"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

GEORGE MOORE -- Oct. 1, 1840, is the time when the gentleman whose name introduces this review and who, for many years, has been familiarly known as "Uncle George Morre", came to Fulton County. He is a native of Logan County, Ohio, born May 22, 1819, and is a son of George and Mary (Moore) Moore. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1789. He was a soldier of the war of 1812 and died in Fulton County, Ind., in 1855. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Moore was George Moore, a native of Massachusetts. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and participated in many of the important battles of that conflict, among which may be mentioned Bunker Hill, Stony Point and Brandywine. By occupation he was a weaver, which vocation he followed almost until the time of his demise at more than ninety-nine years of age, when death came to him in Jasper County, Ind., July 18, 1848. The mother of the subject of this biography was born in Ohio and died in Logan County, of that state, in 1823. He was raised in Logan County, Ohio, and attended school there. In early life he learned the wheelwright and chairmaker trades and these vocations he followed until about 1865. Upon coming to this county he first settled in the woods about six miles east of Rochester, where he lived for some eighteen months, when he removed to Rochester, and here lived until the spring of 1848, when he removed to his present place of residence, about three miles east of Rochester. Since 1865 Mr. Moore has been engaged in farming and now owns in this county about 455 acres of good land. As a farmer Mr. Moore has been successful. He was united in marriage in 1842 to Miss Eleanor Quigg, who died in Rochester soon after the marriage. In November, 1844, Mr. Moore married Miss Rebecca Clark, who was born in Lewis County, Va. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore are these three living children, vix.: Milton H., Charles and Frank. The right of political suffrage has been cast with the fortunes of the republican party since its birth, and Mr. Moore is a pronounced advocate of a protective tariff. He cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay. In 1876 he was the nominee of his party in Fulton County for commissioner, and while he was not successful at the election he reducted the democratic majority of the county very perceptibly. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and one of the honorable old settlers and citizens of his adopted county.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

WILLIAM D. MOORE, a farmer and reputable citizen of Aubbeenaubbee township, was born in Burlington, Burlington County, N.J., on Jan. 8, 1830. His parents were Mark and Sarah Ann (Carty) Moore, and natives of New Jersey, from which state they removed in the year 1839, settling in Union township, Fulton County, where they lived until death called them away from the scenes of mortal toil. They had the following children: Rebecca Ann, deceased; William D.; Julia L., deceased; Lewis, deceased; Charles W.; Eliza, deceased; Justina, deceased. William D. was a lad of nine years when his parents settled in this county. With his parents he remained on the farm until twenty-one years of age, and then marrying Dec. 5, 1850, he began life for himself. The marriage was with Sarah Allen, a daughter of Obadiah and Sarah Allen, of Rochester township, this county. The issue of this marriage was as follows: Evaline, Josephine, Mark Bird, Mary Jane, deceased; Obadiah C., Sarah Rebecca, deceased; William Andrew, deceased; Milo, deceased, and Laura, deceased. The mother of these children died in 1876, and later the father married Mary A. Merideth, a daughter of Ambrose Merideth, Esq. To this marriage one child, Letty, was born, and then the mother died in 1878. The following year Mr. Moore married Mrs. Salome Sturgeon, nee Atkinson, a daughter of William and Sarah Atkinson. Unto the third marriage of Mr. Moore three children were born. Of the three children only Lee is living. At the time of Mr. Moore's first marriage his father gave him forty acres of land, on which his present residence is located. He has prospered as a farmer and now owns a good farm of 140 acres. Mr. Moore has served as trustee of his township three terms, being first elected in 1861. He has always been identified with the democratic party. Both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and enjoy the esteem of a wide acquaintance.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

