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 118

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 118
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 118

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).

mother of three children, all of whom died in infancy.

HOMAS W. JOHNSON, an intelli- gent and enterprising citizen of Jack- son township, is a native of Randolph county, Ind., born April 20, 1863, and a descendant, paternally, of a prominent pioneer family, the ancestors of which came to America from Ireland and Germany respect- ively, a number of years ago. Wesley John- son, father of Thomas W., also a native of Randolph county, was born June 25, 1834, the son of Jacob and Mary M. (Vattenbaker) Johnson, natives of Ireland and Germany. He married April 29, 1857, in this county, Sarah Hindsley, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, February 26, 1842, daughter of Stephen and Anna (Mitten) Hindsley. The Hindleys were natives of North Carolina, from which state John Hindsley, father of Stephen, immi- grated to Indiana at a very early period. To Wesley and Sarah Johnson have been born the following children: Malinda, wife of R. W. Harshman; Lillie V., died at the age of nineteen; Thomas W., subject of this men- tion; Joseph G .; William S .; Bertha A., wife of Henry Wilson, and Alfretta, who lives under the parental roof. Immediately after his mar- riage, Wesley Johnson located in Jackson township, where he still resides, owning at this time a fine farm consisting of 117 acres.

Thomas W. Johnson's early education was acquired in the common schools, and later he attended the Normal college, of Danville, Ind., with the object of preparing himself for the teacher's profession. During the school year of 1887-88, he pursued his studies in the Ohio Wesleyan college, and in 1889 attended the State Normal school at Terre Haute, Ind., in both of which well known institutions he made substantial progress in the higher branches of

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learning. He entered the teacher's profession with a mind well disciplined for the work, and his success as an instructor is attested by the fact of his having taught ten terms in Jackson township alone. Mr. Johnson and Miss Ger- trude, daughter of William R. and Elizabeth (Pogue) Warren, were united in the bonds of matrimony on the 23d day of August, 1890, a union blessed with the birth of two children, Claude W., whose birth occurred January 1I, 1892, and Ralph W., born April 27, 1893.

Politically Mr. Johnson is an earnest sup- porter of the democratic party, and as such has been an important factor in a number of local and general campaigns. He was elected trustee of Jackson township in 1890, the duties of which office he discharged in a manner highly creditable to himself and satisfactory to the public, irrespective of party affiliation. He is a member of lodge No. 152, I. O. O. F., of Union City, takes an active interest in public affairs, and is one of Jackson township's rep- resentative men. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Methodist church, in which she is highly respected.

R. NORMAN MCFARLAND, one of the most successful physicians and surgeons of Randolph county, Ind., was born in Darke county, Ohio, June 10, 1842, and is a son of Lewis and Charity (Marquis) McFarland. Lewis McFar- land was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 12, 1816, was quite small when taken to Darke county, remained there about six years, then went to Holmes county, Ohio, and when about twenty years old returned to Darke county, was there married in 1840, and became the father of eight children, four of whom are still living, viz: Norman, whose name opens this sketch; Emily (Mrs. Biram), of Kansas; John, a physician of Millgrove, Ind .; James

F., in Iowa. Of the four deceased, two died in infancy and two in later life. Shortly after Union City was laid out, Mr. McFarland pur- chased a farm south of the town. Here he resided until 1891, when he retired to his home within the city limits on south Howard street, where he is passing his declining days in comfort, after having cleared up three farms. He lost his first wife in March, 1884, and in 1889 married Edith Harris. Both Mr. and Mrs. McFarland are members of the Christian church, and in politics is a republi- can, having naturally fallen into the ranks of that party on the disintigration of the old whig organization, to which he had formerly belonged, casting his first vote for William H. Harrison in 1840.

Norman McFarland passed his youth on the home farm, but had the opportunity of securing a good education, attending first the common schools. then Antioch college at Yellow Springs, Ohio, two terms, and then one term at Ridgeville in 1867. August 6, 1862, he enlisted in company C, Fifth Indiana volunteer cavalry, under Col. Felix Graham and Capt. Farley. He participated in Sher- man's battles from Missionary Ridge to the sea, and at the engagement at Franklin and Nashville, when Thomas cut Hood to pieces. He received an honorable discharge at Indian- apolis July 3, 1865, and on returning home taught common school four terms. Placing himself under the tuition of competent physi- cians, he prepared himself by thorough study for medical lectures, and after attending the usual number of courses was admitted to and ! graduated from the medical college of Indian- apolis in 1869. He then immediately located at New Pittsburg, Jackson township, Randolph county, Ind., and has there met with a most successful and lucrative practice, which still ! engages his time and attention. The doctor was married September 12, 1870, to Miss

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Sarah A. Sanders, who was born in Jay county, Ind., January 13, 1847, and is the daughter of Jacob and Ruth (Peanock) Sanders, natives of Pennsylvania. This union has resulted in the birth of four children, two sons and two daughters, viz .: One that died at sixteen months of age; one that died an infant; Mary Jane, born October 9, 1875, at home, and Nellie, born November 11, 1881, also at home. The doctor, in addition to giving his attention to his extensive practice, finds time to direct the working of his farm of 123 acres, and to his various social duties. He is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is a republican.

