WILLIAM S. NEWMAN, the son of Benedict and Rachael (Benson) Newman, was born October 5, 1808, in Talbot County, Md., that being the State of his parents' nativity, who were of English descent. In the spring of 1836, William Newman and family started for the West, stopping about one month in Franklin County in June, thence to this township via Indianapolis, South Bend and White Pigeon. Here he entered 120 acres of land, living in his wagon until he completed a log cabin, where he lived until the death of his wife. Soon after sold his
place, having cleared forty acres and improved with new buildings. For four years he was variously employed, and about 1854 purchased land in Milford Township that was subsequently exchanged for his present farm of 130 acres, that isin an improved condition. In May, 1832, he was married to Sarah H. Clark, of the same nativity as himself and the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Clark. They had four children - Edward B., Rebecca A., John C. and Sarah S. His second marriage was consumated in 1856. His wife, Jane Bryan, the daughter of
William Cochran, came to this county in 1837 with her parents. She died in 1867, and Mr. Newman has since lived with his daughter H. (now Mrs. Frank Lewis), on the homestead farm. The subject while in the employ of Capt. Barry, in 1840, husked seventy bushels of corn in one day. Previous to coming to Indiana, he was a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge, and is a charter member of the Regulator Society, in which movement he was actively engaged. He is a Republican, and was once a Free-Soiler; he was accompanied to the county by three brothers
and two sisters - Gerry P., Daniel I., Francis A., Rebecca and Ann, and another brother, Nicholas B., came in the fall. William Newman is now the only living representative of the family. He is known and respected as an old pioneer that has endured much for the sake of the country's good. His son, John C., during the war, elisted in Company H., Forty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in the fall of 1861, and served three years, receiving a wound at the battle of Chickamauga.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
PHILO NICHOLS, born in Connecticut in 1815, is a son of James Nichols, of the same State, and one of five brothers who located in this county - Drusus, in 1833, John, in 1836, Thaddeus, in 1837, Augustus, in 1838, and the subject in 1839. Augustus previously had lived in Texas about four years; Philo Nichols stopped with his brother about three years at Union Mills (Mongo); the following ten years resided in Steuben County, then bought his home of eighty acres in this township in 1852, it being then partially cleared; is now finely cultivated
and worth $70 an acre. Mr. Nichols' first wife, Melinda Carr, of New York, to whom he was married in 1848, died in 1851, leaving one child - Alice (now Mrs. Joseph Talmage). His present wife became Mrs. Nichols on the 17th of March, 1857; she was formerly Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart, widow of William Stewart and daughter of Levin Millis. Mr. Nichols has twice been chosen to serve as Township Trustee. His first election was in 1854. Farming and stock-raising engage his time and attention.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
DAVID PAULUS, sone of David Paulus, in 1841 was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Babb, who was born in Pennsylvania November 25, 1820, and her husband in Stark County, Ohio, August 11, 1817. She was the daughter of John Babb, both parents being of German descent and natives of Pennsylvania. David Paulus, Jr., when of age, learned carpentering, receiving $24 for his first year's work, and that has occupied the principal part of his time until within the past seven years. He came to this county in 1844, and since buying eighty acres of land in
this township, in 1847, has followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Paulus belong to the Church of God, and have had seven children - William H. (deceased), Mary S., Charles E. (deceased), Albert A., Elnora (deceased), Ella and Harvey E. Mr. Paulus was Trustee of his township three years, and is recognized as a valuable citizen. His son William (now deceased), served during the war of the rebellion, first enlisting in the spring of 1861 in the Twenty-first Illinois volunteer Infantry, re-enlisting in 1864 as a veteran, and remaining until the war closed.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
HON. WILLIAM PRENTISS, one of the representative men of the township, comes from pioneer stock, and was born in pioneer days, April 18, 1835, on the old homestead farm, where he now lives. He inherits in a large degree the sterling qualities of his parents - Judge William S. and Jane Prentiss, who filled so honorable a place in this community. Young William in his boyhood gathered his book knowledge as best he could from the limited opportunities of those primitive days. He continued to live with his parents after he was twenty-one years old, and after
working a couple of years for his father, entered partnership with him in running the farm. Subsequently, he went West during the Idaho excitement, but returned at the end of about five months, just in time to vote for Abraham Lincoln for his second term of the Presidency. In the autumn of 1872, he was elected by the Republican party as Representative to the State Legislature, serving his constituency in a creditable manner. Upon the death of his father, he was made executor of the estate. Since 1876, he has been serving as a member of the Republican Central
Committee, performing an influential and active part in home politics. At present, he is filling the position of Township Trustee. Mr. Prentiss was married February 27, 1866, to Hermie S. Coffinberry, daughter of S.C. Coffinberry of Constantine, Mich.; five children have been born to them - James F., May 27, 1867; William S., November 3, 1868; Margaret E., October 31, 1871; Mary J., February 12, 1876, and Helen L., September 15, 1879.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
JUDGE WILLIAM S. PRENTISS (deceased) was an early pioneer of La Grange County, having entered land on Section 34, and settled in what is now Springfield Township in the fall of 1832. He was a native of Massachusetts and of English descent. Born of poor parents, he was thrown upon his own resources in his boyhood days, and went to live with a Mr. Chandler as clerk in his store for his board and clothes, conditioned that he should remain until he was twenty-one years of age. At the expiration of his time, he engaged to remain with his old employer at a small
salary, with whom he continued for two years. He then entered college, and, notwithstanding his self-dependence, by assisting himself with teaching school at intervals, he secured a good education and attended Cambridge University, Massachusetts, until 1826. He then took up civil engineering under Col. Baldwin, of Boston, continuing until the fall of 1832, when he came West to locate a home. Here Mr. Prentiss at once entered upon an intelligent and useful career. December 25, following his arrival here, he was united in marriage by Judge Seeley with Miss
Jane M. Clark, and the next day he drove to White Pigeon and purchased their housekeeping outfit, which he packed in a barrel and returned home. A peculiar coincidence occurred in connection with this couple. A short time previous to their first meeting, Mr. Prentiss was taking a view of the surrounding country on horseback with a view of locating, and when just west of where his home now stands his horse became mired and was extricated with difficulty. Notwithstanding this episode, Mr. Prentiss was so attracted by the beauty of the scenery that he decided
to make his home in the neighborhood. A few days subsequently, Miss Clark was riding for recreation in the vicinity, when her horse became mired in the same mud-hole. A short time after this, they met at Judge Seeley's, where they became acquainted. Among the early improvements made by Mr. Prentiss was a saw-mill built by him in 1838, on Turkey Creek, which is still in operation. Being a man of superior education, with a mind far above the average, and possessed of those sterling attributes, integrity and moral recttude, he soon took a decided position as a
leader in his township and county. All enterprises that had in view the advancement of the public interests, found in him an able, earnest and uncompromising advocate. In politics, he was a Whig, and, upon the organization of the Republican party, he joined its standard, and became a warm supporter of its principles. Besides filling many minor positions, he served as County Commissioner for a number of years, and administered the duties of the office of Probate Judge for two terms. His great administrative ability was called into active play by his appointment
as administrator of a large number of estates of great and varied interests, and in his discharge of the trust as guardian, in several instances he displayed his usual good judgment and unyielding impartiality. In religious matters he was liberal, inclining to a conservative spiritual belief. The free hall erected in the township was projected and built largely through his instrumentality. The organization of Springfield Township, and the location of the county seat at La Grange was due, perhaps, as much to the active co-operation of Judge Prentiss as any other
man. He was not of a speculative turn of mind, but by judicious management and attention to business his interests grew far beyond his youthful expectations or ambition, which had placed the sum to be acquired at $2,000. Mrs. Prentiss is a native of Massachusetts, and was reared in the Presbyterian faith, but in after years grew out of that school to a more liberal belief. She came to this locality in 1831. By her union with Judge Prentiss, she became the mother of five children, three of whom are yet living. Mrs. Prentiss makes her home with her son William on