DR. J.M. MORRIS is the oldest practicing physician in years of continuous service in Fulton. He was born in Lancaster, Ohio, July 11, 1841, a son of Mitchell and Elizabeth (Hardesty) Morris. The father was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1812, and there died in 1894. He was a successful farmer and stock-dealer and was active in politics, serving as treasurer of his county for eight years, and as coroner for four years. The children of the family are Rhoda O.; Mary, wife of Lewis Hunter, of Fairfield County, Ohio; J.M., of this review; Jennie, wife of J.J. Smith, of Wells County, Ind.; Sarah, wife of Morris Turner, of Jersey City, Ohio; Dr. George M., of Hadley, Ind.; and Emma, of Lancaster, Ohio. Dr. Morris, of this sketch, was reared as a farmer's son and acquired his literary education in the district and village schools. Prompted by patriotism, he enlisted in the Union service in 1861, at Lancaster, Ohio, as a member of company C, Eleventh Ohio infantry, which was sent to Camp Dennison, then on to St. Louis, Mo., and to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. The duty of the regiment was to protect the mail routes and other government intersts on the frontier. The doctor entered the service as private, but meritorious conduct won him promotion to the rank of sergeant major, and as such he was mustered out in Omaha, Neb., in April, 1865. Returning at once to Lancaster, he began the study of medicine the next year, with Dr. R.J.D. Peters. He was graduated from the medical college in Columbus, Ohio, and in order to further pergect himself in his chosen calling he has since attended lectures at the Rush medical college of Chicago, and the Keokuk medical school of Keokuk, Iowa. He began practice in Wells County, Ind., and in 1871 located at Twelve Mile, in Cass County, where he did a successful business for ten years, since which time he has been accorded recognition as the leading practitioner of Fulton. He is popular with his professional brethern and with the public and has been deservedly successful. On May 28, 1872, at Twelve Mile, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Morris, and Miss Sarah J. Sergeant, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1846. Their children are Fannie V., aged twenty-two; Charles H., twenty years of age; James A., a youth of fifteen; and May, a maiden of eleven summers. In politics the doctor is a democrat.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

HENRY F. MOW -- This representative of one of the early families of Fulton County was born in Richland township, this county, about one-half mile from Richland Center, on June 5, 1847. The father of Mr. Mow was born in Ohio in 1827, and died in Fulton County, Ind., in 1869 He was a soldier of the late war and enlisted and served his country for a little over one year when, as first lieutenant, he was honorably discharged on acocunt of contracted physical disability. The mother of Henry F. Mow was Eleanor (Holdstock) Mow, a native of New York state, who was born in 1828 and died in Fulton County, Ind., in 1874. The Mow family came to Fulton County in 1839, and the Holdstock family settled here two years previous, so that both of these families were among the early settlers of this county, and fully experienced the trials and difficulties of life in the woods. The subject of this review was raised in Richland township, and at its schools received his early education. At twenty years of age he began farming for himself and for three years lived upon what was known as the Shryock farm, and after the death of his father he farmed the old Mow homestead, which he and his brother, E.H. Mow, purchased after the death of the mother. On this farm he continued until 1884, when he bought his present farm, now consisting of 115 acres, and located on the Michigan road, three miles north of Rochester. This farm is well improved and about ninety acres are under cultivation. Mr. Mow was united in marriage Jan. 1, 1866, to Miss Phila Davis, who died in June, 1879, leaving two children, viz.: Finley E. and Aquilla Ray. March 15, 1881, Mr. Mow, for his second wife, married Miss Hannah W. Barnett, a native of Cass County, Ind., and a daughter of Henry and Nancy Barnett. The father of Mrs. Mow died in Marshall County, Ind., in 1891, and her mother died in Fulton County in 1894. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. (Barnett) Mow are these children, viz.: Lillie M., Maude L., Robert D. and Benjamin R. In political affairs Mr. Mow has always taken an active part in the interests of the republican party, and has devoted much time to promote its success. For twenty-seven years he has been a member of the Rochester lodge, No. 47, I.O.O.F., and he and wife are members of the M.E. church and are among the prominent people of this county.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

ENOCH MYERS, attorney at law, was born in Fulton County, Ind., Aug. 5, 1849. His father, John Myers, was born in Pennsylvania May 21, 1802. His mother, Elizabeth (Curtner) Myers, was born near Knoxville, Tenn., June 17, 1813. She died in Fulton County, Ind., Feb. 4, 1887. The father died in this county Oct. 6, 1886. The parents were married in Carroll County, Ind., Feb. 14, 1832. Nine living children survive them. The name Myers was originally spelled Moyers. John Myers, Enoch's father, was a son of George Myers, a German, whose parents became settlers in Shelby County, Ohio, in 1804. He died in that county. In 1827 John Myers came from Ohio to Carroll County, Ind., where he resided for sixteen years, following farming. He then removed to Fulton County, and here lived till death ended his long, useful and successful life. His son Enoch toiled on the farm in his youth; attended first the country schools, then schools of Rochester and later Battle Ground collegiate institute. He taught his first school when eighteen years of age. He spent six or seven years in the school room as a teacher. He was made county superintendent of school for Fulton County in 1875, and for six years thereafter held the office. He is said to have made a proficient official, and to have done much to raise the standard of the county schools. While in this office he took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1880. He has long since been recognized as a lawyer of no mean ability, and now stands in high repute in his profession. In 1876 Mahala E. Troutman, daughter of Capt. P.S. Troutman, of Kewanna, became Mr. Myers' wife. In politics he has been active as a democrat. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias order, and of the Knights of the Maccabees.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

JONAS MYERS -- This soldier of the Rebellion, ex-postmaster of Rochester, and honorable citizen, was born in Washington County, Pa., Feb. 20, 1829, and is a son of Jacob and Rosana (Long) Myers. The former was born in Washington County, Pa., in 1808, and died in Miami County, Ind., in 1883, while the latter was born in Maryland in 1807 and also died in Miami County in 1886. With his parents the subject of this review came to Indiana in 1839, and settled in Miami County, where he obtained a common school education and in 1848 came to Rochester and here learned the carpenter's trade, at which he continued for some years. Aug. 8, 1862, he enlisted in company F, Eighty-seventh I.V.I. and served his country faithfully until May 10, 1865, when, as second lieutenant, he was discharged at Washington. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Peach Tree Creek, Chattanooga, Jonesboro, Atlanta, Resaca, Ringgold and many minor engagements. He was in the memborable march to the sea and in the grand reive of war heroes at Washington. Since the war he has for many years been engaged in the planing mill business and while thus engaged in July, 1875, he lost his right forearm. Politically Mr. Myers is an uncompromising republican. April 24, 1890, he was appointed postmaster at Rochester and served until April 6, 1894. He, with the assistance of Miss Emma Graeber, gave the people an efficent postal service. Mr. Myers has been three times married, and his present wife, Elizabeth H. Myers, nee Clayton, became his bride in 1867. Two children have been born to this union: Indianaola E. and Stella P. Mr. Myers is a member of the I.O.O.F. and McClung post, No. 95, G.A.R.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

THOMAS NELLANS, a leading and prosperous farmer of Richland township, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, April 8, 1818. He grew up, was schooled sparingly and was married there and something more than fifty years ago left the state of his birth and came to Fulton County, Ind. He settled in New Castle township on a farm and remained a resident of that township till about 1881, when he sold the old homestead and bought his present farm. He came to this state poor and in search of a home. His is one of the desirable homes one would find in a day's journey and is a fitting place for its owner, who has spent the best years of his life in making it, to pass his last years. In 1839 Mr. Nellans was married to Maria, a daughter of E. Strohsnider. She was born in 1820 and is the mother of eleven children, eight of whom are living: Nacky, married David Boyd, of Schuyler County, Ind.; Mary E., wife of William Clark, of Marshall County; John N., George, Havina, wife of W. Robinson, of Marshall County; Allie, wife of Thomas Nelson, Kosciusko County; Ami and Mack. Mr. Nellan's father, Patrick Nellans, was a millwright and born of Irish parents. He married Nacka Tipton and died in Coshocton County, Ohio. His children were: Keziah, who married Stephen Merriday; Thomas, Moses, deceased; James, Marshall County; Mark, deceased; Ezekiel, deceased, and Aps, Rochester township. Mr. Nellans is a democrat and has no membership in any society.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

