CHRISTIAN HOOFNAGLE is a native of Union County, Penn., where his birth occurred December 1, 1839. He subsequently accompanied his parents, John H. and Mary A. Hoofnagle, to Ohio, removing thence to La Grange County in 1865. The subject owns a farm of eighty acres in this township and provides a home for his parents and a sister. During the late
war, he served on the field of battle until the close, enlisting, in August, 1862, in Company K, One Hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Hoofnagle is unmarried. He is a thrifty and enterprising farmer, with flattering prospects for the future.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
M. HOOFNAGLE was born in Snyder County, Penn., April 27, 1839, and in 1852 left his native State, in company with his parents, who located in Ohio, where the subject remained until the age of eighteen, then went to Illinois, where he resided four years. Returning to Ohio, he enlisted, November 11, 1861, in Company B, Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, served three years, and was discharged; then re-enlisted in same company, and remained until the war closed, September 11, 1865; he then came to this county and farmed two years, when he sold out to his brother. December 24, 1867, he was married to Miss Sarah B. Steininger, and located in St. Joseph County, Mich., where they resided until
1876, then returned to this county, where he has been engaged in managing his father-in-law's farm, in this township. Mrs. Hoofnagle is of the same nativity as her husband, and was born May 15, 1847. She is the daughter of Simon and Catharine Steininger, and the youngest of three children. The subject is one of ten children in the family of John H.
and Mary Hoofnagle, of Pennsylvania. They belong to the Reformed Church, and have three sons - John S., a native of St. Joseph County, Mich., born February 26, 1872; Eugene B., born May 28, 1875, in same place, and Willard A., a native of this county, born July 16, 1880.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
ISAAC G. MISNER is the son of Joseph and Sarah C. Misner, and next to the eldest of nine children. The first twenty-seven years of his life were spent in Canada, where he was born June 19, 1828. He then went to Elkhart County, Ind., and was married, at White Pigeon, Mich., December 17, 1855, to Miss Eliza Fleming. She was born on the farm where they
now live, December 22, 1835, and is the only child of Tyler and Samantha Fleming. Her father was born in New Jersey April 23, 1811, and died September 7, 1839. Her mother was a native of New York State, born August 17, 1806, and died February 13, 1872. Soon after marrying, Mr. Misner settled onhis famr of 150 acres, in this township. Mr. and Mrs.
Misner have no family. They are fine people, and, besides their property here, own 120 acres of land in Kansas. Mr. Misner's parents were Canadians by birth, and were married in 1826, May 10. In April, 1856, they journeyed to this county, where Joseph Misner died, December 30, 1859. He was born November 5, 1805. Mrs. Sarah Misner was seventy-six
years old on the 15th of February, 1882, and is spending her last days with her children.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
JOHN MC DONALD is the sone of Robert and Nancy McDonald, both of whom were born in Albany County, N.Y., the former June 12, 1799, and the latter January 27, 1805. They were married about 1821, in their native State, where they are yet residents. Robert McDonald represented the county of Schoharie, N.Y., in the State Legislature, and in his family were
eleven children. John, the subject, was born May 14, 1831, in New York, where he was married, January 23, 1856, to Barbara Pitcher. She died, October 14, 1857, leaving one child. In 1858, Mr. McDonald went to St. Joseph County, Mich., and was there married to his present wife, September 18, 1861. She was Mary C. Purdy, a native of New York, where she
was born November 22, 1836. They came to La Grange County in 1864, where he bought a farm, and settled, soon after removing to his present location. He owns 240 acres of excellent land, and has a family of four children - E.B., born in New York, October 14, 1857; N. Medie and N. Mettie (twins), born July 8, 1870, and Emily Dell, May 10, 1873.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
PETER MOAK is the son of Jacob and Margaret Moak, natives of New York, the former born in 1778, and the latter in 1786. They were married in 1816, and remained in New York until they went to White Pigeon, Mich., from whence they came to this township, where their last days were passed. She died in 1842, and he in 1855. They were members of the Reformed
Church, and parents of five children. Peter Moak was born in New York on the 3rd of May, 1823, and came here with his parents in 1835, remaining with them until the age of twenty-five. February 10, 1847, he was united in marriage with Miss L. Satchel, native of New York, born July 20 1,827. He then bought the old homestead, where they lived two years,
then exchanged for another farm; lived there seven years, then removed to his present location. May 20, 1877, the death of Mrs. Moak occurred, and January 15, 1879, Mr. Moak and Mrs. Eliza A. Crockett were united in matrimony. She is the daughter of John and Polly McDonald, and was born in New York in 1832, October 23. In the family of Mr. Moak there
