Biography of William F. Kettenbach

William F. Kettenbach now deceased, was one of Lewiston’s most enterprising and successful businessmen, and for many years was president of the Lewiston National Bank. He left the impress of his individuality upon the commercial life and prosperity of the city, and his history forms an important chapter in the annals of the growth and development of this section of the state. He was born in New York City, May 15, 1849, just two days after the arrival of his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Kettenbach, from Germany. They were natives of that land. The father was descended from one of … Read more

Nading, Westley – Obituary

Body of Wesley Nading, Former County Resident, Brought Here Funeral services for Wesley Nading, former resident of the Flat Rock community, whose death occurred at Indianapolis yesterday [June 9, 1933], had not been completed today, pending word from a daughter, Mrs. William Marsh, of Detroit. The body was brought to the Charles M. Ewing Funeral Chapel yesterday from Indianapolis. Mr. Nading at the time of death was 74 years of age [June 9, 1933]. He leaves several nieces and nephews in this City. The Shelbyville Republican, June 10, 1933 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Slave Narrative of John H. Gibson

Interviewer: Anna Pritchett Person Interviewed: John Henry Gibson Location: Indiana Place of Birth: Scott County, N. C. Place of Residence: Colton Street Federal Writers’ Project of the W.P.A. District #6 Marion County Anna Pritchett 1200 Kentucky Avenue FOLKLORE JOHN HENRY GIBSON-EX-SLAVE Colton Street John Henry Gibson was born a slave, many years ago, in Scott County, N.C. His old master, John Henry Bidding, was a wealthy farmer; he also owned the hotel, or rooming house. When court was in session the “higher ups” would come to this house, and stay until the court affairs were settled. Mr. Bidding, who was … Read more

Biography of James Cuthbert

James Cuthbert. One of the oldest and best known general contractors in the state is James Cuthbert of Topeka, which city has been his home and the center of his widely extended activities more than thirty-five years. As his name indicates, Mr. Cuthbert is a sturdy Scotchman, and his many associates and friends in Kansas say that he exemplifies all the best traits of the race. He was born in Nairnshire, Scotland, July 14, 1849, a son of James and Jane (Bowie) Cuthbert, who spent their lives in Scotland. He grew up among his native hills and heather, had a … Read more

Biography of Hon. Theodore L. Stiles

HON. THEODORE L. STILES. – Honorable Theodore L. Stiles was born at Medway, Clarke county, Ohio, July 12, 1848, and was the only child of Daniel J. and Marie S. Stiles. His mother’s maiden name was Lamme; and she, too, was a native of the same county as her son. Mr. Stiles’ father was born of German and English parents, in Danplin county, Pennsylvania. His mother’s family were emigrants from Virginia in 1809. Until the age of sixteen, he remained at his birthplace, which was a small interior farming village. But, his mother having died in 1863, his father removed … Read more

Fisher, Enos – Obituary

Pioneer Farmer Passes Away Enos Fisher Of Summerville, Laid To Rest Came To La Grande When There Were Few Signs Of Civilization – Has Made Progress The funeral of Enos Fisher, well known pioneer farmer of the Summerville district, was held this morning, interment being in the Summerville cemetery. Mr. Fisher had been bedfast about a week and death claimed him on Friday, December 10. Mr. Fisher was born in Mecer County, Illinois, February 9, 1839, and while still a small child, was taken by his parents to Warren county, and thence to Indianapolis, Indiana, and then to Jefferson County, … Read more

Biography of Isaac C. Hattabaugh

Prominent in the field of politics and in business circles, Isaac C. Hattabaugh has left the impress of his individuality upon the public life of Latah county, and is today numbered among the leading and influential citizens of Moscow. A native of Indiana, he was born in Salem, that state, December 24, 1851. His grandfather, Jacob Hattabaugh, was born in Germany, and crossing the Atlantic to America settled in Virginia, whence he afterward removed to Pennsylvania and from there to Indiana. He was a man of ability and an influential pioneer settler of southern Indiana. His son, George W. Hattabaugh, … Read more

