JAMES SPEAROW, Sr., was one of seven children born to William and Rosanna (Ruth) Spearow, and the first to leave his native State, Pennsylvania, to seek a Western home. He was married in October, 1829, to Susanna Stauver, born i Pennsylvania, in 1801; Mr. Spearow was born in Lancaster County, September 18, 1808. About 1832, they went to Stark County, Ohio, and in the spring of 1846 came to this county, and Mr. Spearow traded his team for 160 acres of land, never questioning the honesty of the parties with whom he bargained, but afterward discovered that they had no claim on the land.
He soon after moved to land in this township; his wife was unequal to the tasks and hardships, and died in February, 1849. They had ten children - Rosanna, John, Samuel, Susanna (deceased), William, James, Daniel, Jacob, Solomon and Mary. September 13, 1849, Mr. Spearow married Mrs. Martha Millis, widow of John W. Millis and daughter of Robert and Mary (Connel) Burke, natives respectively of Kentucky and Virginia, and of Irish descent. Mrs. Spearow is a native of Madison County, Ky., born in 1811, and by her first marriage had four children - Elnora E., Helen S., Estella and Sarah C.
By Mr. Spearow , three, viz., Sarah A., Amelia and Gibson - Amelia only living. Subject and wife belong to the U.B. Church. He is a Republican, and owns 240 acres of fine land, and has retired from active work. Four of Mr. Spearow's sons served during the war of the rebellion.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
SAMUEL SPEAROW, who owns 240 acres of land in this township, came here with his parents in 1846, and has spent his time since in working hard to posess himself of a good home and improved farm. He lived for some time in a log house, and during the month of May prepared and planted ten acres of corn. He was married on the 25th of December, 1847, to Frances Deal, the daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth Deal, who came to this county in 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Spearow had eleven children, six of whom are living, viz.: Charlie F., Fred, Joe, Agnes E., Ned and MAggie B. Mr. Spearow is a native of Stark County, Ohio,
and was born October 14, 1832; his parents were James and Susanna Spearow. He lived under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age; then went to Van Buren Township, and rented a farm one year; then returned and bought 80 acres of his present farm, which is now worth about $11,000. He is an ative Repuclican and energetic citizen; paid $150 to assist in clearing the township draft.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
SOLOMON SPEAROW was born August 15, 1843, and when a child came to this county with his parents, James and Susan Spearow. He remained with his father until the age of twenty-two, and October 25, 1868, was united in marriage with Mrs. Lydia A. Gage, the widow of Samuel Gage, deceased, and daughter of Elias and Roxia Gilbert. They have four children - Addie, Hattie H., Flora and Rollin. By her first husband Mrs. Spearow had one child, Ella R., who is now teaching school. Mr. Spearow's farm is well cultivated, and for the past three years the proceeds have averaged about $1,800 a year. He is a member of
the U.B. Church. Mrs. Spearow's father, Elias G. Gilbert, was born in New York State August 2, 1808, and moved thence to Clark County, Ohio, when but a boy. In 1833, he was married to Mrs. Roxia (Hammond) Nickelson of New York. He moved to this county in 1835, three years after its organization. He first settled in Green Township on the farm of Judge Seeley, and in two years had accumulated enough to purchase 80 acres of land in Springfield Township, on Brushy Prairie. Having partially cleared his land he built a log-cabin, where they dwelt until 1851, when they built the frame structure that is yet
standing. Mr. Gilbert was an industrious man, a kind father and accomodating neighbor. At the time of his death he owned 500 acres of land, well improved with good buildings. He died at his home on Brushy Prairie, of typhoid fever, September 22, 1865.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
