JOHN H. HELM, M.D., of Peru, is one of the ablest physicians in Northern Indiana. His early life was not like that of many here chronicled - a struggle with poverty - but was characterized by the possession of ample means, and for some years by travel and adventure. Having previously acquired a literary and professional education, he was able to improve his opportunities for travel by intelligent observation. Both physical and mental, he bears evidence of descent from superior stock. His paternal grandfather was a well educated German, who having settled in America, helped in the Revolutionary war to defend the land of his adoption. His father, Dr. John C. Helm, an early settler of Miami County, and one of its most wealthy and influential citizens, was a man of vigorous intellect and iron will, and his mother, Amy (Hampton) Helm, was the daughter of Major John Hampton, of South Carolina, who served with General Jackson in the war of 1812, and a second cousin of the noted Wade Hampton of the present day. Dr. John C. Helm was born at Charleston, in what is now West Virginia, November 7, 1800. Two years later the family removed to Washington County, Tennessee. At eleven years of age he entered Washington College, and during the course walked every day to and from school, a distance of three and a half miles. He embraced the medical profession, and pursuing it with characteristic zeal and energy, became a well qualified physician. In 1821 he married Amy Hampton, above mentioned, by whom he had eight children. In 1835 he removed to Preble County, Ohio, and there practiced medicine until 1844, when he came to Miami County, Indiana, built a large flouring mill at Peru, and afterward another at Peoria, in the same county, where he finally established him home. There he continued the duties of his profession, and so invested the receipts as to amass a fortune. In 1865 occurred the death of his intelligent and devoted wife. After this severe affliction he divided most of his real estate among his three sons, giving to each property of much value. These sons are John H., Henry T., a prominent lawyer of Chicago, and David B., a farmer, who are respected wherever known. Sometime after making this liberal provision for his children, Doctor Helm married in Chicago, his son Henry’s mother-in-law, an estimable lady, but she soon died, and he did not long survive her. On the 7th of September, 1847, the strong man, who had never known weakness or defeat, yielded to the resistless enemy, death. He was a man of wonderful energy and tenacity of purpose. He had made and lost fortune after fortune, but no adversity could wholly overcome him, and finally, as if victorious over adverse fate, he died in the possession of wealth. His son, Doctor John H. Helm, the principal subject of this sketch, was born at Elizabethtown, Carter County, Tennessee, April 23, 1826. His education was gained chiefly through private instruction. Having inherited in some respected his father’s tastes, he studied medicine, first under Doctor Pliny M. Crume, at Eaton, Ohio, and with Doctor Charles L. Avery. In 1844 he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 1847 and immediately commenced practice in partnership with Doctor Crume, at Eaton. In the meantime, in the spring of 1846, he was mustered into the United States service under General Wool, and served one year in the war with Mexico. The years 1848-’49 and 1850 were spent in traveling through California, Oregon, Mexico, the West Indies and Central America, and a portion of South America. In 1851 he married Mary Henkle, daughter of Rev. Andrew Henkle, of Germantown, Ohio, but she died only about a year later. Having resumed the duties of his profession with Doctor Crume, he remained at Eaton until 1860, when he removed to Peru, Indiana. There he soon established himself in the confidence and esteem of the people and gained a large and lucrative practice. In 1854 he married his second wife, Margaret Ridenour, of Preble County, Ohio. They have three children, one daughter and two sons, living. He still resides in Peru and intends to abide there the remainder of his days. Besides attending to his patients Doctor Helm directs the management of his farms in Miami County, Indiana and Champaign County, Illinois. Though he possesses good business qualifications and has acquired considerable wealth, his chief ambition has been to excel in the medical profession, and he has lent hi best energies in that direction. In this laudable purpose he has not failed, as shown in part by the honors conferred upon him by various medical societies. The Indiana State Medical Society, of which he is a member, made him in 1876 their president. In 1872 he was elected president of the Miami County Medical Society. He organized the Peru Board of Health and has ever since been its president. He is a member also of the American Medical Association. Dr. Helm has contributed various able articles to these societies and to medical journals. He was one of the company of 173 physicians who crossed the continent to San Francisco to attend the meeting of the American Association in that city in 1871, and an honorary membership in the California Medical was there conferred upon him. Having been absorbed in the labors of his profession, Dr. Helm has neither sought nor accepted any political distinction, though his talents and acquirements would have enabled him to succeed in that field. He was a Democrat in early life, but in later years he has voted for those candidates he deemed most eligible, regardless of their party connection. He is a member of the Catholic church. Tall, powerful and possessing much personal magnetism, Dr. Helm is fitted to influence men by these qualities alone, and, uniting with them talent, culture and experience, he cannot fail to be a leader in every enterprise he undertakes. His lot seems enviable, and it is hoped he may long live in the enjoyment of his family, his medical reputation and the material blessings with which he is surrounded.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Peru Township


COLEMAN HENTON came to Miami County in 1837, and is a native of Washington, Fayette County, Ohio. He was born March 7, 1822, and is the eldest son of Benjamin and Rachel (Stinson) Henton, natives of Rockingham County, Virginia, and Ross County, Ohio, respectively, the former being born in 1793 and the latter in 1801. They came to Peru in 1837, where the husband followed the practice of medicine until March, 1863, when his death occurred. He was elected to the Legislature in 1846 and to the State Senate in 1852, serving one term in each house. The subject was reared principally in Peru where he secured a very good education. He was elected Sheriff on the Democratic ticket in 1847 and served two terms, and was a mail agent from 1856 to 1860, running over the I., P. & C. route. In 1854 he held the responsible position of cashier of the State Stock Bank of Peru, which he held for one year, and he then moved on a farm of 120 acres a short distance north of Peru. His marriage to Miss Caroline Skinner was solemnized November 1, 1855, she being a daughter of Corsen C. Skinner (deceased), of this county. Three children were born as the result of this union. Mr. Henton’s political views are Democratic.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Peru Township


CARTER B. HIGGINS, M.D., is a native of Preble County, Ohio, born December 15, 1843, being the eldest of the family of Jesse and Ann M. (Rodebaugh) Higgins, natives respectively of Montgomery County, Ohio, and Albany, New York. The family is of English extraction. The father of our subject came to Miami County in 1846 and settled in Peru. He first took charge of the Peru Mills and subsequently dealt in real estate. From 1858 to 1860, he was Deputy Treasurer of Miami County. Later he was Mayor of Peru. He was a prominent man and held many positions of trust with credit to himself. His death took place January 17, 1879, having been born in 1806. His marriage was solemnized December 27, 1841. Of five children born, only two survive; Harriet M. Logue, of Chicago, and the subject of this biography, who was educated at the Peru High School and Earlham College. At eighteen years of age he began the study of medicine in the office of Drs. Constant and Walker, of this city, and in October, 1865, he entered the Rush Medical College at Chicago and graduated from that institution in 1866, and then returned to Peru, and engaged in the practice of his profession in partnership with Dr. Walker, one of the preceptors. This union practice continued until 1869, when Dr. Higgins removed to Rochester, Indiana, where he remained a short time and then returned to Peru and this has since been his residence. He still continues the active practice and is one of the leading physicians of Miami County. He was married January 22, 1868, to Miss Sarah E. Jay, of Miami County, daughter of Thomas Jay, deceased. To this issue are three children: Clara, Jesse and Alice. Dr. Higgins is Secretary of the Miami Medical Society, and Treasurer of the State Society and a member of the American Association. He also holds the position of consulting surgeon of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Hospital located at Peru. He is a Mason and a man of prominence and honor.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Peru Township


JOSEPH HOLMAN. Prominent among the pioneers of Miami County was Joseph Holman, a name familiar to all the early residents of the city of Peru. He was a native of Kentucky and son of George Holman, who figured conspicuously in the early annals of the ”Dark and Bloody Ground,” locating there many years ago when the country was in the possession of the Indians. When quite young he was stolen by the savages who kept him a prisoner until his seventeenth year, the in meantime becoming habituated to all the modes and customs of the tribe, with the majority of which he appears to have been on terms of greatest friendship. He left Kentucky in an early day emigrating to Indiana and settling in Wayne County, where his death occurred a number of years ago at the advanced age of one hundred and seven years. Joseph Holman came to Indiana about the year 1820 and located in Wayne County, where he continued to reside until 1836. In the latter year removed to Miami County and settling in Miamisport, purchased a tract of 640 acres of land on the Wabash, upon the eastern half of the original plat of Peru was subsequently laid out by William N. Hood. A large portion of the western half is included in the city limits, and the entire tract now represents a value of several million dollars. Mr. Holman traded extensively in lands and all kinds of real estate and was prominently associated with the early growth of Peru and Miami County. He was land commissioner at Fort Wayne, during the administration of John Quincy Adams, but soon after the inauguration of Andrew Jackson was relieved of the office for political reasons. He was a man of recognized ability in the various spheres of life, an active politician, and took part in the convention which framed the present constitution of Indiana, having been elected a delegate to the same. He married Lydia Overman by whom he had the following children: Mary, Solomon, Martha and Elizabeth, deceased, and Rachel, Margaret, William and George, living. In about the year 1839 he disposed of his interests in Miami County and returned to Wayne County, where his death occurred in 1872 at the age of eighty-four years.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Peru Township


SOLOMON HOLMAN, second child and oldest son of Joseph Holman, was born 1813 in Wayne County. In early life he learned civil engineering and assisted on many public works of Indiana, having been for sometime employed in surveying the White Water Canal, and subsequently was assistant superintendent under Jesse Williams in the construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal. He located permanently in Miami County in 1836, and in addition to his duties as civil engineer, carried on a farm west of Peru, now in the corporation limits of the city. He was a prominent citizen of Miami County, a leading Mason, and his funeral in August, 1852, was the occasion of one of the largest Masonic pageants ever witnessed in Peru. He married about the year 1835 Mary Forgy, daughter of Stewart and Margaret Forgy, of Ohio, but early settlers of this county, moving here early in the thirties. The following are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Holman, viz.: Margaret, wife of N. Black; Lewis P., Lydia J., wife of John Melcher; William, Emma (deceased), wife of N. Galantine; Joseph and Edgar (deceased).

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Peru Township


LEWIS P. HOLMAN, the gentleman whose biographical sketch is herewith presented, is the eldest son of Solomon and Mary E. (Forgy) Holman, natives respectively of Indiana, and Ohio. The father was a pioneer of Miami County, emigrating here as early as the year 1836 and settling a short distance from the City of Peru, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits which he carried on for a number of years in connection with his profession of civil engineer. He bore a conspicuous part in the early development of the county, was a man of much more than ordinary powers of mind, and departed this life about the year 1852. Lewis P. Holman was born on the paternal homestead, in Miami County, on the 24th day of May 1841. He spent the greater portion of his early life as a farmer securing in the public schools an education, which, although not of the highest scholastic order, was of a character that has since enabled him to participate successfully in the details of an active business life. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion, when but little more than twenty years of age, with the spirit that actuated the movements of all patriotic young men and old, throughout the entire North, he volunteered in the service of his country to do battle for the maintenance of her rights. In October, 1861, he enlisted in company G, 51st Indiana infantry and shared the vicissitudes and fortunes of war with the same until honorably discharged from the service on the 13th day of January, 1866. His military record is one of which he feels justly proud, and during his term of service, he participated in many of the bloodiest battles of the war, among which were Perrysville, Stone River, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Franklin, Nashville and numbers of lesser engagements. Immediately after enlistment he was promoted corporal, later to 4th duty sergeant and from that to orderly sergeant. On the 2d day of April, held until the close of the war. Having thus completed his military career, he returned to Miami County and engaged in the pursuit of agriculture which he carried on successfully until 1878, at which time he abandoned the farm and began the lumber business in the City of Indianapolis where he remained until 1882. In the latter year he again returned to Miami County and engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Peru, which he has since continued successfully and with financial profit. Mr. Holman is a man of liberal views, and while taking an active part in political affairs has never been a partisan in the sense of seeking official position. He votes the Republican ticket and is an active member of the G.A.R. and the Masonic fraternities. On the 20th of February, 1866, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Emily Blake, daughter of Samuel Blake, one of the early settlers of Miami County. Mr. and Mrs. Holman have two children, namely: Roxella and Lou Emma.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Peru Township


WILLIAM N. HOOD, one of the original proprietors of Peru, was a native of Ohio, born about the year 1791 or ‘92. His father, Andrew Hood, emigrated from Kentucky in an early day and was one of the first residents in the vicinity of Dayton, near which city the subject of this biography passed his youth and early manhood. In 1819 William Hood came to Indiana and located in Fort Wayne, where, for a number of years, he carried on a successful mercantile business, dealing extensively with the Indians during the period of his residence there. He moved to Miami County in 1831 and purchased of Mr. Holman a large tract of land on the Wabash River including that upon which the City of Peru now stands. In 1834, in partnership with Richard L. Britton and Hon. Jesse L. Williams, he laid out the original plat of the city for the ostensible purpose of securing the county seat. After locating the town Mr. Hood engaged in speculating in lands and real estate, which he followed until his death, and in which he was very successful, accumulating a valuable property and becoming quite wealthy. While a resident of Fort Wayne he became acquainted with and married Sophia C. Ewing, daughter of Alexander and Charlotte E. Ewing, who were among the early prominent residents of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Hood raised a family of five children, viz.: Andrew A. (deceased), Richard B. (deceased), William E., David B., living at this time in Peru, and Susan W., wife of Howard Huggins, of New York City. Mr. Hood was a man of fine abilities, and in 1836 was elected to represent Miami County in the State Legislature. He served one term and in 1838 was re-elected to the same position, but did not live to enter the second time upon the discharge of his official duties, dying on the 9th day of July of the latter year. Mrs. Hood survived her husband about thirty-one years, dying in 1869.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Peru Township


MICHAEL HORAN is a native of the County of Roscommon, Ireland, and was born September 22, 1841. His parents are Michael and Margaret (Byrne) Horan, also natives of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States in 1847 and located in Sandusky City, Ohio. The subject was reared in Hamilton, Ohio, where he received a common school education. He came to Miami County in 1861, where he has since resided. He was elected County Surveyor in 1880 on the Democratic ticket, and was the candidate for the fourth time. Previous to his election he was engaged at this trade - painting - which he learned when a boy. On the 23d of September, 1886, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Campbell.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Peru Township


JACOB HOSTETLER came to Miami County in the year 1847 from Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he was born January 8, 1826, the youngest son of twelve children born to Benjamin and Catharine (Miller) Hostetler, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Our subject was reared on a farm in his native county, and then settled on a farm in Erie Township, where he remained until 1883, when he came to Peru Township. He has held the offices of Assessor and Trustee of Erie Township, and is the possessor of 280 acres of fine land situated in these townships. June 25, 1846, he and Miss Elizabeth Shetler were united in holy matrimonial bonds, and to them eleven children have been born, ten of whom are living: Mary E., Benjamin, John, Caroline, Gideon, Frank, Jacob H., Elizabeth, Ulysses G., Edward and Laura. He and family are members of the U.B. Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Peru Township


REV. WALTER L. HUFFMAN, one of the pioneer ministers of the Methodist Church in Northern Indiana, was born in Tioga County, New York, on the 5th day of June 1816. When about three years of age, his parents removed to Livingston County and settled near Genessee, the same State. Here young Walter was sent to the district school in a little deserted cabin that had been vacated by some previous occupant. This primitive building was fitted up with rail seats and other furniture in keeping, and here the young student was required to study until both head and back were almost racked with pain. When he had arrived at sufficient age he worked on the farm in summer and attended school at intervals during the winter seasons. Subsequently his parents heard of the far west, which was then Ohio, and possessed of an ardent desire to move to a place where cheap lands could be obtained they sold out after the lapse of a few years, and emigrating to Northern Ohio, settled near Florence, in Huron County. Here Walter, being now a young man, took charge of his father’s farm and while thus employed, snatched what time he could from his daily toil to study. By a thorough course of reading, the greater part of which was done by the flickering light of the old lard lamp stuck in the jamb of the chimney, he soon became well informed on all the current topics of the day, besides making substantial progress in history and some of the higher branches of learning. As he advanced in his studies, he sought an opportunity to recite to an instructor which was soon gratified in the person of Rev. J.F. Chaplin, a minister of much learning and piety, then stationed at Elyria, Ohio. In 1828, before leaving his native state, in a revival meeting near Brook’s Grove, conducted by a Rev. A. Haywood, he, with a number of others, gave his young heart to Christ and connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal church. At the same time and place he felt that he was called to the work of the ministry, to which end he directed his education and all his mental and moral nature that he might become, as he afterwards did, a successful preacher of the gospel. In the winter of 1837 he came to Indiana and settled at Crawfordsville where he was licensed to preach, and during the interim of the session of the Annual Conference in 1839, taught school in various parts of the country. He was subsequently requested by Major J.C. Elston, at the time postmaster at Crawfordsville, to take charge of the post office, which position he accepted and filled to the entire satisfaction of the people and his employer. In the fall of 1839, he was recommended as a suitable candidate to be received into traveling ministry, and at the Annual Conference held that year at Lawrenceburgh, he was duly received and sent to Covington circuit as junior preacher, the Rev. James L. Thompson being preacher in charge. In the fall of 1840 he was sent to the Rensselaer circuit and the fall of 1841 to Williamsport, where he remained for only a short time. As the preacher sent to Logansport had by reason of poor health resigned, the Presiding Elder changed him from Williamsport to Logansport to fill out the unexpired term. The following year he was sent to South Bend, from the latter place to LaPorte, thence to Crawfordsville station, and from the latter place to Centreville, in Wayne County. At the close of his second year at this station he was appointed agent for the Asbury University, now DuPauw, in which capacity he continued for a period of two years. Severing his connection with the agency, he was sent to Peru station, and during his two years’ pastorate he built the Main Street Church, which still stands an eloquent monument to his untiring energy and industry. At the close of his pastoral labors in this city he was appointed Presiding Elder of the Peru District, the duties of which responsible position he discharged for two years. Near the expiration of his term n the district it was but too plainly seen by his many friends that his health was giving way, and that lighter work and less exposure to the rigor of the weather was absolutely necessary. The Bishop sent him the second time to take charge of the Logansport station. It was during his second pastorate in that city that he commenced the erection of that beautiful stone temple of worship on Broadway, one of the most commodious church edifices in Northern Indiana. He closed his labors in Logansport at the end of one year, and, although strongly solicited to return, saw fit on account of rapidly failing health to decline, and it was at his request that that year was granted by the conference a certificate of location. Since then he has been an earnest laborer in the local ranks, and, as such, has done as much work for the Master as he could possibly have done as traveling minister, having had and still has more calls to preach than he can find time to fill. His popularity as a minister is attested by the fact that the people, who have had the privilege of once hearing him, always desire to attend his meetings the second time, and scores of persons, noted for their deep piety and active Christian experience, were induced to abandon the ways of sin for the better way leading to Life and Holiness, through the effect of his eloquent and powerful appeals. As a pulpit orator he is always clear and logical in his statements, eloquent and impressive in application, and well calculated in his manner to effectually reach the hearts of the people. During the half century of his ministry he has united in marriage over eleven hundred couples, and in the dark hours of bereavement, has officiated at the funerals of more than twelve hundred persons. The companion of his youth died in 1871. The children, one son and a daughter are still living. This venerable and highly honored servant of God is now in his seventy-first year, and although the frosts and snows of many winters have been scattered upon his brow - eloquent of the rapidly passing time - yet life’s evening is full of hope and the promise of a brighter day to come.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Peru Township


NICHOLAS A. HULL, the subject of this biography, is a native of Sweden, and dates his birth from the 25th day of April, 1848, a son of Magnus and Thoa Hull. During his boyhood and early youth he attended the schools of his native country and laid the foundation for a good education, which, aided by travel and experience, has developed into a fund of practical knowledge. Having early manifested decided taste for mechanical pursuits he, at the age of twelve, began to learn the cabinet maker’s trade, in which he soon acquired considerable proficiency. Thinking that the New World afforded better opportunities for a young man than his natives land, he left the latter in 1861, and emigrated to the United States; located in New York City, where he found employment as a skilled workman in the manufacture of piano-fortes. In the fall of 1863 he joined the United States navy as a carpenter’s mate, and subsequently (1866) went to the City of Chicago, where he worked at his trade until he removed to Peru in the year 1872. Upon reaching the city he engaged with the Indiana manufacturing company, and at this time holds the responsible position of superintendent of the cabinet department for the manufacture of sewing machine wood work. Mr. Hull is a skillful mechanic, thoroughly conversant with all the details of the trade, and has the confidence of his employers. Politically he is a supporter of the Democratic party, though he has never figured as a partisan or office seeker. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, in the deliberations of which order he takes an active part. He was united in marriage with Miss Cecelia Lawson, of Chicago, on October 16, 1868.

From History of Miami County, Published in 1887 by Brant and Fuller in Chicago - Peru Township


Deb Murray