Champ, Margaret – Obituary

Child Killed In Accident Buried At St. Omer Margaret, the nine-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Champ of Indianapolis, was crushed to death under the wheel of a heavily loaded wagon near her school building in that city, last Thursday evening [April 13, 1918]. The little girl had been sick all winter and had been going to school but a few days. She and a girl by the name of Knight who lived close together were starting from school when the other girl’s father came along with a wagon. Quite a number of children were in the street but … Read more

McQueen, Hester Anna – Obituary

Mrs. Hester A. McQueen, 72, the widow of Wayne B. McQueen, died Saturday [October 20, 1979] in Community Hospital. A Bartholomew County native, she lived in Indianapolis since 1923 and was a member of Bible Church and Bible Church Ladies’ Auxiliary. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in the church, with entombment in Washington Park East Mausoleum. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Sunday in Shirley Brothers Irving Hill Chapel. Survivors include a son, Eugene McQueen, and five daughters, Mrs. Nellie Mocas, Mrs. Eileen Nickell, Mrs. Juanita Coleen Lepper, Mrs. Mary Collins, and Mrs. Viola Briddle, all of … Read more

Biography of Robert L. Queisser

Queisser, Robert L.; pres. The Queisser-Bliss Co.; born, Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 9, 1866; son of Julius and Caroline J. Schliobitz Queisser; educated, Indianapolis public and high schools; married, Springfield, 0., Nov. 24, 1887, Jessie L. Fried; two sons, Charles Fried, and Robert L., Jr.; regimental adjutant, 3rd Regiment Inf., 0. N. G.; battalion adjutant 7th Regiment Inf., 0. N. G.; captain commissary, 5th Regiment Inf., 0. N. G.; aide-de-camp on staff of Gov. Judson Harmon, four years; former pres. Chamber of Commerce, Zanesville; spent early life in railroad work, leaving a responsible position in the traffic department of The Baltimore … Read more

Rosemeyer, Sarah Elizabeth Large – Obituary

Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Rosemeyer, 82 years old, wife of William A. Rosemeyer, died yesterday [April 19, 1934] after a brief illness in the home of a daughter, Mrs. Tine P. Dickinson, 4451 Central Avenue. She had spent all her life in Indianapolis living many years near Riverside Park. She and her husband celebrated their sixty-second wedding anniversary in June last year. Mrs. Rosemeyer was a member of the union Congregational Church and the Nettie Ransford Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. Besides the husband and Mrs. Dickinson, survivors are four other children, Mrs. William Feldman, Mrs. George Smith, John W. Rosemeyer, … Read more

Biography of David Milton Boyd

David Milton Boyd, secretary of the Traffic Motor Truck Corporation of St. Louis, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, August 1, 1878, and is a son of Trustin Brown and Emily (Tousey) Boyd, who are now residents of St. Louis. Their family numbered two sons, the younger being Ingram F., who Is the president of the Boyd-Richardson Men’s Apparel Company of this city. In the acquirement of his education, David Milton Boyd attended Smith Academy of St. Louis, which he entered in 1887, completing his course by graduation in June, 1896. He afterward attended Yale University and won his Bachelor of … Read more

Hammon, Ora Pearl Harker – Obituary

Mrs. Ora Pearl Hammon, 79 years old, 3140 Broadway, died last night [October 27, 1951] in a nursing home following a long illness. Mrs. Hammon, a native of Hope, had lived in Indianapolis 12 years. She was a member of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, Bethany Class of that church and was active in the church’s Red Cross Work. Funeral services will be held in the Flanner and Buchanan Mortuary, Tuesday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Hammon is survived by three sons, Walter W. Hammon, Indianapolis; Harley, Ft. Atkinson, Wis., and Clarence, Fairbanks, Alaska, and a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frank M. Drew

