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 119

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 119
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 119

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).

M. BLY, the popular and gentleman ly druggist of Farmland, Ind., wa born in Huntsville, Randolph county, Ind., October 7, 1857, and is a so of Jeremiah and Mildred A. (Johnston) Bly now residents of Muncie, Ind. P. M. Bly re: sided in his native town with his parents unt eight years of age, was then taken by them t. Goodview, of the same county, where fou years were passed away; he then returned t the farm near Huntsville, on which he re

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mained until June 27, 1875, where he entered the store of Lewis A. Gable, in Farmland, as clerk, and served in that capacity until 1880, when he bought an interest in the establish- ment, and for a year the business was con- ducted under the firm name of Gable & Bly. Mr. Gable then withdrew in favor of John H. Thornburg, and since then the style has been Bly & Thornburg-the new firm commanding a large share of the patronage of the town and surrounding country for drugs, paints, oils, wall papers, clocks, watches, jewelry, etc. Mr. Bly was joined in wedlock December 7, 1882, with Miss Flora R. Halliday, a native of the township, born March 20, 1860, and daughter of Elias F. Halliday, whose sketch is given in full on another page. Two children have been granted to this union, and are named Garver and Mildred J. Mr. and Mrs. Bly are worshipers within the pale of the Methodist church. Mr. Bly is an encamp- ment Odd Fellow, and is a member of the Sons of Veterans. His political affiliations are with the republican party, in whose be- half he is an ardent worker.

OSEPH B. BRANSON, long identified with the business interests of Farmland, Randolph county, Ind., was born in Chatham county, N. C., April 15, 1830, and is a son of Levi and Rachael (Men- denhall) Branson, the former of whom was porn in Chatham county, N. C., in 1798, and the latter in 1800. These parents were mar- ried in Guilford county, N. C., in 1822, and in 1837 came to Indiana and located in Wayne county, remaining about a year, and then re- moving to near Peru, in Miami county, where they purchased a farm of 160 acres, when that county was but sparsely settled by whites, and many representatives of the Indian tribes

still lingered there. In Miami county Levi Branson died in 1840, owning at the time 220 acres of valuable land beside sixty acres in Hamilton county. He was the father of four children, viz: James M., Joseph B., Emily J. Mildred E. In 1845 the widow of Levi was married to David Maxwell, and the couple moved to Union county the same year, and there the mother died in 1857.

Joseph B. Branson remained with his mother and stepfather until 1851, and in that year he came to Randolph county, where he has ever since resided. He engaged in the house carpenter's trade, and for ten years or more continued in that line of employment. He was reared on a farm, and after a success- ful experience as a builder he resumed agri- cultural pursuits in 1859, and has since con- tinued to cultivate his large farm of 266 acres with very satisfactory and profitable results. In addition to the pursuit of farming, he had a half interest in the hardware store of the thriving little town Farmland, and is now asso- ciated with the mercantile interests of that placv. He has been identified with the growth and development of this county for over thirty years, and has always been a liberal, public spirited citizen, ready to encourage all enter- prises of public benefit, and contribute gener- ously when such enterprises appealed to the public generosity. During the late civil war he was especially active in assisting the fami- lies of soldiers, and performed many deeds of kindness and charity during that trying period, known only to the recipients, and by them gratefully remembered. His life has been honorable and upright, and in all his dealings with his fellow men he has won and retained their confidence and good will by his fairness and unselfishness.

In political affiliations he is a very pro- nounced republican, and has accomplished no small amount of good for the party by his in-

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fluence in its behalf. He has never been am- bitious for office, but once consented to serve as justice of the peace, and discharged the duties of that office with ability and honor. He was reared under the influence of the Society of Friends, with which society he is now indentified. His maternal grandparents, James and Marian Mendenhall, were of the same religious order. Mr. Branson has been twice married; first, in the spring of 1854, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Peter S. and Catherine Miller, who came to Randolph county from Pennsylvania in 1839. This union was blessed by six children-Wellington, Mary D., Naomi M., Ida B., Viola A., Flora A. On the 23d of August, 1876, his wife died, leaving a void in the family circle and in the hearts of her loved ones that could never be filled. Two years and three months after her demise, Mr. Branson was united in marriage with Mrs. Matilda Hawkins, widow of Simeon Hawkins, of Hamilton county, Ind. Mrs. Branson is the daughter of John and Angeline Morris, who lived near Noblesville, Ind. She is an estimable lady, and shares with her husband the affectionate regard of a large circle of friends. He was made a Mason in 1883, and has always lived up to the teachings of that ancient fraternity.