the old homestead, and is in the enjoyments of reasonably good health - now in the seventy-third year of her age. In the death of Judge Prentiss, which occurred in 1872, the public lost an able and earnest advocate of its best interests, and the family an affectionate and noble head.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
RODERICK PRENTISS (deceased), a son of Judge William S. Prentiss, at the age of fourteen years received an appointment through the aid of Judge Chamerlain to the Naval School at Annapolis, where he received a thorough education, and subsequently accepted servied in the U.S. Navy, and while gallantly serving as executive officer of the sloop of war Monongahela in an engagement during the war of the rebellion, August 5, 1864, he was terribly wounded by both legs being shot to pieces, and died the following day. His remains rest near Pensacola, where a stone, erected
by his brother officers, marks his grave. Thus upon the threshold of a brilliant career, at the age of twenty-four years, a brave officer and a noble gentleman was ruthlessly slain in a ruthless war.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
ELISHA RAWLES, son of James and Maria (Williamson) Rawles, is a native of Ross County, Ohio, born May 13, 1821. His parents, natives respectively of Kentucky and New Jersey, from Ross, moved to Marion County, Ohio, thence to this township, in April 1839. In 1842, James Rawles was elected County Sheriff, re-elected in 1844, and after the expiration of his services he became a resident of La Grange, where he died in 1853. He served as Justice of the Peace previous to being Sheriff, and was an influential and respected citizen. Elisha Rawles was married to Rosetta
Talmage, on the 24th of February, 1845. Her parents, Henry and Sophia Talmage, were natives of New York. She died, November 27, 1878, leaving three children, viz., Charles W., Hattie L. and Clinton H. Mr. Rawles, when twenty-one years old, bought his first land - 160 acres - on credit, paying for it with the profits. In time he ran a breaking team (six yoke of oxen), and is one season fitted fifty acres for wheat, Fort Wayne thenbeing the grain market. For about fifteen years, Mr. Rawles has raised stock quite extensively, shipping to Chicago and Buffalo. Mr. Rawles
is a man of ability, and a worthy citizen.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
HORACE B. ROGERS came to this township, acoompanied by his mother, in 1838; settled on land in Section 19, but soon exchanged it for his present farm, where he has lived since, with the exception of two winters spent in Lima, Ind. His parents were Bradish and Polly (Mase) Rogers, of Massachusetts, and are of English descent. In their westward journeying they stopped in Ashtabula County, Ohio, where the subject was born in 1822; thence, in 1836, to Sturgis, Mich. Since the age of twelve, Horace Rogers has cared for himself, and has received few advantages. He has
320 acres of land in this township, and has ever been a valued and worthy citizen, having served ten years as Trustee, during which time eight schoolhouses were built and furnished; he was Treasurer of the War Fund, and has served as School Director and Pathmaster. Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Priscilla Gage, April 13, 1848. Their family numbers six, viz., Emery A., Harriet E., deceased; Albert N., Henry A., Adella M. and Esther L. The three sons are married, and living near home. Mrs. Rogers was born in Pennsylvania, in 1830. Her parents, Isaac and Hannah (Eastlick)
Gage, were of English and German descent, and came to this township in 1832.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
GEORGE SANDERSON, a retired farmer of this township, came over to this country from England, his birthplace, 1832. He is the son of John Sanderson, of England, and at the age of eight years was left an orphan. In England, he worked for three guineas (about $15) a year, and finding it extremely difficult to make a living, he was induced to come to America. Although meeting with many hardships, his experience on the whole has been satisfactory and profitable. From New York, he proceeded to Detroit, and remained in the vicinity, his services being engaged by a farmer, until,
in June, 1834, he came to this township, and while in the employ of Elder Bradford, was attacked by the ague, from which he suffered thirteen months. Being in reduced circumstances, he returned to Detroit, engaged some time in sawing ship timber, and then purchased land - forty acres - in Lenawee County, Mich., that he subsequently traded for eighty acres in this township, where he moved in 1842; but soon sold out and went to Monroe County, Mich. After the death of his wife, Mr. Sanderson returned and bought 100 acres, where he is now living, in the seventieth year of his age.
Mr. Sanderson is a Republican, and an anti-secret man. His first marriage in April, 1839; his wife, Margaret Cooper, a native of Yorkshire, Eng. Their children were Lydia A., now Mrs. John C. Newman; Mary e., deceased; John F., Ellen, an infant, and George O., who manages the homestead farm. His second wife was Mary Tinklepaugh, whom he married in April 1857. She died in March 1875. George O. Sanderson was united in marriage with Nancy Stover, of Steuben County, March 30, 1879. William C. is their only child.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
JOHN SEABURN, a practical and sucessful farmer of the township, was born in 1835 on the place where he is now living. His estate comprises 532 acres of improved land, including the old homestead, where his parents, William and Nancy A. (Rawles) Seaburn, of Ohio, located in April, 1832, it originally being a tract of 80 acres of entered land. William Seaburn, beofre his death in 1870, had the satisfaction of increasing the number of acres to 280. He was a prominent citizen of the county, having held the offices of County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace several terms. He
was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. He died in his sixty-third year. Mrs. Nancy Seaurn died about the year 1852. John Seaburn is a Mason and quite a political worker. The proceed of his farm for the past five years average annually a profit ranging from $2,500 to $3,000. He also raises live stock to some extent. Mrs. Ellen Seaburn, the subject's wife, is the daughter of James and Susanna (Lash) Holton, of Pennsylvania, and German descent. They have two sons - Fred H. and Frank H. Mrs. Seaburn's birth occurred in Richland County, Ohio, in 1838, and her marriage
to Mr. Seaburn in 1861.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
EZRA SEARS, the eldest son of Eleazear and Sarah (Wheaton) Sears, is a native of Onondaga County, N.Y., born December 23, 1826. His parents were of English descent, and natives of New York. They moved to this township in 1842, and for five years rented Judge Wescott's place. Mr. Sears traded his property in New York for forest land here. His family consisted of four children. Ezra, when of age, was given 80 acres of land in Elkhart County, Ind., and after numerous changes, located in this township in 1851, and has increased his farm to 424 acres; he also owns about $2,000 worth of
property in Sturgis, Mich. For the year 1879, the proceeds of Mr. Sear's farm were $3,700 and for 1800, $3,600. Another profitable branch of industry, i/e/, sheep-raising, engages Mr. Sear's attention. Mr. Sears, during the years of 1876 and 1877, lived eighteen months in Sturgis, Mich., where the school advantages were better. Mrs. Sears, formerly Jane Tuttle, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, November 8, 1837, and is the daughter of Halstead and Didama Tuttle, who settled in Lima Township about 1838. She was united to the subject March 29, 1853. They have two children - Charles
W., born May 18, 1856, and Florence J., September 12, 1860. Mr. Sears was reared to labor and economize, and as a result isnow worth $30,000. His father died at the age of sixty-eight, from injuries received by an accident while mowing the yard.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
HIRAM SMITH was born in Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., N.Y., in 1817, from which place he emigrated in the summer of 1834, stopping in Greenfield Township, on Pretty Prairie, unti 1840, when he located at Mongoquinong - now Mongo. He is the son of Oliver and Polly Smith, natives of Vermont and Massachusetts, and of Welsh descent. Oliver Smith came West, to Greenfield Township, in 1836, thence to Orland, Steuben County, where he died in 1840, at the age of seventy-four years. In 1840, Hiram Smith opened a wagon-shop, where he was employed about ten years; then engaged in mercantile business,
continuing it twenty-five years. He next began the undertaking business, which he still follows. Mr. Smith at one time, in company with three companions, went on an expedition down Pigeon River, into the St. Joe, thence across Potato Creek, down the Kankakee into the Illinois River, near Ottawa. They sold their skiff and took steamboat for St. Louis, returning home via Wisconsin, in time to vote for Gen. Harrison. Mr. Smith held the office of Justice of the Peace twelve years, being first elected in 1842, and has served as Notary Public. He has been a member of the Republican
Central Committee, and was elected County Commissioner, but resigned. Under President Polk, Mr. Smith received an appointment as Postmaster, and served twelve years. He has been married three times, first in 1842 to Mary J. Cleveland. Of three children born to them, one Theodosia, is living; she is now Mrs. James Bixler. His seond wife was Olive B. Farr; their only son, Eugene, is a resident of Kansas. He is living now with his third wife, Mrs. Margaret Appleman. They have five children - Cassius, Arthur, Walter, Willie and Jennie.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
