ADAMS COUNTY INDIANA
OBITUARIES
Mrs. Eliza
Johnson.
Decatur, Ind., May 24Mrs. Eliza Johnson, aged
ninety-eighty died at her home near this city this morning. She was a
pioneer or this county, being a member of the first family that located
here and has resided on her farm that she helped to clear ever since
[Indiana Journal May 26 1897]
"Jolly Frank" Frail Dead.
DECATUR, Ind-, Jan. 9.Frank Frail, one of the oldest and best known citizens of this city, was found lying In an ally in an unconscious condition early this morning, and died after being removed to the City Hospital There were no marks of violence on his body, and bis sudden death Is a mystery. "Jolly Frank," as he was familiarly known, was on the streets yesterday in his usual happy disposition. He was known by nearly every citizen of Adams county; was honest in all his dealings, and had very few enemies. He was born in Ireland, but came to this country when a boy. He has a wealthy son doing business on Wail street, New York city, where at one time he was a prosperous business and society man.
Date: 1898-12-28; Paper: Indiana State Journal
Mrs. Eli Crist
Decatur Indiana March 25- Mrs. Eli Crist, wife of County Assessor Crist. died suddenly this morning. She retired last night in usual health. About 2 oclock this morning she rose went into an adjoining roomand sat in a chair. In a few minutes she called to her husband saying: "Eli, I am going to die soon." Mr. Crist knelt by her side and before he could utter a word. Mrs. Crist gave a dying gasp and expired. Mrs. Crist was fifty years old and the mother of five children.
3-29-1899
Robert Burns Allison
Indiana Financier Dead.
Decatur, Ind.Robert Burns Allison, well known over the state as a financier, who had business Interests in many cities, died Friday of heart and kidney trouble.
[Alma, Wabaunsee County, Kansas October 23, 1908 Page 2]
Jeremiah Andrews
Adams County Pioneer Dead
Decatur Ind. Oct 24, Jeremiah Andrews, 70, pioneer farmer living southwest of the city died yesterday afternoon after a long illness from cancer of the stomach. He is survived by the widow who was Mrs. Rachel Buckmaster, and seven children. Frank living across the state line, Tom and Russell Decatur, Mrs. Effie Baker, Mrs. Will Chronister, Decatur, Elsie, wife of Robert Jenkins, Kokomo; Deborah, at home. The brothers are John D. Andrews, Decatur, Robert, of Monroe, William, of Kansas City, and David Andrews.
[Date: 1918-10-24; Paper: Fort Wayne News Sentinel]
Mrs. Andrey Welfley
Decatur Ind. Feb 25 The funeral of Mrs. Andrey Welfley will be Wednesday Morning at 9 o'clock from the St. Mary's Catholic Church, with which she united about five months ago. Mrs. Welfley was fifty-one year of age. She was one of eighteen children born to A.V. and Helen Powers, her birth being at New Haven. Allen county, October 6, 1867. she was married in Fort Wayne to Andrew Welfley, afterwards county recorder, May 10, 1908. Death followed a long illness from paralysis, which was hastened by apoplexy about two and a half hours before her death.
[Feb 25 1919 Fort Wayne News]
Rev. J. E. Stoops,
FORMER DECATUR PASTOR DIES AT NEWCASTLE
(Special to the News)
DECATUR, Ind. June 28The death of the Rev. J. E. Stoops, former pastor of the Decatur Evangelical church occurred Saturday afternoon at 12.30 o'clock at Newcastle, where he had been for several months. Death was due to a
complication of ailments The deceased was sixty-seven years of age he was a minister of the Evangelical denomination and for several years served the local church, as well as the church at Van Wert, Ohio, and at other places, being well
known over the conference.
He was married to Sarah Teeple, of this county, her death occuring twelve years ago. A daughter, Carrie, wlso died, succumbing about twelve years ago. Surviving children are Mrs. Hugh Richey and Charles Stoops, of Van Wert, Ohio,
and a son, Carl, who is teaching in the government schools in the Philippine Islands.
The body was brought to the Gay Zwick & Myers morgue, this city, Sunday morning and prepared for burial after which it was taken to Van Wert, Ohio, leaving here at four o'clock Sunday evening. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon
at 2:30 o'clock from the Evangelical church at Van Wert, Ohio.
[Date: 1919-06-23; Paper: Fort Wayne News Sentinel]
Walter Kauffman Dead.