RA M. BRANSON, cashier of the Farmers & Citizens' bank at Farmland, Randolph county, Ind., was born in Stony Creek township, in the same county, July 3, 1857. A biographical notice of his parents, James M. and Mary (Miller) Branson, is given under the Stony Creek de- partment of this work, to which the attention of the reader is invited. Ira M. Branson had his youthful brain and muscle developed by the arduous duties pertaining to the farm until

he was fourteen years of age, but in the mean- time attended the school of his neighborhood, making preparation for his attendance at the high school of Winchester, Ind., which he entered in 1871, and attended one year. Be- ing now quite qualified for teaching, he first assumed charge of the school in district No. 1, in Stony Creek township, in 1872, which he taught five months, receiving $200 as his compensation. For the next four years he at- tended the Indiana Normal school at Val- paraiso, Porter county, Ind., during the summer months, graduating from the teachers' and business department of the same; during the winters he taught school. In 1879 he was appointed principal of the city school of Farm- land, conducted it one year, and then taught a graded school at Windsor, in his native town- ship, for two years, alternating with farming, and about this time, through the recommenda- tion of Gen. Thos. M. Browne, was appointed to a clerkship in the pension office at Wash- ington, the duties of which he assumed in August, 1881, and performed one year, and then returned to Stony Creek township and resumed his teaching and farming, following these vocations until 1888, when he organized the Farmers & Citizens' bank at Farmland, which, both as a fiduciary and monetary institu- tion, holds a high position in the confidence of the community.

August 12, 1878, Mr. Branson was so for- tunate as to form a matrimonial alliance with Miss Louisa Brickley, who was born in Ran- dolph county, September 18, 1853, a daughter of S. V. and Eliza (McIntire) Brickley, de- scended from one of the pioneer families of Randolph county, and mention of whom is made in another page. Two children-Hugh and James R. - are the offspring. Mr. Bran- son was made a Mason in 1888; he is also a Knight of Pythias, and has been a member of the school board five years since he took up

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his residence in Farmland, being peculiarly well fitted for the last-named position through his experience of fifteen years as a teacher. In politics he is a republican. He is the owner of a well cultivated farm of 148 acres in Stony Creek township, and its care does not escape his vigilant attention. Socially he commands a high position, and is also regarded as one of the progressive business men that are always a factor in the prosperity of the town or county.

APT. WILLIAM BURRES, the ex- soldier and present farmer of Monroe township, Randolph county, Ind., was born in New Castle county, Del., near the Maryland line, January 1, 1820, and is a son of William and Rachael (Simmons) Burres, who was married in the captain's na- tive county. The father was a farmer and a wagoner. In 1820, he started with the family for Indiana, but en voyage the mother died at Chillicothe, Ohio. The father, disheartened, returned to his native state and resumed his former occupation until his marriage with Delilah Clayton, aunt of the famous states- man, John Clayton, and after a few years once more started for this state, eventually settling in White River township, Randolph county, where he rented land and cultivated it until his death in 1830, his second wife having pre- ceded him to the grave in 1828. The children born to the first marriage of the pioneer were four in number, and were named Margaret, John S., Noah and William, all deceased ex- cepting the captain and Noah; to the second marriage were born Samuel, of Farmland; Benedict, Rachael and Delilah, the last family all deceased.

Capt. William Burres, at the death of his mother, was cared for by his sister until he was nearly ten years of age, when he was

shifted about from stranger to stranger for a short time until he was bound out, late in 1830, to Henry E. Sample, a native of Ran- dolph county, but who the same year removed to LaFayette, Tippecanoe county, Ind .; there young Buress was apprenticed to a tanner, and in 1836 lost his left arm by the premature explosion of a piece of ordnance used in cele- brating the passage of an internal improvement bill. In March, 1838, he returned to Ran- dolph county, and for twelve or fourteen terms taught school, and performed such other tasks that offered, in order to make a living, in which he happily succeeded, as he had the pluck, and possessed the grit to forge his way forward through the world. In Green town- ship, Randolph county, Ind., he met and married Sarah A. Hester, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, and daughter of Peter and Sarah Hester, and to this union the following chil- dren were born: John, Richard, Benedict, Norris P., Georgiana, and Margaret, wife of W. W. Thornburg, of Farmland. But the mother of this family is now deceased. In August, 1862, Mr. Burres entered the United States service as a recruiting officer. His first act was to reconstruct company A, Eighty- fourth Indiana volunteer infantry, of which he was commissioned captain. The same fall he was ordered to Richmond, Wayne county, Ind., where he lay in camp a short time, and thence was sent to Cincinnati; thence to Kentucky; then to Mount Pleasant, W. Va., and then to Gallipolis, Ohio; then to Guayan- dotte, thence to Cassville, to the Big Sandy, and Nashville, Tenn., where he reported in September, 1863; thence to Franklin, and then to Triune, Tenn .; then to Chattanooga, to Rossville, and to Chickamanga, in which battle he was wounded by a gunshot through the left shoulder, which wound ended his military career until May, 1864, when he was placed on duty at Indianapolis, in charge of the Soldiers'

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home. His discharge was granted him at In- dianapolis in 1865, and he now receives a pen- sion of $24 per month for his invaluable serv- ices. In politics he is a republican; he was elected recorder of the county in 1852, and served eight years; he is a member of the Win- chester grand lodge, I. O. O. F., and holds a high position in the esteem of his fellow mem- bers, and of the community in general. He is quite comfortably situated as far as this world's possessions are concerned, owning 100 acres of valuable land in the township, but he possesses a richer and far more valuable estate in hold- ing the esteem of his fellow men.

Norris P. Burres, son of Capt. William Burres, a record of whom is given above, was born in Randolph county, Ind., July 6, 1852. He was reared in the village of Macksville, and was about ten years of age when his father came to Farmland. At the age of twenty he began life on his own account, clerk- ing, etc. January 13, 1880, he married Miss Emma Moorman, daughter of John A. Moor- man, whose record is given in full on another page. Norris P. Burres is a republican in politics, is an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Order of the Sons of Veterans, of which he is a past captain. A member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, he holds the respect of his neighbors and of the community at large.

R ALPH H. CLARK, the principal un- dertaker, embalmer and furniture dealer of Farmland, Randolph coun- ty, Ind., was born in Hamilton town- ship, Delaware county, Ind., December 16, 1861, and is a son of Robert and Fannie (Kemper) Clark, of whom mention is made in the Delaware department of this volume. Ralph H. Clark was brought up on the home farm, where he remained until nineteen years

of age, and then engaged in teaching school during the winter months for several years. In 1884 he became a clerk for Duncan Williams, now deceased, of Muncie, where he remained until 1887. Then, in partnership with his brother, Smith, then of Shideler, but now of Al- bany, he entered into general merchandising for five years; in 1892, in partnership with D. Williams, he conducted a wholesale fruit store in Muncie. In 1892 he settled in Farmland, where he has since carried on a successful fur- niture trade, and is also engaged in undertak- ing and embalming. October 15, 1887, Mr. Clark married, at Shideler, Susanna M. Mc- Cormick, born in Delaware county, Ind., in 1867. This union has been blessed with one child-Roy Wallace, born November 19, 1891. Mr. Clark is a republican in politics, and fra- ternally a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, lodge No. 79. He is regarded by his neighbors as honest in his dealings, and has been a good and trustworthy citizen.

LPHEUS W. CONYERS, the leading dealer in hay at Farmland, Randolph county, Ind., was born at Economy, Wayne county, Ind., July 12, 1845, the son of Asahel and Mary (Mills) Conyers, natives of Tennessee and Pennsylvania, respec- tively, but married in Wayne county, Ind. Asahel worked at blacksmithing until 1850, in Wayne county, and then came to Randolph county and bought a farm of 120 acres in West River township, and engaged in farming and stock raising, in which pursuits he has been most successful. He and wife have had born to them twelve children, viz: John L., deceased; Austin F., Elizabeth, Moses, de- ceased: Alpheus W., Phebe A., Oliver, James and Mary, deceased; Ursula, Louisa and Jona- than. The parents are members of the

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United Brethren church, and in politics the father is a republican.

Alphens W. Conyers was reared on the home farm in Randolph county, received a sound common school education, and remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, when he enlisted, August 4, 1863, in company B, Seventh Indiana volunteer cavalry, and served in the sixteenth corps, receiving an honorable discharge at Cairo, Ill., November 17, 1865. He participated in the battles of Okalona and Guntown, Miss .; White Station, and Jackson, Tenn .; Iva Farm, Miss .; Fort Pillow, Tenn., and numerous smaller engage- ments and skirmishes, and now draws a pen- sion of $17 per month for disabilities incurred while in the service. On his return from the war he engaged in farming and general labor until 1867, and then followed carpentering until 1878, when he bought a farm in West River township, which he cultivated until 1891, when he moved to Farmland, and en- gaged in buying and shipping hay, handling about 235 carloads the past year-each load averaging eleven tons. He buys all he can obtain and then bales and ships, employing several assistants.

Mr. Conyers was married in West River township, August 8, 1868, to Miss Martha A. Starbuck, daughter of William and Louisa (Davisson) Starbuck, born in Randolph county, Ind., November 17, 1853. The father of this lady was born in Virginia, end the mother in diana. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Con- yers have been born six children, viz .: Lewis and Laura, twins; Marion; Austin, deceased; Mary Esta and Harrison. Mr Conyers is a stanch republican and a member of the G. A. R., as well as of the I. O. R. M. He is strictly honest in all his business transactions, his integrity has never been impugned, and he holds a high position in the estimation of the community.

ASHINGTON CORTNER, a suc- cessful farmer and stock raiser, of Monroe township, Randolph county, Ind., comes from the Buckeye state, having been born in Darke county, January 31, 1839 He was reared on his father's farm and remained at home until his marriage, April 4, 1860, to Huldah, daughter of William and Mary A. (Dungan) Bradrick, who were married February 28, 1836, and had born to them a family of ten children, named as fol- lows: Elizabeth, William R., Catherine, Hul- dah, Benjamin F., Amanda A., Mary, Mahlon, Sylvester M. and John W. The mother of these bade farwell to earth March 2, 1887, and her mortal remains lie interred in the Macks- ville cemetery. The aged father survives, and, as did his deceased wife, enjoys the consolation of an abiding faith in the tenets of the Method- ist church.

After his marriage, Washington Cortner resided on a farm in Darke county, Ohio, for three years, and then came to Monroe town- ship, where he owned an eighty-acre farm, all wooded. Here he built his cabin, cleared off the timber, and wrought out from the wilder- ness a model farm. and after a residence of ten years in the original and primitive cabin erected a fine frame dwelling and aded to his farm 110 acres, and added again, until he now owns 430 acres, all well improved, and all the result of his industry and enterprise, he hav- ing had only $500 on the start. His educa- tion in early life was somewhat limited, but he was quick to learn and was enabled, in his early days, to teach two terms of school, and this disciplinarian process has given him great aid in attaining his present comfortable condi- tion. In addition to his farming, he largely handles live stock, making a specialty of thoroughbred cattle. He also is a stockholder in the Elkhorn Gas & Oil company. He has been munificent in his contributions to school

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and church enterprises, having contributed $100 to the Meriom college, and equally large sums to the various church edifices of his town- ship and to the pikes. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cortner were named as follows: Noah F., deceased; Ezra L .; Alice Jane, wife of Henry Courtner; William H .; Rosella, wife of Wm. Bosworth; Jesse and Herbert.

S AMUEL M. COUGILL, of Monroe township, Randolph county, Ind., comes from an old English family, his great-grandfather having come to Pennsylvania in the days of William Penn, and there died. The father was born in Vir- ginia, and thence moved to Ohio, where he married; thence he came to Indiana and locat- ed on a farm in Wayne county, in 1832; lived there until 1854, and then came to Randolph county and settled on a farm in Monroe town- ship. Samuel M. Cougill was born in Wayne county, Ind., February 15, 1846. His father, Robert Cougill, was born in 1812; was taken by his parents to Ohio when a boy, and there married Eliza Tunes. For four or five years they lived on a farm in Ohio, and then re- moved to Wayne county, Ind., and for several years lived on rented land, and then came to Monroe township, Randolph county, and pur- chased a tract of 200 acres of wild land, erected a log cabin and cleared up a farm. For twenty-seven consecutive winters Robert Cougill taught school, and four years was township trustee, as well as justice of the peace for a period of four years. He was a very influential man in the community, was a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He and his wife were parents of nine children, named as follows: A. F., Emily, George W., Samuel M., Filin- da, Lewis, Cornelia, Lemon and Alfred.

Samuel M. Cougill was reared in Wayne

county, Ind., until seven years of age, when he was brought to Monroe township by his parents, who brought him up on the farm until he reached his majority. He then worked on a farın in Illinois one summer, then returned home, and April 3, 1869, married Miss Eliza, ! daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Craig)

- - Meeks. The young couple settled on a farm of 120 acres, part of which was presented by - the father of the bride. Mr. Cougill has since then purchased eighty additional acres in Green township, and now has all in a fine state of cultivation. To Mr. and Mrs. Cougill have been born five children, viz: Harvey F., married to Gertrude Bond; Lona, wife of Will- iam Tharp; Roby Arthur, Myrtle and Chester, the last named deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cougill are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is an Odd Fellow in good standing; he has been superintendent of the Sunday school for four years, and has always so lived as to gain the respect of all with whom he has come in contact. He is a shrewd busi- ness man, and was one of the organizers of the Farmers & Citizens' bank at Farmland, and is one of the largest stockholders, as well as one of the directors. No family in the county stand higher in the community than that of Mr. Cougill, and none more deservedly.

S TRODER CRAIG was born in Fay- ette county, Ohio, August 26, 1842, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Evans) Craig. The father was born in New Jersey, February 1, 1813. John's . parents moved to Highland county, Ohio, in 1816. and settled in the woods, but the father -grandfather of our subject-lived only a short time, and, after his death, the mother, being in limited circumstances, began "work- . ing out" for a livelihood. She followed this arduous life until the father of our subject was

LEWIS N. DAVIS, M. D.

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married, when she came and made a part of his household. She remained with him until her death, which occurred in July, 1836, ever finding him an affectionate and dutiful son. The father, John Craig, was bound out to a man by the name of James Wilson, with whom he was to remain until he was eighteen years of age, and on November 23, 1833, two years after he had served his indentures, he was married in Washington, Fayette county, Ohio, by Samuel Yoeman. He remained in this county a number of years, working at this trade, which was shoemaking, and in Septem- ber, 1845, he moved to Randolph county, near the present town of Farmland, where he plied his trade evenings and rainy days, devoting the fair weather to farming, he having traded his former home for eighty acres of land in Randolph county. On this he built his log cabin home, and settled down to the arduous work of a pioneer. After several years he sold this farm and purchased eighty acres of Bennett King, on which he built a small frame house and again began life anew in the woods. Here lived and toiled for seventeen years, and then purchased three acres one mile east of Rohoboth church, where he lived until he was called away from earthly work, June 28, 1890. He had been a very success- ful man and at one time owned 240 acres of land. He was a man of sterling worth and respected and loved by all who knew him. By his thrift and good management he was in a condition to give his children substantial aid in their start in life. He was a republican in politics, and both father and mother were members of the Methodist church.

Stroder Craig became a resident of Ran- dolph county when he was but three years of age, and his life until manhood was spent on the farm. When he reached his majority, he began his career in earnest for himself. In the spring following he went to Illinois, remaining

there until after harvest, when he returned home, and in the fall was married to Miss Mary A. McCamy, the daughter of Mr. Alfred and Mrs. Anna (Hammers) McCamy. The mar- riage occurred October 1, 1864. Mrs. Craig's parents were from Muskingum county, Ohio. Her father was born May 1, 1813, was married in his native state and later came to Randolph county, Monroe township, where they reside, having moved on the farm of eighty acres given him by his wife's father. The farm was an unbroken piece of timber when he came there, and he built for himself a log house and pole stable and began to clear the land. Im- provements followed fast, and in 1882 the fine residence was built, which now constitutes a beautiful home. One hundred and twenty acres now make the farm, all of which is under good and paying improvements. Mr. Craig is a stalwart farmer and feels a just pride in his time-honored calling, and has helped to raise many a log cabin. He is an active member of the Methodist church. No stancher nor more loyal republican resides in the county than Mr. Craig, and his faith in the party is firm and unbounded. He has a good education and is a firm believer in the use of the spelling-book. His home is among the pleasantest in the place, with the refinements of a cultivated home life surrounding it. He is a man who justly merits respect, and it is willingly and freely accorded him and his by all who know them. The following children have blessed this happy union: Hattie, wlfe of James G. Stanley, who died Aprll 7, 1893; Laura, Ira H., Nora, Oscar, Rosa and Cora.

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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 119

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