Newton County, Indiana
Biographies

The cashier of the Discount and Deposit Bank, of Kentland, is one of the substantial citizens of Newton county, which he helped to organize and served as its first recorder of deeds. He was born in Sussex county, England, September 18, 1828, and is a son of John and Esther (Wood) Ade, both of whom were natives of that same county. The father followed the occupation of a maltster in England and with his family sailed for America, in June, 1840, landing in New York after a long voyage of forty-five days. He possessed but little of this world's goods, and he settled in Hamilton county, Ohio, near Cincinnati, where he subsequently purchased a small farm and resided on the same until the close of the civil war, when he sold out and removed to Scott county, Iowa, and bought a small farm near Davenport, where he died in the fiftieth year of his marriage. He was the only member of the family to come to this country, and was an honest, industrious man, winning the confidence and high regard of all with whom he came in contact. His wife survived him but a few months, when she passed away at Davenport, Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ade were devout members of the Baptist church. The following mention is made of their children: John is the subject of this review. William resides in Davenport and learned the carpenter's trade, but since i860 he has been in the railway mail service. He is married and has seven children. Henry was the first to be born in the United States. He married, and followed farming near Davenport, Iowa, until his death. Samuel died in Iowa. Joseph, the youngest child, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, and served as a soldier in the civil war, in the Sixth Ohio, Volunteer Infantry. He married, and engaged in farming in Scott county, Iowa, where he now lives.
John Ade, the immediate subject of this mention, attended the district schools in his youth and learned the rudiments of farming, but at the age of eighteen he took up the blacksmith trade, at which he worked about four years. After his marriage, in 1851, he had charge of a toll-gate near Cincinnati, working in that capacity until 1853, when he came to Morocco, Jasper county, and for two years conducted a general store for Ayers & Company, afterward becoming the village blacksmith of that place. In 1860 Newton county was organized, and Mr. Ade was made his party's candidate for recorder of deeds and was elected, he being the only successful candidate on the Republican ticket. Removing to Kentland, he fulfilled the duties of his office for four years and was then, in 1864, elected county auditor, in which capacity he also served four years. At the expiration of his term he took up farming, traded in real estate and was also in the grain business with C. B. Cone and Elmer McCray, and in 1872 he entered the banking house of Mr. Cone, at Kentland, as cashier.
In 1875 Mr. Ade became associated with Greenberry W. McCray and E. Littell Urmston and they purchased the bank of C. B. Cone, which they have since conducted, the firm name being Ade, McCray & Company. Mr. Ade has been its cashier, and during the past twenty-three years has but seldom been absent from his desk. The Discount and Deposit Bank, of Kentland, is the oldest bank in Newton county; it is a sound financial institution and does a larger business than any other concern of a similar nature in the county.
On May 20, 1851, Mr. Ade was united in marriage to Miss Adaline Bush, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, August 8, 1833, a daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Adair) Bush. Isaac Bush was born in New Jersey and was a farmer and hotel-keeper. Mrs. Bush was born in Fayette county, Indiana, on the present site of Connersville, and was the first white child born in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Ade became the parents of seven children  Anna Eliza, born April 18, 1852, near Cincinnati, Ohio, married John W. Randall, of Kentland. Mary Alice, born January 19, 1856, married John G. Davis and resides at Plymouth. Mr. Davis was born in Miami county, Ohio, March 24, 1854, and educated at Pleasant Hill, Ohio. In January, 1867, he became editor and publisher of the Chronicle, at Pleasant Hill, which he conducted for a year, and in 1868 came to Newton county and engaged in the nursery business and in farming. In March, 1873, he became deputy in the circuit-court clerk's office and in 1878 he was elected circuit clerk and  re-elected in 1882. He was married to Miss Ade January 19, 1876, and they have two sons,William Harry and George A. William H. Ade was born August 3, 1859, and is now (1899) county treasurer of Newton county. Emma was born January 23, 1861, and died November 28, 1865. Joseph, was born September 23, 1862, and is now in the railway mail service on the Fort Wayne Railroad. He was in the wreck that occurred near Shreves, Ohio, September 21, 1892. He was the only survivor of five postal clerks that were caught in that terrible disaster, and the other four were burned to ashes! George Ade was born February 9, 1866, and obtained his early education in the public schools of Kentland, later attending Purdue University, at Lafayette, from which he was graduated with the class of 1887. In early life he developed a taste for literary work, and his first effort to appear in print was entitled " A Basket of Potatoes," which was written while being." kept after school " to write an essay. After obtaining his diploma Mr. Ade accepted a position as reporter on the Lafayette Call. While at Purdue his classmate and chum was John McCutcheon, who subsequently was the celebrated artist of the Chicago Record, and who assisted Mr. Ade in getting a place on the same paper as a reporter. His ability as a descriptive writer soon becoming recognized, and in 1893 he was given the special work of preparing " Stories of the Streets and of the Town," which were illustrated by his friend McCutcheon. Through this work both these young men have won a national reputation. Mr. Ade has made two trips to Europe, and on each occasion has written for the Record a description of his travels, in a most entertaining manner. Ella M. Ade was born October 23, 1867, and became the wife of W. T. McCray, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
John Ade proudly points to the fact that he has voted the Republican ticket from the organization of the party, and besides the office mentioned he served for six years as a member of the school board at Kentland. He is a Royal Arch Mason and is past master of Newton Lodge, No. 361, F. & A. M., while he has been for over forty years a member of the Christian church


Lawson Henry Recher, M. D., of Morocco, Newton county, is a leading member of the medical profession, president of the Citizens' Bank of Morocco, an enterprising business man and a substantial factor in the development of the material interests of his community. He is of German ancestry, but his first American forefathers settled in this country in colonial times. His paternal grandfather was a native of Maryland, and in the early years of the present century emigrated to Ohio, settling near Dayton. He was independent financially, as he brought eight thousand dollars with him, and he was soon recognized as a leading factor in the development of his part of the state, building mills and distilleries, and carrying on a» freighting business with teams and wagons between Cincinnati and Dayton. In every business line he was successful. He lived to the age of three-score years and ten.    He had eight sons and two daughters.    One daughter died unmarried and the other became the wife of Rev. David Winters, D. D., who was a noted divine. He performed more marriage ceremonies than any other clergyman in the state. Of the eight sons, Peter was a farmer, near Day¬ton; Elias, a farmer and capitalist; Joseph, a farmer; Fred, Jacob and John died in early life; and Lewis, the youngest, was the father of our subject. He was born in Montgomery county, in 1816, and was about ten years of age when his father died. He was reared a farmer, and in 1839 married Nancy Whitmer. He tilled the soil in Ohio until 1866, when he emigrated to Indiana, settling upon a tract of land near Francesville, where he pursued farming and stock raising. His death occurred in 1889. He was a kind-hearted, liberal man, never had a lawsuit in his life, and always observed the golden rule. He brought up his children in the principles of industry, economy and probity, accumulated a competency, and set a good example of citizenship. His widow is living in Morocco. They had six children, namely: Martha J., born near Dayton, Ohio, in 1845, married David Ridenour, an iron-worker, and resides at Galva, Illinois; James D., unmarried, is engaged in the lumber trade in Texas; Lewis S. is the partner of our subject; Lawson H. is the subject proper of this sketch; and two died in early life. The parents were members of the German Reformed church.
Lawson H. Recher was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, near Dayton, September 19, 1856, came with the family to Indiana in 1866, and here assisted on the home farm and attended school at Francesville. Early in life he learned the value of time and was not afraid to work. At the early age of seventeen he began teaching public school, and continued in that profession three terms in the graded schools of Francesville; and while teaching he also studied medicine under the professional guidance of Drs. Robert Mattingly and D. J. Loring; then, entering the medical department of the University of Michigan, he completed the prescribed course there, and was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1879, being a member of the first class to take the extended course of that thorough institution of learning. To begin the practice of his chosen profession, he first located at Medaryville, this state. In 1882 he came to Morocco, where he soon had a large and lucrative practice. Being, however, also an able business man, as well as physician, he saw, in his extensive rides over the country, a great opportunity of improving the vast acreage of wet land existing within the bounds of his travel. After much thought devoted to the problem of the best manner of draining and reducing to cultivation this extended waste, he decided upon the tile system; and, accordingly, in 1886, he associated himself with A. D. Peck, and built the first tile manufactory in the vicinity of Morocco. This institution, however, was soon afterward destroyed by fire; but the proprietors rebuilt, and successfully conducted their business for two years, when they sold out. When the railroad was completed to Mount Ayr, Dr. Recher united in partnership with Samuel Wilson and established a drug business at that place, to be under the immediate personal supervision of Mr. Wilson, and this continued for three years. In 1890 the Doctor associated himself in business partnership with Ralph S. Paxton, under the firm name of Recher, Paxton & Company, and organized the Citizens' Bank of Morocco, which they managed, meanwhile continuing to carry on the drug business. A year later Lewis S. Recher purchased the interest of Mr. Paxton, and the firm style became Recher Brothers, bankers and druggists, Lewis S. being cashier of the bank.
