Biography off Lewis I. Matson, pages 368 / 369. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh, The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Lewis I. Matson, who spent his life in Northeastern Indiana, represents one of the pioneer families of DeKalb County, and his own active career has been spent chiefly in Steuben County, where for upwards of half a century he has been a practical and progressive farmer, and today owns one of the best farms in the vicinity of Pleasant Lake. He was born in DeKalb County October 19, 1844, a grandson of Elijah Matson and a son of John Matson. John Matson, who was born near Rutland, Vermont, February 3, 1806, at the age of twenty-one went to Onondaga County, New York, and in 1835 came to Indiana and entered 160 acres of wild land in DeKalb County. He had a cabin built in section 30 of Franklin Township, and the following year brought his family, arriving at Hamilton on September 30, 1836. He was a carpenter by trade and worked long hour after darkness fell on the fields to make doors and windows for the neighbors, taking his pay in work on his own land. In that way he cleared up 100 acres and achieved success as a farmer. At the time of his death he had over 200 acres in DeKalb County. He was as public spirited as he was industrious, and enjoyed the love and respect of his community all his life. He died November 4, 1876. September 10, 1833, John Matson married Margaret Waterman, a daughter of Elijah Waterman. They were the parents of ten children: Cordelia, Alvin, Chloe, James, Lewis, Lydia, George and Ophelia and two that died in infancy. Cordelia married C.W. Taft. Alvin never married. Chloe became the wife of Professor Alonzo Collin, a member of the faculty at Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa. James married Frances Taylor, Lydia was the wife of Burley Albrook, George married Matilda Ridge, and Ophelia became the wife of M. A. Goodell. John Matson was a whig and republican in politics. Lewis I. Matson grew up on the old homestead six miles south of Hamilton in DeKalb County, attended public schools and also had a year of instruction in Cornell College in Iowa. He was a teacher for two terms and in 1867 came to Steuben Township, Steuben County, locating at Pleasant Lake. On March 4, 1867, he married Miss Orcelia R. Clark, who was born in Steuben County March 1, 1845, a daughter of Dr. Alonzo P. and Betsey (Bump) Clark. The Clark family were pioneers of Steuben County, February 16, 1852, son of Findben Township. Doctor Clark took up land near the Village of Steubenville, north of Pleasant Lake. At that time it was supposed the county seat would be Steubenville. Doctor Clark was both a physician and a lawyer, and was a citizen of great influence in his locality in the early days. He owned about 600 acres of land in Steuben Township. He died in 1867, at the age of fifty-nine, and his widow survived until March 26, 1878, being then seventy years of age. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Matson located on a part of the Clark homestead, and after a few years he started the first hardware store in the Village of Pleasant Lake and continued the business for twelve years. He then took up general merchandising with the firm of Chadwick & Ransburg, and was associated with those merchants for twelve years. He then resumed farming and has a place of 300 acres a mile north of Pleasant Lake and is successfully engaged in general crop raising and livestock. Mr. Matson has for twenty-five years been an active prohibitionist, and in early life was affiliated with the republican party. He was trustee of Steuben Township. Mr. Matson and his wife are Baptist, and he ahs been affiliated with that church for forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Matson had four children. Clark A. P. is an attorney in Chicago. James L., is connected with the shipping department of the Overland Automobile Works at Toledo. Mabel is the wife of Henry G. Brown, of Lebanon, Indiana. The youngest is John O. Matson. The mother of these children died January 29, 1906. On Aug. 12, 1906, Mr. Matson married Ada (Clark) Shackford, widow of Charles A. Shackford. She has three children by her first husband: Edna Grace, wife of William O. Driskell; Alice M., wife of Dr. J. R. Lacey; and Mabel F., unmarried. John O. Matson, who for a number of years has been one of the leading business men and merchants of Steuben County, was born in Steuben Township November 4, 1878, and was reared in Pleasant Lake, attending the high school there. He acquired a business training as clerk with the firm of Chadwick & Ransburg for six years. In May, 1903, he bought the hardware store at Pleasant Lake from H.A. Gish, and for over fifteen years has continued a profitable business as a merchant, gradually extending his lines to include furniture and agricultural implements. Mr. Matson is a republican, but has never sought office, and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and Knights of the Maccabees. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for over twenty years. July 31, 1900, he married Miss Bessie B. Lemmon. She was born in Steuben County, a daughter of Riley and Lorana (Tuttle) Lemmon. Riley Lemmon was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, November 26, 1839, and his wife was born in Steuben County, Indiana, April 15, 1840. The parents of Riley Lemmon were Maurice and Lucinda (Rathbun) Lemmon, who came to Steuben County in 1843, settling in Otsego Township, where they spent the rest of their days. Riley Lemmon grew up on the old farm in Steuben County and afterward acquired the ownership of the place. For sixteen years he has lived at Pleasant Lake. His wife died in 1899. Riley Lemmon and wife had the following children: Maurice, Cora, Morton, Lora, Chaplin, Vira, Bessie, Ethel and Elsie. Mr. and Mrs. Matson have two children: June Maurine, born March 22, 1904, and John Lewis, born January 31, 1916. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of John Allen McClellan, page 155 / 156. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. John Allen McClellan, owner of one of the good farms in section 2 of Jackson Township, DeKalb County, is a man who has surmounted many difficulties in his career, and remembering the hardships of his early life has endeavored to smooth out as far as possible the pathway of his own children. Mr. McClellan was born in DeKalb County August 7, 1859, a son of Harvey and Eliza (George) McClellan. His father was a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and his mother of DeKalb County, Indiana. Harvey McClellan was married in DeKalb County and then settled in Richland Township. Not long afterward he enlisted as a Union soldier in the Civil war and died while in the army. He left two young children; Laura, wife of William Dorson, of Corunna; and John Allen. John A. McClellan hardly remembers his father, and he grew up in the home of his grandfather George. He had only a common school education and at the age of seventeen he went to work to earn his living as a railroad man. For three years he was employed as a locomotive fireman by the Baltimore & Ohio road. He then married Viola Shull and for three years lived on the Shull Farm and then bought eighty acres where he resides today. His grandfather George spent his last years and was tenderly cared for in the home of Mr. and Mrs. McClellan. Mr. McClellan does general farming and stock raising. He has two children. John is a graduate of the State University of Indiana, is a successful teacher in Chicago, and is married and has one child. Emma L. is a graduate of the common schools and the wife of Howard Hootmier. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Francis M. Merica, page 348 / 349. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Francis M. Merica. No one man has done more for the public schools of DeKalb County and performs a more vital service to the people in general than Francis M. Merica, superintendent of the county schools. Mr. Merica is a veteran educator, has been in school work more that thirty years, and has a high standing among school men over Indiana. He was born in Millerstown in Champaign County, Ohio, February 28, 1862, but has spent the greater part of life in Northeast Indiana. His parents, William and Catherine (Snyder) Merica, came to Indiana in 1865, locating three miles south of Garrett in DeKalb County. William Merica was born near Millerstown, Ohio, July 15, 1840, while his wife was born September 10, 1842, and both were reared in Champaign County. He was a farmer and the family had limited means. Both parents were members of the Methodist Protestant Church, and William Merica was quite active in democratic politics, serving as a member of the County Council of DeKalb County when the courthouse and county infirmary were built. He was also assessor of Butler Township. William Merica died September 8, 1915, and his wife February 13, 1918. The had three children: Thomas, who died at Forth Wayne, May 11, 1911, had been a teacher in early life and later was a traveling salesman for the International Harvester Company; Francis M.; and Charles, who was a graduate of DePauw University with the degrees G. A., M. A. and Ph. D., was a Methodist minister, at one time was president of Iowa College and later president of the University of Wyoming, and died at Kendallville, Indiana, July 24, 1918. Francis M. Merica was educated in Butler Township and graduated from the Methodist College at Fort Wayne with the Bachelor of Science degree in 1887. He also attended Upland University in 1889, and by later post-graduate work in the University of Chicago received the degree Ph. B. Before completing his education Mr. Merica taught for two years as principal of a high school, for eight years was superintendent of the same school, and after graduating from the University of Chicago was elected superintendent of schools of LaGrange. He remained a that post three years, for four was superintendent of schools at Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and then came to Garrett, where for ten years he was superintendent of the public school system. He was elected county superintendent of schools for DeKalb County in 1917, and has held that office since August of that year. Mr. Merica was a charter member of the board which, organized the Carnegie Library at Garrett and is its present secretary. Out of his long service as a teacher he has made some accumulations toward independence and is a property owner at Garrett, having four dwelling houses there. He is one of the trustees of the Methodist Church at Garrett, is a past master of Garrett City Lodge No. 537, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is affiliated with Garrett Chapter No. 129, Royal arch Mason, of which he is past high priest, and is past grand of Lodge No. 602 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and past chief patriarch of Encampment No. 169. His wife is an active member of Harmony Chapter No. 67 of the Eastern Star, is a past matron and has served as secretary of the chapter for over fifteen years. Mr. Merica married Arilla Jones, of Garrett. She died November 3, 1908, mother of one daughter, Marion, who is a graduate of the Western College for Women at Oxford, Ohio, and is the wife of Don E. Van Fleet, and electrical contractor at Garrett. June 25, 1812, Mr. Merica married Georgia Van Fleet. She was born at Deposit in Broome County, New York, and came to Indiana when thirteen years of age. Mr. Merica is widely known as a former teacher in DeKalb County, having done twenty-six years of work in the different schools of the county. She finished her education in the Tri-State College at Angola. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of John William Mertz, pages 54 / 55. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. John William Mertz. The wonderful changes that have been brought about by science and the ingenuity of man, even within the ordinary lifetime of an individual, seem so marvelous that intelligent and thoughtful earth dwellers of today hesitate about placing a limit to future achievement. In these changes agricultural industries have had place, and a modern American farm, in method of cultivation and its machinery equipments, illustrates unbelievable progress. Such a farm is the property of John William Mertz, a highly respected and substantial citizen of DeKalb County, Indiana, who is proprietor of the Lone Pine Farm in Fairfield Township. He was born in Indiana, as were his parents, Benjamin and Johanna (Auman) Mertz. The founder of the Indiana branch of the Mertz family was John G. Mertz, who came to the United States before the Civil war. His wife, Mary Anna (Sauer) Mertz, was also of German birth. They lived at first in Ohio but before the birth of their son, Benjamin, came to DeKalb County, Indiana. The latter was a farmer like his father, and when he grew to manhood was married to Johanna Auman, who was one of a family of six children born to William and Miss (Bruns) Auman. To Benjamin and Johanna Mertz then children were born, as follows: John W., Otto E., Walter B, Edward J, Henry A., Theodore A., Daniel B., Metha M., and two who died of diphtheria in early life. The father of this family died June 6, 1898, and the mother died on the 25th of July, 1919, at Kendallville, Ind. The pioneer Mertz family, were charter members of Zion Evangelical Church located in Fairfield Township near their farm, as early as 1852. There is a parochial school in connection with Zion Church, and it was in that school that John W. Mertz secured his first educational training. Later he was graduated from the Kendallville High School and for three years pursued a literary course of study in the University of Michigan, and in more recent years has attended short courses on special subjects at Purdue University. Since reaching manhood he has been a farmer in Fairfield Township, DeKalb County, and has taken great interest in his work and through his progressive policy has brought the Lone Pine Farm into great prominence. As indicative of the approval of his methods by his fellow agriculturists, it may be mentioned that he is president of the DeKalb County Better Farming Association, which is county wide in its scope, and is also president of DeKalb County Breeders & Feeders Association, and of the county branch of the Indiana Federation of Farmers. He is a member also of the Indiana Commercial Growers Associations. On February 25, 1906, John W. Mertz was united in marriage to Emma M. Krehl, who died January 11, 1914. She was a daughter of William and Anna (Carl) Krehl, a well known DeKalb County family. She was the mother of three children, namely: Selma Anna, Margaret Ethel and Arthur Benjamin. On January 16, 1917, Mr. Mertz was married a second time, Mrs. Louise (Schneider ) Bluhm becoming his wife. Mrs. Mertz has one son born to her former marriage, Erich Bluhm. Mr. Mertz has sent his children to the same parochial school in which he began his education many years ago. In Politics Mr. Mertz like the older member of his family, has always supported the democratic party from principle and in other ways is worthy of ancestors who during long and useful lives were deserving of the general esteem in which they were held. As a man of progressive thought Mr. Mertz studies agricultural questions intelligently and is ready, in the light of the past, to believe still more wonderful developments in the future. He keeps abreast of the times in farm equipment, carries on a general farming line and specializes in registered livestock. He can remember the day of the ox-team and the gradual development of horse transportation, the coming of the automobile and the farm tractor, and on occasion as he is working in his fields an unusual noise above him tells him that the aerial aeroplane is speeding as a bird with mail and messages from one frontier of his country to the other. He is proud of his country's achievements, and is proud of the part his own family had taken in the development of DeKalb County. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Fred Miller, page 332. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, New York, 1920. Fred Miller owns and looks after a good farm in Jackson Township of DeKalb County, farming is an occupation of his later years. He always had a fondness for the country life, but during the greater part of his active career followed as mechanical trade. His home is in section 36 of Jackson Township. Mr. Miller was born in Kendallville, Indiana, November 7, 1866, a son of John and Minnie (Keihl) Miller. His parents were native of Germany, were married in that country, and on coming to the United States made their first destination Chicago. Not long afterward they left that city and walked all the way to Kendallville. They lived there the rest of their days. The father was a drayman for many years. Fred Miller was seven years old when his father died and after that he lived with his mother and had little opportunity to attend school. At the age of sixteen he began learning the boilermaker's trade, and for many years was in the railroad shops at Garrett, and worked steadily at his trade for thirty years. In 1912 he invested his savings and earnings in his farm in Jackson Township, and has lived there and enjoyed a contented life and considerable prosperity since the fall of 1912. He is a democrat in politics and he and his wife are member of the Reformed Church. May 24, 1888, Mr. Miller married Ella Steffen. She was born in Keyser Township, near Garrett, June 5, 1867, and her parents were also native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have six living children: Louis, who was in the army with the Expeditionary Forces in France; John a boilermaker living in Garrett; Charles, who also was in the army; Frank; Fred E. and Elzena. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of John F. Mitchell, page 412. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, and New York, 1920. John F. Mitchell is one of the oldest locomotive engineers in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and is also one of the oldest residents of the railroad colony in Garrett. He has handled practically every type of engine used in American railroading since the time of the Civil war, and out of his individual experience he could give an authentic history of practical railroad operation, Mr. Mitchell was born on the Isle of Jersey in the English Channel, March 10, 1852, son of Nicholas and Amelia (Hillier) Mitchell. His parents were also natives of Jersey and in 1858 brought their family to the United States, settling at Sandusky, Ohio. Nicholas Mitchell was a ship carpenter by trade and had been an officer in the British Navy. He followed his trade at Sandusky the rest of his life. He and his wife were members of the Established Church of England. In their family were two children, Nicholas, and John F., the former lives at the old Mitchell homestead in Sandusky and is a boss in the fertilizing works in that city. John F. Mitchell had a grammar school education at Sandusky. His early aspirations were for railroading and he satisfied his desires at first as a news butch, selling papers, apples and oranges on the trains. At the age of sixteen he was advanced to the honor and responsibility of locomotive fireman and four years later was made an engineer. At that time he was the youngest engineer on the road and having been in the service fifty-one years, he is now one of the oldest active railroad men in the country. Mr. Mitchell came to Garrett in 1874 and has been a resident of that railroad town for forty-five years. Thirty-five years ago he bought ten acres more and also had a farm of forty acres. He has since sold all his real estate except his home, including two cottages. Mr. Mitchell married Ella Babbott. She died in 1916, the mother of two children, William F. and Jane. Both are graduates of the Garrett High School and William is superintendent of the Moler Car Works at Paterson, New Jersey. Jane is the wife of Mr. Boden, of Haleyville. Mr. Mitchell married for his present wife Mrs. Emma Hess, of Willard, Ohio. By her first marriage she has four children, Louis, Elizabeth, Marie and George, each having a business or college education. Mr. Mitchell is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and is affiliated with Garrett City Lodge of Masons, while politically he is a republican. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Aaron J. Moore, page 68. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Aaron J. Moore. Three generations of the Moore family in Wilmington Township have been registered stock breeders. As a family they have some of the oldest herds of registered stock in the state, and the value of their enterprise is raising the standards of livestock husbandry is incalculable. Aaron d. Moore, grandfather of the present generation, had his Durham Shorthorn cattle, Spanish Merino sheep and Poland China hogs registered in the books of the official associations of those breeds. Aaron Moore was born in Stark County, Ohio, January 17, 1831, son of a shoemaker, and he grew up in a home of very modest comforts and early had to make his own way in the world. He worked as a boatman on an Ohio canal, and in 1854 came to DeKalb County and settled in the big woods of Wilmington Township. He built his log cabin and used his skill as a hunter to provide meat for his family. It is said that he paid his first taxes with hides and furs. Besides clearing a hundred sixty acres of his own he helped other s to clear land and was in every sense a valiant pioneer, and had few equals as an axe man. In 1851 he married Rebecca J. Caldwell, of Stark County, Ohio. Their children to grow up were Hiram M., Margaret A., Ella, A. Alvin, George M. and John R. A grandson of this veteran stock breeder is Aaron J. Moore, who makes a specialty of Shropshire sheep and Poland China hogs. He was born in Wilmington Township November 24, 1896, and is a son of John R. Moore and Cora B. (Shanklin) Moore. John R. Moore was born on the farm where his son, Aaron J., now resides October 30,1869, and died there December 7, 1918. He continued the stock breeding enterprise of his father. His wife was born in Defiance County, Ohio, January 3, 1874, and died February 12, 1919. They had three children: Aaron J., Gladys, who died while in high school. And John R. Jr., who is a high school graduate, took normal training in the Tri-State College and is a teacher. Aaron J. Moore has spent all his life on the home farm. He attended high school two years at Waterloo and he has done much to continue the family tradition and profession as a stockman. He owns eighty acres of the old farm and has a herd of forty head of Shropshire sheep, all pure bred, the herd being headed by A.J. Moore's Best No. 63. His big type Poland China hogs also contain some of the finest representatives of their class. For several yeas his animals have been exhibited at state and county fairs. November 18, 1915, Mr. Moore married Estella M. Quaintance. They have two children: Phyllis E, born September 2, 1916, and Aileen, born February 12, 1918. Mr. Moore is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and a democrat in politics. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Burl Moughler, page 119 / 120. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Burl Moughler. One of the best representatives of the younger generation of farmers in DeKalb County is Burl Moughler of Troy Township. When he bought his present farm of 118 acres in 1907 he had only $525 cash. From the products of the fields and his livestock he paid for the 118 acres, and since then has bought 48 acres additional. He is a thoroughly efficient stockman and realizes the necessity of the best improvements and methods of handling land and stock. Mr. Moughler was born in Wilmington, Township, DeKalb County, a mile and a quarter south and a half mile east of Butler, August 16, 1881, a son of John and Alice (Hendershot) Moughler, His father was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 9, 1850, and his mother in Defiance County, Ohio, March 6, 1857. Both are residents of Troy Township, where they located when their son Burl was three years old. The mother is a member of the United Brethren Church. The father is a democrat. They have two sons, Burl and Glenn, the latter a farmer in Wilmington Township. Burl Moughler acquired his education in the district schools and as a young man he rented a baling outfit and for three years traveled about the different farms baling hay. On December 19, 1903, he married Della C. Riser, who was born in Troy Township August 5, 1885. For three years after their marriage they rented land in Stafford Township, and then with the limited capital above noted bought their present home. The additional forty acres was acquired in 1918. Mr. Moughler breeds good grades of livestock, and for several years has fed hogs and cattle on an extensive scale. His two sons are enthusiastic members of the Boys Pig Clubs, and were contestants in the pig feeding contest for the districts of Stafford, Troy, Wilmington and Franklin townships and were awarded the first prize of $20 in gold. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Moughler are: Olis L., born October 21, 1904; Ora Dale, born August 12, 1906; Roy J., born December 23, 1912; and Helen, born February 27, 1915. The family are members of the United Brethren Church and Mr. Moughler is trustee of the parsonage and formerly superintendent of the Sunday school and active in all departments of the church. He is affiliated with Lodge No. 157 of the Knights of Pythias at Butler and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Edgerton, Ohio. Politically he is a republican. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of John Moughler, page 69 / 70. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, and New York, 1920. John Moughler is a well known DeKalb County resident, his home being in the southwest corner of Troy Township. He is one of a rather numerous group of farmers who earned their prosperity largely as renters. He farmed rented land for thirty years or more, and in that time reared and provided for his family, and his later years are now being spent quietly, prosperously and busily on a farm of his own. Mr. Moughler was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 9, 1850, a son of Jacob and Hannah (Bordner) Moughler, the former a native of Lucas County, Ohio, and the latter of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. They grew up in Wayne County, Ohio, were married there and in the fall of 1852 came to DeKalb County, settling a mile and a half south of Butler in Wilmington Township. They spent the rest of their lives on that farm and the father cleared up and put in cultivation most of the land. The mother was a member of the Christian Church. Jacob Moughler was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Butler and was a democrat in politics. In the family were seven children: Amanda, deceased; John; Mary, who became the wife of Orlando Bratton; Emma, deceased; Daniel, of Butler; Amos, deceased, and Charles, who died when two years old. John Moughler grew up on the homestead south of Butler and attended the common schools. One of the schools he attended was kept in a log house. He played an industrious part helping his father clear and cultivate the farm, and lived at home to the age of thirty-one. September 23, 1880, he married Alice Hendershot. She was born March 6, 1857, a daughter of B.F. and Susanna (Miller) Hendershot, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ashland County, Ohio. The parents were married in Williams County, Ohio, and began housekeeping in Defiance county, and spent the rest of their lives there. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moughler rented the old Yoey Farm not far from his father's home. Two years later they moved to another farm in Wilmington Township and from there came to Troy Township. A distinctive feature of Mr. Moughler's career as a farmer is that for twenty-two years he lived on and rented one farm. This farm during this time had three different owners. He reared his family there and eventually put away enough to enable him to buy his present place of forty acres in the southwest corner of Troy Township. He keeps good grades of livestock, and is still busy with farming. Mr. Moughler is a democrat in politics. He and his wife have two sons, Burl and Glenn. Burl is one of the leading young farmers of Troy Township, while Glenn has an eighty-acre farm six miles east of Auburn. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Walter W. Mountz, page 121. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Walter W. Mountz is one of the best known public men in the official life of DeKalb County, is clerk of the DeKalb County Circuit Court, and has been a leader in local affairs for a number of years Though of an old family of Northeast Indiana, he was born at Overbrook in the State of Kansas July 10, 1886. He is a son of Francis and Della (Smith) Mountz. His father was born near Pleasant Lake, Indiana, July 6, 1859, had a common school education, was married at Ashley, and after his marriage lived in Kansas six years. Returning to Indiana, he settled in DeKalb County, at Garrett, where for fourteen years he was proprietor of a retail hardware business. He was also prominent in democratic politics, represented the Second Ward in the City Council of Garrett, and was an active member of the Garrett Fire Department at the time of his death. His widow is still living in Garrett. There were three children: Walter W.; Dessa, who graduated from the Garrett High School in 1906 and is the wife of Harry M. Barrie; and Russell M., clerk in a clothing and shoe store at Garrett. Walter W. Mountz spent his early life at Garrett, attended the grammar schools there and one year in high school, and on leaving school was in the West for two years. July 10, 1909, he married Lulu Maurer. She died in July 1910, and on August 5, 1912, he married Myrtle Osborne, of Kendallville, Indiana. Mrs. Mountz is a daughter of William S. and Anna (Johnson) Osborne and is a graduate of Kendallville, High School. They have one son, William W., born February 28, 1918. Mr. Mountz was elected for two terms as city clerk of Garrett, going into office January 1, 1910, and serving seven years. He was reelected without opposition but resigned toward the close of his second term, on December 1, 1916, to take up his duties a circuit clerk, Mr. Mountz is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Member of the Royal Arch chapter of Garrett. He served a secretary of the Lodge of Eagles from June 1, 1909, to January 1, 1917. He is also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a member of the Auburn Commercial Club, and of the Presbyterian Church. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Charles E. Newcomer, page 118. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, and New York, 1920. Charles E. Newcomer. In the same Township where he was born and reared, Franklin Township, Charles E. Newcomer has spent his active life as a tiller of the soil, has gathered many crops through the consecutive season, and is directing a large and valuable farm in section 8, where he has his home and where his family of children are growing up around him. Mr. Newcomer was born in Franklin Township May 12, 1873, a son of George and Barbara (Van Horn) Newcomer, the former a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and the latter of Allen Township, Noble County, Ohio. George Newcomer came to DeKalb County with his parents, grew up here and after his marriage settled in section 29 of Franklin Township. Some years ago he and his good wife retired from the farm and are now living at Waterloo. He is a democrat and is a member of the Masonic Order. Of the seven children six are still living: Charles E.; Lona, unmarried; Mary M., widow of John Brown; Arnie, who occupies the old homestead; Elmer, also of Franklin Township; and William, of that Township. Charles E. Newcomer spent his boyhood days alternately attending school and working in the fields and about the home. He married Effie Mann, a native of Franklin Township. They have a family of five children: Marion, born June 11, 1897; Harold, born January 16, 1900; Howard, born December 23, 1901; Grace, born October 25, 1903; and Gladys, born November 30, 1907. The four older children are all graduates of the common school and all are still in the home circle. Mr. Newcomer is affiliated with Lodge No. 701, Free and Accepted Mason, Royal Arch Chapter No. 106, Council No. 83, Royal and Select Masters, and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star Chapter. He is a past grand of the Odd Fellows and a member of the Grand Lodge and is a past chief patriarch of the Encampment. Mrs. New comer is a past grand of the Rebekahs. Politically Mr. Newcomer affiliates with the democratic party. He is a member of the Hamilton Grange. His farm in Franklin Township comprises 200 acres and he has it well equipped and well stocked with good grades. Mrs. Newcomer was born in Franklin Township August 8, 1876, a daughter of Jahn and Elizabeth (Curry) Mann. Her father was born in Stark County Ohio, in 1838, and came with his parents to Franklin Township in 1839. His wife was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1840 and came to DeKalb County when a young lady. They were married March 12, 1864, then lived in Franklin Township one years, spent a year in Missouri, and after that lived in Franklin Township the rest of their days. Mr. Mann was a democrat in politics. There were two children: Almeda, deceased wife of Adam Hamman, and Effie E., Mrs. Newcomer. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Silas J. H. Nugen, page 267. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Silas J. H. Nugen. Probably every farm owner and farmer in DeKalb County claims acquaintance with Silas H. Nugen, who for many years has been a leader in the agricultural community and the progressive affairs of farmers. Mr. Nugen's career has been one of self help, and progress from limited circumstances to a position of one of the leading farmers and land owners of the county. He was born in Jackson Township of DeKalb County February 2, 1857, a son of John and Rebecca (Hughes) Nugen. His father was a native of Ireland, came to the United States when a young man, lived in Ohio, until after his marriage, and then came to DeKalb County and secured 160 acres in Jackson Township. His first home was a log cabin, and when that was replaced by a frame house a fire destroyed the building and he had to build over again. He was reared a Catholic but later became affiliated with the Methodist Church. He was a democrat in politics. John Nugen died about 1865, and was the father of six children. Silas H. Nugen, the only one of these children now living, grew up on the home farm in Jackson Township and was a small boy when his father died. At the age of fifteen he took upon himself the responsibilities of earning his way and worked out at monthly wages and also attended winter terms of school whenever possible. For three years he was employed by John Sheffer and then for about three years was with William Carr. Being thrifty and industrious he accumulated about $700, and with that capital he rented the Carr farm. He also bought an interest in a threshing outfit and operated it for two years. Mr. Nugen paid $1,300 for eighty acres covered with heavy timber, and as he cleared the land he sold the timber, and the cleared spaces into crops. September 1, 1885, he married Emma Bartels. At that time he moved to his present farm. Mrs. Nugen was born in Noble County, Indiana, but was living in Jackson Township at the time of her marriage. In connection with farming and clearing his land Mr. Nugen bought a threshing outfit and conducted it for thirteen years, rendering an important service to the grain growers of the county, Later he bought another eighty acres, and a the present time has 428 acres in DeKalb County. Along with the building up and management of his farming interests Mr. Nugen has again and again been called upon for public duties. He was elected and served firm years as township assessor and later filled the office of township trustee six years. He was one of the organizers of the Grange in Jackson Township and was its master. He is now manager of the Farmers Shipping Association at Auburn and is treasurer of the DeKalb County Federation of Farmers. He is affiliated with Auburn Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and is member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Nugen have seven children: Roy, Dorsey, John, Frank, Harold, Lelah and Hayes. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of David T. Ober, page 346 / 347. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. David T. Ober is a member of an old and well known family in DeKalb County, and he owns seventy-five acres in section 7 of Butler Township, most of which has been owned by and under the management of the Ober family for half a century. Mr. Ober was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1864, a son of Levi S. and Elizabeth (Teeters) Ober. His parents came from Bedford County, Pennsylvania, to Indiana in 1866 and spent the rest of their lives in section 17 of Butler Township. Both parents were member of the church of the Brethren or Dunkard. The record of this family, including that of eight children of Levi Ober and wife, is given in more detail on the other pages. David T. Ober was about two years old when brought to DeKalb County, and he grew up on the home farm and acquired an education in the district schools. He remained at home with his parents until he was past thirty-three years of age, and in that time he bore a large part of the responsibility in managing the fields and crops of his father. On July 4, 1897, he married Miss Sadie Pepple. She was born in Swan Township, Noble County, Indiana, November 29, 1875. He had a high school education and for several years was a successful teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Ober have three children: Manford, born in February 1900, who is a graduate of the common schools; Jesse E., born July 29, 1903, now in the second year of the Garrett High School; and Mary E., born August 16, 1905, who has completed the grade school work Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Perry T. Ober, page 243 / 244. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Perry T. Ober, whose active career has been an interesting round of duties as a practical farmer and stock man in Butler Township of DeKalb County, represents one of the old and sturdy names in that locality. Mr. Ober, whose home and farm are in section 19, was born in section 17 of the same township, October 29, 1871, a son of Levi S. and Elizabeth (Teeter) Ober. They parents are both natives of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, where his father was born June 20, 1836, and his mother January 10, 1839. Levi Ober died December 5, 1913, and his wife May 5, 1904. On coming to Indiana they located in Butler Township and bought land in section 17, where they spent the rest of their lives. Both he and his wife were members of the Brethren Church. He was a republican in politics. The record of the children of this worthy old couple is as follows: Sabina, who like all the other children bore the middle initial T, representing her mother's name, was born Oct. 29, 1860, and is the wife of Joseph Heitz. Anna, born August 28, 1862, is the deceased wife of M.A. Hanson. She died August 9, 1907. David, born June 10, 1864, is a resident of Butler Township. Amanda born October 17, 1865, is the wife of Franklin Teeter, of Keyser Township. Ida, born September 11, 1870, is the wife of Henry Yarde, of Keyser Township. The next in age is Perry, who was born October 29, 1871. Ettie, born October 30, 1873, is the wife of William Gump, of Keyser Township. Arthur, born November 3,1877, lives in Butler Township. Perry T. Ober was reared on the old farm and attended the district school, working in the fields during the summer and also acquiring an expert acquaintance with the carpenter's trade, which he followed as a means of livelihood for about six years. On April 27, 1907, he married Clara V. Rhodes. She was born in Swan Township, Noble County, Indiana, in 1875. She acquired a good education and before her marriage was a teacher in Noble County. Mr. and Mrs. Ober had three children; Ralph T., Goldie, and one that died in infancy. Mr. Ober owns eighty acres, keeps good grades of livestock, and is one of the stockholder in the Laotto Bank, Politically he is a republican. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of John H. Oberlin, page 52. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. John H. Oberlin. The Oberlins are a family that have been rather numerous and prominent in DeKalb County for over seventy years. Mr. John H. Oberlin, who was born in DeKalb County, had spent the greater part of his active career in Steuben County, and beginning life as a renter followed farming successively and aggressively for many years and is now enjoying a well earned retirement at Hamilton. He was born in Franklin Township of DeKalb County May 1, 1854, son of John and Rachel (Duck) Oberlin. His father settled in DeKalb County in pioneer times, developing a tract of wild land, and later moved to Butler, where he exercised his trade as a tanner by establishing a tannery. He died in 1863. In religion he was a Methodist. He was the father of a large family of children, named William, Fred, Philip, Hiram, Elijah, Benjamin, Joseph, Daniel, Orlando, Mary, Lucinda, Sarah, Hannah and John H. John H. Oberlin, who was only nine years old when his father died, attended public school in Otsego Township, also a school at Butler, and as he inherited nothing except good character an a tendency to industry, he started out as a young man to make his own way in the world. He worked as a farm hand, and on January 23, 1881, when still possessed of little capital, he married Minerva J. Wilson, daughter of Alexander and Mary J. Wilson. They established their first home on a rented farm in Otsego Township, lived there three years, then in Richland Township four years, and in 1888 Mr. Oberlin took possession of the County Farm and lived here three years. In 1891, having in ten years acquired some capital, he bought eighty acres in Otsego Township and followed an uninterrupted career of industry and productive labor on that farm for twenty-five years. In the spring of 1916 he left the farm and has since lived in Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Oberlin became the parents of four children: Edgar, who married Grace Hunt; Edna May, wife of Benjamin Taylor; Hiram W., who married Hertha Weaver; and Ethel, wife of Fred Haines. The mother of these children died November 20, 1913. In February, 1916, he married Rhoda (Martin) Houlton, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Davis) Martin. Her father was a soldier in the Civil war. Rhoda Martin was first married to Lewis Houlton, of Franklin Township, DeKalb County. The family, are conspicuous as being the very first family to settle in DeKalb County, locating there in 1831. A number of references are found to them in the pages of this publication. Mrs. Oberlin has in her possession the first deed given for land in DeKalb County. It was written on parchment and is signed by Andrew Jackson, President of the United States. Mrs. Oberlin by her marriage to Lewis Houlton had three children: Vern, who married Rosa Mills; Firm; and Leland, who married Jessie Hathaway. Mrs. Oberlin is a member of the Christian Church and her husband is a Methodist. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and Knights of Pythias. From 1908 to 1918 he served as assessor of Otsego Township. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of John James Oberlin, page 29 / 30. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920, John James Oberlin, who for many years was a business man at Hamilton and is till living in a comfortable home in that village, while looking after his property interests, is a member of a family of early settler in DeKalb County, where the mane is represented by several distinct branches. John James Oberlin was born in Franklin Township of that county June 4, 1860, a son of Frederick D. and Sarah (Dirrim) Oberlin, and a grandson of the pioneer John Oberlin, who in 1845 came to DeKalb County and settled on the northwest quarter of section 28 in Franklin Township. He conducted a tannery in that locality for a number of years. Frederick D. Oberlin was born in Stark County, Ohio, February 5, 1830, and was fifteen years old when his father came to DeKalb County. He had many pioneer experiences and from an early age chose to be dependent largely upon his own efforts for self-support. In 1850 he bought forty acres of land for the sum of $300, and at the same time began work at the carpenter's trade, his employer paying him $10 a month for five years. In the course of time he had a large and well-appointed farm of 160 acres, and improved it with good house and buildings. He also lived in the Village of Hamilton for some years, and died there in 1912, at the age of eighty-two years, six months and sixteen days. In politics he was a republican, and he served as township trustee two years and three years as county commissioner. During the Civil war he was a member of Company G. of the Fifty-Third Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battle of Kinston, North Carolina. He and his wife were Methodist and later became affiliated with the Christian Church. February 12, 1854, Frederick D. Oberlin married Sarah Dirrim, daughter of James Dirrim another prominent early family in Northeastern Indiana. She was born in Carroll County, Ohio, January 25, 1836, and died at the home of her son John James, November 11, 1915, aged seventy-nine years, nine months and sixteen days. They were the parents of six children, and three are still living: Cyrus C., and John James and Isaac Charles. John James Oberlin grew up on the homestead farm, had the benefit of the common schools, and through his industry as a farmer acquired a place of eighty acres in Franklin Township a half mile south of the Village of Hamilton. In 1892 he moved into Hamilton and for twenty years was in the livery business. Since then he has been looking after his farm and other interests, and enjoys the comforts of one of the best homes in Hamilton. Mr. Oberlin is a republican in politics and his family, attend the Christian Church. In 1885 he married Miss Lenora Margaret Fifer. She was born in Steuben County, in 1867, a daughter of Lewis and Martha (Harpham) Fifer, early settlers of Steuben County. Mr. and Mrs. Oberlin have three children. Lula, who is the wife of Glen Gnagy, of the well-known Gnagy family of Steuben County. Glen Gnagy was in the war, serving at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Roscoe Conkling Oberlin, the second child, lives at Hamilton and married Pearl Cecil Grear. Basil Jesse, the youngest, is managing his father's farm. He married Mertie Lemon, of Steuben County. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of J. Bruce Pessell, page 160 / 161. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. J. Bruce Pessell. It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has made a success of life and won the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such is the record of the well-known citizen whose name forms the caption of this sketch, than whom are more whole-souled or popular man it would be difficult to find in the community where he has his home. J. Bruce Pessell, postmaster of Butler, Indiana, was born at Quincy, Michigan, on August 17, 1882, and is the son of Henry D. and Susanna E. (Watkins) Pessell, the latter of whom was born at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Henry D. Pessell was born in Devonshire, England, and at the age of fifteen years came to the United States, locating at Quincy, Michigan, where he grew to manhood. He was a farmer by vocation and was successful in his business affairs. Under President Cleveland's administration he was appointed postmaster of Quincy, serving one term of four years. In 1903 he was fatally stricken by lightning and his widow died in 1908. They were active members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Pessell was greatly interested in Freemasonry, having taken all the degrees of the York Rite and those of the Scottish Rite up to and including the thirty-second degree. He was eminent commander of the Commandery of Knights of Templar at Coldwater and had an appointment from the grand commander of Knights Templar of Michigan to go to Porto Rico in the interest of that order. Mrs. Pessell was a member of the Order of Eastern Star. Politically Mr. Pessell was a democrat and stood high in the councils of his party locally. To Henry D. and Susanna were born eight children, of whom seven are living, namely: George, superintendent of the city water works at Los Angeles, California; Arthur, assistant baggage master on one of the railroads running into Los Angeles; Lucile, who is a teacher in a poltechnic school in Los Angeles; Sarah, of Glenellyn, Illinois; Fred, a manufacturer of butter at Arcadia, Ohio; Cora, who lives in the old home at Quincy, Michigan; and the subject of this sketch. J. Bruce Pessell attended the public schools of Quincy, being a graduate of the high school, after which he attended and graduated in the agricultural course from the Ohio State University. During the ensuing three yeas he was employed in the making of butter and ice cream at Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1904 he came to Butler and engaged in the same line of work, in which he was successful. On February 11, 1915, he was appointed postmaster of Butler, and is now serving his second term in that position, this reappointment meeting with the hearty approval of the patrons of the office whom he had faithfully served for four years. Attentive to the interest of the people of the community and courteous in his dealings with them, he has won a host of friends. Mr. Pessell is also captain of the Butler fire department. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, in which he has met with distinctive preferment, being a past master of the Blue Lodge, a past high priest of the Chapter and past illustrious master of the Council. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the advancement of which they are deeply interested. Mr. Pessell was married to Addie Austin, of Quincy, Michigan, and their union has been blessed by two children, Rovella and Clyde. Mr. Pessell is well endowed with those qualities which go to the making of good citizens, and he has won and retains the esteem of his fellow citizens to a marked degree. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Albert H. Peters, page 207. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Albert H. Peters. One of the most influential business men and farmers of Jackson Township in DeKalb County is Albert H. Peters, who has spent his life in this county and has been known from early manhood as a capable worker and industrious and substantial citizen. His parents, Ernest and Rickey (Gael) Peters, came from Germany to America in 1872 and settled in DeKalb County. They were the parents of six children: Albert H.; Charles; Fred, deceased; Sarah, wife of John Dannenberg; Edward; and Freda, wife of William Habig, of Fort Wayne. Albert H. Peters was born in DeKalb County February 3, 1875, was educated in the district schools of Jackson Township, and began life as a farm laborer. At the age of twenty-one he was elected constable of Jackson Township, and held that office for eight years. April 11, 1900, he married Della Kester, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Shilling) Kester. They have one child, June B., born June 19, 1912. Mr. Peters owns a fine farm of ninety acres. He is also one of the directors of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank at Spencerville, having been on the board since the organization of the bank. He is a member of the Lutheran Evangelical Church. Mrs. Peters died May 24, 1918. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin.@ctlnet.com Biography of H. A. Platner, page 262. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. H. A. Platner is proprietor of the old Platner farm seven miles east of Auburn in Wilmington Township, and has 118 acres under a perfect state of cultivation and efficient management. Mr. Platner was born on this farm February 23, 1869, and has assisted in its cultivation for nearly thirty years. He is a son of Samuel and Sofia (Reynolds) Platner, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in Lancaster County March 14, 1814. They were married in Marion County, Ohio, farmed there for two years and in 1847 moved to DeKalb County, Indiana, first settling in Concord Township and later moving to Wilmington Township on the farm now owned by their son. The mother died there in 1893 and the father on March 26, 1895. He was a democrat and an active member of the Masonic Lodge at Newville. Of the nine children three are now living: Laura, widow of William Stroh, of Auburn; J.E. Platner, who lives near St. Petersburg, Florida; and H. S. Platner. H. S. Platner grew up on the home farm and had a district school education, supplemented by several terms in the Angola Tri-State College. He spent two years as a locomotive fireman on a western railroad, and on returning to DeKalb County he married Bertha Rose on May 4,1891. She has lived in DeKalb County since early girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Platner have two children: Joy, wife of Rolland Muhn, a contractor and carpenter of Auburn; and Jessie Platner. They also have two grandchildren. Mr. Platner is affiliated with St. Joe Lodge No. 602, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a democrat in politics Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of George F. Praul, page 140. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. George F. Praul. One of the most complete and modern farms in DeKalb County is the Maple Lawn Farm, a mile and a half north of Butler in Franklin Township. Its proprietor is George F. Praul, and on the land which, he cultivates today he was born November 19, 1869. He is a son of Edwin A. and Sarah A. (Firestone) Praul, both of whom were also natives of Franklin Township, the father born December 15, 1848, and the mother September 13, 1851. The paternal grand-parents were Edward and Lucy (Thompson) Praul, the former a native of Pennsylvania while the latter was born if Greene County, New York, moved from there to Pennsylvania and then to Indiana in 1845, locating in Wilmington Township and later in Franklin Township, where they spent the rest of their lives. Lucy Praul died March 13, 1885, while he died July 4, 1863, his death being the result of a rattlesnake bite. Of their twelve children five are still living, named Lucinda, wife of Nick Bucher, of Cincinnati; Nancy, widow of Benjamin Walton, of Garrett; Hattie, wife of Charles Thompson; Minnie, widow of Watson Halabaugh; and Rachel, widow of Henry Workman. Edwin Praul grew up in DeKalb County in a locality and under circumstances, which prevented him from getting a good education. On July 3, 1868, he married Sarah A. Firestone, who was one of thirteen children, five of whom are still living. George F. Praul was the only child of his parents and he has spent practically all his life on the home farm. As a boy there he attended the common schools. On December 27, 1893, he married Margaret A. McClintock. He was born in Troy Township, DeKalb County, February 18, 1873, a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Scott) McClintock. Her father was a native of Perry County, Pennsylvania, and her mother of Crawford County, Ohio. They were married in Ohio and in 1867 came to Indiana. Jeremiah McClintock was a Union soldier, having served three years in Company K of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry. In later yeas he was active in the Grand Army of the Republic and was an influential member of the republican party. In the McClintock family were four children, three of whom are still living: Elias, of Auburn; Margaret and Mattie, wife of Vernon L. Kepler, of Troy Township. Mrs. Praul received her education in the common schools of Troy Township. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Praul lived on a rented farm two and a half years, then spent six years at Butler, and with that exception they have lived on the old homestead. Mr. Paurl has sixty acres of good farm land and he is also one of the directors of the Butler Farmers Elevator Company and a stockholder in the Arctic Cooperative Livestock Association. He has been active in the republican party and he and his wife are members of the Wilmington Grange. Both are affiliated with the Pythian Sisters, Mrs. Praul being past chief and a member of the Grand Lodge, His membership is with Butler Lodge No. 158, Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Praul is a Methodist. They have three children: Sherley E. is a graduate of high school. Also took advanced training at Winona and Angola, and for three years was a teacher. She is now the wife of Clarence T. Carson, and lives in Chicago. Bessie G. is a high school graduate, wife of D.A. Baker, of Butler, Russell E., the youngest, is still at home and attending school. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Alexander Provines, page 249 / 250. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Alexander Provines, a member of a family that has been in DeKalb County for over sixty-five years, has for half a century been a farmer in Jackson Township, and along with the duties imposed by a large and growing family has played a worthy and public spirited part in the upbuilding and progress of the community. Mr. Provines was born in Ashland County, Ohio, July 18, 1845, as son of Alexander and Dorcas (Adams) Provines. His father was a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania and his mother of Wayne County, Ohio. They were married in Ohio, lived on a farm in Ashland County for several years, and Alexander, Sr., in addition to cultivating the soil also followed the trade of carpenter and contractor. In April, 1853, he located in section 9 of Jackson Township, DeKalb County, and lived there until his death at a good old age, in August, 1898. The mother passed away in March, 1897. She was a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics he was a republican. They were the parents of seven children: John A., deceased; James, of Jackson Township; Alexander; Lucian, who died in 1897; Robert, of Oklahoma; Jane, wife of James H. Farber, of Jackson Township; Mary, who is unmarried and lives at Auburn. Mr. Alexander Provines had lived in Jackson Township since he was four years old. He made good use of his advantages in the local school and for ten winters was a teacher. He married Samantha Knight, of Concord Township. She died October 3, 1911, the mother of eight children, named as follows: Harris G., who is a graduate of the common schools and of the University of Chicago and has a teacher's license in Chicago and Oklahoma; Effie, wife of Samuel Morr, of Fairfield Township; Lola, wife of B.W. Carper, of Jackson Township; Mary, wife of Claude Moore and a graduate of Auburn High School; Roy, of Jackson Township; Dorcas, who is a high school graduate and the wife of O.D. Sherer; Emma, who is deceased; and Edna, wife of E.M. Gifford and a graduate of Auburn High School, the State Normal, was superintendent of schools at Warren, Indiana, three yeas and now lives in Indiana Harbor. As a farmer Mr. Provines is owner and still manages the cultivation of 173.7 acres in Jackson Township. He has filled several local offices, is a republican in politics, and is one of the trustees of Auburn Lodge No. 191 of the Knights of Pythias. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of F. E. Rhodes, page 206. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. F.E. Rhodes is president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Spencerville, and has long been identified with that community as a practical farmer, and owns part of the noted Rhodes homestead, which has been in the possession of this family continuously since earliest pioneer times. Mr. Rhodes was born on the farm which, he owns a mile and a quarter northeast of Spencerville, January 12, 1868. He is a son of Milus and Elizabeth (Beams) Rhodes. His father was born on the same farm February 22, 1838, and died January 16, 1918, at the age of eighty years. The pioneer was grandfather Daniel Rhodes, who came from Ohio and was numbered among the very earliest settlers in Concord Township of DeKalb County. He entered 160 acres of land, and that farm has never been in any other ownership except the Rhodes family and the Government. Daniel Rhodes was a democrat. His children were Daniel, Newton, Milus, Nancy, Mary, Matilda, Sarah, Alice, Manda and Minerva. Milus Rhodes had a common school education in pioneer days and after his marriage lived on the home farm the rest of his life. He was an active member of the Lutheran Church and a democrat in politics and also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He had two sons, Raymond R., of Spencerville, and F.E. Rhodes. F.E. Rhodes is a well educated man. As a boy on the farm he attended district schools, also had a high school course and finished his education in the college at Valparaiso. For fourteen terms he was a teacher. May 18, 1893, Mr. Rhodes married Amanda Rhodes, who was born in Noble County, Indiana, in 1867. Her family was not related to that of her husband. She was educated in the district schools. For two years after his marriage Mr. Rhodes lived at New Paris, Indiana, where he conducted a grocery and bakery. Returning to DeKalb County, he taught for a time at St. Joe and then took up farming. He owns 230 acres, including 110 acres of the old homestead. His brother has 120 acres of the Rhodes farm. Mr. Rhodes has one son, M.E. Rhodes, a graduate of high school, and who married Verne Jolly. They are members of the Lutheran Church and he is one of the most liberal supporters and a deacon. Though an active democrat he has never held any office. The Farmers and Merchant Bank of Spencerville has the following officials: F. E. Rhodes, president; L. B. Fisher, vice president; C.G. Rectenwald, cashier; W.A. Bierbower, Albert H. Peters, F.E. Rhodes, Adam Shilling, W.P. Stewart, L.B. Fisher, John Beninghoof and Reuben Remm, directors. Mr. Rhodes is also secretary and treasurer of the Township Shipping Association. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Henderson M. Richey, page 188 / 189. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Henderson M. Richey is a young man whose abilities and services have been much appreciated by the City of Auburn. He is the present city treasurer, having been appointed by the City Council on May 1, 1919, a successor to E.E. Shilling, who resigned. Mr. Richey, who served the Government during the period of the war, is by profession a newspaper man. He was born at Angola, Indiana, September 20, 1894, a son of David H. and Luella A. (Moore) Richey. When he was a year and a half old his parents moved to Auburn, where his father was buggy manufacturer and where he spent the rest of his life with the exception of several yeas in the newspaper business in Monroe, Michigan, and Fostoria, Ohio. Henderson Richey's mother is still living. He was educated in the common schools of Auburn, graduating from the senior class of high school in 1915. He had already made considerable progress in a business way, having worked in newspaper offices carrying papers before and after school. On leaving High school he was given a regular place as a reporter with the Evening Star at Auburn, and is the present city editor of that well known journal of DeKalb County. February 5, 1918, Mr. Richey enlisted in the Spruce Production Division of the Air Service, and for thirteen months was employed in that work in the states of Washington and Oregon. He was discharges with the rank of master Electrician in the Air Service, the highest non-commissioned rank in that branch. He returned home March 16, 1919, and has found an abundance of civil and business duties to employ him. Mr. Richey, who is unmarried, is a member of the Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity, is treasurer of the Men's Class of the Presbyterian Church, and is a member of the Red Cross Committee of DeKalb County. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of David W. Riser, page 224. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. David W. Riser, who spent a large part of his earlier career over the state line in Ohio, in Williams County, has established a firm hold in DeKalb County, Indiana, as a farmer, business man and a citizen and owns one of the attractive country places in Troy Township. His farm is in sections 31 and 32, and lies three and a half miles northeast of Butler. Mr. riser was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 8, 1854, a son of Martin and Catherine (Ott) Riser. The parents were both born in Germany, his father September 28, 1810, and his mother in March, 1828. They were married in the old country and on coming to the United States settled near Alliance, Ohio, where the father worked at common labor for several years. In 1861 he moved to Williams County, Ohio, settling near Edon, and afterward came to Stafford Township of DeKalb County, where he and his wife spent the rest of their years. They were members of the German Lutheran Church, and the father was a democrat in politics. In their family were the following children: John, a farmer in Williams County, Ohio; Margaret, who died in 1862; George, a farmer in Stafford Township; David W., also a farmer; Christ, of Butler, Indiana; Mary, wife of Isaac Hose, of Butler; Catherine, wife of Frederick Blaker, of Troy Township; and William, who died in infancy. David W. Riser was reared in Stafford Township, attended the district schools and was at home with his parents to the age of twenty-one. After that he supported himself and managed to get some experience and a very modest equipment of capital by working out for others. May 17, 1888, he married Mary I. Jennings, member of an old and prominent family of DeKalb County. She was born in Troy Township, May 5, 1870, a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Higby) Jennings. Her mother was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, October 10, 1840, and was reared in Stafford Township of DeKalb County from August, 1851. Jacob Jennings was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 12, 1829, and moved to Wilmington Township of DeKalb County, September 23, 1848. He and his wife were married September 23, 1860, and moved to his farm in Troy Township in March, 1864. He died September 27, 1894, and his wife October 4, 1916. Mrs. Riser was the younger of two children, her brother, Eli L., born April 10, 1864, now lives at Elkhart, Indiana. Eli was a soldier in the Spanish-American war. Mrs. Riser grew up on a farm in Troy Township and had a good education in the local schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Riser lived in Williams County until 1898, when they located on their present farm. The home place has 110 acres, and altogether they own 158 acres. Mr. Riser and wife are members of the Christian Church at Butler. They are also members of the Grange at Butler. In politics he is a democrat, and he was trustee of Troy Township for two years. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Butler and a stockholder in the Arctic Co-operative Association. Mr. Riser enjoys fishing as his recreation, and he and his wife have spent a winter or two in Florida. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Joseph Rohrabaugh, page 134. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Joseph Rohrabaugh lived a life of extreme industry and to good purpose, started out in young manhood without resources beyond the experience he had acquired working for others, was a farm hand, a renter, and eventually acquired a good place of his own. He was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, February 5, 1861, the only child of Joseph and Mary Ann (Frick) Rohrabaugh, early settler of DeKalb County. Joseph was a small child when his father died. His father was well educated, taught school in early life and was also a stone and brick mason by trade. The widowed mother married John Rubley, and by that marriage had two children, John H. and Elizabeth. Joseph Rohrabaugh at the age of eight years moved with his mother to Steuben County, and from that time made his home in Jamestown Township. He assisted his stepfather in clearing up the farm. Later he worked out by the month, spending eighteen summers in that way. For nine years he was a renter and in 1901 bought eighty acres of land in Jamestown Township. He made the land pay for itself and give him a good living besides, and he improved it with a substantial barn and had much to show for his efforts. In politics he was a democrat, and his wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. April 2, 1892, Mr. Rohrabaugh married Abbie U. Latta. She was born in Branch County, Michigan, in 1874, a daughter of Moses and Jane (West) Latta. Her mother was a native of Steuben County, daughter of George and Sarah (Sams) West. Moses Latta came to Steuben County when a young man, and after his marriage settled in Pleasant Township and later in Jamestown Township, where he died in 1906, at the age of seventy-four. His wife died in 1904, at the age of sixty. They were the parents of three children: Abbie, Jennie and Moses. Mrs. Rohrabaugh's mother married for her first husband Robert Sillabaugh, and by that union had two children, Milo J. and Robert Morton, both now deceased. Both the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rohrabaugh died early in infancy. Mary, born in 1894, lived nine months, while Christian, born in1897, died eleven days later. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of James D. Rowley, page 91. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. James D. Rowley is one of the oldest residents of Butler Township, DeKalb County, and for nearly half a century has been identified with its farming interests. His home place is in section 36 of that township. Mr. Rowley was born in Henry County, Ohio, March 23, 1845, a son of Thomas and Ellen (Davis) Rowley. His father and mother were born in County Antrim, Ireland, and after their marriage came to the United States. They made their first home in Henry County, Ohio, where the father worked in the construction of the canal between Lake Erie and the Ohio River, and his wife boarded other workmen. Later he followed different lines of employment in Illinois and Southwestern Indiana, and eventually settled in Jackson Township of DeKalb County, where he and his wife spent the rest of their years. As a farmer he cleared up eighty acres of land. He was a democrat, and he and his wife were faithful Catholics. Of their eight children three are still living: James D., Catherine, wife of Samuel Surface, and John, of Fort Wayne. James D. Rowley grew up from early boyhood in Jackson Township, attended public schools, and has made industry the keynote of his life and by that means has found prosperity sufficient for all his requirements. He is still engaged in general farming and stock raising and owns 215 acres in Jackson and Butler townships. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Rowley married Ella Surface on February 23, 1871. They have nine children, named; Thomas, Charles, Carl, Elizabeth, Catherine, Mabel, Grace, Walter and Ralph. The son, Carl is a physician at Boston Massachusetts; Elizabeth is the wife of Martin Schaaf, of Fort Wayne; Catherine is the wife of Thomas Kavanaugh, and Mabel is the wife of Forest Sheets. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of William Seely, page 363. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. William Seely, who has long since passed the age of four-score, has spent three-quarters of a century in DeKalb County, and during this ling time has been fruitful in many private and public endeavors and influences that have directly promoted the welfare of his community in Newville Township. Mr. Seely, who still lives on his farm near the village of Newville, was born in New York State October 7, 1833, a son of Amzi and Mercy A. (Ray) Seely, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Massachusetts. The Seely family came to Indiana, arriving in DeKalb County July 3, 1843. The same year they settled on the Richmond farm, and in the fall of 1845, Amzi Seely moved to Orangeville, where he bought an interest in the flouring mill. He sold his share of this property in 1858 and after that lived at Newville until his death in the spring of 1877. He was a man of prominence in the county and served four years as a county commissioner. In politics he was a democrat. Amzi Seely was the father of four children, William; Isaac and Benjamin, both deceased, and Harriett, who is the wife of Samuel Stafford of Newville. William Seely was ten years old when brought to Indiana. He finished his education in the local schools and at the age of eighteen began apprenticeship to the cabinet maker's trade. He followed that work until the spring of 1872, when he built a sawmill, and operated this mill for many years as a matter of commercial convenience and of profit to the Newville community. He later bought his farm of 120 acres, and for many years has had his home on that place. In June, 1862, Mr. Seely married Ellen Stager. She was born in Ohio in 1836 and was reared in DeKalb County. Mrs. Seely died September 19, 1913, a few weeks after hey had celebrated the fiftieth or golden anniversary of their wedding. She was the mother of five children: Elizabeth, widow of Horace Joslin; Bertha, wife of Charles Wilson, of DeKalb County; Lena, wife of John E. Platter; Maude M., wife of E. R. May, of DeKalb County; and John A., who is married and lives in Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Seely has nine great-grandchildren. Mr. Seely is a democrat and has been quite active in politics. He was elected trustee of Newville Township in 1882 and served three terms, eighty years altogether. He is the only surviving charter member of William Hacker Lodge of Mason, and is also a Royal Arch Mason. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Daniel Shilling, page 149. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Daniel Shilling, for many years a resident and progressive farmer in Jackson Township, DeKalb County, is representative of one of the first families established in Concord Township. Mr. Shilling owns a fine farm of about 141 1/2 acres in sections 12 and 13 of Jackson Township. He was born four miles from Massillon, Stark County, Ohio, October 19, 1849, a son of Solomon Shilling. Solomon Shilling, long prominent in DeKalb County, was born in the same locality of Stark County in 1823, a son of Adam and Mary (Roan) Shilling. Adam Shilling came to DeKalb County at an early date and entered and bought extensive tracts of government land in Concord Township. He gave each of his sons, 160 acres and each of his daughters, eighty acres. Solomon Shilling came to DeKalb County to take possession of one of these quarter sections of wild land in 1850. This land was in section 19 in Concord Township. He built a log cabin, cleared and improved, and by his work and good management was accounted one of the wealthy men of the township. He became an extensive shipper of livestock, and shipped the first carload of stock over the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from this locality to Chicago. He owned about 400 acres of good farm land. In 1872 he was elected trustee of Concord Township and re-elected in 1874. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Solomon Shilling married Esther Bliler, who was born in Pennsylvania. They were the parents of six sons and six daughters, one daughter dying in infancy, and the eleven to reach maturity being; Daniel, Josephus R., William, Mary, Sarah, Adam, Francis, Hiram E., John, Vienna L. and Dora. Eight of these children are still living. Daniel Shilling grew up on the farm home in Concord Township and has been a resident of DeKalb County since early infancy. He attended district school and lived at home to the age of twenty-six. On November 9, 1875, he married Annetta Widney. At the time of his marriage his bought his present home farm, and Mrs. Shilling died there in 1880. She was the mother of three sons; Adam E., who was liberally educated, was a teacher and died at the age of twenty-six; Samuel H., who married Maud Stafford, lives in Jackson Township and has a daughter, named Bonnie; and Frankie, who died the year after his mother. Mr. Shilling has long been active in the Methodist Protestant Church and also in its Sunday school. He is a republican, is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and has been a liberal factor in his community, being especially patriotic in behalf of the various causes for the recent war. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Curtis Shoutz, page 186 / 187. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Steven, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Curtis Shoutz is one of the fortunate young men whose experience and mature powers were developed in time to share in the generous prosperity now accorded the agricultural class in America. Mr. Shontz began his career as a farm hand, and today owns one of the high class farms in Steuben Township in the county of the same name. He is a native of Northeast Indiana, having been born at Sedan in DeKalb County, October 23, 1880, a son of Ferdinand and Rachel (Lidge) Shontz. His mother was a native of Ohio, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Lidge. Adam Lidge was a pioneer in Fairfield Township of DeKalb County, going there when all the country was wild, clearing a farm and rearing a family of five children. Ferdinand Shontz was a young man when he arrived in DeKalb County. He was an expert blacksmith, conducted a shop at Fenselers Mills on the Ashley and Auburn road, later was a blacksmith at Sedan, and finally ran a shop at Steubenville and continued the work until his death in 1890. His widow is still living at Ashley. Their five children are named Henry, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah Jane and Curtis. Curtis Shontz received most of his education in the California School House of Steuben Township. Then followed a period when he was earning his own living and getting valuable experience as a farm hand at monthly wages, and on May 13, 1908, he married Martha M. Dahuff, a daughter of Simon Dahuff. In 1909, the year following his marriage, he bought a farm of ninety-five acres in section 19 of Steuben Township. His industry brought him a comfortable living on the farm from 1909 to 1916. In March of the latter year he bought the farm which, he occupies today comprising 126 acres, known as the old Mountz place. His home improvements and eighty acres are in section 19, while forty-six acres lie across the road in section 30. For a time Mr. Shontz farmed both places, but in 1918 sold his first farm of ninety-five acres and with his home place is doing a successful business in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Shontz is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 257 at Hudson. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Elza Shull, page 342. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Elza Shull. The Shull family came to DeKalb County in pioneer times and have been identified with its farming and civic interests for over seventy years. Elza Shull, who owns and directs the operations of a large farm in Jackson Township, was born at Auburn, October 31, 1886. His parents were Henry C. and Rosa A. (Cramer) Shull. His father was born in Keyser Township, DeKalb County, July 28, 1846, and died in November, 1908. His wife was born in Ohio, January 13, 1846, and died in August, 1914. They were married September 5, 1869, and lived in Auburn for several years. Henry C. Shull was a teacher and later a prosperous dairy farmer. He was in the dairy business and supplied pure milk for nineteen years. He owned about 200 acres of land and his last years were spent in looking after his property. He was also proprietor of a wagon and buggy works at Auburn. He was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. In their family were seven children, five of whom are still living: Carrie, wife of Isaiah Wert; Alice, wife of George Leyda, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Harry M., who is a farmer in Union Township of DeKalb County and is present trustee of that township, being the second republican ever chosen to that office; Elza; and Earl of Auburn. Elza Shull grew up in Auburn, attended the public schools and the high school, and on September 10, 1910, married Ida Hess. She was born in Kansas but was living in Butler Township at the time of her marriage. They have one daughter, Helen, born Mary 22, 1915. Mr. Shull is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and is a republican in politics. He farms eighty acres of land and is a member of the Shippers Association. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Albert L. Shultz, page 221 / 222. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Albert L. Shultz, whose energies for several years past have been devoted to the management of his farm of eighty acres in sections 21 and 28 in Franklin Township of DeKalb County, is a lifelong resident of that community and for many years was a teacher in the township schools. He farmed in the intervals of teaching and is now giving all his time to agriculture and the varied interests, which affect him as a home owner and citizen. Mr. Shultz was born September 24, 1870, at the old Shultz place a quarter of a mile east of where he now lives. He is a son of Curtis S. and Christina B. (Libolt) Shultz. His father was born in Ashland County, Ohio, January 4, 1845. His mother was a native of Wuertenberg, Germany, and was six years of age when her parents came to America, and she grew up in Ashland County, Ohio. The Shultz family came to DeKalb County in 1854, locating in Franklin Township, where Curtis S. Shultz grew up from the age of nine. On December 23, 1868, he married and brought his wife to Franklin Township. For a number years he lived retired at Waterloo, where his death occurred July 4, 1915. His widow is still living at Waterloo. He was reared in the faith of the German Lutheran Church, but after their removal to Waterloo she and her husband became affiliated with the Methodist Church. Curtis Shultz was a democrat in politics, a man of fine moral character, and a useful member of his community in Franklin Township for many years. Albert L. Shultz is the only one now living of three children, one of whom died at the age of five years. Alice, who died in 1886, was the wife of A.D. Faucett. Albert L. Shultz grew up on the home farm, just east of his present place, graduated from the common schools in 1888, and had normal training in the Tri-State College at Angola. Altogether he taught school twenty-three years, and all his work was done in his home Township of Franklin. June 24, 1903, he married Effie Lautzenheiser, who was born and reared in Franklin Township and finished her education in the Hamilton High School. They have one daughter, Ruby P., born October 24, 1904, now attending high school. Mr. and Mrs. Shultz are members of the Methodist Church, and he is past chancellor of Butler Lodge No. 154, Knights of Pythias, and a member of the Grand Lodge. He and Mrs. Shultz are members of the Pythian Sisters and the Ancient Order of Gleaners. Politically he is a democrat and a member of the Hamilton Co-operative Association. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Scudder E. Shutt, page 156 / 157. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Scudder E. Shutt is the present trustee of Keyser Township, DeKalb County. He is well known to the people of that locality, and by his record as a successful farmer is entitled to the esteem and confidence manifested through the office of which he is incumbent. Mr. Shutt, whose home is 1 1/2 miles south and a mile east of Garrett, was born in Allen County, Indiana, November 28, 1876, a son of Jackson and Lanora (Bowman) Shutt. His parents were born in Ashland County, Ohio, and were married in DeKalb County, Indiana, after which they settled on a farm. Three yeas later Jackson Shutter entered a medical college, and on completing his studies began practice at Harlan in Allen County. He had to abandon his professional career on account of failing eyesight, and then settled on a farm in Jackson Township, where he lived until his death. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church, and in politics he was a democrat, and prominent in local affairs, serving as trustee of Jackson Township six years. In the family were ten children, eight of whom are still living. Scudder E. Shutt grew up on his father's farm in Jackson Township, attended district schools and was at home until twenty-four years old. February 7, 1898, he married Mary Shoudel. She was born in DeKalb County, north of Waterloo in Smithfield Township, February 10, 1876, a daughter of Michael and Catherine (Cline) Shoudel. Her parents were both natives of Germany, her father born in 1827 and her mother in 1839. After their marriage they came to the United States and were early settlers in DeKalb County, and spent many years of their lives in Jackson Township. Mr. and Mrs. Shutt have the following children: Alouis, who finished the common school course in 1917; Edward, who graduated in the common schools in 1919; John Victor and Esther, the last two being twins. Mr. Shutt is a practical farmer and owns 117 1/2 acres of land in Keyser Township, and is also a stockholder in the Garrett Elevator and Livestock Association. Politically he has been quite a power in DeKalb County for a number of yeas as a democrat. He is now in his second term as township trustee, having made a most creditable record during his first four years' administration of the office. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Frank W. Silberg, page 252. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Frank W. Silberg, who has practiced his profession as a veterinary surgeon at Spencerville for the past ten years, is one of the best qualified men in this profession in Northeast Indiana. Doctor Silberg was born in Spencer Township, formerly Concord Township, of DeKalb County, April 12, 1886. He represents one of the first families to settle at the old town of Spencerville. He is a son of Warren W. and Mary J. (White) Silberg. His grandfather, Michael M. Silberg, came from Germany to the United States, lived in Ashland County, Ohio, for a time, and later moved to Spencerville, where he put up the first frame house in the village. He was a blacksmith and worked at this trade until his death, performing a useful service to his community. His children were Warren E., William, Stephen, Cash, Mary and Lillie. The only one now living is Cash. Warren Silberg grew up in Spencerville and attended the common schools and spent his active career as a farmer. He and his wife had nine children. Dr. Frank Silberg grew up at Spencerville, graduated for the high school, and is a graduate of the Chicago Veterinary College. He took post-graduate work at Cornell University in New York, and received the degrees of M. D. C. and D. V. M. He has been in active practice at Spencerville since 1909 and has well equipped facilities, including stables and operating room both at Spencerville and the Village of St. Joe. He has prospered in his business affairs and owns property in Spencerville and St. Joe and is a stockholder in the local bank and one of its directors. Doctor Silberg married Florence Miller, who is a graduate of the common schools. They have one daughter, Orpha M., born in 1918. Doctor Silberg is a Scottish Rite Mason, being a member of the Scottish Rite Consistory of Fort Wayne. He is a member of the North American and Indiana and Illinois association of veterinary surgeons and has won a deservedly high reputation in his profession. He is a democrat in politics. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of James Skelly, page 188. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. James Skelly is the fortunate owner of a good farm in Salem Township of Steuben County, His farm contains a group of handsome buildings and in every wary is adapted for comfort an for maximum efficiency if every department of it s management. Mr. Skelly started life on a modest scale, beginning with a very small amount of land under his ownership, and has made steady strides during the different years to the possession of what he enjoys. A resident of Steuben County for many years, he was born in Millersburg, Ohio, October 1, 1855, a son of William and Sarah (Steele) Skelly, the former a native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Holmes County, Ohio, where her father, James Steele, was a farmer. James Skelly is a grandson of James Skelly, who spent his active life as a farmer in Holmes County, Ohio. William Skelly acquired his early knowledge of agriculture in the same county, but about 1875 came to Salem Township of Steuben County, acquiring a farm near Hudson. That was the scene of his activities until the last year of his life, when e moved to DeKalb County. He and Sarah Steele Skelly had four children, named Martha, wife of John Calhoun, James, David and Leander. When the mother of these died the father married Mrs. Ellen (Baughman) Buckmaster. By that union there were also four children: Mary, wife of Hiram Towns; Elizabeth, who married Amos Myers; Robert; and Olive, wife of George Putt. James Skelly was about twenty years of age when his father came to Steuben County. He began farming about the same time on his own account and about 1879 was able to buy thirty-four acres three-quarters of a mile west of Hudson. He made good as a farmer there, remained about nine years, and in 1888 traded for his present farm in section 19 of Salem Township. Here, with his wife, he owns 175 acres besides fifty acres across the road in Milford Township of LaGrange County. The building improvements all represent his own, planning, labor and investment. In 1879 Mr. Skelly married Flora A. Gonser, daughter of Moses and Louisa (Wright) Gonser. Her father, an old time resident of Northeast Indiana, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, January 14, 1829, a son of David and Catherine (Miller) Gonser. He came with his parents to DeKalb County in 1848 and in 1869 moved to Steuben County. He acquired a large property of 259 acres in sections 35 and 36 of Salem Township and across the line in Fairfield Township of DeKalb County built a fine two-story brick home in 1880 and owned much other property, all of which represented his thrifty and industrious career from early youth to mature years. He filled several offices in his communities and at one time was county commissioner of Steuben County. He cast his first vote for the whig candidate of 1852, and became an original republican. He and his wife had six children, Amanda, Albert, Flora A., Marietta, Rober M. and Martha L. To Mr. and Mrs. Skelly were born four children: Grace, Elsie Maude, Willis R. and Esther. Grace is the wife of Clyde Perkins, and has four children: Dorothy, Mildred, Ralph and Donald. Maude married Dr. C. C. Wright and has one child, Louise, and Esther is the wife of Professor Charles G. Hornaday. Willis R. Skelly is an expert agriculturist and is giving much energy to the management of the home farm, he and his father being associated in the business. He was graduated in 1911 with the Bachelor of Science in Tri-State Normal College at Angola, in 1914 received his degree Bachelor of Science in agriculture from Purdue University, and in 1916 was awarded the master's degree by the same institution. For three year she had the valuable experience of working in connection with the Purdue University agricultural department as instructor in farm crops. Willis Roy married Arvilla Hornaday, of Lafayette, and they have one daughter, Virginia Mae. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of George H. Smith, page 165. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. George H. Smith, is proprietor of the Buckeye Farm, consisting of ninety acres in section 22 of Jackson Township, DeKalb County. Mr. Smith is an Ohio man, and has been a resident of DeKalb County for the past ten years. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, April 16, 1860, son of William S. and Cristy A. (Wood) Smith. His parents were also native of Ohio, and in 1910 moved to Indiana and settled in DeKalb County. George H. Smith grew up in his native county, had a common school education, and on September 22, 1878, married Sarah E. Davis. He began his career as a day laborer and from a modest start acquired two farms in Putnam County, Ohio. On moving to DeKalb County in 1910 he bought the ninety acres comprised in the Buckeye Farm, and has used it for general farming and stockraising. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Spencerville. Mr. Smith is a democrat and is affiliated with Lodge No. 536 of the Masons at Leipsic, Ohio. He and his wife have three sons: Bert Smith, who lives near Hudson, Michigan; Earl, also a farmer near Hudson; and Audrey L., who is married and lives on the home farm. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Isaiah Smith, page 168. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Isaiah Smith is a farmer both by inheritance and by choice, and has spent all his life on the old Smith homestead in Spencer Township, DeKalb County. His model country home is located three and a half miles southeast of Spencerville, close to the Allen County line. Mr. Smith was born on that farm November 23, 1856, a son of Levi and Harriet (Robb) Smith. His father was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, February 22, 1828, a son of Peter and Elizabeth Smith, native of Pennsylvania, and he grew up a farm boy and shoemaker's apprentice. In 1849 he married Harriet Robb, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Robb. In the same year he bought land in Portage County, Ohio, and in 1854 removed to DeKalb County, Indiana. He began here with eighty acres of partially improved land, and many years before his death was possessor of a highly improved farm of 320 acres, and possessed ample means for all his needs. He lived on the farm until his death in September, 1900. His wife passed away in April, 1904. They were member of the Methodist Church, and he for a number of years a leading democrat in his section of the county. He was especially liberal in behalf of his church and always favored public improvements. He and his wife had two sons, Ira E. and Isaiah. Isaiah Smith grew up on the home farm where he always lived and had a common school education. In 1878 he married Eliza Sibert. They have two children, Samuel L., who is married and lives in Spencer Township, and Emery R., who lives in the same Township and is married. The mother of these sons died in 1887. June 17, 1888, Mr. Smith married Delilah Kinsley. She was born in Allen County, March 12, 1861. To this union were born three children: Effie, born July 20, 1889, wife of James Stewart; Warren, born July 30, 1893, and still at home; Clara, born April 10, 1899. Mrs. Smith is an active member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Smith is a democrat. In addition to this inheritance of 160 acres of the old homestead he bought 150 acres more and has 310 acres under complete and successful operation for general farming and stock-raising. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Robert H. Snowberger, page 138. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Robert H. Snowberger, one of the successful farmer and landowners of Northeast Indiana, was a veteran of the Civil war, and for over half a century has been identified with different agricultural communities in Steuben and DeKalb Counties. He came for a family of well known prominence in this section of Indiana, being a son of David and Evelyn (Haughey) Snowberger. Some of the other details of the family history are found in other pages. Robert H. Snowberger was born in Ashland County, Ohio, December 19, 1845, but grew up in Steuben County, acquiring his education in the California district school in Steuben Township. He was not yet eighteen years of age when on August 4, 1863, he enlisted in Company D of the Seventh Indiana Cavalry. He was in service for more than two years, receiving his honorable discharge February 2, 1866. He participated in the campaign in Mississippi, involving the battles of Okolona and Guntown, and saw much other active service. After his return from the army Mr. Snowberger did some ditching work for a year and a half, then bought a small stretch of land in Steuben Township, a few years later moved to DeKalb County, and remained there a year and a half, again moved to Steuben Township and then located on the farm where he had previously lived in DeKalb County, and remained there nine years. His next place was a farm of 200 acres in Pleasant Township of Steuben County, and that was his home and the scene of his activities for the next twenty-nine years. After leaving there Mr. Snowberger and his family lived in Angola for a year, and in March, 1918, he moved to his present place in Jamestown Township. His efforts have been prospered, and at the present time he owns about 359 acres in Pleasant and James town townships. Mr. Snowberger is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He married in 1867 Maria Lacey, daughter of Thomas Lacey. Some of the records of the Lacey family are found on other pages. Mrs. Snowberger, who died in 1909, was the mother of five children, the first two dying in infancy. Those living are: Cary M., a dentist at Hudson; Grace A. the wife of Homer Brown, and Fred who also follows the profession of dentistry. Mr. Snowberger married for his second wife Mrs. Clara Baker. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Charles C. Souder, page 291 / 292. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, New York. 1920 Charles C. Souder, whose farm home is two miles north of Butler, has been industriously engaged in agriculture in DeKalb County for over twenty years. He is a son of George B. Souder, a well known retired farmer living in Troy Township. George B. Souder was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1846, son of John and Rachel A. (Billow) Souder and a grandson of Martin Souder. Martin was a native of Germany, came to the United States when a boy, settling in Perry County, Pennsylvania, and married and reared his family there. His children were Henry, John, Katie, Rebecca and Sarah. John Souder's wife, Rachel A. Billow, was a daughter of George Billow, also a native of Germany. George Billow while a soldier was taken prisoner and with six companions was shut up in a barn preliminary to being hanged. The prisoners escaped, and he soon afterward came to the United States, settling in Perry County, Pennsylvania, where he married Susanna Ensminger. For a number of years they conducted a popular place of entertainment known as the Billow's Tavern. After his death his widow moved to Shelby, Ohio, where she died. In the Billows family were children named David, Adam, George, Susan, Sarah and Rachel. John and Rachel Souder moved for Perry County, Pennsylvania, to Richland County, Ohio, where they spent their last years. Their children were: Jane, wife of George Blatman, of California; George B.; Hannah, wife of Amos Snyder, of Butler, Indiana; Rachel, wife of Will Sheley, of Brownstown, Indiana. George B. Souder was fourteen years old when he accompanied his parents to Richland County, Ohio, and he acquired most of his education in a German school in Pennsylvania. On February 27, 1868, he married Sarah Melissa Adams, who was born in Crawford County, Ohio, January 15, 1848, and was reared near Shelby. After his marriage George B. Souder rented his father's farm five years and in 1873 came to DeKalb County and bought eighty acres in Franklin Township. He lived there until 1878, when be bought his present home. He is a republican in politics and has filled the office of supervisor. Of his six children five are living: Charles C, of Franklin; George M., and Ernest C., also the same township; Jessie M., who is the wife of Charles A. Dohner, of Troy Township; and Harry L, also a resident of Troy Township on his father's farm. Charles C. Souder was born near Shelby, Ohio, October 18, 1871, and was a year old when his parents moved to DeKalb County. He grew up on the home farm, attended the local schools, and in March, 1896, married Catherine Coll. She was born in Troy Township. They have one child, Ora L., who was born June 23, 1898, and is a graduate of the Butler High School and took a business course at South Bend. Mr. Souder is a stockholder in the Artic Co-operative Livestock Shipping Association, and conducts his general farming and stock raising operation on a place of eighty acres. He is a republican and is affiliated with Butler Lodge No. 283 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of W. P. Steward, page 166 / 167. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. W. P. Steward is a popular figure in business circles in the southern part of DeKalb County, being proprietor of the Steward Lumber & Gain Company at Spencerville. He was born in Spencer Township, formerly Concord Township, March 7, 1887, a son of L.W. and Cora C. (Barr) Steward. His father was born in Jackson Township of DeKalb County in 1862, and his mother in Spencer Township in 1864. She is still living. L.W. Steward was a sawmill operator and a retail lumberman for many years and died in 1912. He was a Methodist. He and his wife had four children, one of whom was the late Fred Steward, a partner with his brother W.P. in the lumber business. Fred Steward was a graduate of high school and went into the army and died at Camp Taylor in 1918. He married Laura Worley and left one son. The three living children are Arminta, W. P. and Jennie, wife of Roscoe Walters. W.P. Steward is a high school graduate and from school entered his present business and has carried it on successfully for a number of years. He is one of the leading men of Spencerville, being a director of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, president of the Town Hall Association, and is a stockholder in a hardware business at Fort Wayne. He married Hazel Berry of St. Joe, Indiana, March 20, 1909. She is a graduate of the St. Joe High School. They have two children, Ercil and Florence. Mrs. Steward is a member of the Methodist Church. He is affiliated with Concord Lodge of Masons, is a member of the thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Consistory at Fort Wayne, both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star, and she is a past worthy matron and a member of the Grand Lodge. He is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias and has sat in the Grand Lodge. Politically Mr. Steward is a republican. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Daniel Stomm, page 158 /. 159. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Daniel Stomm. The best way to identify Daniel Stomm with the citizenship of DeKalb County is to say that he is proprietor of Vistawald in Farirfield Township. He was born May 20, 1862, and is now the senior in the house of Stomm in the United States. He looks both backward and forward over two generations of the family of DeKalb County. The house of Stomm was first established in this country when his uncle, Daniel Stomm, whose name he bears, accompanied by a sister, Margaret Stomm, located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1851. They were soon followed by the rest of the family from Baden, Germany. In 1854 George Henry Stomm and his family arrived in DeKalb County, after living for a short time in both Pennsylvania and Ohio. The son Daniel, who was a blacksmith in Pittsburg, died there unmarried, but the daughter Margaret came on with the family to the new home in Indiana. When George M. Stomm and wife, Margaret (Holtzworth) Stomm, crossed the Atlantic to join their son and daughter in America, they were accompanied by four children, Henry, Elizabeth, Barbara and Catherine. Henry, who was the father of Daniel, the present head of the Stomm family, was born in Germany March 24, 1833, and had just attained to manhood when he came to DeKalb County. He had learned the weaver's trade in Germany, but agriculture has been the forte of the Stomm family in this country. The naturalization papers of Henry Stomm are now a matter of record in the DeKalb County court house. Today the history of all that generation of the Stomm family has been written on the tombstone in DeKalb-Steuben County Line Cemetery in Steuben County. The Stomm family name was identified with the German Reformed Church, and in politics the family vote always to democratic candidates. Henry Stomm married Anna Maria Gettz on January 9, 1856. She had come with her parents, William and Eliza (Hosler) Gettz, from Pennsylvania. Two of her sisters, Sarah and Susannah Putt, who married brothers, are living at Garrett, Indiana. The seven living children born to Henry and Anna Maria Stomm are: Daniel, Elizabeth, Moses, William, Mary, Nora and Clara. Three others deceased were Sarah, Amanda and Cora. The mother died October 1, 1882, and Henry Stomm married Catherine Bickle, who helped rear his younger children. On January, 1, 1886, Daniel, who, it will be noted, was born about eight years after the family came to DeKalb County, married Nancy Elizabeth Urey. She became the mother of two sons. Voyde G. and Roy C. She died January 3, 1891. On October 10, 1894, Mr. Stomm married Mary M. Borger, of Owen County, Indiana. She is a daughter of Joseph and Emma (Hostetler) Borger, whose eight children were: George M., Costa M., William R., Mary M., Ida A., Esther, Martin J. and Jacob E. An older set of children than these were seven half brothers and sisters bearing the name Borger: Rachel, Benjamin, Levi, David, Elizabeth, Catherine and Sarah. Three children born to Daniel and Mary M. Stomm are Ralph B., Ruth O. and Emma M. The two older sons, Voyde and Roy, were reared in the same household. Voyde married September 18, 1917, Iva High, and they have one child, Lois M. Roy married, May 31, 1914, Mary Benjamin, and their son, Austin Leroy, and the father Roy, are both now deceased. The son Ralph B. married Theresa M. Hanes December 2, 1917. They have one son, Robert G. Ruth O. was married January 1, 1919, to Hubert Boyd. Lois May and Robert Gerald Stomm are the two representatives of the fifth generation of the Stomm family in DeKalb County. Since 1887 Daniel Stomm had lived in his present home in Fairfield and today Vistawald is one of the most picturesque and attractive farmsteads in the entire county. The hilltop building site is high and dry, and the home buildings are well set in orchard and small fruit groves. Strawberry culture is a specialty. Spraying and other necessary work is done in season in order to secure high class fruit. A small apiary is maintained with the double purpose of honey on the dinner table and the better polenization of fruit. There is a stucco house with full basement story, modern heating, electric lighting and water system, the water being forced into the house by hydraulic ram from a spring that supplies sufficient water for all domestic purposes and for the live stock as well. Winter or summer there is no water to pump and a stream down the hillside from the fountain, encased in cement, has a continuous and bounteous supply. There is the second basement barn, one having been destroyed by lightning in a storm in which six other barns were burned in the same neighborhood. The silo back of the barn was one of the first built in DeKalb County. Vistawald is a scene of thrift and contentment and of work in which all members of the family participated. The farmstead is hills and dales and adapted to diversified farming and fruit, live stock and agriculture. There are yet some unfinished plans, the World war delaying some of them, but the traveler will go along way before he finds a more attractive spot in Vistawald. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of George W. Stout, page 281 / 282. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. George W. Stout probably has the premier honors of long and veteran service in Uncle Sam's postoffice department. He has been connected with the Hamilton postoffice almost continuously for thirty yeas, most of the time as assistant postmaster, and since 1914 has been chief executive of the office. Mr. Stout was born at Fairfield Center in DeKalb County, (Illinois), I think this should be Indiana), August 19, 1866, as son of Andrew J. and Sarah Anna (Houser) Stout. His mother who died July 28, 1914, was born in Ohio, a daughter of Samuel Houser. The paternal grandfather, George Stout, was an Ohio farmer living near Attica. Andrew J. Stout was born in Seneca County, Ohio and in March, 1868, came to Hamilton from DeKalb County, Indiana, and established himself as a shoe and boot maker. He bought his leather direct from the tanners. In connection with his business he also served about twelve years as postmaster of Hamilton. He was also a skillful veterinarian, and practiced that profession for a number of years. In 1917 he disposed of his business interests at Hamilton and has since lived retired at Ashley. Recently he paid a visit to old home localities in Ohio after he had been away from the community for forty years, and he died at the home of his son in Dayton, Ohio, March 12, 1919. He and his wife had four children: George W., Samuel W., one that died in infancy, and John W. George W. Stout received his education in Hamilton, graduating from high school there, and took a business course at Oberlin, Ohio, and was a student in the Tri-State College at Angola, when illness of his father called him home. He than took up the duties of assistant postmaster, and has assisted every postmaster since his father's time with the exception of one. He received appointment as postmaster of Hamilton, July 1, 1914. July 28, 1888, Mr. Stout married Lenora Dirrim, of DeKalb County, daughter of Robert R. and Amanda (Firestone ) Dirrim. The Dirrims are one of the oldest and most prominent families in DeKalb County. Mr. and Mrs. Stout had six children: Webster G., assistant postmaster under his father at Hamilton, married Mrs. Vera B. (Copp) Barney, daughter of Abner Copp, of St. Joesph, Indiana. Letha M., is the wife of Jesse Mountz, operating the Home Bakery at Butler. Walter L. died July 20, 1904. Fannie and Waldo F. are still at home, and George W. died in infancy. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Richard E. Tarlton, page 153 / 154. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Richard E. Tarlton has made an honorable record in the most ancient and honorable of professions, agriculture, and is well knows as a farmer in DeKalb County. His home is on his farm in section 29 of Keyser Township, and comprises the southwest quarter of that section. He was born in section 30 of the same township December 23, 1873, a son of Joseph E. and Elizabeth (Fountain) Tarlton. His father, who was born in Mansfield, Ohio, January 30, 1848, is now living at Avilla in Noble County, Indiana. Elizabeth (Fountain) Tarlton, died March 19, 1898, the mother of three children, Richard E., William J. and Sadie J. Richard is the only one now living. Joseph Tarlton married for his second wife Amanda R. Davis. Richard E. Tarlton grew up at the old Fountain farm in Keyser Township. He attended the district schools from the age of seven to twenty-one, and on December 25,1897, married Milia L. Truelove. She was born in Noble County, Indiana, was educated in the common schools, and died May 18, 1915. She was the mother of two children, Myrtle M. and William R. Mr. Tarlton after his marriage lived in Keyser Township, for thirteen years was a resident of Allen Township, Noble County, also lived one year in section 1 of Swan Township, and has since been located at his present home, where he has ninety-two well cultivated acres. He also owns thirty-eight acres in section 33, near Altona, and has eight acres in section 1 of Swan Township, Noble County. Mr. Tarlton is a member of the Evangelical Church and is a republican. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Oscar H. Taylor, page 381. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Oscar H. Taylor. His long and active life Oscar H. Taylor has spent altogether in northeastern Indiana, where he has rendered service as a teacher and farmer, and for many years as a private banker in the Village of Hamilton Mr. Taylor was born in Franklin Township of DeKalb County, January 20, 1853, as son of John and Sarah A. (McEnterfer) Taylor. His parents were both natives of Stark County, Ohio, his father born in 1826 and his mother in 1832. John Taylor arrived in DeKalb County, Indiana, in 1846, with his parents, John and Elizabeth Taylor. The Taylor family bought 160 acres of wild land in Franklin Township, and in 1847 moved their home to this farm. The grandmother, Elizabeth Taylor, died there in 1863, and two years later John Taylor Sr., went to eastern Iowa and later to Carroll County in the same state, where he died at the venerable age of eighty-seven. John Taylor, Jr., was twenty years old when he came to Indiana, and some years later he acquired eighty acres of the old homestead and also bought the interests of the other heirs in the remaining eighty. His individual labors largely contributed to the clearing of the land and he lived there, seeing his efforts prosper, until his death in 1902. His widow passed away in 1908. He was a republican without political aspirations, and his wife was a member of the United Brethren Church. Their children were: Oscar H.; Ellen, wife of John T. Wilcox, of Edgerton, Ohio; and Ida., wife of H.K. Leas, of Waterloo, Indiana. Oscar H. Taylor spent his early life on the old homestead in Franklin Township. Partly by his own efforts he secured a good education, attending public school and select schools, and later he entered the Valparaiso Normal in the second year of its existence. He spent nearly three years in the normal, which is now the great Valparaiso University. He qualified as a teacher at the age of sixteen, and his first term was taught in the same school where he himself had been a pupil. Altogether he taught for eleven years, and in only four districts. He was also interested in farming, and in 1882 bought the Boyer farm in DeKalb County of 236 acres. He still owns that fine place, though for the past fifteen years his energies have been chiefly devoted to banking. Mr. Taylor in 1905 bought the private bank of Oliver P. Learned at Hamilton. It is now known as the Hamilton Bank, but Mr. Taylor is its sole owner, his three sons having also been interested with him in its management. Mr. Taylor is a republican, and during his residence in DeKalb County he filled the office of Trustee of Franklin Township four years. He is a member of the Grange and his wife is a Methodist. April 25, 1878, he married Miss Libbie Leas, a native of Steuben County and a daughter of John and Susan Leas. Her parents were early settlers in Steuben County, where her mother died in 1881 and her father in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have three sons. John Leas, the oldest, was educated in the public schools of Franklin Township, DeKalb County, and at Valparaiso University, taking the full course in the department of business and commerce. He married Blanche Jacobs and has two sons, named Oscar A. and Willis H. Benna B. Taylor, who was educated similarly to his brother, married Edna M. Oberlin. They had one son, Harry P., who was killed in April 1918, when five and a half years old. The third son, Russell H., graduated from the Hamilton High School and completed his educational training at Valparaiso University, and was a bookkeeper at in his father's bank for two years, when he joined the army and saw eight months of service in the ordnance department. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Frank Teutsch, page 131. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Frank Teutsch owns a lot of good land in DeKalb County, his home farm of eighty acres being in Troy Township. He has another tract of seventy acres in the same township and 120 acres in Franklin Township. He has been a hard working citizen and farmer for over twenty years, and in that time has bought and paid for, largely from his labors, and the products of the soil 150 acres of the land he owns. He keeps good livestock of different grades, and is an active member of the Arctic Cooperative Association. Mr. Teutsch was born in Franklin Township March 13, 1875, a son of Peter and Artemisa (Olds) Teutsch. Peter Teutsch was born in Alsace, France, March 22, 1850, a son of Michael Teutsch, who brought his family to America in 1860, settling in Franklin Township of DeKalb County. Peter Teutsch grew up on the farm, was educated partly in France and partly in DeKalb County, and he lived in Franklin Township until late in life, when he retired to Butler, where he and his wife died. He married Artemisia Olds January 5, 1873. Her father was an early settler of Franklin Township and she was born in DeKalb County. Peter Teutsch and wife were members of the United Brethren Church, and he was a republican in politics. They had four children, one dying in infancy. The three living are Frank; Foster, who married Elsie Campbell and lives in Franklin Township; and Leota, wife of Logan Woods of Fort Wayne. Frank Teutsch spent his early life on the home farm and acquired a common school education. On June 20, 1898, he married Saloma Mark, who was born in Franklin Township. Since his marriage Mr. Teutsch has occupied and operated his home farm of eighty acres. He is a republican in politics. He and his wife have three children: Mildred, Loren and Roy. Mildred graduated from the common schools in 1919. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of E. F. Tinney, page 66. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. E.F. Tinney. The two most strongly marked characteristics of both the East and the West are combined in the residents of the section of country of which this volume treats. The enthusiastic enterprise which over-leaps all obstacles and makes possible almost any undertaking in the comparatively new and vigorous western states is her tempered by the stable and more careful policy that we have borrowed from our eastern neighbors, and the combination is one of peculiar force and power. It has been the means of placing this section of the country on a par with the older East, at the same time producing a reliability and certainty in business affairs which is sometimes lacking in the West. This happy combination of characteristics is possessed by the subject of this brief sketch, E.F. Tinney, secretary and manager of Butler Basket Company at Butler, DeKalb County, and who is assuming a deservedly high place in the business circles of that community. E. F. Tinney was born at Ypsilanti, Michigan, on June 12, 1876, and is the son of James D. and Lottie (Sharp) Tinney, who are now residents of Tucson, Arizona. The youthful days of E. F. Tinney were spent in Pontiac, Michigan, where he received a common school education. He supplemented this training by two correspondence course and attended and graduated from business college. He then took a course in drafting, for which he had a natural aptitude, and for a time followed that line of work in a jobbing shop. He had a strong liking for machinery, in the handling of which he became an expert, and eventually was appointed superintendent of a carriage manufactory in Butler, with which he was identified until 1917. On July 1, 1911, Mr. Tinney bought the controlling interest in the Butler Basket Company, one of the live and prosperous concerns of that city. Th company is incorporated and the official personnel is as follows: President, E. C. Miller; vice president, Jesse Oberlin; treasurer, L.C. Harding; secretary and manager, E.F. Tinney; directors, in addition to the foregoing officers, Dr. A.A. Kramer, and Walter J. Mondhank. Though but a comparatively recent comer to Butler, Mr. Tinny has made a favorable impression on the community and is identified with every movement for the advancement of the best interests of his town and county. In February, 1898, Mr. Tinney was married to Jennie C. Capman, also a native of Michigan. Mrs. Tinney after completing the high school course attended a business college. To Mr. and Mrs. Tinney have been born three children, namely: Homer C., who is a high school graduate, was a participant in the World war, having served two years in France as an observer in the One Hundred and First Aviation squadron, and Ruth and Margaret are students in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Tinney are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of the official board of which Mr. Tinney is a member. Politically he supports the republican party and take an intelligent interest in the trend of public events. His record is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of influence in the business world. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Willard S. Tustison, page 127 / 128. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Willard S. Tustison. The residence of Mr. Tustison is in the extreme southeast corner of DeKalb County. He is a farmer, and was born on the land, which he owns today in section 33, April 29, 1859. Mr. Tustison has always enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors and friends in DeKalb County and is a former trustee of Newville Township. His parents were Sebastian and Anna (Allen) Tustison. His father was born in Crawford County, Ohio, a son of Nelson and Sarah (Brown) Tustison. Nelson Tustison was a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, and when he ran away from home at the age of sixteen went to sea and was a sailor to many of the ports of the world for sixteen years. He left the sea and settled at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania County, where he married and afterward moved to Crawford, Ohio, and spent the rest of his life as a farmer. He possessed unusual business judgment, a great amount of energy, and accumulated about 600 acres of land in Crawford County. These amply possession he shared with his family of nine sons and one daughter, all of whom are now deceased. Sebastian Tustison grew up in Crawford County, had a common school education and in 1845 moved to DeKalb County, Indiana, and after his marriage settled in the southeastern corner of the county. He was a farmer there and at one time was superintendent of some men employed on the Baltimore & Ohio Railway. He also participated in local affairs, being assessor and justice of the peace and in politics was a democrat. He was the father of four children: George W. and Henry, deceased; May Jane, wife of Joseph Langham; and Willard S. Willard S. Tustison grew up on the home farm and had a common school education. On December 12, 1878, he married Lois Jump, who was born in Scipio Township of Allen County, Indiana. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tustison lived or three years in Scipio Township, and rented his father-in-law's farm. They then returned to Newville Township and bought sixty acres and after four years he bought out the other heirs in the old Tustison homestead. Mr. Tustison has ninety-one acres in his farm and has it stocked with some good grade Durham cattle. As a factor in local politics he served six years as justice of the peace, four yeas as assessor, and four years as township trustee. Like his father he is a democrat, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Tustison had eight children, seven of whom are still living: Delmer D., of Hillsdale, Michigan; Linnie, wife of Frank Lash, of Michigan; Grace, wife of Guy McCurdy, of Allen County, Indiana; Rena, wife of Albert Shaffer, of Garrett; Owen S., of Garrett, Indiana, who is a graduate of the Hicksville, Ohio, High School, as is also his next younger brother, Ross C.; George W., who was with the Aviation Corps of the American Army and died November 17, 1918, while in the overseas service near Liverpool, England; and Paul, who is married and lives at Hicksville, Ohio. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwi@ctlnet.com Biography of Emanuel Ulm, page 339/ 340. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Emanuel Ulm is one of the oldest native born residents of Spencer Township, DeKalb County. He was born in that locality more than seventy years ago. He participated in some of the pioneer events in that section of the country and at the age of fourteen was delegated as a employ of Uncle Sam to carry the mail from Spencerville to Butler three time a week. He began his independent career with only a common school education and with no capital except his own good will and energy, and has made himself one of the prosperous and influential citizens. During the late war Mr. Ulm was a subscriber to Liberty Bonds to the extent of $1,600. Mr. Ulm, whose farm is a mile and a half north of Spencerville, was born in the same locality, December 22, 1847. Some of the interesting pioneer incidents of old Concord Township, now Spencer Township, revolve around his father, Nelson Ulm, who came to the county in 1834. Nelson Ulm was born in Knox County, Ohio, lost his father when he was six years of age and was then bound out. He came to DeKalb county at the age of sixteen with Daniel Rhodes, another pioneer settler, and lived with and worked for Mr. Rhodes until he was twenty-one. Nelson Ulm and the Rhodes family arrived in 1834, and Nelson Ulm located on the present site of Spencerville. In the fall of that year he drove from Fort Wayne the first hogs and cows ever brought to Spencerville, and during the following winter he took two bushels of corn on a hand sled to mill at Fort Wayne. Out of one of his experiences in the woods of this section he gave the name Buck Creek to one of the streams of DeKalb County. He married Elvira Lockwood, a native of Vermont. He was a democrat, and both were members of the Methodist Church. In the Ulm family were ten children, the two now living being Emanuel and Harlow, the latter of St. Joe, Indiana. Emanuel Ulm attended common schools to the age of fourteen and after that worked for his living. He made his first purchase of land when he bought twenty acres, and his present farm comprises ninety-five acres. He is a general farmer, and out of the land he has earned his prosperity. He is a stockholder in the bank of Spencerville and his good business judgment has caused him to be called upon to settle several estates. He is a democrat in politics. April 15, 1872, Mr. Ulm married Mary A. Dill. She was born in Stark County, Ohio, and was educated in the common schools. They had two sons. The older, John E., is a farmer in Spencer Township. Walter E., who died at the age of twenty-six, was a graduate of high school, attended college at Valparaiso and was a teacher. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of George A. Wagner, page 141 / 142. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. George A. Wagner for a number of years has been identified in a progressive and enterprising way with the agricultural affairs of Franklin Township, DeKalb County, is a native of that township, but for a considerable period of his lifetime lived in the West and laid the basis of his fortune as a farmer there. He was born in Franklin Township September 7, 1867, a son of Fred and Maria (Healy) Wagner. His father was born in Germany February 14. 1834, was educated there, and at the age of twenty came to the United States and settled in Ohio and later moved to DeKalb County, He married in DeKalb County and then settled on a farm in Franklin Township, Where he lived out his industrious career until his death on August 2, 1902. His widow survived him until February 8, 1914. He was a Drunkard in religion and a democrat in politics. There were six children: Lena, wife of J.E. Firestone; Ada, wife of John Rohrbaugh; George A.; Cora, wife of Ora Hiner; Essie, wife of Luther Bryan; and Jesse, of Butler. George A. Wagner grew up in Franklin Township. He was educated in the district schools and at the age of nineteen left home and went out to the states of Nebraska and Kansas, where he spent altogether thirteen years. He acquired a quarter section homestead and after developing and improving that bought 160 acres more. After selling his lands in the West he returned to DeKalb County and bought the forty acre farm where he live today. In 1904 Mr. Wagner married Kate Chambers. She was born in Wisconsin May 10, 1864, but came to Indiana with her parents at the age of six years and was reared in Steuben County, attending school at Fremont. She was one of the nine children, seven of whom are still living, of Nicholas and Mary J. (Noyes) Chambers. Mr. Wagner is a past grand of Butler Lodge No. 282 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is also a member of the Encampment, and he and his wife are affiliated with the Rebekah Lodge at Butler. They are also members of Wilmington Grange, of which he is a past master. For some years he has been prominent in the democratic party in DeKalb County, has served as a member of the election board and has also been a township supervisor. He is a trustee of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Butler Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of John Wagner, page 87. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. John Wagner has been a resident of DeKalb County for over half a century, spent many industrious years as a farmer and is now enjoying his well merited comfort and retirement on his home place in Franklin Township. He was born in Germany October 8, 1842, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Wagner. His parents on coming to America spent a short time in Ohio and then settled in Indiana, north of Waterloo, and their last years were spent in Franklin Township. They were buried at Hamilton Indiana. Both were active members of the Reformed Church, and the father voted as a democrat. John Wagner is the only one of eight children still living. He was twelve years old when he came to this country and received most of his education in common schools of Germany. He began earning his own living as a youth in DeKalb County and has pursued a straightforward and industrious career. In 1869 he married Catherine Anthony, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, and was educated in the district schools there. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wagner settled on a farm in DeKalb County, and their home life uninterrupted until her death more than thirty years later, 1901. Mr. Wagner still lives on the home farm of eighty acres. There were seven children, six of whom are still living: Sarilla, wife of John Timbleson; Lewis, Minnie E., wife of William Sanders, of Fort Wayne; Charles; Clarence, who married Lottie Walter and has five children, named Homer, Frank, Bessie, John and Dorothy; and Vernie wife of Glenn Moughler, of Wilmington Township. Mr. Wagner is a democrat in politics and has served as a member of the Township Advisory Board of Franklin Township. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Charles J. Walker, page 104. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Charles J. Walker, whose home and farm are in Union Township 11/2 miles east of Auburn, is a member of an old and prominent family of DeKalb County. His grandfather, John R. Walker, was born in Yorktown, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and married Catherine Frumrine, In 1835 he moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, and in 1844 came to DeKalb County and bought 160 acres in section 35 of Smithfield Township. He cleared most of the timber from the land and in 1860 bought another quarter section. George K. Walker, a son of this pioneer, was born in Indiana, in Smithfield Township, and married Anna Ashelman. She was a daughter of John W. Ashelman, who became one of the largest land owners in DeKalb County. George K. Walker and wife were married in DeKalb County and are now living at Waterloo, Indiana. They are members of the United Brethren Church and the father is a democrat in politics. There are four children: John of Grant Township; Alice, wife of Charles O. Spear; William, of Smithfield Township; and Charles J. Charles J. Walker, who was born on a farm in Smithfield Township December 3, 1880, was educated there in the district schools and is a graduate of the Waterloo High School. For ten years he has been a prosperous farmer and a breeder of Holstein cattle. He is a democrat and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. December 24, 1912, he married Mary Funk. She was born in Allen County, Indiana. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Eli C. Walker, page 378. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Eli C. Walker has been a prominent businessman of Auburn for a number of years and consistent with his position in business is also the city's chief executive. His popularity in Auburn is very well shown by the results of his election to the position of city mayor. Although the opposing candidate was a prominent attorney and businessman of wide experience, Mr. Walker received the largest number of votes ever cast for any candidate in this city. Assisted by a Council of excellent businessmen, Mayor Walker has given Auburn a splendid administration, of which the people are justly appreciative. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, January 2, 1868, son of George W. and Caroline (Neidig) Walker. His father, who was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, was two years old when his parents moved to Stark County, Ohio. He grew up there and was married to Caroline Neidig, who was born in that county. They lived on a farm in Stark County, Ohio, until1880, when the Ohio property was sold and the family came to DeKalb County, Indiana, locating in Richland Township. George W. Walker died there, May 2, 1915, and his widow is still living. Both were members of the English Lutheran Church, and he was a veteran of the Civil war, having answered his country's call as a volunteer soldier. He was also a Master Mason and a republican in politics. Of a family of six children five are still living: Charles E.M., of Auburn; Maggie, wife of Frank Boren, of Richland Township; Jennie, wife of Bert Mochamer, of Auburn; Amelia, wife of Ezra Rohm, of Grant Township; and Eli C. Eli C. Walker was twelve years old when brought to DeKalb County. He continued his education in the district school, also the Auburn High School and the Tri- State Normal at Angola. Many residents of this county remember gratefully his services as a teacher. He taught for fifteen years, eleven in the district schools and four years was head of the Corunna Graded School, which he organized. He was married to Edith Chaney, who was born in Richland Township in this county. His wife possesses a marked religious character, which has been a determining factor in the lives of her husband and children, contributing not only to their happiness but also to any accomplishments to which they may have attained. After his marriage he gave up school work and for a time was assistant cashier of the Thomas Exchange Bank, of Corunna. In 1903 he moved to Auburn and became associated with the La Due & Carmer Company in the shipping business. While connected with this firm the family moved to Fort Wayne, where they lived for three years. After returning to Auburn he and associates incorporated the J.M. Cramer Company, July 1, 1915. Soon after this Mr. Walker bought a controlling interest and continued to manage the corporation's affairs until he sold out May 14, 1919. Mr. Walker has been quite active in politics and was elected mayor in November, 1917, beginning his official term January 7, 1918. He is district steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Auburn, and has served as superintendent of the Sunday school both here and at Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne. He has also served in many other lay capacities. Mr. Walker is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Mizpah Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Fort Wayne. He is also an Odd Fellow, and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star at Auburn. To his marriage were born three children: Victor O., who is a graduate of Auburn High School and a Purdue University student, is employed as a engineer with the S.F. Bowser Company at Fort Wayne. He is married to Carrie Archer. Clement is a graduate of the Auburn High School and is still at home. Marie, the only daughter, died July 11, 1915, while a student at the Auburn High School. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of H. O. Waltz, page 293 / 294. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. H.O. Waltz is a prosperous farmer of Spencer Township, and is also one of the influential men in the community in promoting co-operation among the farmers of DeKalb County in marketing their products. He is manager of the Tri-Township Shipping Association. This corporation has as its officer: J. E. Ulm, president; F.E. Rhodes, secretary and treasurer; and Mr. Waltz, manager. Mr. Waltz was born in Defiance County, Ohio, March 14, 1875, son of William and Ellen (Hilbert) Waltz. His parents were both born in Defiance County and his father was a farmer there until his death in 1878. The mother is still living at Lima, Ohio. Both were members of the United Brethren Church. H.O. Waltz, the only one now living of two children, was reared in the home of his maternal grandparents after the death of his father. He acquired a common school education and after his marriage he farmed the Hilbert place for two years. November 24, 1898, Mr. Waltz married Miss Cora Farlow. She was born in the same community where she is still living. They lived on a farm in Defiance County for a number of years but in 1915 came to DeKalb County and bought the 110 acres known as the Sunny Brook Farm. Mr. and Mrs. Waltz have two sons: Harold and Olan, both of whom graduated in the same class in the common schools and the former is now in high school. The family are members of the United Brethren Church but attend the Christian Church at Spencerville. Politically Mr. Waltz is a democrat. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of George Watson, page 240 / 241. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. George Watson is proprietor of Fairview Farms in Jackson Township, DeKalb County. He is a native of DeKalb County, was left an orphan in early childhood, and for many years had to struggle against obstacles to win his place in life. He was born in Jackson Township, September 13, 1869, a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Zimmerman) Watson, the former a native of Ashland County, Ohio and the latter of DeKalb County, Indiana. His parents were married in DeKalb County, and then settled on a farm in section 25 of Jackson Township. The father died there in 1875 and the mother in 1873. Both were members of the Methodist Protestant Church. George Watson was only six years old when his father died, and as an orphan child he was taken into the home of the W.H. Hollepeter family, with, who he remained seven years, and acquired his education in the local schools. On leaving the Hollepeters he started out for himself and ever since has been diligently working as a farmer, part of the time independently and part of the time for others. In 1898 he married Alice C. Bailey of Allen County, Indiana. For twenty years Mr. Watson has owned his present farm of 100 acres. He does general farming, keeps good grades of livestock, and is a stockholder it the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Spencerville. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have one daughter, Gladys, who is now the wife of Ray Wasson, a railway man living at Spencerville. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church at Spencerville and Mr. Watson is one of the trustees and is very active in the Sunday School. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Joseph S. Watson, page 117. History of Northeast Indiana: LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Joseph S. Watson grew up on a farm and attended the district schools. At the age of twenty-one he started out to earn his own way in the world. For one winter he was a cattle feeder, and the fifty dollars he saved from that work he invested in two head of cattle and later traded that for land in Tennessee, where he lived for four and a half years. On returning to Indiana he acquired eighty acres in Allen County, Indiana, and he was a farmer in that locality for twelve years. Since then he has extended his efforts as a farmer and businessman in Noble County, and now has a well modeled farm of 160 acres. He does general farming and stock raising. Mr. Watson married in 1893 Dora Stephenson, of Allen County, Indiana, but a native of Paulding County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are the parents of six children. Goldie, who finished her education in the college at Fort Wayne, is now general clerk with the firm of Ackerman & Hardenbrook. Etha D. is a graduate of high school and of Manchester College, and also of the Indiana Business College at Fort Wayne, and is now connected with the General Delivery Company at Fort Wayne. Alva N., Emerson, Alice and Cora May are the younger children, all at home. Mr. Watson is a republican in politics. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Daniel W. Weitz, page 143. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Daniel W. Weitz, who was through the Civil war as a Union soldier, has for half a century been an honored resident of Williams and DeKalb counties, for more that fifty years being a farmer in Troy Township of the latter county. His home is a half mile west of Arctic. Mr. Weitz, who is also a justice of the peace, was born in Portage County, Ohio, June 7, 1840, son of Adam and Elizabeth (Yeager) Wietz. His father was born at Hesse Darmstadt, Germany in February, 1810, while the mother was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. They were married September 17, 1839, at Franklin Mills in Portage County by B.F. Hopkins. They lived in Portage County for several years, and in 1846 became pioneers in Williams County, Ohio, where they spent the rest of their lives at Edgerton. Adam Weitz was reared a Catholic but later became a prominent member of the Methodist Church and founded the Weitz Methodist Episcopal Church in Williams County. He also took up democratic affiliation in politics but in 1856 joined the newly established republican party. He held several township offices. He and his wife had a family of eleven children, nine of whom are still living: Daniel W.; John A., deceased; Harriet; Lucina and Lavina, twins; Joseph; Charles W.; Thomas T.; George A.; Francis E. and William A., deceased. Daniel W. Weitz grew up on a farm in Williams County and acquired most of his education in school district No. 3 and in high school at Williams Center. He also made liberal use of his opportunities to study outside of school, and became a very successful teacher, a vocation he followed for about twenty years. Most of his teaching he did after the war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H of the Third Ohio Cavalry, and was with that command until the close of hostilities, being mustered out with the rank of first sergeant. Though he was never wounded nor taken prisoner he was confined to a hospital by illness for six months. After the war he returned to Williams County and on October 11, 1868, married Mary E. Bowersox. She was born in St. Joe Township of Williams County, being the first white girl born in that township. She was a sister of Judge C.A. Bowersox of Bryan, Ohio. In 1869, soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Weitz removed to Troy Township of DeKalb County, and have had their home there for over fifty years. He owns a farm of 130 acres. He was also the first president of the First National Bank of Butler, serving for three years, then became the vice president and is now a stockholder of that bank. Mrs. Weitz died September 9, 1902. Of their five children three are still living: Nellie, who is a graduate of the high school at Edgerton, Ohio, and Tri-State College at Angola, is the wife of Joseph R. Wiley; Floy, who is a young woman of brilliant intellect and has spent twelve years as a teacher in Troy Township, is unmarried and lives at home with her father; Charles H. is a graduate of the Butler High School and Purdue University, with a degree in civil engineering, and is now in business at Salt Lake City. Mr. Weitz is affiliated with Forest Lodge of Masons at Butler, is a member of Meade Post No. 144 of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a republican in politics. He voted for Abraham Lincoln under a pine tree in 1864. He was then in Georgia in war service. He served as justice of the peace for about thirty years. During a residence in Edgerton, Ohio, he served as a member of the City Council and as City Solicitor. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Louis G. Whitten, page 246 / 247. History of Northeast Indiana: LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Louis G. Whitten president and treasurer of the Auburn Post Card Manufactureing Company at Auburn. This is an industry which serves to make this Indiana city widely known over the country, since the thousands of post cards manufactured at the plant has a national if not an international distribution and sale. Mr. Whitten is founder, and chief owner of the business, though the company is incorporated, the other officers being W.H. Schaab, vice president, and C.P. Dennison, secretary. Mr. Whitten was born in the State of Maine March 10, 1873, a son of Charles W. and Rachel (Pottle) Whitten. His father was a highly educated man spent much of his life as a teacher and school principal. Louis G. Whitten, one of the family of five children, attended the public schools in his native state, graduating in 1896 from the Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield and took the regular collegiate course in Bates College of Lewistown, where he graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1900. The following year he pursued a post-graduate course at Harvard, and before engaging in the printing business was a well known educator in New England. For two years he was principal of the Marshfield High School in Massachusetts, was principal of the high school in Stoughton, Massachusetts, four years, and left school work to begin the manufacture of post cards and general printing. For three years he had his business at West Bethel, Maine, and in the fall of 1910 moved to Auburn. Much of the business of the company is mail order business. Mr. Whitten married Martha Dennison, who is also a graduate of Bates College, taking the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1901. They have five daughters Esther, Ruth, Barbara, Elizabeth and Alice. Esther finished the work of the common schools of in 1919. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Whitten being president of the Board of Trustees. He is president of the local Young Men's Christian Association, has served as president of the Auburn Commercial Club, is a library trustee, and one of the men of influence in the civic and business affairs of the county seat. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and is a democrat in politics. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Hugh M. Widney, page 350. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McInosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Hugh M. Widney. The name of Widney was spoken in the wilderness of Southern DeKalb County more than eighty years ago, and the family has always been one of the most substantial and influential in Concord Township and neighboring townships. One of the younger generation is Hugh M. Widney, a widely known authority on fruit growing and horticulture, who is proprietor of the Spring Brook Fruit Farm and the Rivera Farm, comprising 200 acres in Concord and Spencer Townships. He was born in Concord Township March 24, 1866, a son of Oliver H. and Emily F. (Maxwell) Widney. His father was also a native of Concord Township, while the mother was born in Ohio. Oliver Widney and wife were married in 1864, and he died at Auburn, while his wife passed away at St. Joe. They had two children, Hugh M. and Lenore. Hugh M. Widney grew up on the old farm in Concord Township and had a common school education. On December 31, 1885, he married Hattie A. Davis, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Davis, of Newville Township, DeKalb County. Mrs. Widney in former years was a teacher of music. Two children were born to them, Blanchard V., who is a graduate of the Tri-State College at Angola with the Bachelor of Science degree, has spent three years in Purdue University and is now county agricultural agent for Noble County, Indiana. He married, August 19, 1913, Flossie Copp, daughter of Abner and Alice Copp, of St. Joe. The younger child, Dorris Davis Widney, was born August 16, 1903, in St. Joe, and died in the Johns Hopkins Hospital at Baltimore, Maryland, January 29, 1919 in her sixteenth year. The family are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Widney is affiliated with Concord Lodge No. 556, Free and Accepted Masons, and with St. Joe Lodge No. 400 of the Knights of Pythias, being a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a republican. Mr. Widney has been busily engaged with his horticultural specialty for thirty years, and has a highly developed and valuable fruit farm of thirty acres in Concord Township. His wide experience and expert knowledge has made his service valuable to the state at large. He has been on the staff of lecturers under the auspices of Purdue University for county and township institutes, and has traveled all over the state. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@cltnet.com Biography of Joseph R. Wiley, page 253 / 254. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Joseph R. Wiley, is a former trustee of Troy Township, DeKalb County, has been a successful farmer in that locality for many years, and both he and his wife are people of culture and influence and leaders in the community affairs. Mr. Wiley was born in Crawford County, Ohio, December 25, 1865, a son of James and Harriet (White) Wiley, the former a native of Harrison County, Ohio, and the latter of Bangor, Maine. The mother was a well educated woman and on coming west to Crawford County, Ohio, was a teacher until her marriage. She and her husband then settled in Harrison County, Ohio, where James Wiley and brother owned and operated a foundry. During the Civil war this foundry's chief output was cannon balls for the Government. After selling out his interest in that business he moved to Crawford County, Ohio, locating on a farm near Leesville, subsequently bought another place near Galion, Ohio, and in 1869 left the Buckeye state and came to DeKalb County, settling on a farm in Troy Township, where he spent the rest of his life. He was a Presbyterian and his wife a Lutheran, and politically he was a republican and served as a township trustee in Ohio. Of their nine children six are still living: William, of Los Angeles, California; Charles, of Fort Benton, Montana; James C., a farmer in Troy Township; Joseph R.; Stella, wife of Ambrose McGlaughlin; and Harriet, who is a graduate of the Woman's Medial College of Chicago and a practicing physician at Portland, Indiana. Joseph R. Wiley was past four years old when brought to DeKalb County and he grew up here, attending the common schools and taking a special course in Valparaiso College for one year. He married Nellie Wertz, a daughter of D.W. Wertz, of Troy Township. They have one daughter, Harriet M., who was born June 13, 1900, is a graduate of the Butler High School, taught a term or two and is now attending the James Milliken University at Decatur, Illinois. Mrs. Wiley is a graduate of the high school at Edgerton, Ohio, and received the Bachelor of Science degree from the Tri-State College at Angola. Before her marriage she taught school for eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley are members of the Lutheran Church and he is one of the trustees and is superintendent of its Sunday school. He is a republican and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of American. He served four years as trustee of Troy Township. His farm in that locality comprises 196 acres. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Jonathan Wilhelm, page 132 / 133. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Jonathan Wilhelm. A highly esteemed and a widely known resident of DeKalb County, who has made his home here for sixty-eight years and has witnessed and taken part in the development of this section of Indiana, is Jonathan Wilhelm, who lives practically retired in his comfortable home at Waterloo. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio June 18, 1843, and was eight years old when he accompanied his parents, David and Christina (Shaumbacher) Wilhelm, to DeKalb County. David Wilhelm was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, of German parents. He was reared to farm pursuits and when he reached manhood married Christina Shaumbacher, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, came from there as an immigrant to Ohio, and in that state supported herself until her marriage. Six children were born in Columbiana County and two more were added to the family after settlement was made in Indiana., Of these children but two survive: Jonathan and Caroline. Jonathan Wilhelm grew up on a farm and gave his father assistance, as was the duty of a good son. He well remembers the old days when forests covered a large amount of the present richly cultivated farm acreage and when the main highways were little more than Indian trails. In His boyhood a village called Uniontown stood on the site of the present busy City of Waterloo. His father had to haul all family supplies from Fort Wayne. With the coming of such sturdy settlers as the Wilhelms, however, improvement began and constant development has followed. After embarking in business for himself Mr. Wilhelm for many years engaged in farming and bought and shipped livestock, his main market being Buffalo, although demands from Cleveland were also attended to, and he has additionally done shipping to Chicago. He still owns 326 acres in four different farms or tracts of land in Smithfield Township, over which he maintains oversight. Jonathan Wilhelm was united in marriage to Mary E. Geeting, who had accompanied her mother, Mrs. Sophronia Geeting, from Canton, Ohio, to DeKalb County. Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm became the parents of four daughters: Lizzie, Sophronia, Gertrude and Mary. Lizzie who is deceased was the wife of P. A. Bohler, and the mother of four children namely: Ralph, Elmer, Ione and Floyd. During the World war Ralph went to France in an engineer corps with the America Expeditionary Forces. Elmer was also in service, attached to the coast Defense Corps on the coast of Florida. Both were at home at the time of their mother's death. Sophronia and Gertrude reside with their father at Waterloo, looking after his comfort since the death of their mother. Mary, the youngest daughter, is the wife of R.C. Thompson, and Mr. Wilhelm's only sister is a member of the Thompson household. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have two children, Lavon and Roger. Mr. Wilhelm has never been active in a political sense but has always been a helpful and conscientious citizen, practical in business and honest and upright in very relation of life. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Frank W. Willis, page 440 / 441. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 192o. Frank W. Willis, whose honorable career as soldier, journalist, business man, and public official, is familiar to the people of DeKalb County, and especially to those of Waterloo, of which town he was one of the foremost citizens, was born in Syracuse, New York, June 13, 1842, and died at his home in Waterloo, Indiana, May 19, 1913, at he age of seventy years, eleven months and six days. He was a son of Henry and Emerline (Hewitt) Willis, and came to this county in 1844 when his parents located on a tract of land in Richland Township, where they resided until 1864, at which time they removed to Waterloo, when the senior Mr. Willis was elected sheriff of DeKalb County. Frank W. Willis was reared on the farm belonging to his father and attended the common schools. In addition to this he attended the schools of Auburn and Waterloo, and also spent some time at the Orland Seminary. At the age of eighteen years he offered his services to the United States at the of the Civil war outbreak and enlisted as a member of company K, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving his country for over three years. During these years of service he spent the best part of his life for this country and engaged in the battles of Shiloh, Chickamauga, Stone's River and other important engagements, and was wounded three different times, but was always ready to do his duty as a soldier. After his discharge Mr. Willis, was appointed assistant assessor and deputy collector of the tenth congressional district, by William Pitt Fessender, secretary of the treasury under President Johnson. For four years he discharged his duties in this capacity with the full satisfaction of his superiors. Soon after the war he commenced to practice before the Department of the Interior, and as a claim agent secured many pensions for older soldiers and their widows. He was well known among the soldiers of the county and elsewhere, and had many comrades who thought of him during his illness and were kind to him. After his return from the army he was stricken with violent illness and at times suffered greatly, due to his exposure in the service for this country. At times regaining his health, he thought that he would become stronger, and for a number of year was much improved, but after the fire of 1896 he again lost his health, and from that date gradually failed, although he held on to life always with a tenacious grip, and his sturdy constitution gave him courage to live as long as he could, until he had passed the three score years and ten. Many a time he seemed cheerful when he was suffering from severe pain. He enjoyed his home and reared a large family. On January 1, 1884, Mr. Willis formed a partnership with E.P. Dickinson, and the new firm bought out the Waterloo Press, then owned by C. K. Baxter. For a number of years Mr. Willis had editorial charge of the paper and later bought out the interest of his partner and continued The Press, being in editorial charge until the time of his death. In 1867 he purchased the book store of H, K, Davis and with C.K. Baxter, purchasing that of T.Y. Dickinson, the two then consolidated their business under the firm name of Baxter and Willis. In December, 1868, Henry Willis, father of the late deceased, purchased the interest in the book store of Mr. Baxter, and the firm was then known as Willis and Company, and remained so until 1896, when in February of that year their business was destroyed by fire, including that of the Waterloo Press. It was at this time that Frank W. Willis and his son, Herbert C., formed a partnership and continued the publication of the Waterloo Press, and also succeeded the firm of Willis & Company in the book store and stationery business, Henry Willis then retiring from active business on account of his age. From the time of his entering the newspaper business Mr. Willis was actively identified with the general interests of the county and community, and always conducted an editorial column in the paper up to the time of his last illness. In the fall of 1894 he was elected to the state legislature as representative from this county, being elected by the largest majority ever accorded a republican in this county to that office. After serving for two years, during which time he was foremost in the passage of good legislation, he retired from active politics, but was always active in the interests of his party until his health failed to such and extent that he could no longer take active part in the work. However he was very forceful in his editorial writings, and was ardently enthusiastic in advocating his party principles as long as he believed them right. When a young man, Mr. Willis joined the Presbyterian church of Waterloo, and remained an active member up to the time of his death. He was an elder in the church for nearly forty years and never missed attending services when he was at home and not detained by illness. As a worker in the Sunday school, he was a teacher fifty years. He also served as superintendent for many years, and took part in Sunday school conventions in the county, and, in earlier years, in the state conventions. Among the many beautiful tributes to the life, work and character of Mr. Willis was the following from John B. Stoll, the veteran journalist of South Bend and life-long friend of the deceased: "He was what I considered the ideal country newspaper man---discreet, vigilant, intelligent, considerate, conscientious, patriotic, his death is a distinctive loss to the newspaper fraternity, as well as to the community, which for many years enjoyed the benefit of his inspiring example and his well directed efforts for civic righteousness and the moral uplift. Though now numbered among the dead, his splendid record as a man, citizen and patriot will live long in the memory of those who prize nobility of purpose as cardinal virtues of man." It is eminently fitting that there should be incorporated in this memoir the splendid tribute paid the deceased by his son and business associate. "In the passing away of the senior editor of this paper the community loses one of its oldest citizens, and a man who has been identified with public interest to a very large extent. As man he lived a life that stood for itself. No comment is necessary to his character. He was possessed with Christian character that stood foremost in his life. Since a young man he was interested in Sunday school and church work and was active up to the time of his last illness. As a soldier, his active service stands as a tribute to his loyalty to his country. As a man for right he was always found unflinching for all that was good and honorable. As a business partner the writer has been actively associated with him for the past seventeen years, and during all that time has been in such close relationship that the knew him better than anyone else outside the immediate family circle. As a parent for over two score years, the writer knows that he has always been kind and loving and had a desire that his children should be trained in honorable paths, and that they should live such lives that they would be as ready to be called to their eternal homes as he was. During the twenty-nine years that he has been at the editorial head of this paper he has been honest in his editorial opinions, and while there have been many incidents that perhaps have been left uncovered in his editorial writings, his scope has been so general that it was made plain where he stood on all the important subjects of the day. His writings have been widely copied, and no doubt he will be missed from among the journalists of the state. All the yeas that he has been broken in health he has done his part in making life cheerful, not only to himself, but others as well. The close association in business causes a grief on the part of the writer that but few can understand. It is hard to fight life's battles, and it is hard to give them up. He has fought for his life and was ready to give up at the call of the Master. He was a good man and no one can dispute that he has been consistent in his life's habits, and that he had the confidence of his friends, and those with whom he had done business. The end came like a shock, and while it has been known for some time that he could not get well, yet while there was life there was hope, and at last that hope vanished. There might be no more fitting tribute to be paid a father by a son than to say he has been a good father and one who has done all he could in rearing a family of nine children, all of whom today survive. On September 27, 1868, Mr. Willis was united in marriage with Josephine Dickinson, who was born in Auburn, Indiana, on May 17, 1850, the daughter of Timothy R. and Mary (Youngman) Dickinson, her father having been at one time one of most prominent attorneys in DeKalb County. During the Civil war he was drafting officers for this county, and thus filled a very difficult position, which inevitably aroused animosity and enmity among many, especially those southern sympathizers who then infested this locality and who assaulted him with stones, eggs and other missiles, so that at times it was necessary for him to guarded by his friends. He was even asked by a committee from his church to resign his membership because of his strong anti-slavery views, but he was fearless and upright, stood staunchly for freedom and the perpetuity of the national union. Soon after the war he bought a tract of land north of Waterloo, and laid it out, naming it Waterloo cemetery and incorporating an association to own and control it. There have been several additions to this cemetery, the last one being laid out by Frank W. Willis. Probably twice as many people have been buried there as comprise the present population of Waterloo. For awhile Mr. Dickinson practiced law in Auburn, but eventually moved to Waterloo, where he lived during the remainder of his life. Mrs. Willis, who lived at home until her marriage to Mr. Willis, had attended Oberlin College, and also had received some academic instruction. To Mr. and Mrs. Willis were born nine children, six sons and three daughters, namely: Herbert Clyde, who was his father's business partner and associate for a number of years, and who is now editor and owner of the Waterloo Press; Mary Gertrude, wife of James P. Hornaday, newspaper correspondent at Washington, D.C.; Fred I., who is connected with the Central Rubber and Supply Company at Indianapolis; Raymond E. of Angola, Indiana, and part owner of the Steuben Republican; Edward D., also interested in the Steuben Republican; Dora E., wife of R.G. Dilts, of Angola; Frank B., engaged in the automobile business in Denver, Colorado; Josephine, who lives in Washington, D.C., employed in the War Risk Insurance Bureau; and William H., a resident of Indianapolis. These children all received a good education and have been reared to honorable manhood and womanhood, a credit alike to their community and an honor to their parents. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Herbert C. Willis, page 441 / 442. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Herbert C. Willis, printer and stationer, editor and owner of the Waterloo Press, is in point of continuous service the oldest newspaper man in DeKalb County. He is also the present representative for DeKalb County in the Indiana Legislature. Mr. Willis was born at Waterloo December 15, 1871, son of Frank and Josephine (Dickinson) Willis. He maternal grandfather the late Timothy R. Dickinson was a member of the Indiana Senate during the Civil war, and besides his legislative duties he was also drafting officer of DeKalb County. The Frank W. Willis was a Union soldier during the Civil war, and also sat as a member of the House of Representatives in the General Assembly in 1895. Thus the public record of the family is well established. The Waterloo Press is one of the oldest republican papers in the state, having been established in 1859 by an uncle of Herbert C. Willis its present editor and owner. For many years the late Frank W. Willis was editor and owner of the Press which for sixty years has been in the nature of a family institution in the Willis family. Herbert C. Willis grew up at Waterloo, secured a practical education in the grammar and high schools, and in the summer of 1884 at the age of thirteen began leaning the printing trade. A year before graduating from the Waterloo High School, Mr. Willis and one other person did all the job work and all the mechanical work of publishing the Press. He learned the printing trade under old time conditions, and early became a valuable assistant to his father. In 1891 after finishing his high school course he made a tour of the southwest. He then resumed employment with his father. In February, 1896, the plant was totally destroyed by fire. Herbert C. Willis then joined his modest savings and capital with his father and became a partner in the ownership of the Press. Father and son continued the publication until the death of Frank W. Willis in 1913. Then Herbert C. Willis bought and became sole owner of the plant, and for many years has conducted his own editorial page of the Press. He also operates a high class printing establishment for catalog and general stationer printing and has developed a business covering many counties besides DeKalb. Mr. Willis as a boy became interested in military affairs and at the age of eighteen was a charter member of Company I, Third Regiment, Indiana Legion, subsequently a part of the Indiana National Guard. He served six years. After being out a year he enlisted in the Indiana National Guard and became sergeant major on Col. S.A. Bowman's battalion staff. He was on duty at the Hammond riot in 1894. He enlisted his paper and all his personal influence in behalf of the late war, and in August, 1917, was appointed government appeal agent in DeKalb County. He served in the capacity throughout the conscription of the army for the war with Germany. During the campaigns of 1914 and 1916 Mr. Willis was chairman of the Republican Central Committee for DeKalb County. In 1916 he spent seven weeks at Indianapolis as chairman of the publicity bureau under the direction of State Chairman Will H. Hayes. He was nominated for representative in the 1918 primaries after a contest, and in November was elected by a majority of 348 over his opponent, who in 1916 had been elected to the legislature by a majority of 480. Mr. Willis was one of the organizers of the Waterloo High School Alumni Association. He is now serving his second term as school trustee at Waterloo. Since boyhood Mr. Willis has been a member of the Presbyterian Church and has served it as elder and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is affiliated with Lodge No. 221 of the Independent Order of Odd fellows and Lodge No. 307 of Masons. June 24, 1896, he married Miss Martha Gonser. She was born April 6, 1872, on a farm near Auburn, daughter of Moses and Louisa (Wright) Gonser. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, came to DeKalb County in pioneer times, and not long after the birth of Mrs. Willis he sold his farm west of Auburn to the county and located along the county line in the southern part of Steuben County. He was county commissioner of Steuben. Louisa Wright was a native of New York State and was brought to DeKalb County when a girl. Her father had a general store in Fairfield Township in the early days, did much business with the Indians, and conducted an "ashery" for the manufacture of potash from wood ashes. Mrs. Willis is a graduate of the Tri-State Normal at Angola, was teacher in the district schools, graduated in 1893, from Earlham College at Richmond, and for two years was principal of the high school at Waterloo. During that time she began her acquaintance with Mr. Willis, though their families had been close friends in an earlier generation. Mrs. Willis served as secretary of the Waterloo Public Library Board for the three years during the organization and building of that institution. She carried the county contest work in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union for several years and is at present county chairman of the Franchise League. Her sympathies have ever been thrown deeply in the home and public work for progress and loyalty. Mr. and Mrs. Willis have two children: Louise, born September 7, 1897, and Herbert G., born November 21, 1904. The daughter is a graduate of the same school as her father, during 1918-19 was assistant principal of the high school at St. Joe, Indiana, and is now in her fourth year at Earlham College. The son Herbert is a junior in the high school. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Clyde Franklin Wilsey, page 125 / 126. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Clyde Franklin Wilsey. The Wilsey name has been one of honored consideration in DeKalb County since 1848 and has many worthy representatives her at present, a well known one being Clyde Franklin Wilsey, and active and substantial citizen of Corunna and the owner of the Corunna Telephone Exchange. Mr. Wilsey was born in DeKalb County September 22, 1884. The first Wilsey in DeKalb County was William H. Wilsey, a native of New York, who married Ursula Jane Haskins, a native of Vermont, January 25, 1843. Five years later they moved from New York to Indiana and entered land in Fairfield Township, DeKalb County, paying $1.25 an acre for the same. On that farm three generations of the Wilsey family were born. Henry E. Wilsey, father of Clyde F., was born here November 28, 1860, and on January 26, 1882, he was married to Mary L. Krum, who is a daughter of Jacob and Martha (Holden) Krum., old residents of Steuben County. There were five children in the Krum family, namely: Martha, Elizabeth, Eugene, Allen and Minerva, the last named being deceased. Two children were born to Henry E. Wilsey and his wife: Clyde Franklin and Grace, the latter of whom was married December 25, 1906, to Elmer E. Shipe, and they have one son, Ford. Henry E. Wilsey and wife reside at Hudson, Indiana. Clyde Franklin Wilsey was educated in the public schools. On November 1, 1906, he bought the Corunna Telephone Exchange and has had charge ever since and many extensions have been made since that time, this exchange being now considered indispensable to both business and social life. For some years he was editor and publisher of the Corunna News. He has been active in community welfare effort, and example being his suggestions that a park, with shrubbery, park seats, swings and other forms of amusement, together with band concerts often given, providing an admirable opportunity for our door enjoyment. In this and other ways Mr. Wilsey has made himself very unselfishly popular, and evidence of this popularity being shown when he was elected constable on the democratic ticket, although he had always been a republican. Only July 30, 1905, Mr. Wilsey was united in marriage to Miss Nettie A. Wilhelm who is a daughter of John and Mary (Cook) Wilhelm, who were married July 9, 1865, and resided at Elkhart, Indiana, their children being: William, John, Mary, Albert, Harrison, Clarissa, Rilla, Nettie and Cora. Mr. and Mrs. Wilsey have three children, the oldest born on the old homestead: Lester A., born May 15, 1906; Bernardine M., born October 29, 1911; and Robert L., born February 6, 1915; the last two born in Corunna. Mr. and Mrs. Wilsey have a charming summer place in Island Cottage on Story Lake, and when not stopping there themselves, they generously permit friends to use it. On January 25, 1893, the grandparents of Mr. Wilsey celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. It had been the cherished ambition of the venerable grandmother to make the most of the preparations for this event with her own hands. It was an occasion never to be forgotten by her loving descendants, but these tender preparations probably overtaxed her strength, for she passed away ten days later and with her passed on of the noble pioneer women of DeKalb County. The grandfather lived six years longer, passing away December 6, 1899. The early Wilsey family belonged to the United Brethren Church, while the Wilhelms were members of the Evangelical body. Clyde F. Wilsey and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Corunna. He is not active in fraternal life but as a prominent and responsible citizen constantly is in co-operation with others in laudable civic movements and in helpful enterprises here and elsewhere that relieve distress. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of Gustav Wolff, page 243. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. Gustav Wolff, who died at Hamilton, August 29, 1918, was for many years a business man of enviable reputation in Northeast Indiana. He exemplified the principles that business success is only a return for an adequate service rendered, and the business he founded and which is still conducted as G. Woff & Sons, grain merchants and elevator owners, has prospered because of the personality of the men behind it. Gustav Wolff was born in Germany, June 12, 1849, and died at he age of sixty-nine, two months and seventeen days. He came to America when a young man, and to an unusual degree realized the opportunities and benefits of this land of liberty. In 1877 he moved to Butler, Indiana, where he was in the mercantile business for a number of years. He moved to Hamilton in 1903 and 1913 established the firm of G. Wolff & sons at Hamilton, being associated with his three sons in business. The firm conducted the elevator at Hamilton and also elevators at Edon, Ohio, and Lakeville, Indiana. It was Mr. Wolff's policies to do business on a narrow margin consistent with good service and he had the confidence of all the farmers and grain growers in his vicinity because of his liberal and fair treatment. He was equally public-spirited, kind and sympathetic and helpful to the man who needed his help. He was active in the republican party and became a member of the Masonic Lodge at West Unity, Ohio, in 1873, having his membership later transferred to Butler and still later to Hamilton. He was also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Maccabees, Easter Star, Rebekahs, Pythian Sisters and the Jewish Order of B'Nai B'Rith, of Fort Wayne. The Steuben Republican of Angola commenting upon his death, said: " In the fifteen years of his residence in Hamilton, Mr. Wolff was a supporter of every movement for the good of the community. He was a kind and sympathetic friend to all applying to him for help or comfort. He was an upright business man and enjoyed the confidences of a large clientage." In 1877, the year he located at Butler, Mr. Wolff married Jennie Hirsch at Waterloo, Indiana. They had four children: Nettie, who died infancy; Lee, Moses and Harry. The active manager of the business at Hamilton today is Moses Wolff. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com Biography of F. A. Zeigler, page 276. History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh. The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920. F.A. Zeigler, who has spent his life in Northeast Indiana, was for over a quarter of a century and industrious and skillful harness maker, but in later years has been identified with farming in Salem Township of Steuben County. He was born in DeKalb County December 2, 1861, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Melton) Zeigler, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of DeKalb County, Indiana. Samuel Zeigler when a young man moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and later to DeKalb County, Indiana, where he spent practically all the rest of his life as a farmer. He was member of the Lutheran Church. His children, six in number, were J. B., Frank, F.A., Barbara Ann, Mary Josephine, and Elmer. Of these Frank and Elmer are now deceased. F. A. Zeigler acquired his early education in the district schools of DeKalb County. When not in school he was working on a farm and soon after reaching his majority he left the farm to learn the harness maker's trade. That was his business for twenty-seven years. Mr. Zeigler married Neoma Langley, a daughter of Samuel Langley. She died in 1904. In December, 1907, Mr. Zeigler married Mrs. Cora (Zeller) Ransburg, widow of Dr. MartinV. Ransburg. Since his second marriage Mr. Zeigler has lived on his wife's farm of eighty acres in Salem Township and has proved his adaptability to farming, looking at his present interest with as much skill as he formerly did in his mechanical trade. The farm is in section 14. Mr. Zeigler is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Salem, with his wife is a member of the Rebekahs, and his church is the Methodist. Mrs. Feigler is a daughter of Henry Zeller. By her first husband she has one child, Dawson Ransburg. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com