A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph counties, Ind., containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana, Part 101

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, A. W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1474

USA > Indiana > Randolph County > A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph counties, Ind., containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 101
USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph counties, Ind., containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 101

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ENRY P. KIZER, wholesale and re- tail druggist and dealer in pharma- ceutical supplies, Winchester, was born in Ward township, Randolph county, Ind., June 26, 1826, and is a son of Elias and Margery (Ward) Kizer, the former of whom was born in Bortetourt county, Va., in 1800, and came to Randolph county, Ind., in 1821, and located in Ward township, on the present site of Stone Station. In 1832, he removed to White River township, located just north of Winchester, and on this farm he

ended his long and nseful life in March, 1867, his life partner joining him in 1869. Elias Kizer, besides having engaged in farming, also operated a mill, kept a hotel, and for five years was superintendent of the poor asylum. He was a republican in politics and his wife was a member of the Society of Friends, but subsequently became a member of the Metho- dist church. Henry P. Kizer remained on the farm, enduring its hardships and enjoying its rough enjoyments until he reached his majori- ty, when he engaged in the drug business at Winchester, and in 1852 took possession of his present building, in which he has increased his early trade to its present large proportions, realizing a handsome competence.

The marriage of Mr. Kizer took place in Hamilton county, Ohio, near Sharonville, November 20, 1856, to Miss Catherine Mun- ger, who was born in Fayette county, Ind., July 12, 1849, and is a daughter of David and Elizabeth Munger, and to this congenial union have been born five children, viz: Carrie, wedded to B. F. Marsh, of Winchester; Elias, in partnership with his father; Charles S., Mary E., wife of Grant Parent, assurance agent, and Harry B. · In politics, Mr. Kizer is a republican and in religion is a Presbyterian. Besides his $2, 500 stock he keeps constantly on hand at the drug store, Mr. Kizer is owner of a large number of city lots and other real estate, and his dwelling is probably the finest in the city of Winchester. In all his dealings with his fellow-men he has ever been upright and honorable, and has never misrepresented the quality of his wares or the value of his real estate in making a transfer. His name stands without a blemish in the community in which he has so long resided, and he and family enjoy the full esteem of their neighbors and acquaintances.

Thomas W. Kizer, the elder and only brother of Henry P., and the only other child

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born to Elias and Margery Kizer, is a native of Randolph county, born November 24, 1824, and has always held a prominent position be- fore tha public of Randolph county. He was first married January 4, 1846, to Miss Susan- nah Way, daughter of Jesse Way, and had born to him ten children. This lady died Jan- uary 15, 1874, and on January 4. 1876, he wedded Miss Ann Rebecca Weaver, who de- parted this life January 12, 1881. He took for a third companion, December 22, 1881, at Lawrence, Kan., Mrs. Alice M. Allen. Mr. Kizer, although himself not a member of any church, has been very liberal in his donations and contributions to every denomination that has asked his assistance; and he is earnest and ardent in all educational enterprises, with which he has for years been identified. He is an Odd Fellow of high degree, and in politics is a stalwart republican.

J OHN W. KNIGHT, late a prominent and patriotic citizen of Randolph county, of which he was a native, first saw the light of day on the 6th day of April, 1839, near the little town of Buena Vista. His parents were Solomon and Re- becca Knight, the latter's maiden name being Hunt. John W. Knight was reared on a farm, and his education was acquired in the common schools, where he pursued his studies at intervals during the winter seasons, previ- ous to attaining his majority. In November, 1861, he enlisted in company E, Fifty-seventh Indiana volunteer infantry, for the three years' service, and on the expiration of his period of enlistment, veteranized in the same regiment and served throughout the war, receiving his final discharge in January, 1866. During a period of nearly five years' service in defense of the national Union, Mr. Knight earned the

reputation of a brave and gallant soldier, and he was with his command throughout its varied experience in the southwestern cam- paigns, including Pittsburg Landing, all the battles around Atlanta, Nashville and numer- ous other engagements. He was wounded at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., and for three weeks was compelled to remain an inmate of a hospital, the only time he was absent from his command during his long period of service. After the war Mr. Knight returned home and engaged in farming, which useful calling he followed until his death; also operating a threshing machine during certain seasons for a number of years. He was mar- ried June 12, 1859, to Sylvania Hiatt, daugh- ter of Lewis and Charity Hiatt, who bore him the following children: Mrs. Charity A. Clark, deceased; William H. H., deceased; Ulysses W .. deceased; Mary E., wife of W. G. Puckett, and Thomas H. Mr. Knight was an industrious and thrifty man and always upheld the dignity of true, honest labor. He was popular with all who knew him, public spirited in all the term implies, and no resident of the community in which he lived stood higher in the estimation of the public than he. He departed this life at the town of Brooks- ton, White county, Ind., on the 20th day of December, 1873. His widow afterwards mar- ried the late William S. Green, a sketch of whom appears above.