(Special to the News)
DECATUR, Ind, June 23 Walter Kauffman, aged 41 years, died this morning; at 2:30 'clock at his home on Mercer avenue following an illness of some length, four weeks of which he was bedfast. Death was due to heart and kidney
trouble. He is survived by the wife, who was Miss Katherine Simcoke, and two children. Katharine, aged 9, and Sarah Jane, aged 4 years Mr. Kauffman was traveling salesman for the Schafer Saddery company for twelve years he was a mrmber of the Methodist church, the Knights of Pythias and Masonic lodges
[Date: 1919-06-23; Paper: Fort Wayne News Sentinel]
Nona Brentlinger
Dies of Complications
(Special to the News)
DECATUR, Ind, Oct 27 Mrs. Nona Brentlinger, aged thirty-six wife of Orville Brentlinger, conductor on the Fort Wayne-Decatur traction line, died last night at 11:30 o'clock at the home on North Seventh street Death followed a nine weeks Illness of complications, two operations being held. She was a daughter of Tillman and Mary Magdalena Diehl, and was born in Kirkland township. February 4, 1883 The parents, husband and two children Cleo and Lionel, survive. She also leaves four brothers and two sisters Minnie May Bell, Nellie Marie Egley, of this city; Lawrence E. Diehl, Erwin Diehl, of Monroe, Grover C Melvin Diehl, of Peterson. The funeral will be Wednesday leaving the house at nine o'clock for the Zlon church At Honduras. The Rev. C. J. Miner of the Decatur U B Church will officiate and burial will be in Pleasant Dale cemetery
[Date: 1919-10-27; Paper: Fort Wayne News Sentinel]
Jesse Puhrman
Decatur Boy Died
Decatur Ind. Sept. 6, Jesse Puhrman 16 year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Puhrmnn of north of the city, died this morning at 3:30 o'clock at his home following a Iong illness due to leakage of the heart. He was born in Root township where he lived until the family moved to a point near this city a few years ago.
He was a student in the local high school being a member of the sophomore class he is survived by the parents and a number of brothers and sisters. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock from the home and at 2
o'clock from the Evangelical church in charge of the Rev. Mr. Haney
[Date: 1922-09-16; Paper: Fort Wayne News Sentinel]
Mrs. Eliza Listenfeltz, 81 years old died at her home northeast of this city, Friday. she is survived by three brothers and a sister, Samuel, Peter and William Strait, all of this county, and Mrs. Nettie Miller of Pennville. Four daughters are Mrs. Keziah Stratton, Mrs. Louis Hutchinson and Mrs. Norman Jackson of this county and Mrs. Creel Warren of Munice.
[February 14, 1923 Indianapolis Sunday Star]
CLARK FUNK
91, of Decatur died Saturday in Adams County Memorial Hospital. The New Holland, Ohio, native was retired from farming, Schafer Wholesale Inc. and the Indiana State Highway Department. His wife, Emma, died in 1985. Surviving are daughters, Norma Myers of Monroe and Eileen Hoffman of Sun City, Ariz.; sons, Leonard and Kenneth, both of Decatur, Jerry of Portland and Larry of Mesa, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Luke's United Church of Christ, Decatur, with burial in the church cemetery. Calling is 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow in Haggard & Armes Funeral Home, Decatur, and 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday in the church. Preferred memorials are gifts to the church.
[News-Sentinel, The (Fort Wayne, IN) - January 23, 1995 - Contributed by Erica Beatty]
John H. Unger
John H. Unger, 83, pioneer Preble countian father of C. B. Unger, head of the Register-Herald Publishing company, and for some years a resident of Middletown , Ind. , died in Eaton Wednesday morning at 6:30 o'clock in the home of his son, East Main street, and funeral and burial will take place Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the son's home. Interment will be in Mound Hill cemetery. Mr. Unger sustained a stroke of paralysis about 15 years ago while living in Middletown , Ind. , and since that time had been an invalid. Following the death of his daughter, Mrs. F. A. Wisehart, in Middletown , Ind. , a year or two ago, Mr. Unger came to Eaton to the home of his son. He was a native of West Alexandria and most of his life was passed there and in Eaton. He had conducted business in both places. He leaves only his son in Eaton.
