Allen County IN

Biography of Hon. Elisha P. Ferry

HON. ELISHA P. FERRY. – Mr. Ferry was born at Monroe, Michigan, August 9, 1825. He studied law there and at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was admitted to the bar in 1845 at the age of twenty years. In 1846 he removed to Waukegan, Illinois, where he engaged in the practice of his profession. He resided at Waukegan until July, 1869, when he removed to the territory of Washington. He was the first mayor of the city of Waukegan. In 1852 and in 1856 he was presidential elector for the district in which he resided. He was a member of … Read more

Biography of George W. Suttonfield

George W. Suttonfield was born at Fort Wayne, Indiana, February 14, 1825. His father, Colonel William Suttonfield, a native of Virginia, was in the regular army, under General Harrison, in the Black Hawk war. He built the first house in Fort Wayne and lived there until his death, which occurred in 1841. His wife, Laura (Taylor) Suttonfield, was a native of Connecticut. They had six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth. He attended Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Indiana, for four years, and in 1849 came to California. He started from Fort Smith, Arkansas, in April, … Read more

Biography of Clinton P. Ferry

CLINTON P. FERRY. – Clinton P. Ferry was born at Fort Wayne, Indiana, May 24, 1836. Having lost his father, an uncle became his guardian to a great extent. At the age of seven years he removed to Indianapolis, where he attended a preparatory school and business college. For a short time, he engaged in learning the art of printing, and devoted his seventeenth and eighteenth years as a telegraph operator. He was a nephew of W.G.& G.W. Ewing, a firm then largely interested in trading posts on the then Western frontier of the United States. They had branches at … Read more

Biography of Donald W. McLeod

Donald W. Mcleod is one of the prominent and well-known citizens of Riverside and has been identified with many of the leading public enterprises of the colony for the decade of years preceding 1890. Mr. McLeod is a native of Nova Scotia, born at Scotsburn, Pictou County, November 18, 1841. His parents, Duncan R. and Annie (Fraser) McLeod, were of Scotch descent. Mr. McLeod was reared upon his father’s farm, and early in life became familiar with the practical duties of farm life. He was given the advantages of a good education, and at nineteen years of age graduated at … Read more

Biography of Herman A. Hanser, M.D.

Dr. Herman A. Hanser, a St. Louis surgeon who has practiced continuously 1n this city since 1898, was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, September 22, 1877. His father, the late Rev. C. J. Otto Hanser, D. D., was a native of Bavaria and came to America in 1848, being forced to leave his native country on account of his political activity in opposition to monarchial rule he was a highly educated man, a graduate of one of the leading German universities and until he took up the study of theology had quite an adventurous life, being obliged to leave Bavaria … Read more

Biography of George W. Pens

George W. Pens. The oil fields of Kansas have attracted to them men of experience who have made this industry the study and the business of their lives. It is through the expert work and knowledge of these men that the industry had been developed to its present proportions. No mere tyros could have brought about the present great production; it needed the activities of experienced, trained oil producers to develop and regulate this great industry, which is proving to be one of the state’s greatest assets. Perhaps Indiana had contributed as many of these men as any other state, … Read more

Daugherty, Lew – Obituary

North Powder, Union County, Oregon L. Daugherty Taken Suddenly Thursday Well Known North Powder Farmer Died Soon After He was Taken to Baker Hospital Lew Daugherty, whose farm is near North Powder and who has lived her for many years died at 6 o’clock last evening at the Protestant hospital, Baker, from a stroke or internal hemorrhage, suffered at his home only a few hours previously. He had complained of a headache that morning and rested later in the day. About 4 o’clock he appeared to be stricken and never recovered, an ambulance taking him to Baker. Dr. C.D. Houser … Read more

Biography of William R. Zook

William R. Zook. The life of William B. Zook had embraced a wide range of experiences and covered a period of more than forty-seven years in Western Kansas. He was one of those whose labor lent dignity and stability to unsettled and undeveloped concitions, and whose faith in the future was readily communicated to his associates among the early settlers. In the period following the Civil war, in which he had fought as a soldier of the Union, he cast his fortunes among the pioneers of the frontier, and after many hardships and vicissitudes finally emerged triumphant, the owner of … Read more

Fort Wayne Indiana Directories

These directories represent a large collection of Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana directories covering the years of 1858-1923 (not inclusive). These 15 volumes may provide the researcher with valuable data on their Fort Wayne ancestors such as specific address, occupation, business name. These directories are most valuable during the years of 1881-1899 as they can serve to supplement the missing 1890 census. 8 of the 24 directories which cover that specific period, with 6 of those in the 1890-1899 time span. One of the listings is a Bell Telephone Directory for Fort Wayne. As such, it will only contain a listing for those residences and business which had a telephone at the time.

