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 109

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 109
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 109

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).

Previous to the breaking out of the war he came to Randolph county, Ind., and worked at his trade in West River township, and, on severing his connection with the army, he re- turned here and for some time thereafter fol- lowed his chosen calling in various parts of the country. In 1869 he purchased his present farm in White River township, where he now owns 120 acres of valuable land, of which 100

acres are under cultivation, and since that date he has devoted his attention, almost ex- clusively, to the pursuit of agriculture. As a farmer, Mr. Wall ranks among the best in the township; and as a breeder of fine live stock, principally horses and Poland China hogs, his success is second to that of no other stock raiser in the county of Randolph. As a citizen and broad-minded liberal man he stands de- servedly high in the community, and as a christian gentleman he has long been recog- nized as a leader in the Christian church, the principles of which he exemplifies in his daily walk and conversation.

Mr. Wall belongs to the A. F. & A. M., the G. A. R., and since 1892 has been a sup- porter of the people's party; previous to that date he was a republican. He was united in marriage May 24, 1859, to Sarah J. Street, daughter of John and Jane Street, of Randolph county, to which union two children were born: Mrs. Emma Peacock and John Wall. Mrs. Wall died November 18, 1860, and, on the 7th day of September, 1865, Mr. Wall married his present companion, whose maiden name was Delilah Oren, daughter of Absalom and Susanna Oren, of this county. The fol- lowing are the names of the children born to Mr. Wall's second marriage: Mrs. Flora A. Hartrip, Noah A., deceased; Ira M. Wall; Mrs. Ida Davidson; Clinton, died in infancy; Warren; Mahlon, deceased; Oren, Suda and Russell, the last three of whom live with their parents.

EHEMIAH H. WARD .- The gentle- man for whom this sketch is prepared is one of the oldest living residents of White River township, Randolph county, Ind., where his birth occurred on the 30th day of September 1830. His father, Joel Ward, was born in North Carolina, and his

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mother, whose maiden name was Ruth Hays, was a native of the state of Connecticut. They were married at the town of Chillicothe, Ohio, and as early as 1820 came to Delaware county, Ind., locating in Franklin township, near the present site of Ridgeville. Later they moved to the township of White River, one and a half miles north of Winchester, where Mr. Ward's death occurred, October 13, 1869; the mother died in May of the following year and rests by the side of her husband in what is known as the White River cemetery. Seven children were born to Joel and Ruth Ward, namely: John W., Jairus, deceased; Malitna, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of John Orth; Eunice, de- ceased; Nehemiah, our subject, and Sarah J., deceased.

Joel Ward was a man of local prominence in the community where he resided, served for a number of years as a justice of the peace, and, at one time, was in very flourishing finan- cial circumstances, owning a large tract of real estate, much of which he lost on account of going security for irresponsible parties.

Nehemiah H. Ward remained on the home farm, assisting his father until seventeen years of age, at which time, in 1847, he apprenticed himself to Sol Yunker, of Winchester, to learn the trade of cabinet making, serving, with that gentleman for a period of two years. Subsequently he became proficient in the manufacture of chairs and also in the art of painting, both of which he followed for a lim- ited period, and then resumed his former trade at the town of Palestine, Ohio, where he worked for two years. April 3, 1851, he mar- ried Angeline Mettler, daughter of William and Nancy Metler, of Ohio, and the following August moved to Winchester, where he car- ried on his trade until his removal to Camden, Jay county, Ind., in 1853. After six months, residence in the latter place he returned to Winchester and entered the employ of Cook

& Garwood, and in September, 1854, in part- nership with Thomas Ward, engaged in the harness business, which relationship continued for a period of four years. Since about 1858, he has been engaged in carriage trimming and harness making, working at different places; principally in the city of Winchester, where his reputation as a skillful workman in his line is second to that of no other man in Randolph county. Mrs. Ward was born in Ohio Feb- ruary 3, 1828, and is the mother of the follow- ing children: Lorinda E., wife of Dr. E. C. Ballard, of Greenville, Ohio; Eldora A., de- ceased; William C., of Pennsylvania, and George H., an attorney of Winchester. For many years Mr. Ward has been a prominent member of the republican party, and in 1876 was elected marshal of the city. He belongs to the Odd Fellows fraternity, enjoys the con- fidence and esteem of his fellow citizens of Randolph county, and is one of the popular residents of Winchester.

