USA > Indiana > Decatur County > A Genealogical and biographical record of Decatur County, Indiana : compendium of national biography > Part 46
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Charles Kemble was born, reared and educated in Clinton township. His schol- astic training was limited to the subscrip- tion schools of his time; but he has ac- quired a good education through long years of general reading, study and observation. He possesses a good general library and is fond of reading. especially> history, biog- raphy and poetry. He is also well versed in the Scriptures, having been a student of the Bible for many years.
He was actively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Clinton township until 1873 and he was also largely engaged in the collateral industry of grazing. In 1873 he retired and removed to Greens- burg, Indiana, where he has since lived in practical retirement, enjoying the fruits of a successful business career.
. Formerly he was a Whig. but upon the organization of the Republican party, in 1854, joined its ranks and has since cast his vote and influence with that party. He served two terms as township trustee of Clinton township. and two terms as a mem- ber of the council of Greensburg, but never aspired to office. these offices being thrust upon him. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Centenary Methodist Epis- copal church, of which they are regular at- tendants and liberal supporters. He is trustee, and a very prominent member. In 1856 he married Sarah E. Conde, a relative
of the distinguished family bearing that name, and to them were born eight children. one of whom, Susan, is now living.
REV. FRANK S. TINCHER.
This' able minister, who has been in charge of the First Methodist Episcopal church in Greensburg since 1897, was born at Aurora, Indiana, August 15. 1859. and is the son of Rev. Sampson Tincher, D. D .. and his wife, Mary (Bales) Tincher.
The original name of the family was "Tunker." which became perverted to its present form by the Dutch 'residents in Pennsylvania, among whom the ancestors of our subject settled at an early day. The first of the name in this country came over in the Mayflower, and his descendants are to be found in many of the western states. Obediah Tincher .. grandfather of Frank S .. lived in Kentucky for a time, then removed to Hendricks county, Indiana, where he died twenty years later. He was a success- ful farmer and a local preacher in the Metli- odist church, being prominent in church af- fairs.
The Rev. Sampson Tincher was born in Lawrence county. Indiana, January 20. 1824. His advantages for schooling were very limited, but he diligently improved every opportunity for gaining knowledge. and when only nineteen years old entered the ministry, being ordained when twenty- one years of age, and he became a member of the Indiana conference October 12. 1846. Dr. Tincher, during his long service of fifty years as a preacher of the gospel. had charge of many important churches, among them those of Indianapolis, Aurora. Rising
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Sun, Moore's Hill, Shelbyville and others. He was three times elected presiding elder, and was present at every meeting of his conference during the half century which he was connected with it, except the session of 1896. He was invited to preach a semi- centennial sermon at this meeting, but to his great regret his failing health did not permit him to accept. In his letter of declination. he pathetically remarks: "The greatest privation and severest trial is to be unable so to do,-to see the army march- ing, waving the banner, and not be able to wield a sword."
Dr. Tincher was a trustee of Moore's Hill College, which conferred on him the title of Doctor of Divinity, and was president of the board for many years. He was a large- hearted, broad-minded man, an eloquent and convincing speaker and a most excel- lent pastor, sympathetic and in close per- sonal touch with the people. His home life was beautiful, and in all domestic and social relations he was an object of unusual affection. For such a character there can be but one end, and on December 26. 1896, at Belleville, Hendricks county, Indiana. this beloved father and pastor passed away. "ripe in the graces of the Spirit. ripe in age and ripe in character."
Dr. Tincher was married August II. 1842, to Mary Bales, who bore him seven children, of whom only two. a daughter. Mrs. Emma Lowry, and Frank S .. are now living. The mother died August 11, 1897, aged seventy-three years.
The subject of this sketch was educated at Moore's Hill College, at which he gradu- ated in 1881, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He began preaching the same year, but afterward studied theology in the
Boston Theological School and at Dren Seminary, New Jersey. During his course at the latter institution he supplied the Methodist Episcopal church pulpit at Jer- sey City. In the fall of 1888 Mr. Tincher became pastor of the Seventh Street Metli- odist Episcopal church at Indianapolis. In- diana, where he remained three years. Thie next charge was at Liberty, Indiana. at which place he spent five years, the limit allowed by the church rules. The follow- ing three years he was pastor at Aurora. Indiana, and since 1897 has been pastor oi the First Methodist Episcopal church at Greensburg. He is a man of much abil- ity, efficient and untiring in his work, and possesses many of the admirable traits of his revered father. Wherever he has been stationed he has gained the confidence and affection of his people, and has exerted a powerful influence for good over all classes of men.
Mr. Tincher was married June 21, ISS1. to Lizzie A., daughter of the late William T. Christy. of Greensburg, and three chil- dren have been born to them: Mary, Imo- gen and Coyle C. Mr. Tincher is a trustee of Moore's Hill College, and, like his father. takes a great interest in that institution.
EDWARD B. SEFTON.
For more than three-score years the Sef- ton family has been closely associated with the upbuilding of Decatur county, and every one bearing the name has been noted for those traits of character which are marked in the ideal patriot and good citizen. It is believed that all of the numerous Sei- tons in this part of the United States are
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descended from one of four brothers who emigrated from Ireland to America about the same time, at the close of the last cen- tury. These brothers, named respectively William, James, Henry and Samuel, located in the state of Ohio, and three of the num- ber eventually came to Decatur county, In- diana. The other one, Henry, a native of county Downs, Ireland, died of the cholera. in Ohio, in 1834. He left four daughters and two sons, one of the latter being Will- iam O., father of the subject of this narra- tive. The other, Henry, and his sister, Mrs. Maria Scott, passed their entire lives in the Buckeye state, but all of the other brothers and sisters became residents of Decatur county.
William O. Sefton was born in Butler county, Ohio, February 22, 1806. After he settled in this county he adopted the let- ter O for a middle initial (it standing for his native state) in order to prevent compli- cation, as there was another farmer of the same name living in his own township. His marriage to Catherine Shuck, a lady of Ger- man lineage, was celebrated in Ohio, Octo- ber 20, 1831. She was born the same year as was her husband, her birth taking place a few months later, on the 15th of May. Seven years subsequent to their marriage they decided to try their fortunes in Decatur county, and, coming here, took up their abode in a log cabin which had been built on a tract of land entered by Henry Sefton. father of William O. Sefton. This prop- erty is within the present boundaries of Clinton township, and here our subject's parents spent the remaining years of their useful lives. In the course of time the old log cabin gave place to a comfortable dwelling, erected by the father, and other
material improvements were made by him and his sons. All of them were industrious, frugal and honest, enjoying the respect of their neighbors and striving ever to perform their duty toward God and man. William O. Sefton owned about a thousand acres of land, the result of long years of toil and in- defatigable effort. In political belief, he was a Democrat, and his wife, who was a very lovable woman, was a member of the Methodist church. He passed to the silent land, October 29, 1868, and about a year later his devoted wife passed away, October 5, 1869.
Of the five sons and four daughters born to that worthy couple all but two survive,- Michael, born September 9, 1836, having died June 15, 1869; and . Elizabeth, born June 22, 1835, having passed away August 19, 1880. Those living are Henry T., now of Colorado, born January 25, 1833; Eliza, widow of Henderson Scott, born April 2, 1834: Isaac. of Greensburg, Indiana, born September 28. 1837; Edward B .; Mary, wife of Lewis Willey, of Washington town- ship, born April 19. 1840; Sarah, born Oc- tober 13, 1844, and now widow of John An- derson, and a resident of Greensburg; and William Warder, born August II. 1846, and now living in Howard county, Indiana.
Edward B. Sefton, who was the first child born to his parents after their arrival in this county, was born in the little log cabin, on the last day of January. 1839. There he was reared, and, after an interval of a num- ber of years, during which period he resided in the vicinity of Milford, he returned to his birthplace, and buying out the other heirs has since made his home here. The farm now comprises three hundred and thirty- six acres of land, most of which is kept
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under cultivation. It is considered one of the most valuable homesteads in the town- ship of Clinton, and every thing about the place bears evidence of the careful attention of the owner, who is a practical farmer.
In his early manhood Mr. Sefton married Caroline K. Smiley, and three sons and two daughters blessed their union. Wilhelmina is the wife of William Ryan, of Tipton, In- diana; Romie Michael is a resident of this county; Henry L. and Edward aid their father in the management of the home place; and Ella is the wife of Henry D. Ed- meades. Each of the children of our sub- ject received as good advantages in the way of an education and in practical training for the duties of life as he was able to afford, and now he is rewarded in seeing them use- ful and respected citizens. Both he and his estimable wife are deservedly esteemed, and, as they enter upon their declining days they may have the comforting assurance that they have nobly performed the part in life which was assigned to them.
JAMES SEFTON.
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As is generally known, by the older resi- dents at least, the Seftons were among the first to settle permanently in Decatur coun- ty, and consequently they suffered much more hardship than did those who came even a few years later. Only the hardiest and bravest withstood the privations and discouragements of the frontier life, many returning to the more comfortable homes they had left in the east or south. But the Seftons, as will be seen, were of stanch hearts and determined will, and in the course of a few years of persistent effort
they made a foothold, and in time became wealthy and influential, as many of them are to-day.
James Sefton is the only survivor of the family of William and Charlotte (Toppin) Sefton, natives of Ireland, the former born in county Down, about 1770. They were married in the Emerald Isle, and one son. John, was born to them ere they emigrated to America. Their other children com- prised Hugh, Henry, Elizabeth, Willian, Samuel, Maria and James. After their ar- rival in this country the young couple set- tled in Butler county, Ohio, and there, in dense woods. the father cleared a farm. Wishing to increase his possessions and be- lieving that he should be better prospered further west, he at length sold his farm, and with the hundred dollars which he received for the place he started with his family for Indiana, in 1824. Here, on what was then known as the "new purchase," he bought eighty acres of land, at one dollar and a quarter an acre. This property was situ- ated on section 8, of what now is Clinton township. After paying for his farm, all that the little family possessed was a few household utensils and necessities, besides the team and wagon in which their tedious- ly long journey had been made. It was of small moment that their scanty stock of money was now exhausted, for there was no opportunity to purchase supplies. how- ever much needed. While they were bus- ily at work clearing a small tract of land and planting and raising a crop of corn. the family had no place of shelter other than their wagon, but in the autumn a primitive log cabin was erected. Not a board nor nail was to be had; but whereas many of the cabins of subsequent settlers had no
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floor but the ground, this one boasted of one made of puncheon! Game was abund- ant; indeed, the squirrels were so numer- ous that in spite of the heroic efforts of the family most of their valued corn was stolen by the pestiferous little animals. For a long time the pioneers harl no wheat or flour, and the corn which they raised had to be pounded or ground in the most primitive fashion, and it was the staple article of food. Such clothes as they had for years were made from flax grown in the fields, carded, spun, and woven by hand, and later, when a few enter- prising farmers introduced some sheep into the county the wool was subjected to much the same process as the flax had been. With the assistance of his sons, William Sef- ton cleared his land and developed a valua- able farm, and ere his death he witnessed a truly wonderful transformation of what had been a wilderness. He was summoned to his eternal rest in 1852, and so well had he filled his place in the community that he was long and deeply mourned. His first wife, the mother of our subject, died in Ohio, and his second wife, by whom he had one son, Thomas, survived him for a num- . ber of years.
James Sefton, who was the youngest child of the first marriage, was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 20, 1821, and was about three years old when he was brought to this county. Of course there were no schools here for many years, and he was nearly grown when the first ones were insti- tuted. For a few weeks each year, then, he was allowed to seek after wisdom, but, be- yond learning how to read and write and do simple problems in arithmetic, he has no indebtedness to the public school. He
remained on the home farm until after the death of his father, when he became the owner of the place. Later he sold the property and bought the farm in Clinton township which has been his home for many years. By good management and economy he has surrounded himself and his family with many of the comforts of mod- ern life, yet his thoughts often traverse the rugged pathway his feet have trodden and he sometimes even sighs as he recalls the days of his boyhood, when, though poor and hard-working, he enjoyed splendid health and many a simple pleasure, in the happy companionship of the brothers and sisters who have long since passed away.
On the 15th of September, 1842, Mr. Sefton married Mary Ann Power, who died on the 8th of December, 1844, and left a daughter, Martha P., who is now the wife of McKenney Carter. The second wife of our subject bore the maiden name of Har- riet Riffe. She was spared to him for many years, nobly sharing his joys and sorrows, but at length she was called from his side by the angel of death, December 2, 1898. Of her seven children two have passed away, namely: Martha and Oliver, and those living are David F., John W., Chris- topher A., Charles M. and Louisa C. They are citizens of excellent standing in the sev- eral communities in which they dwell, and are worthy children of a noble father.
JACOB COOMBS.
Jacob Coombs is one of the honored pio- neers of Decatur county, his home having been here for almost three-score years, dur- ing which time he has been a witness of the
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wonderful development which has taken place here, and has himself been no unim- · portant factor in the transformation of the wilderness to a fertile, beautiful farming country. His stories of the early days when hardships and privations of every descrip- tion were regular experiences, are very in- teresting, and his hearers can scarcely realize that such things were the common lot of the frontiersmen here.
The father of our subject, William Coombs, was a native of New Jersey, his birth having occurred in Salem county. He was a young man when he came with his father to Union county, Indiana, and not long after their arrival the elder man was drowned while attempting to cross Mill creek, on returning home from Cincinnati, where he had gone for needed supplies. William Coombs married Mary DuBois and became the father of eleven children, of whom four sons and one daughter are yet living. Of these Jacob is the eldest. and Joel, the next younger, is a resident of Leb- anon, Indiana, while William A. resides in Ottumwa, Iowa; Allen is a resident of Zionsville, Indiana, and Almira lives at Greenup, Illinois. All of the brothers and sisters who have passed away were married and left children, except one sister, who died at the age of twelve years. William Coombs, like his father, met his death in an accident, as he was killed while assisting in the raising of a barn.
Jacob Coombs of this sketch was born upon a farm situated about three miles east of Fairfield, Union county, and continued to live at home until he was twenty-two years of age, when he was united in wed- lock to the lady of his choice, Rebecca Humphrey. The young couple began
housekeeping upon a farm in Union county. and dwelt there until February 25, 1842. on which date they came to their new home on the property where our subject is yet living. No improvements whatever had been made on this land at that time, and every tree was yet standing as nature had left it. In the dense underbrush the wolves howled at night and wild turkeys and other game were plentiful. With a brave heart Mr. Coombs set about the great task which was before him, and, year by year, the for- ests disappeared under his sturdy ax, and well tilled fields brought forth abundant harvests under his skilful care.
In all his undertakings Mr. Coombs found a true helpmate in his devoted wife, who was called to the better land on the 28th of February, 1856, after just fourteen years of life in the wilds of Fugit township. She was the mother of six children, of whom the eldest, Mrs. Ann Maria Kelsay, now keeps house for her venerable father, being assisted in this by her sister, Jane H. Mary, born July 12, 1844, married Daniel Higdon, and died August 28, 1885. John William, born January 4, 1842, died July 30, 1849. Sarah D., born April 18, 1851, died November 10, 1875. Joel, born Sep- tember 18, 1853. died January 30, 1864. Subsequent to the death of his first wife, in 1858, Mr. Coombs wedded Permelia Hum- phrey, and together they pursued life's jour- ney for thirty-seven years. She was sun- moned to her reward December 12, 1895, and is mourned by a large circle of friends.
For sixteen years Mr. Coombs served his neighbors and friends as a justice of the peace, meeting the responsibilities of that position with dignity and impartiality. Education, temperance and religion have
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been given their due proportion of his at- · terition and all righteous measure's have re- ceived his earnest support. He and the members of his household have long been prominent in the work of the Christian church, and all who know them respect them highly.
BENJAMIN JENKINS.
Could it be written in detail, the history of Benjamin Jenkins, who for more than two-score years has been engaged in busi- ness at St. Paul, Decatur county, would prove of unusual interest to the general reader, and those who know him well will peruse with pleasure the following record of the chief events in his eventful life.