But Dr. Recher has not confined all his time and attention to his private affairs, but has also been a public servant, and as such no man has ever been more faithful to his trust. When the town of Morocco was incorporated the Doctor was chosen its first treasurer. Subsequently he served five years as trustee of Beaver township, being elected as a Democrat in a strong Republican township. During his term of office in this relation the first two miles of gravel road was built, new roads laid out, drainage ditches constructed and many other improvements made or inaugurated, all to the entire satisfaction of the tax-payers, as all the work was done economically and honestly. The Doctor at present is a member of the school board. In his social relations he is past master of Morocco Lodge, No. 372, F. & A. M. and in religious matters he is one of the original members of the Christian church at this place.
Dr. Recher has been married twice. First, December 29, 1882, he was united with Lizzie Conner, who died in 1887, leaving no children. In 1890 the Doctor was united in matrimony with Laura Pratt, M, D., a daughter of Dr. Benjamin W. and Jane M. (Bean) Pratt. She was born at Johnstown, Ohio, August 21, 1856, and was educated at Johnstown high school, and attended Columbus Medical College, from which institution she was duly graduated with the degree of M. D. After graduating at the Columbus Medical College she took a special course of study in New York city. She practiced her profession in Goodland, Indiana, till her marriage to Dr. Recher. This happy couple have one daughter, Freida, born July 18, 1892. The family have one of the best homes in Newton county.
 

For more than thirty years Hon. W. W. Gilman has been numbered among the representative citizens of Newton county, and has occupied various offices of distinction and importance. He has ever honestly endeavored to keep the interests of the people foremost in his mind, his actions being governed by his earnest convictions of right and duty.
The parents of our subject were Hiram and Elizabeth (Farmer) Gilman, natives of Vermont and New York state, respectively. His mother was a daughter of Eleazer Farmer, who owned and operated a mill for many years in the Empire state, and later was engaged in merchandising. He served in the capacity of justice of the peace and was a man of high standing among his neighbors. Hiram Gilman, whose ancestors were English, was a farmer by occupation. In 1863 he removed from New York state to Illinois, and two years later settled in Minnesota, where his death took place, in 1868. His widow lived many years afterward, dying in 1895. Both were members of the Free-will Baptist church. Their eldest child, Julia, is the wife of P. Potter. E. T. , the second son, was a commissioned officer in the civil war, and subsequently was the representative of several leading insurance companies. His present home is in Washington, D. C. Eleazer, the youngest son, is a resident of Minnesota, and Mary E. , the youngest daughter, is the wife of Merritt Wiseman. Hon. W. W. Gilman was born in Essex county, New York, September 4, 1834. He was but twelve years old when the battle of life began for him in earnest, as he left home and worked for small wages, which he turned over to his father. His mother, who was a well educated lady, was of great assistance to the lad in his studies, and when but seventeen he obtained a certificate to teach, and was thus employed winters for many years. In 1856 he went to Minnesota, where he pre-empted a farm, and made substantial improvements during his seven years' residence there; but in 1863, with many other settlers, he felt that it was best to abandon it all, as the Indians of that region were on the war-path, carrying death and destruction wherever they went. Going to Kankakee, Illinois, he bought a tract of wild prairie land, which he improved and cultivated for five years. Then, selling out, he came to Grant township, Newton county, and for two years owned a farm two miles from Goodland, which place he disposed of in 1870, since which time he has lived upon his present homestead, adjoining the corporate limits of Goodland. The land was in a wild condition, but by constant tillage and care it has been reduced to a high state of fertility and productiveness.
The first presidential ballot of Mr. Gilman was cast for Abraham Lincoln, and for over thirty years he was an active exponent of the principles of the Republican party. He attended local and general conventions, and was well-known and highly esteemed in his party throughout this state. In 1870 he was elected trustee of Grant township, was re-elected upon the expiration of his term, and in 1874 was honored by the position of clerk of the district court of Newton county. In 1880 he was elected joint representative of Newton and Jasper counties, and was re-elected in 1882. In 1890 he was chosen to represent the people in the state senate, and served on the finance and other important committees. During his entire public career he acquitted himself with honor and distinction, winning the praise of all concerned. During the last presidential campaign he arrayed himself against those who favored the gold standard, and was nominated by the "silver" Democrats and endorsed by the Populists for the legislature, for the first time in his political life sustaining defeat. Fraternally, he is identified with the Masonic order.