EORGE H. WARD, son of the pre- ceding, was born in the city of Win- chester, July 13, 1869. His educa- tional training embraced the studies pertaining to the common and high school courses, and, after completing the latter, he began the study of law May 7, 1888, in his native city, and was duly admitted to the bar in September, 1891 He effected a co-part- nership in the practice with J. S. Engle, which lasted one year, since which time he has not had any professional associate, continuing the legal business alone. In his profession Mr. Ward has made commendable progress, oc- cupies a conspicuous position at the Randolph county bar, and enjoys a lucrative practice in the courts of Winchester and other places. Fraternally he is connected with the K. of P.

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AND WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

lodge, also the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and in politics votes the republican ticket.

HOMAS L. WARD, assistant cashier of the Randolph County bank at Winchester, was born in this town November 17, 1869, and is a son of Thomas and Susan (Lykins) Ward, who were descended from the oldest pioneer families of Randolph county. Thomas L. received his early education in the schools of Randolph county, and in 1886 entered college at Ober- lin, Ohio, where he remained two years, and returned to Winchester; he was at once given a position in the bank. He performed his duties intelligently and faithfully, and in 1889 was elected teller, and in 1891, on March 23d, was elected assistant cashier, which position he has filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the stockholders to the present time.

He holds an interest in the bank, and finds it to his interest to take care of it. In politics he is a republican and fraternally is a Knight of Pythias, while socially he is the center of a circle of refined and intelligent associates. Hon. Thomas Ward, father of Thomas L., was a son of Joab Ward, a native of North Caro- lina, who came to Randolph county in 1819. At an early age Thomas began trading with his neighbors, and nearly all his trading with his neighbors and nearly all his transactions redounded to his success, so that, when twenty- one years of age, he had accumulated 600 acres of land. His first earnings were made by "deadening" timber for new purchasers.

He would take the contract for deadening timber on these land, and after sub-letting it, usually had a profit left for himself. He never retrograded his financial standing; the property which he had accumulated during his minority

stimulated him to greater achievements, and in the years which followed he found his pros- pects brightening, and his property increasing. In 1840 he was married, and in 1841 remov- ed to a tract of land near Ridgeville, from which he developed a good farm. The farm was cleared and improved by himself, and after cultivating it for four years he removed to Winchester and embarked in mercantile pur- suits at this point. He was thus engaged until . 1870, carrying a general stock for a part of the time, and later in the hardware trade ex- clusively, while at another time he was pro- prietor in a harness shop.

He was one of the first friends of the Cin- cinnati, Richmond & Fort Wayne railroad, and was one of the board of directors. He had invested $35,000 in stock, but it was found that the company would be unable to complete the road to Fort Wayne. Upon this dis- covery the directors sold the road to another company, and by the change he lost all he had invested except about $3, 100. In 1865, he became one of the company who organized the First National Bank of Winchester, and served as its president until 1868, and served as one of its directors at the same time. The bank retired its circulation in 1878, and was reorganized under the state banking law. In 1880 he was one of the organizers of the Ridgeville bank, at Ridgeville. Upon the death . of its president, Arthur McKew, Esq., in January, 1882, he was chosen as Mr. McKew's successor for the unexpired term, and in July, 1882, was elected president for the current year.

Mr. Ward was the whig candidate for sheriff in 1841, of Randolph county, but the party was divided against itself at that time, and he was defeated by the opposition. In 1864, he was elected to the Indiana senate, and at once rose to a position of prominence and honor, serving on important committees.

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He voted for the Thirteenth and Fourteenth amendments to the constitution of the United States, and introduced a bill to admit the tes- timony of colored witnesses in cases where white litigants were involved. He also intro- duced a bill making the sale of liquor a penal offense, and served as chairman of the com- mittee on corporations. The bill to compel railroad corporations to furnish transportation and equalize freights was also introduced by him. He served his constituency well, and retired from his official position with the good will of all the good people. His political affiliations were first with the whig party, but afterward with the republican party. He was never an aspirant for political honors, and his candidacy, in both cases, was at the solicita- tion of his friends.

