Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903, p. 312-314. Louis G. Lancaster Weak and futile is the effort of parents of foreign birth to keep their children as zealously German, Scandinavian, Bohemian, Italian or other nationality as they themselves are. The first generation that comes across the water herd to themselves and may influence to some extent the first generation born in America, but even the first generation is as intensely American as the Daughters of the Revolution. The average citizen of the United States, tracing back his family history, is surprised to discover how much German, Irish, Scotch, English and other blood it takes to make one good American. Louis G. Lancaster, the subject of this sketch, is just such an American. He is a resident of Keystone, Chester township, Wells county, Indiana, and in that township he was born on October 28, 1863, the son of Nathan and Mary (Starr) Lancaster. The paternal grandparents of Louis G. Lancaster were John and Ruth (Shields) Lancaster. She was of Irish parentage and was born in Virginia. He was born near Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, and was of English-Scotch ancestry, being, it is said, a descendant of the house of Lancaster which figured so prominently in English history, particularly during the wars of the Roses. In 1833 John and Ruth Lancaster settled in Grant county, Indiana, about where the soldiers' home is now located, the following year went to housekeeping, and in 1836 moved to a point near where Van Buren now stands. In the fall of 1837 they settled in Wells county, purchasing the land which is now owned and occupied by Nathan Lancaster, father of the subject. In 1890 John and Ruth Lancaster moved to Hartford City, and there resided until his death, June 29, 1900. His widow still lives, at the age of eighty-seven years, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Miranda Cox. The subject had, a few years ago, his four grandparents all living, the youngest of them being eighty-four years of age. Benjamin and Matilda (Popejoy) Starr, the maternal grandparents of Louis G. Lancaster, were Virginians by birth, but were among the earliest settlers of Wells county. He was born December 27, 1814, and died January 20, 1899; his wife was born December 6, 1814, and died July 29, 1898. From a very small beginning they were quite prosperous and successful. The best years of their lives were spent in Wells county and there they remained until their deaths. Nathan Lancaster, father of Louis G., was born in Van Buren township, Grant county, Indiana, October 25, 1836, and grew to manhood in Wells county. December 18, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Starr, a native of Wells county, born February 5, 1837. Their home was on a tract of land, eighty acres, which he purchased of his father, and they cleared it, improved it and made a farm of it, and this has been the home place ever since. They are now owners of five hundred and ninety acres of land, all in Chester township, of which two hundred and forty acres constitute the home place. To Nathan and Mary (Starr) Lancaster seven children were born, viz: Louis G., the subject of this sketch; Harvey B. received a liberal education and followed teaching for two years; Jennie L., wife of George A. Mason, a lawyer of Montpelier, Indiana, taught school a number of terms early in life; John E., died at the age of twenty-six years; Matilda E. died at the age of seven years; an infant died unnamed soon after birth; Orley L., who still makes his home with his parents, is a teacher of much success and considerable prominence. Louis G. Lancaster grew to manhood in Chester township, Wells county, attended the public schools until he was eighteen years of age and profited well by his opportunities. He attended the normal four terms and studied under the instruction of Professors P. A. Allen, W. H. Ernst and Samuel McCrea. He began teaching at the age of eighteen and continued as an educator for eight years. All those years he was devoting what time he could spare from his duties in the school room to the assistance of his father on the farm. On July 3, 1887, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah S. Williams, who was born March 4, 1864. She was a daughter of Andrew B. and Mary (Bugh) Williams, both natives of Ohio, and early settlers of Blackford county, Indiana. The mother, who was born September 24, 1834, died November 29, 1874, when Mary, the daughter and wife of the subject, was only ten years of age, the father, who was born October 6, 1822, dying on the 8th of October, 1881. They were the parents of ten children, viz: Henry, deceased; Joseph resides in Blackford county; Oliver is a resident of Blackford county; Jennie, wife of Scott Swartz, of Newton, Kansas; Sarah, wife of the subject; Andrew B., a resident of Chester township; Mary, the wife of Charles McGeath; Emma, deceased; James, deceased. After marriage the young couple went to housekeeping on his father's home place, but remained there only one year. They then took up their abode at Montpelier, where he engaged in teaching, but subsequently they moved to their present home. When this land was purchased by them it was wild, heavily timbered and wholly unimproved, but it is all cleared now, excepting ten acres which is reserved for timber. On it Mr. Lancaster has dug all necessary ditches, built fences and the place is splendidly cultivated. There are four producing oil wells on the place, yielding about a tank a month. Mr. and Mrs. Louis G. Lancaster are the parents of four children, viz; Mary Pearl, born April 6, 1880; Grace, born November 15, 1892; and (sic) infant daughter who died unnamed; an infant son, born May 20, 1902. The parents are members of the Friends church of Keystone, Indiana, and are active in church as well as in all other works. He is a member of and has filled all the chairs in Lodge NO. 410, I. O. O. F., at Montpelier, having joined the order in 1883. In politics he is a Republican and is always sufficiently interested in the success of his party to take part in the campaigns as they come around. He has served as delegate in many conventions, county, district and state, and has seldom failed to make his influence felt upon the proceedings. In 1900 he was commissioned a census taker and discharged the duties of the office with promptness and efficiency. General farming and stock raising is the business which Mr. Lancaster follows. He always aims to keep sufficient stock on his premises to consume the crops, Poland China hogs, Shropshire sheep and shorthorn cattle being the breeds he prefers on his place. His personal property, at a fair valuation, amounts to not less than twelve hundred dollars. He is a man of bright intellect, acknowledged ability and, being still young in years, gives promise of a future of which his relatives and friends will be proud.
Marriage Notes for Rosetta Opal McGeath and John RHEA
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Owned a small grocery store / gas station 1 mile north of the Jay County line on State Rd 1 in Wells County in what used to be the town of Nottingham. Drove a "Huckster" wagon.
Marriage Notes for Ralph Francis Arnold and Minne Louise JURGENS
No children.
Graduated 1921, Bluffton (Indiana) High School. Occupation listed as music teacher. Played pipe organ for the Methodist Church in Bluffton.
Graduated Bluffton (Indiana) High School in 1916. Occupation listed as Grocer.
Marriage Notes for Samuel Ervin Arnold and Laura E WILSON
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Zina was killed in a car accident 1 week after her marriage to Matthias. The accident occurred in California while on their honeymoon.(Marceil Arnold Mann)
Marriage Notes for Zina Mabel Arnold and Homer Donald COLE
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