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 111

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 111
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 111

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).

Rev. Thomas Addington came with his parents to Randolph county in March, 1834, and settled near Macksville, where his boy- hood was passed on a farm, and where he went to school in one of the old-fashioned, rude, log structures. Later he became mem- ber of the Union Literary institute, near

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Spartanburg, Ind., afterwards attending Liber college for a short time. At the age of nine- teen he began teaching, continuing through five or six winter terms. Subsequent to his parents' death, Mr. Addington received as his share of the estate the homestead, which he occupied after marriage, living there until 1860, when he removed to Liber, Jay county, Ind.

On August 7, 1862, he enlisted in company A, Eighty-fourth Indiana infantry, his regi- ment being at once sent to Cincinnati, without arms or uniform, to aid in the defense of that city when threatened by Kirby Smith, Gov. Morton afterwards procuring them arms. Mr. Addington participated in the battle of Chick- amauga and numerous skirmishes. Although his face was several time scorched by bullets, he was never wounded. During the five months prior to the time of his discharge, March 19, 1864, he served as chaplain. He returned to his farm, which, in 1885, he traded for another in Franklin township, which he still owns. In April, 1885, he removed to Ridgeville, where, with the exception of one year spent with his son, he has since resided.

Mr. Addington has been twice married. On February 8, 1851, he wedded Martha A., daughter of Randolph and Margaret Hughes, who were natives of Virginia. Mrs. Martha Addington was born in this county, and died March 25, 1886. Five children were born of the union. They were: Zeruiah J. (Mrs. J. Malott); Alfred M., a minister of the Christian church; Emerson H., an insurance agent of New Orleans; Calvin T., a farmer of this county, and Jesse M., who died, leaving a wife and one child. Mr. Addington has nine living grandchildren, and one living great-grandchild. September 11, 1887, he was married to Mar- garet, widow of James K. Painter, and daughter of Lewis and Charlotte Ellis, the former of Welsh descent. His present wife was born in this county, and has two children,

Charles F. Painter and Lewis O. M. Painter, both of Staples, Minnesota. Mr. Addington has been a member of the Christian or New Light church from boyhood, and was ordained a minister in August, 1855, since when he has been in charge of from one to four churches, most of the time, until a year ago, when he retired from ministerial work. For the past eight years Mr. Addington has been engaged in the insurance business, and at the present time represents four fire companies. Since 1891 he has served as notary public. Mr. Ad- dington is a republican and a member of the G. A. R.

J OHN CAYLOR is one of the leading agriculturists of Franklin township, and for the past seven years has gained a reputation as one of the most success- ful fruit growers of Randolph county. He is a native of the county of Randolphi, and dates his birth from the 11th day of May, 1845, having first seen the light of day on the home- stead farm in Green township, where his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Caylor, settled a number of years ago. Like the majority of country boys, his early life was comparatively uneventful. He assisted his father on the i farm, but enjoyed few educational advantages, his training in that direction having been con- fined to a few months' attendance each year at the indifferent country schools, in which he obtained only the rudimentary knowledge of ' the branches usually taught. When twenty- two years of age, he began life as an agricul- turist on his own responsibility, tilling one of his father's farms in Green township until 1873, at which date he removed to Montgom- ery county, Ohio, where he also engaged in farming until the following year, returning to Randolph county in 1874. In 1878 he again went to Ohio and began the cultivation of

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JOHN CAYLOR.

MRS. JOHN CAYLOR.

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small fruits near the town of Little York, which venture, proving financially remunera- tive, he afterward, in December, 1891, engaged in the business on a more extensive scale at Ridgeville, Ind., where he now has one of the largest and most successful small fruit farms in eastern Indiana. He has twenty acres planted with the best variety of small fruits indigenous to this latitude, and such has been his success that the area cultivated is being continually enlarged in order to supply the constantly increasing demand for the products of his farm. His place, adjoin- ing the town of Ridgeville, consists of forty acres of valuable land, all of which will soon be devoted to small fruit culture; beside which, he is the possessor of 313 acres of farm land in Franklin township, and an interest in a nursery at Little York, Ohio. Mr. Caylor pursues his business with all the interest of an enthusiast, and is firm in the belief that small fruit is to be one of the great money producing agencies of the future; that he has demonstra- ted this to the satisfaction of himself and others is fully attested by the almost continued success which has attended him ever since he embarked in the business.

