Fletcher D. White was born in Morrow County, Ohio, January 5, 1842. He is the eldest of the family of eleven children born to William H. and Adaline White, who were natives of Ohio, but came to Porter County, Ind., in 1846, where William H. White died December 21, 1861. Mrs. White is still living on the homestead. Fletcher D. White was married December 31, 1864, to Viola E. Marine, born in Porter County December 17, 1845. To this union there have followed three children - William A., Clara L. (deceased), and Lula A. In the autumn of 1868, Mr. White bought the farm where he now resides, and moved thereon the following spring. It embraces 400 acres. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the M. E. Church. He is an esteemed and worthy citizen.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 354 Morgan Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Joseph White was born in Clark County, Ohio, June 18, 1818, and is the eldest of seven children of Benjamin and Sarah (Foreman) White; the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Kentucky. Joseph White worked at home until the age of twenty-two, when he went to Champaign County, Ill., and farmed for eight years. In May, 1845, he enlisted in the Twelfth Illinois Regiment, and started for the halls of the Montezuma, serving in the war with Mexico fourteen months. In 1851, he went to Will County, Ind., where he farmed until 1871, having been Deputy Sheriff and Justice of the Peace six years, when he came to Portage Township and settled on a farm near Crisman. In January, 1879, he moved to town and entered mercantile life. He is now Postmaster, and has been Justice of the Peace since 1878. Besides his property at Crisman, he owns forty acres in this township. On November 25, 1841, he was married to Fannie Spencer, a native of Clark County, Ohio, by whom he had six children - Mrs. Jane Crisman, John A., Mrs. Abigail Rose, Benjamin F., Isaac P. and Joseph, deceased. Mrs. White died in 1857. His second marriage, to Sarah Chamberlin, of Will County, Ill., took place on July 25, 1857. To this second union there followed five children - Martha, Edmond, Henry C., George W. and Albert. Mr. White is a Republican.

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

Frank Wiesemann was born in Westphalia, Prussia, June 23, 1828, and is the eldest of a family of three sons born to Adrian and Margaret (Grossmann) Wiesemann, all of whom are living in this county. His parents were born, reared, married and died in Prussia, his father November 1, 1853, and his mother in 1846. In 1852, Franz Wiesemann came to the United States for the purposes of living in a free country and procuring for himself a home; he came to Indiana and stopped in La Porte County about two years, and later near Westville until 1869, when he came to Porter County, and settled where he now resides. He is one of the most enterprising farmers in this county, owning 400 acres. While in Prussia, he married Regina Herr. To them seven children have been born - August, J. Peter, Franklin, Charles, William, Josephine and Dora. He and his family are Catholics. In politics, Mr. Wiesemann is a Democrat. His second son, J. Peter is married, and a farmer in this township.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 362 Jackson Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

John M. Williams, son of William and Lucretia (Starbuck) Williams, was born in Wayne County, Ind., December 13, 1838; his parents were natives of Tennessee and North Carolina, and came to Porter County, Ind., in 1845, where his father has since lived, his mother being dead; his father was Justice of the Peace in Wayne County, and also Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner of this county. J. M. Williams is a thorough farmer; he was a private in the war of the rebellion, in Company K, Seventy-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, assigned to the Army of the Cumberland; he was at the battle of Stone River, and on a raid through Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama, under Col. Straight. During said raid the brigade was captured and sent to Richmond, where they were exchanged. At Indianapolis, Mr. Williams again entered the army, and was sent in pursuit of Gen. Morgan; he served until the war closed. On January, 1866, he was married to Mary Morris, of Randolph County, Ind., daughter of David P. and Maria (Mann) Morris; she died March 27, 1873, he was married to Mary Herald, Seneca County, Ohio. Mr. Williams is a member of Westville Lodge, No. 192, A., F. & A. M., and is a firm Republican.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 363 Jackson Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Lewis Williams was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, May 4, 1826, and is one of the seven children of Stephen and Betsey (Medley) Williams; his parents were natives of New England, and were among the first who emigrated to Trumbull County, where his father died and his mother is still residing. Lewis Williams lived with his parents until of age, receiving but very little education. In the autumn of 1848, he was married to Keziah Moore, of Trumbull County, a daughter of Joseph and Keziah (Springer) Moore, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Williams came to Porter County in 1865, and settled on 120 acres of land, 70 of which are improved. He served during the rebellion in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-fifty Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Dalton, while lying behind a log with three others, firing at the enemy, who opened a cross fire, two of his comrades were killed, but he escaped with only a slight wound in the wrist; he was honorably discharged when the war was ended, since which time he has been engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have had ten children - Charles (deceased), Lovina, Rogeltha, Flora, Roswell, Celia, Mary, Olive, Grant and Belle. Mr. Williams is a stanch Republican.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 362, 363 Jackson Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Barnabas Williamson was born February 24, 1844, and was the third of a family of four children born to David and Anna Williamson; he came with his parents to this county, where he has since made his home; his life occupation has been that of a farmer. On the 25th of May, 1873, he was united in marriage to Mary Torpy, a native of Porter County, and born October 28, 1845; she was a daughter of A. C. and Julia Torpy. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Williamson moved on the farm where he now lives; this farm he had previously purchased; it numbers 160 acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have been blessed with three children - Edward G., Cora E. and an infant who has not yet been named.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 355 Morgan Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

