Dr. M. F. Sayles, brother of G. A. Sayles, was born in Cleveland, Ohio. March 8, 1836. He received a good practical education from the public schools of Cleveland and high school at Erie, Penn. In 1858, he came to Valparaiso, and engaged in clerking in his brother’s hardware store. In 1864, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Kendall, of Valparaiso, and in 1865 attended the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago. After leaving there, he went to St. Charles, Minn., and became associated in the practice of medicine with Dr. T. H. Everts, formerly of Valparaiso. He remained in company with Dr. Everts, profiting by his experience, for one year. He then spent one winter at Boonville, Mo., and then returned to Porter County, and opened an office at Hebron, where he carried on a successful practice until 1876, when he came to Valparaiso, where he yet remains in active practice, and is now one of the wells know physicians of the place. Dr. Sayles was married in 1860, to Miss Fanny Jones, daughter of Isaac Jones, of Chicago.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 271 City of Valparaiso
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

John Skelton is a native of Pennsylvania, and a son of Robert and Susan Skelton, both natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather of our subject was a Revolutionary soldier. The early education of John Skelton consisted only of what he learned in a country school. When thirteen years of age, he went to learn blacksmithing in Philadelphia, at which he served four years. This he followed for eighteen years, when he was compelled to seek a less laborious vocation, and he commenced a general store in Kewanna, Fulton Co., Ind., where he sold hardware and groceries. In1877, he dropped hardware, and three years later commenced his present business, where he is always on hand for trade. On March 4, 1845, he was married to Miss Emily C. Norris, daughter of Arthur and Catherine Norris. To this union were born four children - John, Leah and Charles (all married) and Louisa (deceased). Mr. Skelton was Township Trustee two years and Justice of the Peace in Fulton County for four years. Both himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 325, 326 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

L. P. Scott, station agent at Hebron, is a native of Cavendish, Windsor, Co., Vt., and a son of Isaac and Polly (Eaton) Scott, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of Connecticut, both of whom died in Welshfield, Ohio. L. P. Scott received a fair education, having attended, in addition to common schools, a select school in the winters; he afterward learned the trade of carpenter. On September 1, 1852, at Ravenna, Ohio, he was married to Miss Emma M. Pool, a native of Eastern New York. Mr. Scott engaged in stock dealing for a number of years, and afterward in merchandising at Welshfield, Ohio; he moved to Hebron, Porter County, in the spring of 1869, and became station agent, which office he now holds; he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and likewise a member of Valparaiso Commandery, No. 28, of Indiana.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 325 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

N. B. Ward is a native of the State of Ohio, and the fifth of the six children born to Alfred and Fannie Ward, both of whom died in Ohio, when our subject was in tender years. N. B. Ward remained at home until he was seventeen years of age, when he commenced to hire out by the month. In Lake County, Ind., at Hickory Point, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Nichols, daughter of William and Parmelia Nichols, whose father was a farmer, and whose mother died at Hickory Point. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have two children - Schuyler and Harris. Mr. Ward now began farming on 120 acres, which he owned in Eagle Creek Township, Lake County, on which he lived five years. This he sold and removed to Hickory Point, and farmed land of his father-in-law; he afterward purchased 108 acres of his present farm, which now comprises 160, within half a mile of town, and very productive in hay; he also has considerable stock. Mr. and Mrs. Ward are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 327 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Oliver S. Wood, M. D. was born in Lake County, Ind., and is the youngest of the eight children of John and Hannah E. (Pettee) Wood, both of English descent and American birth; his mother died in Lake County, where his father is yet living. Dr. Wood’s earliest lessons were had at the district school; he afterward, at the age of twelve, entered an academy at Valparaiso, where he continued three years, thence going to Chicago and graduating in book-keeping; he afterward returned to Valparaiso, and engaged in the grocery business for four years; he enlisted, in 1861, in the Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he was band leader, but quit the service after nine months, on account of defective hearing; removed to Kansas, where he conducted a stock farm for four years. In 1876, at Deep River, Lake County, he commenced the practice of medicine. In 1864, he was married to Miss Charity R. Farnham, daughter of Charles and S. A. Farnham. Their union was blessed with four children - Lottie B., Clayton, Carlton and Leta. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are members of the Unitarian Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 328 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Ruel Starr, deceased, one of the pioneers of Porter County, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., December 22, 1804, and was a son of Noah and Alfleda (Fuller) Starr, the former being a soldier in the war of 1812, and in command of a company at Buffalo that crossed the Niagara River from Black Rock, and participated in the battle of Queenstown, October 13, 1812. Ruel Starr, in 1830, went to Kalamazoo, Mich., and in Comstock, of that State, December 29, 1830, married Phebe E., daughter of Caleb and Phebe (Brownell) Eldred, who was born in Otsego County, N. Y., January 18, 1812. This couple, in May , 1834, moved to Washington Township, Porter Co., Ind., where they built a cabin and engaged in pioneer pursuits. They partook of all the hardships of life in a new country, and in the spring of 1859 moved to Valparaiso, where Mr. Starr died April 19, 1875. His widow yet survives him and resides in Valparaiso with her only living child, Mrs. Kittie L. McGill, who was born May 3, 1849, and was married May 18, 1869, to James McGill. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Starr a family of six children altogether, but the five following named died: Noah W. Octavius E., Augustus A., Caleb E. and Phebe E. Of the death of Mr. Starr, the following is a sample of what the county papers said of him: “He was one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Porter County. He was very active in everything pertaining to the welfare of his country and he did much toward building up the county to its present proportions. In every sense of the word he was a self-made man, coming to the county poor, and by industry and economy accumulating a competence. He was a Democrat in politics, but not by any means a politician, although he was often called upon and did fill both township and county offices. His death was sincerely mourned and regretted by a large concourse of friends who followed his remains to their last resting place - the grave- but by none more than his family. He was interred in the city cemetery.”

