Allen County IN

Allen County was formed in 1824 and organized in 1831 from lands acquired by treaty from Native American tribes including the Miami, with its county seat at Fort Wayne, a historic site at the confluence of the St. Joseph, St. Marys, and Maumee rivers; the area had earlier been a strategic Native and colonial location associated with Kekionga village and later U.S. military presence. Early settlement increased in the 1820s and 1830s following land cessions, and genealogical records begin with county organization, including land deeds, probate, and court records from the 1830s, with vital records more consistently recorded after statewide registration improvements in the late 19th century. The county’s river system and its position along early portage routes influenced migration and trade, later supplemented by canals such as the Wabash and Erie Canal and expanding railroad lines. Important repositories include the Allen County Courthouse in Fort Wayne, along with township records, church registers from mid-19th-century congregations, and cemeteries that provide essential documentation for family history research.

History of Harlan Indiana, 1853-1953

The “Harlan Centennial, 1853-1953,” compiled by the Harlan Community Association, offers a comprehensive reflection on the history and development of Harlan, Indiana. This commemorative book was published in 1953 to mark the 100th anniversary of Harlan’s founding. The centennial celebration was a significant community effort, with extensive participation from local residents and detailed planning by various committees. The book includes messages from key figures, a detailed program of the centennial events, and historical narratives highlighting Harlan’s growth, notable personalities, and community milestones.

Hoagland High School Yearbooks 1937-1968

The Hoagland High School yearbooks were published as the Ship’s log, starting with 1937 and continuing until the school was consolidated with the Monroeville High School and the new Heritage High School was created to principally serve the children of Hoagland, Monroeville, and Poe. This was during the year 1968. If the title and year is linked, then the yearbook is currently online for free reading and download.

Slave Narrative of Henrietta Jackson

Henrietta Jackson, a centenarian and ex-slave, resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with her daughter. At approximately 105 years old, she remains active, helping in her daughter’s restaurant. Born into slavery in Virginia, she recalls being sold as a child and later working both in fields and as a maid. After the Civil War, she sought freedom and later moved to Alabama, where she worked in a laundry before ultimately settling in Fort Wayne in 1917. Despite her past, she finds contentment in her current life.

Biography of Christian Frederick Gottlieb Meyer

Christian Frederick Gottlieb Meyer, born on December 9, 1830, in Prussia, rose from humble beginnings to become a prominent merchant in the United States. He founded the Meyer Brothers Drug Company, which became a leading wholesale drug establishment. After immigrating to America in 1847, Meyer demonstrated unwavering dedication and integrity, quickly advancing in his career. He expanded his business to St. Louis, establishing a significant drug trade. Throughout his life, Meyer was respected for his contributions to commerce and community, passing away on July 12, 1905.

Biography of Thomas Azro Noftzger

Thomas Azro Noftzger, born on November 15, 1861, in Indiana, established himself as a prominent attorney in Kansas, currently serving as a senior partner at Noftzger Gardner in Wichita. After earning a Bachelor of Philosophy from the University of Michigan, he began his legal career in Indiana before moving to Kansas in 1884. Throughout his career, Noftzger held various public positions, including city attorney and state senator, and is known for his strong convictions and dedication to his community. He married Lelia K. Kidd and has two children.

Biography of Otto E. Janzow

Otto E. Janzow, born on February 22, 1877, in Lewiston, Minnesota, rose to prominence in St. Louis as a successful real estate professional. Initially a pastor, he served in Minnesota and St. Louis before transitioning to the real estate and loan business in 1910. A devoted family man, he married Ellen S. Gerling, with whom he had three children. Janzow actively contributed to his community during World War I and held various civic roles, reflecting his commitment to public welfare and civic engagement.

Biography of Herman A. Hanser, M.D.

Dr. Herman A. Hanser, born on September 22, 1877, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been a prominent surgeon in St. Louis since 1898. His father, Rev. C. J. Otto Hanser, a Bavarian émigré and theologian, greatly influenced his education. Dr. Hanser earned his M.D. from Missouri Medical College and held various medical positions while maintaining a significant private practice. He served in the Medical Corps during World War I and has been active in multiple medical associations. Married to Ida J. Gruen, they have one daughter, Helen.

Biography of William R. Zook

William R. Zook, born in Indiana in 1846, was a Civil War veteran who significantly impacted early Kansas settlement. Enlisting in the Union Army at seventeen, he served with the Second Nebraska Volunteer Cavalry before homesteading in Republic County, Kansas, in 1869. Despite facing hardships, including conflicts with Native Americans and resource scarcity, Zook became a respected landowner and community member. He married Nancy Casteel and had five children, exemplifying the resilience and determination of early pioneers while contributing to the region’s development. He later retired in Cuba, Kansas.

Biography of George Ross

The Ross family significantly shaped Kansas from its early days, with brothers William, Edmund, and George arriving in 1855. They were prominent supporters of the free soil movement and close associates of notable figures like John Brown. Edmund became a U.S. Senator, notable for his courageous vote against Andrew Johnson’s impeachment. Their father, Sylvester, was Kansas’s first permanent settler in the region near Dover. George, who served in the Civil War, farmed in the area and contributed to community life, marrying Minerva Fox and raising eight children, all distinguished citizens of Kansas.