NDERSON JOHNSON LASLEY, farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Randolph county, Ind., born in the township of White River, on the 7th day of February, 1857, son of Peter and Re- becca (Johnson) Lasley. His early educa- tional experience embraced the studies apper- taining to the course usually pursued in the

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common schools, and, at the age of twenty, he chose agriculture as his life work, beginning the same on the home farm, which he culti- vated for a share of the proceeds.

On the 5th day of March, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Monks, daughter of William and Catherine Monks of Randolph county, after which he rented the farm where he now resides and which, under his judicious management, has become one of the most productive places in White River township. Mr. Lasley makes a specialty of no particular branch of agriculture, dividing his attention, about equally, between cropping and stock raising, in both of which his success has been most gratifying. The farm which he tills consists of over 220 acres of fine land, the producing capacity of which has been largely increased by tile drainage and the proper rota- tion of crops; these and the improvements having been made by Mr. Lasley within the last few years. He is a model farmer in many respects, gives considerable attention to horses, cattle and sheep, and on his place can be seen some of the best thoroughbred live stock in White River. Personally, Mr. Lasley enjoys great popularity and few people of his com- munity enjoy, in as eminent a degree, the re- spect and confidence of the public. In his political affiliation he was originally a demo- crat, casting his first vote for Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, but at this time is identified with the people's party, the principles of which he believes to be for the best interest of the country. Mr. and Mrs. Lasley have one child. a son, Raymond, a bright and promising lad of six years.

William Monks (deceased)-The late Will- iam Monks was born in White River town- ship, Randolph county, Ind., July 28, 1830, being one of a family of nine children born to John and Matilda Monks, the father a native of England and the mother of Kentucky. The

following are the names of the brothers and sisters of William Monks: Washington, Mrs. Margaret Turner, Walter S., Joseph, John, Richard T., Christopher C., and Mrs. Susan Heaston. Of this number, Margaret, Richard, Christopher C., and Susan are living at this time (1893). William Monks was raised a farmer boy on his father's place and his youthful years were given to that ceaseless round of toil that attends rural life in a comparatively new country. He grew up to the fullest requirement of that command that man shall earn his bread by the sweat of his brow, and early chose agriculture as a vocation to which his life energies should be devoted. In 1856 he purchased the farm on which the residue of his days was passed, and at the time of his death owned 222 acres of valuable land, the greater part of which was cleared and prepared for tillage by his own industry and energy.

Mr. Monks believed heartily in utilizing the good things of this life, accordingly he spared no pains in making his home a pleasant one, and a short time previous to his death he furnished an elegant and commodious dwell- ing, one of the finest farm residences in the county of Randolph. As a cultivator of the soil, wise, systematic and progressive, he had no superior in the township where he re. ided, and as a man and citizen, fully alive to all that interested or benefited the people. He took a lively interest in the internal improve- ment of the county and was one of the chief spirits in the construction of the excellent system of turnpike roads which traverse White River and other townships.

Mr. Monk's marriage with Catharine Wright, daughter of Edward Wright, was solemnized March 5, 1857; one child resulted from this union, Mary Ann, wife of A. J. Las- ley, a notice of whom appears elsewhere in these pages. For many years Mr. Monks

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was a consistent member of the Christian church and his public and private character was without reproach. He was a democrat in his political affiliations, but never sought nor desired official recognition at the hands of his fellow citizens. He was called from the scenes of his earthly labors on the 8th day of October, 1876, and his remains were followed to their last repose by a large concourse of friends and neighbors who felt his death to be almost a personal bereavement.

Edward Wright, father of Mrs. Monks, was born in Highland county, Ohio, August 18, 1816, the son of Hon. John and Nancy (Brown) Wright. The Wright family is of Welsh descent and came to Indiana from Virginia, settling many years ago in Randolph county, with the early judicial history of which the name of John Wright is intimately associ- ated. John Wright settled on the present site of Winchester as long ago as 1817, at which time there were only a few families be- side himself in what is now one of the most beautiful little cities in eastern Indiana. He served as associate judge immediately after the county organization was effected, and is remembered as a man of more than ordinary powers of mind, a kind and obliging neighbor, and most worthy citfzen. After maintaining a residence in Randolph county for twenty years he removed to the county of Whitley, where his death occurred in 1847; his wife survived him a number of years, dying on the 5th day of June, 1873.

Edward Wright was but a small child when his parents moved to Randolph, and the great- er part of his life was passed within the pres- ent limits of the county. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, early decided to make farming his life work, and he carried out his original purpose, becoming one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of the community in which he lived so many years. He was a

democrat of the Jeffersonian school, took an active part in matters political and served as deputy sheriff several terms, also for some years as deputy clerk of the Randolph county. circuit court. He was united in marriage December 27, 1837, to Mary A. Heaston, who bore him the following children: Mrs. Cathe- rine Monks, Mrs. Eliza Lykins, Mrs. Nancy Cur- ry and Mrs. Mary A. Romizer. Mr. Wright died in Randolph county, August 23, 1880. Mrs. Mary A. Wright, who is still living, is the eldest of four children of David and Catherine Heaston. She was born April 13, 1819, in Montgomery county, Ohio, was brought to Randolph county when a babe of nine months and has been a living witness of the many great changes by which the White River coun- try has been developed from a wilderness to its present advanced state of civilization. She is a woman of many noble qualities, revered by her children and honored by all who know her. Her parents, David and Catherine Heaston, were among the early pioneers of Randolph county, and died here many years ago. The family is descended from an old and highly esteemed German family, several members of which settled in the United States at an early period of the country's history.

p ETER LASLEY, one of the oldest living settlers of Randolph county, where he has resided since the year 1819, is a native of Dayton, Ohio, and dates his birth from the 12th day of October, 1817. His parents, Peter and Christina (Karnes) Lasley, were of German descent, and came to Randolph county in 1819, settling in what is now White River township, when the the face of the country was a wilderness only cheered by the presence of civilization in a few scattered localities. Mr. and Mrs. Lasley

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were members of the German Baptist church, and exercised a wholesome moral influence in the community which they assisted in found- ing. They were the parents of eleven chil- dren, the subject of this mention being the tenth in order of birth.

Peter Lasley, Jr., was but two years old when his parents became residents of Ran- dolph county, since which time he has spent the greater part of his life within one mile of where he now lives, in the township of White River. He experienced all the vicissitudes of pioneer times, and has lived to see a dense wilderness, among the deep recesses of which lurked the wild beast and the scarcely less wild Indian, disappear before the settler's ax, and become one of the most highly improved and enlightened sections of In- diana. In 1837 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides and which at that date was as nature made it, and by dint of hard work and economy he has succeeded in ac- cumulating a sufficiency of this world's goods to enable him to pass the declining years of a well spent life in comfort and quietude.

Mr. Lasley was married December 4, 1839, to Rebecca Johnson, a native of Virginia, and daughter of Henry Johnson, Esq. A large family consisting of thirteen children re- sulted from this marriage, viz: William H., died while serving his country in the late war: Thomas J .; Lavina, died in infancy; Leander C., killed at the battle of Pittsburg Landing; Mrs. Martha J. Wysong; Charles D., deceased; Mrs. Belinda C. Mosher, deceased; Mrs. Nancy R. Brooks, deceased; Anderson J., John M., James L. and Elisha B. Religiously Mr. Lasley is a member of the United Breth- ren church; in his political affiliations he is a democrat. The Lasley family is a prominent one in Randolph county; its members are numerous, and all are recognized as among its most energetic and progressive citizens.

