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 106

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 106
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 106

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).

recovered to manage the farm successfully. In 1887 his dwelling and contents were com- pletely destroyed by fire, entailing upon him a very great loss, but with an energy born of a determination to succeed he soon rallied from the effects of the disaster and replaced the loss with a more substantial and costly residence. Mr. Puckett has always been a public spirited men, fully alive to every movement having for its object the general good of the community, and for a number of years has been a leading man in the affairs of the township. He served as assessor two years, was township trustee for the same time and his popularity with the people is attested by the fact of his having been elected to the responsible office of county assessor, the duties of which he discharged with commendable fidelity for two years. Mr. Puckett is a republican in politics and as such has contributed not a little to his party's suc- cess. He belongs to the G. A. R., in the de- liberations of which order he takes an active part.

Mr. Puckett's first marriage was consum mated January 13, 1859, with Emeline Pegg, who died September 11, 1886, the mother of five children: Delfine, wife of L. Cox; Elvira, wife of J. M. Lasley; Sarah A., wife of James Lasley; Angeline, wife of E. Puckett, and John W., who died in infancy. The second mar- riage took place December 12, 1887, with Mrs. Sarah Puckett, daughter of John Adamson.

IRAM PUCKETT, a prominent farmer and leading citizen of White River township, Randolph county, Ind., is the second son and third child of Nathan and Betsey Puckett, an appropriate mention of whom is found in the preceding sketch. Hiram Puckett first saw the light of day on the old homestead in White River

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township, June 4, 1838, since which date his life has been closely identified with the history and development of Randolph county. Like the majority of country boys, his early years were comparatively uneventful, and he grew up to the full measure of manhood in the firm belief that all true labor is dignified and idle- ness is akin to crime. He assisted his parents on the farm during his minority, attended such schools as the country afforded in the mean- time, and, at the age of twenty-one, began life for himself as a tiller of the soil, and has since carried on agriculture with the most gratifying success. In 1863, he purchased his present beautiful farm, consisting of 190 acres of valuable land in section 34, and at this time has ninety acres under a high state of cultiva- tion, and two acres of orchard, which produce an abundance of the best varities of fruit in- digenous to this part of Indiana.

In a financial sense, Mr. Puckett has met with well merited success, and in addition to the home farm he owns good property in Win- chester. He is a most worthy citizen, an ex- emplary neighbor, and the people of his town- ship hold him in the highest esteem on account of his many sterling qualities of manhood. He was married October 6, 1860, to Ann Pegg, of Randolph county, daughter of Ithamer and Mary Pegg, and has four children: Nelson F., a farmer of White River township; Mary E., wife of C. Haynes; Mrs. Ora Ledbetter and Lear. Mr. Puckett is a republican in politics, and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs.

UTHER G. PUCKETT, a highly respected resident of Winchester, was born in White River township, April 9, 1838, and is a son of Dr. Benja- min and Sarah (McNees) Puckett, the former of whom was a practicing physician in the

township forty-seven years. The parents died respectively in 1871, and 1849, and of their four childnen, two are still living in Winches- ter-Luther G. and William Y. The parents were members of the Society of Friends, and in politics the father was a republican.

Luther G. Puckett made his home with his father until thirty years of age. He studied dentistry with Dr. I. M. Ross, of Winchester, for three years, and then for two and a half years was a partner with his preceptor, since when he has been in business on his sole ac- count. August 13, 1862, Mr. Puckett enlisted for three years in company H, Eighty-fourth Indiana volunteer infantry, and bravely served until June 14, 1865, when he was honorably discharged, the war having ended. During his service he participated in the battles of Shelbyville, Tenn., Lookout Mountain, Chick- amanga, Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Altoona, Kenesaw Mountain, At- lanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Franklin, Nash- ville, and several other regular engagements, beside numerous skirmishes and raids.

On his return to Randolph county, he en- gaged in the grocery and bakery business, in conjunction in a limited way, with dentistry, and carried on these until 1893, when he sold out and retired, receiving a pension of $12 per month for injuries received while in the service.

The marriage of Mr. Puckett took place January 3, 1871, in Shelby county, Ohio, to Martha Ellen Lovett, a native of that county, born December 8, 1849. Her parents were Owen and Mary J. (Richardson) Lovett, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and the latter a native of Ohio, where she died in 1853. The father died in Indiana.

The children born to Luther G. Puckett and wife numbered seven, named as follows: Robert B., Oak, Clyde, deceased, Mary, de- ceased, Maggie M., deceased, Bennie, deceased and Margaret E. Mr. Puckett is a republican

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and has filled the office of town councilman two terms. He is a Knight of Honor, a mem- ber of Mohawk tribe, No. 72, I. O. R. M., and of the G. A. R. Mrs. Puckett is a mem- ber of the Relief corps, G. A. R., and is also a member of Pocohontas, Nokomis council, No. 6, I. O. R. M.

ILLIAM Y. PUCKETT, son of Dr. Benjamin and Mrs. Sarah (Mc- Nees) Puckett, and a younger broth- er of Luther G., whose sketch pre- cedes this, was born in Winchester, where the Randolph County bank now stands, February, 23, 1843. At the age of twenty-one, began business on his own account at teaming. In 1863, however, he enlisted in company F, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Indiana volun- teer infantry, for three months, and was honor- ably discharged at the expiration of the term. Subsequently after a long stay at home he en- listed in company K, One Hundred and Fifty- fourth infantry. Mr. Puckett was first married, February 23, 1872, to Belinda Monks, a native of Randolph county, and a daughter of Scott Monks, and to this union were born two chil- dren-Benjamin and Edward.

Mrs. Puckett was taken away August II, 1883, and went to rest in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, September 19, 1885. Mr. Puckett was married to Miss Sarah Green, a daughter of William Green, a native of White River township; and this marriage has been blessed with one child-Bernice E. In politics Mr. Puckett is a republican, and has twice been elected councilman-in 1891, 1895 -- being a member of the first council after Win- chester was incorporated a city. Mr. Puckett has been a very industrious man, and has amassed considerable wealth, owning sixty- one acres of land, which he purchased in 1888, and four houses and lots in the city of Win-

chester. He is a member of the G. A. R .; and Improved Order of Red Men. He takes a great interest in the affairs pertaining to the best welfare of Winchester

ATHANIEL PUCKETT, deceased, was born in White River township, Randolph county, Ind., February 28, 1825, son of Zachariah and Edith Puckett, the father a native of North Carolina, and an early settler of Randolph county. The early life of Mr. Puchett was passed in the routine of farm labor and while still a youth he acquired habits of industry and thrift, which had a telling effect upon all his subsequent years. Having been reared to agricultural pursuits and having decided to make that use- ful calling his work for life, he followed it with such assiduity that in due time he purchased a farm of his own and accumulated a sufficiency of this world's wealth to place him in comfort- able circumstances. He came into possession of the place upon which the remainer of his days were passed about the year 1865, the farm consisting of 106 acres in White River township.

Mr. Puckett was married, April 11, 1864, to Sarah Adamson, daughter of John and Phebe Adamson, natives of Randolph county, and decendants of early pioneer families of southeastern Indiana. Abram Adamson, father of John, was one of the first settlers of Ran- dolph county; Mrs. Phebe Adamson was the daughter of Samuel Spray, also a pioneer of Randolph county, having moved here from South Carolina at an early period of the county's history. The offspring of Nathanial and Sarah comprised six children, namely: James; Elmer; Phebe, deceased; Elijah; Mary E., who died in infancy, and Chester. Mr. Puckett was a birthright member of the

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Society of Friends, the pure simple faith of which he exemplified in his daily walk and conversation. He was a man of broad mind and exceptional morals, and an exemplary citizen, a kind father and an affectionate hus- band. Nobly did he fulfill life's mission and he went to his grave on the 18th day of March, 1880, cheered by the hope of having a part in the resurrection of the just.

EVERDY PUCKETT, one of the prominent attorneys of Winchester, Ind., was born in White River town- ship, June 13, 1854, and is a son of Levi and Catherine (Reynard) Puckett, na- tives respectively of North Carolina and Penn- sylvania. The parents were reared in White River township, and were married in 1846, and eleven years later moved to Douglas county, Ill., where the father was engaged in farming for seven years, and then, returning to White River township, he followed the same vocation until his death, October 10, 1872, when his remains were interred in Fountain Park cemetery. His widow now resides with her daughter in Winchester.