David Williamson was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., November 29, 1810, and is the second of a family of nine children born to Alexander and Dean Williamson. When a boy, he learned the trade of a mason, which he followed many years. On September 20, 1834, he was married to Anna Plattner, a native of Germany, and born August 18, 1813. On moving to La Porte County, Ind., he engaged in farming; here he remained until 1852, when he removed to Porter County, Ind., and purchased the farm on which he makes his home; this farm embraces 194 acres, all the improvements of which he made himself. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have had a family of seven children - Henry (deceased), Emanuel M., David, Barnabas, Jonas (deceased), Samuel and an infant son deceased. Mr. Williamson and likewise his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 354 Morgan Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Emanuel M. Williamson was born in Schuykill County, Penn., August 30, 1837, and is the eldest of the four children of David and Anna Williamson. In 1849, he came with this parents to La Porte County, Ind., and in 1856, to Porter County. In 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry for three months. On August 5, 1862, he re-enlisted as private in Company I, Seventy-third Indiana Regiment, and was promoted to Second Lieutenant. On October 20, 1862, he was promoted to First Lieutenant, and on February 14, 1863, he was made Captain, serving as such until April, 1864, when he was discharged at Nashville; he took part in many severe battles, as Perryville and Stone River, and, at the latter, was wounded by an exploding shell, December 31, 1862. On October 1, 1863, while on furlough, he was married to Martha N. Spencer, a native of Ohio, born August 6, 1842. They have eight children - Randolph S., Mary A., Fiette, Nellie M., Henry, Katie, Dora and Flora, all of whom are living. My Williamson purchased the farm on which he now lives, in 1875; he is an esteemed citizen, and a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 354, 355 Morgan Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

William A. Wise was born in Knox County, Ohio, July 27, 1844, and is the eldest of the two children of Jonathan and Caroline (Price) Wise, who came to Centre Township, this county, about 1856, and still resides there. William assisted on the farm until April 18, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Seventh Indiana Cavalry. At the expiration of this three months’ term, he re-enlisted in the same company, and received his final discharge September 19, 1865. He took part in most of the battles of the Western Department, and during the whole of his service acted as Company Quartermaster Sergeant. On his return, he worked on the old farm until November 17, 1870, when he married Miss Mary E. James, who has borne him four children - Allen B., Delbert J., Roxiana M. and Dudley. In politics Mr. Wise is a Republican, and he is one of the most enterprising men in the township. He is owner of 132 acres of fine land in Portage and forty in Westchester Township, and is a thorough agriculturist.

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

Josephus Wolf was the youngest of the seven children of Jacob and Lydia (Dorr) Wolf, and was born in Athens County, Ohio, June 22, 1822. His father and mother were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and New York, and in 1834, settled on Twenty-Mile Prairie, this township. Josephus Wolf was here reared on the farm, and here he has always lived, with the exception of the years 1851 and 1852, which were spent in the mines of California. By industry and good management, Mr. Wolf has become the owner of 4,500 acres - the largest farm in the county, and well improved with a fine residence, erected in 1876, and all other requisite buildings. He has devoted his attention mainly to stock raising and dairying, and now has a heard of about three hundred and fifty cattle, including some extra fine specimens of blooded Holstein and Hereford Stock. September 29, 1852, he married Miss Susan M. Youngs, of Erie County, Ohio, who has borne him eight children, of whom three only are living - Francis M., Elmer and Martin. In politics, he is a Republican, but is no office seeker. He was among the first to settle on the Prairie, and much of its growth and improvement is due to his enterprise.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 373, 374 Portage Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

H. A. Wright was born at Valparaiso, Ind., January 23, 1840; he is the next to eldest of a family of five children, and the only son born to John W. and Elizabeth Wright. The former was born in Fayette County, Ky., July 4, 1812, the latter in Botetourt County, Va., April 7, 1814. They were married in Fountain County, Ind., October, 1834. In the year 1838, they moved to Porter County, Ind., settling in Valparaiso. The year following, John W. was elected Sheriff of the county, and served two terms in succession; he then bought a farm in Pleasant Township, moved on and remained five years, and then, having learned the miller’s trade previous to his marriage, bought what is known as the Bigelow Mills in La Porte County, Ind.; moved there, and engaged in the same for twelve years, after which he moved to Tassinong, Porter County, Ind., and began the practice of law, which he pursued the remainder of his life. In 1866, he moved to Kout’s Station, Ind., where he died August 20, 1867; his widow is still living at Kout’s Station. Our subject attended school at Valparaiso, and in 1861, completed his education at what was then known as the Valparaiso Male and Female College, after which he taught school for some time; he was married, December 25, 1864, to Miss Susie Maxwell, and shortly afterward moved to Kout’s Station, and in partnership with Barnhart Kouts opened a store, which they conducted until 1878. Kouts going out, he conducted the business himself until 1880; he then sold out his store and is now engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, grain, etc.; he also owns 200 acres of fine land, and fine property in the village; he has a family of three children, namely: Shirley, Edna and Musa. Mr. Wright is one of the most enterprising, energetic, and prominent men of the township, and is respected by all who know him.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 378 Pleasant Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

David L. Young, was born in New York in 1824, and was the youngest of four children born to Nathan and Laura (Lane) Young. The father had learned shoe-making, but gave up the trade and bought a farm and saw-mill, in which David was employed, when not at school until thirteen years of age, when his father sold all his effects an came to La Porte County, where he died in 1838. David then turned his attention to anything he could get to do, and aided in supporting his mother until twenty-seven years of age; when he married Miss Lovina Guernsey, daughter of H. B. Guernsey. This lady died July 10, 1865, the mother of six children - George W., Jeremiah, Eliza (deceased), Charlotte (deceased), Francis (deceased) and Emma L. August 12, 1866, Mr. Young married Miss Phoebe A. Thornton, and to this union were born four children - Milton and James (deceased), Malita and David L. In 1864, Mr. Young bought 240 acres of as fine land as there is in this township from H. B. Guernsey, although he pays more attention to stock-raising than to farming. Mr. Young formerly kept a country store, and was for a long time Postmaster at Hobart, where he also kept the Hobart House for ten years. He has seen as many as 500 Indians in camp at one time in Deep River bottom. In politics, he is a Republican, and during the late war stood the draft three times, but was never drawn.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 392 Porter Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Abraham Staffer was born January 14, 1822 in Pennsylvania; he is one of eight children born to Abraham and Rebecca (Krider) Staffer of Pennsylvania. Young Staffer lived with his father until about twenty-seven years of age, receiving a common school education; he was married September, 1848, to Emily Brumbaugh, a native of Maryland; he now began running a threshing machine, and soon after, with his brother, bought a carding machine, carding wool for about three years. They now bought the Gosset Mill, owning that for about six years. Since that Mr. S. has built and ran threshing machines. In the spring of 1882, he bought three acres of land, his present home; he also owns a saw-mill in the Hughart settlement; he was Township Trustee and Postmaster for some time; he is a Greenback Democrat and is an intelligent man and good citizen; he has three children - Laura Gustafson, Mary E. Harris and Francis L. Blachly. Mr. S. has considerable inventive talent, and great taste for machinery, and has had three inventions patented - a saw gummer, the concave, and the cleaning apparatus of a thresher and a flour cooler; he engaged in steam boating on the Calumet River with three barges and a tug boat, but on account of a sand bar in the river the enterprise proved a failure; he is now running a saw-mill and a threshing machine.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 368 Liberty Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Oliver Stell, one of the early settlers of Porter County, was born in Warren County, Ohio, December 30, 1816, and is the eldest of nine children born to Isaac and Sarah (Fox) Stell; only four of this family are living; his father was a native of New Jersey, his mother of Pennsylvania; his grandparents came to the State of Ohio about the time of its admission into the Union. His parents came to Fayette County, Ind., in 1821, and were among the first settlers; his father served in the war of 1812, enlisting from Pennsylvania, and died August 2, 1871, preceded by the mother in December, 1849; Oliver Stell lived with his parents until after his majority. On February 6, 1840, he was married to Iva Petro, of Warren County, Ohio born July 20, 1818, and daughter of John and Mary (Sutton) Petro; she died March 26, 1876; leaving six children - Albert, Sarah J., Marion, Horace, Martha and Rebecca. On October 12, 1879, he married Sarah J. Asher, of Guernsey County, Ohio. Mr. Stell has followed farming from boyhood, and owns 234 acres; he is a liberal Democrat, and was elected Trustee of the township in 1882 by a large majority; he came to Porter County in October, 1844, settling where he now resides. Mrs. Stell is a member of the M. E. Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 361, 362 Jackson Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Valparaiso Daily Vidette
Monday Evening, June 13, 1927

Valparaiso Daily Vidette
TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 14, 1927

Submitted by: Wayne Gunder