It is believed that the family of which he is a sterling representative was founded in the United States in colonial days, by three brothers, one of whom located in New York state, one in Virginia and the third in South Carolina. David Jenkins, born in the Old Dominion, December 2, 1798, emigrated to Muskingum county, Ohio, in early man- hood, and there met and married Phoebe Ann Quinby. She was a native of New Jersey, her birth having occurred October 15, 1806, and she had gone to the Buckeye state with her parents in childhood. She departed this life about 1832, and Mr. Jen- kins later married again and had children by his second union. He lived to attain a ripe age, his death taking place on the Ist of March, 1877.
Benjamin Jenkins, who was born in Mus- kingum county, Ohio, January 7, 1825, was but seven years of age when he was bereft of a loving mother. From that time until he was grown he lived with his grand-
father, Benjamin Quinby, who also pro- vided a home for the two sisters of our sub- ject. Elizabeth, the elder, married John B. Holmes, and died July 23, 1868. Jane Ann, born August 8, 1829, married a Mr. Bennett, and now resides in Rushville, In- diana. In 1837 Benjamin Quinby, who was a tailor by trade, came to Indiana. bringing with him his three grandchildren. After remaining in Rush county about eigh- teen months he removed to Adams town- ship, Decatur county, where he continued to work at his trade, more or less, until his death, and became a much esteemed citizen of his community. He was born in Sep- tember, 1776, and died February 11. I853: and his estimable wife, whose birth had oc -. curred October 2, 1782, lived until Septem- ber 20, 1864.
Thus, as has been noted, our subject passed twelve years of his life in Ohio, his native state, and was about fourteen years of age when he arrived in Decatur county. where, for more than three-score years he has made his home. He was all that a duti- ful son could be to his kind grandparents, with whom he remained until he was in his twenty-third year. About that time the United States engaged in war with Mexico. and the young man, impulsive and patriotic. desired to enlist to fight for his country. Accordingly, in September, 1847, we find him duly enrolled as a private in Company E, Fifth Indiana Volunteers, and soon on the way to Vera Cruz. Under the leader- ship of General James H. Lane, his regi- ment proceeded to the city of Mexico, where they arrived just too late to take part in the campaign there, as the place had re- cently surrendered to General Scott; but there was still much to do in the way of
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preserving order and in adjusting affairs satisfactorily. When he and his comrades were no longer needed, they were ordered home. Mr. Jenkins, however, had had just sufficient adventure and experience in a for- · eign country to give him a strong desire to see something more of the world, and he soon determined to seek the Pacific coast, whither thousands of eager gold-hunters were already wending their way. That long and perilous journey across the great ·prairies and deserts and mountains of the west has been often described, though never too vividly, and here it will suffice to say that the young man performed the journey in safety, and at the end of two years re- turned home, by way of the isthmus of Panama. He had met with fair success, financially, and for some time was engaged in business at St .. Omer, Decatur county, but in 1857 established a drug store in St. Paul, and still manages it, thus being one of the oldest druggists in the state, in years of continuous enterprise,
About the time that he attained his ma- jority, Mr. Jenkins married Ann Burns, who was born in Rush county, March 25, 1827, and died in 1861, leaving four chil- dren, namely: John Warren, of Kansas City; Mrs. Hester Ann Trimble, a widow, now living with her venerable father; Marie Antoinette, wife of Clarence W. Adams; and Edwin E., a druggist of Shelbyville, In- diana. In 1862 Mr. Jenkins married Mrs. Ellen Kerr, nee Anspraugh, but death claimed her in 1864.
In his youth our subject had extremely limited educational advantages, but he proved in his own experience that learning of the most valuable kind may be acquired outside the school-room. Not only has he
been a great reader and student of human nature and of nature in her various manifes- tations: he has learned much in traveling and in observation. It has been his privi- lege to have crossed the Rocky mountain- five times, and the Alleghanies three times. and in the autumn of 1889 he again visited the city of Mexico, which, after more than two-score years. he found greatly improved. while many of the old landmarks could yet be found, much as when he. was there a young soldier. His business life being necessarily quiet and monotonous, he has given some time every year to the pleasant and healthful out-door sports, especially those of hunting and fishing. As an angler he bears quite an enviable reputation and in this pursuit has visited many of the best fishing grounds of this and neighbor- ing states.
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