I SAIAH MURRAY, a representative farmer of Jackson township, is a native Indianian, born November 4, 1862, in the county of Randolph. His father, Jacob Murray, for many years a member of the German Baptist church, is the son of Samuel and Leah (Schanafelt) Murray, and was born September 24, 1838, in the state of Ohio. Samuel Murray was born on the ocean, of Irish parentage, while the family were emigrating from the old country to the United States. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Eliza McFarland; she was the daughter of William McFarland, and was born in Randolph county, Ind., August 15, 1841. Jacob and Eliza Murray had four children, three sons and one daughter, namely: William (died when two years old); Isaiah; Iva Jewett, wife of C. W. Barnhart, of Muncie; and George F., dealer in musical instruments, Noblesville, Ind.

Isaiah Murray was reared on a farm, re- ceived his educational training in the common schools, which he attended at intervals during his minority, and on arriving at manhood's estate engaged in agriculture upon his own re-

sponsibility in Green township, where he lived two years. At the end. of that time he located in the township of Jackson, where he now re- sides, owning at this time a good farm and a comfortable home, the abode of plenty, as all are willing to testify who accept his hospital- ity. Mr. Murray is a democrat in politics and a consistent member of the Christian church, with which religious body his wife is also iden- tified. On the 18th of October, 1884, Mr. . Murray and Mary, daughter of William and Amanda (Hinkle) Huffman, were united in marriage, and to their union have been born two children, both daughters, Gertrude E. and Pearl R. Mrs. Murray is a native of Ran- dolph county, Ind., and dates her birth from the 24th day of October, 1866.

e LI P. NOFFSINGER, farmer and stock raiser, of Jackson township, Randolph county, Ind., is a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, and son of Eli and Mary Noffsinger, the father born July 4, 1794, in Washington county, Pa., and the mother on the 19th day of January, 1797, in Virginia. As the name indicates, the family is of German origin, and it is learned that the subject's grandparents, John and Catherine (Koontz) Noffsinger, came from the old coun- try many years ago and settled in the western part of Pennsylvania.

Eli Noffsinger, Sr., was taken by his par- ents to Montgomery county, Ohio, as early as 1801, and there grew to manhood. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Pressel, was the daughter of Daniel Pressel, a member of an old Virginia family, and she bore her hus- band the following named children: Elizabeth, deceased, wife of Amos Cook, of Darke county, Ohio; Daniel, a farmer, of Bond county, Ill .; Joel, a farmer of Randolph county, Ind .;

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Joseph, died in youth; Uriah, deceased; Su- sannah, wife of John Root, of Oregon; Eli P., whose name introduces this sketch; Mary P., wife of Christopher Root, of Kansas; Saloma, wife of James Kinsley, who resides in Bates county, Mo. Mr. Noffsinger located near Cam- bridge City, Ind., about 1822; thence, after a few years, he returned to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he resided until 1861, at which time he became a citizen of Randolph county, Ind. Subsequently he moved to Bond county, Ill., where he became a large land owner and where his death occurred. Mr. Noffsinger was a man of powerful physique and commanding presence. For a number of years he practiced medicine in connection with the pursuit of ag- riculture, and he was a leader in the German Baptist or Dunkard church. His wife, a most amiable woman, departed this life at her home in Bond county, Ill., in 1869.

Eli P. Noffsinger was born March 28, 1835, reared to agricultural pursuits and received a common school education. He has made farming his life work, believes in the dignity of the calling, and for a number of years has been looked upon as one of the most thrifty and prosperous citizens of the township of Jackson. He became a resident of Randolph county in 1861, later lived in Bond county, Ill., one year, but afterward returned to Jack- son township, where he has since lived, owning at this time a beautiful little farm in a success- ful state of cultivation. He is a democrat in politics and religiously subscribes to the teach- ings of the Dunkard church, of which for a number years he has been an active and in- fluential member. Mr. Noffsinger was mar- ried September 3, 1857, to Martha, daughter of Absalom and Elizabeth (Johnson) Noff- singer. Mrs. Noffsinger was born in Randolph county, Ind., on the 31st of December, 1838, and has borne her husband eight children, five sons and three daughters, namely; Elizabeth,

born July 7, 1858, died November 26, 1860; } Henry, a physician of Union City, born December 22, 1859; Ida, wife of D. W. ! Brown, born October 18, 1861; Noah, a + farmer of Randolph county, born March 9, 1866; Edward, born March 17, 1868, died May 31, 1892; Clara, wife of W. D. Stewart, ! born January 1, 1872, and Ora, born July 4, " 1874; the last named lives with her parents, -- Mr. Noffsinger is proud of his family, and well he may be, as the children would be a credit to any parent.

ILLIAM A. RICKARD, M. D., one of the successful medical men of Randolph county, is a native of Indiana, born on the 28th day of September, 1847, in the county of Delaware. His father, Loxley Rickard, was born in Sus- sex county, state of Delaware, March 5, 1808, , and was a son of Joseph Rickard, whose an- cestors came to the United States from Eng- land a great many years ago. Loxley Rickard married, about the year 1834, Nancy Bosman, who was born in Delaware, August 9, 1812,4 daughter of Philip and Tamzy C. (Spence) Bosman, and reared a family of eight children, namely: Sarah J., wife of Benjamin F. Bine- gar; Anna N., wife of Peter McNelly; Sina E., wife of John S. Ellis; John H; Eliza, wife of! Ephriam Smell, of Muncie; William A., sub- ject of this biography; George T., deceased, and Mattie, wife of James H. Harrington. For two years after his marriage, Loxley Rickard lived in Delaware county, locating in Niles: township in 1836 and entering 160 acres of land. On the 4th day of March, 1868, he re- moved to Muncie, Ind., in which city the). remaining years of his life were passed, dying there on the 29th of April, 1889. His widow is still living at a good old age on the old

W. A. RICKARD.

MRS. W. A. RICKARD.

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homestead on the corner of Washington and Plum streets, Muncie. She is a most esti- mable woman, kind and generous to a fault, and for more than half a century has been a zealous member of the Methodist church.

Reared amid the rugged scenes of farm life, the early years of Dr. Rickard's life were com- paratively devoid of anything eventful, and in the common schools he acquired a good Eng- lish education. In 1868 he became a student of the Muncie High school and ten years later entered Ridgeville college, where he pursued his studies until 1875, making substantial prog- ress in the meanwhile: Possessing abilities of a high order as an instructor, he utilized the same for a period of eleven years in the schools of Delaware and Randolph counties, and in the meantime yielded to an inclination of long standing to enter the medical profession by a three years' course of reading under the able instruction of Dr. A. H. Farquhar, of Ridge- ville. Subsequently he entered the Electro Medical institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated on the 6th day of Feb- ruary, 1879, and immediately thereafter loca- ted at the village of Fairview, and two years later moved to New Pittsburgh, where he has since resided, in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Rickard has achieved a most excellent reputation in his profession, and ranks among the most successful physi- cians and surgeons of Randolph county. He is a close student, keeps fully abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to the healing art, and his past record bespeaks a future of still greater usefulness and promise. Politi- cally the doctor is a republican, and in religion is a member of the Reform church, in which for several years he has held the office of deacon.

Dr. Rickard was married October 4, 1874, to Clauda A., daughter of Ephraim and Sarah (Taylor) Allen, who was born June 18, 1848,

in Muskingum county, Ohio. Two children are the fruits of this marriage: Josephine, born January 26, 1878, at this time a student of St. Mary's academy, Columbus, Ohio, and Herbert E., whose birth occurred on the 9th day of November, 1889. Mrs. Rickard was educated in the Central college of Franklin county, Ohio, and, in 1871, entered the Ridge- ville college, and was there until 1875, and then taught school in Ohio and Indiana for twelve terms, and then, after marriage, began the study of medicine, and was present at a course of lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1878 and 1879, and since has practiced medicine with her husband.

ILLIAM K. SIMMONS, a prosper- ous and experienced farmer of Jack- son township, Randolph county, Ind., was born near his present res- idence, August 31, 1841, and is a son of Aaron and Rebecca (Marquis) Simmons. Aaron was born in Miami county, Ohio, February I, 1810, a son of Adam and Mary (Heck) Sim- mons, natives of Pennsylvania. Adam was born March 25, 1776, son of John Simmons, and Mary was born February 5, 1787-Adam being the third in the following family of ten children: Philip, Jacob, Adam, Elizabeth, John, Barbara, Catherine, Peter, Susannah and Charles. The family are of German de- scent. Rebecca Marquis was born February 2, 1819, and was a daughter of William K. and Polly (Stringley) Marquis. Aaron Sim- mons lived with his parents until his marriage in 1840, two years after coming to Indiana. To his marriage were born six children, viz .: William K., whose name opens this sketch; John M., a farmer of Jackson township, and husband of Hannah Hoke; Mary A., wife of Peter Hart, farmer of Darke county, Ohio;

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Noah, who died in youth; Andrew L., a farmer of Jackson township, who married Alice Smith, and Hannah J., wife of John Mumah, a farmer of Indiana. When Aaron came to Indiana in 1838, he entered 240 acres of land, and after marriage lived in a log cabin built for a school house, where William K. now lives; in 1841 he erected a hewn log house, which was considered to be a fine resi- dence in those days; here he passed away in 1884, and was laid to rest in New Lisbon cemetery. His widow still resides with her children, and is, as was her late husband, a member of the Dunkard congregation.

William K. Simmons was reared a farmer, received a common school education, and June 3, 1865, married Melinda A., daughter of George and Margaret (Lambert) Sell, natives of Maryland. George Sell was born January 1, 1820, and was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Sell, and had born to his marriage with Mar-

Lambert eleven children, viz .: Melinda; Jonathan; Joseph; Sarah E .; George; Martha J .; James M .; Matilda E .; Mary S .; Minerva E. and William K. To the union of William K. and Melinda Simmons have been born three children, viz .: Dora, March 29, 1868, wife of W. P. Noffsinger, teacher; Edar, September 15, 1869, farmer, married to Effie Warner, and Esther, born November 11, 1871, at home with her parents. Mr. Simmons first lived, after marriage, on the same farm he at present occupies, but in 1870 moved to another farm, on which he lived five years, and then returned to his former and present abode-the old home- stead-which now comprises 200 acres, on which he does general farming. Mr Simmons is a minister in the Dunkard church, is fervid and pious, and greatly beloved by his congre- gation and the community in general. In politics he his a republican, and never with- holds his support.

MONROE TOWNSHIP.

HOMAS ALLISON, superintendent for the Farmland Milling company, was born in Northumberland, Eng., October 6, 1849. His parents, Ralph and Eleanor (Stevenson) Allison, were natives of the same county, and in 1852 set sail with their children for America, and were seven weeks crossing the ocean. They landed in New York, but the same year located in Preble county, Ohio, where the father and a brother, James Allison, operated a mill for three years; he then engaged in milling at Middleton, Ohio, for six years, and in the fall of 1865 bought a half-interest in the mill at Winchester, Ind.,

which he operated two years; then bought a mill at Unionport, Randolph county, which he ran until his death, January 6, 1869; his widow, in 1878, married Stephen Haynes, who died in January, 1891, and she then made her home with her son, Thomas, until her death, March 16, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Allison were the parents of nine children, viz .: Elizabeth; John; Mary; Peter (a member of company K, Thirty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, killed at Chickamauga); Ralph; Thomas; Eleanor; Isabelle and Ada.

Thomas Allison was reared chiefly in Middletown, Ohio, received a fair common

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MONROE TOWNSHIP.

school education, and passed the major part of his boyhood days in the mill, thus becoming thoroughly practical. He remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, and then leased the mill for two years, at Fair Haven, Ohio; was two years at Liberty, Ind., six years at Pickaway, Ohio, four years at Greenville, Ohio, and then, in 1889, located in Farmland, where he has since held his present position, being then a holder of thir- teen shares of stock and performing the duties of acting secretary. July 8, 1893, Mr. Allison sold his stock to R. C. Shaw, who is now sole proprietor, Mr. Allison being superintendent. Mr. Allison was married at Unionport, March 25, 1873, to Miss Sarah E. Haynes, who was born in Unionport, October 23, 1849, a daughter of Willard and Delilah (Wright) Haynes. Willard Haynes was born in Herki- mer county, N. Y., February II, 1823. He was educated in the common schools of Ran- dolph county, Ind., which, in 1835, were in their pioneer state. He was married May 21, 1846, to Delilah Haynes, who was a native of Clinton couniy, and was born December 3, 1822.

Stephen Haynes, the father of Willard, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., January 12, 1800, and, after making some changes, settled in this county in the year 1834; his wife, and mother of Willard, was originally Laura Gaines, a native of Vermont, born about the year 1804; deceased March 25, 1875, in Randolph county. The father of Stephen Haynes (Empson Wright Haynes) was originally from Virginia, where he was born November 15, 1797. He came to Randolph county ybout the year 1824, and died Novem- ber 28, 1853, on the land which he entered. His wife was originally Rachel Rubel, born February 1, 1801, in Tennessee (now de- ceased). To the union of Thomas and Sarah E. Allison have been born two children-Lloyd

and Wilber. They are members of the Chris- tian church, and in politics he is a republican.

J ACOB M. BARKER, practical harness- maker, of Farmland, was born within a half a mile of that town, September 26, 1846, and is a son of John Mills and Lavina Barker, natives of North Caro- lina. Jacob M. Barker was an infant but three weeks old when his mother was called away by death, but he was tenderly nurtured by Samuel and Nancy McNees, mention of which family will be found more in detail on another page, and by them reared to manhood. He received a good common-school education, and at the age of sixteen began teaming for Mr. McNees; continued thereat for five years, and then engaged in the dry goods busimess with Mr. McNees and Bates for two years, follow- ing which he farmed a year in Stony Creek township, and then followed general laboring work until March 4, 1874, when he was em- ployed by David Macy as manager of his har- ness shop for a year, at the end of which time he bought out the business and carried it on alone until 1876, when he took as a partner Matthew W. Diggs, who held his interest four years, and was followed by others in the fol- lowing order: Absalom Oren, two years; Aaron Harris, six months; David E. Barker, five years; W. F. Clayton, two years; then J. W. Mills came in, in October, 1891, and the firm name became Barker & Mills. The premises occupied are 18x50 feet in size, with workmen in the rear, and a force of five skilled work- men is constantly employed. About 150 sets of single harness are turned out annually, and repairing in all its departments receives prompt and satisfactory attention.

The proprietors are careful and judicious in the selection of their material, and gurantee

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superior workmanship in every particular. Their prices and terms are reasonable, and the satisfaction with which their work has always been received has so augmented their trade that it is quite lucrative and satisfactory and is still profitably increasing. The marriage of Jacob M. Barker was solemized August 18, 1864, in Monroe township, with Laura Ann Macy, a sister of William P. and J. W. Macy, of whom mention is made elsewhere, and to this union have been born seven children, viz: David E., Samuel M., Nannie, deceased; Pearl, deceased; Leo, Nina and Lettie. Mrs. Barker is a member of the Christian church, and Mr. Barker is a master Mason, and both are highly esteemed as members of society.

J. BENNETT, a prosperous farmer of Monroe township, Randolph county, was born in Wayne county, Ind., July 27, 1839, and is a son of William and Anna (Walton) Bennett, natives of Chester county; Pa., where they were mar- ried. Their parents came to Wayne county, Ind., in 1833, and there the father purchased a tract of forty acres, which he wrought into a thrifty farm, and on which he and his wife passed the remainder of their days, she dying in 1857, and he in 1873. They had born to them seven children, as follows; Silas W., Hannah, Lydia, Way, Joshua, W. J. and Joseph.

W. J. Bennett was reared a farmer, and remained at home until July 6, 1861, when he enlisted at Richmond, Ind., in company B, Nineteenth Indiana volunteer infantry. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Gainesville, August 2, 1862, was wounded in the leg at the second battle of Bull Run and confined in the hospital five months, being made incapacitated for duty. After his discharge he returned to

the farm and worked it until his marriage, Oc tober 20, 1870, to Miss Anna M. Clark daughter of Elwood and Hannah (Will iams) Clark of Wayne county. They became the parents of eight children: Mary E., Anna M. Jesse; Sophronia; Charles; Dayton; Florence and Edgar. The father died in 1877, but the mother is still living. He was an Odd Fellow and a Friend, to which society the mother alst belongs. After his marriage Mr. Bennet rented a farm in Green township, Randolpl county, but in a short time removed to Monro township, and lived on rented land for thre years, and then bought forty acres, partl: cleared but not improved. A little later, h added eighty acres, all in their primitive con dition, but now the 120 acres are nearl. cleared and highly improved with every con venience and under a high state of cultivation Two children have blessed the union of Mr and Mrs. Bennett, and are named Ida F. and Alpheus O. Mrs. Bennett is a member of th Society of Friends, and Mr. Bennett of the G A. R. He draws a pension of $16 a month o account of his wound. Mr. Bennett, throug his great-great-grandfather on the paterna side, is of Irish descent, and through his great! great-grandparents, on the maternal side, is c Welsh extraction. His grandparents, on bot sides, were born and reared in Chester county Pa.

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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 118

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