NOAH A.W. NORRIS is one of the successful and representative farmers of New Castle township. He is descended from the Norrises of colonial days, who settled in New England and whose descendants are to be found in every state and territory of the Union. Our subject's great-great-grandfather Norris was a Scotch immigrant. His name was Joseph and he was one of three brothers to seek a home in the western hemisphere. He removed his family to western Pennsylvania and was there a successful farmer and stock dealer. He was murdured on one of his trips home from market. This man's son William and his son Joseph were our subject's great-grandfather and grandfather respectively. The latter was born in Pennsylvania and died in eastern Ohio. Our subject's father, John Norris, was born in Pennsylvania, was reared in Ohio, and when married he entered a part of the town site of Fosteria, Ohio. He afterward moved near Findlay, Ohio, and resided there till his going to Texas, dying there in Denton County some twenty years ago. He was born in 1808. Was married to Sarah, daughter of George Clark, who was born in Ireland, settled in Pennsylvania and there married Margaret Wilson, a daughter of Erin. John Norris' children were : Joseph, deceased; Nancy, wife of A.J. Anderson, of Denton, Texas; George W., Saunders County, Neb.; Marion, deceased, and Noah A.W. The last named was born Dec. 9, 1837, and grew up on the farm; was sparingly educated in the common schools and perhaps most effectively by the fireside. He was born in Hancock County, Ohio, but left there in 1864, joining a freighting train, crossed the plains to Virginia City, Mont., and served as cook and wagonmaster. He returned to civilization in the fall of 1865, and the next year came to Fulton County. He engaged the first and summer in clearing under the lease of Thomas Norris. He was a partner with M.V. Cop, saw-milling the next season, and the next year he was a land owner and busliy engaged in clearing his forty acres, for which he had gone in debt $700. He paid out and lived comfortably and bought forty acres more on the south. He built a house costing $1,500 and grain house costing $120. He bought twenty acres more and built a barn costing $488. He has since bought fifteen acres more and now owns 115 acres all of which he has secured as a reslt of his own industry and good management. In December, 1867, Mr. Norris married Elizabeth Anderson, sister of Robert Anderson, of this township. She died Sept. 12, 1894, leaving these children: Russell, William W., Viola, John R. and Mary E., all living in this township. Nov. 28, 1895, Mr. Norris married Emma Murphy, of Miami County. Mr. Norris is an active member of the Baptist church and ranks among leading citizens.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

W.V.S. NORRIS, trustee of Liberty township, and one of the rising young farmers of Fulton County, was born in this county, Sept. 23, 1861, a son of Lemuel and Drusilla (Jones) Norris. The father was born in Miami County, Ind., and by occupation was a farmer, but during the period of the civil war he put aside all business cares and went to the defense of the Union, as a soldier in the Northern army. His death occurred in 1868, and his wife passed away in 176. Their children are: Jennie, wife of "Ams" Watkins, of Middletown, Ind.; William, of Cass County, and W.V.S. All his life Mr. Norris has been connected with agricultural pursuits. His education was obtained in the district schools and in the Rochester high school. At the age of fourteen he was left an orphan and since that time has made his way in the world unaided. He worked for others uninterrupted until 1885. On attaining his majority he began teachinig school in the winter months, following that profession for four years. His first wages were invested in sheep and still later in land, and the outcome of both was successful. In 1886 he began farming on his own account northeast of Fulton, and is to-day the owner of three farms, aggregating 200 acres, besides valuable personal property, all of which has been acquired through his own exertions and capable management. He was elected township trustee on the republican ticket in November, 1894, and Aug. 5, 1895, assumed the duties of the office. Mr. Norris was married Feb. 9, 1887, to Celia M. Hedges, daughte of Allen Hedges, a native of New York, who came to Indiana before the war, and settled in Cass County, where Mrs. Norris was born Dec. 19, 1862. Her father died in 1886, at the age of fifty-four, his wife in 1891, aged fifty- five years. They had two children, the son being Almon S., of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Norris have four children: Elzie, aged eight; Elmer, aged six; Hugh, three years of age, and Verne, a baby of one year.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

B.F. OVERMYER, M.D., one of the prominent physicians and citizens of Fulton County, has resided in this county since the spring of 1882. April 1 of that year he opened an office at Leiter's Ford, where he has since conducted an active and remunertive practice in his profession. Dr. Overmyer was born in Lindsey, Sandusky County, Ohio, March 27, 1856. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Eversole) Overmyer. His father, a native of Union County, Pa., was a son of John George Overmyer, who was of German origin. Dr. Overmyer's mother was a native of Virginia. The doctor was reared to farming, but after gaining a common school education, began teaching at the age of nineteen years. For two years he taught school in Michigan and then for three years in Ohio. Meanwhile he took up the study of medicine. March 23, 1882, he graduated from the Starling medical college, of Columbus, Ohio, and immediately located at Letier's Ford. In a short time after locating there he became a partner of his father-in-law, in general merchandising. Five years later his father-in-law died, and for eight years thereafter the doctor conducted the business alone, up to the fal of 1895, when his nephew became a partner in the business. The doctor was married Dec. 28, 1881, to Miss Nellie Storm, daughter of Milton Storm, Esq. He is a firm and active worker in the ranks of the republican party, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the Camp Militant of the order.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

ARTHUR E. PENDLETON -- Mr. Pendleton, trustee of Rochester township, Fulton County, Ind., is a native of Madison County, Ind., born July 28, 1830. He is a son of John B. and Maria (Edney) Pendleton, both natives of North Carolina, who in 1823 came to the Hoosier state and settled in Wayne County, where they resided until 1830, when they removed to Madison County, where the father died in 1839, and the mother at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. The subject of this sketch resided in Madison County until about thirty-five years of age and then removed to Henry County, where he lived for ten years and in the spring of 1875 he came to Fulton County and settled in Richland township, where the residence was continued for nine years. He then moved to Rochester township and for the last five years he has been a resident of the city of Rochester. The life of Mr. Pendleton has been that of a farmer and in politics he has always been an earnest supporter of the republican part. In 1883-84 he was township trustee of Richland township and in 1894 he was elected to the same position in Rochester township. In township affairs his policy is to enforce economy wherever it is possible. Mr. Pendleton was united in marriage in 1853 to Miss Mary A. Richwine, who was born in Wayne County, Ind., and died in Fulton County, Ind., in 1878. Born of this union were nine children, the following six of whom are living: Dr. C. B. Pendleton, of Mechanicsburg, Henry County, Ind.; Clinton V., Charles A., a merchant of Richland township, this county; Nannie J., now Mrs. McClure, who resides in California; Warren D. and Franklin O. Mr. Pendleton is a member of the Masonic fraternity and one of the highly respected citizens of this county.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896

GEORGE PERSCHBACHER is a self-made man, who began life empty-handed, but by marked business ability, industry, energy and perseverance has worked his way steadily upward to a position of affluence. He was born near Baltimore, Md., July 7, 1833. His parents, George and Anna D. (Grayer) Perschbacher, were natives of Hessen Darmstadt, the father born Jan. 18, 1794, and the mother July 1, 1802. They were married April 23, 1825, and on April 19, 1833, sailed for America. After a year spent near Baltimore, they located in York County, Pa., and in 1839 became residents of Wayne County, Ind., whence in 1845 they came to Fulton County. The father bought a tract of land in the forest near Tiosa, where he developed an excellent farm, reared his family, and spent his remaining days. He died March 23, 1866, and his wife April 24, 1881. George Perschbacher is the fourth of their nine children. He was reared on the frontier farm, and in early life fitted himself for teaching, which profession he ably followed for a number of years. His earnings went toward the purchase of a home, and then to its improvement. Abandoning school teaching, he engaged in farming and in the handling of grain and stock, and so well have his business interests been managed that he is to-day the owner of 540 acres of valuable land in Fulton County, together with extensive commercial interests in Tiosa, his investments there amounting to $10,000. This includes the ownership of the elevator and leading stores of the village. On April 2, 1854, Mr. Perschbacher married Jane Wright. Her father, James Wright, was born in Maryland, July 26, 1813, and married Margaret, daughter of William Reid, a native of Virginia. Mrs. Perschbacher was the first white child born in New Castle township, Fulton County. She died in March, 1887, leaving the following children: Ellen, wfie of E.S. Bair, of Tiosa; Anna, wife of George Kiler, who lives on the Riverside farm; Nora B., wife of Obadiah Haimbaugh; Alma J., wife of C.D. Shobe, of Tiosa; Miles W., who operates the old homestead; and Hattie E. In March, 1801, Mr. Perschbacher wedded Mrs. Martha Plank, widow of Dr. A.K. Plank, of Rochester. In the fall of the same year he moved his family to Rochester, where he is now living retired, save for the superintendance of his investments. In 1872 he was elected on the democratic ticket as county assessor and land appraiser, filling the position with satisfaction to all. He was one of the promoters of the Agricultural and Mechanical society of Fulton County, and for many years has been a consistent Christian, a faithful member of the Evangelical Lutheran church.

"Pictorial History of America, The Fulton County Edition" by Elia Peattie - published in 1896