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 114

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 114
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 114

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).

In his profession Dr. Ward was studious and painstaking; was a true healer, and dur- ing a long number of years devoted to the practice his success was most gratifying. He was a liberal contributor to the material de- velopement of Ridgeville, and took an active as well as a financial interest in the college of

DR. DAVID W. WARD, DECEASED.

MRS. HANNAH WARD.

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that place, of which institution he served as trustee until his death. The many trnsts im- posed in Dr. Ward were most ably and cred- itably discharged, and in his death, which occured on the 26th day of January, 1874, the town of Ridgeville lost one of its most valua- ble citizens. He was a consistent member of the Free Will Baptist church for many years, an active worker in the fraternity of Odd Fel- lows, and a republican in his political faith. Dr. Ward was married December 4, 1856, to Hannah Starbuck, a native of Wayne county, Ind., danghter of Robert and Hannah Star- buck. The following are the names of the children born to this marriage: J. Charles; Emma, wife of T. W. Whipple, deceased; William E .; Frank L .; Ella, wife of A. Brown, and Minnie.

The late Robert Starbuck, for many years an active business man of Ridgeville, was born in July, 1805, in North Carolina, and came with his parents, Edward and Sarah Starbuck, to Indiana in an early day, settling in Wayne county, where he grew to manhood's estate. In 1853 he came to Ridgeville, with the material prosperity of which he soon became prominently identified as a merchant, in which capacity he continued very successfully for a number of years. When a boy he learned the trade of brickmaking, and, shortly after locat- ing in Ridgeville, he manufactured brick and erected a large three story business building, the best in the town, and also built several other structures of the same material, which added much to the substantial appearance of the place. As a business man, he was capable and successful, strictly honorable in all of his dealings, and the rectitude of his intentions was never questioned by those with whom he had relations of a business nature. When a young man, he joined the Methodist church, to which communion he remained faithful during life, and his death was that of

a man who had, by the Master's aid, striven to do his whole christian duty. In his prime Mr. Starbuck was a man of vigor- ous mental and physical endowments, but for sometime previous to his death a shadow darkened his reason, but not to the extent of entirely incapacitating him from looking after his various business interests. In addition to his mercantile and other enterprises in Ridge- ville, he was for some time engaged in the pork packing business while living at Rich- mond, and also carried on a general mercan- tile house at the town of White Water. Politi- cally he was a republican, and as such was active in behalf of his party's interests in a number of campaigns, but never sought nor desired official honors of any kind. Mr. Star- buck married the wife who survives him on the 15th of September, 1870; her maiden name was Sarah Courtney, but at the time of her marriage, above noted, she was a widow, hav- ing previously been married to the late John Thurber. She was born in Henry county, Ky., and came to Indiana with her parents, Elias and Polly Courtney, about the year 1835. Mr. Starbuck departed this life on the 2d of Novem- ber, 1892, at his home in Ridgeville, and his death was universally lamented by all classes of the town and surrounding country.

J OEL WARD, son of Joab and Amy (Graves) Ward, was born January 13, 1838, in Franklin township, then a part of Ward township, Randolph county, Ind. Thomas Ward, his grandfather, served in the Revolutionary war, the gun which he carried being now in the possession of Joel Ward. He experienced, also, in full measure, the hardships attending the lot of the pioneer. Inconvenience and danger, abounding on every hand, each day aroused

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anew that sturdy opposition which surmounted every obstacle. On one occasion, with two companions, he was captured by Indians, who bound them to stakes, to be burned next morning. Being a powerful man, and draw- ing, from the awfulness of the situation, a supernatural strength, he succeeded, during the night, in pulling the stake to which he was tied from the ground. Freeing his companions, and stealing a gun from a sleeping Indian, he made his escape. On the following day they were obliged to conceal themselves in a hollow log, near by which the Indians passed, in searching for them; and it was not until after four days had been spent in wandering about the woods that they at last reached Pittsburg, which was then an American fort.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ward, namely: Sarah (Mrs. Joshua Moffit); Mary (Mrs. Joseph Moffit); Joel; Joab; Nancy (Mrs. Tumbleson); Elizabeth (Mrs. B. Pierce); Margery (Mrs. E. Kizer); and Lydia (Mrs. T. Pierce). Mr. Joab Ward, the father of Joel, was a native of North Car- olina, his birth having occurred December 14, 1790. In 1819 he came to Randolph county, Ind., arriving on the bank of the Mississinewa river on April 7, his family traveling with him from Ohio in a wagon. A little way from the point where they stopped, about 500 Indians were encamped. He bought a farm on sec- tion 12, the same being then one unbroken forest. With the exception of one family, by the name of Lewellen, that of Joab Ward was the first in this locality, his farm lying furthest west. Some distance to the east of his land three or four families were located. Joab Ward built a log cabin which is still occupied as a dwelling house, and in which, with the exception of two years spent with his father, near Winchester, he lived until his death.

In his early life Mr. Joab Ward dealt more or less in live stock. He was an enthusiastic

and successful hunter, and among his lucky ventures was the killing of seven deer one morning before breakfast. He was married. March 10, 1814, to Amy Graves, of Ross county, Ohio, where her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Graves, settled about 1800, having come from North Carolina. Fifteen children were born of this union, being William, Mary (Mrs. J. Sumption), Thomas (deceased), Margery (Mrs. McKew), Sarah (deceased), Berilla (Mrs. R. Sumption), Eleanor (Mrs. W. Pettijohn), Edith (Mrs. J. Moffit), Harriet (Mrs. W. Thompson), Susan (deceased), David Joel, Lydia (Mrs. M. Way), Joab, and another, who died in infancy. Mrs. Amy Ward died August 27, 1864.

Mr. Joab Ward became the owner of 620 acres of land. Reared in the Quaker faith, he never joined any church or other society. In politics he was formerly a whig, and latterly a republican. He was a strong abolitionist. Although interested in the political issues of the country, Mr. Ward neither sought nor would accept public office of any kind. Ward township was named after him. Mr. Joab Ward was unfortunate in suffering several strokes of paralysis, the last of which caused his death on November 5, 1874.

During his early boyhood, Joel Ward found occupation in the duties and pleasures of farm life, from which accrued that practical knowl- edge which has been the leading factor of his success in later years. His educational advan- tages were limited, his school home being one of the primitive log houses to which he was privileged to go but about two months yearly, during the winter seasons. On attaining his majority, he began life for himself by assuming charge of a farm given him by his father. This consisted of 168 acres, but two or three of which were then cleared. He still owns and lives on the farm, 130 acres of which are now under cultivation; and by industry and a

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right conception of farming, he has not only kept his heritage free from mortgage, but has made it an earning power, and placed upon it good, substantial buildings, together with such improvements as are in harmony with progress. Mr. Ward also deals in live stock to some ex- tent, and keeps and breeds some good grade English shire horses.

On January 28, 1857, he was married to Martha, daughter of Robert and Hannah Star- buck. His wife was born in Wayne county, Ind., December 22, 1836. Four children have been born to them, namely: EInora (Mrs. G. Lemaux); Belle (deceased,) Harry, a commer- cial traveler, whose home is in Ridgeville; and Rosa, the widow of Jess Addington. Mrs. Addington, with her child, Zoe, lives at home with her parents. Mr. Joel Ward and his family are members of the M. E. church. Mr. Ward is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. F. and A. M. He has passed through all chairs in the subordinate lodge, and at the grand lodge, in 1871, represented the Ridge- ville lodge. Politically, Mr. Ward affiliates with the republican party, and his first presi- dential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Mr. Ward removed to Ridgeville, Oc- tober 25, 1893, and is now living in retire- ment.

0 SCAR A. WHITE, editor and pro- prietor of the Ridgeville News, is a native of the state which is still his home. He was born in Salamonia, Jay county, November 21, 1860, and is a son of William M. and Martha J. (Darby) White, both natives of Greene county, Ohio. The father was a son of Thomas and Mary E. (McNulty) White, the former born in Pennsyl- vania, and the latter in Ireland. William White moved to Jay county, Ind., 1837, and in 1887 he moved to Randolph county, where

he still resides. He was twice married, and by the first union had two children, Mary E., wife of H. Delauter, and James M., a farmer near Taylorville, Ill. By his marriage with Miss Darby three children were born, John A., who is foreman of the D. & M. R. R. coach shops of Lima, Ohio; Oscar A., and Lillian E., wife J. E. Headington, of Portland, Ind. The parents are both members of the Christian church, and Mr. White belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic.

Oscar A. spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm. His early education, acquired in the district schools, was supplemented by a scientific course of study in the university of Lebanon, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1880. Immediately afterwards he began teaching in the schools of Wayne township, Randolph county, and later was employed in the public schools of Portland, Ind., for four years. In 1889, he came to Ridgeville, and was principal of the public schools for three years.

The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. White was in her maidenhood Anna Anders, daughter of Asel and Melvina Anders of Union City, Ind. The marriage ceremony was per- formed June 5, 1879, and their union has been blessed with two children-Ada D. and Fledda K. The professor and his wife are members of the Christian church, and they hold an enviable position in social circles. Socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Sons of Veterans, and he votes with the republican party. He has served as clerk and treasurer of Ridgeville, Ind., since June, 1892, proving a capable and trustworthy official. Prof. White was at one time a member of the faculty of Ridgeville college, as teacher of geography, languages and natural science. His ability as an in- structor was recognized by all, and the repu- tation of Ridgeville college during his connec-

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tion was due in no little degree to his excellence as a teacher. In December, 1890, he purchased the Ridgeville News, which he has since edited. The paper has a good cir- culation and is a bright and interesting sheet. Mr. White is the wielder of a trenchant pen, is a keen observer of events as they pass under

his observation, and has the faculty of adapt- ing them to newspaper use, extracting the essence, as it were, and rejecting the super- fluous, so that the readers of the News get what they need, and are not bored by wading through a superabundance of extraneous mat- ter, tireful and tedious.

GREEN TOWNSHIP.

HILIP BARGER, who is now living a retired life in Fairview, Green township, Randolph county, Ind., has witnessed much of the growth and development of this county and is num- bered among its honored early settlers. He was born near Leesburg, Highland now (Fay- ette) county, Ohio, April 26, 1815, and is a son of Philip and Magdalena (Shroyer) Barger, who were natives of Montgomery county, Va. The family is of German origin. The parents removed to Ohio in 1802, and there the mother died in 1820, while the father passed away in 1823. They had eight children-Adam and Eve, both deceased; Polly, who became the wife of S. Boots, and after his death married E. Bants; John, deceased; Betsy, who died in childhood; Philip; Jacob, who died in child- hood, and Lewis, who has also passed away.

Philip Barger, Jr., was reared upon a farm, and after his father's death was bound out to Isaac House, an agriculturist, but, not liking his employer, he ran away at the age of six- teen and sought work elsewhere. He worked in Ross county and in other places, and in 1838 came to Randolph county. Two years previous he had entered land on section 3,

Green township. He now built a cabin, and on the 4th of October, 1838, was married to Elizabeth Strong, daughter of Reuben and Barbara Strong, and a native of Xenia, Ohio. They began their domestic life in the pioneer home, and Mr. Barger commenced clearing the farm. There he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1879, when he removed to Albany. For four years, he had a general merchandise store in Dunkirk, but being una- ble to give it his personal attention, the ven- ture proved a failure. In 1891, he came to Fairview, where he still resides, an honored and respected citizen. His memory is replete with incidents of pioneer life in this county, and he recalls many interesting reminiscences concerning his present place of abode.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barger were born seven children, three of whom died in infancy. John W. enlisted in August, 1861, in company E, Thirty-sixth Indiana infantry, served for about eleven months, and then, being taken sick with measles, was discharged; he never fully recov- ered his health and died March 7, 1880. Lewis lives in Ridgeville, Ind. Lusetta is the next younger, and Napoleon makes his home in Albany, Ind. The mother of this family died

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August 7, 1879. She was a devout member of the Methodist church from girlhood and a most estimable lady.

For forty years past Mr. Barger has been a member of the Indipendent Order of Odd Fel- lows; he also belongs to Fairview encamp- ment, has filled all the offices, and has several times been delegate to the grand lodge and grand encampment. In politics he is a stanch republican. His first presidential vote was cast for William Henry Harrison in 1836, and he has voted for each whig and republican can- didate since, except when he lost his franchise in 1848, on account of being away from home. He served as county commissioner two terms, was justice of the peace one term and trustee for many years, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity Although his educa- tional advantages were limited, he has become an intelligent and useful citizen, and his libra- ry contains many valuable works, with the contents of which he has made himself famil- iar. He is unusually well preserved both physically and mentally. Highly esteemed by all, he well deserves representation in this volume.

S AMUEL CAYLOR (deceased), whose brief biographical sketch is herewith presented, was born November 26, 18II, in Ross county, Ohio, and was descended paternally from German ancestry. His parents, Jacob and Hannah Caylor, were Virginians. They moved f. om Loudoun county, of that state, to Ohio in an early day, settling in Ross county, thence later removed to Fayette, where their deaths afterward occurred. Sam- uel Caylor was a small boy when his parents moved to Fayette county, and his youth- ful years were passed on a farm within a short distance of Washington Court House. His early education was a very indifferent

character, and it is stated that he learned to write after his twenty-first year, although his mental endowments were naturally of a vigor- ous order. In 1835 he came to Randolph county, Ind., and, for one year thereafter, worked in a mill at Macksville, locating at the end of that time in Greene township, where he entered land in section 1, selecting a piece of woodland upon which no improvements of any kind had been attempted. He removed to the new home in the forest in the winter season, cutting a way through the woods for the little sled, which was loaded with the few household effects necessary to the comfort of the family, and before the following spring had cleared an area of ground to which the term, field, could be appropriately applied. He con- tinued to enlarge his farm, and in due time had one of the best improved places in the town- ship. He added to this original parchase from time to time, and eventually became one of the largest and wealthiest owners of real estate in Randolph county, his various tracts aggre- gating about 1,700 acres, a large part of which he afterward divided among the differ- ent members of his family. For a period of twenty-five years, he dealt extensively in live stock, in which business, as well as in agricul- ture, he ranked among the most successful men of his township and county. He retired from active life in 1881, from which date until his death he resided in the town of Ridgeville, in the enjoyment of that quiet, which only those, who labor long and assiduously, know how to appreciate.

Mr. Caylor's first marriage was consum- mated in 1833 with Anna Life, of Fayette county, Ohio, who died in Green township about the year 1839, the mother of three children, all of whom died in infancy. Later, he married Elizabeth Boots, of Ross county, Ohio, daughter of Martin Boots, the results of which union were seven children: Jacob;

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Mrs. Martha McVey; Mary, deceased; John; Martin, deceased; Melissa, deceased, and Sarah Guenther.

Mr. Caylor was a self-made man in the true sense of the term, and, as such, occupied a conspicuous place in the estimation of his fellow citizens of Randolph county. The sum total of his earthly wealth, on his arrival in Green township, did not exceed $100, but by diligent application and well directed industry, he made steady progress financially and the large possessions, which eventually crowned his efforts, proved him to be possessed of busi- ness qualifications of a high order. Politically, he supported the whig party until its disin- tegration, after which he became a democrat and continued as such the residue of his days. He never became identified with any church or religious order, but he was a believer in the Holy Scriptures and was ever found upon the right side of any organization or movement having for its object the moral well being of the community. His death occurred at Ridge- ville on the 21st day of August, 1890; his widow died June 11, 1893.

Jacob Caylor, a successful farmer and stock raiser, was born in Green township, Randolph county, Ind., February 27, 1842, being the eldest son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Boots) Caylor, whose sketch appears above. Mr. Caylor grew to manhood on the home farm, attended the common schools as oppor- tunity permitted, and after becoming of legal age, rented the home place, managing the same until his thirty-third year, looking after his parents' interests in the meantime. His next move was to a farm of eighty-five acres given him by his father, to which he has since made additions until, at this time, his real es- tate embraces an area of over 500 acres, of which fully one-half is in cultivation and high- ly improved. Mr. Caylor is a model farmer, the general condition of his place and his

buildings, consisting of a large and well ar- ranged dwelling erected in 1881, and a beauti- ful barn, 44×64 feet in area and twenty-four feet in height, ranking with the best improve- ments in Randolph county. His tenant farm also contains first class buildings and in every- thing pertaining to agriculture he keeps fully abreast of the times. In matters educational Mr. Caylor takes an active interest, and he is an earnest supporter of the democratic party though not a partisan in the sense of aspiring to official preferment. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order.

Mr. Caylor was married September 3, 1874, to Louisa D. Guenther daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Guenther. Mrs. Caylor was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and is the mother of three children: Samuel H., a student at Ridgeville college; Rosa V. and Jacob L. E., who reside under the parental roof.

ARSHALL D'ARMOND, deceased, was born March 11, 1816, in Flem- ing county, Ky., and was a son of William R. L. and Mary (Orr) D'Armond. The paternal branch of the family is descended from French ancestors and on the mother's side is of English origin. When the subject was a mere boy, the family removed to Ohio, locating near the city of Hamilton, thence, later, to Fayette county, Ind., where both parents afterwards died. In the winter of 1832 Marshall D'Armond, then a lad of sixteen years, was sent by his father on foot, with money in saddle bags to Fort Wayne from Fayette county, Ind., to enter land. He reached there safe and entered 120 acres of land in Randolph county, and forty acres in Jay county, and over 200 acres in Wabash county. In November, 1860, Mr. D'Armond moved to Randolph county, locating on land

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in Green township, which he had purchased from the government previously, and, in due time, had a respectable area cleared and fitted for cultivation. He became the possessor of 160 acres of land, which, under his successful management, became one of the best farms in the township, and at the time of his death, he ranked among the most successful agriculturists of the county of Randolph. For some years after locating in Green township, Mr. D'Ar- mond employed his winter seasons teaching school, and during the time thus engaged, earned the reputation of a very popular and successful instructor. He married September 5, 1840, Minerva Allison, who was born in Franklin county, Ind., the daughter of James Allison, Esq., a union blessed with nine chil- dren, namely: James Harvey, Mary E., died in infancy; William H., Osro, deceased; Ed- ward Joseph, Mrs. Margaret A. Bretch, Mrs. Luella Morris, Leroy and John W.

Mr. D'Armond was prominent in the affairs of his township for a number of years, served as justice of the peace several terms, and for some time was postmaster at Emmettsville, which position he was compelled to resign some time previous to his death by reason of failing health. In the sense in which the term is ordinarily used, Mr. D'Armond's life was a success; he not only did well financiaily, but what is much better, his daily walk was a practical exemplification of those true princi- ples of honor and integrity which always mark their possessor as a true man and gentleman. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and a democrat in his political belief. His death. an event lamented by all, occurred on the 22d of June, 1888, at his home, in Green township.

Mr. D'Armond's two oldest sons were sol- diers in the late war and both did gallant serv- ice throughout that struggle. Leroy D'Ar- mond, next to the youngest member of the

family, and one of the progressive young men of Green township, was born March 25, 1860, at the village of Emmettsville. His educa- tional training was received in the common schools, supplemented by subsequent attend- ance at higher institutions of learning conduct- ed on the Normal plan, and at the age of twenty he began teaching, which profession he followed successfully for about six years. With the exception of one year in Kansas, he has spent his entire life in the township of his nativity, and at this time he farms the home place, of which he owns a third interest. He was one of the incorporators of the Green township Gas and Oil company, of which he is now the executive head, and in all affairs of public moment he takes a prominent and ac- tive part.

J OSEPH C. DEVOSS-This well-known and highly respectly citizen of Green township, Randolph county, Ind., was born in Highland county, Ohio, Octo- ber 7, 1837. His parents were of German extraction. His father was born in Ross county, Ohio, in the year 1810; he spent his early youth on the farm and in assisting his father in a limestone quarry which his father owned; also attending the country district school three months in the winter until the age of eighteen, at which time he apprenticed him- self to a blacksmith in Hillsborough, where he remained until 1832. He was united in mar- riage- at the age of twenty-two, to Dorcas Chaney, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Chaney, farmers of Highland county. After marriage he continued blacksmithing one year, when he removed to Leesburg, and remained there one year, then removed to Samantha, three years later, he moved to Petersburgh, Ohio, where he resided until 1850, when he went on his father-in-law's farm near Hillsborough, and

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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 114

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