Standard History of Adams & Wells Counties, Indiana - 1918
Tyndall & Lesh
Pgx. 459 & 460

Ralph Studabaker Todd. It is not necessary that the man who achieves success be made of sterner stuff than his fellow man, but there are certain indispensable characteristics that contribute to the prosperity of an individual; these are energy, ambition, determination and the ability to recognize and improve success. These qualities are cardinal elements in the character of Ralph Studabaker Todd and have accompanied him in his progress to a position of prominence and affluence. Mr. Todd is one of the substantial citizens of Bluffton and is president of the Studabaker Bank here.

Jacob Todd, granfather of the subject of this review, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1805, and his wife, whose maiden name was Jane Thomas, was a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, where her birth occurred January 2, 1807. After their marriage they located on a farm in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and there resided until 1851, when they came to Wells County, Indiana, and settled on a farm in section 19, Jefferson Township. The latter place was their home until their respective deaths, he passing away November 3, 1861, and she died June 5, 1888. Jacob J. Todd, son of Jacob and Jane (Thomas) Todd and the father of Ralph S. Todd, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1843, and he was eight years of age when the family home was established in Indiana. After completing the curriculum of the public schools of Wells County he attended Roanoke Seminary and Fort Wayne College. He taught school during most of the time from 1861 to 1866. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry, but was rejected on account of poor health. In April, 1864, he was accepted as a volunteer in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and he served until October, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. During his spare time while teaching school he studied law and was admitted to the bar May 22, 1866. His first political office was that of assessor of Jefferson Township, Wells County, and in June, 1872, he was appointed national alternate delegate to the National Republican Convention at Philadelphia. In 1880 he was delegate to the same convention in Chicago. He was prominent both in state and national politics. August 12, 1876, he married Mary J. Studabaker, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Angel) Studabaker. Mrs. Todd was educated in the Bluffton schools and in Fort Wayne College. To this marriage were born two children: Mary and Ralph S. Jacob J. Todd was a Knight Templar and a thirty-second degree Mason and in that connection he served for one year as grand master of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana. He died May 13, 1900, and his cherished and devoted wife passed to rest February 7, 1903.

Jacob J. Todd left an indelible impression on the public life in Bluffton. No citizen of the community was ever more respected and no man ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people or more richly deserved the esteem in which he was held. In his lifetime the people of his community, recognizing his merit, rejoiced in his advancement and in the honors he attained and since his death they have cherished his memory, which remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him. Honorable in business, public-spirited in civil life, charitable in thought, kindly in action, true to every trust confided to his care, his life was the highest type of Christian manhood.

Ralph S. Todd, born in Bluffton August 5, 1880, was graduated in the local high school in June, 1897, and in the fall of that year he entered DePauw University at Greencastle, Indiana, in which excellent institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1901, with the degree of Bachelor of Phlosophy. He initiated his business career as a bookkeeper in The Studabaker Bank in Bluffton, and in due time because assistant cashier and later cashier of that substantial financial institution. In June, 1909, he was chosen president of the bank and had the distinction of being the youngest man to hold such a position in the State of Indiana. He is still the efficient incumbent of that position, filling it with satisfaction to all and credit to himself. He is a director in the Studabaker Grain & Seed Company, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the W. B. Brown Company, director in the Bank of Petroleum and in the Fair View Cemetery Association and one of the trustees of DePauw University.

While a student in De Pauw University, Mr. Todd became acquainted with Miss Agnes Moulden, of Greenfield, Indiana, and his marriage to her was solemnized October 15, 1902. She was born in Marion County, Indiana, August 29, 1882. Mr. & Mrs. Todd have two children: James Moulden, born February 2, 1904; and Martha, born October 6, 1909. They are valued and appreciative members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a member of the board of trustees.

Fraternally Mr. Todd is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of Bluffton Commandery, Knights Templar, and of Mizpah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is past chancellor of Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, and is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a stalwart republican and was a delegate to the National Republican Convention in Chicago in 1916. As a loyal and public-spirited citizen Mr. Todd commands the unqualified esteem of his fellow men, and he is regarded as a substantial and influential factor in the civic and industrial life of Bluffton and of Wells County