Civil War Veteran
55th Ind Regt

Henry C. McMaken, a well-known farmer of Wayne township, was born near New Haven, Adams township, June 15, 1844. His father, Joseph G. McMaken, who was born near Hamilton, Ohio, February 8, 1814, came to Allen county in the spring of 1832, with his father, Joseph H. McMaken, who settled at Fort Wayne, and kept for many years one of the first taverns, the Washington hotel, which stood on the corner of Calhoun and Columbia streets, the mammothdry goods house of De Wald & Co. now occupying the site.

In 1838, he removed to a farm in Adams township, and in 1847, purchased a farm on the Maysville pike, about three and one-half miles from the city. He was one of the best known citizens during his life, and after farming for years, died December 13, 1864. His widow, Dorothy Ruch, was born in Alsace-Loraine, France, about 1818, and came at about eleven years of age to America with her parents, who located in Pittsburg, then removed to Starke county, Ohio, and in 1837, came to Fort Wayne. In 1889, she removed to Fort Wayne.

There were twelve children born, ten of whom are living: Henry C; William B., farmer in Wayne township; Joseph H., on the homestead farm in Adams township: Sarah J., wife of S. S. Coleman, of Wayne township; Anna M.; Adelia C; J. C. F., farmer of Lake township; Franklin A., residing in Fort Wayne; Elizabeth, and Lottie M., wife of Elmer Banks, of St. Joe township.

Henry C. finished his education at the Methodist Episcopal college in Fort Wayne in 1857, and then worked on the farm until June, 1862, when he enlisted in Company E, Fifty-fifth Indiana regiment, and served three months. He was captured at Richmond, Ky., August 30, 1862, and four days later paroled. He was discharged at Indianapolis, September 9, 1862. Returning to the home farm, he worked until 1868, and then rented a farm.

In 1874, he purchased sixty-two acres in Wayne township, his present farm. In 1874, he erected a two-story frame residence, and in 1885, a large and substantial barn. April 9, 1868, he was married to Frances J., daughter of Adam Link, born at Newark, Ohio, December 8, 1840[sic]. They have had seven children : Lottie May (deceased), Lucie L., Dora G., William H., Helen J., Adam J. (deceased), Elizabeth. Mr. McMaken is a member of Sion S. Bass post. No. 40, G. A. R.

Source:
Valley of the upper Maumee River
with historical account of Allen County and the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Published 1889 by Brant & Fuller; Vol 1