Biography of Stewart P. Wartenbe, page 50, Atlas of DeKalb County, Indiana, J. 
H. Beers & Co., Chicago, Ill., 1880

Stewart P. Wartenbe, P. O., Newville, farmer and stock-raiser; son of Joseph 
Wartenbe and Nancy Smith, natives of Virginia, was born in Muskingum County, 
Ohio, March 29, 1823. When eleven years of age, he settled with his parents near 
Defiance, Ohio, and, after a residence of about six years, in 1840 settled in 
Farmer, Defiance County. Here, at the age of seventeen, a penniless boy, with the 
care of his mother, seven sisters and two brothers, he took a lease of some land, 
and having seen the family sheltered in a log hut, he shouldered his ax and began 
the laborous task of making a living for them, which occupation was occasionally 
varied by ditching at odd times. Eighteen months after, he purchased his first cow, 
and in the course of eight years he had accumulated sufficient to purchase forty 
acres of land, to which, a few years afterward, was added eighty acres. About this 
time Mr. Wartenbe began work as carpenter and joiner, which trade he followed 
till about the time he was married, when he sold his place in Ohio and settled 
here. On February 3, 1859, he married Mrs. Cordelia Webster, of this township; 
they have two children-Corwine G. and Charles S., and are members of the 
Disciples’ Church. Mrs. Wartebe is a daughter of Samuel and Barbara 
(Wanemaker) who came from  Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1843. She was first 
married October 1, 1848, to William Webster, by whom she had one son-
Wallace C.  Mr. Webster died in December, 1857. He was an excellent citizen and 
belonged to one of the best families in the country. Mrs. W. is an estimable person 
and her home complete with comforts and happiness. Truly a happy family are 
possessors of this handsome residence. Mr. Wartenbe, in politics, is Republican. 
His father died about 1853. His mother, now at the advance age of seventy-eight, 
is the enjoyment of fair health, resides with him.



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com