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 272 City of Valparaiso
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Thomas C. Sweney, farmer and surveyor, was born August 7, 1807, at Gettysburgh, Penn. His parents died in Ohio. His early education was begun in a log schoolhouse in Adams County, Penn. At the age of eighteen, he began teaching, and at the age of twenty-one was appointed Surveyor of Crawford County, Ohio, which position he filled for ten years. In 1835, he was united in marriage to Margaret Dinwiddie. To this union there were born three children - William E., John M. and H. D. Mrs. Sweney died in 1874. In 1837, he emigrated to Porter County, Ind., locating near Hebron, on Horse Prairie. Mr. Sweney left the prairie in 1875, and divided his property with his children. In the beginning, one had to drive forty miles to a mill, and to Michigan City and Chicago for marketing and produce. The nearest post office was at La Porte, forty miles distant. Mr. Sweney was appointed Surveyor in 1839, and held the office twelve years, during which period he selected the swamp lands of the county. Previous to dividing among his children, he owned 400 acres; he now owns a fine brick business room, with hall above and basement. Mr. Sweney is a member of the Presbyterian Church, as was also his wife.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 326 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

William J. Barnes was born in Somerset County, Penn., September 10, 1829. He was the third child of a family of thirteen born to Asahel and Amy (Watts) Barnes; twelve of this family are yet living, our subject and a sister residing in this county. The parents of our subject moved from Pennsylvania to Canada when he was very young, and there resided till 1860, when the family scattered. His mother died in 1863, his father being alive in Michigan, and in his eighty-second year. Our subject began at fourteen years of age to work by the month, and so continued until eighteen years old, when he learned the carpenter trade. In 1851 and 1852, he traveled through the West, trading with the Indians, and working one season on the Mississippi River. He came to Porter County on December 29, 1854, settling in Prattville, where he worked as a carpenter five years, and then settled on his present farm of 133 acres. He was married November 25, 1855, to Margaret J. Babcock, who was born in Porter County November 7, 1836; she is a daughter of Clark Babcock, an early settler. To this union five children were born - Amy A., wife of William Stoner, of Washington Township; Carrie J., wife of Lucian Crumpacker, of Butler County, Neb.; Martha S., Ira C. and Dale E. Mr. Barnes is a member of the Grand Temperance Council of Indiana, and one of the Porter County committee of workers for temperance reform. Politically, he is a Republican.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 328 Washington Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

