JOHN A. MILLER, furniture dealer, is a descendant of one of the very first settlers in La Grange County. He was born in Greenfield Township, September 16, 1836, and is a son of John and Naoma
(Barr) Miller. In 1829, the family of Amos Barr and John Miller, whose wife was a daughter of Amos Barr, emigrated from Marion County, Ohio, to White Pigeon, Mich., where they lived until the
next season, and then came to English Prairie, in Greenfield Township, this county, and laid claim to land there not then in market. In 1830, they moved to this place, and were among the county's
earliest settlers. Mr. Miller died in the spring of 1837. John A. Miller passed his youthful days on the old farm, doing the duties of a pioneer boy's life. In 1857, he came to La Grange and engaged
in the grocery trade about five years. In 1864, he and a number of others were sent South by the government to do mechanical work, and on this expedition he learned house joining. He followed
that trade until 1874, whe he, together with William H. Jackson, purchased the furniture stock of John Rice, and engaged in a general furniture trade and undertaking. In about a year, Mr. Miller
retired from the firm and engaged in the same business alone. In 1875, he formed a partnership with his present partner under the firm name of Miller & Lutz. They erected their present business
block in the fall of 1878. Mr. Miller was married in 1862 to Ellen M. Kinney, whose parents were among the old settlers of Lima Township. To this marriage there were born four children, viz.: Flora,
Emma, Frank and Libbie. Mr. Miller is a Republican and a member of the Knights of Honor.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
SOLOMON C. MILLER, was born in St. Joseph County, Ind., February 22, 1840, and is a son of David and Louisa (Connor) Miller, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ireland. David Miller was one of the
earliest pioneers of St. Joseph County, Ind., settling at South Bend when there were only two business houses in the place. He was a farmer and also a minister of the Dunkard denomination. He entered land
in St. Joseph County and remained there until his death, which occurred at North Liberty, November 28, 1876. Solomon c. Miller received a good education and passed his youth on the home farm. In 1861, he
enrolled in Company F, Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the fall of 1862, when he was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn. After his return he clerked in a grocery and dry goods store
at South Bend for about two and a half years, since which time he has principally been engaged in the restaurant business at Detroit and Allegan., Mich., and Elkhart and La Grange, Ind. Of the last-named
place he has been a resident seven years. He was married, May 10, 1868, to Miss M. McCormick, who was born in Allegan, Mich., August 5, 1852. She is a duaghter of John P. and Jospehine McCormick, the former
a native of Virginia and the latter of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have a family of four children, Maud E., Edna J., Claude D. and Oral L. Mr. Miller is an experienced hunter, and makes annual hunting
excursions to Michigan and the West.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
S.D. MOON was born in the State of New York April 19, 1834; son of Salma and Caroline (Morton) Moon, who were parents of eight children, seven of whom are now living. The mother died in 1863, but the father
is yet living and resides in Wayne County, Mich. S.D. Moon, when but an infant, came with his parents to Wayne County, Mich., where he continued to reside, farming until 1866, when he moved to Kent County,
Mich. Subsequently, he moved to La Grange, and formed a partnership with his brother, Charles K., in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, and wagon and carriage wood stock. In 1870, Samuel Parker was
admitted into the partnership, which then became Moon, Bro. & Co. In 1874, Charles R. Moon retired from the firm which then became Moon & Co. In 1879 Mr. Parker withdrew, leaving Mr. Moon alone. Mr. Moon,
does an average annual business of from $5,000 to $6,000. He is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married in 1855 to Sarah J. Dalrymple, and to them have
been born two children - Adolphus D. and Eddie C., both of whom are now dead. Mrs. Moon was born July 15, 1837, in Wayne County, Mich.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
JACOB NEWMAN was born in Richland County, Ohio, October 15, 1832; son of Henry and Jane (Ward) Newman, natives of Pennsylvania and England, respectively, and parents of eight children, five only of whom are
living. He is a grandson of Jacob and Catharine (Freymeyer) Newman, his grandfather being the first settler in Richland County, Ohio, and the founder of the city of Mansfield. Jacob Newman, when seventeen
years old, moved with his parents to Williams County, Ohio. At the age of twenty-one, he returned to Mansfield, and for a year engaged in clerking. The firm by whom he was employed and John Will purchased
a stock of goods, and in 1854 sent them to La Grange in charge of Mr. Newman, who remained with them a little over two years. From 1856 to 1858, he was in partnership with Maj. Bingham in a general store, which
was built by them. In 1857, Mr. Newman married Isabel Menelaus, who died in 1860, leaving one son - John H. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was elected
Second Lieutenant of his company. At the battle of Shiloh, April 6, while he was in the thickest of the fight, and during one of the most hotly contested engagements of the day, the color-bearer and supporter were
shot down at the same time, and two others who immediately raised the colors were also shot down at the same time and the flag riddled with balls. Lieut. Newman bore it aloft but soon fell, mortally wounded, as was
then supposed, and has never fully recovered from his wounds. During the remainder of the war, he was Deputy Provost Marshal and had charge of the enlistment roll. The Republican party elected him County Treasurer
in 1864, and re-elected him in 1866. In 1869, he went into business with S.K. Ruick, and in 1871 he engaged in the marble trade with L.C. Wood; in 1873, formed a partnership with H.J. Platt, which has continued
successfully. The son by his first marriage died in 1862, and Mr. Newman married his present wife, Mary Menelaus, in 1863. To this union were born Mary, Jennie, Grace, Henry and Carl. Of these only Jennie and Carl
are now living. Mr. Newman had two brothers who served in the Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, one of whom was killed.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
DR. J.P. NIMAN, one of La Grange's oldest physicians, was born December 7, 1828, in Mansfield, Ohio, the sone of Henry and Harriet (Greeer) Niman, who were parents of eight children. His youthful days were passed at
home on the farm of his parents, and his educational advantages consisted in self-instruction at night-time. At his majority, he went to Henry County, Iowa, on a business visit. While there, he met and, in September,
1849, married Laura Dennison, after which he returned to Ohio and continued the study of medicine in Richland and Crawford Counties. In September, 1852, he emigrated with this family to La Grange, where he began the
practice of his profession. His wife died in 1857, leaving three children - Josephine, Laura and Charles H. In 1858, Dr. Niman married his second wife, Emily Oliver, and the same year removed to Missouri. In January
1862, he entered the employ of the United States Government as physician and surgeon, but after about six months' service his wife died and he resigned. In 1862, he returned to La Grange and resumed his practice. To
his marriage with his present wife, Jane Plats, there have been born three children - Alton, Jonas and George T. Dr. Niman is at present in partnership with his son, Charles H., who graduated from the medical school
at Bellevue, New York City, in 1879, Dr. Niman, Sr., is a Republican, and one of the prominent citizens whose portraits appear in this work.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
T. F. PERINE was born July 3, 1844, in Lawrenceburg, Ind., one of six children. His parents, P.R. and Mary E. (Tucker) Perine, moved to Indianapolis, when he was but a child, where they are yet living. T.F. Perine was
reared and educated in Indianapolis. At the age of seventeen, having twice before made the attempt, he ran away, and August 9, 1862, enlisted in Company I, Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the
engagements of Rocky Face Ridge, Burnt Hickory, Resaca, Cartersville, Marietta and Kenesaw Mountain, and in numerous skirmishes. He was shot by a rebel sharpshooter, from the effects of which he lost all the muscles of
his left hip and is still a sufferer of the wound. Shortly after his enlistment, he was appointed special detective at Gen. Carrington's headquarters, at Indianapolis, and for eighteen months was engaged in arresting
rebel abettors and in breaking up meetings of the Knights of the Golden Circle. He had command of the troops at Indianapolis, and traveled over the State in the discharge of his duty. For three years each he resided
in Chicago and Cincinnati in the real estate business. In 1874, he came to La Grange, soon afterward entering the County Recorder's office as Deputy; after which, he commenced the insurance business and the prosecution
of pension claims. He was married in September, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Jones, daughter of John Paul Jones. To their marriage have been born three children - Ida May, Perrie R. and Ethel.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
JOHN M. PRESTON was born in Lordstown, Trumbull County, Ohio, December 29, 1836, the son of James and Mary (Matthews) Preston, who were of Scotch and Irish descent respectively and the parents of eight children. The mother
died when he was fifteen years old, and his father remarrying, they came to Bloomfield Township, this county, in 1854, where the father is yet living. On the 28th of July, 1862, John M. enlisted in Company G, Eighty-eighth
Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was shortly after appointed Sergeant ajor; February 18, 1863, was commissioned Second Lieutenant. For efficient services, he was promoted Captain of his company on the 1st of September, 1864.
Capt. Preston participated actively in the engagements of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and through the Atlanta campaign of 1864. He was mustered out in June, 1865, and returned to
La Grange, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. March 27, 1860, he married Maria Sargent, and in 1868 removed to Missouri, but in 1873 returned to La Grange and engaged in the insurance business. Mr. Preston is a
Republican, and by that party was elected Clerk of the town of La Grange in 1878 and re-elected in 1879. The fall of 1880, he was elected Treasurer of La Grange County, in which capacity he is now serving. He and wife are
parents of four children - Anna Bell, Grace M. (deceased), Maud B. and Daisy B. Mrs. Preston is a daughter of Daniel and Maria (Young) Sargent, who were old settlers of La Grange County, and is a member of the M.E. Church.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
MAJ. JOHN H. RERICK, editor and proprietor of the La Grange Standard, was born, February 4, 1830, in Tippecanoe County, this State, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Lamb) Rerick, natives respectively of New York and
Indiana, the mother of English and the father of German descent. The latter died in 1876, in the seventy-second year of his age. John H., at the age of fifteen, began teaching school during winters. In 1851, he entered the
Medical Department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, and graduated March 1, 1853. He then commenced the practice of his profession at Sumption Prairie, St. Joseph County, Ind., to which place his father's family had
previously removed. December 2, 1853, he married Miss Elizabeth Green, of Sumption Prairie. The following spring he moved to Fort Wayne, where he was efficiently active during the cholera plague of the following season.
January 20, 1855, his wife died, leaving an infant son, Louis, born January 6. The following spring he removed to South Bend, where the child died July 27. In the fall he went to Elkhart and was married, May 1, 1856, to Miss
Marianette Devor. In 1859, he removed to La Grange. Here, at the commencement of the war of the rebellion, the doctor became active in the enlistment of soldiers, writing the first enrollment paper, which he now has in his
possesion, with the signatures of those enlisting. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the Thritieth Indiana Infantry, but was soon commissioned as Assistant Surgeon of the Forty-fourth Regiment. This command took the field in
Kentucky, where the Doctor was left in charge of the sick at Calhoun, but joined his command the 1st of March, 1862, near Fort Henry, participating in the two days' battle of Pittsburg Landing, notwithstanding he was wounded
the first day. He accompanied his regiment to Corinth, Booneville and to Iuka, Miss., where he was taken sick and sent home for a month. Joining his command, he participated in its movements and took part in the battle of
Stone River. In February, 1863, he was again sent home hopelessly ill, but recovered sufficiently to enable him to return the 1st of April. In October, 1863, he was commissioned Surgeon of his regiment, which took part in the
sanguinary battle of Chickamauga. Here the Doctor displayed energy and judicious management in removing the wounded from the field-hospital and saving them from capture by the enemy. He served at Chattanooga until the close of
the war and was mustered out in September, 1865. The Doctor's war record is a bright page in his history. Entering as a private, promoted to Assistant Surgeon, then Surgeon, and serving four years with the command with which he
entered the field, complimented by his commanding officers, form a brillant career. Returning to La Grange, he resumed the practice of medicine with Dr. E.G. White. In 1867, he purchased the Standard and entered upon his
editorial duties. His politics are thoroughly Republican, and by that party was elected, in 1868, Clerk of the Circuit Court and re-elected, serving eight years. He was one of the founders and is now President of the Island Park
Assembly Association, which has its grounds at Rome City. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have three sons - Rowland H., born Februar 5, 1857; John D., July 1,
1860; and Carl, July 4, 1868.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
EDWARD ROYER was born in Stark County, Ohio, September 3, 1836, a son of Jacob and Mary (Michael) Royer, now dead. Edward Royer was reared a farmer, receiving a common-school education. When nineteen years old, he began learning
the harness maker's trade at Uniontown. In 1859, he came to Indiana; in 1860, he entered the employ of the Government as manufacturer, at Pittsburgh. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry; was discharged July 7, 1865, at Cleveland. August 24, 1865, he was married to Miss Lucy Summers, daughter of John and Martha (Lee) Summers, of Covington, Ky. Mr. Royer at once moved to La Grange, where for two
years he worked a journeyman at this trade, and in the winter of 1867 established himself in business. He and wife united with the M.E. Church in 1865, and in tht year Mr. Royer assisted in the organization of the I.O.G.T. He is
also a member of the I.O.O.F. of La Grange. He and wife are parents of three children - Edward H., born November 30, 1870, died February 23, 1881; Frank L., born September 8, 1874, and Mattie B., born September 10, 1878, and died
September 12, 1879. The mother was born near Covington, Ky., May 5, 1841.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
S.K. RUICK is a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, where he was born August 20, 1830, the son of Daniel and Mary Ruick. S.K. Ruick was reared in Hebron, Ohio, until nineteen years of age, and in 1849, he vistited relatives at Lima;
then returned to Ohio, settled up his affairs and came again to Lima and engaged in the stock business. Through the summer of 1853, he was in the employ of Knott & Hubbard, in a general store; he then took charge, for a year, of a
store in La Grange for Mr. Knott; was then in partnership with R.S. Hubbard three years. In 1857, this firm, with Bingham & Newman, erected the block now owned by John Will, on the corner southeast of the public square. After the
dissolution of the firm of Hubbard & Ruick, in 1857, Mr. Ruick opened a dry goods store, but shortly afterward sold out. The spring of 1859, he erected another store building, and again engaged in the dry goods trade. In 1861, he
sold his entire business interests in La Grange to Jewett, Morrison & Hill, and went to New York City, where for two and a half years he was employed selling goods. In 1864, he and family moved to Toledo, Ohio, where Mr. Ruick became
a partner in a wholesale grocery house. He continued there until 1865, when he removed back to La Grange and engaged in farming. The fall of 1869, he and Jacob Newman engaged in the dry goods trade, but Mr. Newman's health failing
shortly afterward he withdrew. In 1870, Mr. Ruick erected the warehouse near the depot, and went into the produce and commission business. In 1873, he and William Hudson formed a partnership in the lumber trade, and the same year
erected the La Grange Flouring Mills. In January, 1875, the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Ruick continuing the lumber business for about two years, when he formed a partnership with his son. In 1877, they erected the planing-mill,
which they operated until 1879, when the firm was dissolved. Since that time Mr. Ruick has been operating in real estate. He was married in January, 1852, to Lucy A. Kinney, and they are the parents of three living children - Frank D.,
Flora M. and Etta E.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
J.M. SHACKLETON was born August 6, 1852, in St. Catharines, Ont., of Francis and Fanny (Johnson) Shackleton, who were parents of nine children. Francis Shackleton was born in Wales, and there reared to manhood. When twenty-one years
old, he emigrated to Canada, where he engaged in the milling business, and married our subject's mother. In 1867, he came to Ypsilanti, Mich., and still continued milling unti May 7, 1880, when he was killed by an accident in his mill.
His wife deid in 1869, and he afterward married Harriet Lester. J.M. Shackleton began milling for himself at the age of eighteen, in Northville, Mich. In December, 1872, he returned to St. Catharines and entered the grocery trade, but
owing to the financial panic, failed. He then went to Eastern Michigan and recommenced his trade. In 1878, he came to La Grange, and was employed in the mill he now owns for about six months, after which he went to Independence, MO.;
but at the end of eight months returned, and for a period of about eighteen monts had charge of the Rome City Flouring Mills. In 1881, he formed a partnership in La Grange, under the firm name of Shackleton & Beach, and the fall of that
year purchased the La Grange Mills. Mr. Shackleton was married in 1875 to Mary Morehouse, and they are the parents of one daughter - Lela M. Mr. Shackleton is a member of the Baptist Church, and a Republican. Mrs. Shackleton is a member
of the M.E. Church.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
SAMUEL SHEPARDSON, County Auditor, is a son of Otis and Susann (Gibbs) Shepardson, who were natives of the "Green Mountain State" and parents of seven children. About the year 1835, they emigrated to this county, locting in Springfield Township,
then an almost unbroken wilderness, thus becoming early pioneers. Here the father died in 1844, and the mother in 1880. Samuel Shepardson was born in Springfield Township March 19, 1839, and received a good education. September 24, 1861, he
enlisted in Company G, Thirieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as private, and was discharged as Sergeant, September 29, 1864. He participated in the battles of Shilih, Stone River, Chickamauga, and in the Atlanta campaign. He was taken prisoner
at Stone River December 31, 1862, and remained in rebel hands at Knoxville and Libby three months, after which he was paroled and exchanged. He returned home, and January 1, 1868, he and Miss Martha J. Huss were married. She is a daughter of
Elijah and Phebe (Hutchins) Huss, and was born June 5, 1849. They have had two children - Kit C. and Ella P. In 1868, Mr. Shepardson began working at the carpenter's trade, and in that year was elected County Treasurer as a Republican. In 1870,
he was re-elected, serving four years. In 1874, he was elected County Auditor, and having been re-elected, is now serving his second term of four years. Mr. Shepardson's career in private life, and as a soldier and a county official, stamps him
as a representative citizen, and the appreciation of his sterling worth by the people of the county is shown in their continuing him in official position.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
DRS. W.H. and J.L. SHORT, physicians and surgeons, sons of Thomas Short, of Eden Township. The father was born in Pennsylvania April 8, 1820. His parents, James and Frances (Gilbert) Short, were natives of Ireland, and when but a boy he came with
them to Ohio, where his father died. In 1841, he came west on foot, and purchased eighty acres of land in Eden Township, and upon which he effected a permanent settlement the same year; and January 13, 1842, married Margaret Larimer, who died
September 28, 1877, the mother of eleven children, nine of whom are yet living. Mr. Short married his present wife, Mrs. Mary Murray, in 1880. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. William H. Short was reared a farmer. He
attended the Collegiate Institute at Ontario two years, and was one year at Adrain, Mich. He read medicine under Dr. Bartlett Larimer - his mother's brother - and attended his first course of lectures at Ann Arbor the winter of 1866-67. He graduated
the term of 1868-69, after which he came to La Grange, where he has since practiced his profession. Dr. John L. Short, a native of Eden Township, finished his literary education at Ontario. He began the study of medicine, in 1867, under Dr. Larimer.
The season of 1868-69, he took a course of lectures at Ann Arbor, and graduated from that college the winter of 1872-73. The next year he studied with his brother, and the winter of 1874 attended a course of lectures at the Miami Medical College and
Hospital in Cincinnati. While in Ann Arbor, he received a special diploma on Physical Diagnosis. He and brother are well schooled in their profession, and command a lucrative practice.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
ALBERT F. SKEER, mechanic, was born in Butler County, Penn., March 29, 1834, son of Eli and Mary A. (Dugan) Skeer (see biography of Thomas J. Skeer). Albert F.,in 1850, removed to Hebron, Licking Co., Ohio, learned the cabinet-maker's trade with his
brother Thomas J., and in 1852 purchased his brother's interest in the business, after which he continued it alone for six years. In 1858, he came to La Grange, where he has worked at carpentering. Mr. Skeer is a skilled workman, and has erected some
of the finest buildings in this and adjoining counties. For two years he was engaged on the new court house in La Grange, during which time he lost only seven working days. He has been for many years a member of Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A.M.,
of which he has been W.M. and at present is its Treasurer. He served in both the J.W. and S.W. stations, and has also represented his lodge at the Grand Lodge. Mr. Skeer was married December 25, 1855, to Hannah C. Brown, a native of Licking County,
Ohio, one of six children born to Peter and Hannah (Flinn) Brown, both natives of Virginia. Mr. Skeer and wife are parents of seven living children - William H., Thomas K., Adolphus G., George P., Albert F., Carrie B. and Harry. Mr. Skeer is a Democrat.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
THOMAS J. SKEER was born in the "Keystone State," March 28, 1818,one of nine children born to Eli and Mary A. (Dugan) Skeer, seven of whom are living. Thomas J. Skeer received but an average education in youth, and early in life learned the carpenter's
trade, which was also his father's. In 1840, he went to Hebron, Licking County, Ohio, where he engaged in carpentering, cabinet-making and undertaking. In December, 1846, he was married to Sarah Taggart, who was born in New Jersey April 10, 1819. In May,
1856, Mr. Skeer removed to La Grange. He has been employed over La Grange and neighboring counties in the erection of some of the finest buildings. For a number of years, he has been employed in Chicago during the summer months, and during the war was
employed at his trade in the South by the Government. He and wife have had born to them six children - Frances, John, Thomas, Belle, James and Florence. Mr. Skeer is one of the reading citizens of La Grange, and is enterprising adn thoroughgoing.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
WILLIAM S. SMITH, dentist, is a native of Licking County, Ohio, where he was born September 10, 1850. He is the son of Harrison and Margaret Smith, the former of whom was born in Wheeling, W. Va., October 16, 1816, and the latter in Licking County, Ohio, May 8,
1825. The subject came wit his parents to La Grange, Ind., in the fall of 1858, where he has since remained, with the exception of eighteen months, during which time he was engaged in practicing dentistry at White Pigeon, Mich., returning to La Grange on the
1st of January, 1879. Mr. Smith first began the pursuit of his present vocation in the fall of 1875, and, although, quite a young man, by careful attention to business, he has built up a large and lucretive practice. He is the only resident dentist of La
Grange, and his office is located on the corner of Detroit and Spring streets.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange