Jacob Link was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 23, 1823. He is the eldest of a family of five children born to Jacob and Mary Link. His father was by trade a carpenter and joiner, and came to America in 1832, purposing to exempt his sons from military duty, as required by the German Government, and also to better his own condition. He had been a soldier, was engaged in the battle of Waterloo, and assisted in the downfall of France. On arriving in this county, he came first to Columbiana County, Ohio, and thence to Seneca County, where he died August 20, 1840. Our subject learned the carpentering and wheelwright business. He also worked at farming and clearing. After working at his trade in several places, he came to Porter County in 1853. In 1856, he moved his family, and has since resided here, except for a short time. He first worked at saw-milling and then at farming, now owning a saw-mill, besides a farm of 382 acres. He was married in Wisconsin to Catherine Zimmerman, of Germany, and born in 1825. They have nine children - Ella J. (wife of L. J. Wolf, of La Porte County); William N., Michael, Frank, Mary, Emma, Charlie, Elvin and Edward. Mr. Link is a member of Westville Lodge, I. O. O. F. and is a strong Republican.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 359, 360 Jackson Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Charles R. Luther, one of the earliest settlers of Porter County, was born in New York, August 26, 1828; he is the sixth of a family of nine children born to James and Irene (Ransom) Luther, seven of whom are living - our subject and one sister in this county; his father was a native of New Hampshire; he died in 1849, and his mother in 1859. C. R. Luther came here with his parents when eight years old. After receiving a fair education, and being engaged as teacher for several terms, he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which he worked for five years; he was married, December 22, 1853 to Esther M. Holton, a daughter of Ira Holton, and born in Upper Canada November 19, 1837. To Mr. and Mrs. Luther have been born four children - Luna L. (deceased), Iredell, Harry R. and Lula B.; of these Iredell is a farmer; and Harry R. a school teacher. Mr. Luther was one of the Directors of the Northern State Prison for two years, and Assessor of Washington Township for five years; he is a Republican, having belonged to the party ever since its organization.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 336 Washington Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

William L. Malone, son of Wilson and Sarah (Swank) Malone, was born in this county October 3, 1847; he received his education from the ordinary schools and the Valparaiso High School, since which time he has been farming. On December 2, 1875, he was married to Matilda Forbes, a daughter of J. T. Forbes, who was born June 30, 1853; a sketch of whose parents will be found in this work. To this union two children were born - Lawrence and Leon. In politics, Mr. Malone is a Democrat, and represents his party as Assessor of Washington Township; he has 200 acres of land, 120 being improved. Wilson Malone, father of our subject, came to La Porte County in 1832, and was among the earliest settlers; his only possessions were a few household goods and 50 cents. He contracted for the building of one mile of what is now known as the Michigan State road, and invested the proceeds in Porter County land. He spent his first winter in a cabin without floor or windows; but he was industrious, and at his death owned over 1,100 acres; he died December 22, 1876; he was father to nine children - Elizabeth (Mrs. Dr. Pagin), Caroline (Mrs. A. Stanton), Catherine ( Mrs. A. Brown), Rebecca ( Mrs. H. Slover), James R., William L., Martha (Mrs. E. Powell) and Harriet ( Mrs. C. Talcott). Wilson Malone was the son of Lester Malone; was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 18, 1805; he lived in that county until manhood; his parents died when he was quite young, when he was cast upon his resources for a livelihood; he came West in 1826, stopping in Fountain and Montgomery Counties, Ind. On February 22, 1832, he was married to Sarah Swank, daughter of Jacob Swank, an early settler of Montgomery County; she was born at Springfield, Ohio, October 15, 1811.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 336 Washington Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

William McAllister, one of the early settlers of Porter County, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, August 18, 1817, and is the eldest of ten children born to John and Mary A. (Graten) McAllister, and the only one of his family in this county. His father was a native of Scotland, and came to this country when very young and resided in Kentucky, where our subjects’ mother was born and reared. They moved from Kentucky to Ohio in 1817. William McAllister moved with his parents into Union County, Ohio, where they were among the first settlers, and where he worked at farming until 1848, when he emigrated to Porter County, Ind., and settled near Valparaiso. In 1858, he came to Jackson Township and purchased eighty acres, on which he now lives and which he cleared. He was married, while in Union County, Ohio, to Jane Tunkes, a resident of that county, who died in 1843, leaving two children - Diantha (deceased) and Mary. In 1846, he married Mary A. Scott, of Ohio, by whom he has five children - Frank, Melissa, Isabel, Elizabeth and Gertrude. Mr. McAllister is a stanch Republican; he served as a private in the war of the rebellion in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-first Indiana Infantry; he was on duty in Indianapolis during his term of service; was taken sick there, and remained there until the war closed; he was discharged in May 1865.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 360 Jackson Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Isaiah McGinley was born in Knox County, Ohio, September 28, 1828. He is the eldest of the ten children of Robert and Eve (Lindsey) McGinley. His father was a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., and his mother of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. The McGinley family is of Irish descent; on his mother’s side our subject is of Dutch descent. Isaiah remained at home until he was twenty-six years old, at which period he was married, on January 2, 1854, to Mary Leedy, of Richland County, Ohio. To this union there have been five children - Charles, Alice F. (deceased), Mrs. F. Adell Rigg, William O. and Robert L. After his marriage, he spent thirteen years farming in Knox County, Ohio, and in 1868, he moved to Porter County, Ind., locating in Union Township, on his farm of 200 acres, well improved with fine buildings. He has paid much attention to stock-raising, particularly of fine Merino sheep, having a large stock of good quality. Mr. McGinley is one of the foremost men of the township, and is serving his second term as Trustee. He is a member of Porter Lodge No. 37, A., F. & A. M.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 344,345 Union Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Webster Miller was born in Berrien County, Mich., January 22, 1851, the eldest of the seven children of Nicholas and Mary J. (Platts) Miller. His father was a native of Lake County, Ind., and by trade a plasterer. Webster Miller was reared on a farm in Berrien County until twenty-three years of age, with the exception of six years of his youth passed in La Porte County, this state. In 1876, he came to Porter County, where he was married, November 22, 1877, to Ina A. Gaylord, a native of this county, and the third of four children born to Charles H. and Theodocia (Sayles) Gaylord, both natives of Onondaga County, N. Y. They settled in this county in 1852, and the father, who was of French descent, was killed in the late war; the mother died May 6, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of one child - Sylvia T. In politics, Mr. Miller is Republican; he is progressive in his views and is a prosperous farmer, owning 120 acres of good land, improved with excellent buildings.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 372, 373 Portage Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Prudence Morrison, widow of William Morrison (deceased). Mr. Morrison was born in Ireland July 5, 1800; he was married April 6, 1832, to Prudence Irvine, who was also born in Ireland May 15, 1809. Shortly afterward they moved to New York City, remaining until 1834, when they moved to Giles County, Va., where he purchased property and remained until 1852; then moved to Porter County, Ind., where he died January 11, 1876. Mrs. Morrison still remains on the hold homestead on Section 24. She owns 400 acres of land and has had a family of ten children - Mary, Rebecca, Thomas (deceased), Lavinia, Catharine (deceased), Margaret, Victoria, John E., George (deceased) and Sarah E. Mr. Morrison held the office of Justice of the Peace for some time; he was a member of the M. E. Church, and died beloved and mourned by his fellow townsmen.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 376 Pleasant Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Americus V. Noble was born in Porter County June 13, 1837. His parents J. P. and Mary A. (Smith) Noble. Americus V. Noble resided with his parents until he was twenty years of age, during which time he attended a common school of the period. The he went to Canton, N. Y., entering an academy there and remaining two years. Returning home, he turned his attention to farming, and now owns 66 ½ acres, besides having charge of 200 belonging to his father. On October 5, 1864, he was married to Hannah Jones, a native of Ohio, and daughter of John and Maria (Duck) Jones, who was born December 25, 1842, and came hither with her parents from Stark County, Ohio, when but four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Noble have had five children - Clara E., born September 15, 1865; Colba E., born September 12, 1867; Louis H., born February 16, 1870; Frank L., born May 15, 1872, and John V., born September 10, 1878. Mr. Noble is a Republican of the liberal school.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 360, 361 Jackson Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

J. P. Noble was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., December 7, 1807, and is the eldest of eight children born to William and Sallie (Pickett) Noble. His parents were natives of Massachusetts, his mother a descendant of one of the oldest families. When young, his father removed to Vermont, where he graduated in medicine about 1800; thence he went to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he practiced medicine and afterward engaged in farming and hotel-keeping. They moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio. His mother died when he was very young, and his father married his sister-in-law - Ruth Pickett -and died in 1870. J. P. Noble remained with his father until twenty-six years old, receiving a common school education. In1833, he came to La Porte County, and worked for $10 per month. In 1834, he came to Porter County and engaged with Mr. Paine, and purchased land at the land sale of 1835. He now owns 200 acres in this county, besides property elsewhere. On June 7, 1836, he was married to Mary A. Smith, a native of New York, born October 18, 1818. They have had six children, five of whom are living - Americus V., Julia, Celia, Hettie and Lois. In politics, Mr. Noble is a liberal Republican. He is one of the pioneers of Porter County, and has been a friend to the new settler.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 360 Jackson Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Ovid Oaks, a pioneer of Porter County, was born in Allegany County, N. Y., February 9, 1821; he is the eldest of five children born to David and Mary (Howe) Oaks; all are living - four in this county, the other in California; his father was a native of New York and his mother in Massachusetts. They came to this county in 1835, and here lived until the decease of both in 1874. Our subject came to this county with his parents, and received a liberal education by attending the common schools, and afterward the State of University about four years; he kept a hotel for two years, and taught school for some time; he then moved to Missouri, where he bought land, and followed farming and school teaching for eight years. Returning to Valparaiso, he kept a grocery about five years, and returned to farming in 1875, having now 130 acres, sixty of which are unimproved. He was married, May 31, 1849, to Phebe Rhorer a native of Kentucky, but a resident of Monroe County, Ind.; she was born April 17, 1824. Their family consists of four children - Omar M., Emma J. (wife of M. Kimerer, of Valparaiso), Eva (wife of H. Taggart, of South Bend), and Lucian R. Mr. Oaks is a Republican of the liberal school. Mrs. Oaks is a member of the Christian Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 336, 337 Washington Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Jason Osborn was born in Wayne County, Ind., October 26, 1829, and was one of the family of nine children of Jonathan and Rachel Osborn. He was married, July 19, 1855, in La Porte County, Ind., to Eliza C. Graham, a native of Monroe County, Ind., and born May 8, 1840. Previous to his marriage, Mr. Osborn had purchased the property on which he now lives, and which he had largely improved; here he began housekeeping and has since resided. The farm embraces 800 acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn have had ten children - Franklin E., Colfax J. (deceased), Charles S., Mary E. (deceased), Clarence E., Carlton R., William G., George M., Sallie (deceased) and Fannie L. (deceased). Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 350 Morgan Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Hamilton A. K. Paine was born in Painesville, Lake Co., Oho, October 22, 1813, and is a son of Asahel K. and Frances (Jones) Paine; his father was born in 1790, in Seneca county, N. Y., being the first white child within a circuit of eighty miles; his mother was a native of Berkshire county, Mass., born April 7, 1791, and came with her parents to what is no Lake County, Ohio, when but sixteen years old. They lived there until 1833; then came to Indiana, locating in what is now Jackson Township, and building the first cabin here, which still stands as a relic of the early times. Asahel K. Paine devoted his life to clearing and improving the land, and died In May, 1870; his wife died September 30, 1872. H. A. K. Paine after receiving a common school education, became a farmer - an occupation he has since followed, having now 115 acres. In Politics he is a firm Republican. His grandfathers on both sides, were Revolutionary soldiers; he is a pioneer of Porter County, having come to the county in 1834, when the only neighbors were friendly Indians.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 361 Jackson Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

G. W. Patton, farmer, is a son of Robert and Elizabeth Patton; he was born in Licking County, Ohio, January 28, 1825; he came with his mother to Porter County, Ind., in 1834, and has since remained here. On December 13, 1846, he was united in marriage to Nancy A. Adams, a native of Ohio, and born September 5, 1827. To this union there were two children born - Hattie J. and John N. Shortly after his marriage he rented a farm, on which he moved and remained two years; he afterward purchased the farm on which he now lives, and has improved; the land is excellent and the buildings are very desirable; it embraces 240 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Patton are communicants of the Christian church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 351 Morgan Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

George W. Pearce, miller, was born in Baltimore County, Md., on the 31st of October, 1846. He is one of the family of Ephraim and Mary A. (Jones) Pearce, consisting of seven children. In 1864, Mr. Pearce our subject, came to Porter County, and engaged in the business of milling at the Union Flouring Mills. In 1874, he purchased an interest in the mill, and in 1879 became the sole proprietor. Besides his mill property he owns a farm of 125 acres. He was married, on January 25, 1869, to Miss Eliza J. Pearce, of Porter County. This union has been blessed by three children - Benjamin F., Mary A. and Luella A. In politics, Mr. Pearce is a Republican, and withal an acknowledged citizen of intelligence and worth. In matters of business, he has been exceedingly successful.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 345 Union Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

John C. Pearce was born in Lancaster County, Penn., March 29, 1829. He is the second of the family of five children born to William and Barbara (Wagoner) Pearce, both of whom were native of that State. His father worked in a cotton factory most of his life, and was of English descent. John C. Pearce, when nine years of age lost his father, and when fourteen years old began the struggle of life for himself, working by the month. On January 17, 1851, he was married to Catherine McElvee, of Lancaster County, Penn. To this union six children were born, four of whom are living - Mrs. Catherine M. Hardesty, Henry W., John J. and Rachel A. Wife is a member of the Mennonite Church. Soon after marriage, Mr. Pearce rented a farm for four years and in 1854, moved to Jackson Township, Porter County; four years later, he settled in Union Township, where he has remained. He is a good man and much respected citizen.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 345 Union Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

