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 113

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 113
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 113

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).

1034

RANDOLPH COUNTY :

turned to Ridgeville in 1878, and has since been numbered among the legal practitioners of this place.

On the Ist of March, 1850, Mr. James was united in marriage with Elizabeth Daily, a native of Monroe county, Ohio, and a daughter of Peter and Nancy Daily of Jay county, Ind. They have seven children-Jasper M., James D., Sarah J., Elihu H., Stephen A. D., George W. and one who died in infancy. Mr. James is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and also of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for President Pierce. For four years he served as notary public, and for several terms has been a member of the town council. In 1884, he was appointed post- master, and for four years was justice of the peace. In all the offices which he has been called upon to fill, Mr. James has discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity that has won him the commendation of all con- cerned.

J OSEPH LAY, senior member of the well known firm of Joseph Lay & Co., of Ridgeville, Ind., which is engaged in the manufacture of brooms and brushes, and is one of the leading industries of the place, was born in Seneca county, N. Y., July 14, 1830, and is a son of Samuel A. and Lucetta (Moore) Lay. The parents were born, married and lived in Seneca county until 1857, when they moved to Olmsted Falls, Ohio, where the father carried on general merchan- dising two years. He then resumed farming, which he followed until his death. He was a successful business man, and left a property valued at $15,000. In politics he was a whig and afterward a republican. A zealous chris- tian man, he took a commendable and active interest in religious and church work, he and

wife being members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. Their family numbered five chil- dren-John, of Olmsted Falls, Ohio; Nath- aniel, who died in 1884; Joseph, Oliver, who died in Sencca county, N. Y., and Samuel, a farmer of Allegan, Mich.

Joseph Lay remained on the home farm until he had attained his majority, after which he engaged in teaching fortwo years on Crusoe Island, N. Y. He removed to the Buckeye state in 1853, and embarked in the manufac- ture of bentwood with his brother John. They carried on business in Olmsted Falls until 1866, when the connection was discontinued, John taking the land owned by the firm, while Joseph remained in charge of the factory. Subsequently he began making brooms and brushes. In 1879 he was joined by his son Samuel as a partner, and in 1887 they re- moved the business to Ridgeville, purchasing the plant which they now own. They manu- facture daily about forty dozen brooms and brushes of all grades, and all are after designs invented and patented by the senior partner. There are altogether more than one 100 patents, including street, stable and shop brooms, and mill brooms and brushes. They employ forty hands and their pay-roll amounts to about $500 per month.

In Ohio, in April, 1865, Mr. Lay wedded: Lemira Adams, who was born in Olmsted Falls, July 15, 1833, and is a daughter of John and Maria (Hoadley) Adams. Her father was a major in the war of 1812. Her mother pos- sessed a most wonderful memory and could; distinctly recall all important events and many. minor ones of her youth. She died at the age of eighty-five, and the day before her death she spoke of the early settlement of the county, telling who built the first bridge across! the creek and naming the first settlers. To Mr. and Mrs. Lay were born three children- Samuel C .; Frank R., formerly a manufac-

1035

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

turer of Chattanooga, Tenn., but now a trav- eling salesman for the firm of Joseph Lay & Co., and Gertrude, wife of Nall Sumption, cashier of the Ridgeville bank. Mr. Lay and his wife are members of the Congregational church, are much interested in religious work, and he is a stanch supporter of the college. Socially, he is a royal arch Mason. He is a director and formerly owned a controlling in- terest in the Ridgeville bank. He owns con- siderable village property, including fifteen lots. For his success in life he deserves much credit, as it has all been acquired through his own efforts.

Samuel C. Lay, junior member of the firm, was born in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, on the 16th of January, 1857; he attended the common schools until thirteen years of age, and then became a student in the Baldwin university of Berea, Ohio, where he remained three years. He then began working in his father's factory, where he remained as an employe until 1878, when he was admitted to a partnership in the business, under the firm name of Joseph Lay & Co. On the 18th of October, 1881, in Monroe Falls, Ohio, Samuel Lay and Alice A. Damp were married. She was born in Akron, Ohio, February 22, 1863, and is a daughter of Samuel and Allen (Palmer) Damp. Four children graced their union, Arthur; Sadie, deceased; Gertrude and Harry. The parents are members of the Congregational church, and Mr. Lay is a trustee of the college. He votes with the republican party and belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Improved Order of Red Men. The members of the firm of Joseph Lay & Co. are equal partners in the business. With the experience, foresight and business sagacity of the father is combined the enterprise and activity of the junior mem- ber, and the combination is one which insures success. They are now doing an excellent business, which is constantly increasing.

A MOS C. MANN .- The family to which the subject of this biography belongs has had representatives in Randolph county for nearly three-quarters of a century, the Manns being among the earliest pioneers of this part of Indiana. As far as known, the family is of English origin and the name appears in connection with the early history of New Jersey, of which state the sub- ject's grandparents, Isaac and Sarah (Allen) Mann, were natives. Isaac Mann and family moved from Pennsylvania to Randolph county, Ind., in 1820, as did also William Mann, son of Isaac, both settling in what is now known as Greensfork township, where the father en- tered several sections of land, which he after- wards divided among his children: William, Mrs. Sarah Nichols, Mrs. Hannah Derbidge, John, Mrs. Martha Hill, Mrs. Eliza Farnes and Morgan Mann, all of whom have passed from the scenes of their earthly labors. Isaac Mann died in Randolph county a number of years ago, at the advanced age of eighty.

As already stated, William Mann, eldest son of Isaac, became a resident of the town- ship of Greensfork as early as 1820, and he took a very active part in the early growth and development of the country. He married Charity Stouts, of Pennsylvania, reared a fam- ily of seven children and departed this life at his home in Greensfork about the year 1873; Mrs. Mann died in 1836. The following are the names of the children born to William and Charity Mann: Amos C .; William H. H., de- ceased; Mary J., deceased; Wilson, deceased; Thomas; Mrs. Maria Morris, deceased, and James.

Amos C. Mann was born in the township of Greensfork on the 22d of August, 1822, and in point of continued residence is now one of the oldest citizens of Randolph county, having spent over seventy-one years within its limits. Reared amid the stirring scenes of the pioneer

1036

RANDOLPH COUNTY :

period, his advantages of obtaining an educa- tion were exceedingly limited, and he grew to manhood on the farm which he helped to clear and develop. He recalls many inci- dents of his boyhood days in the woods, and recounts with pleasure the times long ago when his wardrobe consisted of linsey wolsey shirt and buckskin pants, and when he was obliged to go on horseback to Richmond to procure flour for the family, and sometimes wait an entire day there in order to get the grist ground. He grew up strong and robust, early became accustomed to hard work, and, on the death of his mother, which occurred when he was a lad of four- teen, left home and began the battle of life single handed and alone as a farm laborer at $7 per month. By diligent work and the exercise of close economy, he suc- ceeded in saving from his earnings in a few years money sufficient to purchase forty acres of wood land, the greater part of which he cleared and put in cultivation. He exchanged his tract, in 1861, for his present . place in Franklin township, at that time almost a wilder- ness solitude, and since then developed a good farm, with first-class buildings and other im- provements in keeping therewith. Mr. Mann is a successful farmer and stock raiser, and it is a compliment most deservedly due to accord his name a conspicuous mention among the representative citizens of the township of Franklin.

On the 31st day of December, 1846, Mr. Mann and Cynthia A. Nichols, daughter of Elisha and Elizabeth Nichols, were united in the bonds of wedlock. Mrs. Mann was born at the town of Hillsboro, Wayne county, Ind., and is the mother of seven children, whose names are as follows: Calvin P., Albert A., Sarah E., died in early childhood; Sylvester, also died while young; Emily, wife of S. Keys; Lewis and James O. Mr. Mann is a democrat

in politics, and cast his first vote for James K. Polk; he and the greater part of his family belong to the Christian church.

ENRY MILLER is the owner of one of the fine farms of Randolph county. It comprises 160 acres of rich land on section 22, Franklin township, of which 100 acres is under high state of cultiva- tion and well improved. The neat and thrifty: appearance of the place indicates the careful supervision of the owner and his possessions! stand as a monument to his thrift and enter- prise. In 1884, he erected a fine residence, and his barns and other outbuildings are model of convenience. In connection with the cultivation of his land he has engaged tc some extent in breeding fine Morgan horses and other stock. Mr. Miller was born irl Clarke county, Ohio, January 14, 1826. His grandparents, Jacob and Catherine Miller. were natives of Pennsylvania, and removed to. Clarke county, Ohio, when that country was ir possession of the Indians, who often causec, trouble to the settlers, causing the women and children to be kept in the fort some of the, time for protection. Jacob Miller served il the war of 1812, and died on the farm where he first settled about 1845. His father was : native of Germany. Frederick Miller, fathe of our subject, was born in Clarke county, Ohio April 7, 1806, and died in Franklin township Randolph county, Ind., January 8, 1890. H. married Margaret Smith, who was born il Clarke county, Ohio, January 5, 1809, and diec in Ridgeville, Randolph county, Ind., in 1868 Her parents, Christian and Christina Smith were natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Mille had eleven children, but three died in infancy The others were Henry; Mrs. Catherine Green deceased; Daniel H., of Terre Haute, Ind.

REV. ASA H. PIERCE.

1039

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

John, of Peoria; Reuben, of Ridgeville; Jacob, who enlisted in the Nineteenth Indiana infantry, and was killed at Antie- tam, September 17, 1862; William, who enlisted in the same regiment and gave his life in defense of his country at Gainesville; and Christian, who now operates a saw mill in Washington. Daniel and Christian were also boys in blue during the late war, and the former was wounded in the right shoulder.

In 1837, bringing his family and goods in three wagons, Frederick Miller came to Ran- dolph county, and settled in Franklin town- ship. He had to clear the road a part of the way. He built a log house, 20x30 feet, and the next season a saw and grist mill. He owned 160 acres, which he cleared and im- proved with the help of his sons. About 1857 he sold out and removed to Ridgeville, where he carried on the hardware business for many years. He afterward had a grocery and ba- kery. For his second wife he married Flora Baker. One of their children died in infancy, and the other, Emeline, is now Mrs. Shaffer. The mother is now deceased. Mr. Miller spent the last two years of his life in the home of his son Henry. He was a democrat in politics and a successful business man.

Henry Miller was about thirteen years of age when the family came to Randolph county. At the age of twenty-two he left home and bought a farm on section 21, Franklin town- ship. In 1850, on selling out, he purchased his present farm, then an unbroken tract. He was married January 31, 1846, to Margaret, daughter of Hugh and Sarah Rust, pioneer settlers of this county, where the daughter was born. Six children blessed this union: Jacob, Mrs. Sarah J. Willis, Frederick, Hugh, Mel- vina A., wife of C. Shaffer, and one who died in childhood. They have twenty-one living grandchildren. Mrs. Miller, who was a devout member of the Christian church, died in Janu-

ary, 1877, and on the 22d of November fol- lowing Mr. Miller wedded Maria, daughter of Eli and Mary Jarnagin. They are rearing two children, Frank J. Miller and Arte O. Keever. Since casting his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, Mr. Miller has been a stanch democrat, hut has never sought official preferment, although he has filled some local offices. He, too, belongs to the Chris- tian church, and is a man whose many excel- lencies of character gain him high regard.

EV. ASA HEATH PIERCE, who is one of the oldest living pastors of the Free Will Baptist church, and whose ministry of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ has won fruition in the conversion of many souls, was born to a life of divine service in Mt. Washington, Berkshire couuty, Massachusetts, July 30, 1809. His parents, Orange and Charlotta Ruth (Heath) Pierce, were natives of Connecticut, the family of the former being of Scotch, and that of the latter of English descent.

Orange Pierce was the son of Jonathan Pierce, who died in Ohio. In early life he followed the profession of school teaching. In 18II he removed to Delaware couuty, Ohio, settling on a farm at Galena, where he died at the age of fifty-six years, about 1825. Several years later his wife also died, in the same county. Both were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church from youth.

Rev. Asa H. Pierce passed his boyhood days on a farm. receiving little schooling. When about thirty-five, he began to study, with a view to entering the ministry. To this end he utilized each interim between the duties of the farm, and stole the hours of night from sleep, thus gaining intellectual fitness for the work. He assumed his first pastoral charge

1040

RANDOLPH COUNTY :

at Centerburg, Knox county, Ohio, where he labored in the Baptist church for seven years, during which time, in 1846, he received his ordination. Since then he has had pastorates in many places in Ohio and Indiana, and has also preached in Illinois and Missouri. Since April, 1874, he has resided at Ridgeville.

Rev. Mr. Pierce has solemnized hundreds of marriages, and officiated at a large number of funerals. Five or six churches have been organized in this state, as the direct result of his efforts, and, although he has retired from regular work, these, with the many souls he has led to the foot of the cross, will long stand as living, efficient monuments to his worthy ministry, and promulgate laudable fruit of his service. On December 30, 1830, he was married to Margaret, daughter of Daniel and Charlotta De Bolt, of Licking county, Ohio, by whom he had four children, viz: Charlotta R., (Mrs. J. Messmore, de- ceased); Orange, a farmer of Jay county; Emily (Mrs. J. Huffman); and Almira (Mrs. H. Bergmann-a minister in the Society of Friends. Mrs. Margaret Pierce died July 18, 1852, at Centerburg, Ohio, and on October 10, 1853, Mr. Pierce again married, taking, for his second wife, Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Myers. Mrs. Catherine Pierce was born in Delaware county, Ohio, July 30, 1830. For over twenty years Rev. Asa H. Pierce has been trustee of the Ridgeville col- lege, in the organization of which he partici- pated, and to which he has contributed over $1,000.

A BIJAH BOND SATER, a representa- tive farmer and stock raiser of Frank- lin township, Randolph county, Ind., was born August 21, 1827, near the city of Manchester, Md. His father, Thomas Sater, was a native of Baltimore county,

Md., and his occupation that of a farmer and mechanic, and the mother, whose maiden name was Keturah Bond, was the daughter of John Bond, a well known citizen of the above county and state. Thomas Sater died in Maryland about 1852 at the age of fifty-two years, and Mrs. Sater was called to her final rest one year later, aged seventy-two. The following are the names of their children: John, Thomas J., Henry, Ephraim, Manasse Elihu, Serepta, Esron, Clarissa, Miriam, Adonijah and Abijah B., Clarissa and the subject of this sketch be- ing the only members of the family now living.

Abijah B. Sater grew to manhood on a farm, attended the common schools in the winter season, and at the age of twenty-one began working at the millwright trade in Hanover, Pa., which business he followed for a number of years in different parts of that state, and Indiana, moving to the latter in 1854, and settling in Randolph county, not far from the town of Lynn. In 1864 he removed to Farm- land and engaged in carpentering and cabinet making, and five years later purchased a farm in section 27, Franklin township, and since that time has been an industrious tiller of the soil. His farm embraces an area of 100 acres of well cultivated land, and his buildings and other improvements are all first class, ranking with the best in the township. About the year 1877 his fine large barn was destroyed by fire, but he has since replaced it, besides erecting a ! handsome and commodious residence, which was finished and made ready for occupancy in 1888.

Mr. Sater was united in marriage with Mar- garet Smithson on the 9th day of June, 1859, and his home has been gladdened by the birth of two children: Rebecca A., wife of Dr. John Nixon, and Mary Elizabeth, still under the parental roof. Mr. and Mrs. Sater are con- sistent members of the Christian church, in which they are very highly esteemed. In

1041

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

many respects Mr. Sater is a model citizen and few people of Franklin township possess in as high a degree the esteem and confidence of the public. His life has been marked by great activity, all educational and religious move- ments find in him an earnest friend, and his integrity has never been called in question nor his private character impeached. He votes the republican ticket and while interested in his party's success has never been an aspirant for official recognition.

Mrs. Sater was born April 10, 1837, and is a daughter of George Wesley Smithson. Mr. Smithson was born January 1, 1794, in Camp- bell county, Va , son of Drummond and Mary (Parrot) Smithson, the former of whom came to the United States from England many years ago in company with his mother, Jennie Smith- son (a widow. )

George W. came to Randolph county in 1820, married Elizabeth Thornburg, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Thornburg, and early achieved considerable reputation as a pioneer and hunter. He died July 11, 1891, at the advanced age of ninety-seven years, six months and eleven days. Mrs. Smithson, his wife, died April 4, 1876, aged seventy-nine. They were both members of the Christian church.

AHLON T. SUMPTION, of Ridge- ville, Ind., is one of Randolph county's native sons. He was born in Ward township, May 19, 1838, and is a son of John and Mary (Ward) Sump- tion. The father was born in Ohio, and was a son of Charles Sumption, who had a family of nine children, all now deceased. John re- mained with his father until twenty-five years of age and then began farming for himself, which pursuit he followed until his death, which occurred about 1849. His wife passed

away in 1844, and both were laid to rest in Reitenour cemetery. They were parents of three children-Mahlon T .; William H., a liveryman of Kokomo, Ind., and Amy, widow of G. D. Taylor. Mrs. Sumption was a member of the Society of Friends, but, after her marriage, she and her husband joined the Methodist church. He was a whig in politics and was a very successful business man. He loved the chase and was a great hunter. After the death of his first wife he was married, in 1846, to Anna Baldwin of Jay county, Ind., and they became parents of four children- Thomas, deceased; Charles, of Kansas; Ellen, widow of Thomas Hardenbrook, of Washing- ton, and Mary, deceased. The mother is now living in Washington with her daughter. On leaving this county, in 1856, she went to Kansas, and in 1859 joined her daughter.

Mahlon Sumption was only five years of age when his mother died. In 1850, he went to the home of an uncle, Robert Sumption, with whom he remained until 1859. Having acquired a good education in the common schools and Liber college of Jay county, he engaged in teaching for three consecutive terms, after which he carried on harness making for a year with his brother, William H. Selling out, he was then employed by the government for a short time, after which he engaged in the grocery trade in Winchester until 1863. That winter witnessed his arrival in Ridgeville, where he carried on the grocery and dry goods busi- ness until 1873. Selling out, he went to Butler county, Kan., where he had a grocery store for nine months. He then returned to Ridgeville and engaged in house painting for eight years. His next venture was in the hotel business, which he carried on two years, when, in 1884, he was elected county treasurer. During the two years he held that office he made his home in the county seat. On again coming to Ridgeville, he accepted a position as

1042

RANDOLPH COUNTY :

cashier in the Ridgeville bank, and in July, 1892, was elected president.

Mr. Sumption was married in this county November 21, 1861, to Rebecca A. Miller, and unto them have been born three children: Eernestus P., book-keeper in the Kalamazoo National bank, of Kalamazoo, Mich .; Rinaldo (or Nall), cashier in the Ridgeville bank, and Bertha, at home. The family is one of promi- nence in the community and its members rank high in social circles. The parents are mem- bers of the Congregational church, of which Mr. Sumption is trustee. Since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, he has been a stalwart republican, and socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Starting out in life empty handed, he has steadily worked his way upward to a position of afflu- ence, and now occupies a prominent place among the leading business men of Ridgeville. The bank is one of the firm financial institu- tions of the county is conducted on a perfectly reliable and conservative basis.

Rinaldo Sumption, who is the efficient cashier of the bank, was born in Winchester, this county, March 10, 1865, was educated in the schools of Ridgeville and in the college at this place, pursuing a literary course of study. He holds stock in the bank to the value of $1,500, and is a capable and popular cashier. He was here married, March 2, 1891, to Ger- trude A. Lay, who was born in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, April 17, 1870, and is a daughter of Joseph Lay. One child graces their union, Evalin Marie, born April 21, 1892. Mr. Sump- tion is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He owns in Ridgeville four town lots and other resident property, and is a wide-awake and enterprising business man, who ranks among the valued citizens of this township, as well as throughout the county.

R. DAVID WORK WARD, late well known physician, surgeon and busi- ness man of Ridgeville, was a native of Randolph county, Ind., born on the 10th of October, 1835, in Franklin town- ship. His parents, Joab and Amy Ward, lived in the vicinity of Ridgeville for many years and are remembered as substantial and highly respected people.

Dr. Ward was educated in the common schools and lived on a farm until the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Indiana infantry, with which he served gallantly until the cessation of hostili- ties. At Richmond, Ky., he refused to leave the wounded on the battle field, and while ministering to their wants and relieving their pain, was captured by the enemy and held a prisoner until exchanged a short time there- after. For some months he had charge of a department in the hospital at Indianapolis, and was thus engaged when the war closed, after which he began the practice of medicine at Ridgeville, where he continued to reside until about a year previous to his death. In 1866 he engaged in the drug business in connection with his profession, and several years later em- barked in the hardware trade, which he carried on with snccess and financial profit until fail- ing health compelled him to retire from active participation therein, also from the practice of his profession. In addition to his mercantile interest, Dr. Ward was also engaged, to some extent, in agricultural pursuits and owned a beautiful farm of 105 acres, joining Ridgeville, upon which his widow now resides.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 113

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