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 116

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 116
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 116

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).

ILLIAM B. BEVERLY, farmer of Greensfork township, Randolph county, Ind., was born in Chatham county, N. C., January 25, 1838, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Aldred) Beverly, who were born in the same state in 1805 and 1826 respectively. They were the parents of fifteen children, viz: Stanford, Lavina; Elizabeth; John, Isaac, William B., Mary, Cicily, Janetta, Carrie, Jennie, Frances, Angeline, Sarah and Thomas B. The mother of this family died in August, 1876, and the father in September, 1877. Mrs. Beverly was a member of the Baptist church. They lie in Salem cemetery. They lived to see all their children grow to maturity except one, but now all are deceased save five. The grandfather of William B. was Isaac Beverly, and his grandmother bore the maiden name of Welmott Howell. They were the parents of two children-Thomas and Elizabeth. The great-grandfather was John Beverly, who was killed at the battle of Hanging Rock, in the Revolutionary war.

William B. Beverly was brought from Norh Carolina to Decatur county, Ind., when but one year old; in 1858 he came to Randolph county, where, in 1861, he enlisted in company C, Fifty-seventh Indiana volunteer infantry, at Richmond, Ind. His first battle was at Shiloh; his next at Perryville and then Nash- ville. For some time he acted as surgical nurse until his discharge in 1864. He then

hired in the same position until the close of the war. In 1869, Mr. Beverly married Miss Mary, daughter of Pharaoh and Miriam (Morris) Clark, natives of North Carolina. The father was born in 1803 and the mother in 1809, were married in Randolph county, Ind., and became the parents of seven children, viz .: Charles; John; Mary; Elihu; Ruth; David and Daily. The mother of the family died in 1875 and the father in 1877, both members of the Christain church. The father helped to survey the road from Lynn to Fort Wayne, and was the owner of a good farm of 120 acres. Reuben Clark, the grandfather of Mrs. Beverly, married Ruth Jackson. In early life he was a sailor, and was made a prisoner of war by the British in 1812; but later he became a farmer, and his remains were buried at Fort Wayne.

Mr. Beverly at first located on a farm in Douglas county, Ill., where he remained four years, and then came to Greensfork township, Randolph county, Ind., and purchased eighty acres in the woods, improved only by a small log house, which he put in good repair and in which he lives to-day; but he has erected many farm buildings, has cleared the greater part of the tract, and has it in a fine state of cultiva- tion. He and wife are parents of four chil- dren, viz: Maud B., John M., Daily G. and George F., whom he is educating with great care. Mr. Beverly is a self-made man, having had to battle with the world since fifteen years

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of age-although he has had some assistance from his amiable wife. June 24, 1893, he was appointed postmaster at Lynn, under Grover Cleveland, having always been a stanch democrat, and a leader of his party in his sec- tion. He and wife are consistent members of the Christian church, and they held the respect of all their friends and neighbors to the fullest extent.

PHRAIM L. BOWEN is a native of Greensfork township, Randolph coun- ty, Ind., and was born March 20, 1819. His parents, Ephraim and Hannah (Hale) Bowen were respectively born in Lancaster county, Pa., in August, 1759, and in Maryland in 1777, and were married in Ohio. Ephraim, the father, was the first white man to settle in Randolph county, having come here October 22, 1814. He and wife were the parents of ten children, namely: Catherine, John, Nancy, James C., Jane, Squire, Rebecca, Hannah, Rachel and Ephraim L.

Ephraim L. Bowen was reared on the home farm until nineteen years of age, when he married Ruth Dwiggins, who was born in Wayne county, Ind., in 1818, and was the youngest in a family of seven children, viz: Jane, Lydia, Ann, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth and Ruth. Mr. Bowen and wife settled on a farm of 160 acres that his father had given him, and this he increased to 385 acres. A few years ago he bought a tract of ten acres, on which he erected a fine dwelling, which he now occu- pies. To this union were born eight children, viz: James, deceased treasurer of Randolph county, William, deceased; John, deceased; Squire C., a farmer; Elizabeth; wife of John C. Wise; Hannah, wife of Henry Wise; Elmira, wife of James Peele, and Jane, wife of John W. Jackson. Within twenty years after his marriage death bereaved Mr. Bowen of the

companionship of his wife, whose love had stimulated his youthful labors in the felling of the forest and the "making" of a farm; whose words of cheer had revived his drooping spirits at the end of days of weary toil, and whose careful economy had materially promoted his temporal success. She was called away August 5, 1858, and was laid to rest in Arba cemetery. Two and one-half years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Bowen married Mrs. Anna J. Corbett, widow of Alfred T. Corbett and daughter of John and Mildred (Tharp) Thorn- burg, and was born in North Carolina Decem- ber 16, 1827, and came to Randolph county, Ind., with her parents when a child. She is an estimable lady and enjoys the affectionate regard of all who know her. Four children are the fruits of the second marriage, viz: Julian M., who died at the age of twenty-four; Rosa, single; Lula, deceased, and Clarence E., at home. Throughout his life, Mr. Bowen has felt a lively interest in public improve- ments, and has contributed largely to the enterprises having for their object the ultimate benefit of the county. He has never felt po- litical ambition, but yet has consented to serve his fellow citizens as trustee three terms and as assessor two terms as a republican. He was a prominent anti-slavery advocate in earlier years, and became one of the first ad- herents of the republican party upon its organ- ization. He is identified with the friends of the temperance cause, and in his daily life fully exemplifies the principles he holds. As a member of the Christian church he has led a consistent life, and as a worthy citizen none stand higher than he in the community in which he is known. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, ond is identified with the Bethel lodge, No. 250. He has helped all his children to a good start in the world, and is the grandfather of nineteen grandchildren and great-grandfather of seventeen great-grand-

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children, and the family stand at the head of Greensfork's best society.

ILES ELLIOTT, an enterprising farmer of Randolph county, was born in Greensfork township, in the old log cabin on the home farm, November 28, 1848, and is the youngest son of ten children, born to Benjamin and Rachel (Hixon) Elliott, the former of whom was born in North Carolina in 1816, and the latter in Preble county, Ohio, in 1814. Benjamin was a lad of six summers when taken by his parents from his native state to Preble county, Ohio, he afterward hired to William Hixon for two years, he was to clothe him and enter for him forty acres of land near Spartansburg, Randolph county, Ind., in compensation for his services. Benjamin carried out the con- tract, and in 1838 married Miss Hixon, and shortly afterward came to Randolph county, Ind., and settled on a small farm near Spar- tansburg, which, in after years he converted into a fine farm of 160 acres. To Benjamin and Rachel Elliott were born the following children: Joseph, Hettie, Rebecca, Samuel, Martha, Isaac, who, at the age of fifteen, enlisted in 1861, in the Union army, served nearly three years, was wounded at the storm- ing of Missionary Ridge, and afterward died. Samuel was also in the army four months; the other children were named Miles, Benjamin and Etta, beside whom there was an infant that died unnamed. Mrs. Rachel Elliott died in 1875, and a year later Benjamin married Rebecca, the widow of William Jessup, and also of Jerry Fulghum, and on her farm he lived until her death, in July, 1892, when, at the age of seventy-eight, he made his home with his children for a little over a year, and then married Annie Cox, who resided near Lynn, Ind., and both now live in that town.

Miles Elliott remained on the home farm until thirty years of age, when he married Caroline, the daughter of Frederick and Char- lotte (Hiper) Holly, natives of Germany, who lived in Boyd county, Ky. She is the eldest of a family of ten children, the other nine be- ing named, Hannah; Henry; Phrona; Char- lotte; Charles; August; Minnie; William and Frederick. The mother of this family died in 1890, and the father now lives in Ashland, Ky., where his daughter, Sophronia, is keep- ing house for him. Mrs. Elliott can speak and write the German language, and, with the other members of the family, is a member of the Lutheran church. After marriage, Mr. Elliott lived on the old homestead a year, then bought eighty acres of the same for $2,800; he afterward traded this tract for the Fred Fulghum farm, giving $1,600 to boot. Three years afterward he bought five acres near Arba, a mile and a half from his farm, paying $1,000 for it; he then moved there, rebuilt the house and barn; later he bought five acres adjoining this tract, on which he has a fine fish pond and a splended maple grove, in the midst of which he has built an old-fashioned log cabin and furnished it with old-fashioned furniture --- wheels and relics of all kinds; also an old wall sweep clock, over one hundred years old. The cabin is a great curiousity, and shows how our forefathers used to live. Mr. Elliott is the happy father of three children: Fred W .; one deceased infant, and Woodgie Ray. He was formerly a granger and a Good Templar. He and wife are Friends, as were his ancestors, and are highly respected for their uprightness and many amiable traits of character. Mr. Elliott is now forty-six years old, and his wife thirty-six; they attended the World's Fair with their family, and from their visit gained a stock of information that doubtless will aid them, as it has others, in taking a broader view of worldly affairs.

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S TRANGEMAN HUTCHINS, one of the oldest native farmers of Greens- fork township, Randolph county, Ind., was born April 14, 1821, a son of Thomas and Susanna Hutchins, of whom the former was born in North Carolina, April 7, 1787, and the latter near Richmond, Va. They were married in North Carolina, in which state there were born to them three children, viz .: Denson, who married Mary Hollingsworth; Jonathan, married to Jane Cranor, and Elmer E., deceased. Thomas and his family came to Indiana in 1815 and settled near Williamsburg, where he first entered eighty acres of land, on which he built a log cabin, and then entered 160 acres addi- tional, and still later another tract of 160 acres, and during his lifetime here cleared at least 200 acres of the forest away with his own hands, being a large, powerful man. In this township there were four children born to him, viz .: Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Study; Benja- min, married to Louisa Cox; Strangeman, whose name opens this sketch, and Mary, wife of Robert Akin. They were among the earliest pioneers of Randolph county, and came when Indians were numerous and game abundant. The Hutchins family are of Eng- lish descent, the great grandparents of Strange- man Hutchins, Thomas and Susannah (Ladd) Hutchins, being the first to be born in America in the state of North Carolina.

Thomas Hutchins, the father of Strange- man, died in 1855, and Susanna, the mother, died in 1865. Both were members of the So- ciety of Friends, and their remains were inter- red in Mt. Zion cemetery. Strangeman Hutchins remained on the home farm until he was twenty-six years of age, when he married Tevisa, daughter of Jonathan and Tevisa Turner, natives of North Carolina. He first settled on a farm of eighty acres given him by his father, on which he lived eight years and

then sold; he next bought a tract of eighty acres of improved land, and this he in turn sold after residing on it for eight years, and purchased 160 acres, on which he made his home for seven years, when he one more sold out and bought his present farm of 100 acres, which he has placed under an extra well im- proved condition and in a high state of culti- vation. To Strangeman and Tevisa Hutchins have been born nine children, viz: Charles, a farmer; Susanna, wife of Jacob Bales; Ruth, wife of Hezekiah Stout; Thomas, deceased; Mary, wife of Isaac Collinsworth; Elkanah, a farmer; Sarah, wife of Amos Pierceton; Noah O., a farmer, and Julia E., deceased. Mr. Hutchins has always been an industrious and consequently a successful fariner; he and wife' are worthy members of the Society of Friends, and in politics he is a republican. The family is held in great respect wherever known.

3 OHN F. MIDDLETON is a native of Greensfork township, Randolph county, Ind., was born November 26, 1842, and is a son of Thomas A. and Sarah (Bor- ders) Middleton, the former of whom was born in Guilford county, N. C., November 5, 1799, and the latter in Greenbrier county, Va., in 1804. In 1827 Thomas A. Middleton and his brother, Samuel, came from North Carolina in a wagon to Randolph county. Thomas A. Middleton first married Margaret Webb in 1825, and to this union were born four chil- dren; Minerva, Calvin, Caroline and Sidney. In 1830 he settled in Greensfork township, Randolph county, and in 1836 his wife died. Two years later he married Miss Borders, and to this union were born three children, viz: Wesley, deceased; Sarah A., wife of Thomas Reagan, at Lynn, and John F. Mr. Middle- ton passed the remainder of his life on the

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farm of eighty acres now occupied by his son, John F., and at the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Sarah Middleton died December 28, 1862.

John F. Middleton was educated at the Industrial academy of Wayne county, Ind. He enlisted August 18, 1862, company F, Sixty- ninth Indiana infantry, and took part in the battle of Richmond, Ky., where he was taken prisoner, and after three days paroled and sent to Camp Wayne, at Richmond, Ind., where he remained for two months. At the expira- tion of that time, he was exchanged and sent to the department of the Cumberland, under Gen. Grant. After participating in the battles of Chickasaw Bluff and Arkansas Post, he went into winter quarters at Young's Point. During the campaign of 1863, he took part in numerous battles, among which may be men- tioned, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion Hill, the seige of Vicksburg, etc. He was transferred to the Gulf department in the fall of 1863 and spent the winter of 1863-64 at Indianola, Tex. From there he was sent to assist in the Red River expedition, and with a marine corps detailed to guard the river be- tween New Orleans and Vicksburg until November I. Thence he was sent to Mobile bay, in the vicinity of which he spent the win- rer of 1864-65. From there he was sent to Florida; thence to the siege of Fort Blakely, after which he returned to Mobile, where he remained during the summer. He was mus- tered out of service July 5. At Chickasaw Bluff, Mr. Middleton was disabled, his gnn broken, his blanket cut from his neck by a shell, and his comrade on either side killed, but he was not taken from the field.

Mr. Middleton was married August 20, 1865, to Serena Alexander, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, April 21, 1847. She is the daughter of Clement F. and Rebecca (Parks) Alexander, the former born in Ohio, May 2, 1817, and the latter in Indiana, Decem-

ber 18, 1816. Mr. Alexander was a successful farmer, at one time owned 275 acres, and at the time of his death, in 1892, had 225 acres left in fine condition. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander were parents of six daughters, viz: Mary, born in 1842, and wife of A. M. Rubey; Martha J., born October 28, 1843, and wife of John Kelly; Nancy A., born April 25, 1845, and wife of Pat Trammel; Serena, wife of Mr. Middleton; Sarah J., born June 11, 1850, at home; and Lizzie, born May 7, 1855, and wife of Ambrose. Rubey. The father, Clement Alexander, was county commissioner for six years, was a notary public two terms, was elder, deacon and trustee in the Christian church, and had been a resident of Randolph county since 1848; his wife still survives. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Middleton have been born two children, viz: Ida M., wife of Ephraim Anderson, of Spartansburg, and Thomas A., who married Elnora Hunt, and who died October 23, 1893, leaving one child, Frances Edna.

John F. Middleton, after his marriage, set- tled on the old homestead and, with the ex- ception of one year, has ever since resided thereon. When his father had retired, he purchased the farm, has added to it, and now owns 115 acres highly improved. In 1880 he was elected trustee and served two terms. He has also served five years as township assessor, and also two years as county assessor. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. twenty- five years, and has passed all the chairs; is also a member of the G. A. R. He and wife are members of and earnest workers in the Methodist Episcopal church. For sciatica contracted in the army he draws a pension of $12 per month, having been a strong man prior to the war, but somewhat weakly since it closed. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Middleton were Benedict and Hannah (Harri- son) Middleton, natives of Virginia, and the

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maternal grandparents were Christopher and Sarah (Blizzard) Borden, natives of Germany. Christopher Borden was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and two of his sons served in the war of 1812, and the family are highly respected by all who know them.

I SAAC M. NICHOLS, a farmer of Greensfork, was born in Greensfork township, Randolph county, Ind., Jan- uary 5, 1828, and is a son of Malachi Nichols, of Washington township, who was born in North Carolina, 1804; came to Ran- dolph county in 1816 and located near Arba; married Sarah Mann in 1825; had ten chil- dren, four living, and died with cholera in 1849. Isaac M. was reared to farming and . remained at home until he was thirty-one years of age, when he married Marietta, daughter of Robert and Hannah (Hariff) Kin- sey, of Irish and German extraction respect- ively. Mrs. Nichols was born in Ohio in 1840, and came to Indiana with her parents in 1847. Her father was a farmer and wagon- maker, and was very successful in his business. After his marriage, in 1859, Mr. Nichols located in Greensfork township, rented a house and worked at the carpenter trade until 1862, when he enlisted in company E, Sixty- ninth Indiana volunteer infantry, at Lynn, Ind. In October, 1862, he was taken prison- er at Richmond, Ky., was paroled and re- turned home, worked at his trade until November, and then rejoined his regi- ment at camp Wayne at Richmond. He passed through all the grades from private to first lieutenant, but was seized with malaria while in the service, and was compelled to re- sign, receiving an honorable discharge October 19, 1863. He has never recovered from his affliction, and now draws a pension of $8 a

month. On his return to Lynn he worked at his trade for two years, and then bought forty acres of land, to which he subsequently added forty acres, since when he has led the peace- ful life of a farmer, having a good farm, fairly well improved. There have been born to the marriage of Mr. Nichols nine children in the following order: James M., deceased; Lizzie C., the wife of William H. Steele; Malachi, deceased; Robert G., Dolly, Henry C., Lola H., Nellie C., and Francis L. Mr. Nichols has been very popular with his fellow citizens, and for two succeeding terms served them as township trustee. He has been a member of the F. and A. M. for forty-one years, and he and his wife are faithful members of the Chris- tian church.

A LFRED M. RUBEY, a thriving farmer of Greensfork township, Ran- dolph county, Ind., was born in Wayne county, Ind., October 14, 1837. His parents were Willis and Anna (Harlan) Rubey, of Scotch-Irish descent, and the former was a farmer and blacksmith, who came to Randolph county, in 1841, and pur- chased a farm of 160 acres, for which he paid $1,400, and here he passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1851, a member of the Christian church.

Alfred M. Rubey was reared on the home place until he had reached the age of twenty, when he married Miss Mary C., daughter of Clement F. and Rebecca Alexander, natives of North Carolina, and the parents of six daughters. At his marriage, Mr. Rubey moved into a log cabin that still stands on his farm, and in this he lived six years. He then purchased a tract of eighty acres in the east part of the township, on which he resided eight years, and then moved back, to care for his mother, and after her death bought the

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place, containing forty acres, from the heirs. His mother was an expert weaver, and in the early days wove the cloth from which the cloth- ing of the household was made. Mr. Rubey has in his possession some of the implements, together with a rare assortment of tools used in the early days of the country, and a fork, which the pioneers would walk miles for, to avail themselves of its use.

Mr. and Mrs. Rubey have had born to their marriage four children, viz: Clement A., deceased; George T., deceased, and Vienna M. and Merton C. at home. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and with his wife a very earnest worker in the Christian church. His farm is finely improved, and he has it under a high state of cultivation, and he is surrounded with every convenience and com- fort designed to make life enjoyable. The family enjoy the esteem of their neighbors and the good wishes of all.

ILLIAM SLICK, deceased farmer of Greensfork township, Randolph county, Ind., was born in Seneca county, Ohio, in July, 1829; he is the son of David and Eleanor (Messler) Slick, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland. The parents were married in Pennsylvania, and there had born to them three children, viz .: Joseph; Margaret and Jacob; thence they moved to Seneca county, Ohio, rented a farm, snd there William was born; in 1847, they came to Greensfork town- ship, Randolph county, Ind., purchased eighty acres of land and here were born four children, viz .: Mary; John; Rebecca and Mahlon. Here the father died in 1858, and the mother in 1885.

William Slick was reared on the home farm, and remained at home until twenty-four

years of age, when he was married October 16, 1854, to Armecy Elliott, who was born in Wayne county, Ind., May 10, 1835; she is the daughter of Miles and Frances (Newburn) Elliott, who were natives of North Carolina, the former born in March, 1795, and the latter in May, 1803. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott came to Indiana in 1828, and located at White Water, in Wayne county, resided there one year, and then came to Greensfork township, Randolph county, and bought eighty acres of land, which, after a short time, they sold, and bought 120 acres, and later on moved to Lynn. They were the parents of eight children, viz: Mary, wife of Lorenzo Anderson; Rachel, wife of Alfred Price; Richard, deceased; William E., a farmer; Armecy (Mrs. Slick); Sarah, wife of Joseph Stuttler; Anna, wife of Luther Cox, and Josiah Elliott, mer- chant. The mother of this family died August 4, 1867, and the father April 7, 1879. The latter had been in life a dry goods merchant, and later a farmer, and he and wife were mem- bers of the Baptist church. To William Slick and wife were born eight children, six of whom are living, viz: George W., born October 22, 1856; Perry, November 22, 1860; Anna J., March 29, 1863; William H., March 20, 1866; Mary F., September 4, 1867; and Amanda E., September 6, 1870. Miles, the eldest born, died when two years old, and James R., the youngest, died in infancy. George W. married Sarah Coning; Perry, married May Thornburg; Anna J. became Mrs. William A. Coning; William H. married Laura Baily; Mary F. was married to Daniel Egan, who died May 14, 1892, and Amanda E. to Everett Hunt.

William Slick after marriage settled on a farm of sixty acres, but, by economy and careful husbandry, soon began to add to his estate, accumulating acres after acres until, at the time of his death, which occurred March 23, 1893, he possessed fully 523 acres, all in

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good condition. He was a great admirer of horses, and had the reputation of keeping the finest in the country. He was noted for his kindness to the poor, and Fortune seemed to smile on him, for every two or three years he was able to add another eighty acre tract to his already large estate. A few years ago Mrs. Slick inherited quite a large amount from her father, and this, too, was invested in land. At the death of Mr. Slick the greater part of the large farm was divided proportionately among the children, with an abundance left the widow. Mr. Slick was always active in maintaining the pikes in his neighborhood in good condition, the main one, east of his place, having cost him over $2,000. He never aspired to public office, and never held one higher than that of supervisor. He was, however, very popular as a member of the Christian church, while Mrs. Slick is equally well respected as a member of the United Brethren church. He never sued nor was sued, believing it to be better to give than to take. The family are honored for their integrity and upright lives, and for their openhanded charity.

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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 116

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