Biography of William Studabecker

William Studabecker was born in Allen County, Indiana, in 1851; he is the son of David and Elizabeth (Wilt) Studabecker. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Maine. When Mr. Studabecker was two years of age his father moved the family to Van Wert County, Ohio, and there engaged in farming until his death in 1858. The subject of this sketch was reared to the labor attending a life upon a farm, and after the age of ten years was deprived of any schooling facilities; at twenty years of age he learned the shoemaker’s trade and … Read more

Biography of Samuel C. Evans

Samuel C. Evans, one of the most prominent men of Riverside, and who has spent over fifteen years of an active business life in conducting some of the largest business enterprises in the colony, one of which is the Riverside Land and Irrigation Company, came to Riverside in 1874 and purchased a half interest in nearly 10,000 acres of land, known as the Hartshorn tract; the land is now known as the Arlington part of Riverside and Arlington Heights. Captain W. T. Sayward, of San Francisco, was the owner of the other half. These gentlemen in the same year commenced … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Willard A. Collie

Collie, Willard A.; supt. car service, N. Y., C. & St. L. R. R.; born, Martin, Mich., Nov. 28, 1871; public school education in Plainvill, Mich.; married, Fort Wayne, Ind., Sept. 20, 1897, Ella Crosby; two sons, Murray and Wayne; entered service of N. Y., C. & St. Louis R. R. March 10, 1890 as telegraph operator; then car distributor, chief clerk to division supt. and chief clerk to supt. transportation; appointed supt. car service, January, 1911.

Biography of Clarence W. Winbigler, M. D.

Clarence W. Winbigler, M. D. It was nearly thirty-five years ago that Doctor Winbigler began practice at Harper, Kansas. That county was then well out toward the frontier, and with one other physician of Harper he shared the honors of pioneer practice. In early years Doctor Winbigler practiced when there were no telephones, when there were few good roads, and his work necessitated riding night and day through the bare prairies in all kinds of weather. As a physician and surgeon he ranks among the leaders of his profession in this section of the state. Doctor Winbigler was born at … Read more

Biography of Henry J. Rudisill

Henry J. Rudisill. Among the men who for years were prominently associated with the leading enterprises and industries that gave to Riverside that prominence in the history of Southern California that is unequaled, and spread before the people in the marts of the world, her unrivaled productions that induced immigration and brought an unceasing flow of wealth to the beautiful valley, none is more worthy of mention than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Rudisill came to Riverside in February 1875. In the same year the Riverside Land and Irrigating Company was organized and at once assumed control of the … Read more

Gibson, Larry Edward – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Larry Edward Gibson, 60, of Alder Slope, died Saturday, April 5, 2008, with family members at his side. Larry was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive form of brain cancer and died after a six-month fight and a short hospital stay. Larry was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, and raised in Fort Wayne, Ind., where he graduated from Bishop Luers High School in 1966. He continued his studies at Lewis University in Lockport, Ill., where he earned a BS degree in political science and history, with a teaching endorsement. He also served six years in the military policy in the … Read more

Biography of Joseph C. Straughan

When we think of the wonderful development of our country in the last half century we find that it is largely due to two agencies, railroad construction and civil engineering, and of both of these industries Joseph C. Straughan is a representative. The era of progress and development in the various sections of this great republic west of the Atlantic coast has been almost invariably ushered in by railroad construction, and the vast network of glistening rails that trace their parallel course over mountain and plain and through the fertile valleys, represent more than mere corporate enterprise and accomplishment, since … Read more

Biographical Sketch of L. G. Roberts

L. G. Roberts, dental surgeon, Mattoon; was born in Ripley Co., Ky., Jan. 18, 1846; his father, R. B. Roberts, was a dentist by profession, and a minister in the Christian Church; his father came with his family to Indiana when L. G. was but 3 or 4 years of age, and in the fall of 1864, he came to Illinois; his education was derived mostly from the common schools; at the age of 18, he entered the dental office of Dr. Allen, in Ft. Wayne, Ind.; in 1864, he worked under instructions with Dr. Moore, of La Fayette, Ind.; … Read more

Biography of Nelson Schoonover

NELSON SCHOONOVER. – It now becomes our pleasant privilege to outline the career of the enterprising and progressive citizen, whose name initiates this paragraph, and who has wrought in Union county for many years, ever being active for its upbuilding and advancement, while his wisdom and energy and ability have served in many instances for the good of his fellows. Mr. Schoonover has been occupied in many different lines of industry, but in them all he has never forgotten its labor for the town and county where his lot was cast, and to-day he stands as one of our most … Read more

Biography of Otto E. Janzow

Among those men who confine their activities to the real estate field and have won success in handling and managing property interests is Otto E. Janzow, of St. Louis, who was born in Lewiston, Minnesota, February 22, 1877. His father, Charles L. Janzow, now deceased, came to the new world from Usedom, Pomerania, Germany, when but five years of age. He entered the ministry of the Lutheran church and was engaged in pastoral work from 1883 until 1911. He married Wilhelmina Miller in St. Louis and they became the parents of three sons and four daughters, Otto E. being the … Read more

Biography of Thomas M. Lathrope

We regret that space forbids a more extended and minute account of the career of the estimable gentleman and worthy pioneer that has been named at the beginning of this article, but we desire to especially mention that in capabilities he stands among the leading men of the county, while his endeavors have always been attended with energy and skill and also it is becoming to here state that when the demon of fratricidal strife had rented the fair land in twain and our banner of liberty’s throne was trailing in the dust our subject was one of the noble … Read more