Drew, Frank M.; mgr. Star Theater; born, New York City, June 30, 1852; son of Frank N. and Louisa M. Drew; educated, public schools, Philadelphia, Pa.; Military Academy at Village Green, Pa.; married, 1885, Blanche C. Collard, of Wyandotte, Mich.; issue, six children; actor for two years, following the profession in New York City; sixteen years in the circus business; conducted museums in Providence, Columbus, Cleveland and Indianapolis; in 1883, built the Cleveland Theater and became connected with Mr. Campbell in conducting playhouses in various places; leased Colonial theater in Cleveland and subject to Ray F. Comstock; member Elks and … Read more

Small, Carroll Otis – Obituary

Carroll Otis Small, 85, of La Grande, a former longtime Baker City resident, died Oct. 8, 2007, at the Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor Jon Privett of the Baker City Church of the Nazarene will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at VFW Hall. Visitations will be from noon to 8 p.m. Friday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Carroll was born May 30, 1922, at Norwood, Mass., … Read more

Biography of James W. Henderson, M. D.

James W. Henderson, M. D. One of the old and honored physicians and business men of Southeastern Kansas is Dr. James W. Henderson, who first became identified in a professional way with Labette and the surrounding country thirty-two years ago. Labette County was at that time new and all its towns, farms, roads, and other facilities were in a primitive condition. Doctor Henderson had his share of the hardships of pioneer practice. To almost a generation he was known as the kindly, courteous and helpful physician and friend, and the esteem in which his name is held is as satisfactory … Read more

Biography of Henry A. Smith, M.D.

Dr. Henry A. Smith, physician and surgeon of St. Louis and also the president and medical director of the People’s Life & Accident Insurance Company, a Missouri corporation, was born in Madison, Jefferson county, Indiana, September 16, 1857. He was educated in the public schools of Madison and pursued his medical course in the American Medical College, an Eclectic School of St. Louis, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1905. Various experiences, however, had come to him ere he prepared for his present profession. At the age of fourteen years he started out to earn … Read more

Slave Narrative of John Eubanks & Family

Interviewer: Archie Koritz Person Interviewed: John Eubanks Location: Gary, Indiana Place of Birth: Barren County, Kentucky Date of Birth: June 6, 1836 Age: 98 Archie Koritz, Field Worker Federal Writers’ Project Lake County-District #1 Gary, Indiana EX-SLAVES JOHN EUBANKS & FAMILY Gary, Indiana Gary’s only surviving Civil War veteran was born a slave in Barren County, Kentucky, June 6, 1836. His father was a mulatto and a free negro. His mother was a slave on the Everrett plantation and his grandparents ware full-blooded African negroes. As a child he began work as soon as possible and was put to work … Read more

Slave Narrative of William M. Quinn

Interviewer: Henry Jackson Person Interviewed: William M. Quinn Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Place of Birth: Hardin County, Kentucky Place of Residence: 431 Bright Street, Indianapolis, Indiana Federal Writers’ Project of the W.P.A. District #6 Marion County Harry Jackson WILLIAM M. QUINN (EX-SLAVE) 431 Bright Street, Indianapolis, Ind. William M. Quinn, 431 Bright street, was a slave up to ten years of age-“when the soldiers come back home, and the war was over, and we wasn’t slaves anymore”. Mr. Quinn was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, on a farm belonging to Steve Stone. He and a brother and his mother were slaves … Read more

Biography of Judge William W. Noland

Judge William W. Noland, Riverside’s well-known City Recorder and the impartial Judge of her municipal court, was born in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana, June 25, 1825. He is a descendant of representative Southern families. His father, Brazelton Noland, was a native of Kentucky. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Madison County, Indiana, locating there in 1821. Judge Noland’s mother was a native of North Carolina. Her name before marriage was Nancy Russell. The subject of this sketch was reared in the pioneer days of his native place, schooled in the log cabin schoolhouse by the itinerant teacher of … Read more