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 115

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 115
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 115

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).

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remained there until 1854, when he came to Randolph county, Ind., where he purchased a farm of 160 acres and resided here until his death, which occurred March 2, 1865. The children born to these parents were Susannah, born at Leesburgh, Ohio, in 1834, and died at Petersburgh in 1841; John, born in 1833 at Samantha, died in 1852; Joseph C., the date of whose birth is given above; James W., born August 7, 1841, a farmer of Guthrie county, Iowa; Mathias A., born January 4, 1845, a farmer of Delaware county, and Louis C., born August 30, 1848, a lawyer by profes- sion, in practice at Decatur, Ind. In politics Mr. Devoss was a democrat, and socially and morally a man of worth and highly respected by all who knew him.

The parents of Joseph C. Devoss, the sub- ject of this biography, moved to Petersburgh, when he was one year of age, where his home was until he was thirteen, when he went on the farm near Hillsboro', attending school du- ring the winter. There he remained four years, working on the farm; when at the age of seventeen he moved with his father on a farm north of Parker, having at this place no advantages of schooling. Here he remained until he arrived at his majority, when he caught the "western fever" and went to Minnesota, but soon returned and went to work by the month. He was married, at the age of twenty-three, to Julia, daughter of James and Elizabeth Campbell, farmers of Delaware county. After his marriage he moved upon his wife's farm and remained here three years. Mrs. Devoss died in 1868, and Mr. Devoss married, in 1872, Cynthia A. Reed, daughter of Cyrus and Sarah Reed, farmers of Randolph county, Ind., and has lived here ever since. The children of his first wife were: David A, born in 1861, is a farmer of Randolph county; James H., born in 1863, and died in 1870; Daniel H., born in 1865,

died in 1878; Cora A., born in 1867, is the wife of James R. Leavell, a farmer of Jay county. He was in the service of the Union in the war of the rebellion, en- listing in September, 1864, at Pulaski in company K, Ninth Indiana infantry, com- manded by T. H. Ijam. He was in several engagements, among the most notable of which were the battles of Franklin and Nash- ville. After eight months of service he was discharged at Indianapolis in June, 1865. Mr. Devoss is a member of the Grand Army, a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and a man highly esteemed as a soldier, a brother and a citizen. His family by his second wife consists of two boys: John B., born October 5, 1875, now living at home, and Cyrus R., born July 2, 1879, also at home. Mr. Devossisa trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church and was trus- tee of the township in 1874-75. In politics he is a republican and finds in the principles of his party his ideal of a political faith.

EORGE WASHINGTON EVANS (deceased), for many years a promi- nent citizen of Green township, Ran- dolph county, Ind., was a native of Ohio, born on the 5th day of July, 1817, near the town of Leesburg. He was the third of seven children born to John and Eve (Shroyer) Evans, and passed his early life amid the ordinary routine of farm work, where he laid the foundation upon which was builded the sturdy, manly character which made him the highly esteemed citizen of later years. On at- taining his legal majority, he began life for himself as a tiller of the soil in his native state, where he resided until 1842, at which date he immigrated to Indiana, locating in Delaware county, where, for a period of two years, he farmed a piece of land for a part of the pro-

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ceeds. About 1844, he purchased a farm in sections 10 and 11, Green township, Randolph county, to which he made additions from time to time until he finally became the fortunate possessor of 192 acres, the greater part of which, under his labors and successful man- agement, was changed from a primitive condi- tion to a high state of cultivation. Mr Evans was twice married; the first time to Miss Eliza- beth Chaney of Hillsboro, Ohio, by whom he had one child, John F., who died in early childhood. Mrs. Evans dying, Mr. Evans afterward wedded Minerva Strong of Greene county, Ohio, daughter of Reuben and Barbara Strong, to which marriage were born nine children: Jesse, William H., Francis M.,, John R., Alfred S., Levi M., Charles, Napo- lian B., and George W., of whom William H., Francis M., John R., and Charles are deceas- ed. The members of the family now living reside in the vicinity of the old homestead and are among the respected and substantial citi- zens of the township.

George W. Evans was a man of sterling worth and he left the impress of his character upon the community in which he resided for so many years. A consistent member of the Methodist church, he encouraged the dissemi- nation of religious truth, irrespective of de- nomination or creed. A republican in his po- litical convictions, he never permitted partisan feeling to interfere between himself and neigh- bors. He died as he had lived, an honorable, upright man, true to his convictions of duty, and in the full hope of having his part in the resurrection of the just. His death occurred May 1, 1860, in his home in Green township.

George W. Evans, Jr., youngest son of the subject of this mention, lives with his wid- owed mother on a part of the home place and is one of the representative farmers of the community. He was married August 10, 1883, to Mary R. Gray, daughter of William

L. and Ruth Gray, and is the father of two children: William R. and Chester L., the lat- ter of whom is deceased, as is also the mother, whose death occurred on the 3d of January, 1890. Mrs. Mary Evans was a most amiable lady, a kind and affectionate wife and mother, and for a number of years has been a consist- ent member of the United Brethren church, to which her husband still belongs.

ILLIAM H. HARRISON, a promi- nent farmer and the trustee of Green township, is a native of Greene county, Ohio, and was born September 20, 1846. He is the youngest of six children, four daughters and two sons. Their parents names were Jesse and Elizabeth (Flood) Harrison, and were both natives of Greene county, Ohio. They both came of a sturdy, robust strain, English, Scotch and Irish. The paternal grandfather, William Harrison, was a native of the Old Dominion, and was among the early pioneers of Ohio. He was, by occupation, a farmer, and reared a family of three boys and four girls. Jesse Har- rison was also a farmer, and in 1847 came overland to Randolph county, Ind., and loca- cated on the land where his youngest son, Will- iam H. Harrison, now lives. This land he re- claimed from the unbroken wilderness, endur- ing the hardships of the early pioneer. When he came he stopped with his father-in-law, Jonathan Flood, until he could erect his log cabin. He began life for himself with but limited means, and from the forest hewed his future home. He took an unusual interest in church and educational matters, and his influ- ence was felt for good in the community in which he lived. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant church, and in 1870 passed away-full of years-aged sixty-one.

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His wife, Mrs. Harrison, survived him until 1889, dying then at the advanced age of eighty-one. Both were highly esteemed while living, and in their deaths two good people were lost to the neighborhood.

Their youngest child, William H. Harri- son, was an infant of one year when his par- ents located in Green township, on the farm on which he has spent his entire life, with the exception of a few years during the late war. In youth he was taught and acquired the habits of frugality and industry, and received a common school education. When seven- teen years of age, December, 1863, he en- listed in company C, Nineteenth regiment of Indiana volunteer infantry, and was mustered in at Indianapolis. He was a recruit and went to his command at Culpeper, Va., and on the ever memorable May 5, 1864. had his first engagement in the battle of the Wilder- ness, and for the following six weeks was in an almost .continual and uninterrupted battle at. Spottsylvania, Laurel Hill, Cold Harbor, and then repeated engagements for days, and, except while before Petersburg in the trenches, where he took a violent cold which resulted in catarrh and bronchitis, which necessitated his being sent to the field hospital for two weeks, he answered roll call and did active duty until his discharge July 12, 1865. This was a record well to be proud of, and he won the respect of all as a brave and noble soldier. He returned home broken in health, not yet a man grown, and from this experience has suf- fered in health all his life, the price of his bravery and patriotism. On his return home he engaged in farming.

He remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage, which occurred April 7, 1869. He was united to Miss Martha Mc- Camish, a native of Green township, who was born in 1852, and is the daughter of William McCamish, an early settler of the county

Mr. Harrison, as before stated, lives on the farm where his childhood and manhood have been spent. The homestead consists of forty acres under a good state of cultivation. Three children have been born to them: Ira C., a farmer, was born June 30, 1871; Loretta, born January 28, 1874, and is the wife of; Charles O. Watson, a farmer of Monroe town- ship; and an infant, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are both members in good standing of the Christian church, and Mr. Harrison has served for nine years as justice of the peace. In the spring of 1891, he was elected township trustee, and has made a good and efficient officer.

J OSEPH C. JONES .- One of the best known and best farmers of Green township, Randolph county, is Joseph C. Jones, who was born near Grafton, W. Va., August 5, 1834. He is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Yeager) Jones, both residents of West Virginia, and both of Welsh and German stock. The grandfather, Benja- min Jones, was a native of Wales, but came to America in early life, locating in West Vir- ginia, and participating in the war of 1770. Grandfather Yeager was a native of Germany, but in his youth came to America. Benjamir Jones, the father of Joseph C., came to Dela- ware county, Ind., and located near Albany ir 1844, where he engaged in farming. Four sons and one daughter were born to him. His means, when he came to Indiana, ware mostly represented by a willing heart and ready hands, and with this capital he in time became well to do and a man of ample property. He could endure much, and in physique was large and robust. He died at the age of seventy- two years. In early life in politics he was a whig, and later a republican. At one time he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal

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church, but lastly joined the New Lights, in which faith he died. The mother died a number of years previous to her husband, passing away in the early faith of Mr. Jones.

Joseph C. Jones was but ten years of age when his parents moved to Delaware county, where as a farmer boy he grew to manhood. He married early in life, and almost empty handed the young couple began their career. He first rented a farm, but in 1865 he pur- chased sixty acres, paying $1;600 for it, which s now a part of his present home. This pur- chase was a piece of wild land, and he began it the beginning to build himself a home. He has since added to the original tract sixty-three cres more, making the snug farm of 123 acres, all of which is well improved and has good ind commodious buildings. He paid down on his place $600, the rest he dug from mother earth. He is a practical farmer in every sense of the word and aims to keep abreast of the imes in matters of agriculture. He has given a good deal of attention to stock raising and s especially successful in this. He is a man of public spirit and is among the leaders of is township in matters pertaining to the gen- ral good. In politics he is a republican, and s a man politically of strong convictions. He s a member of the Masonic order, lodge, No. 308. He is also a charter member of the F. M. B. A.

January 3, 1857, he was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Cline, of Delaware county, Ind. She was born in eastern Virginia, and was the laughter of Abraham and Nancy (McKee) Cline, both natives of Virginia, and of German Ind Irish extraction. They were among the arly settlers of Delaware county, and were epresentative people of the new country, and espected by all. In this union eight children vere born: Clarinda, deceased, aged ten nonths; Mollie, wife of Martin Wood; Lewis E., farmer; Oliver, blacksmith at Farmland;

Rose, widow of John Keever, now keeping house for her father; George W., blacksmith and also one of the finest musicians of the county; Ída, wife of Jacob Wise, and Oscar, musician. The wife of Joseph C. Jones, and the mother of these children, died November 4, 1891, at the age of sixty-one years. She had ever been a faithful wife and good mother. She died a member of the Christian church. Mr. Jones' son Lewis is one of the successful school teachers of his township, having taught ten successive winters, and three terms in his own district. He is among the leading educa- tors of his county.

Jacob G. and James B., brothers of J. C. Jones, were both soldiers in the late war, and were members of company K, Nineteeth regi- ment. Jacob was shot during the second day's battle at Gettysburg, and James, who was a recruit in the same company and regiment, was killed by a gunshot at the battle of Cold Har- bor. Both were brave and valiant soldiers, and nobly fell at their posts. Their remains were brought home and buried with honors in the cemetery near Selma, Ind.

RANCIS M. MCKINNEY, a widely known and prominent farmer of Green township, Ind., was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 4, 1836. He is the son of George and Rhoda (Scarbaugh) Mckinney. The father was born in Custer county, Pa., in 1806. When three years of age he was taken to Guernsey county and re- mained on his father's farm until he was twenty year's of age. His education was lim- ited to the three months of winter schooling, and this at a subscription school of "'ye olden time." In the year 1827 he was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda Scarbaugh and began his business life in Monroe county, Ohio. In

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1830 he came to Indiana, making this state his home until his death, July 14, 1892. While not a recognized member of any religious society, his religious views were very strong. In politics he was a democrat, and he died in unwavering faith in the tenets of his party. His son, Francis M. Mckinney, lived with his father on the farm until the twenty-second year of his age, leading the ordinary life of the farmer boy. In winter he attended the district school, where he acquired the education which stood him in such good need in after years, and so greatly assisted him in attaining his future fortune.

At the age of twenty-two Mr. Mckinney was married to Miss Barbara Miller, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Miller. They were mar- ried in Indiana and took their wedding tour, in a covered wagon, through the wilds of the west, stopping at the Missouri frontier. Both were young, brave and ambitious, and willing and ready to face the dangers and vicissitudes of life together in this new and almost untried land, depending upon each other for comfort and companionship. However, not being sat- isfied with the far west, they turned their faces eastward and stopped in Green township, Randolph county, Ind., in 1861, and became tenants of the farm of Samuel Caylor, remain- ing on the place nine years, when, in 1870, Mr. Mckinney bought his present home. Since his residence on this farm he has lived in the same dwelling. Though no children have been born to them, their home has been a happy and contented one. His religious faith is of the Dunkards and his politics demo- cratic. His farm consists of eighty acres of fine land, and from it, by industry and good management, the home is well filled with the substantial comforts of country life. Mr. Mckinney stands high in the esteem of his neighbors and friends and is thoroughly re- spected by all who know him.

J ESSE B MCKINNEY .- Few residents of Randolph county were as widely and favorably known as the late Jesse B. Mckinney, for many years a wealthy and popular citizen of the township of Green. Joseph Mckinney, grandfather of Jesse B .. Mckinney, served all through the Revolution .. was twice taken prisoner, and was once tied to. the stake to be burnt, but was rescued by ar - Indian chief, who paid his ransom and set him free. Mr. Mckinney's paternal ancestors were early settlers of Kentucky, his father, Anthony Wayne Mckinney, having been born in New- port when that city was but a mere frontier outpost. Anthony Wayne Mckinney mover to Ohio in early manhood and there met and married Elizabeth Brackin, of Clarke county in which part of the state he continued to re side until his removal to Randolph county Ind., in the year 1837. On coming to Ran dolph county, Mr. Mckinney engaged in farm- ing and milling in Green township, both o which occupations he carried on with good success until his death, August, 1872. By hi marriage, noted above, Anthony W. Mckinney became the father of eleven children, of whon but four are living at this time; to a second union, solemnized in 1852 with Mrs. Catherine Maricades, seven children were born, five o! whom yet survive. Mr. Mckinney was a mai of excellent character and his energy and thrift were rewarded by a handsome fortune! the greater part of which was accummulate after his removal to the Hoosier state. H. entered the American army in 1812 as fifer and served as such throughout that war taking part in a number of battles and minor engagements with the British and their India). allies.

Jesse B. Mckinney, whose name introduce: this sketch, was born January 8, 1822, il Clarke county, Ohio, and accompanied hi: parents to Randolph county, Ind., in the year

J. B. MCKINNEY

MRS. ELIZABETH A. MCKINNEY.

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GREEN TOWNSHIP.

above noted. His educational training em- braced the studies usually taught in the com- mon schools of those times, and until attaining his majority he remained under the parental roof, assisting his father in the work of the farm and mill. When he began life upon his own responsibility his future appeared anything but promising, and his children state that his sole earthly possessions at that time consisted of the clothing he wore, a few effects tied up in a cotton handkerchief, and twenty-five cents in money. Thus equipped, he resolutely started out to make his own way in the world, and it is a fact worthy of note that his first job of work was secured after a long and foot- sore tramp to the town of Peru, where he secured employment as a general laborer at $8 per month. After remaining in Peru for a period of four months he returned home and rented his father's mill, which he operated with reasonably fair success until he met with an accident, which caused the loss of a finger, when he gave up the milling business and en- gaged in the general mercantile trade in the town of Fairview, which he carried on with financial profit for a period of nearly six years, when he exchanged his stock of goods for a farm of 160 acres. To this tract he made ad- ditions at various times, purchased other lands in different parts of Randolph and other coun- ties, and in time became one of the most suc- cessful real estate dealers in this part of the county, his lands, some time previous to his death, amounting to nearly 2,000 acres.

Mr. Mckinney possessed financial ability of an unusually high order, and his judgment on all matters of business policy was seldom, if ever, at fault. Every enterprise to which he turned his hand appeared to prosper, and the large fortune which he acquired was en- tirely the result of his own energy and wisely directed business thrift. In many respects he was a model farmer and believed thoroughly

in the true dignity of the noble calling of agri- culture. He took great interest in raising fine live stock of all kinds, which business re- turned him handsome profits, as is attested by the large demands in Randolph and other counties for the horses, cattle, hogs, etc., bred by him on his farm in Green township.

Personally, Mr. Mckinney enjoyed great popularity in the community where he resided, and he was benevolent and charitable in all those terms imply. Though not visibly con- nected with any church or religious organiza- tion, he believed in the teachings of the Holy Writ and gave unstintedly of his means to the furtherance of all religious, educational and charitable institutions, as well as to all enter- prises of a public nature, having for their ob- ject the material well being of the county.

Mr. Mckinney was united in marriage Au- gust 10, 1848, to Elizabeth A. Manor, whose birth occurred March 13, 1830, in Berkeley county, West Va. Mrs. Mckinney is the daughter of Caleb and Elizabeth (Suvers) Manor, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia, and bore her husband four chil- dren, namely: Mary C., widow of William Starbusk; Emazette, wife of J. W. Reece, a land agent residing at Dunkirk; Elizabeth J., deceased, and Ella Estelle, wife of H. A. Blakely, who resides on the old homestead with the widowed mother. The parents of Mrs. Mckinney were most estimable people and reared a family of seven children, all liv- ing but two.

Politically Mr. Mckinney was a democrat of the Jeffersonian school, and for years was looked upon as a leader in the deliberations of his party in Green township. No man of the township contributed more in a substantial way than he to the growth and development of the country. His farm, which is considered one of the best in Randolph, numbers among its many improvements an elegant residence,

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erected in 1870 at a cost of $30,000, and an extensive cattle barn, 666x66 feet (built of brick), all under roof and well floored, in which over 800 head of cattle can be sheltered and well cared for. At the time of his death he was the possessor of over 1,700 acres of very valuable land, beside numerous herds of live stock and large sums of money invested in other and safe enterprises. His was indeed a well rounded and successful life, and his death, which occurred on the 14th day of February, 1888, was an event deeply and unusually de- plored throughout Randolph and adjoining counties.

ENRY McVEY, a prominent citizen of Green township, Randolph county, was born in Jay county, Ind., Sep- tember 29, 1847. His father, Milton McVey, was born January 19, 1819, in Coshoc- ton county, Ohio, was married in 1843, and came to Indiana in about 1844, settling in Jay county on a farm of eighty acres, on which he lived until his death in 1878. He was a good moral man and universally respected. The following named children were born to him: Mary, born in 1845, a resident of Indiana; Henry, born in 1847, is a farmer of Randolph county; Allen and Alice (twins), born in 1849; Allen died in 1888 at Winchester, where he was a carpenter; Alice married and is a resi- dent of Winchester; Ella, born in 1858, was the wife of William Kirby, an organ dealer and resident of Portland, Ind., died in 1888; Phebe, born in 1860, is the widow of John Lieper.

Henry McVey remained on the farm in Jay county until about twenty years of age, receiving such education as the district school afforded; in 1871 he entered the college at Ridgeville, and subsequently taught a number of terms of school. He entered the Union army May 15, 1864, at the age of seventeen, and served until September, when he was discharged. He then re-enlisted in company G, Eighth Indiana cavalry, and remained with this company until the close of the war. The young soldier was under the command of Kil- patrick, and enjoyed to the fullest extent the spice and variety of army life, as well as en- dured bravely its hardships. After the close of the war he came to his father's and engaged for a time on the farm.

In the year 1874 he married Miss Martha Caylor, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Caylor, and began working at the carpenter trade. A number of children have blessed their happy wedded life: Minnie, born No- vember 1, 1875, died when ten months old; James Oscar, born December 27, 1877, is living on the farm; Louis Alva, born in 1879; Charles W., born in 1881, and Edna in 1884. In politics Mr. McVey is a republican, and is a firm and consistent supporter of that party. He is a member of the Grand Army and thoroughly enjoys the proud distinction of having once been a soldier. He began life on a farm of 240 acres belonging to his father-in- law, but has increased the number of acres to 426, and has greatly improved the estate. Mr. McVey is a man held in high esteem in the community in which he lives, and the county claims no better citizen than he.

GREENSFORK TOWNSHIP.

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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 115

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