William H. Ade. Of the Ade family of Newton County it is hardly necessary to speak by way of introduction, though it is necessary to meet the expectation of everyone who uses this work for reference to include some of the biographical details in the careers of those representatives of the name who have been most conspicuously identified with the development of the country since pioneer times. First attention must be given to the veteran John Ade, who since Newton County was first formed as a distinct civil jurisdiction in Indiana has been prominent in its affairs and business activities. John Ade was born September 21, 1828, in Sussex County, England, the oldest in a family of six children born to John and Esther (Wood) Ade. In 1840, the family came to America, settling near Cincinnati, where Mr. John Ade, who was twelve years of age at the time of the immigration, had some further school advantages and then learned the blacksmith's trade, which was his regular occupation for several years. While living in Cincinnati he kept a tollgate near that city from 1849 to 1851. John Ade became identified with this section of Indiana more than sixty years ago. Coming from Iroquois County, Illinois, where he had spent only a few weeks of residence, he settled in Morocco, Indiana, in 1853, and was a resident of that town until 1860. That year Newton County was formed, and at the first election of officers he was chosen recorder and then took up his residence at Kentland, the new county seat. When his term as recorder expired in 1864, he was elected auditor, and held that office until 1868. Not long afterwards he became identified with the banking business, with which his name was most prominently associated for many years in Newton County. In the newly organized Discount and Deposit Bank of Kentland he accepted the position of cashier, and in 1875, acquired a partnership in the institution, but for many years continued to hold the post of cashier. More than any other individual he was responsible for the growth and influence of the oldest banking house of Kentland. He retired from active business' affairs a number of years ago. In politics he has been a Republican since the organization of the party, has been officially identified with the Christian Church, and became one of the first members of Kentland Lodge of Masons. In 1851, two or three years before settling in Newton County, he married Miss Adaline Bush of Cheviot, Ohio. To their marriage were born seven children: Anna, who married John W. Randall on May 18, 1871; William; Alice, who became the wife of John G. Davis of Newton County; Joseph; Emma, who died in 1865 at the age of five years; George, whose name and reputation as an author and playwright have attained world wide fame; and Ella. Of these children particular mention is made at this point of William H. Ade, who for years has been one of the strong and vigorous factors in the life of his community, and is well known by his attainments outside of Newton County. He was born in Morocco, Indiana, August 3, 1859, and with the exception of two years, 1882-83, spent in Dakota, has always lived in Newton County. He was about six months of age when his parents removed to Kentland, after the establishment of Newton County, and he grew to manhood in that little country village of Northwest Indiana. He attended the public schools, but at the age of seventeen took up his regular career and vocation as a farmer. It is as a farmer that William H. Ade still prefers to be classed, though he has extensive interests in other lines of activity. For a number of years he has been very successful as an importer of Belgian horses, and has done much to make the livestock industry profitable in his section of Indiana. From 1896 to 1900 Mr. Ade was treasurer of Newton County. At that time he was a republican, the political faith to which he had been reared, and he continued to support that party until the national convention of 1912, after which he aligned himself with the progressive cause. In 1914, he was the unsuccessful candidate of his party for congress. He has done much to advocate such progressive measures as the initiative and referendum, the cause of universal suffrage, and has been a strong advocate of temperance. It is only stating the estimate and judgment of others to say that William H. Ade is one of the foremost citizens of Northwest Indiana, and is a big man both mentally and morally. At the present time his property interests in Newton County comprise 1,015 acres of partly developed farmlands. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submitted By Beth Bassett beth@ffni.com