In 1854 Mr. Gilman married Miss Cornelia Morse, who was born in Essex county, New York, in December, 1835. She came from an honored New England family and is related to Professor Morse, the inventor of the telegraph. Her grandfather, Absalom Morse, was a postmaster for years, and occupied other public positions of trust. Mrs. Oilman is one of the six children of William and Mary (Wright) Morse, the others being Absalom; Julia; Lora, Mrs. D. Pascal; Jerusha, Mrs. W. Mills, and Judson. The parents were Baptists, but Mrs. Oilman is a member of the Methodist church. To our subject and wife the following named children were born: Minnie, Mrs. M. Wertsbaugh; Merritt, who died in 1876, at the age of seventeen years; Hiram, who died in 1873, when in his seventeenth year; William, a farmer of this township; Fred, a banker of Goodland; Jesse, foreman of an oil-mill an Chicago; Nellie, Mrs. B. Patton, of Bloomington, Illinois; Jennie, wife of O. Mohney, of Goodland; and George, who is unmarried and is now taking upon himself much of the responsibility of the management of the old homestead. The whole family stands well in the estimation of the people of this community, where they have lived so long.



A half century ago, some of the richest lands in Northern Newton County, Indiana, could be bought for a trifling sum, and those who invested largely in these swamp lands at that time, became what was called "land poor." Modern systems of drainage have changed their character and fortunate indeed are those who, as a heritage, have come into possession of such land, incomparable for farming and stockraising. William Henry Burton, one of Lake Township's substantial men, owns a good farm of this fine land and has resided here ever since returning from an honorable term of service as a soldier in the Civil war. Mr. Burton is serving in his second term as recorder of Newton County. William Henry Burton was born in Estell County, Kentucky, March 7, 1841, and is a son of William and Eliza (Walters) Burton, who reared eight of their children to maturity, four of whom yet survive. William Burton came from Kentucky to Kankakee County, Illinois, in 1855, accompanied by his family, and later they moved to Paris, Illinois, where both he and his wife died. He was a farmer all his life, beginning poor but, through industry, becoming wealthy. He invested largely in land in the northern part of Newton County, Indiana, from which, during his lifetime he received no revenue. William Henry Burton easily recalls the journey from the old home in Kentucky to Illinois, and as he was then fourteen years old, was able to give his father much assistance. He had some educational advantages, first attending school held in a primitive log structure, and later a more advanced school at Kankakee, where he was a pupil for several terms. He was preparing for an agricultural life at the time that Civil war began to threaten, and when it became a certainty he soon made up his mind to participate in the struggle. On September 29, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and after three months spent in the instruction camp at Cairo, Illinois, his regiment joined General Grant's army before Fort Henry. After its reduction the Fourth took an active part in the capture of Fort Donelson, and, continuing with Grant's army to Pittsburg Landing, was engaged in the two days of battle at Shiloh. Mr. Burton during these stirring events was ever at the post of duty and his valor was noticed and during the second day's struggle at Shiloh, he was an orderly on the staff of General Thomas, and was with this command until after the reduction of Corinth. During the nine months that followed, Mr. Burton was detailed for guard duty, assisting in protecting the railroads from the attacks of the Confederates on the line between Corinth and Memphis, and during the last three months of this time served as orderly on the staff of General Denver. After this Mr. Burton's regiment was encamped on Black River, at the rear of Vicksburg, and in one of the innumerable skirmishes in which he was a participant, Mr. Burton received a severe gunshot wound, through the back of his neck, which knocked him from his horse and otherwise disabled him. Although his was a hospital case he objected to such service and secured permission to remain at headquarters while convalescing, and just as soon as he was able he reported for duty. During the next nine months he was engaged in the dangerous occupation of scout, with headquarters at Natchez, and it was while there that his term of enlistment expired. He returned to Springfield, Illinois, where he was honorably discharged October 3, 1864, with the rank of sergeant. Immediately afterward Mr. Burton came to Newton County and for the first three years herded cattle on the wide range of swamp land his father had bought years previously, after which, as conditions improved, primarily through his own efforts, he embarked in farming and stockraising and has continued here ever since and has been actively identified with the material development of Lake Township. On March 13, 1871, Mr. Burton was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Watson, who died after becoming the mother of six children, two of whom, Niel W. and Emery M. are yet living. Mr. Burton was married a second time, on February 24, 1889, to Miss Sophia Stankie, and they have four children: Beulah L., Ora G., Calvin R. and Cecil L. In politics Mr. Burton has always been affiliated with the republican party and his personal standing has been so high that on numerous occasions he has been elected to important public offices. For some years he served as township supervisor and also as township trustee, and at all times his sound judgment and advice founded on experience, have been useful to his community. In 1910 Mr. Burton was elected recorder of Newton County, and in 1914 was re-elected, at which time he was the only republican official of Newton County, Indiana. Mr. Burton is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Kentland, Indiana. ["Standard History of Jasper and Newton Counties, Indiana: An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with an Extended Survey of Modern Developments in the Progress of Town and Country" By Lewis H. Hamilton, William Darroch; Published by Lewis Pub. Co., 1916 - Submitted by K. Torp]