David B. Peck, farmer, was born in Erie County, Penn., on the 26th of October, 1840, and is the fourth of the nine children comprising the family of Orrin and Almira (Bratram) Peck; he came to Porter County Ind., with his parents in the year 1854, where he has since lived. In the spring of 1864, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-first Indiana Volunteers, in which he served eight months. On November 26, 1866, he was married to Nancy Campbell, of this county. Three children have blessed the union - Almeron C., Orrin S. and Orlando V. In 1874, he located on the farm of eighty acres, on which he still resides. In politics, he votes with the Republicans; he is now a Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he has served six years.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 345, 346 Union Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Orrin Peck, farmer, was born in Fairfield County, Conn., July 11, 1813, and is the second of the six children of Edmond B., and Adria (Whitlock) Peck, both natives of Connecticut, and of English descent. When Orrin was a child, he removed with his parents to Cortland County, N. Y., and at the age of seventeen, he began working in Fairfield County, Conn., whither he had returned. Here he was married to Almira Bartram, in September, 1833. To this union there have followed seven children - Mrs. Electa L. Freeman (deceased); Jonathan B., Jalmon E., David B., Ruthven O., Mrs. Caroline Peck, Braton E., deceased. Mrs. Peck died December 23, 1873. In 1838, he located in Erie County, Penn., where he farmed sixteen years. In 1854, he settled on Morgan Prairie, Porter County, Ind., which he left three years later for his farm in Union Township. By his industry he has acquired a farm of 240 acres, 160 of which he has divided among his children. Mr. Peck is politically a Republican. He was for years connected with the Methodist and Baptist Churches but now worships with the Believers. He is an upright man and a good citizen.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 345 Union Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Stephen Selman was born in Germany September 26, 1840, one of a family of eight children, of whom there were four sons, namely, Martin, Stephen, John and August. His parents’ names were John and Louisa; they were natives of Germany, where they were married and remained until after the mother’s death. The father was again married, and in 1855 moved to Michigan City, Ind., where he now lives and has his fourth wife. In 1857, our subject left home, and came to Porter County, Ind., and July 26, 1861, enlisted in Company I, Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving four years and six months, and during that time was at the front in several hard battles. He came home on a leave of absence, and was married March 29, 1864, to Tennessee Baum, who was born in Porter County, August 6, 1840, a daughter of John Baum, the old pioneer of Morgan Township. After our subject’s return from the war, he moved on the farm where he now lives. He owns 170 acres, and is the father of one son, William F.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 352 Morgan Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Sylvester C. Sheets was born December 29, 1840, in Seneca County, Ohio; he is one of eight children born to Henry and Hannah Sheets, both probably from Maryland. Young Sheets lived with his father until the latter’s death in about 1854; he received the usual early educational advantages; he then lived with his mother until her death, when he was about twenty-two years of age; he then farmed some on Mr. Bartholomew’s farm. On October 27, 1864, he married Louise Scofield, a native of Connecticut; he enlisted in February of 1865, in the One Hundred and Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry. On account of exposure, he was confined to the hospital until he was discharged; he bought eighty acres, a part of his present farm, now consisting of about 203 acres of good land, well watered. By hard work and intelligent management he has accumulated all he now owns. Mrs. S. received, besides common school benefits, the advantages of the high school and is a woman of not common intelligence. Mr. S. has always been a stanch Republican, and is a strong temperance man; he has seven children - Lillian M., Arthur E., Frederic R., Adela I., Augustus C., Garie C. and Clifton B.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 367 Liberty Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Elias N. Sherman was born in Madison County, N. Y., June 8, 1828, and was one of the five children of Knowles and Amanda F. (Finney) Sherman, the former born in Columbia County, N. Y., in 1794, and the latter in Madison County, same state, in 1799. They were married in Madison County, and there the father died in 1834. The mother married Samuel Andrews, and in 1849 moved to Chenango County; in 1856, she came to Porter County, Ind., and here died in 1877. Elias N. went with his mother to Chenango County, there purchased a farm, and was married, July 3, 1851, to Preeta Leonard, who was born in Chenango County, N. Y., May 29, 1834. In 1860, Mr. Sherman came to Porter County, and bought a farm in this township the year following, on Section 27; in 1866, he bought his present farm of 365 acres. He is the father of six children - Brigham E., Alvoretta E., Oresta L., S. Warren, Florence E. and Oliver M., and has served his fellow citizens as Justice of the Peace for several years.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 352 Morgan Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing