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 121

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 121
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 121

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).

E. F. HALLIDAY.

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MONROE TOWNSHIP.

general mercantile business in Washington, Wayne county, and remained until 1852, when he removed to this county and settled in Macksville, where he again entered the dry goods business. He re- mained here until 1861, when he was elected to the office of county treasurer, and re-elected in 1863. After his term of four years as coun- ty treasurer expired, he purchased a piece of land (30 acres) adjoining Farmland, on which property he still resides. In addition to farming Mr. Halliday extensively engaged in buying and shipping all kinds of stock until 1890, when he retired. He was first elected to the office of county commissioner in the year of 1876, and held the office six years. As a county official, he served the people faithfully and honestly and retired from office with the universal judgment, "Well done, good and faithful servant." During his term as commissioner a county jail was erected at a cost of $35,000 and five excellent iron bridges at a cost of $20,000, besides many other acts of interest to the county. In the organization of the Farmers & Citizens' bank at Farmland, December 12, 1887, he became a stockholder, was its vice president two years, and has been a director from the beginning.

Mrs. Jane Ringo Halliday was born in Centerville, Wayne county, Ind., January 10, 1826, her parents being Kentuckians. She became the mother of seven children, who were born in the following order: Margaret, deceased; William R., of Lynn, Randolph coun- ty, Ind .; Waldo, of Bellevue, Ohio; Albert F., deceased; Flora R., wife of P. M. Bly, of Farmland; Charles F., assistant cashier of the Farmers' & Citizens' bank of Farmland, and George L. The loving mother of the family was summoned to her long home November 18, 1885, and her mortal part was interred in the cemetery at Macksville, Randolph county. December 7, 1886, Mr. Halliday took for his

second conjugal companion Lucinda Anderson, of Hollansburg, Darke county, Ohio, but from this union there has been no issue. Mr. and Mrs. Halliday are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and strictly follow its teach- ings. Mr. Halliday has been a Mason as well as an Odd Fellow since 1863. He is owner of a splendid farm of 300 acres in Randolph county, beside considerable town property, the greater part of which he has realized through his business sagacity and excellent manage- ment of his means. He has ever conducted himself with propriety, integrity and generos- ity toward his fellow men, and is one of Ran- dolph's most honorable citizens. The portrait of Mr. Halliday, an excellent likeness, will be found on an adjoining page.

a HARLES F. HALLIDAY, assistant cashier of the Farmers & Citizens' bank of Farmland, and son of Elias F. and Jane (Ringo) Halliday, whose sketch was given in full above, was born in Winchester, Randolph county, January II, 1862. He was educated in the schools of farm- land, and in 1886 took a commercial course at Dayton, Ohio, and then engaged as a claim agent in this state for two years; in 1888 he located permanently in Farmland, and in April of that year entered the Farmers & Citi- zens' bank as assistant cashier. He was mar- ried October 22, 1891, in Delaware county, Ind., to Miss Sarah L. Jones, born in Rantoul, Ill., March 28, 1869, and daughter of W. W. and Rebecca (Meeks) Jones. Mr. Halliday is one of the rising young men of the township, and is highly esteemed for his obliging cour- tesy to the patrons of the bank, and for his affability in social circles. He has been an Odd Fellow since 1887, and in politics is a re- publican.

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BRAHAM HAMMERS, a prominent farmer of Monroe township, Ran- dolph county, Ind., was born in Green county, Pa., November 14, 1817, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Fry) Hammers. Peter Hammers was also born and reared in Pennsylvania, and was of English descent, his father, however, having been a captain in the patriot army of the Revolution. The vener- able warrior lived to be ninety-six years of age, and died in Virginia in 1829, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1805. Peter Hammers was a tanner, and in 1827 moved to Licking county, Ohio, remained there nine years, then traded his farm and came to Indiana, and resided here one summer, and then returned to Ohio, where he died in 1838. Abraham Hammers was reared on the home farm, on which he remained until the death of his mother, which also occurred in 1838, and then, at the age of nineteen, came to Monroe township, where his father owned 160 acres; he bought out the interest of the other eight heirs, built a log cabin, and married Nancy Harbour, daughter of Elijah and Rhoda (Capps) Harbour, who were the parents of eight children, viz: Sarah, Thomas, Mary, Dempsey, Nancy, Rhoda, Elizabeth and Elijah.

Mr. Hammers first located on the farm on which he still resides, surrounded with his family of five children, enjoying the peace and plenty his early labor and industry have won for him. His children were named as follows: Elijah, Elizabeth, wife of James Richwine; Preston, William B., deceased, and Nancy, wife of Hamilton Pursley, whose sketch ap- pears on another page. Mrs. Nancy Hammers was laid to rest April 24, 1892, in the Macks- ville cemetery. Mr. Hammers has been a most useful citizen and is deservedly respected by his neighbors. He has helped to build all the pikes in the township and surrounding county, and has served several terms as town-

ship supervisor. He has given comfort to his neighbors for thirty years as a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church, and he has distributed among his children, from his 440 acres, eighty acres each to the sons and forty acres to Mrs. Pursley, and also helped the ! - other daughters. He is a self-made man and has earned all that he possesses, although the value of hfs own labor would not exceed $300. But he was far-seeing and shrewd, and well knew how to manage his capital as he came into possession of it. His course in life has been most exemplary, and it is well worthy the emulation of the younger members of the com- munity.

INFIELD SCOTT HIATT, a pros- perous and skilfful young farmer, of Monroe township, Randolph county, Ind., which is the place of his na-» tivity, was born December 15, 1860. His par- ents, Jesse and Louisa (Stanley) Hiatt, are also natives of Randolph county, and are pa- rents of two children-Etna, wife of Charles Hiatt, and Winfield Scott. The latter was reared on the home farm, and lived with his - parents until his marriage, in 1885, to Miss Maggie, daughter of David and Adeline (Thompson) Burton, of English extraction. Her paternal grandfather came from Virginia, ! and her parents resided on a farm near Indian- apolis, her father being a farmer und also a; miller. Mr. and Mrs. Burton had born to. them the following children: Mattie, wife of Charles Wetzel; Mollie, deceased; Charles, . deceased; Maggie (Mrs. Hiatt); Rosa, married to Ollie Painter; Parton and Lottie. The mother of this family was called away in 1874, and her mortal remains rest near Leesburg,; Highland county, Ohio; she, like her husband, was a member of the Society of Friends. After marriage Mr. Hiatt located on his farm

ABRAHAM HAMMERS.

MRS. ABRAHAM HAMMERS.

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MONROE TOWNSIIIP.

of sixty acres in Monroe township, Randolph county, Ind., and here he still resides. He has managed it most scientifically and made a model of it. Everything is neat, snug and cozy, and Mr. Hiatt has accumulated his prop- erty by his own industry and practical knowl- edge of his vocation. He is in fact a self- made man; has led a temperate and upright life, and has adhered faithfully to the teach- ings of the Society of Friends, of which he and wife are members. Their three children are named Earnest E., Chester and Stanley, and the family are regarded with much respect by the members of the community.

EVI H. KARNS, a prominent and entirely wide awake citizen of Parker, is a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, and first saw the light of day November 7, 1841. He was the oldest of a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, born to Thomas and Phebe (Cham- bers) Karns, natives of Pennsylvania and Maine, and of German and English extraction respectively. The paternal grandfather was a farmer and spent his life in his native state (Pennsylvania), rearing a family of four sons and two daughters. The maternal grand- mother spent the greater part of her life in Mill Creek, near Cincinnati, and was the mother of six children, three sons and three daughters. Mrs. Thomas Karns was the second child born in the family and spent her early girlhood in Ohio, where, in 1840, she was married to Mr. Karns. He was a black- smith by trade. In the year of 1854 he moved with his family to Randolph county, Ind., locating six miles northwest of Win- chester, where he purchased land and built a log cabin in the woods and a log blacksmith shop. He began life with but limited means,

but in plying his excellent trade during his en- tire lifetime he became a well-to-do fore- handed man. He was a man of robust con- stitution and well adapted to follow his ardu- ous profession. He was an excellent workman and manufactured plows and all kinds of farm implements. In politics he was a democrat until the late war broke out, after which he voted the republican ticket. His connection with a religions society was that of the Ger- man Lutheran, of which he was a faithful member. He died in 1888, after a long and useful life. His age at the time of his death was seventy-two years, five months and four days. His wife was a member of the United Brethren church, and was an exemplary mem- ber of this organization.

Levi H. Karns' early boyhood was spent in his native county, and at the age of thirteen years he came with his parents to Randolph county, where he finished a scanty education, such as the common-schools afforded at that time. His early training led him to industry and economy. He worked in the blacksmith shop with his father, and in time became a proficient workman. After leaving the shop he worked for a time as a farm hand, and at- tended school and assisted in teaching, and also gave frequent assistance to his father at the forge. In 1861 he enlisted, and was re- jected, but August 13, 1863, he again enlisted, his company being H, Eighty-fourth Indiana volunteer infantry, the time being for three years or during the war. He was mustered into service at Richmond, with George H. Carter as his captain. His first soldier duty was at Covington, Ky., to hold Gen. Kirby Smith in check, and later went to West Vir- ginia, having two skirmishes. He was then tranferred down the Ohio by the Cumberland, arriving in time to take a part in the famous battle of Fort Donelson, and then on to Nash- ville, his command pulling the Confederate

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RANDOLPH COUNTY :

flag from the state house and planting the stars and stripes in its place. He afterwards participated in many battles, and proved him- self a brave and valiant soldier. His record is one of of honor and heroism, and the name of Private Karns is one well remembered by his veteran fellow soldiers and spoken with praise by all who know him. He was loyal to his country, and no greater meed can be given. Private Karns acted as non-commissioned officer on detached service, and was placed in a hospital in Nashville, stricken with typhoid pneumonia. He received his discharge July 5, 1865.

Thomas K. Karns, brother of Levi H., was a member of company C, Ninth regiment In- diana volunteer infantry. He was taken pris- oner at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., and imprisoned at Andersonville, Ga., where he was nearly starved to death. With others he was paroled and went to Vicksburg, Miss., and with hundreds of his emaciated comrades was loaded on the Sultana to be sent home, but lost his life in the blow up of said steamer. L. H. Karns had the honor of bearing the stars and stripes, heavily draped, on the recep- tion of Abraham Lincoln's corpse at Indian- apolis, Ind., bearing the first flag in the line of march, and first through the state house, and has the flag-staff sheath in his possession, well preserved as a relic of the memorable times.

Levi H. Karns, after his discharge from the army, returned to Winchester, and a short time afterward was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Fertich of Delaware county, Ind. Miss Fertich was a native of Pennsyl- vania and was born May 26, 1843, and was the daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Fertich, both parents being of German extraction. After his marriage Private Karns worked at his trade in Winchester a year and then located at Trenton, Blackford county, Ind., and six

years later located at Parker, Randolph county, then known as Morristown, at which place he engaged in the drug trade and con- tinued in this business also for six years, when he sold out to recuperate his health, which had been impaired by his army experience. He then traveled for a time with a notion wagon, but at the expiration of two years abandoned this occupation, sold his outfit and engaged in the manufacture of harness, but later abandoned the manufacture and handled ready made work and farm implements, and soon established an extensive trade at Parker, with an office at Windsor. Mr. Karns also acts as notary public and is now holding his fifth commission, and for the past eleven years has acted as claim attorney and has been especially successful in getting claims allowed. Politically he is a republican-one of the growing, progressive kind of men, who keep abreast of the admistrative policies of the day. His family belong to the Society of Friends. Eight children have been born to him, six sons and two daughters.

A DAM KEEVER, a prominent resident of Monroe township, Randolph coun- ty, Ind , was born in Preble county, Ohio, December 4, 1827. He is the son of Adam and Mary (Fudge) Keever. His great-grandparents on his father's side came from Germany, and on his mother's from England. His grandfather and grandmother both came to Ohio from Pennsylvania and there -

married, and were the parents of ten children, one of whom was the father of our subject. Adam, the father, was reared to manhood on the farm and was married at Lebanon and then located in Preble county, where he pur- chased a farm of 140 acres in the wilderness. He erected his log cabin and made the custom-

ADAM KEEVER.

MRS. ADAM KEEVER.

C. W. LEWIS.

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MONROE TOWNSHIP.

ary provisions for living the life of a pioneer. In March, 1839, he left Preble county and came to Delaware county, Ind., near Albany, and made an entry of 200 acres of government land, and again started anew in the woods. Twelve children were born to the father, all of whom were reared to maturity. The names of the living are as follows: Sarah, wife of John Alexander; Rachel, wife of Hiram Danes; Eliza, wife of John Isenhart; Daniel, a farmer; Cynthia, wife of John Burdon; George, a farmer; Adam, the subject of this biography.

The mother of these children died in 1829, and was buried in Preble county. The father remained single for a period of two years, and was then united in marriage to Mary Holly. In this second marriage four children were born-Nancy, wife of John Hobbs; Martha, wife of Jerry Westley; Mary, deceased, and Lucas, killed in the war of the rebellion. The father spent the greater portion of his days after coming to Indiana in Delaware county, and the last six years of his life were passed with his son Adam. He passed away in the fall of 1873, his remains being interred in the Fairfield cemetery. The second wife died in 1863, and was laid to rest in the same place. However, the father married a third time, in 1865, but his wife survived only two years, dying in 1867, and was buried beside the other two. The father was a hard working indus- trious man, and was universally respected.

Adam, one of the four generations, was reared on the farm, with no advantages of ed- ucation. He was put to the wheel almost in his infancy, and remained at home until he ar- rived at his majority, after which, for four or five years, he "worked out" by the month as a farm hand. When twenty-five years of age he was married to Miss Martha Jonakin, daughter of Eli and Mary Jonakin. He then located on the tract of land-140 acres- which his father gave him. This was in a

complete state of nature, the primitive forests still standing. For fifteen years he lived in his rude log cabin, at the end of which time he built his present house which marks his early home. As a keepsake he still holds the 140 acres given him by his father, and it is now a fine and handsomely improved farm. Six children were born to him and his estima- ble help mate: Eliza J., wife of Will Wallace; John, deceased; Frank, a farmer;Anna, wife of Ed Morrill; Sigle, a farmer, and Miss Nina. The wife and mother was laid to rest in May, 1891, in the Macksville cemetery. The father, one son and one daughter still live in the old home- stead to keep the latch-string out to many of their warm and appreciative friends. Here they may be found enjoying life, with the con- sciousness that their enjoyment was justly earned. The family are members of the Methodist church, and the father and son re- publican in politics. The family are all held in the highest respect by the community of the township, and none are more deserving of the estimation which is accorded them.

J OHN R. LUMPKIN, the well known agricultural implement dealer and gen- eral merchant of Farmland, Randolph county, Ind., was born five miles north of Hagerstown, Wayne county, Ind., June I, 1833, and is a son of James and Sarah E. (Thornburg) Lumpkin. James Lumpkin was born in Virginia, was taken to Knox county . when a lad, there grew to manhood, and served as drum-major in the war of 1812. In 1830 he came to Indiana and purchased a farm in Wayne county, in which he and wife prssed the remainder of their days. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Nancy, William, Charity, Robert, Mary J., John R., Rufus, Silas and Dempsey O. The parents were pious Baptists, and Mr. Lumpkin

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was noted far and wide for his benevolence. In politics he was a republican.

John R. Lumpkin, at the age of sixteen, left the home farm and served an apprentice- ship of two and a half years at saddle and harnessmaking in Hagerstown, at the end of which time he bought a half interest in the shop of his preceptor, but retained his inter- ests six months only, when he moved to Dalton, Wayne county, and engaged in business there for a year and a half; then sold and went to Economy, acted as foreman for three years, and then returned to the home farm, where he remained six years; next he engaged a season in the stock trade; then sold agricultural im- plements two years; then was in the general merchandise business at Goodview for six years; then again sold agricultural implements for two years; then bought a farm of 100 acres in West River township, which he cultivated sixteen years, adding a tract of 163 acres to the original purchase. In 1889, he settled in Farmland and engaged in his present business, of which he has made a thorough success. He also owns a half interest in the grain ele- vator at Farmland.

The marriage of Mr. Lumpkin took place at Hagerstown, Ind., October 6, 1853, to Sarah E. Ruggles, of Wayne county, Ind., daughter of Silas and Elizabeth A. (Davidson) Ruggles, early pioneers of Wayne county. Five children have come to bless this marriage, all of whom, saveone, lived tocomfort the par- ents. They were born in the following order: Lily B., wife of Addison Bodkin, of Delaware county; Monroe, deceased; James, of Farm- land; Ella, wife of C. C. Mills, of Losantville; and Alice, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Lumpkin are consistent in their membership of the Methodist Episcopal church; and in politics he is a republican. He has been a Mason since 1856, and is regarded as strictly upright in all his dealings.

W. LEWIS was born in Wayne county, Ind., on the 19th of May, 1818, and is the son of Richard and Levina (Wall) Lewis. His father, Capt. Richard Lewis, was a native of North Carolina, and was an officer in the war of 1812, in which he served valiantly and with honor. After his return from the war, he settled on a farm in Wayne county, where he owned a large tract of land on which he spent the re- mainder of his days. He died in 1819 and the mother in 1843, both ripe in years. They were parents of nine children, whose names follow: Emma, deceased; Lucinda, wife of William Richter; Willis, a farmer; John, a farmer; Richard, deceased; Lavina, deceased; C. A., our subject; Mary, wife of Aaron Har- ris; Eliza, wife of Joseph Cranor. The parents of these children came to the country at an early day, purchasing a large tract of land-nearly 1,000 acres-at $1.25 per acre, which, with time and improvement, increased -

in value until they became one of the wealthi- est families in the county. After the death of Richard Lewis, the boy, then but six years old, was brought to Randolph county, and' bound to Mr. James Clayton, with whom he was to remain until he arrived at majority. At the age of twenty-six, he was united in marriage to Miss Jane E. Neely, daughter of Moses and Jane E. (Smith) Neely. Miss! Neely's parents moved from Adams county,, Pa., to Carlisle, Ohio, but in 1838 they; again moved, this time to Randolph county,; Ind. Here they settled on a farm and raised their family, which consisted of nine children, whose names are as follows: Mary, Thomas,. James, George, Jane E., William, Martha, Moses and Charlotte. After his marriage C., A. Lewis settled on a farm of 160 acres in Randolph county, where he lived until the fall of 1876. Six children blessed this happy union: Thomas, a farmer; Serilda, wife of

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MONROE TOWNSHIP.

R. A. Leavel, of Chicago, in the railroad serv- ice; Charlotte, wife of Thomas Taylor; Will- iam, deceased; Moses, deceased, and Salina, wife of Benjamin Addington. The mother of these children died in the fall of 1876, and was laid torest in the Macksville cemetery. The bereaved husband then left his farm and moved to Farmland, where for a short time he engaged in the livery business, and later en- gaged in the boot and shoe business for two years. At the expiration of this period he was married to Mrs. Spence, after which he re- turned to his farm, which he to-day occupies with the peace and plenty, and refinement of country life surrounding him. His early home was the usual log cabin of the pioneer, but by hard work, good management, and executive ability, he has succeeded to a handsome com- petence. At one time he was the owner of 240 acres of land, and after liberally helping his children to a start in the world, he has a farm of 100 acres left, well improved, and a comfortable and pleasant home. Mr. Lewis served as constable one term and made an able and efficient officer. He and wife are active members of the Christian church, and both are stanch republicans. The Lewis family are well and favorably known through- out the country, and are held in the highest respect by all who know them.

EWIS B. McGUIRE, son of Thomas R. McGuire, whose sketch appears in full below, was born in Stearns count , Minn., November 26, 1866. He received an excellent education, on com- ing to Randolph county, Ind., with his parents, early fitted himself for the profession of a teacher, and when he found himself fully quali- fied for the profession, began teaching in White River township, Randolph county, meeting

with such approbation that he followed the vocation for six consecutive terms. His next occupation was that of handling nursery stock for the Spring Hill Nursery company, of Tadmor, Ohio, which business has proved so pleasant and profitable that he still pur- sues it.

Mr. McGuire stands very high in the regard of the residents of Monroe township, is an Odd Fellow, and has his degree in the encampment, and that of Rebecca. He is also a member of Winchester camp, No. 44, of the Sons of Veterans. In politics he is a republican.

Thomas R. McGuire, retired farmer of Farmland, Randolph county, Ind., was born in Macksville May 12, 1833. His parents were Samuel and Eunice (Burns) McGuire, who were among the first settlers of Randolph county. Samuel McGuire was a native of North Carolina, and was a son of Michael McGuire, whose father was born in Ireland. Samuel was a shoemaker by trade, and died in Macksville in 1868. Mrs. Eunice McGuire was born in New York, and was a daughter of Jacob Burns, who was of Scotch descent. This lady died May 7, 1890, the mother of ten children.

Thomas R. McGuire, the eldest child born to his parents, at the age of sixteen began to learn blacksmithing, and followed that trade for five years. December 25, 1853, he mar- ried Maria Driver, who bore her husband twelve children, viz: William R, born May 10, 1856; Samuel, born September 19, 1858; James A., born July 2, 1861; Daniel S., born October 3, 1865; U. S., October 3, 1865, the latter two being twins; Lewis B., November 29, 1866; Anna Mary (Mrs. Rinard), Decem- ber 3, 1868; Sarah Ellen, January 26, 1871; Martha Jane, January 6, 1875, and three that died in infancy. In 1855, Mr. McGuire and bride removed to Cooper county, Mo., and engaged in farming until the war of the rebellion

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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 121

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