HENRY R. CRANDELL, deceased, the son of Ivory and Hopey Crandell, was born in the State of New York May 31, 1821. His father was a native of Rhode Island; he came to Indiana and located in the township wher Mrs. Hopey Crandell died, September 12, 1847; Ivory Crandell died in Steuben County, Ind. The subject passed his youth in Washington County, N.Y., with his grandparents, and there received a common education and taught his first term of school. At the age of twenty-two, he came to Indiana, taught school and clerked, and in 1849 opened a store at Lexington, in this township, consisting of general merchandise. He was married in Johnson Township, this county, October 12, 1847, to Jeanette P. Wildman, a native of Litchfield County, Conn., and the daughter of Levi and Sally Wildman, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Massachusetts; both died in La Grange County. Mr. Crandell served as Trustee and Clerk of Greenfield Township about ten years, and as Postmaster until his death, January 8, 1870; since then the office and store - which are connected - have been under the efficient management of Mrs. Crandell and her son. She is a member of the Methodist Church, and by Mr. Crandell had only two children - Sarah H. and Edwin L.H., the former of whom is married.

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



DANIEL DAGE was reared in Ohio, where he was born April 14, 1850, in Wayne County, and received a common education while assisting his parents on the farm. He came to this county and was married at La Grange, April 19, 1878, to Miss Catharine Libey, a native of Williams County, Ohio; her parents, John L. and Catharine Libey, natives of Pennsylvania, have lived in this county since first locating here in 1856. Mr. Dage, after marrying, went to Salem, Steuben County, Ind., where they rented property two years; then, in March, 1880, purchased and settled on his farm of 120 acres in this township. Mr. Dage is the son of Levi and Harriet Dage, the former a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and the latter of Somerset County, Penn. They removed in March, 1869, to Branch County, Mich., where Mrs. Harriet Dage died. Mr. Levi Dage is residing in Constantine, Mich. The subject has his farm in good condition and it is well cultivated. His family consists of tw children - Wilma and Alice A.

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



WILLIAM EAGLE was reared to farm work, and is, therefore, an experienced and practical farmer. He owns ninety acres of land in this township that is well-improved, with good building, etc. Mr. Eagle's parents, Wiliam and Rebecca Eagle, were natives of England. They came to America and were residents of Pennsylvania for some time, in which State the subject was born, December 2, 1828. They subsequently journeyed westward and died in Ashland County, Ohio. William Eagle's advantages were few, and he came to Indiana when a boy of fifteen. His marriage with Miss Mary J. Wolgamott took place in this township, December 14, 1848. Two children are the result of this union - James D. and Annetta. Mrs. Eagle was born in Marion County, Ohio. Her parents, Isaac and Sarah Wolgamott, natives of Ohio and Delaware, both died in this township, to which they immigrated in 1829. Mr. Eagle is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 215, at Lima.

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



CHRISTOPHER FAIR was reared in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he was married in 1864, February 16, to Miss Amanda Baker. He was born February 12, 1842, in Holmes County, Ohio, and received a common education, while assisting on the home farm. He began for himself at the age of twenty, and worked two years for $10.50 per month. Soon after marrying, he came to this county and lived for one and a half years on a rented farm in this township. Then with the pecuniary aid of his mother, Rachel Fair, he was enabled to purchase 282 acres of land, where they now reside. The farm has been divided between them, Mr. Fair owning the portion where the buildings stand. Mr. Fair's parents were native of Pennsylvania; his father, Christopher Fair, died in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Mrs. Fair's parents, Alsalom and Mary Baker, were also natives of the Keystone State; her mother died in Stark County, Ohio, and her father is a resident of this county. There are eight children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Fair, viz.: Sherman, Doras, Henry, Viola, Benjamin, Hattie, Oliver and Ella.

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



JOSEPH FENNELL, son of Enoch and Amy Fennell, was born in England November 25, 1827. His mother died there, and his father, after crossing the ocean five times, died in this township. Joseph Fennel came to America in 1845, and was married in Michigan, March 12, 1860, to Miss Rosalie Moore, daughter of Tobias and Cynthia Moore. She was born in Ohio and died about a year after her marriage. Mr. Fennell has a farm of 301 acres in this township, acumulated by hard work and economy. He has always followed farming, and lived in Michigan for a limited period of time. Mrs. Sarah A. Fennell is a native of Ohio, and Mr. Fennell's second wife; they were married in Michigan June 29, 1862. Jacob and Elizabeth Miller, her parents, died in Ohio. They have six children - Roseann, William H., Joseph A., George W., Emery and Charles.

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



CYRUS FILLMORE was born in Lock Township, Cayuga County, N.Y. His parents, Nathaniel and Phoebe Fillmore were natives of Bennington, Vt., and both died at Aurora, Erie Co., N.Y., had his father lived but a few days longer he would have reached the age of ninety-two. Cyrus Fillmore was married in Holland, Erie Co., N.Y., to Miss Laura Morey, on the 19th of May, 1825. They resided in Erie County five or six years, then removed to Fremont, on the Sandusky River, entered 160 acres of land, and to reach the same were obliged to cut four miles of road. After he had cleared twenty-five acres, built three cabins and a log barn, he sold out and came to Indiana in 1837. For about seven years they lived on rented property in this county, purchasing 280 acres of his farm in this township in 1843. Mr. Fillmore now owns 311 acres, and makes a specialty of raising grain, having in one year raised 2,000 bushels of wheat; also raises considerable stock. He had held the offices of Township Clerk and Trustee, the former a period of three years, and the latter, twelve. Himself and wife are members of the Disciples' Church, and he is a Spiritualist. They have four children - Benjamin F., Almon L., Helen M. and Millard C. Mrs. Fillmore is a native of Otsego County, Milford Township, N.Y. Her father, Matthew Morey, was born in Connecticut, and her mother, Sally Morey, in Massachusetts.

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



PETER GARLETS was born December 15, 1820, in Pennsylvania, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Garlets, natives of Pennsylvania. His father died in his native State, and his mother in Indiana. Peter Garlets lived in his native State until the age of twenty-three, and learned carpentering there. He was married in Ohio, January 29, 1846, to Miss Maria Fair; she and her mother, Rachel Fair, were natives of Pennsylvania, and her father, John Fair, of Ireland; they came to Indiana in 1876, and he died in this county. Mrs. Fair survives him. Mr. Garlets, in 1863, sold his farm of eighty acres in Ohio and purchased 160 acres of his present farm in this township, which he has greatly improved, furnishing it with numerous fine buildings, wind mill, etc. Mr. Garlets subsequently purchased 165 acres in Springfield Township, and is a thorough farmer. They have four children, John, Jacob, Mary A. and Daniel, all married except Jacob, who resides at home; John and Mary live in Springfield, and Daniel in this township.

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



AARON GILHAMS is a native of Chester County, Penn., born March 11, 1825. His parents, Aaron and Sarah Gilhams, were natives of the same State, and residents of Sturgis, Mich., at the time of their death. Aaron Gilhams lived in Sturgis from the age of ten to twenty-one. In 1850, he went to California, and three years worked in the gold mines there, clearing $100 per month. His companion from Sturgis, Elder Day, was killed by the Indians. In 1853, having returned, he bought 120 acres of his present farm of 240 acres. He is a thorough farmer, and has cultivated 120 rods of hedge fence. Mr. Gilhams was first married at Burr Oak, Mich., in November, 1858, to Mary Smiley, a native of Ohio; her parents also were natives of Ohio. Her father, George Smiley, died in Steuben County, Ind., and her mother, Catharine Smiley, at Indianapolis. The present Mrs. Gilhams was Sevilla Keim, and came with her parents, Elias and Mary Keim, to this township, where they are yet residents. Mr. Gilhams has two sons - Clarence and Herbert - both engaged in school-teaching.

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



SANFORD HALSEY is the owner of considerable land in Michigan, and a fine large farm in this township, on which is a juckleberry marsh that yields a profit of $100 annually. Mr. Halsey raises considerable live stock, and in 1880 raised 1,219 bushels of wheat. Mr. and Mrs. Halsey are members of the Presbyterian Church, and have three children - James A., Alexander and William S. They were married in Lima, this county, and lived in that township, a short time previous to going to Fawn River, Mich., where Mr. Halsey owned 196 acres of land; he finally has established a permanent home in this township. Sylvanus and Sabrina Halsey, subject's parents, came to this county in June, 1836; they were natives of Long Island and New York. Sanford Halsey was born in Franklin, Delaware Co., N.Y., and was thirteen years old when his parents came to Lima Township. His wife is a native of Stamford, N.Y., and was Catherine Hume, the daughter of Robert and Catherine Hume. Her father was a Scotchman, and her mother was born in Delaware County, N.Y.

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



HARLOW J. HERN is a native of this county, and was born in Bloomfield Township, in 1839, December 22. His parents, William and Sarah Hern, came to Indiana from New York, their native State, in 1837; lived in Bloomfield Township, then moved to this township, where he died; she still survives, and is living in Sturgis, Mich. Mr. Hern owns a good farm in this township, and raises fine cattle and thoroughbred horses. He has served three years as Township Trustee, owns a fine brick residence, and has been married twice. His first wife, Martha, was the daughter of James and Naoma Mix, and a native of Ohio, where she was married. His second and present wife was Miss Mary A. Mohler, the daughter of William and Esther Mohler; they were married September 28, 1881, at Burr Oak, Mich. Her parents, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively, have lived in Indiana fifteen yers. Mr. Hern is the father of five children - Willis, Charles, Harlow, Mary and Arthur; two, Charles and Arthur, are deceased.

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



FLEMING HOPKINS, son of Richard and Jane Hopkins, is a native of Clark County, Ohio, born March 21, 1817. When a boy of fourteen, he went to Sturgis, Mich. He visited this county for the purpose of assisting his brother in improving 160 acres of prairie land they had previously purchased. After returning to Michigan, Fleming Hopkins bought a farm of 248 acres in Burr Oak Township; married Mrs. Mary Ewing June 28, 1848, at Bronson; resided there one year, then removed to this township in March, 1849; 100 acres of his farm were improved, and he has since improved as many more; has in all 320 acres, and 200 rods of hedge fence. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins have had four children - Margaret J., Hannah A., Richard J. and Mary (deceased). Subject's parents came to Whitley County, Ind., in 1846, where his mother died in 1857; she was a native of Pennsylvania. His father, who was born in Kentucky, subsequently moved to Michigan, lived there six years,then in Whitley County two years, then on subject's farm, where he died. The parents of Mrs. Hopkins were Amos and Fereba Barr, of Delaware. They came to this township and located in 1830; both died here; he, on the 10th of May, 1838, and she March 9, 1864. Mrs. Hopkins was born in Franklin County, Ohio.

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



ALEXANDER S. KEIM was born in Fayette County, Penn., February 23, 1828. His parents, Solomon and Elizabeth Keim, natives of Somerset County, Penn., removed to Ohio in October, 1832, where they died. Alexander Keim, when he had attained the age of twenty-one, followed droving summers, and school teaching winters. He drove stock from Holmes County, Ohio, to Eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland, continuing thus employed until 1860. February 20, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Sommers, in Holmes County, Ohio, and eight years subsequently, moved to Owen County, Ind., where her parents, Jacob and Martha Sommers, died. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to this State in 1853. Mr. Keim purchased a farm of 260 acres in Owen County, and they resided there until 1865, when they removed to this township on a farm of 160 acres. Mr. Keim, in Ohio, served six years as Justice of the Peace, and as Clerk of the township for the same length of time. In April, 1880, he was chosen Trustee of Greenfield Township, to serve two years. Mr. and Mrs. Keim belong to the Dunkard Church, and are the parents of thirteen children, viz., Barbara E., Alice J., and John C. (deceased), Mary E., Martha A. (deceased), Eliza, Alexander H., Clara, Olive B., Charles E., Joseph W., Susan L. and Sarah.

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



ROBERT B. KELLETT came to America in 1848, with his parents, Charles and Margaret Kellett, from Ireland, where he was born March 14, 1845. The family settled in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Mr. Kellett, Sr., was engaged in clerking for a wholesale house until his death, which occurred April 5, 1853. Three weeks afterward, the bereaved family came to this township where an uncle of the subject had preceded them, and where Mrs. Kellett is yet living at the age of sixty-four. Robert Kellett was married on the 18th of January, 1870, to Miss Jane Kelso, a native of this township. They have three children - Kate M., Charles R. and Grace. Her parents were Matthew and Martha Kelso, the former a native of New York State, the latter of England. They died in this township, where they came at an early day. Mr. Kellett is a member of the Masonic Star Lodge, No. 225, at Orland, and also of the Angola Chapter. His farm consists of 200 acres of land that is especially adapted to the production of grain; he first purchased seventy acres, but subsequently increased it to its present size; he raise stock, also, to some extent.

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



JOHN W. KNIGHT was married in Whitley County, Ind., to Miss Martha J. Collins in February, 1842. They settled in that county on eighty acres of unimproved land, and Mr. Knight improved half of this land; then sold and removed to Kalamazoo County, Mich.; purchsed a farm of 120 acres and lived there six years; again sold and invested in 160 acres in Barry county, Mich. Here their home was located four years; then removed to this county on 110 acres of land in Pretty Prairie, residing there five or six years previous to locating in this township, where he owns a farm of 140 acres, well cultivated and replete with the usual number of buildings. In Whitley County, Mr. Knight filled the office of Justice of the Peace five years; he belongs to the Masonic Lodge, No. 225, of Orland, and is the son of Henry and Mary Knight, of Maryland; the former, after the death of his wife in Ohio, emigrated to Indiana, where he died. The subject was born September 18, 1818, in Ohio and lived there until the age of sixteen, going to school and assisting his parents. Mrs. Knight is a native of Wayne County, Ind., and the daughter of John and Jane Collins, who were pioneers of Indiana, and who died in Whitley County. Mr. and Mrs. Knight have had five children, viz., Eliza and Melvina (deceased), Byron, Myron (a resident of California), and William (of Iowa). Mrs. Knight is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

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



JAMES LARIMER (deceased) died in this township on the 19th of May, 1878, leaving a wife and three children. He was born in 1830, March 11, in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was the son of Ebenezer and Diana Larimer; his father came over to this county from Ireland and married a Virginia lady, who survives whim at the age of eighty-two or eighty-three, and is a resident of Fairfield County, Ohio, where Ebenezer Larimer ided. The home of James Larimer was in Ohio with his parents until after he was married, December 23, 1855, to Miss Nancy Shearlock in Perry County, Ohio. Prior to removing to Indiana, they lived in Ohio on forty acres of improved land, owned by the subject. Upon coming to this township, he invested in 300 acres of land, which, at the time of his death, was well improved in every respect, and here his widow with her two sons, James S. and John C., continues to reside, the daughter, Flora J., having married and removed to Orland. Mr. Larimer was a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 225, at Orland, and was a Presbyterian, having united with that church in 1857, in Ohio, and is mourned by many friends. Mrs. Larimer is a native of the county, in which she was married, and the daughter of James and Wlizabeth Shearlock; she has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1849; her father was born in Pennsylvania, and her mother in Ohio.

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



AARON MARTIN is a native of New Jersey, and the son of Daniel and Maria Martin. He was born January 10, 1827, and the first thirteen years of his life were passed in his native State, and the following five in Ohio; then, in 1845, came with his parents to this county, and here they have found a last resting place. Aaron Martin, at the age of eighteen, began working for himself, receiving from $10 to $12 monthly compensation. November 3, 1861, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Montgomery, and having previously purchased a farm of 120 acres, immediately located thereon and began the work of improving and repairing. Mr. Martin subsequently purchased 80 acres adjoining, to where they removed, until the erection of a fine frame residence on the site of first location, where they are now comfortably domiciled. They had six children - Judson B., Frank G., Nellie, Grace and Harry A., twins, the latter deceased, and Fred P. John A. Montgomery, deceased, was the son of Mrs. Martin by her first husband. Her parents were Joseph and Eliza Reynolds, the former a native of England, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Martin is a good farmer, and raises Durham cattle, and a medium grade of sheep. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church.

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



CHRISTIAN K. MAST, son of Christian and Susanna (Kurtz) Mast, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in March, 1822. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and both died in Ohio; his father was a local preacher. The education of Christian K. Mast was acquired at a district school in Ohio, while living with his parents on a farm. He was married in Wayne County to Miss Rebecca Hartzler, and settled in Holmes County, Ohio, where he owned and improved 160 acres of land. In November, 1864, they emigrated to Indiana, and Mr. Mast bought 233 acres of land in this township; subsequently added 100 acres. Here, until his death, he was engaged in farming, raising live stock, and threshing, to some extent. In 1871, his wheat crop averaged twenty-eight bushels to the acres, making a total of 1,650 bushels. Mr. Mast was a member ofthe Omish Mennonite Church, and was respected by all. Mrs. Mast is the daughter of John and Sarah (Zook) Hartzler, who moved from Pennsylvania, their native State, to Wayne County, Ohio, where they died. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mast - Lydia, deceased; Susanna, a resident of Elkhart, Ind.; David, deceased; Isac, Levi, Jacob, Daniel and Amos. The two latter are single and reside at home; Isaac, Levi and Jacob are married, and residents of this township.

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



JOHN U. MC MAHAN, deceased, was the son of John U. McMahan, of Scotch descent. His father's birth occurred October 17, 1790, and his mother, whose maiden name was Beck, was born November 30, 1796; they were married in 1818, and in 1831 removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where they resided three years, at Mansfield, traveling West, thence to Fremont, Steuben Co., Ind. The subject ws born in Harrisburg, Penn., December 6, 1821, and his boyhood days passed principally in Steuben County, Ind. His opportunies for acquiring education were limited, and before he was of age was in the employ of one Samuel Burnside, about two years. After attaining his majority, he worked one year for his father, but never received the stipulated compensation. He was unfortunate in purchasing land from Mr. Burnside, for who he afterward worked, being obliged to give double the price agreed upon. Through perseverance and industry he had accumulated and improved 424 acres of land before his death, which occurred February 9, 1879. He was married November 21, 1853, on English Prairie, to Miss Emeline Francis, a native of this county, and the duaghter of Isaac and Prudencia Francis. She died April 28, 1874. To their union seven children were born - Leona, William, Emma and Julia have all died; Raymond P., Lucy J. and Frank are living together on the old homestead in this township.

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



JAMES MILLER was born and married in New York, the former event transpiring on the 13th of April, 1817, and the latter on the 4th of July, 1844. From the age of thirteen to twenty, he lived with an uncle, then returned to the home of his parents, Thomas and Sarah Miller, who died in New York, and were natives respectively of that State and Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1850, he came to this county, and lived six years in Lima Township, where he owned a farm of 160 acres; then bought 160 acres in this township. This he has noticeably beautified, improved and increased to 316 acres. He has three miles of hedge fence that was raised from the seed. Mr. Miller held the office of Trustee of his township five years. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are Presbyterians. She was Elizabeth Hutchinson, and was born in England. Her parents, Ralph and Jane Hutchinson, of England, both died in America, the former in Allen County, Ind., and the latter in New York. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Miller are William, Charles H., James H., Sarah J., Mary E. and George.

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



TOBIAS MOORE is a native of Highland County, Ohio, his birth occurring July 9, 1819. Samuel and Phebe Moore, his parents, died in Van Wert County, Ohio; the former was a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Pennsylvania. The subject was reared in Ohio, and remained there six years after his marriage to Miss Cynthia Rose, who was born in that State, and was the daughter of Cornelius Rose. Then removing to Indiana, he settled in this township, where he owns a farm of 85 acres, the soil of which is especially adapted to grain. Mr. Moore subsequently removed to Ohio, and in Mercer County, May 12, 1875, his second marriage was consummated, his bride, Catherine Rhodes, being the daughter of Jacob and Mary A. Rhodes, and native of Pennsylvania. They have since lived in this township, and have an only son, Jacob. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Her parents removed from their native State, Pennsylvania, to Mercer County, Ohio, where her father died and her mother yet resides, at the age of sixty-six. The subject has been a church member since 1840.

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



GEORGE W. NEIHARDT is a native of Ohio, and son of Jacob and Ann M. Neihardt, natives of Pennsylavania; the former died in Williams County, Ohio, where Mrs. Neihardt yet lives at the advanced age of seventy-five years. The subject went to a district school until the age of fifteen, when he entered the Academy at Williams' Center; he afterward taught three terms of school, subsequently went to Orland, Steuben Co., Ind., where he attended school two and a half years; then went to Ann Arbor University, where he graduated. He was born October 29, 1835, and married October 27, 1861, in this township, to Miss Mary McGowan, daughter of Samuel and Susanna McGowan. They resided at West Unity, Ohio, where Mr. Neihardt taught school two yeats, and next removed to this township, where they farmed one year, then went to Orland, where Mr. Neihardt was Principal of the Seminary from from 1864 to 1868, and has taught school since permanently locating in this township on his farm. He pays special attention to the culture of bees, but met with a severe loss in the winter of 1880-81; he has at present sixty stands of bees. Mr. and Mrs. Neihardt have five children, viz., S. Emmett, Dora, G.W., Mabel and Jonas J. Mr. Neihardt is a member of the Star Lodge, 225, at Orland, and belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, while his wife is an adherent of the Baptist faith. Her parents, natives respectively of Maryland and Pennsylvania, came to Indiana in 1854, locating at Orland, where Mrs. McGowan died. Mr. McGowan died in this township. Mrs. Neihardt was born December 27, 1840, in Mahoning County, Ohio.

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



Deb Murray