Levi Puckett was a spiritualist in religion, and in politics a republican. He and his wife were parents of seven children, viz: Clarinda; Phebe, wife of William North, a retired farmer, living at Winchester; Reverdy and Gibbon, twins; William, who died March 3, 1872; Welcome G. and Tyre T., twins, of White River township. Reverdy Puckett was reared to the arduous duties of farm life, and after the death of his father, the whole man- agement of the home place fell to his charge. He remained with his mother, faithfully caring for her and the farm until he was twenty- seven years of age, receiving his education at the district school of his township. At the

age mentioned, he was fully prepared for teaching, and taught a term in Blackford county, and continued to teach at different places and do general labor. In 1881, he began the study of law under the late Levi Study, Esq., a lawyer of prominence in Win- chester. He diligently pursued his reading for three years, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1883.

He at once began the practice and made rapid progress in the profession, meeting also with favor in the eyes of the general public, that had approvingly watched his career. In April, 1886, he was elected justice of the peace, and filled the position satisfactorily four years, since which time his growing prac- tice has required his entire attention. May 27, 1884, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Jennie M. Main, a daughter of Dennis Down- ing, of Henry county, Ind. Mr. Puckett is now the owner of a fine home and also of three other dwellings, and his constantly in- creasing business will soon bring him more valuable real estate. Mr. Puckett stands very high socially, and fraternally is a Knight of Pythias, Winchester lodge, No. 91.

YRE TAYLOR PUCKETT (deceased) was one of one of the pioneer farm- ers of Randolph county, having come here with his parents when but nine years of age, and being here reared to man- hood. He was born in Surry county, N. C., January 15, 1810, and died in White River township, Randolph county, September 12, 1890. His parents, Joseph and Mary (Garrett) Puckett, were Friends or Quakers, and in 1814, migrated from their native state of North Carolina, with their children, to Clinton county, Ohio, making the journey on horseback, and a hatchet with which they killed a bear on the

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way is still in possession of a member of the family. In 1820, the family made another change, and came to Indiana and entered a tract of land in White River township, Ran- dolph county, which they cleared up and im- proved, and made their permanent residence.

Joseph Puckett, who was born April 26, 1785, here passed away November 7, 1835, and Mrs. Mary Puckett, born January 13, 1787, died here November 14, 1846. The children born to the parents were ten in num- ber, viz: Tyre T., Welcome G., Benjamin, Micajah, Sylvania (Mrs. Remmel), Levi, Francis, Joseph, Phebe A. (Mrs. Hiatt), and Thomas. Tyre T. Puckett's experience in boyhood was most severe in hardships and deprivations; being the eldest of the children, the burden of the responsibilities of pioneer life fell to his lot. But having learned the great lesson of untiring industry, and being blessed with a robust constitution, his part of the labor of developing a farm under these circumstances was crowned with abundant success. His education was meager, through his being deprived almost exclusively of the advantage of schools, and what education he did obtain was secured by his own exertions at such times as he could not be actively en- gaged on the farm; he mastered the rudiments of the common branches sufficient to transact the common business of life, having early ac- quired a great fondness of study and the read- ing of general literature. In order to obtain books and papers, he would exchange some of the products of the farm for them. For the first newspaper he ever possessed, he gave a barrel of flour as a subscription price.

Tyre T. Puckett was twice married; first November 20, 1830, to Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Bales. She was born in · Randolph county, February 7, 1812, and died July 17, 1838, having borne her husband four children, viz: Caleb G., now of Delaware

county, Ind .; Elma; Ira, deceased; Luna, who died in infancy. The second marriage of Mr. Puckett took place November 10, 1845, to Eliza J., daughter of John and Esther Hill, of Henry county, Ind. This lady was born near Morgantown, Va. (now West Va.), September 5, 1819, and became the mother of one child, Viretta. At the date of his death Mr. Puckett was the owner of 260 acres of fine land, a part of which is still owned by his widow, now a resident of Winchester. For a number of years he carried on a pump factory on his farm, which had proved quite remunerative. Eventually, however, he became so afflicted with rheumatism as to be unable to perform the active duties of business and therefore rented his farm and passed his remaining days in retirement. For many years he was, in politics, a republican, but latter became im- bued with the principles of the greenback party.

To revert to the family relationship of Mr. Puckett, it may be well to add that Joseph Puckett was a son of Thomas and Mary (Tay- lor) Puckett, and Mrs. Mary Puckett was a daughter of Daniel and Betsey Taylor, the former of whom died at the age of 105 years. Thomas Puckett was a son of Isam and Martha Puckett, two of whose sons served in the revolutionary war. Mrs. Eliza J. Puckett, the relict of Tyre Taylor Puckett, was fourteen years of age when her parents removed from Virginia, and being the eldest, the greater burden of frontier life fell upon her shoulders. In addition to performing household duties in pioneer times, she was frequently engaged as laborer on the farm, doing all kinds of farm

work, from the clearing down through the whole catalogue. After she was twenty-one years of age she hired out for several years, receiving about seventy-five cents a week, frequently receiving her pay in articles of ap- parel, etc. She now owns a spinning-wheel

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and side saddles, as relics af the wages of her younger life.

R. SYLVANIA REMMEL, of Win- chester, Ind., descends from one of the historical families of Randolph county. She is the fifth child of the ten children born to the pioneers, Joseph and Mary (Garrett) Puckett, who settled in White River township in 1819, the parents coming from North Carolina, where the father was born in 1784. He accumulated considerable wealth, and his progeny is a numerous one and of great respectability, many of its mem- bers occupying prominent positions in the county at the present day. Miss Sylvania Puckett, however, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, March 7, 1818, her parents having passed two years in that county on their jour- ney to Indiana, and consequently she was one year old when they reached their final destina- tion. The attention of the reader is here called to the sketch of Tyre T. Puckett, which will be found on another page, and which gives further details concerning this old and honored family.

Miss Sylvania Puckett received her literary education at Richmond, Ind., and graduated with honors. May 9, 1841, she was married to Jacob Remmel, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, and was a son of Francis Remmel. He was reared to manhood in his native state, and there learned the trade of blacksmithing which he followed until coming to Indiana, and, later, in Tuscola, Douglas county, Ill., in April, 1860, where, August 2, 1862, he enlisted in company K, Seventy-ninth Illinois volunteer infantry, for a term of three years, being a true- American patriot. He served gallantly until the battle of Stone River, where he was most severely injured in the spine and shoulder by being trampled on by a troop of charging cav-

alry, his wounds necessitating his return home to Tuscola, where he lingered, under the ten- der and skillful care of his wife, until relieved by death, February 5, 1872. His remains now repose in the Luster cemetery in Douglas county. He was a man capable of thinking for himself, and was highly esteemed by all who had the honor or pleasure of his acquaint- ance. To the congenial union of Mr. and Mrs. Remmel were born four children, viz: Levi (deceased), Lewis (deceased), Thompson S., and Mary. To revert to the earlier womanhood of Mrs. Remmel, it must be stated that in 1858 she began the study of medicine with Dr. Benjamin Puckett, an elder brother, but kow deceased, and remained under his tuition for three years. She then began practice at Winchester, and here fol- lowed her profession until her departure with her husband for Illinois, and in that state met with a most lucrative patronage in the psycho- medical school of treatment, and she feels that her efforts have proved a blessing to her friends and patients. When she ascertained that the law required her to possess a diploma, she was about to relinquish her practice, but her numerous clientele remonstrated against such a step, and her ability was so well recog- inzed that she was presented with a license to practice by the then clerk of the court, Mr. Richard A. Leavell, now of Chicago, and she continued to practice her chosen profession until 1891, when she retired, much to the re- gret of her numerous patrons.

On the death of her husband she returned to Winchester, in 1874, continuing her prac- tice, as above narrated. At one period of the war she was entirely alone, as two of her sons followed her husband to the field of glory, and one of the boys was shot through the hand at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., was later con- fined in Libby prison, and, on his release, re- turned to his home, where he died within the

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year. Mrs. Remmel now draws the widow's pension, which is a mere pittance, compared with her great loss. For over twenty-five years Mrs. Remmel has held to the doctrine of the spiritualists.

LFRED RICE, saw-mill proprietor, and one of the most enterprising and successful business men of Winches- ter, was born in what is now Carroll county, Ohio, March 10, 1822, the son of George and Nancy (Downes) Rice, natives, re- spectively, of Ohio and Ireland. The father was a wheelwright and a chairmaker, and he and wife were parents of ten children, viz: Erie, Rebecca, Alfred, Harriett, Lucille, Levi, killed in the battle of Nashville; Stephen W., killed at Stonewell Fence, Va .; Julia A., George and an infant, deceased. The father of this family died August 1, 1841, and the mother November 2, 1887, both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Alfred Rice was reared a carpenter, and remained in his native county until 1866, when he came to Randolph county, Ind., and located at Ridge- ville, and there followed his trade for six years and railroad bridge building about five years. About 1876 he came to Winchester and en- gaged in the operation of plaining-mill and saw-mill until 1887, when he added a handle factory, which he most successfully operated until its destruction by fire in 1890, causing a loss of $6,500, there being not one dollar's worth of insurance on the property. Indomi- table, however, and not given to despair, Mr. Rice immediately built, put in new machinery, and now has a plant 46x120 feet, with a ca- pacity of 8,000 feet of lumber per day. His energy is most commendable and his success is truly well deserved.

The marriage of Mr. Rice took place in

Carroll county, Ohio, January 1, 1846, to Miss Keziah Ward, daughter of William and Polly (Beatty) Ward, and was born in Carroll coun- ty, August 8, 1825. The children born to this union were seven in number and were named as follows: Rebecca, wife of William Gwinn, sawyer for his father-in-law; Mary C., de- ceased; Nancy A., deceased; Eliza, wife of Russell Vaughn, of LaGrange, Ind., Ida L., wife of A. Hutchins; Alice, now wife of Will- iam Mckinstry, at home; an infant, deceased. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics Mr. Rice is a republican. It can be truly said of Mr. Rice that he has made a success of his business, and it is to such men as he that the prosperity of any community is largely due.

HOMAS ELWOOD ROBINSON, son of William Robinson, whose sketch will be printed close at hand, was born in Randolph county, Ind., No- vember 2, 1850. He was reared to farm work and attended school until nineteen years old. At his majority he married Miss Cordelia Bun- drant, daughter of Silas and Ruth Bundrant, of Montgomery county, Ind., and purchased thirty acres of his father's farm, adjoining his own present place, and on this he lived two years; he then took charge of the farm of Isaiah Kemp, who had lost his wife, and car- ried it on one season, and then purchased seventy acres, which, added to his thirty acres, make a fine tract of 100 acres, and on this he erected a comfortable dwelling for his family; but he had the misfortune to lose his wife a year later, as she died July 8, 1886, leaving three children to mourn her loss, viz: Susan Adonna, Harry and Orville. Mr. Robinson has been a successful farmer and has taken a deep interest in drainage. In the spring of

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1892, he was appointed drainage commissioner by the county commissioners, and still holds the position, he being an expert drain mana- ger. Owing to the death of his wife he re- linquished farming to some extent, but still keeps an oversight of his 100 acress, having his aunt, Frances Williams, in charge of his housekeeping. He is associated with his cousin, Elkanah Hill, in the wire fence busi- ness, having a county right to put up fences and to sell to farmers the right to erect their own. This is known as the Buchanan fence, and is being adopted by many of the leading agriculturists of the county. Mr. Robinson is a republican in politics, but is not an office seeker. He is an active member of the Soci- ety of Friends, of which his lamented wife was also a consistent member.

ILLIAM ROBINSON, now of White River township, Randolph county, Ind., was born in Washington coun- ty, this state, December 4, 1816, and is a son of Jehu and Mary (Williams) Rob- inson, the former a native of Virginia, who moved to Champaign county, Ohio, in 1810, and was employed in teaming between the different forts during the war of 1812, but in 1814 came to Indiana, then a territory, and in April, 1822, to Randolph county. He took a prominent part in the organization of the county, served in the first jury, which sat on an old log to deliberate; court was held in the log cabin of Paul Way, there being only four buildings in Winchester, which had not yet been decided on as the county seat. Mr. Robinson finally located on congress land, and lived on it seven years before he paid for it at the rate of $1.25 per acre. In 1832 he went to the southeastern part of White River town- ship, lived there until 1840, and then moved

to Henry county, Mo. In 1836 he was col- lector of taxes for Randolph county, doing the work on horseback. The children born to Jehu and Mary (Williams) Robinson were nine in number, and were named Joshua, Cather- ine, Nicholas, William, Jehu, Elwood, Mary, Lavina and Hannah.

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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 106

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