were four children - two living, Clara and Wallace, and two deceased, Ettie and Henry; the former died December 16, 1872, and the latter September 2, 1878. Mr. Moak is a man of enterprise, and owns a farm of 128 acres, that is well improved, with good buildings.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
JAMES MOONEY is a native of Lancaster County, Penn.; born December 25, 1824, and is the son of James and Margaret Mooney; in 1827, he went with his parents to Erie County, Penn., where he was married November 4, 1847, to Juliann Fry, who was born on board vessel October 16, 1828, while her parents were en route to this ocunty from Germany; after coming to
this county they settled on the farm where they are yet residing; it is situated in Section 33, is well improved and comprises 240 acres of land; Mr. Mooney ranks among the best farmers and prominent citizens of this township. They have seven children - Frederick, born October 26, 1848; Jacob, September 8, 1850; Mary, January 14, 1853; Anna, August 10,
1856; Ellen, June 8, 1860; Agnes, September 4, 1861; these were all born in Erie County, Penn., and George D., the youngest was born in this county October 19, 1865. Mr. Mooney's parents were born in Lancaster County, Penn., his father September 20, 1795, and his mother February 21, 1790; they were married in the same ocunty in September, 1818, and remained
there until they moved to Erie County, same State; in 1864, they emigrated to this county, lived in Lima Township one year, then returned to Pennsylvania, making a second trip to this county about two years subsequently, when they settled in this township, where Mr. Mooney died September 10, 1869; she is yet living, and resides at the home of the subject.
Their family consists of four children - Henry, James, Martha and Jacob.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
R.L. NEWMAN was born in Philadelphia, Penn., December 12, 1820, and is the son of John D. and Ursula Newman. At the age of three years, he accompanied his parents to New York City, where he remained until he was eleven years old, when his mother died and he went to live with an uncle; he came with the family of the latter, about a year afterward, to this county;
they settled in Lima Township on Section 20, and with them the subject remained until he was eighteen, when he commenced working out by the month, continued about two years, then went to Lima and began serving a three years' apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, and followed the same for some time; February 5, 1843, he married Mary A. Parker, who was born in
New York July 10, 1820; all his earthly - an old horse - he exchanged for its value in furniture, and began housekeeping. Through energy and economy he has amassed a comfortable fortune, owning now 260 acres of land and good buildings. He is a citizen that is well respected; five children have been born to himself and wife - Rozane H., February 22, 1844; Frances
E., August 2, 1847, died August 21, 1850; Delmar A., March 24, 1851; Orlinda C., August 16, 1854, and Charles R., June 23, 1864.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
WILLIAM S. OLNEY is a native of this county, and was born September 16, 1834, on the farm where he is residing. His parents, John and Esther Olney, were early settlers of this county, locating on Section 19, Van Buren Township, in 1830. His father's birth occurred February 24, 1800, and his mother's March 13, 1802; they were married in Ohio August 14, 1823. John
Olney died in 1841, June 9, and his widow was afterward married to Nathaniel Calahan March 23, 1847, and they died on the farm now owned by the subject, the former February 12, 1858, and the latter July 20, 1855. She had a family of seven children - John D., Trman M., Betsey A., Asa J., Henry, William S. and Martin V. After the death of his parents, the subject and
one brother bought the old homestead. William S. purchased his brother's interest in the winter of 1881-82, and now owns 401 acres of excellent land. His marriage to Miss Delila J. Sidener occurred June 10, 1858; she was born in this county October 2, 1839, and is the eldest of eight children born to Nicholas and Margaret Sidener. Mr. and Mrs. Olney are members of
the M.E. Church, and have had three children - Charles B., born June 30, 1859, died May 15, 1873; Eddie A., born September 17, 1862, now attending school in Sturgis, Mich., and an infant born October 27, 1873, and died November 28, 1873.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
THOMAS PEATLING is a native of England, where his birth occurred September 7, 1828. His parents, William and Ann Peatling, were English people; the former was born February 7, 1798, and the latter June 20, 1802; their marriage occurred September 12 1820. Mrs. Ann Peatling died May 30, 1842, and August 4, 1845, William Peatling was again married. In 1848, he emigrated
to America, settiling in Beaver County, Penn., where he is yet a resident; his second wife died September 1, 1873. Thomas Peatling crossed the ocean in 1850, and went to Beaver County, Penn., where he was married March 28, 1855, to Elizabeth Calpass, also a native of England, born June 26, 1826. She is next to the youngest of seven children born to Robert and Ann Calpass.
In 1874, Mr. Peatling moved to St. Joseph County, Mich., where he remained until 1880, when he sold out and bought the farm where he now lives, in Section 16, of this township. He owns 240 acres of land that is furnished with good buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Peatling belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have had six children - Willard C., born September 9, 1856;
Ann C. and Edward A., twins, born May 13, 1858, the latter died July 27, 1858; Thomas E., May 4, 1860; Elizabeth, March 23, 1862, died February 6, 1864, and Joseph B., November 12, 1864.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
P.W. PRESTON is the son of Thomas Preston, one of the oldest pioneers of La Grange County. The subject was born in England October 9, 1820, and came to this country with his parents, who settled onland in Section 26, of this township. He is one of nine children, and lived at home until twenty-six years of age. May 30, 1847, he married Margaret C. Iron, a native of
Delaware, where her birth occurred June 8, 1828. They did not locate permanently until after his father's death, when he removed to and soon after purchased the homestead farm, where he has since remained, and has assisted in caring for his aged mother. The farm consists of 109 acres and is excellently improved. Mr. and Mrs. Preston are members of the Baptist Church, and
have a family of eight children - L.H., Mary C., W.S., E.W., Elizabeth J., R.A., Martha B., and Margaret F. Although Mr. Preston is a mechanic, he devotes his attention exclusively to farming.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
JOHN F. ROTE is the third of a family of seven children, and a native of Snyder County, Penn., where he was born April 9, 1842. His parents were Solomon and Maria Rote; they were both born in Pennsylvania, the former in 1809 and the latter in 1810. In 1849, they removed from their native State to St. Joseph County, Mich., where Mrs. Maria Rote died in 1870, her husband's
death occurring three years later. John F. Rote accompanied his parents to Michigan and remained with them until he was twenty-four years old. He has been married three times; his first wife was Harriet Brokaw, to whom he was united December 22, 1866; his second marriage occurred March 14, 1872, to Lucy A. Robinson, by whom he had one child - Solomon D. Mrs. Lucy Rote
died in 1873, and May 22, 1879, he was married to his present wife, Jennie Dean. They have one child - Ira U. Mr. Rote owns a good farm of eighty acres, and is a member of the Reformed Church.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
JACOB SCHMIDT, the eldest of a family of nine children, born to Jacob and Elizabeth Schmidt, is a native of Germany, his birth traspiring October 13, 1831. He is of German parentage, the birth of his father occurring in 1803, and that of his mother seven years later; they were married in 1830, and passed their entire lives in Germany. Mrs. Elizabth Schmidt died in 1865,
and five years afterward her husband followed her to the grave. Jacob Schmidt came to America in 1854, and located at White Pigeon, Mich., where he was married November 15, 1852, and resided until he moved to his present home in this township. He is the owner of 186 acres of land that is under good cultivation and lies in Section 18. Mrs. Schmidt, formerly Nancy Steininger,
was born in Pennsylvania September 24, 1839. In the family of Mr. Schmidt there are eight children - John W., Ellen A., Ida E., George E., Louisa M., Charles C., Edward W. and Lula A.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
JOHN SHERWOOD,son of William H. and Elizabeth Sherwood, was born in Ontario County, N.Y., September 26, 1821. His parents were natives respectively of Orange and Oswego Counties, N.Y., the former born October 18, 1798, and the latter August 26, 1799. They were married May 4, 1819, in the latter county, and remained in New York until 1853, then moved to Elkhart County, Ind.,
settling near Goshen. About ten years afterward they emigrated to Illinois, and lived with their daughter, until he died, March 18, 1873. She afterward went to Marshalltown, Iowa, where she died November 27, 1875, at the home of her son, Dr. A.C. Sherwood. They were parents of nine children - Sarah, deceased; John, Diana, Betsy A., deceased; A.C., M.A., deceased; Isaac N.,
deceased; Mary L.; and D.B., deceased. The subject lived with his parents until seventeen, and received a good education. In 1842, he came to Steuben County, Ind., going from there to Ohio, but returned soon to this State, and engaged in school teaching near Goshen. He remained about four years, and April 9, 1845, was married to Lucinda M. Storn, who was born in New York,
June 21, 1828. She died eighteen days after her union with Mr. Sherwood, and he then returned to his home in New York. December 24, 1846, he was married to Elizabet Savage, also a native of New York, born March 29, 1824. He left New York in 1854, and went to Michigan, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, continuing the same until April, 1857, when he sold out and began
farming in Cass County, Mich. Two years afterward he located in this county, and has since remained. He is one of the prominent citizens, owns a farm of 220 acres in this township, is a member of the I.O.O.F., and has a family of nine children - Almond E., Nelson A., Ida L., Amy H., John B., Editha J., Ella A., Guisippi G. and Sarah E.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
H.M. SIDENER, a prosperous and enterprising farmer, is a native of this county, where he was born October 3, 1841, and has ever since made it his home. His marriage to Miss Mary C. Hinkle was consummated June 22, 1869. She was born in Pennsylvania May 13, 1849, and is the daughter of William and Matilda Hinkle. In 1867, Mr. Sidener bought property located in Section 28 of this
township, where he resided until 1880, when he sold it and purchased a farm in Section 29, where he took up his abode, and has remained since. He has always been engaged in the pursuits of agriculture, and at present owns 111 acres of fine land. Mr. and Mrs. Sidener have an only son - Roy G., who was born in this county, March 11, 1881. Mr. Sidener is the son of Nicholas and
Margaret Sidener.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
NICHOLAS SIDENER owns 300 acres of land in this township, which is well improved. He came to La Grange County, in 1835, and bought his present farm. Returning to Ohio, he was married April 6, 1837, to Margaret Bussard, and soon after settled in this township, on Section 30, where his farm was located, and where he had entered 160 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Sidener are both naties of
Fairfield County, Ohio. He was born December 3, 1811, and she June 27, 1817. They have had nine children - Dellia J., Henry M., Samuel L., Willard, John, Mary, James E., Martha E. and Margaret E. They are among the oldest resident pioneers, and belong to the M.E. Church, of which Mr. Sidener has been a member since 1839. He is the son of Nicholas and Nancy Sidener. His father was
born in Virginia September 1, 1773, and was twice married; first in Kentucky, to the subject's mother, who was born in Pensylvania in 1782, and died in Farifield County, Ohio, in 1821; they had eleven children. His second wife was Mrs. Sarah Prough, by whom he had five children. He died in 1851. Mr. Sidener has accumlated all his present wealth (except $1,000) by his own exertions,
and has sold 113 acres of fine land. He has assisted in laying out the roads, and in building the bridges in the township, and is a respected and valued citizen. Both his grandfathers came from Pennsylvania, and resided at one time in Kentucky; his grandfather Kline subsequently locating in Ohio at an early day.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
SAMUEL L. SIDENER, the son of Nicholas and Margaret Sidener, was born in this county July 23, 1843. He remained at home and assisted his parents, until he was twenty-two years old. April 18, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Ettie E. Parker, who was born in this county in 1848. Soon after, they located on one of his father's farms on Section 20, this township, where they resided
until her death July 24, 185, after which Mr. Sidener returned to the home of his parents. January 18, 1878, he was married to his second and present wife, Annie E. Wolf, a native of Erie County, Penn., where she was born June 25, 1852. They moved into a house built by his father, where they have since lived, and he has been engaged in farming the old homestead. Mr. Sidener has a
family of two children - Ralph, born January 20, 1868 and Alta M., September 23, 1870.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
E. SIXEBY is the son of John and Elizabeth Sixeby, natives of New York; the birth of the former occurring September 9, 1781, and that of the latter August 28, 1782. They were married in their native State in 1805, and in 1835 went to White Pigeon, Mich., remained until they came to Indiana, where she died in La Grange County, in May, 1852, and Mr. Sixeby subsequently married, and died
in 1855. The subject, one of thirteen children, was born in New York January 5, 1819; came here with his parents, and remained with them until the age of twenty-six. February 15, 1843, he was married to Orpha L. Barnes, a native of New York, born October 17, 1820. After farming two yeras on his father's place, Mr. Sixeby moved to his land in Section 14, this township, where he is now
living. In 150, he went to California, where he was engaged in mining five years. He owns 150 acres of land and has a family of five children - Frank E., born February 24, 1844, now a stock-dealer of New Mexico; John, April 11, 1846, railroading; Catherine S., August 20, 1848, school-teacher; Charles, March 6, 1858, railroading; and Orpha M., April 6, 1862, a music-teacher. Mr. Sixeby
is a member of the Masonic Order, and has served his township two years as Trustee.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
N.N. SIXEBY was born in New York, January 31, 1833; two years' later his parents, Nicholas and Christiana Sixeby, natives of New York, came west to White Pigeon, Mich., thence to this county, where they bought 640 acres of land, subsequently moving to St. Joseph County, Mich., where they lived on a 240-acre farm until 1865, and them removed to near Sturgis, where they lived five years, finally
locating in Vistula, Elkhart Co., Ind., where Nicholas Sixeby died November 26, 1875, and his wife December 20, of the same year. The former was born February 13, 1806, and the latter December 20, 1804. They were married in Kentucky in 1824, were members of the Reformed Church and had thirteen children. November 17, 1857, N.N. Sixeby and Louisiana Olney were married. She was born in this
county November 30, 1837, and is the youngest of two children in the family of Asa and Thankful Olney, natives of Ohio. Her father was born in 1805 and her mother in 1811; they were married in 1829. They came to this ocunty about one year afterward, and are nowliving in Section 18, this township, afterward removing to Section 13, where they are living, and he owns 214 acres of land that is well
improved. They are of the Methodist denomination and have a family of two children - Cora E., born March 6, 1870, and Lora E., November 27, 1874.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
EDWARD SNYDER was born in Union County, Penn., September 17, 1812, where he passed the earlier part of his life and was married in 1832, on the 22nd of September, to Mary A. Stallnecker. She was born in the same county August 11, 1813; then moved on a farm, previously purchased by the subject, and lived there until 1866, when they sold out and removed to Noble County, Ind. Near Avilla they settled
on a farm, making their home there eight years, at the end of which period Mr. Snyder bought his farm in this township. It comprises 120 acres of good land, and is located in Section 15. Mrs. Edward Snyder died at her home August 13, 1873, leaving a husband and six children to mourn her loss. The children are Charles, Mary E., Sarah, Add M., Anna E. and Edward S. Mr. Snyder's parents - George
and Peggy Snyder - were natives of Pennsylvania. Subject and family are members of the Lutheran Church.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
SAMUEL H. STEININGER is a native of Snyder County, Penn., and the son of Simon and Catharine Steininger. They came to this county about 1854 and are now living in White Pigeon, Mich., and are parents of three children. Simon Steininger was born April 27, 1818, and Catharine, his wife, September 18, 1825. Samuel H. was their second child. He was born May 14, 1844, and came here with his parents,
remaining with them until twenty-three years old. After he was married, December 24, 1867, to Miss Amanda Sterner, he worked the home farm until he moved to his present location, that was purchased by his father in 1876. The latter owns considerable real estate and has retired from active labor. Mr. and Mrs. Steininger are among the estimable families of this township and are members of the
Lutheran Church. Mrs. Steininger is a native of the Buckeye State, where her birth occurred September 26, 1844, and has borne her husband two children. Willard S. was born January 27, 1869, and Franklin I. December 23, 1871.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
ROBERT THORN was born in England July 23, 1809; married there in 1832, July 2, to Miss Maria Dunn, and remained there until about forty years of age. He worked at a mechanic's trade in England until 1850, when he emigrated to America and located at Bellville, Ohio. Eight years subsequently he removed to Indiana; resided in Elkhart one year, then settled on his farm in this township, where he owns
eighty acres of good farming land. Mr. Thorn has retired from active work. His parents, John and Elizabeth Thorn, were English people. His wife also was born in England, in 1811, on the 25th of March. Mr. and Mrs. Thorn have had born to them twelve children, six of whom have died. Those living are Elizabeth M., Maria, Robert, Seella, Emma and William H., and those deceased, John, Theresa,
Richard, William, Theresa and John.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township
CASPER WEISS is a native of Germany, born November 25, 1840, the next to youngest of eight children born to Emanuel and Elizabeth Weiss, who were natives of Germany. The subject, at the age of seventeen, emigrated to America, going first to Erie County, Penn., where he lived four years and during that time learned blacksmithing. He next removed to Grant County, Wis., and there resumed his trade.
After a lapse of two years he returned to Erie County, Penn., and September 3, 1864, enlisted in the army, serving until its close. Returning to Pennsylvania, after a brief period he came to this county, selecting, as a desirable location, Van Buren, where he establised a shop and resumed his trade, and is doing a good business. October 26, 1865, Mr. Weiss was married to Mary Schwitzer, and they
have one child, a daughter, Rosie A., who was born July 13, 1872. They are members of the Evangelical Church. Mrs. Weiss was born in Germany September 14, 1845, and he owns property in this town.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Van Buren Township