NDREW JACKSON LASLEY, a prominent agriculturist of White River township, of which he is a na- tive, and a descendant of two old and highly esteemed pioneer families of Randolph county, Ind., was born July 31, 1836. His paternal grandfather, Peter Lasley, moved to this county from Ohio as early as 1819, and located on land in section 32, White River township, where the remaining years of his life were passed His son, Moses Lasley, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and came to this part of Indiana as a pioneer, entering the farm on which Andrew Jackson Lasley now lives, in the township of White River- as long ago as 1836. Moses Lasley married Margaret Johnson, whose father, Henry John- son immigrated to Indiana from Virginia as early as the year 1819, settling in White River township. Zachariah Johnson, father of Henry Johnson, mentioned above, was a veteran of the Revolutionary war, and came to Randolph county a little after that great event; here he bore a prominent part in the early development of the country, residing here until his death. To the union of Moses and Margaret Lasley four children were born, all of whom grew to maturity, and two of whom, Levi and Andrew J., are living at this time. After residing in White River a num- ber of years, Moses Lasley secured a home in Washington township, where he died in 1890; Mrs. Lasley preceded her husband to the grave on the 8th day of January, 1888.

Andrew J. Lasley grew to manhood on the home farm, where the greater part of his life has been spent in the cultivation of the soil. He has been a careful manager, thrifty and far seeing, and is now one of the substantial, well-to-do citizens of White River, owning a tract of land, consisting of 240 acres, of which 200 acres are under a successful state of culti- vation. The greater part of the tillable land

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was made ready for the plow by his own hands, and he knows, by practical experience, what it is to develop a good farın from a virgin forest, such as covered the face of central In- diana at the time of the pioneer settlement. He is a representative of that large and sub- stantial class of husbandmen who do so much in a quiet and unostentatious way toward the moral and material well being of the . com- munity. He is a firm believer in prohibition and has been an unswerving advocate of the principles of this party ever since its organiza- tion. Mr. Lasley was first married August 4, 1861, to Elizabeth J. Peacock, who died Sep- tember 20, 1879, leaving one child, Jones W. The second marriage was consummated October II, 1881, with Susannah C. Peacock, sister of the former wife, the fruit of which union is two children: Harry E. and Roland Lasley.

ARVEY E. McNEES, the efficient deputy treasurer of Randolph county, Ind., of which he is a native, was born in the township of Stony Creek on the 10th day of December, 1862. His parents, John and Sarah (Hiatt) McNees, were natives respectively of Tennessee and Indiana and reared a family of eight children, the subject of this mention being the seventh in order of birth. Harvey E. McNees was reared on the home farm in Stony Creek town- ship, received his early education in the dis- trict schools and at Farmland, and later, for a period of two years, pursued his studies in the normal school of Danville, this state. In 1883 he began teaching in Randolph county at what is known as the Amburn school house in his home township, and followed the pro- fession for several years in the country, and for some time had charge of the grammar de- partment of the schools of Farmland. He

severed his connection with educational work in 1889, in the fall of which year he accepted the position of deputy treasurer under Isaac V. D. R. Johnson, with whom he remained until September, 1891, when he became dep- uty under Mr. Johnson's successor, George W. Veal.

Mr. McNees early earned an enviable repu- tation as an instructor while engaged in school work, and as deputy treasurer became thoroughly familiar with every detail of the office, enjoying in the fullest measure the con- fidence of his superiors and the respect of the people of the county. He possesses business qualifications of a high order, and the future no doubt awaits him with higher positions of trust and usefulness.

Mr. McNees was united in marriage, Janu- ary 1, 1888, to Miss Martha A. Johnson, a native of Randolph county, where she was born on the 14th day of May, 1859. Mrs. McNees is a daughter of Joshua M. Johnson, a notice of whom appears elsewhere in this vol- ume, and is the mother of one child, a daughter, Frank A., whose birth occurred on the 27th day of December, 1891. Mr. McNees exercises the elective franchise in behalf of the republican party and is prominently identified with the order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the encampment and to the Rebecca degrees. He is an enterprising and intelligent citizen, a man of broad and liberal views, and with his wife moves in the best society of Winchester.

J OHN W. MACY, prominent as an at- torney-at-law, at Winchester, Ran- dolph county, Ind., was born in Henry county, in the same state, June 12, 1843, and is a son of David and Priscilla (Luellen) Macy, of whom mention is made below, and came to Randolph county with his parents in

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1854. The family located in Farmland, in Monroe township, where they still have their homestead. John W. passed his earlier days on the farm in Henry county and in attending school in Farmland. In August, 1862, when less than nineteen years of age, he enlisted in company A, of the Eighty-fourth Indiana volunteer infantry. At the battle of Chicka- mauga he was wounded in the thigh, and dur- ing the next two months he was absent from his regiment in consequence of this injury. During a portion of this time he was at home, obtaining recruits for the service; he then re- turned to his regiment and served until the close of the war. In youth he had learned the wagonmaker's trade, and after his return from the army he engaged in this pursuit until 1867; he was then appointed deputy auditor by William E. Murray, auditor of Randolph county, and served in this capacity for two years. He was deputy clerk under John B. Goodrich, and afterward under Taylor Semans for two and a half years. and at the close of this service went to Kentucky, where he was actively engaged in various branches of busi- ness for four years. Returning to Farmland, he embarked in the stove and tinwars trade, and while thus engaged he was nominated by the republicans, in 1877, for the office of clerk of Randolph county, and elected in the fall of the same year. He left the shop at Farm- land one day and assumed the duties of the office the next. Throughout a period of four years he discharged the duties of this office with a fidelity that was highly creditable to himself, and satisfactory fo the people of the county. He rearranged the office, and spent all his leisure time in grouping, boxing and numbering the thousands of packages of docu- ments that had accumulated in the office for years, thus rendering comparatively easy a search for any document desired.

While thus serving as clerk, Mr. Macy was

chosen chairman of the republican central committee of Randolph county, and, in addi- tion to his official labors, discharged the duties of that position with equal fidelity; his faithfulness in this line, and its important re- sults, elicited the warmest expressions of satis- faction and gratitude from his republican friends. An important campaign had just been conducted to a successful termination in this county, and the republicans assembled in large numbers at the court house to express their appreciation of the services of their chairman. His utter ignorance of the form this expression would take was manifested by his complete surprise, when, in a neat little speech, the spokesman of the party presented him with a handsome and valuable silver service, which will long be to him a treasured token and a happy reminder; he retired from his official position in November, 1881, and since that time has been successfully engaged in the practice of law, in connection with the real estate and insurance business, the law firm being now Watson, Macy & Goodrich. In 1884 he was elected to represent this sena- torial district in the Indiana general assembly, the district then being composed of Delaware, Henry and Randolph counties. In 1890 he was elected a member of the republican state central committee.

Mr. Macy is also extensively engaged in real estate speculation and dealing generally in realty; he has several large farms, in addi- tion, which he hires cultivated, or, in other words, farms by proxy, thus giving employ- ment to numerous persons, and, at the same time, realizing a fair profit on his investments. On the 25th of December, 1871, Mr. Macy was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of Edward Edger, Esq., who was a prominent and highly respected citizen of Winchester. By this union they are the parents of five children, named, respectively,

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Ralph E., Shields S., Kate P., John W. and David Edward. As a business man, Mr. Macy possesses marked talent, and in every position he has occupied he has performed his duties with distinguished ability; he is a valued member of society, and enjoys the con- fidence and esteem of all who know him. He is a Mason, and one of the leading men of Indiana.

J OHN EDGAR MARKLE, one of the most experienced physicians and sur- geons of Winchester, Randolph county, Ind., and a resident of the city since 1874, was born at Ithaca, N. Y., December 2, 1838. His father, Jacob Markle, was a mer- chant at that place, but removed to Candor, Tioga county, N. Y., in 1841, where he continued to reside until 1853. In that year, he removed to Madison county, Ind., locating at a village which was afterward named Markleville, a name which it still bears. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits at this point until his death, which occurred in 1864. John E., his son, enjoyed excellent educational advantages in his early life, and improved his opportuni- ties, making rapid progress in his studies. He attended the academy at Candor, N. Y., and, after the removal of the family to Indiana, at- tended the university at Meadville, Pa. In 1859, he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Cook, at Markleville, Ind., and in 1860 attended a course of lectures at the Ohio Medical college, Cincinnati. In the spring of 1861, he began the practice of his profession at Fishersburg, Madison county, Ind. But, before he had gained a fair start, the storm of war burst over the land, and he sacrificed all his professional ambition to do his part in the preservation of national unity. On the 4th of August, 1861, he enlisted in company E, Thirty-fourth regiment Indiana

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A portrait and biographical record of Delaware and Randolph counties, Ind., containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana, Part 101

Author: Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Chicago, A. W. Bowen & Co. Number of Pages: 1474

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, A. W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1474