44 acres, in Section 23, this township. Mr. Dibble is one of the enterprising citizens, and has a family of three children - Hannah, Lauretta and Adelbert.

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



EMANUEL EAGLEY is a native of Pennsylvania, born on the 26th of May, 1853. He was accompanied to the West by his parents, John and Leah Eagley, and soon after he was married, settled on his present farm of 120 acres, that is located on Section 18 of this township. His wife, Mrs Mary Eagley, was born at Sturgis, Mich., December 14, 1857. She is a member of the Evangelical Church, and her parents were Frederick and Christena Kielkopf. She was united in marriage to Emanuel Eagley on the 17th of January, 1876. To their union two children have been born - Frederick E. and Alto M.; the former's birth transpired May 5, 1877, and that of the latter November 29, 1879. Mr. Eagley spent his youth with his parents, receiving the average school advantages. His farm presents an improved appearance and he is one of the reliable men in this township.

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



JOHN EAGLY, Jr., was born in Erie County, Penn., March 31,1849, and came West with his parents, John and Leah Eagley, with whom he remained until reaching the age of twenty-one. December 12, 1869, he was united in marriage to Saloma Brown; she is a native of this State, her birth occurring on the 5th of September, 1848. He owns a farm of 101 acres, where he has lived ever since he was married, although he did not make a purchase of it until 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Eagly are members of the Evangelical Church. Three children have been born to them - Alinde E., December 13, 1872; Katie J., December 13, 1875, and Alverada B., who birth occurred September 14, 1879. Mr. Eagly is a good farmer and is reckoned among the best citizens of his township.

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



L.E. FERGUSON, the youngest of four children, was born September 22, 1845, on the farm where he is residing, it formerly being the home of his parents. He attended the Ann Arbor University, in Michigan, four years, from which he graduated in 1870, then returned to the homestead farm which he managed two years, spending the following year in California; after returning, he spent one year in lake surveying and one year in traveling. In 1876, he bought the old homestead and resumed farming. He owns 290 acres of good land with buildings to correspond. Mrs. Mary J. (Odle) Ferguson is a native of Michigan, where she was born the 30th of June, 1858. She was married to Mr Ferguson September 18, 1878; they have two children - John A., born August 13, 1879, and Maud E., February 9, 1881. Mr. Ferguson is the son of George W. and Elizabeth Ferguson, who were married in Pennsylvania April 26, 1825; she was born in that State August 6, 1806, and he was born in New Hampshire January 27, 1799. They came to this county in 1836, and located where the subject is now living, then went to White Pigeon, Mich., returning to their farm after an absence of five years. In 1871, they again returned to White Pigeon, Mich., where they lived in retirement unti their death; she died May 15, 1874, and he died April 15, 1876.

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



JAMES E. FISH is a natie of this county, and the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Fish, who were born in the State of New York. The subject was born November 19, 1845, since which time he has been a resident of La Grange County. December 16, 1868, the event of his marriage occurred to Miss Olive S. Morehouse. About two years afterward they moved onto their farm of eighty acres in Section 28, of this township, where they dwell amid comfortable surroundings. In their family are two girls and one boy; Hattie, the eldest, was born in 1869, on the 29th of October; Norah's birth occurred January 16, 1874, and Charles O. was born October 8, 1876. Nathan and Harriet Morehouse were the parents of Mrs. Fish; they had a family of eight children: Olive S., the oldest, was born in New York, May 6, 1843. Mr. Fish, although comparatively a young man, is an experienced and practical farmer, and his property is well improved.

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



Deb Murray