Mr. Caylor was united in marriage Sep- tember 1, 1870, to Miss Harriet A. Neff, daughter of Lewis and Mary Neff of Dayton, Ohio, at which place Mrs. Caylor was born. To Mr. and Mrs. Caylor have been born two children: Sarah C., wife of D. E. Becker, and Mary O., who died in infancy. Mrs. Caylor recalls the great desire which she had when a little girl to see what was known as the "corduroy" roads of Indiana, but a few miles' travel over the famous highways, when her family visited the Hoosier state, was suffi- cient to gratify her curiosity, although she still looks back to the journey as an interesting experience in her history. Mr. Caylor cast his first presidential vote for Horatio Seymour,

since which time he has been firm in his allegi- ance to the democratic party, though he has never sought nor accepted official position of any kind; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and belongs to the Free Will Baptist church, as does also Mrs. Caylor.

J OHN ELLIOTT COLLINS, a well known and popular business man of Ridgeville, Ind., is a native of Warren county, Ohio, born on the 25th day of April, 1845, near the town of Blanchester. His parents, Jesse C. and Eliza Collins, were natives, respectively, of Ohio and Virginia, the mother being a daughter of John and Mary Cook and the father a son of John Collins. Jesse Collins was a farmer by occupation; he left his native state about the year 1850, came to Indiana and settled in Jay county, where his death occurred on the 11th day of Febru- ary, 1871. His widow is still living in the county of Jay. Jesse and Eliza Collins reared a family of nine children, namely: Mary, wife of M. House; Julia A., wife of W. Kidder; Prudence, wife of A. Bistle; John E .; Jesse; Lucinda, formerly wife of J. Hastings, now Mrs. Jackson; James W .; Edith, wife of D. Orcutt, and Joseph L., all living but the first and last named.

John Elliott Collins was reared on a farm, and at the age of twenty began the pursuit of agriculture upon his own responsibility, con- tinuing the same until 1887, in November of which year he removed to Ridgeville and en- gaged in handling live stock. In 1893 he embarked in the livery business at Ridgeville, erecting for the purpose a large building, which, in addition to ample accommodation for his horses, vehicles, etc., contains a commodi- ous public hall, the largest and most complete of the kind in the city. Mr. Collins has dis-

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played abilities of a superior order in the various enterprises in which he has been engaged, and as a business man, fully alive to all that interests or benefits the town, he oc- cupies a deservedly conspicuous place. That he has been successful in life is attested by the fact of his having commenced struggling for himself without the aid of money or friends, and the present position which he has attained is due entirely to his own individual efforts and wise forethought. In politics he is a demo- crat and in religion he subscribes to the Free Will Baptist creed, On the 6th day of March, 1870, Mr. Collins was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Catherine Cook, a native of Pennsylvania and daughter of Jonathan and Catherine Thrash; the fruit of this union is one child, Frank Collins. By a previous marriage Mrs. Collins is the mother of four children, viz: Lewis, Edgar, George and Oscar Cook.

EWIS N. COOK, is an extensive dealer in agricultural implements in Ridgeville, Franklin township, Ran- dolph county, Ind. He began opera- tions in this line in 1881, and has devoted his energies exclusively to it during the past twelve years. He has a first class establishment, and as his terms are reasonable and he is fair and honorable in all transactions, he enjoys a lucrative trade. Indiana claims Mr. Cook among her native sons. He was born in Pike township, Jay county, November 18, 1854, and is a son of J. W. and Catherine Cook. The former was born in Virginia, in 1825, and with his father, John R. Cook, emigrated to Warren county, Ohio, and in an early day went to Jay county, Ind., where the grand- father of our subject engaged in farming until his death. The family numbered eight chil- dren, five of whom yet survive. J. W. Cook

was a soldier of the late war, and gave his life in defense of the Union, dying in a southern hospital, January 1, 1865. His marriage with Miss Thrash occurred in 1852, and unto them were born four children-Lewis N .; Edgar, who died in 1881; George W., of Dunkirk, Ind., and Oscar, who is connected with the gas company, of Ridgeville. The father of this family in politics was a republican. He - owned a farm of eighty acres in Jay county. Since his death, Mrs. Cook has become the wife of John Collins, a liveryman.

Lewis N. Cook remained upon the home farm until sixteen years of age, and during that time became familiar with the common English branches of learning through his at- tendance on a district school. He then went to Kewanee, Ill., where he further attended school, and then spent one year in the high schools at Cambridge, Ill. At the age of nineteen he came to Ridgeville, and attended college for three years. Thus Mr. Cook was well fitted by a liberal education for the duties of life. Prior to this time he engaged in teaching school for seven terms in Jay county, and after his collegiate course, he embarked in business as a boot and shoe merchant in Octo- ber, 1878. For three years he was thus em- ployed. On the expiration of that period he sold out, and in 1881 became a dealer in agricultural implements, as before stated.

On the 7th of October, 1874, in Jay county, Mr. Cook was joined in wedlock with Martha L. Druley, who was born in Wayne county, Ind., March 17, 1855, and is a daughter of Samuel and Effie (Fisher) Druley of Wayne county. One child graces this marriage, Pearl, who is now seventeen years of age. The parents are members of the Congrega- tional church. Mr. Cook has been trustee, secretary and treasurer, of the Ridgeville col- lege, holding the last named office four years. In politics he is a democrat. He belongs to the

LEWIS N. COOKE.

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Odd Fellows and also is a member of the Sons of Veterans. He is connected with other busi- ness interests beside those above mentioned, and in 1892, became president of the Ridge- ville Gas company. A wide-awake and pro- gressive man, he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and has thus won a competence which numbers him among the substantial citizens of the com- munity.

ILLIAM MORRISON CUNNING- HAM, retired business man of Ridgeville, Ind., is a native of Penn- sylvania, born August 13, 1826, near the city of Somerset. The Cunninghams are of Irish descent, and the name frequently occurs in the early annals of Pennsylvania, where representatives of several branches of the family settled many years ago.

George W. Cunningham, father of Will- iam M., was the son of Robert Cunningham, and an early settler of Guernsey county, Ohio, where he moved with his parents when about twelve years of age. He was a farmer and tanner by occupation and died in the year 1874, in Noble county, Ind .; his wife, Susannah Stoutenhour, died in the same part of the state about 1875. The following are the names of their children: Mrs. Eliza Sayre, William M., John A., Hiram, deceased; Levi, deceased; Alexander S., George W., Joseph W., de- ceased, and James L. Beside the subject, three of the sons served gallantly in the late war, namely: Hiram, Joseph W., wounded at Pittsburg Landing, and Levi, who died while in the service.

William M. Cunningham spent his youth- ful years on his father's farm, and at the age of sixteen began learning the trade of carpen- tering, which, with the exception of a few years, he carried on all his life in connection

with agricultural pursuits. He enlisted Au- gust 22, 1862, in company E, One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio infantry, with which he served until discharged June 26, 1865, taking part, during that period, in some of the bloodiest battles of the Rebellion, including Locust Grove, the Wilderness campaign, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Monocacy and Opecan, where he was wounded in the breast by a fragment of a shell, his life being saved by his cartridge box, which broke the force of the missile. From the effects of the wound thus received he was compelled to remain in the hospital one month, at the end of which time, being sufficiently recovered, he rejoined his regiment and participated in the battles of Petersburg, Sailor Creek and other engage- ments, seventeen in all, and was present at the final surrender of Lee's forces af Appomat- tox.

After the war he resumed his trade in Guernsey county, Ohio, and subsequently served as superintendent of the county farm for a period of eight years. In 1880 he re- moved to Randolph county, Ind., and engaged in the grocery trade at Ridgeville in partner- ship with his son and son-in-law, which busi- ness relationship existed until 1885, Mr. Cun- ningham disposing of his interest and retiring from active life at that date. Mr. Cunning- ham and Rebecca, daughter of John and Mar- garet Braden, of Guernsey county, Ohio, were united in marriage January 15, 1852; five children have been born to this union: Mary E .; Martha A., wife of B. Boswell; John A. died in infancy; William S., and an infant that died unnamed. Mr. Cunningham is one of the highly respected citizens of Ridgeville and a gentleman of intelligence and broad and liberal views. He cast his first ballot for Gen. Zachariah Taylor, and upon the disintegration of the old whig party espoused the cause of its successor, the republican party, in favor of

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which he has since exercised the elective fran- chise. He is a member of the G. A. R., and the Baptist church represents his religious creed. Mrs. Cunningham is also a member of the same denomination.

A LLEN H. FARQUHAR, M. D., who for some years has successfully en- gaged in the practice of medicine in Ridgeville, Ind., and who is recog- nized as one of the representative citizens of Franklin township, claims Ohio as the state of his nativity. He was born in Clinton county, August 28, 1835, and is a son of Mahlon and Margaret (Thompson) Farquhar, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. The family came to Randolph county, Ind., in 1837, and he was reared in Huntsville until fifteen years of age. During that time he worked in a tan yard, and then joined his father, with whom he carried on farming until twenty-five years of age. He had acquired a good education, and for ten successive years he successfully engaged in teaching school. It was in 1866 that the doctor began the study of medicine with J. W. Botkin, M. D., of Unionsport, with whom he remained for two years. He then entered upon practice, which he followed for five years in that locality. In 1871, he came to Ridgeville, where he has since en- gaged in the prosecution of his profession. He received his diploma from the Eclectic Med- ical college in 1868. His skill as a physician and his extensive knowledge of his profession has made him one of the most successful prac- titioners of this part of the county.

An important event in the life of Dr. Far- quahar occurred in Wabash county, October 29, 1862, when was celebrated his mar- riage with Esther A. Roberts, who was born in New Jersey, August 25, 1843, and

who is a daughter of Joshua and Hannah (Thorn) Roberts. Three children grace this union- Belle, wife of Charles E. Remsberg, a lawyer of Seattle, Wash .; Luella, deceased, a stenographer and court reporter in Hunting- ton, W. Va., and Margaret H.

The doctor and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the Free Will Baptist church, in which he is serving as deacon and trustee. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows, and he and his wife are members of the Re- becca lodge. She is an active worker in the Woman's Relief corps, the Woman's Christian Temperance union, and in the Sunday school. Both do all in their power for the advance- ment of the religious and educational interests of the community, and are numbered among the best citizens. In politics the doctor is a supporter of republican principles. He is now secretary of the board of health, with which he has been connected for four years. For eight years he has been an efficient mem- ber of the school board, and for three years served in the town council. He is a member of both the County Medical association and the State Medical society.

ELSON W. FERGUSON, an attor- ney-at-law of Ridgeville, Ind., is a native of the Buckeye state. He was born in Darke county, April 9, 1863; is a son of Hiram Ferguson, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. When he was a lad of five summers, his parents came to this county, and he was reared within its borders and ac- quired his education in its public schools. At the age of six he came to Winchester with the family, and in the fall of 1869 removed to Deerfield. Nelson then attended the Deerfield schools until a youth of sixteen, when he took charge of a stationary engine, which he opera-

DR. FARQUHAR.

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ted for three years. He then learned the mill- ing trade and moved to Michigan in the fall of 1886, where he was engaged as head miller in a large flouring mill, which position he held until the spring of 1887, when he engaged as commercial traveler for a wholesale grocery house of Detroit, Mich. After nine months spent in that capacity he quit the road, and in the spring of 1889 he took up the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1891, and has since devoted his energies to the practice of his chosen profession.

On the 2d of August, 1882, Mr. Ferguson led to the marriage altar Miss Gertrude Mc- Clain, who was born in this county September 23, 1864, and was a daughter of Shadrack and Henriette (Stick) McClain, who now re- side in Ridgeville. Two children were born of this union, a son and daughter, Carl L. and Nina C. Mrs. Ferguson departed this life September 30, 1888, and her remains were in- terred in Ritenhouse cemetery, where a beauti- ful marble monument marks her last resting place. She was a faithful helpmeet to her husband, a loving wife and devoted mother, and her many excellencies of character won her the high esteem and warm regard of all with whom she was brought in contact. Many friends mourned her loss. Mr. Ferguson exer- cises his right of franchise in support of the republican party, but has never found time or inclination to enter the political arena, and win official honors. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Rebecca branch of the Odd Fellows. He is also serving as notary public. Since opening his law office in Ridgeville he has built up a good practice, and now ranks among the leading attorneys of the community. Pleasant and genial in manner, he is popular with all, and is a highly respected citizen, and few residents of Randolph county stand higher, either professionally or socially. The family are also sincerely esteemed.

J 'OSHUA WILSON FLOOD, is de- scended from old and highly respected English and Scotch families and traces his geneaology back through several generations to the nobility of Great Britain. His grandfather, Edward Flood, was born in Scotland; at the age of five years he was taken to Ireland, and thence, in early manhood, came to America during the revolutionary struggle. . Shortly after his arrival in the new world, Edward Flood joined the continental army and did yoeman service in the cause of national independence, for which he was dis- inherited by his father, a wealthy and promi- nent Scotchman. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Mercer, was a daughter of Gideon Mercer, whose father, Hon. John Mercer, an English nobleman, disinherited him for marrying against his wishes, shortly after the family settled in New York.

Edward Flood, Jr., son of Edward Flood mentioned above, and father of J. W. Flood, was a native of Virginia, born near Harper's Ferry. He served with distinction in the war of 1812, took part in Gen. Harrison's expedi- tion against the Indians and participated in a number of battles during that struggle. He married Grazellah Wilson, moved to Darke county, Ohio, in an early day, and subse- quently emigrated to Indiana, settling in Green township, Randolph county, where he engaged in farming. After a short residence here he returned to Ohio, but in 1849 again came back to Randolph county, locating in Green town- ship, where his death occurred in 1866 at the age of seventy-four years.

Joshua Wilson Flood was born May 1, 1835, in Darke county, Ohio, and at the age of twelve years accompanied his parents to Randolph county, Ind. Subsequently, he re- turned to his native state, but soon came back to this county and remained on the home farm in Green township until his marriage, which

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was solemnized January 27, 1866, with Ruth Bockoven, daughter of Nelson and Betsy Bock- oven of Jay county, Ind.

In 1862, Mr. Flood responded to the coun- try's call for volunteers to crush the rebellion, enlisting, August 25, of that year, in company H, One Hundredth Indiana infantry, with which he served in the army of the Tennessee until honorably discharged at the expiration of his period of enlistment June 8, 1865. His military record is one of which any soldier might feel deservedly proud, and he met the enemy on many hotly contested fields, partici- pating in thirty-two regular battles and thirty- nine skirmishes, through all of which he passed without receiving any serious injury. Among these battles may be noted: the siege of Vicksburg, Jacksonville, Miss., Mission Ridge, Knoxville, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Turkey Town, siege of Atlanta, Kenesaw Mountain, Lovejoy Station, siege of Savan- nah, Columbia, S. C:, Bentonville, N. C., and others; he took part in the grand review at Washington at the close of the war. He received a slight wound in an engagement at Duncan's farm, Ga., and was in the hospital at Memphis for a limited period, and on the cessation of hostilities returned to Randolph county and engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he has since followed with success and financial profit.

As a farmer, Mr. Flood ranks with the most successful in Franklin township, and as a citizen he stands high in the community which has been his home for so many years. He cast his first ballot for the first republican candidate for the presidency, General John C. Fremont, and from that date to the present time has never wavered in his allegiance to the party. Fraternally he belongs to the G. A. R. and the Masonic order, in the deliberations of both of which he has been, for a number of years, a prominent factor. Mrs. Flood, a most amia-

ble and excellent lady, departed this life on the 13th day of January, 1873; she was the mother of four children: Irene R., wife of Charles Orr; Octavia V. and George B., liv- ing, and John N., the second in order of birth, deceased.

S AMUEL ELSWORTH FRAŻE, un- dertaker of Ridgsville, was born in White River township, Randolph county, Ind., March 12, 1864, son of John N. and Nancy (Lasley) Fraze, natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. Mr. Fraze passed the earlier portion of his life in the or- dinary pursuits incident to the farm and in gaining an education in the common schools, which he attended at intervals during the years of his minority. Having a turn for mechani- cal pursuits, he began, at the age of twenty, to prepare for the business of cabinet making and undertaking, and in 1888 he came to Ridgeville and engaged in the latter calling, which he has since successfully followed. Mr. Fraze brings to the business in which he is engaged an experience of several years, to which is added a certificate of graduation from the Oriental school of Embalming at Muncie, in which he completed the presbribed course in 1891. He is an accomplished man in his line, a gentleman in whom the people have the most implicit confidence, and few citizens of Ridgeville occupy a more enviable position in the estimation of the public. Financially his success has been commensurate with the ability and energy displayed in his business, and the future has in store for him much that is promising.

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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 111

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