G.W. SMITH is a wealthy and retired farmer of this township; came here and located in 1837. His land at that time was entirely covered with timber, with the exception of a clearing of four acres, where stood a rude log cabin. Mr. Smith worked by the month four years. In 1842, he married Mrs. Jane Shephed, widow of Starr Shepherd, and daughter of Joseph Gray, native of Connecticut, and of Irish descent. She was born in Connecticut in 1808. Mr. Smith is a native of Madison County, N.Y., born in Septembe, 1812. His parents, Calvin and Sophia Smith, of English ancestry, were born in New
York. Mrs. Smith had two children by her first husband - Annie E., deceased, and Jerome F., now landlord of the Central House at Mongo. By Mr. Smith she has three children - Georeg, Sophia and Charles. The sons are both living on the homestead farm, and Sophia, now Mrs. Emery A. Roers, is living in this township. Mr. Smith has marketed wheat at Fort Wayne at 50 cents per bushel, when it required three days to make the trip.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
JOHN SNYDER, Sr., is the son of Samuel C. and Elizabeth Snyder, descendants of the Germans, and natives of Pennsylvania. Samuel Snyder was a blacksmith by trade. At the age of fifteen, John Snyder went to Wayne County, Ohio, subsequently moving to Adams County, Ind., where he lived twelve years. In the fall of 1863, he moved to Noble County, lived three years, then bought his famr of 153 acres in this township. Previous to this he had been principally engaged at this trade - masonry - at which he was a first-class workman, and has assisted in laying the foundation of numerous buildings
in Fort Wayne and Waterloo. Mr. Snyder was born in Franklin County, Penn., December 29, 1819, and was married March 24, 1841. He was reared among religious people, and has long been a member of the Church of God; his wife belongs to the same church. Mrs. Snyder was Elizabeth Kahl, daughter of John and Christina (Garn) Kahl, of Pennsylvania, of German descent. By Mr. Snyder's foresight in detecting an accident about to take place, while at work on the main sewer in Fort Wayne, the lives of at least twenty men were saved, and a calamity averted. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have had thirteen
children, seven of whom are living - Mary, Susan, Margaret, Samuel, Henry, John and Elizabeth.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
JOHN SPAERO, Sr., born in Lancaster County, Penn., January 12, 1831; son of James Spearow, of this Township, formerly of Pennsylvania. In 1854, the subject rented land of Benjamin Jones; then two years later journeyed to Polk County, Iowa, where he lived three years, and after a brief visit to this county started for Pike's Peak, but returned within a year. He then enlisted in Company H., Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the fall of 1861, and owing to disabilites, was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., January 20, 1863. Among the battles he participated in may be
mentioned Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Perryville. After returning home, he worked four years for Peter McKinley, then purchased 160 acres of land where his home is now located. Mr. Spaero has been mail carrier since July, 1880, and expects to serve four years. October 24, 1853, he was married to his first wife, Louisa J. curtiss, a native of this county, and daughter of Alanson Curtiss, of New York. She died March 1, 189, and left three children - John A., James H. and Schuyler C. The present Mrs. Spaero and the subject were joined in marrige June 13, 1880; she was Anna G. Maybe,
daughter of Cornelius Maybe, of New Jersey. Mr. Spaero is a leading Republican citizen.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
A.M. SPAULDING, M. D., the successful practicing physician in this vicinity, is a native of Essex County, N.Y., born near Crown Point in 1827. Until he began the study of medicine at the age of twenty-four, he was a stock-drover and lived with his parents, Miles and Theodosia (Nichols) Spaulding. His father, who went to Richland County, Ohio, in 1838, and came here in 1879, is living with the subject at the age or eighty-our. His first experience in reading medicine was with Dr. Cyrus Damsell, of Lexington, Richland Co., Ohio, who died about two years subsequently, and for one
year the subject was under the tutelage of Dr. U.P. Anderson. During the winter of 1849-50, he was a student in the Starling Medical College, Ohio. In 1852, after practicing two years at Lexington, he went to California, returning in the spring of 1854, to begin his medical career in this township, having located his home at Springfield Village. The Doctor is widely known and has built up a large practice. His first year's work was not very encouraging, however as he came out $100 in debt, but he has striven and succeeded. Dr. Spaulding was married October 10, 1851, to Miss
Lovina Holtom. Her parents, James and Susan (Lash) Holtom, were natives of Ohio, and descendants of the English. Dr. and Mrs. Spaulding have two children - Isadora Minnette, now Mrs. Joseph Newman, and Frank, who is now engaged in farming. Dr. Spaulding is a Republican, and was chiefly instrumental in causing to be organized a lodge of Good Templars and establishing a permanent mail route. He was a charter member of the Regulator Society, serving twenty-one years as secretary.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township