Biography of Nelson Schoonover

Nelson Schoonover, born on May 24, 1838, in Pennsylvania, has significantly contributed to the development of Union County, Oregon. After learning the miller’s trade, he migrated to Indiana and then ventured to the West, engaging in mining and the stock business. He became a successful farmer and improved livestock quality in the county, enhancing its agricultural wealth. Married to Anna Morrison in 1876, Schoonover remains a prominent figure in the community, known for his integrity and commitment to public service.

Biography of Joseph C. Straughan

Joseph C. Straughan, born on June 15, 1849, in Wooster, Ohio, significantly impacted railroad construction and civil engineering. His work primarily in the Mississippi Valley and as United States surveyor-general for Idaho helped advance the northwest’s development. Educated in Indiana and Ohio, Straughan was involved in building thirteen railroads and contributed valuable reports on irrigation to the U.S. Senate. A committed Democrat, he also engaged in local political and social endeavors while residing in Boise, Idaho, where he and his second wife, Alice, are well-regarded members of the community.

Biographical Sketch of Willard A. Collie

Willard A. Collie, born on November 28, 1871, in Martin, Michigan, received his education in Plainville. He married Ella Crosby in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on September 20, 1897, and had two sons, Murray and Wayne. Collie began his career with the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad on March 10, 1890, working as a telegraph operator. He advanced through various positions, ultimately being appointed Superintendent of Car Service in January 1911.

Biographical Sketch of George H. Schwan

George H. Schwan, born in Cleveland on March 27, 1860, served as a Consular Agent for the German Empire. He was educated in local public schools and graduated from Concordia College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, later completing post-graduate studies at Concordia University in St. Louis, Missouri. Admitted to the bar in 1882, he practiced law in Cleveland until his election to the common pleas bench in 1904. He was also appointed to Police Court by Governor Nash in 1901 and was active in various political organizations. Schwan was a member of the Republican Party and the German Lutheran Church.

Biography of George W. Pens

George W. Pens, born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1873, became a notable oil contractor in Chanute, Kansas. His father, a German immigrant, transitioned from machinist to farmer in Kansas. After serving in the U.S. Navy, George entered the oil industry, drilling over 1,000 wells and establishing himself as a pioneer in the Mid-Continent fields. With a strong commitment to his community and family, he invested in properties and raised eight children with his wife, Eva. A knowledgeable figure in his field, Pens remained politically independent, focusing on civic matters.

Coryell, Ruth B. Bushong Mrs. – Obituary

Ruth B. Coryell, born on January 24, 1896, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on May 22, 1984, in Walla Walla, Washington. A homemaker, she was married to Floyd Ritenhouse and later to Harry Coryell, both of whom preceded her in death. Ruth is survived by her two sons, three daughters, 14 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Wallowa Cemetery on May 25, 1984.

Gibson, Larry Edward – Obituary

Larry Edward Gibson, 60, of Alder Slope, Oregon, passed away on April 5, 2008, after a six-month battle with aggressive brain cancer. Born in Portsmouth, Ohio, and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he earned a BS in political science and history from Lewis University. Larry had a diverse career in management and sales within the trucking industry and was active in local organizations, including the Wenaha Muzzleloaders Club and Search and Rescue. He is survived by his wife, daughters, mother, siblings, and grandchildren. Services are scheduled for April 12, 2008.

Daugherty, Lew – Obituary

Lewis Daugherty, a well-known farmer from North Powder, Oregon, passed away suddenly from a stroke or internal hemorrhage on April 7, 1932, shortly after being taken to Baker Hospital. Born on December 12, 1867, in Indiana, Daugherty moved west in 1897 and established a successful farming career. He is survived by his wife, Violet, six children from two marriages, and siblings. His funeral was held on April 10, 1932, at the Methodist Episcopal Church, attended by many friends and community members.

Biographical Sketch of L. G. Roberts

L. G. Roberts, a skilled dental surgeon from Mattoon, was born on January 18, 1846, in Ripley County, Kentucky. He was the son of R. B. Roberts, a dentist and minister. The family moved to Indiana during his childhood, and by 1864, L. G. was honing his dental skills under several prominent dentists. He began his practice in El Paso, Illinois, before settling in Mattoon in 1873. Married to Mary A. Winn, he has two children and is highly regarded in his profession.

Biography of William Studabecker

William Studabecker, born in 1851 in Indiana, was raised on a farm after his family relocated to Ohio. Limited schooling opportunities shaped his early life. He learned shoemaking and moved to California in 1873, working various jobs and later co-founding the Valley Echo in Riverside with his brother. After selling the paper, he established a printing business in Los Angeles. Eventually, he purchased the Daily Enterprise in Riverside. A self-made man with a Democratic but conservative outlook, he married Claudina L. Wood in 1888, and they had one son, Hale A.

Biography of Donald W. McLeod

Donald W. McLeod, born on November 18, 1841, in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, emerged as a key figure in Riverside by 1890. After a brief teaching career and multiple health setbacks, he relocated to California in 1867, where he found stability in horticulture. By 1880, he owned a successful orange grove and became involved in local governance, serving as secretary of the Riverside Land and Irrigating Company. A dedicated Presbyterian and Republican, McLeod earned respect in the community for his character and contributions.