[Hamilton Evening Journal January 9, 1925 - Contributed by Nancy Hannah]
Harrit Alice Martin was born in Perryville Indiana, May 1, 1858 died at her home in Perry, Okla., May 13 1915 aged 57 years and 12 days. She leaves two brothers and two sisters, G.T. Martin of Chicago, E.R., Jennie and Mary Martin all of Perry. Her father and one brother Frank D. having died in the last two years. She came to Oklahoma in 1894 from San Antonio, Texas. The family first settled on a farm in Noble County, moving to Perry in 1898 they bought they house at 914 F. street where she has since resided. The funeral was held at the residence of her brother E.R. Martin Sunday May 16 at 2:30 p.m. Rev Wheeler of the M.E. Church. presiding at the service.She was laid to rest in Grace Hill cemetery. Left motherless at the age of 16 years she left college at Manhattan, Kansas and journeyed to Dennison, Texas and took up the burden of carring for her two invalid sisters for the ten years that her father was a helpless invalid she was his devoted nurse and companion; In all the weary years of her chosen path in life she never faltered, no burden was too heavy for her to bear, no duty too great for her to preform. In the six months of her sickness and suffering she was patient and brave. In spite of all medical skill and loving hearts and hands could do she went from us, God called her to her reward Those who are left to mourn her loss know that the world is better for her noble and beautiful life and self sacrifce
Perry Republican 5/27/1915 - Transcribed by Erica Beatty
Rev. L. C. Hessert
DECATUR. -- The Rev. L. C. Hessert. of the Reformed church, this city, assisted the Rev. Oswald Vitz in the funeral service for G. H. Hilgemann, the aged Kirkland township farmer, which was held Wednesday at the Honduras Reformed church.
[The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette 1909-03-11 Page 9]
John Dutcher
DECATUR,Mrs. R L. Dutcher has received word from her son. John Dutcher who is professor of physics at the Pennsylvania State university at Philadelphia, announcing the death of his son, Donald Fremont, born last January 5. The babe died March 4 from pneumonia and the funeral took place March 5. Mr. Dulcher was formerly teacher of science in the Decatur high school and both he and his wife, who was Miss Belle Evans, were born and reared in this county.
[The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette 1909-03-11 Page 9]
Dr. Jacob McDowell
Dr. Jacob McDowell, for fifty years a practitioner in Adams county, Indiana, died at his home, in Geneva, Dec. 18 (1905). aged 77.
[Source: "Indiana medical journal: a monthly journal of medicine and surgery, Volume 24"]
BAD MAN DEAD
William O'Bryan, a bandit, dies with his boots on
Bill O'Bryan, the lender of the gang who held up an Illinois Central train at Bardwell, Ky., eight miles from Cairo, in November, 1893, securing $1,200 in gold, was shot and Instantly killed the other night at Whiting. Mo., by James B. Fields, an ex-saloonkeeper of Cairo.
It was a case of self defense.
________of the trial of O'Bryan and his confederates. Fields, who was running a saloon at Whiting, testified that O'Bryan's wife had deposited with him $300. in gold for safekeeping. Mrs. O'Bryan swore that she did not
Thereupon Fields claimed the money, and after O'Bryan's acquittal removed to Cairo to escape his vengeance. A few weeks ago he returned to Missouri and O'Bryan met him and demanded the return of the money. This was refused and the ex-bandit swore vengeance. They met in a saloon and before O'Bryan could draw his gun Fields shot him dead. At the time of his death O'Bryan was under indictment by a Kentucky jury for perjury in connection with his trial last July. He was noted as a bad man And was the horror of southeast Missouri
The World Decatur March 13 1895
Ezra Steele
Ezra Steele of Curryville, died last, Saturday of the grippe and was buried Tuesday. The funeral took place at the United Brethern Church in this city.
The World Decatur March 13 1895
Killed While Playing Indian
The 11-year-old son of Joe Smith of Columbus Grove, Ohio, while playing Indian with a shotgun, shot and blew the entire head off his little 5-vear-old sister. The girl, while nursing" her 5-months-old brother, noticed her elder brother advancing toward her with gun cocked, ated exclaimed:
"Charley, drop that gun", whereupon the boy dropped the gun, the trigger striking a chair and discharging the load, tearing the girl's head horribly. Some of the shot grazed the little baby's head, which will recover, but the girl died instantly. The mother was near by when the horrible act occurred.
The World Decatur March 13 1895
Jesse Niblick
Jesse Niblick, one of Decatur's early settlers and honest, respected and honorable influential citizens has passed away. His death occurred Sunday night near the midnight hour, and many were the words of sympathy and regret, when the announcement grew into circulation at an early hour Monday morning, October 6th, 1896. He had been ailing for several weeks, yet his confinement to his home was less than a week, and while many of his friends and acquaintances knew he was sick, yet they were unprepared for the shock, which accompanied the announcement of his death. He had been a pillar in the foundation of so many creditable business enterprises, and a leader in all these since the formation of the county and city, that it's but little wonder that he was known, loved, honored, respected and admired by every man, woman and child. But death is no respecter of persons, so we will simply abide its decisions and console ourselves by trying to emulate his many virtues.
The deceased was born in Carroll County, Ohio, although his father was a native of Ireland. His parents located in Adams County in 1836, at which time Jesse was ten years of age. This date takes us back to the time when Adams County was a dense and unbroken wilderness, which has now been transformed into a region of thrift and prosperity, by the untiring zeal and energy of such enterprising citizens as Mr. Niblick. He has seen the trails of the trappers and hunters give place for railroads and vehicles, the cabins and garden patches succeeded by comfortable houses and board fields of waiving grain, the additions of churches, school houses, and every other conceivable institution that tended to broaden the mind, extend the markets of commerce, trade and traffic, and make the history of Adams County of such thrilling interest, grand practical results, and lessons that now may be perused with profit by the present Adams County generation, and by citizens of other regions.
In 1846 Mr. Niblick engaged in the boot and shoe business, being then twenty years old. This business he was engaged in until 1866, having been more than successful in building up trade and a reputation of honesty, that has been beneficial to him in various ways ever since. That reputation has been worth more to him than all the gold in the universe. In these later years it no doubt has been a source of satisfaction and gratification to him to know, that after a life time devoted exclusively to business and its various competition, he is able to extend the right hand of fellowship to all those whom he has come in contact with, all these years. In 1866 he connected himself with John Crawford in a general mercantile business, under the firm name of Niblick & Crawford. Several years later the firm was extended to Niblick, Crawford & Sons, a son of each having been taken into the partnership. This firm existed until some seven years ago, when it again changed to Jesse Niblick & Son, and which firm is still doing business, being one of Decatur's prominent business institutions.
In 1871 Niblick & Nuttman engaged in the banking business in the name of the Adams County Bank. Later it was organized under the state laws, and Mr. Niblick became a director and its first president He was still a director in the bank at the time of his death. This bank is also identified as one of the most solid and prominent banking houses in the state. Thus it will be seen that every business enterprise in which Mr. Niblick was engaged, prospered and thrived, much of this thrift being due to the excellent business judgment and ideas advanced by Mr. Niblick.
Politically the deceased always cast his suffrage with the Democratic party, being at all times one of the chief promoters and organizers. In 1848 he was elected trustee of Washington Township, and from 1865-8 he very efficiently filled the office of County Treasurer. He was always enthusiastic in his support of the party, at the same time respecting in the greatest degree the opinions of his friends and others who chose to side with him in political preferment. He was also a public spirited citizen, and always devoted time, aid, money and advice to any movement or project that had a tendency towards advancing the progression of this city and county, to both of which he was very devotedly attached.
In 1851 he was married to his present bereaved widow. Her maiden name was Catharine Closs, a native of Germany. Their lives together have been one continued line of sunshine and devotional happiness, which had much to do with the kind-hearted manifestations on every demanded occasion, by the deceased In her present bereavement Mrs. Niblick is joined by seven children, one having already passed into that world on high. William Niblick, president, and Charles, assistant cashier of the Old Adams County Bank; John, James K. and Daniel M. being associated with him in business, and Mary and Amelia, who reside at home, comprise the family who are now grieved beyond expression at the death of their long cherished, honored and reverenced counselor and adviser. To him they have come with many perplexities which he has gladly solved. Now they will have to profit by the dictates of his past life, which is a worth example to follow and emulate.
The funeral services were conducted yesterday morning. As a mark of respect to the deceased every business house in the city was closed during the services, and people from all over the county came in to pay him homage. It was perhaps the largest gathering of people ever assembled to pay their last respects to the dead. And they were all friends; friends with whom the deceased had been associated for years, and not for a day. They knew him and they loved him. It was a fitting tribute to a long life of usefulness and honor. The pall-bearers who conveyed the remains to its last resting place was composed of R. B. Allison, David Studabaker, John Meibers, John Shane, Conrad Brake and Ezra Lister, all old associates of the deceased, who had known him for half a century.
He was born August 12th, 1826; died October 6th, 1895, being aged sixty-nine years, one month and twenty-four days. Funeral services were held at the St. Mary's Catholic church, and that large structural auditorium would not hold half the sympathizing friends who sought admission. Interment in the St Joseph cemetery.
So ends the life of our beloved and honored friend and citizen
Source: Reminiscences of Adams, Jay and Randolph Counties. Fort Wayne, Ind.: Lipes, Nelson & Singmaster, job printers, 1897.
W. Pendleton Rice.
DECATUR. Ind. Sept- 11—W. Pendleton Rice, a pioneer of Indiana, died at his home In this city yesterday after a brief Illness, Mr. Rice was born in Virginia, Jan, 1, 1820, and removed with his parents to Boone county, this State, in 1827. When a young man he came to Adams county and. after enduring the hardships of pioneer life, succeeded in clearing 250 acres, which is now one of the best Improved farms in Indiana. He gave up farming several years ago and has been living a retired life in this city. He raised a family of nine children.
Date: 1899-09-13; Paper: Indiana State Journal