By his industry and good management Mr. Ward had accumulated a competence, and was one of the wealthiest citizens of Winches- ter. He was long identified with the temper- ance movement, and boldly arrayed himself among the advocates of public morality and good order. He was married four times: first, in 1840, to Sarah Ellen Tharp, who died in 1852. He was next married to Jane Helen Swain, of Richmond, Ind., in 1854. She died in 1865, leaving three children. His third wife was Susan Lykins, who died in 1873, leaving two children. In 1876, he was united in marriage with Laurinda Osborn. By this union, they became the parents of one child, -Worth Osborn. Mrs. Ward was born in Wayne county, Ind., October 1, 1838, daugh- ter of Isaiah and Lydia (Worth) Osborn. Her father was born in Tennessee, in November, 1803, and died in Wayne county, Ind., in 1846. Her mother was born in North Caro- lina in November, 1805, and now resides in Henry county, Ind. The death of Mr. Ward occurred July 8, 1892, and his loss was sincere- ly mourned by the entire community.

ON. ENOS L. WATSON, attorney and journalist of Winchester, Ind., was born in Greene county, Ohio, December 22, 1830, the son of James and Nancy (Linsey) Watson. The father died when Enos L. was but two years old, and in December, 1832, the mother was married to Daniel Mock and removed to Randolph county, Ind. To her first husband, she had borne the following children: Margaret, de- ceased; Ruth; William; Ann; Daniel M .; Rebecca and Enos L. The last named was educated at the public schools, and was an apt scholar. At the age of seventeen he left the home of his mother and step-father, and went out into the world to do for himself, lit- tle imagining at the time that he was destined to become one of the county's most substan- tial pillars and one of its brightest legal lights. His first effort at any legitimate business was his attempt, at Deerfield, to learn cabinet making, but ill health and a distaste for the trade induced him to relinquish the task and to follow the advice of Senator T. M. S. Long- shore, and study for a higher profession. He accordingly re-entered school for a short time, and studied under Isaac Jenkinson; then came to Winchester and attended the old county seminary. Returning to Ward township, he taught school for three months at $10 per month and boarded himself for fifty cents per week, and received his pay in Mexican silver dollars. After teaching at various other places, and after further improving himself by additional attendance at different schools, he returned to Ward township and taught at Deerfield, and so kept going and coming, play- ing the parts of student and pedagogue, until 1852, when he was elected county surveyor on the democratic ticket by fourteen majority, and was re-elected in 1854 and 1856, in the meantime devoting his mornings and evenings to the study of law, without a preceptor.

JAMES E. WATSON.

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AND WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

About this time a strong friendship sprang up between himself and John J. Cheney, a young lawyer who placed his library at the disposal of Mr. Watson. Thus he studied until 1856, when he was admitted to the bar. He became very popular and was very soon elected com- mon pleas prosecutor for Randolph and Jay counties, and at the expiration of his term of two years was re-elected, his circuit now com- prising Randolph, Jay, Blackford and Dela- ware counties.

Seward S. Watson, the second child of Enos L. and Margaret Watson, was born January 29, 1857. He has been a printer for twenty years, and has the reputation of being one of the best in the state. He has been con- nected with the Winchester Herald for a num- ber of years, and is at present one of its pro- prietors. In November, 1880, he was married to Eunice Deardoff, who has borne him fine children, four girls and one boy. He is a man of strong force of character and is highly re- spected by all. William F. Watson, brother of S. S. Watson, was born July 25, 1855. He has been identified with the Winchester Herald for a number of years, devoting him- self especially to the stock department, and has made that feature of the paper very popular. He was married to Miss Eva Hunt, December 20, 1879, and to them have been born three children, all girls.

In 1860 Enos L. went in partnership in the practice of law with Hon. William Peale, which partnership was maintained until 1863, when Mr. Peale was elected secretary of state; in 1864 he formed a partnership with Judge J. J. Cheney, which lasted until 1874; for the next six years he was the partner of Judge Monks; then was with Mr. Cheney again for two years, when Cheney retired; the next as- sociate was James S. Engle, for six years; then he was partner with James Watson until 1892, when the firm became Watson, Macy

& Goodrich. As an attorney, Mr. Watson ranks with the best of his colleagues, no one standing higher in the esteem of court and bar. Originally a democrat, he saw fit to sever his connection with that party when the Missouri compromise was repealed, and on the forma- tion of the republican party became one of its stanch supporters.

He purchased the Winchester Gazette, con- verted it into one of the most able republican organs in the state, and christened it the Win- chester Herald, and as editor and proprietor conducted it until he had won the victory for which he had used it as ammunition, and then passed it into the hands of John Commons. In 1867, Mr. Watson was first elected to the state legislature, and in 1881 was again elected. He has been a most extensive and comprehen- sive reader and has made a special study of theological subjects, as well as the theory of evolution and of spiritualism. As an Odd Fel- low, he has attained the highest degrees and abides in good faith by the inculcations of that beneficial order.

The marriage of Mr. Watson took place in Deerfield, Ind., July 15, 1854, to Miss Mary Margaret Judd, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, February 3, 1831. To this union have been born six children, namely: William F .; Seward S .; James E .; Charles L .; Elizabeth and Eliza, deceased.

J AMES E. WATSON, attorney at law at Winchester, was born in that city November 2, 1864, a son of Hon. E. L. and Mary (Judd) Watson, an ac- count of whom immediately precedes th.is Mr. Watson attended the schools of his native city, graduating from the high school in 1881, and then took a four years' course at Asbury university, from which he graduated in

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1885. At the time of the changing the name of the institution of learning, he delivered the oration, at the request of Dr. Ridpath, the Historian. He studied law in his father's office during the vacation, and also one year and three months after his graduation from the university. He was admitted to the Ran- dolph county bar, November 2, 1886, and on the 23d day of the same month and year formed a partnership with his father for the practice of law, which partnership continued until November, 1881, when Mr. Watson was taken with a severe illness which continued for more than a year and he was thus prac- tically excluded from the law practice. No- vember 1, 1893, upon the removal of his father to Bluffton, he took his place in the firm of Watson, Macy & Goodrich, one of the leading law firms in Indiana. Mr. Watson joined Winchester lodge No. 91, K. of P., in 1886, and passed the chair of the lodge at once. He was elected Grand Prelate of the grand lodge of Indiana at the June session of 1891 over five competitors. At the June session of 1892 he was elected Grand Vice Chancellor, and in June, 1893, was elected Grand Chancellor, and is by five years the youngest Grand Chancellor ever in Indiana. He is one of the best grand officers that the grand lodge ever had. He is also a member of Winchester Lodge, No. 56, F. & A. M., also a member of Mohawk Tribe, No. 72, Improved Order of Red Men. He is likewise a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1892 he was elected president of the State Epworth League, the convention being held in Richmond, Ind., and at the convention held at Indianapolis, on the Ist, 2d and 3d of September, 1893, he was re-elected president. In the last eighteen months he has delivered more than one hun- dred addresses in the order of Knights of Pythias and Epworth League.

In politics, Mr. Watson is a Republican

and at twenty years of age he began speaking for the principles of the Republican party. In 1888, under the auspices of the Indiana Cen- tral Committee he delivered 101 speeches and spoke in forty-six different counties. In 1892 he made forty-six speeches. There is no ques- tion but that he has delivered more speeches and lectures for a man of his age than any other man in Indiana In February, 1893, he was elected manager of the Lincoln League for the sixth district of Indiana. Mr. Watson is one of the best lawyers in Indiana, as well as one of the best orators.

The marriage of James E. Watson took place December 12, 1893, in the city of Win- chester, to Miss Flora Miller. In December, 1893, Mr. Watson moved to Rushville, Ind., and became a member of the law firm of Wat- son & Sexton.

I SAIAH P. WATTS-Among the promi- nent residents of Winchester and Ran- dolph county is the gentleman for whom this sketch is prepared. Isaiah F. Watts was born June 15, 1840, in Richland county, Ohio. His father, Samuel Watts, was at one time a prosperous merchant, but owing to financial reverses and impaired health, he turned to the woods of Indiana with the hope of improving his fortune. He removed with his family to Wells county, Ind., in 1847, locating on a farm between the towns of Camden and Bluffton, where the subject of this sketch passed the days of his boyhood and youth amid the privations and hardships in- cident to pioneer life. Prior to the removal of the family, Isaiah P. had attended school in Ohio, but in the woods of Wells county he was denied this privilege. He first attended school in this state, in 1850, at the town of Rifesburg, eight miles from his home, living with one Henry Elston, and doing farm work

I P. WATTS.

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AND WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

for his board. At the age of fourteen, he worked on the railroad in winter in order to obtain funds to pay his way in school, and while living with Mr. Elston he made such rapid progress in his studies that when seven- teen years of age, having saved a little money, he entered Liber college. He attended this institution five terms, ending his school life in 1860, just as the war cloud began to thicken and lower over the country. In August, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Ann Eliza Diggs, and in 1862, enlisted in company H, Eighty-fourth regiment Indiana volunteers. While in the army he served much of the time on detached duty, and during the winter of 1862-63, was chief clerk of the general hospi- tal at Ashland, Ky. In June, 1863, he was taken ill, and sent to the hospital at Murfrees- boro, Tenn., and during his convalescence was transferred to Chattanooga, that state.

There he was assigned to duty as chief clerk of the general hospital, and afterwards as clerk in the office of the medical director at Chattanooga. In January, 1864, he was ap- pointed counsel of administration to take charge of the effects of deceased soldiers and forward them to their proper destinations. In March of the latter year, he came home on a furlough of thirty days, rejoining his regiment in April at Blue Springs, Tenn., and continu- ing with it until the close of the war, partici- pating, in the meanwhile, in the battles of Buzzard's Roost, Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw, Neal Dow Church, Culp's Farm, Peach Tree Creek, the battles in front of Atlanta, Shoal's Creek, Lovejoy Station, Franklin and Nashville.

He was mustered out on the 16th of June, 1865, and returning to Winchester engaged in the trade of silversmith. While thus engaged he devoted all his spare time to the study of the law and was later a student in the office

of Cheney & Watson. He was admitted to the bar in 1866, from which time until 1870 he was the partner of E. B. Reynolds, and in 1873 effected a co-partnership in the practice with A. O. Marsh, which was continued until the following year. After 1874 he practiced alone and in 1876 was the republican candi- date for the secretary of state. That canvass was one of the most exciting in the political history of the state. The state went demo- cratic with a majority of about 5,000 and Mr. Watts suffered the defeat that came to all re- publican candidates that year. In 1880 he was nominated by his party for the office of clerk of the Randolph circuit court, to which position he was elected in the fall of that year. He took charge of the office in August, 1881, and discharged the duties of the same with commendable fidelity until 1885. He proved himself a faithful and efficient servant, prompt in the transactions of his duties and polite and obliging to all whose business called them to his office.

For a number of years, he acted as pen- sion agent in Winchester and had the satis- faction of aiding many a comrade and many a widow and orphan, to secure the aid awarded by a grateful country. In addition to his of- ficial duties, Mr. Watts for some time, had pastoral charge of the Christian church of Winchester. He united with this denomina- tion early in life and for a number of years has been identified with it in the active work of the ministry. He is an able and convin- cing speaker, active and zealous in the work . of religion and self sacrificing in his devotion to the church. Since the expiration of his official term Mr. Watts has devoted consider- able attention to religious work, having been pastor at the church of Alexandria for three years besides preaching at various other points. He became interested in the great business "boom" of Alexandria in 1892 and

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was elected president of Phillips Land & Gas company in which he was also a heavy stock holder. He was largely instrumental in se- curing the location of factories in Alexandria and did much towards bringing the town to the front as one of the most flourishing points in the great gas belt of Indiana.

In the affairs of business and every day life Mr. Watts' actions are governed by a high sense of honor and right, and he has gained the confidence of the community in which he resides. Genial and affable in his intercourse with his fellow men, he is very popular, and all with whom he comes in contact unite in pronouncing him a true type of the intelligent christian gentleman. His wife is an excellent lady and has won her way into the affection of a large circle of friends by her gentle manners and uniform kindness to all classes. She is the daughter of Littleberry Diggs, one of the early pioneers of Randolph county, and has borne her husband five children, namely: Inez, married E. F. Tibbott, Pres. Harrison's pri- vate stenographer; Grace A., married D. H. Addington, son of Rev. Thomas Addington of this county; Thomas M., at home, and Shelby D., now in Winchester high school.

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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 109

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