ELISHA TALMAGE is one of ten children in the family of Enos and Polly (Barber) Talmage, who were natives of New York, of English descent. He learned carpentering at the age of twenty-one and followed it two years at $10 a month; thenin the summer of 1836 worked in Auburn, N.Y.; the succeeding fall went to Michigan, made a brief sojourn in Lenawee County, returning to his home via Canada. In the spring of 1837, in company with his brother-in-law, came to Indiana, settling in the fall on 120 acres, for which he paid $500. He now owns 169 acres, worth $75 per acre. Mr. Talmage's first wife, Lucy Williams,
native of New York, died April, 1849, after nine years of married life, during which time five children were born to them - Joseph, Harriet, Enos, Mary E. and Calista E. Mr. Talmage in 1851, October, married Miss Jane Griffen, a natie of Spaxton, England, who came to this country in 1833, with her parents - Robert H. and Mary (Polman) Griffen. They have ten children, viz.: Lewis E., Isaac G. (deceased), Charles E., Harvey H., Herbert J., Locy L., Arthur F., Ernest E., George G. and Eva J. (deceased). Joseph W., son of subject, in 1861 enlisted in the Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but soon after
was transferred to the Twenty-first Heavy Artillery. He is now a resident of Nebraska, and donated land for the church on his farm. His wife belongs to the Methodist Church. Mr. Talmage, since 1856, has raised considerable live stock, is an enterprising man, and was born in 1813 in Milton, Saratoga County, N.Y.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
HENRY TALMAGE, Sr., began farming for himself whe twenty-one years of age, and has followed that occupation since; has retired from active work and is living on the farm where he and family located in the fall of 1840, which is now undert the skillful management of his youngest son. Ira Enos and Polly (Barber) Talmage were New Yorkers, of English descent; their son Henry, the subject, was born in 1804, in Saratoga County, N.Y.; he married Sophia W. Corwin, January 7, 1827; she was born October 22, 1807, and is the daughter of Horton and Betsey (Armstrong) Corwin, natives of Connecticut. They have five children
- Rosetta, (deceased); Louisa, Henry C., Ira C. and Werter, (deceased). Mr. Talmage owns 160 acres of land, and is versed in the experiences of pioneer life. At one time he worked three weeks making hay in water twelve to eighteen inches deep. He is one of the charter members of the Regulator Society, and assisted in constructing the first school building in the vicinity. Ira Talmage was married, December 15, 1871, to Ellen Knight, who was born in Ohio June 22, 1844, the daughter of Daniel and Lucy Knight, Virginians by birth. They had two children - Clara B. and Marion G., deceased.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
GEORGE THOMPSON, son of Barnabas Thompson, was born in Berkshire County, Mass., in 1812, December 24. He father was a shoemaker, and located, about 1830, at White Pigeon, Mich., and then came with his family to Greenfield Township, this county, and died while with his son. When of age, George Thompson left his native State on the 1st of September and arrived in this county on the 20th. For two years he worked, variously employed, then entered eighty acres of land, and, shortly after, two lots of forty acres each; he has since improved and increased it to 217 acres; it is worth about $55 per acres. Mr. Thompson
is considered a leading farmer and citizen, and has never belonged to any secret society except the Regulators. Mr. Thompson's first wife, Caroline F. Butts, to whom he was married in 1837, died in March 1848; she was a native of New York and had three children - Marshall, George W. and Ithiai. September 10, 1848, the subject was married to his second wife, Cassia Searles, a native of New York; their children are Emeline, Lettie, Dora and Charles, who reside near the home farm.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
CHARLES W. WADE is the son of Robert and Jane (Jiles) Wade, his birth occurring in Upper Canada in 1840. Robert Wade was an Englishman, and came to America with a brother in 1829, locating at White Pigeon, Mich., as a farmer. Jane Jiles came to Detroit, from England, with her parents in 1830, but from some discouragement, they returned to England the same year. Being again induced to cross the ocean, they located on English Prairie, in this county. In 1833, Jane Jiles and Robert Wade were married, and four years later moved to Canada, where they were residents until 1849, when they returned to this township.
In 1853, Mr. Wade went to California and a few years later met his death; he was one of the passengers on board the "Central America", when that ship went down, shortly after passing Lower California. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. His wife yet survives, aged seventy-three years, and lives with her son, Charles W. For more than forty years she has been actively connected with the Methodist Church. Her father, John Jiles, was the first on English Prairie to grid wheat by hand, with a stone, an invention that served a good purpose at the time. Charles W. Wade was first married in 1870 to Harriet
Waterhouse, who died in 1873, January 23. March 18, 1875, his marriage with Harriet A. Newman was solemized. She is the daughter of Nicholas B. and Susan (Greenfield) Newman, her birth occurring on the 26nd of February, 1845. Mr. Wade owns the old homestead farm where they are living, and in addition to farming, Mr. Wade is engaged in stock-raising.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Springfield Township
FRANK L. CHURCH was born August 20, 1845, in Skaneateles, Onondaga County, N.Y. His parents were Darius D. and Jane Church, both natives of New York, where they died. The subject passed his youth in the State of New York, and when eleven years of age began working out by the month during summers and for his board in the winter, when he attended school. When nineteen years old, he enlisted in Company H, Fifteenth New York Engineer Corps. During his fifteen months' service, he participated in the engagement at Petersburg and his company were part of the army held in reserve at Richmond, and was the first to pass
through that city after its surrender. He was discharged at Elmira, N.Y., and came to Indiana in 1864, since which time he has been engaged in farming. March 28, 1866, Mr. Church was married in this township to Miss Eliza A. Hoagland; she is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and was born in this county. Her parents, Clement and Abigail Hoagland, came from New York at an early day to Indiana, and died in this county. Mr. Church owns 200 acres of well cultivated land, of which he has cleared 150. He has a family of three children - Delta, Freddie and Bessie.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township
JOSEPH DALLAS, born in Dixon Township, Preble County, Ohio, Octoer 5, 1820, son of William and Mary Dallas, came to Indiana when sixteen years old and lived on a farm with his father in this township. When twenty-one years of age, he contracted for a job of clearing twenty acres of land and splitting 6,000 12-foot rails, receiving forty acres of timbered land as payment. This he subsequently resided upon six years, and July 4, 1850, bought thirty-six of the 271 1/2 acres of his present farm. He learned grafting in his youth, and continues to follow that as a branch of industry. Mr. Dallas was married in this county,
May 9, 1843, to Miss Emily Clark, native of New York, and daughter of Erastus and Jerusha Clark, who located on a farm in Clay Township, this county. Mr. Clark died in Harrison County, Iowa, and his wife in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Dallas are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Eight children have been born to them; George T. was a soldier in the late war, and died at home; Erastus C., Sylvia E., Ida and Joseph S., deceased; Theodore, living in Adams County, Iowa; Isola J., in Noble County, and Lottie, a resident of Oregon.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township
LEVI DALLAS was born in Ohio, and is a son of William and Mary Dallas, natives of New Jersey. The subject came to Indiana in 1836, and lived with his father on a farm where the latter died; Mrs. Dallas died in Ohio. Levi Dallas, after acquiring a common-school education, began working by the month at Rochester, in Perry Township. Previous to his marriage, he bought eight acres of land in Clearspring Township, and cleared six acres. He now owns 110 acres with first-class improvements. His large residence is constructed of brick, with all surroundings to correspond - iron fence, large barn, etc. Mr. Dallas is an excellent
farmer whom it is difficult to surpass. October 27, 1859, Mr. Dallas was united in Marriage with Caroline Newhouse, a native of Ohio. They have four children - Mary, Eva, Lucy and Martha. Mrs. Dallas' parents, naties of Virginia, were Amos and Mary Newhouse, and were among the first settlers of La Grange County, coming here in 1835, and locating in this township on land secured to them by a warrent, and there they died.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township
LORENZO DALLAS, one of four brothers living in this township, son of William and Mary Dallas, was born June 28, 1819, in Preble County, Ohio, where his education was achieved in the common schools. His mother dying in Ohio, his father came to this county, October 3, 1836, and located on a farm, where the latter period of his life was passed. Lorenzo Dallas, in common with his brothers, chose the life of a farmer, and keeps apace with the times. He owns 165 acres of fertile and highly improved land. Mr. Dallas was married in November 1840, in this county, to Miss Sarah Kitchen. She was the daughter of Richard and Mary
Kitchen and of the same nativity as her parents who were born in New Jersey, and died in this township. They have six children, namely: James, married and living in this township; John, at home; William, living in Montana; Clarissa J., married and a resident of this township; Richard and Newell, at home.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township
SAMUEL DALLAS is a native of New Jersey, and came to Indiana in 1836. His parents, William and Mary Dallas, were also natives of New Jersey. Mr. Dallas, Sr., upon arriving in this township, entered 40 acres of land and built a log cabin and a saw and grist mill, the first in the township, which he operated until 1838. William Dallas died in this township, and his wife in Preble County, Ohio. Samuel Dallas was reared in Preble Count, Ohio, on a farm, and received but a meager education. He was married, March 25, 1841, to Anna M. Crosby, a daughter of Simeon and Sarah Crosby, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts,
respectively. Mr. Crosby died in New York, and Mrs. Crosby in this township. Mrs. Dallas was born in Massachusetts. They began married life very modestly on 80 acres of his present farm, in a little log-cabin, with log stable, etc., which Mr. Dallas has cleared, improved and increased, until now he owns 200 acres, a lare residence, barn, etc. Mr. Dallas is a thorough and enterprising farmer. They have two children living - Sarah A. and Mary J., both married and living in Clearspring Township.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township
URIAH ECKER is a native of this county, born March 5, 1850, and son of John and Martha Ecker, who came to Indiana in 1841, and located on a farm in Eden Township, where John Ecker died; he was born in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Ecker, a native of Ohio, is yet living, in Middlebury, Elkhart County. Uriah Ecker was educated a farmer, and was married in Ligonier, September 20, 1871, to Miss Ellen L. Ramsby, native of Pennsylvania, whose parents, John S. and Hannah Ramsby, came to Indiana and settled on a farm in Eden Township, in 1838. Mr. Ecker and wife lived eighteen months on a rented farm; then moved to Noble County,
where they rented four years; then came and settled on 80 acres of land he had purchased in this township, where they have remained. They are both members of the MEthodist Protestant Church, and have four children - Mattie M., Frank T., Jay S. and Albert R. Mr. Ecker, although comparatively young in years, is an experienced farmer, and has a fair prospect before him.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township
SOLOMON FLECK was born in Washington County, Ohio, in 1820, on the 26th of December. He purchased 40 acres of uncleared land when he came to Indiana, in 1848. He has made a marked improvement in the 120 acres that constitute his farm in this township. Mr. Fleck's wife was Julia A. Karshner, daughter of Louis Karshner, and a native of Harrison County, Va. They were married in Clearspring Township in 1850, December 12. Mr. Fleck's younger days were passed in Ohio, where his advantages for learning were very limited. The intervening time, prior to his marriage, was spent in profitably in hard, every-day work.
Mr. Fleck's mother, Elizabeth Fleck, died in this township. She came here in 1848, from Ohio, where her husband died; both were born in Maryland, and were worthy, Christian people.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township
IRA FORD is a native of Wayne County, N.Y., and a son of Jarret and REbecca Ford, who came to Indiana and located in La Grange in April, 1856. Jarrett Ford was a native of Massachusetts, and died in La Grange, May 1, 1881. Rebecca Ford was born in Maryland, and is now living in La Grange, at the advance age of seventy years. Ira Ford was born October 13, 1848, and spent his youth with his parents, and previous to his marriage taught five terms of school, beginning when he was nineteen years of age. February 6, 1873, he was married, in this county, to Miss Julia A. Peck, a native of this township, and daughter
of Hawley and Harriet Peck, since which time he has been engage principally in farming, although he has taught eight terms of school, during the winter, when not otherwise employed. Mr. Ford owns 80 acres of land, replete with the modern improvements and buildings, and is reputation as a thorough farmer and worthy citizen is indisputable.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township
JAMES HAVILAND came to this township in the year 1837, purchasing 200 acres of land that his brother had entered from the Government, and before reaching it was obliged to open three miles of road; but with the characteristic industry of the pioneer, brought this land to its present state of cultivation. James Haviland was born in New York July 30, 1808; his father, John Haviland, was born and died in that State. His mother, Polly Haviland, a native also of New York, came to Noble County, and, until her death in Elkhart Township, made her home with her children. Four years before leaving New York, Mr. Haviland was
married in Waterloo, to Miss Betsey Pearson. She was the daughter of Peleg and Sarah Pearson, and a New Yorker by birth. To them have been born two children - Mary E., now married, and Caroline, deceased. Mr. Haviland is a citizen of good standing in the community, and his wife is a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township
WILLARD HERVEY was born in Bridgewater, Mass., June 10, 1815, and when seventeen years old began an apprenticeship of eighteen months in making custom-made shoes, and followed that industry for four years. His parents, Byron and Parnell Hervey, were natives of Massachusetts, and died in Worchester County. Willard Hervey, while in Oneida County, N.Y., was married, December3, 1835, to Miss Louisa B. Crosby, a native of Massachusetts. Her parents were Simeon and Sarah S. Crosby. Her father died in New York, and her mother in this township. After a short residence in Utica County, N.Y., Mr. Hervey and wife came to Indiana,
remaining two months in SteubenCounty; then came to this township, where he entered 120 acres of land, upon which he built a log cabin and located in 1837. Eighty acres of this land are under cultivation. Mr. Hervey has held several township offices; served four years as Justice of the Peace, and for eight years was Postmaster at Ringgold - the latter office is now abandoned. October 23, 1839, Mr. Hervey's wife died, and he was married to her sister, Sabrina C. Crosby, a native of Massachusetts, December 22, 1839. They are member of the M.P. Church. By his first wife Mr. Hervey had two children - Parnell, deceased; and
Louisa B. The other children are Lucelia, Luthera C., Laura B., Lovilla R., Bashby F. (deceased), Henry H., Calista A., and Lois (deceased).
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township
CHRISTOPHER HOOLEY, one of the enterprising men of Clearspring Township, is a native of Mifflin County, Penn. David and Mary Hooley, his parents, were born and died in Pennsylvania. Christopher Hooley lived with his parents, who were farmers, until he was married, and taught school two winters previous to that event. February 28, 1874, he was married to Miss Sarah Zook, a native of Mifflin County, Penn., and daughter of S. and Frances Zook, natvies of Pennsylvania, where they died. The subject and wife lived in Pennsylvania eight years previous to coming to this county, in 1855. They first rented a farm in Eden Township,
then went to Noble County and resided one year; returned, and rented again for one and a half years. During that time, Mr. Hooley taught one term of school. In 1858, he bought forty acres of land, thirty of which were improved; he now has 120 acres, and a substantial brick residence, with no less than fifteen separate buildings on the farm. Mr. Hooley is a thorough and systematic manager, and can compete with any farmer in the county. He has served six consecutive years as Township Trustee. Mr. and Mrs. Hooley are members of the Omish Mennonite church, and have two children - Emma R., married, and living on the old farm;
Rachael S., also married, and a resident of this township.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township
J.J. and A.J. HOSTETLER constitute the firm of Hostetler Brothers, dealers in genreral merchanise, at Emma, La Grange County. They are substantial business men, and engaged in their present enterprise in the fall of 1800. They are both natives of Holmes County, Ohio, and the sons of Moses J. and Elizabeth (Mast) Hochstetler. The parents were natives of Somerset County, Penn., their respective births occurring in 1812 and 1822. Jacob J. Hostetler was born August 12, 1854. His school advantages were very fair, and at the age of seventeen, he began teaching, following that vocation winters, and working on his father's farm during
the summer season, until he attained his majority. He taught ten terms in this county in nine years. November 26, 1876, he married Miss Jennie Nelson, a native of this county, born January 28, 1858, and the daughter of John P. and Sarah A. (Roderick) Nelson, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hostetler are members of the Mennonite Church, and have three children - William O., Ora M. and Myrtle M. Mr. Hostetler is at present Postmaster at Emma. Andrew J. Hostetler was born August 18, 1858. Until he became of age he was employed in working on the home farm, after which he worked for his brothers, up to the time of entering his
present business. He received an average education, and is yet unmarried.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township
ORVIN KENT is a native of Connecticut, and son of Elijah and Achsa Kent, natives also of Connecticut, and who cane to this State at any early day. Elijah Kent was a farmer and merchant, and died in Noble County, and Mrs. Kent in this county. Orvin Kent attended school in Connecticut until sixteen years old, and also attended one term at the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Mass. He taught his first term of school when sixteen years old, and followed that vocation until his marriage, after which he turned his attention to farming; he has probably taught forty terms of school in all. He was married in Butler County, Ohio, in December 1840,
to Drizella Tweedy, a native of Ohio, who was the first born child to Robert and Elizabeth Tweedy after coming to America from Ireland. They lived in Monroe County, Ohio, for some time, where the subject was engaged in teaching; from there he came to Eden Township, and lcoated on 200 acres of wooded land. About twenty years ago he built a large frame building in this township, and seven years ago one in Eden Township, just opposite his commodious residence that was built in 1881. Mr. Kent at one time owned 300 acres of land. He has filled the offices of County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace one term each, and is a member of the
Masonic Lodge, 185 of Ligonier; belongs to the Swedenborgian Church. Their children are Robert (married, and lives in this township), Nathan (married, and living in Eden Township), Laura (married, and living in this township), Volney (married, and living in Marshalltown, Iowa), Alvin (deceased), and Alice (twins) and Elvira (deceased). Alice is married and living at Grand Rapids.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township
THOMAS H. LOW is the son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Low, and was reared in this township, where he was born August 10, 1843. He lived at home, assisting his parents on the farm until he was married, September 22, 1865, to Miss Tressa Shoemaker, a native of Stark County, Ohio, in La Grange. Her parents were John and Elizabeth Shoemaker; her mother, who was a native of Maryland, died in Elkhart County. Her father went to California during the time of the gold excitement there, and never returned. Since their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Low have resided on their present farm, and have been moderately successful, as the
fact of their having the material for the erection of a brick residence the coming spring will testify. They are both members of the church, and Mr. Low for the past four years has been engaged in the ministry, and expects to continue. For three years Mr. Low executed the duties of Justice of the Peace. Of seven children born to them, six are living - Annette A., Warren W., Charles N., John F., Berona E., Laura E., and Cora L. (deceased).
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Clearspring Township