For forty years the name of Dr. Richard C. McCain, of Kentland, Indiana, has been as a household word in Newton County. With pride and interest he has watched its wonderful development and, as physician, business man and legislator, has been closely identified with its history. He has been an important figure in the transition period that brought about Newton County as it is today. Richard C. McCain was born July 10, 1852, at Trenton, Missouri, and is a son of Rev. Cornelius and Eliza Anne (Curry) McCain. Rev. Cornelius McCain was born in Warren County, Ohio, of Scotch ancestry, and in Scotland the name was spelled McKeon. He was a man of superior education, was physically and mentally strong and his life work was well done. As a minister in the Presbyterian Church he traveled about considerably, mainly on the frontier of Missouri and Kansas, but later in life he retired and died at Kentland, Indiana, where, at one time he was in charge of a church. He married Eliza Anne Curry, who was born at Crawfordsville, Indiana, and six children were born to them, two of these yet surviving, Richard C. and his sister. Very often the family of a minister has no settled home for a time and thus it was that young Richard C. acquired a knowledge of numerous localities while obtaining his early education. During the early part of the Civil war he was with his parents in Missouri, and witnessed some of the border warfare of that period. His father was a graduate of Hanover College, in Southern Indiana, hence he became a student there and after completing the course began the study of medicine under Dr. A. H. Shaffer, who still resides at Huntington, Indiana, being now in his eighty-fifth year. From Doctor Shaffer's preceptorship, Doctor McCain entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, attending lectures for two terms, and subsequently one term in the old Louisville Medical College, Kentucky, from which he was graduated in March, 1875. For three months he followed his profession at Darlington, Indiana, but in the fall of 1875 came to Kentland, then a small place, and here Doctor McCain has maintained his home ever since, becoming one of the foremost physicians and leading citizens of Newton County. Many well known residents of the present day were assisted into the world through his ministrations and afterward, through his medical care have kept in the path of health. Everything pertaining to the early days in a section in which one prefers to live permanently, must possess interest and to secure reliable knowledge, outside of statistics, one may profitably listen as the old family doctor for a wide section of country, visualizes the past. In a settling community the physician is cognizant of every public movement, very often being the prime originator of the same. His profession leads him behind the closed doors of family life, and not seldom is he the father confessor and adviser as well as the potent healer. Doctor McCain can very vividly recall his long drives over almost impassable roads, in rain, sleet and snow, in both darkness and daylight, making as swift progress as possible although hampered by conditions little understood by those who have present day privileges in every part of Newton County. On one particular day, January 23, 1882, he awakened to find the whole country side covered with ice and so slippery that horseback riding even was not to be thought of. Perhaps every physician facing such a test, would not have been as conscientious as Doctor McCain, who, notwithstanding the great physical effort required, covered a radius of twenty-five miles and visited and comforted every one of his patients. Upon the evening of the above strenuous day, Doctor McCain was united in marriage with Miss Gertrude E. Test, a daughter of Thaddeus and Sallie (Myers) Test, and a granddaughter of Judge Charles Test, well known pioneer people of White County, Indiana. The father of Mrs. McCain died when she was three years old. To Doctor and Mrs. McCain twelve children were born. Since 1883 Doctor McCain has been interested also in the drug business at Kentland, Indiana. For many years he has been an important factor in the republican party in the state, and in 1905 he was elected to the state senate, representing for four years the counties of Newton, Jasper and White, and demonstrated on many occasions while in the general assembly, the wisdom of submitting the solving of important problems that would result in the formulating of new laws, to men of scientific training and experience. Ever since becoming a resident of Kentland Doctor McCain has assumed his share of public responsibility when called on, has served as health officer and was a member of the school board. He is identified with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias in Kentland. With his family he belongs to the Presbyterian Church. ["Standard History of Jasper and Newton Counties, Indiana: An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with an Extended Survey of Modern Developments in the Progress of Town and Country" By Lewis H. Hamilton, William Darroch; Published by Lewis Pub. Co., 1916 - Submitted by K. Torp]

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