OTIS L.BALLOU, attorney at law, was born in Saratoga County, N.Y., August 31, 1849; son
of Pardon D. and Catharine (Bonesteel) Ballou. The family is of French origin, and formerly
pronounced their name Valloo. Early in the history of the United States, two brothers emigrated
to this country and all of that name now here are the direct descendants of these two. The name
is familiar in the halls of Congress and also in literature and religion. Otis L. Ballow was brought
to Ashtabula County, Ohio, when a small boy, by his parents, and there reared to manhood. He graduated
the Kingsville Academy in 1868, and in 1869 married Julia M. Curtiss. The same year, he and his wife,
and his parents moved to La Grange County, where he began farming and teaching school. While at this
he began the study of law, having access to the library of Andrew Ellison. He was admitted to practice
in 1872, but did not commence until June, 1875, and continued alone until September, 1878 when he formed
a partnershiop with George A. Cutting, which existed until September, 1880. Mr. Ballou is a Democrat,
and is Master County Commissioner of the county. He has held local positions of trust, and is one of the
present School Trustees. To Mr. and Mrs. Ballou were born two children - Pardon D. and Katie M.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
JOHN BARR was born in Marion County, Ohio, April 24, 1826, one of a family of nine children - six now living -
born to Amos and Overbia (Bloxsom) Barr, who emigrated from Ohio to White Pigeon, Mich., with the family of
John Miller, in 1829. The same year, they staked claims in Greefield Township, this county - the land at that
time not being in the market - and in 1830 moved, built cabins, and made that their final home. Amos Barr dying
in May, 1838, John Barr, our subject, madehis home in Greenfield Township, from the time he moved there with his
parents until his removal to La Grange in 1881. The farm in Greenfield consists of 180 acres of fine land on English
Prairie, and is rented out. He was married in 1851 to Mis Mary M., daughter of David and Elizabeth (Green) Elya,
and who came from New York to La Grange County in 1847. To this union there have been born three children - Julia,
wife of Charles H. Miller, of Greenfield Township; Flemming, who married Ella Fraleigh, and resides in Greenfield
Township; and Libbie, wife of M.H. Anderson, attorney, of La Grange. Mr. Anderson's father was the first white child
born in Greenfield Township. Mr. Barr is living a retired life. He is a Republican and a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
MAJ. W.B. BINGHAM was born in Adams County, Penn., November 14, 1819; sone of David and Sarah (Burns) Bingham - on his father's side
descended from Irish ancestors and on his mother's from Scotch. Both of Maj. Bingham's grandfathers came to the United States prior
to the Revolutionary war, and both served the Colonies, as mechanics, in their struggle for indepenence. Maj. Bingham, in 1828, emigrated,
with his parents, to Richland County, Ohio. At the age of ten, he was employed as mail carrier, on horseback, from Mansfield to the
mouth of the Black River, at that time a hazardous duty. Young Bingham continued at thisunti about the age of fifteen, when he engaged at
clerking in Mansfield and neighboring towns. Afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1847, when he enlisted for the Mexican war, under
Col. Bruff, in the Fourth Ohio Regiment. He was first in Gen. Taylor's division on the Rio Grande, but was afterward transferred to Gen. Scott's
command. He participated in the barrle of Atlixco and several other engagements under Gen. Lane, including Puebla and Waumautala. He remained
with Lane until peace was declared, and was discharged as Orderly Sergeant the fall of 1848. He returned home, and in 1849 married Mary Dille. In
1855, he moved to La Grange. His health having failed from disease contracte in his Mexican campaign, he gave up farming and engaged in mercantile
pursuits. Long before the breaking-out of the rebellion, Mr. Bingham had discerned the coming struggle, and being an excellent drill-master, he had
a class formed and well drilled, so that on President Lincoln's first call he had troops ready for service. After sending three companies to the
front, he was elected Captain of Company H in the Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and they entered servied in September, 1861. At the battle
of Fort Donelson, Capt. Bingham was promoted Major ofthe Forty-fourth for gallant conduct. He was mustered out for disbility the spring of 1863, and
has since been living a quiet and retired life. He and wife are the parents of five living children, viz: Huldah, Frank, Emma, William and Edward.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
SAMUEL BRADFORD, deceased, was one of the first settlers of La Grange County; born in Hillsboro County, N.H., December 20, 1800, and was a lineal
descendant of George Bradford, who came over in the Mayflower. Samuel Bradford moved, with his parents, to New York State at an early day, where his father
died in 1808, leaving a wife, three sons and four daughters. His school advantages consisted of three month's attendance, having been constantly employed
in duties common to pioneer lief. In 1820, being a minister of that faith, he was one of four to establish a branch of the first Free-Will Baptist Church
in what is now Monroe County, N.Y. He married Betsey Compton the spring of 1825, in Bradford County, Penn. The next day, he left his bride and started into
Ohio, where he was absent one year, looking after the interests of his church in Huron, Marion, Hardin, Logan, Champaign, Clark and Madison Counties. He then,
with his wife, resided in Marion County, Ohio, five years. The spring of 1831, he came to LaGrange County, pre-empting the land in Greenfield Township, known
as the "Stead farm," and owned by Benjamin Long. He erected a log cabin, and the succeeding fall returned to Ohio, and brought his family and settled on this
place, which he sold in 1833 and moved to Springfiedl Township. In 1834, he erected on Turkey Creek the first saw-mill in the county, and in 1835 added a carding-
mill. In 1836, he sold out and, in 1837, returned to Greenfield Township, living upon the farm of Samuel Brown, where he held schools in his house, among the first
in the township. About this time, Elder Bradford withdrew from the Free-Will Baptist Church, having adpoted the non-resistant and anit-slavery principles, and
formed the society at Lexington know as the "Congregation of Saints." Elder Bradford was a man of strong religious convictions, and the greater part of his life
was given to elevate and better mankind. He assisted in the organization of the La Grange Industrial Association, and at the time of his death was a member of the
La Grange Phalanx. He died December 3, 1845, and to his memory was erecteda monument by the members of the Congregation of Saints, on which was inscribed the
following:
"Brother, in thee Society no common loss sustained,
For thou wast to humanity a warm and faithful friend.
Thy life, they nobler powers,
with an unsparing hand to God and man thou dist devote,
And all thou hadst and all thou was thou gavest to promote."
His wife was a native of
Cooperstown, N.Y.; born December 8, 1799. They had four children - William C., Alvah E., Samuel P. and Lucinda. Mrs. Bradford bravely shared the privations of
pioneer life, and after his death carried out the principles he had inculcated in the minds of their children, which left their impress upon them through life.
She died August 3, 1856.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
CAPT. SAMUEL P. BRADFORD,County Clerk, is the only survivor of the family of Samuel Bradford, and, with the exception of one brother, William C., who is buried on
the north side of Pretty Prairie, all rest in the village cemetery of Lexington. Capt. Bradford was born Aprill 11, 1832, on English Prairie, in Greenfield Township,
and is the oldest white person born in LaGrange County and yet living here. He received a practical education, and when twelve years of age, his father died; after which
he, in turn, farmed, taught school, worked at carpentering and clerked in a store in Fort Wayne. From this last place he returned and lived with his mother until her death,
after which he farmed in Milford Township. On the 22nd of September, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry as private; but, after the barrle
of Corinth, was appointed Regimental Quartermaster, and was with the command from Corinth to Battle Creek, Louisville, Nashville, and thence to Murfreesboro in 1863; then
to McMinnville, Jasper, Bridgeport, Chickamauga and Chattanooga. January 19, 1863 he received his commission as Quartmaster of the regiment, and in the fall of 1864 was assigned
to Gen. Steadman's staff as Chief Quartermaster of the District of Etowah. January 11, 1865, he was commissioned Captain of Company H of his regiment, but retined his position
on Gen. Steadman's staff until October 1, 1865. His regiment, however, was mustered out September, 1865, while he was still on detached service; but he was simply relieved from duty,
drawing no pay after November, 1865, and finally, in 1868, was muster out by special order of Gen. Grant. The Captain then engaged in business in Tennessee and Illinois, and, in
1870, returned to La Grange County. In 1877, he was elected County Clerk by the Republican party, which position he still holds. At the time of the completion of the new court house,
the County Commissioners directed Capt. Bradford to arrange and index the records of the Clerk's office, which were in a bad condition. This task was completed, and has been
pronounced the most complete system in the State. The successful manner in which Capt. Bradford supervised the building of the new court house and arranged the details of his office
has brought him into popular favor as an officer of executive ability. He was married, September 3, 1858, to Miss Sue E., only daughter of William Hern, deceased.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
C.A. BRANT is a son of Jabez and Arminda (Kirby) Brant, his birth occurring in what in now Ashland County, Ohio, January 31, 1829, and he is one of eleven children. His youth and early
manhood were employe at different occupations, mostly farming. He received a good common school education. In 1855, he married Armina Ensign, and in March, 1856, removed To Decatur, Iowa,
where he engaged in Farming; he remainded there until 1862, when he returned to Michigan, and in 1863 removed to La Grange, and was employed as a traveling salesman, at which he contined
eleven years. In 1875, he established himself in the drug trade in La Grange. His wife died September 4, 1866, having borne a family of four children, only two - Selwyn A. and Addie M. -
now living. Mr. Brant married his present wife, Louisa V. Chase, July 1, 1873, and to this union is born one son - Charles E. Mr. Brant is a Dmocrat, has been a member of the Town Council, and
is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Brant is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
J.S. & A.D. BROWN are sons of Abijah Brown, who was born May 30, 1799, in South Adams, Vt. When a boy, his parents removed to Herkimer County, N.Y., where they afterward died. At the age of
twenty-one, he married Maria Shoff, and in 1826 removed to Alleghany County, N.Y. In 1838, Mr. Brown located in Huron County, Ohio, and in 1845 purchased land in this county, and in 1865, having
disposed of his property in Ohio, he came with his family to La Grange. December 30, 1867, his wife died, and he January 8, 1872. Their remains rest in La Grange Cemetery. They were parents of
seven children - Electa, Ira W. Charlotte L., Jacob S., Julia M., Adrian D. and one that died in infancy. Jacob S. was born in New York State March 22, 1829. He came to LaGrange County in the fall
of 1854, locating near the southern line of Bloomfield Township, and started the first steam sawmill in Johnson Township. The following spring his brother Ira came out, and they operated the mill
two years. Jacob S. then sold his interest and returned to Ohio, where for three years he was engaged in farming. Adrian D. was born in Huron County, Ohio, December 17, 1840. He came to this
coutny in 1865. That summer Mr. Brown, Sr., and Ira W. purchased the Boyd property, and in the spring of 1867, Adrian D. and his father began the drug business, continuing until the winter of 1871,
when Jacob S. succeeded his father. In the spring a portion of the Boyd House was destroyed, and the father and three sons - Jacob, Ira and Adrian - began the erection of Brown's Hotel. It was completed
in the spring of 1872; it was a four-story brick, including the basement, 48x100. The building was then leased, and the lower rooms occupied by business firms. In one room J.S. and A.D. Brown opened
a drug store; the bank occupied another. On the 7th of January, 1877, the building was destroyed by fire, the loss being upward of $18,000. In 1878, the grounds were divided and Jacob S. and Adrian D.
began the erection of their present buildings, A.D. taking the north lot, which is 22x120, and J.S. the three lower lots, each 22x80. In the second story of the latter's building is situated Brown's
Hall, 56x60, with a seating capacity of 800, and the best in town. A.D. is carrying on a good business in the drug and grocery line. The Browns deserve much credit for the enterprise which has
characterized their career in La Grange, being among the best business men in the State. Jacob S. married his first wife, Elizabeth Ingraham, May 11, 1856. They had five children, two now living -
Ellen M. and Kate E. The mother died in August, 1864, and in October, 1865, Mr. Brown married his present wife, Sarah M. Chamberlain. They have had two children - Frederick J. and Caroline G. May 3, 1870,
Adrian D. Brown married a sister of his brother's present wife, Miss Helena C. Chamberlain, and to them four children have been born - Guy C., Harold, Thaddeus and Chamberlain.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
GEORGE W. BURBRIDGE, station agent, was born in Nottawa, St. Joseph Co., Mich., April 22, 1855, a son of Charles and Ann (Holling) Burbridge, natives of England, and who came to Canada, where they were
married. At an early period they settled in St. Joseph County, Mich., and there engaged in farming. Mr. Burbridge was a poor man on his arrival, but, being energetic, soon acuired valuable property. In
1863, he enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Michigan volunteer Infantry, and in May 1864, died from disease contracted while in the service. His widow died in 1870. George W. was raised in St. Joseph County,
where he continued on the farm until the winter of 1872, when he taught school, after which he went to Oberlin, Ohio, to learn telegraphy. The fall of 1873, he went to Centerville, Mich., and was in the
employ of the Michigan Central Railroad Company until the next November. Since that time he has been employed at different places in his business, among them being Fort Wayne, Winchester and Sturgis. For two
months he was shipping clerk in the furniture establishment of J.G. Wait, in Sturgis. December 14, 1876, he was employed by the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, as agent at this place. He is a Republican,
and was married June 27, 1877, to Miss Jennie E. Kerr, of Nottawa, Mich., and to them has been born one son - Charles A.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
ABNER S. CASE, Deputy County Recorder, was born in Monroe County, N.Y., January 13, 1822, one of twelve children born to Oliver and Electa (Webster) Case, who were natives respectively of New York and Connecticut.
Abner Case was raised on a farm in his native county until fourteen years old, when he moved with his parents to Monroe County, Mich. In January, 1845, he married Anna Bunker, and for twelve years succeeding this,
he engaged in a flouring-mill. In 1850, he cam to Ontario, La Grange Co. Mr. Case, with five others, assisted in the organization of the Republican party in La Grange County, and by it was elected County Recorder,
and served four years. He was then elected and re-elected County Clerk, serving eight years, with the exception of a short time when he resigned to fill the position of State Senator. He served in the regular sessions
of 1869 and 1871, and a called session in April, 1869. In the spring of 1872, the Recorder of the county having died, he was appointed for the unexpired term, after which he took charge of the new flouring-mills in La
Grange. His health failing, he discontinued this occupation in 1879, since when he has been living retired and assisting his son in the Recorder's office. He and wife were parents of two children - Eugene V. and Frank E. ,
who died in infancy. Eugene V. was married, November 17, 1867, to Alice M. Ruick, of La Grange, daughter of Daniel Ruick. To them have been born three children, Anna B., deceased, Mary E. and Carl S. E.V. Case was
County Clerk by appointment the fall of 1868 and the spring of 1869. From the time he was fourteen years old to 1871, he acted as Deputy County Clerk. He was mail agent on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad one
and a half years, and in 1880 was elected County Recorder, and is the present incumbent.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
H.M. CASEBEER, M.D., was born in Holmes County, Ohio, April 9, 1854. His father, David Casebeer, was of German descent, and a farmer by occupation. He married Rebecca Kenestrick, who has since died, and they were the parents
of twelve children. H.M. Casebeer lived on a farm unitl fourteen years old, when he began teaching in the district schools. In this manner he paid his way, securing a good practical literary education. At the age of seventeen
be began reading medicine under the instructions of his brother, Dr. J.B. Casebeer, of Auburn, and read four years. During the winter term of 1873-74, he atted his first course lectures at Ann Arbor. The next spring he began
practicing in Auburn, and continued until the winter of 1875-76, when he returned to Ann Arobr and graduated, with the special diploma of Physical Diagnosis. He practiced in Leo, Allen Co., Ind., until October, 1878, when he
removed to La Grange and formed a partnership with Dr. E.G. White. Dr. Casebeer is a Republican, and a member of the M.E. Church. He was married June 5, 1876, to Lizzie Speechly, of Ann Arbor, who died November 10, 1880.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
JOHN H. CATON, blacksmith, was born in Frederick County, Md., December 16, 1839; one of the children of James A. and Catharine (Ludwick) Caton. John H., in 1849, accompanied his parents to Preble County, Ohio, thence to Elkhart
County, Ind., in 1850, where his parents died. At the age of seventeen, he begain learning the blacksmith's trade. He enlisted in 1861, and was sent to Indianapolis to join the Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but found the
regiment made up. He soon after went to Mishawaka and was in the employ of the Government as a mechanic. In December, 1861, he went to Missouri, and the following April came to La Grange. In the fall of 1864, Mr. Caton received
a commission as Second Lieutenant, and recruited a company, reporting to the Provost Marshal at Kendallville, and mustered into service as Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry. They were then sent to
Camp Carrington, at Indianapolis, Mr. Caton, ad interim, having been commissioned Captain, and were here mustered in as company F, One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantyr. They were then sent to the front,
and remained until the close of the war on active duty. Returning to La Grange, he resumed his trade. He was married October 3, 1869, to Miss Annette Kingsley, and they have had five children, three of whom are living - Cluad H.,
John P. and Kittie B. Mr. and Mrs. Caton are members of the Epsicopalian Church; he is a Republican, has served serveral times at Town Marshal of La Grange, and belongs to the A., F. & A.M.; also is a member of the Chapter and
Commandery at Kendallville, and has held all the official positions of the Blue Lodge, excepting that of Secretary.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
JOHN F. CLUGSTON, merchant, was born in Franklin County, Penn., August 24, 1829, son of John and Jane (Martin) Clugston, natives of Pennsylvania, and parents of eight children, seven yet living. Mr. Clugston's father, while in
Pennsylvania, was a manufacturer of wagons, and engaged in farming. After his removal to Ashland County, Ohio, in 1847, he was employed in the manufacture of grain cradles. John F. was educated in Pennsylvania, and in Ohio
engaged in carpentering. March 21, 1854 he was married to Catharine Will, and the follwing August moved to this county, which he had visited in 1852. Mr. Clugston worked at his trade about five years, and was Postmaster for a
time, his service terminating in 1860. He then formed a partnership with John Will in a general store. Ephraim Welch was a member of the firm one year, and with that exception, the co-partnership has continued uninterruptedly
and harmoniously as Will & Clugston to the present, being one of the oldest business houses in La Grange. Mr. Clugston is a Democrat, and a member of the I.O.O.F. Mrs. Clugston died October 13, 1880, aged forth-six years six
months and fifteen days. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, as is also Mr. Clugston. They were parents of three children - Charles F., Mary J. and John W. Mr. Clugston's parents removed to La Grange in 1867, where
his father is yet living, his mother dying in 1875. Februrary 21, 1882, Mr. Clugston was married at Lansing, Mich., to Mrs. E.J. Smith, of this county.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
S.D. CRANE, attorney at law, sone of Arba and Sarah (Danford) Crane, natives respectively of Vermont and New York, was born in La Grange County. His father was a carder and cloth-dresser, and an early settler of La Grange, where
he is now living in retirement. His mother was a Mrs. Scott when she came to this county, and after her husband's death, married Mr. Crane. She died many years ago, leaving six children, four by her first husband, and two, our
subject and B. Frank, by Mr. Crane. S.D. received good school advantages, graduating at Hillsdale, Mich., in 1874. For several years he was engaged in teaching, having served as Principal of the Lima School two years, of Wolcottville
three years, of the Kendallville High School one year, and of the Middlebury High School of Elkhart County one year. He served over one year as School Examiner of La Grange County, and for six years has been County Superintendent
of Schools. He founded the La Grange Register, March 26, 1876, and was connected with it one year. He began the study of law in 1874, and in 1875 was admitted to the bar, practicing law during that year. In September, 1881,
he went to Ligionier, and, in company with H.D. Reynolds, engaged in the practice of law and insurance business. He is now in the practice of his profession in La Grange. Mr. Crane is a Mason, and was married in 1870 to Miss
Emogene Nickols, daughter of William Nickols, of Lima, Ind. She died in March, 1877, leaving three children - Clair V., Charles D. and Robert G. Mr. Crane was married again, in 1878, to Miss Emma L. Benham, a native of Illinois; she
is a graduate of a Michigan University, and is a practicing physician of the homeopathic school.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange
CAPT. H. CROCKER was born in Monroe County, N.Y., March 30, 1825; a son of Joseph and Almira (Adams) Crocker. He is a grandson of Guerdon Crocker, who was a Captain in the war of Independence. Joseph Crocker was a Captain in the war
of 1812, and is yet living at the advanced age of ninty-one on the farm he first settled in Huron County, Ohio, when our subject was five years old. The representative of this sketch was there married to Marilda Shepard. They had two
children - Ida and Ella. Having traded for land near this twon, he immigrated hither in the spring of 1850, where his wife died two years later. He then began working at the carpenter and joiner's trade in town. The fall of 1862 he
assisted in the organization of the Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He immediately after aided in the organization of Comapny C, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. On their way to the front they stopped at South Milford,
where an ovation was extended to them by the citizens. At thisplace, Mr. Crocker was elected Captain, and they entered active service in the Department of the Mississippi. Capt. Crocker, by reason of ill-health, tendered his resignation,
which was accepted in June, 1863, but, owing to the interruption of the mails, did not receive its acceptance until the following fall. On his return, the Captain entered the mercantile business. He was married to his present wife, Clarinda
Heminger, in 1855. He is a Republican and a member of the I.O.O.F. of La Grange.
Source: "1882 History LaGrange County, Indiana" by F.A.Battey & Co.., - Town of La Grange