William M. Nelson is a native of Bedford County, Penn. His father was a native of England and his mother of Pennsylvania. William received the usual amount of education at the common schools, and, before manhood learned the trade of blacksmithing from his father. At the age of twenty-two, he took charge of his father’s shop in Andersonville, Franklin Co., Ind. On October 1, 1864, he was married to Miss E. M. Scott, born in Rush County, Ind., of which county her parents were pioneers. This union was blessed with four children - John S., Leora E. Alpha A., and Jennie. In 1867, Mr. Nelson came to Hebron, where he has since lived, and formed a partnership with Mr. Paramore in the blacksmithing trade; this continued two years, when he rented and afterward purchased a shop of his own, and which is one of the leading ones in the town. He is a much respected citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are members of the Christian Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 324 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Wilson B. Morrow is a native of the State of Ohio, and the second of the six children of William and Eliza (McAlpin) Morrow, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Virginia, who died in Boone Township in 1872, where Mr. William Morrow is now living. Wilson B. Morrow, when two years old, came with his parents to Boone Township, Porter County, Ind. His school days were passed in a log structure. He remained on the farm until 1872, when he came to Hebron and engaged in the stock, hay and grain business with Mr. Bryant, under the firm name of Bryant & Morrow, which was continued nearly ten years. In 1882, he purchased the entire stock of general merchandise of William E. Sweney, having $5,000 worth of goods, and leading in his business. On January 8, 1863, he was married to Miss Margaret G. Hildreth, daughter of Gabriel and Betsey J. (Wilson) Hildreth. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow have five living children - Ninetta, John, Elsie, Ernest and Charles.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 323 Boone Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Benjamin Wilcox, deceased, was a native of Middletown, Conn., was born May 18, 1816. He was a son of Benjamin Wilcox, who was a ship-builder of Middletown, and of English descent. Benjamin, Jr., spent his early years in his native town, afterward moving with his parents to LeRoy, N. Y., and from that time started in life on his own responsibility. He taught school and worked his own way through college and graduated from Williams College in about 1840, and soon after this took the Principalship of Yates Academy, in Orleans County, N. Y., and while officiating in this capacity married in 1843, in Durham, Conn., Miss Harriet M. Parmalee, who was born in December, 1824, and was a daughter of Phineas Parmalee, of Durham. Succeeding his marriage, Mr. Wilcox remained as Principal of Yates Academy for some time, afterward going to Wilson, Niagara County, and assuming the Principalship of the Wilson Collegiate Institute. In 1856, he removed to River Falls, Wis. , and took the Principalship of the academy at that place, and also engaged in a drug trade and farming, and remained there until 1864, when he came to Valparaiso, Ind., and took charge of a school, and afterward was elected Principal of the Public Schools. In 1870, he went to South Bend, and was elected Principal of the Public Schools there, which position he retained until his death, August 16, 1875. His first wife died in 1853, and to their marriage were born three children, all yet living. His second wife was Caroline E. Parmelee, sister of his first wife, and this lady bore him three children, and is yet living in South Bend. Mr. Wilcox was a Republican, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church at the time of his death. W. P. Wilcox, a son by his first marriage, was born in Wilson, N. Y., June 23, 1848. He established his drug store in Valparaiso in 1870, but previous to that time was in the drug trade here, in partnership with W. A. Bryant. He was married. December 31, 1872, to Ella C. DeGroff, of Valparaiso, and to them has been born one son - Willis D.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 277 City of Valparaiso
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Daniel S. White was born in Hampshire County, Mass., November 18, 1817, and in 1819 was taken by his parents to Wayne County, Penn., where he was reared. He was married, in 1843, to Louisa Kellogg, who bore him two children - Martha J., now Mrs. James McFetrich, and Edwin F., who married Emma Dunning, and is now residing in Kansas. The mother died in April, 1868. In September, 1869, Mr. White married Henrietta Cunda, who died July 25, 1870. His third wife was Mrs. Mary A. (Pierce) Wheeler, widow of Daniel Wheeler. In March, 1850, Mr. White came to Valparaiso with his father-in-law, Azor Kellogg, and was his partner in a foundry; he afterward built the first steam mill in the city for Crosby & Hass; was engaged for three years in saw-milling at Prattville, with Theron C. White; then with John Kellogg started the first planing-mill in Valparaiso, building the engine, and after that engaged in running a planing-mill and dealing in lumber, first under the firm name of White, Hunt & Co., and now under that of White, McFetrich & Co. Mr. White is a Democrat. He has served as Township Trustee, and is one of the most substantial citizens of Valparaiso. He is a Presbyterian, having held official position in that church for upward of thirty years.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 276, 277 City of Valparaiso
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Harmon Beach, one of the early settlers of Porter County, was born in Litchfield County, Conn., May 8, 1812. He is one of six children born to Ezra and Polly (Stoddard) Beach, all of whom are living in this county. His parents were born, reared and married in Connecticut. They moved to Canada about 1818, where they resided until 1840, when they came to Porter County, remaining until their death. Our subject came to Porter County in 1837; he received a fair education, and learned the occupation of carpenter and joiner, at which he worked about twelve years. On coming here, he purchased the farm he still occupies. He now owns 1,038 acres of land in this county, besides 120 acres in Montana. He was married, September 15, 1855, to Olive Crane, of New York, but at the time a resident of Porter County; she is a daughter of Jesse and Joanna Crane, and was born in 1830. They have had a family of five children - Mary, Eugene and Clara living, and Lester and Ella dead. At the time Mr. Beach came to this county, there were many Indians in the neighborhood, his farm being one of their hunting grounds. The prosperity of our subject, and his possessions, are to be attributed, mainly, with a good share of fortune, to his industry and economy. He is a Democrat in politics, but a very liberal one.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 329 Washington Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

James Baum, one of the pioneers of Porter County, was born in Crawford County, Penn., February 4, 1799, and is a son of John and Catherine (Randolph) Baum. His mother died when he was an infant, and he was reared by his grandmother. His father remarried, and he resided with him until his majority; his father had been an Indian spy during the war of 1812. Our subject also served as a wagoner in that war. He moved with his parents to Stark County, Ohio in 1814, and he heard the roar of Perry’s battle in that year on Lake Erie. His father subsequently removed from Stark County, Ohio, to St. Joseph County, Mich., where he died. Our subject removed from Stark County to Richland County in 1823, residing there until 1835, when he came to Porter County. His land was purchased at the land sales of 1835, he now having 310 acres of excellent soil. He was married, in Stark County, to Rebecca Miller, of Huntingdon County, Penn., a daughter of Peter Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Baum have had nine children - John, Jesse, Peter M., Enoch; Lavina, deceased; Lucinda, wife of J. Bushore, of Iowa; James W.; Rebecca J., wife of William Wickell, of Kansas; and Sarah J., deceased. His children are all married, his eldest son having been in California and Oregon for thirty-five years. In politics, Mr. Baum is a stanch Democrat, his first vote having been cast of Gen. Jackson in 1824. Mrs. Baum is a member of the Christian Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 328, 329 Washington Township.
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

James W. Baum is a son of James and Rebecca (Miller) Baum, and was born in Porter County, Ind., September 21, 1837. Mr. Baum lived with his parents until after his majority, receiving the usual school education at the time. His business has been farming, and that alone, since boyhood, he not having learned any trade. On September 21, 1864, he was married to Marian Axe, a daughter of Jacob and Agnes C. (Cornell) Axe. She was born November 16, 1842; her parents were early settlers, taking up a home near the city of Valparaiso, in 1836, where they resided until her father’s death; her mother is now living in Delaware County, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Baum have had a family of seven children, four of whom are living - Fannie, Allen, Ross and Lollie. Mr. Baum has an attractive and valuable farm comprising forty acres of land. He is a Democrat, but liberal in his political views, and generally esteemed.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 329 Washington Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Jared Blake, one of the early settlers of Porter County, was born in La Porte County, Ind., December16, 1835; he is one of a family of seven children born to Jacob and Eleanor (Walton) Blake, four of whom are living - three in this county and one in Kansas. His parents were born, reared and married in what is now West Virginia, whence they emigrated to Jackson County, Ohio, stopping there a short time before going to La Porte County, Ind., and thence coming to Porter County in 1836, where his father died in 1844; his mother died in this township in 1870. Jared Blake lived at home until he was of age, having always followed the occupation of a farmer, and being now owner of 130 acres in this township, 100 of which are improved. He was married January 15, 1868, to Amelia Beach, of this county, born May 29, 1848; she is the daughter of Sheldon Beach. To this union five children have been given - Frank W., Alice A., Otto V., Harry S. and Laura P. Mr. Blake was a soldier in the war against the rebellion, having enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1864, under Capt. Sparks, remaining until the close of the war. He was one of the guards at the obsequies of the lamented President Lincoln, in 1865.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 330 Washington Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Rufus P. Wells, coal dealer, a native of Athens County, Ohio, was born December 5, 1817. He is one of a family of ten children born to Varnum G. and Sarah (Davis) Wells, who were natives respectively of Rhode Island and Maine, and of Welsh and English descent. Varnum G. Wells was a millwright, and came to Marietta, Ohio in about 1800, and there married. He served in the war of 1812, and held a Captain’s commission. At the close of the war, he removed to Athens County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming and working at his trade until his death in 1835, preceded by that of his wife in 1833. Rufus P. Wells was reared in Ohio until seventeen years old. In the fall of 1837, he and his half-uncle and family moved to Indiana, and that winter our subject remained in Elkhart County. In the spring of 1838, he came to Porter County, and worked around at odd jobs for four years. He then engaged in teaching winters and working summers. September 30, 1849, Mr. Wells married Miss Maria Smith, and moved upon his farm in Porter Township, which he had purchased in 1844. He yet retains the old farm, which now consists of 320 acres. He was elected in 1870 to the office of Clerk of Courts of Porter County, by the Republican party, taking his seat in November, 1871; afterward was re-elected, serving in all eight years. Since that time, he has been dealing in coal and looking after his farm. Mr. Wells is a member of F. & A, M, and a member of the Christian Church. His wife died in 1875, leaving three children - John Q., Orrin M. and Mary E., now Mrs. C. E. Mandeville. March 10, 1878, Mr. Wells married his present wife, Mrs. Ruth (Winspear) Shenck, a native of England.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 275 City of Valparaiso
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing