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 112

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 112
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 112

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).

Mr. Fraze was married October 25, 1885, to Miss Florence Addington, daughter of Isaac L and Piety Addington, a union which has resulted in the birth of two children: Opal L. and Olive M. Politically, Mr. Fraze is a

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supporter of the republican party, and while not an aspirant for official honors he has de- cided opinions upon all questions of public moment, which he is not diffident in express- ing; he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and with his wife is identified with the United Brethren church of Ridgeville.

0 R. GEORGE W. FREDRICK, who is engaged in the practice of the medical profession in Ridgeville, and is a successful physician, was born in this county, March 14, 1861, and is a son of John P. and Rebecca (McFarland) Fredrick. The father was born in Rhine Hessen, Ger- many, April 18, 1829, and is a son of Peter and Catherine (Smith) Fredrick. The former was born September 25, 1786, and the latter in January of the same year. They were married in 1814, and, after a voyage of sixty- three days landed in this country in 1842. Peter Fredrick had served for nine years under Napoleon Bonaparte. Going to Darke county, Ohio, he purchased 120 acres of land and there engaged in farming and shoemaking until his death, which occurred May 25, 1873. His wife died in February, 1869. They were parents of the following children :- Catherine, Augusta, Mary, Margaret, Elizabeth and Ellen, all deceased; John P., father of the subject; Sabilla, wife of J. Fox, a merchant of Cincin- nati; and Gertrude, deceased. The parents were members of the Lutheran church.

John P. Fredrick was thirteen years of age when his parents came to America. After at- taining his majority, he worked at the carpen- ter's trade until after the breaking out of the late war, when, on the 25th of August, 1861, he enlisted in company F, Fortieth Indiana infantry, for three years. He was commis- sioned first lieutenant, and served until dis-

charged on the Ist of February, 1863, on ac- count of physical disability. On his return home he engaged in farming, which he has since followed. He had come to this county in 1851, and for three years engaged in mer- chandising in Pittsburg. In 1870, he went to Darke county, Ohio, and in December, 1892, came to Ridgeville, Ind. He was married January 25, 1852, to Miss McFarland, and they had five children: Flora, wife of Frank Bell, a veterinary surgeon of Kokomo, Ind .; Peter and Franklin, deceased; George W .; and John E. The father of this family was made a Mason 1863, and has taken the royal arch degree. He served as justice of the peace in Jackson township, was township trustee in Darke county, Ohio, for six years, and also county commissioner for three years. He owns 120 acres of land in the Buckeye state, and a half interest in eighty acres in this state.

Dr. George W. Fredrick was reared in Jackson township, Randolph county, Ind., and when nine years old went to Darke county, Ohio, where he acquired his literary education. At the age of twenty-one he entered the Medi- cal college of Ohio, and on the 12th of March, 1885, was given a diploma by that institution. On the 20th of May following he opened an office in Ridgeville, where he has since suc- cessfully engaged in practice. In 1889 he took a post-graduate course in the Medical college of Ohio at Miami. He stands high in his pro- fession and his skill and ability have won him a lucrative practice. He was married in Rich- mond, Ind., October 12, 1892, to Elizabeth Wilcutts, who was born in Fountain City, November 25, 1865. One child, Pauline, was born to this union, July 17, 1893. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows, the order of Red Men, and in politics is a democrat.

Dr. John E. Fredrick, who was born in this county, October 27, 1865, is the youngest

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of the family. He was educated in the com- mon schools of Darke county, Ohio, pursued a literary course of study in the Buckeye state, also three years in Heidleberg college at Tiffin, Ohio. Wishing to engage in the practice of medicine, he was, for three years, a student in the Ohio Medical college, from which he was graduated April 17, 1892. On the Ist of May following, he joined his brother in practice, and the firm of Fredrick Brothers is now doing a lucrative business. The doctor belongs to the order of Red Men, and is an advocate of democratic principles. The partners are wide-awake and enterprising men, and the Fredrick family is one of prominence in this community, its members being held in high regard by all.

S AMUEL GINGER, paternally, is de- scended from Dutch ancestry, and traces the family history back through several generations to one Ludwig Ginger, who came from Holland to America about the year. 1700, settling in Rockbridge county, Va. In all probability this founder of the American branch of the family was a worker in metals of some kind, as nearly all of his descendants were either skilled artisans or possessed naturally a high order of mechani- cal ability. Ludwig Ginger, Jr., son of the aforementioned Ludwig, was born in Virginia, and early became noted as a skillful manufac- turer of guns, as did also his son Lewis Gin- ger, father of the gentleman whose name ap- pears at the head of this sketch.

Lewis Ginger moved from Virginia to Ohio about the year 1825, and later acquired con- siderable reputation as a daring hunter in the latter state and Indiana, having made numer- ous expeditions in the quest of game in an early day along the Wabash, Stillwater and Salamonia rivers. As a maker of guns he was

without a superior in Ohio, and he also fol- lowed his trade for a number of years after be- coming a resident of Indiana. He married, in his native state, Rebecca McCreary, also of Virginia birth and Irish descent, and died at his home in Camden, Jay county, Ind., in 1870, aged nearly eighty years; his wife died about two years previous to that date. He served as a true and gallant soldier in the war of 1812, and died in the Universalist faith, although for many years he and wife had been members of the Methodist church.

Samuel Ginger was born in New Paris, Ohio, on the 5th of May, 1832, and spent the greater part of his youth in his father's shop. He attended the common schools of his native state for a few years, and, becoming an ex- pert gunmaker, he utilized his skill at the age of eighteen, in a shop at Camden, Ind., where he carried on the trade very successfully for a period of about three years. In 1895, he opened a shop at Ridgeville, Randolph county, where for thirty years he did a very successful business, only retiring when failing health made it impossible for him to continue the trade longer. A number of years ago, Mr. Ginger seriously contemplated entering the law for a life work, and at intervals practiced for some time in Ridgeville, but afterwards con- cluded to abandon the profession. In 1887, however, he was admitted to the Randolph county bar, since which time he has practiced as his health would admit, his legal business being confined principally to Ridgeville, where he is considered as a well posted lawyer and safe counselor. Of late years he has devoted considerable attention to horticulture, princi- pally as a means of recreation, and he is looked upon as an authority on all matters pertaining to this most agreeable and fascinating pur- suit. In August, 1862, Mr. Ginger enrolled as private in company H, Eighty-fourth Indi- ana volunteer infantry, with which he served .

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in the army of the Cumberland until honorably discharged in May of the succeeding year. He was on detached duty during the greater part of his period of service, but, owning to im- paired health, was compelled to spend about four months in the hospital and is still a sufferer.

Mr. Ginger wields a ready pen and has written for publication a volume of reminis- ences of Ridgeville and vicinity which con- tains much interesting and valuable matter pertaining to the pioneer period of this part of the county. As long ago as 1857 he edited a small local sheet known as the Cow Catcher, which he prepared with pen and pencil and read each week before a local literary society of Ridgeville. Politically, Mr. Ginger is a republican, but has never become identified with any church. He was married, in 1854, to Elizabeth S. Engle, daughter of Valentine and Mary Engle, natives of Ohio, but at that time residents of Jay county, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Ginger have been blessed with five chil- dren, three of whom are now living: Evange- line, teacher in the schools of Ridgeville; Oscar, gunmaker, and Othello, a machinist.

0 BADIAH HALL, an old and highly respected citizen of Franklin town- ship, Randolph county, Ind., is a na- tive of Tennessee, born in Campbell county, near the town of Jacksboro, March 24, I 820. On his father's side, Mr. Hall is de- scended from Irish ancestry, his grandfather, Thomas Hall, having been a native of the Emerald Isle. Edmund Hall, jr., father of Obadiah, was a Tennesseean by birth, a farm- er by occupation, and he died a number of years ago in the state of his nativity. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Tudor, was a daughter of Harris Tudor, the latter a son of an Englishman who was shipwrecked

while crossing the Atlantic and who was picked up by a passing vessel after floating on a sin- gle plank for five days.

Obadiah Hall passed the years of his youth and early manhood on a farm in Ten- nessee, and before arriving at manhood's estate, came to Randolph county, Ind., thence, a short time afterward, went to Darke county, Ohio, where he learned the trade of coopering. He also purchased a farm in the latter state and resided on the same until 1856, at which time he returned to Randolph county, locating in the township of Ward. In 1863 he re- moved to where he now resides in Franklin township, his present farm being, at that date, an unbroken piece of woodland. By perse- vering industry, and the exercise of the most rigid economy, he succeeded in removing the forest growth and in due time a beautiful farm, supplied with all the improvements and appli- ances necessary to the successful prosecution of agriculture in these modern times, crowned his well directed efforts. His farm consists of 120 acres, the greater part of which is well improved, and, in addition to tilling the soil, which is carried on by the most improved plans, he pays considerable attention to stock raising, his success in the latter being most gratifying.

Mr. Hall was married June 13, 1844, to Mary M. Albright, of Darke county, Ohio, daughter of Adam and Sarah Albright, the union resulting in the birth of nine children, namely: John W., physician of Portland, Ind .; Frances E., now Mrs. Schrockengost; Adam B. and Allison W. (twins), the former dying in infancy and the latter at the age of six years; Philip H., deceased; Simpson O., farmer of Randolph county; Mrs. Eliza D. Kolp, deceased; Willis M., a medical student at Cleveland, Ohio, and Margaret A., who died in infancy (the last two twins).

Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been highly es-

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teemed members of the Methodist church for over half a century, and their daily lives are practical exemplifications of the religion which they profess. Mr. Hall has been a member of the quarterly conference for thirty-six years, in addition to which he has held various official positions in his local congregation, in- cluding those of trustee and class leader. In 1844 he cast his first presidential ballot for Henry Clay, but for many years he has been true in allegiance to the democratic party. He is a noble example of the successful self made man, and it is a compliment, most worthily deserved, to mention his name in this connection, as one of the leading citizens of the township in which he resides.

ARCUS H. HAWTHORN, of Ridge- ville, Ind., is a native of Ohio. Warren county is the place of his birth, and the date is May 2, 1849. He was reared and educated in the county of his nativity, where he remained until, feeling that the country needed his services, he joined the boys in blue of company B, Twenty- second regulars, under Col. E. S. Otis. He enlisted June 11, 1865, although only sixteen years of age, and was taken to the plains of the west, where he did service for three years. He participated in the battles of Caw Creek, Fort Rice, Rutland, and a number of skirm- ishes. On the 11th of June, 1868, he received his discharge, and returned home.

In 1869, Mr. Hawthorn came to Indiana, and began teaching vocal and instrumental music, for he has high talent in this art. In 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Isabelle Sipe, who was born in Darke county, Ohio. Three children grace this union-Maud, wife of C. E. Daily, who is manager of the Hawthorn Concert company; Kittie, wife of

Harry Ashley, who travels with the company, and is a fine artist, being able to perform upon about twenty different musical instruments; Luther G., also a fine musician and fancy rifle shot.

Mr. Hawthorn continued to teach music until 1882, when he began traveling with his wife and family, and since that time they have been engaged in giving concerts through- out the country, having had engagements in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsyl- vania, Maryland, New York, Canada and Michigan. Wherever they have gone they have met with favorable press notices, and appreciative audiences, for their talent is of a high order.

Mr. Hawthorn exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the republican party, with which he has affiliated since attaining his ma- jority. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and receives a pension of $8 per month. Mr. Hawthorn is now serving as band leader, and Ridgeville may be justly proud of her fine band. He is a popular gentleman, genial and pleasant in manner, and makes friends wher- ever he goes.

UTHER HAWTHORN, who is en- engaged in the furniture and under- taking business in Ridgeville, Ran- dolph county, Ind., is an enterprising and progressive citizen, whose worth and ability make him well deserving of representa- tion in the history of his adopted county. His life record is as follows: He was born in War- ren county, Ohio, November 7, 1846, and is a son of William Hawthorn. When five years of age, he accompanied his parents to High- land county, Ohio, where his childhood and youth were passed. The year 1873 witnessed

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his arrival in Randolph county, where he has since made his home. Mr. Hawthorn was at that time eighteen years of age. He embarked in farm labor, which he followed until 1887, when he engaged in the butchering business in Ridgeville for eighteen months. He then be- came proprietor of the City hotel, which he successfully conducted for four years, when, in 1892, he opened a furniture and undertaking establishment. He carries a full line of goods, such as are found in a first class establishment of this kind, and his stock is valued at about $2,500. He also has a fine hearse, and, in connection with his store building, he owns his residence property.

In Highland county, Ohio, on Christmas day, of 1866, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hawthorn and Miss Mollie Brooking, who was born in that county March 13, 1854, and is a daughter of Charles and Lydia (Orbaugh) Brooking. Three children have been born unto them: Sarah E., wife of David E. Harker, of Ridgeville, and Lulu and Benjamin, both deceased. In his political affiliations, Mr. Hawthorn is a democrat, and has been honored with some public offices. He served as marshal of Ridgeville, and for three years was a member of the town board, proving a capable and trustworthy official. He holds membership with the Odd Fellows, has taken the Rebecca degree, belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men, and also of the G. A. R Mr. Hawthorn manifested his loyalty to the government during the late war, when only eighteen years of age, by enlisting, January 17. 1865, in company G, One Hundred Ninety- second Ohio infantry. He continued in the service until after the cessation of hostilities and was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, September 1, 1865. He now receives a pen- sion of $6 per month, as a reward for bravery and devotion to his country and his services in her behalf.

EORGE WASHINGTON HOLLO- WELL, an enterprising agriculturist and stockman of Randolph county, is a native of Ohio, born July 11, 1842, in Preble county. His paternal ances- tors were among the early pioneers of the Buckeye state, his grandfather, Adam Hol- lowell, settling in Preble county as long ago as 1810. Adam Hollowell married Michel Good- win of North Carolina and died in Preble county, Ohio, about the year 1850. Michel Hollowell, who bore her husband several chil- dren, departed this life about 1867 in the township of Franklin, Randolph county, Ind. William Hollowell, son of Adam and father of the gentleman whose name introduces this mention, was born in Ohio, married in that state Catherine Newburn, and moved to Ran- dolph county, Ind., in 1847, settling in section 14, Franklin township, on land which he had previously purchased from the government. He cleared a good farm and in time became a large land proprietor, owning, at one time, over 700 acres, the greater part of which he subsequently divided among his children. He was an intelligent liberal minded and most exemplary citizen, and for many years exer- cised a wholesome moral influence in the com- munity. In early life he worked at the cooper trade in his native state, where he also taught school for some years, but after coming to Indiana he gave his attention exclusively to agriculture, in which useful vocation he met with the most encouraging success. Politically he was a republican, and in his religious views adhered to the creed of the Free Will Baptist church. His first marriage, which was consummated Septem- ber 12, 1839, resulted in the birth of three children, only one of whom, George W., is living at this time. After the death of Mrs. Catherine Hollowell, Mr. Hollowell married Mary Ann Skinner, the ceremony taking place

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September 5, 1844. One child, which died in infancy, resulted from this union, and the mother soon followed her offspring to the grave. On March 2, 1848, Mr. Hollowell and Elizabeth McKew were made man and wife. She was born in Connersville, June 15, 1820, and bore her busband eight children, namely: Mrs. Mary E. Graham; Thomas, deceased; J. P. Hale; Mrs. Melissa Albright, deceased; H. Ward B .; Dow; Jane, wife of H. Jacks, and Emma, who died when quite young.

George Washington Hollowell became a resident of Randolph county when but five years of age and easily recalls the stirring scenes of backwoods life when the family lived happily in the little log cabin, which occupied but a mere niche in the surrounding forest. He assisted in clearing the farm, early ac- quired a stock of rugged vitality, which enabled him to endure great hardships with ease, and while still young he bore his part nobly in the cultivation of the farm. In August, 1861, he enlisted in company F, Fortieth Ohio infantry, and participated, with his command, in a number of campaigns and battles, the following being among the most important: Chickamauga and Nashville, Tenn., Middle Creek, Ky., and Kenesaw Mountain, in the last named of which he re- ceived a wound in the breast. When suf- ficiently recovered he rejoined his regiment in time to take part in the second battle of Nashville, and later accompanied his command to Texas, where he received his discharge in November, 1865.

At the close of the war he returned to Randolph county, and for some time there- after farmed the home place, subsequently, in 1868, removing to part of the farm where he now resides. To this place he has made addi- tions from time to time until he is now the possessor of 160 acres of fine land, 120 acres of which are in cultivation. He makes a

specialty of the corn crop, and also pays con- siderable attention to live stock, his horses, cattle and swine ranking with the best in the township.

Mr. Hollowell has been twice married- the first time in February, 1868, to Julia, daughter of John and Elenor Stevens of Fort Wayne, Ind., a union which resulted in the birth of eight children, namely: Addie E., deceased; George E., deceased; John W., Francis S., Jacob M., who resides in the city of Fort Wayne; James G., a soldier in the regular army; Oliver P. M. and Ida M. The mother of these children died October, 1887, and in September, 1890, Mr. Hollowell married his present wife, Nancy A. Paine, daughter of A. J. and Eleanor Smith, of Hamilton, Ohio, who now reside in Indiana, having come to this state in 1859. Politically, Mr. Hollowell is a republican; fraternally, he belongs to the G. A. R. and Masonic orders.

ARRY JACK, who is successfully en- gaged in farming and stock raising on section 14, Franklin township, Ran- dolph county, Ind., was born in Ward township, same county, December 31, 1856, and is a son of Robert Morse Jack, who was born in Warren county, Ohio. The grand- parents, Robert and Rebecca (Ferris) Jack, were both natives of Virginia, from whence they removed to the Buckeye state, where, upon the home farm, Robert M. was born and reared. He remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, and with them came to Randolph county, Ind., in 1840, the family locating in Ward township, where the grand- father of our subject died in 1862, while his wife passed away in 1877. They were parents of eight children and were life-long members of the Baptist church. In the common schools,

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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

Robert Morse Jack acquired his education, and after he had attained to man's estate en- gaged in farming in this county until 1861, when he removed to Jay county. In 1875 he returned to Randolph county, and in 1883 went to Kansas, where he made his home until 1890, when he removed to the state of Wash- ington, where he is now engaged in farming. He married Miss Asenath N. Odel, a native of Randolph county, and they became the parents of seven children: Marion, a dealer In agricul- tural implements in Jay county; Jennie, wife of Gabriel Jacobs, a school teacher of Red Creek, N. Y .; Harry; Robert E., who is gen- eral merchandising in Plainfield, Wis .; Lizzie, wife of Willis Hall; Alice, wife of Nat Milli- ner, a mechanic of Marion, Ind; Cora, wife of S. Smithson, of Marion, Ind. The parents are members of the United Brethren church, and in politics Mr. Jack is a republican. A pub- lic spirited and progressive citizen and a man of strict integrity and sterling worth, he is held in high regard by all.

No event of special importance occurred during the boyhood and youth of Harry Jack, who was reared upon the home farm. He began his education in the common schools, and in 1873 entered Ridgeville college, which he attended for eight terms. In the meantime he began teaching, and followed that profes- sion for ten terms, giving good satisfaction, for he was an able and competent instructor. He is now a well informed man and is conver- sant with all the topics of the day. On the 16th of August, 1879, Mr. Jack was joined in wedlock with Jennie Hollowell, who was born December 9, 1861, in this county, and is a daughter of William Hollowell. They have had four children, but Pierre B. and William B. are now deceased. Iva and Freddie C. are still with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Jack belong to the Baptist church, and are promi- nent peoplo in this community. He exercises

his right of franchise in support of the republi- can party, and is now serving his fifth term as trustee. He devotes his energies to farming and stock raising, and owns 178 acres of valu- able land, which is under a high state of culti- vation and well improved.

EVI JAMES, an attorney-at-law of Ridgeville, Ind., was born near Pugh- town, W. Va., September 28, 1828, and is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (German) James, the former a native of Vir- ginia and the latter of New Jersey. The father was drowned in the Ohio river previous to the birth of his son, and Mrs. James died near Mount Pleasant, Ind., in 1863. They had four children: Daniel H., William H., Ma- tilda, wife of J. Coutler, and Levi, but the last named is the only survivor. When Levi was a small boy his mother removed to Carroll county, Ohio, where she married David Mar- tin. Subsequently she went to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and in 1850 to Jay county, Ind.

Levi left home at the age of fifteen and be- gan life as a farm laborer. In 1844 he went to Jay county, and in July, 1862, he enlisted for the late war as a member of company E, Eighty-ninth Indiana infantry. On the or- ganization of the company he was elected sec- ond lieutenant. In 1863 he resigned his posi- tion and returned home. In the fall of that year he embarked in merchandising in Mount Pleasant, and in 1868 he came to Ridgeville, where he began business as a dealer in dry goods, clothing, etc. After two years he sold out and carried on a stave factory. In the meantime he had been studying law, and in 1 873 was admitted to the bar. He opened his first office at this place, but in 1877 removed to Holly Springs, Miss., where he engaged in farming. On account of yellow fever he re-

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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 112

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