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 125

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 125
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 125

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).

W. C. WEST.

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MONROE TOWNSHIP.

volunteer infantry, in which service he died, at Nashville, Tenn., of typhoid pneumonia April 10, 1863. Mrs. Margaret J. West was born in Fayette county, Ohio, was married in 1848, and became the mother of three children, viz: William C., Rachel C. and Erastus S. This lady now resides with her younger son in Jay county.

W. C West received the greater part of his schooling at the old seminary of Winchester before he had reached his fourteenth birthday. In 1863 he entered the Winchester Journal office, but a few months later went to Union City, and was employed in the office of the Eagle until December, 1864, when he enlisted in company A, One Hundred and Forty-sev- enty Indiana volunteer infantry, in which he served until mustered out at Indianapolis, Au- gust 4, 1865. In that city he again went under instruction, and finished his trade as a printer -although he added to his knowledge thereof by a short service in a book and job office in Louisville, Ky. From 1871 to 1873 he served as deputy sheriff of Marion county, and in May of the latter year was elected marshal of In- dianapolis, a position he held for two years. For the next two years he was superintendent of repairs of United States mail bags; in 1879 he was appointed to the railway mail service, and in this employment was engaged two and a half years. In 1883 he established, at In- dianapolis, the Grand Army Guard, the best and only paper published in the interest of sol- diers in the west, but after a few months sold the paper and its name was changed to that of the Indiana Tribune, which is still published. Next he was employed on the Warren News for a year, and for the two years following con- ducted a hotel at Montpelier. In the spring of 1888 he established the Enterprise at Farm- land, the first number of which appeared May 4th, of that year. This journal is newsy, spicy, and possesses the essential qualities of

being a faithful chronicler of local events, and Mr. West, in its conduct, has certainly mani- fested his ability as a journalist.

The marriage of W, C. West took place at Indianapolis, November 18, 1868, to Miss Fannie R. Fulmer, who was born in Steuben- ville, Ohio, June 7, 1849, the daughter of Frederick and Mary (Bowman) Fulmer. This union has resulted in the birth of two children: Wilbur Claude, deceased, and Fred C. Mrs. West is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is highly respected by all who know her. Mr. West is a member of the I. O. O. F. and in politics a republican.

ILLIAM W. WILSON, the reliable and popular carriage manufacturer and custom blacksmith of Farm- land, Randolph county, was born in Wayne county, Ind., September 2, 1842. His father, Joseph Wilson, was born in North Carolina in 1800, and on coming to Indiana located in Wayne county, where he was en- gaged in the manufacture of hats, as well as at other towns; in 1843, he went to Hollansburg, Ohio, and there followed his trade until his death in 1849. He married Susan A. Ballard, who bore them three children, viz: James, Elizabeth and William W. At the death of Mr. Wilson, Mrs. Wilson was married to J. F. Wilcox, of Hollansburg, with whom she passed the years until her death, December 31, 1884. William W. Wilson, it will be seen, was but a lad of six years of age when he lost his father, and he was, in consequence, bound out until fourteen years old, to H. Harrison, of Hol- lansburg. From fourteen to eighteen he worked out by the month, and then, October 18, 1861, enlisted for three years in company E, Sixty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, but served until 1865, having re-enlisted in the same company February 22, 1864. He had

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been assigned to the army of the Cumberland and was wounded in the neck, at Stone River, and in the right arm at Bentonville, N. C. An honorable discharge was given him in July, 1865, after having participated in twenty- three heated engagements. He was with Sherman at Atlanta and through the entire Georgia campaign, marching all the way around to Washington at its close.

Although twice wounded he was never in a hospital and never rode a mile in an ambulance. Returning to Hollandsburg in August, 1865, he was employed at blacksmithing until March 27, 1866, when he came to Farmland, Ind., and engaged in custom blacksmithing until 1883, when he also embarked in the manufacture of carriages. His shop is eighteen by thirty-six feet in size and two stories in height, and the blacksmith department is thirty by forty feet in area. Six skilled assistants are regu- larly employed and every article leaving the establishment is guaranteed to give entire satisfaction. About twenty-five new rigs are turned out annually, and the iron work on about twenty-five new farm wagons is done at the same time. Mr. Wilson was married May 18, 1867, to Miss Melcina Shaw, born at Cardington, Ohio, and daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Ashville) Shaw. Mr. Wilson is a republican, and has been president of the school board for ten years, and a member of the town council for two years. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and recognized as one of the substantial citizens of the town and county, and one in whom any community might take just pride.

RS. MARGARET C. WOOD, wid- ow of William H. Wood, is the daughter of Moses and Mary J. (Jameson) Mark. W. H. Wood was born in Ross county, Ohio, October 28,

1835, the son of James E. and Hester A. (Rhoeten) Wood, and was but one year old, when brought to Randolph county, Ind., by his parents. The father entered a farm of 240 acres in Monroe township, erected a log cabin, and here resided until his death in 1862, the mother following in 1863. They were the parents of seven children, viz: W. H., Nathan, George, Sylvester, James E. (killed in battle at Stone River), Nancy and Rebecca. William H. Wood remained on the home farm until he was married, Novemher 10, 1859, to Miss Margaret Catherine Mark, the lady whose name opens this sketch. Her father, Moses Mark, was also born in Ross county, Ohio, and was a child when brought to Randolph county, Ind., by his parents.

Her mother, Mary J. Jameson, was born in Baltimore, Md. They were married in Ross county, Ohio, and the father entered 160 acres of land, on which they lived ten years, after which the father was engaged in preach- ing in the Methodist Episcopal church for fifteen years, then returned to the farm and cultivated it for another period of fifteen years, when he sold and went to Edgar coun- ty, Ills., where he passed the remainder of his days in the ministry. The mother was laid to rest in 1880, on May 30, in Mount Pleas- ant cemetery, and the father subsequently married Harriet Blair, a Kentucky lady, with

whom he lived until his death, in 1891. .

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Wood, they went to house-keeping in a rented log cabin, in which they lived two years; they then went to the home of Mr. Wood's parents, Mr. Wood buying out the other heirs by degrees. By industry and good management he succeeded not only in his ef- fort, but also in increasing the farm to 500 acres, which he improved to an extraordinary degree. Mr. Wood was very popular in the township, and for six years served his fellow-

----

W. H. WOOD.

MRS. MARGARET C. WOOD.

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MONROE TOWNSHIP.

townsmen as assessor, and also was a school teacher for six years; he was a member of the I. O. O. F., and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Wood had born to them four children, viz. : Oscar M., born November 15, 1850, a farmer; Harvey, born June 14, 1863, deceased; Carrie A., born January 21, 1868, wife of Lee Driver, and Emma O., born February 3, 1876. At his death, which occurred May 23, 1885, Mr. Wood willed his property to his three surviving children in the following proportion: To the eldest, 100 acres; to the next, 110; to the youngest, 160 acres; thus, leaving a residue to the widow of 130 acres of well improved land, and placing her in most comfortable circumstances. Mr. Wood was an affectionate husband and father, a useful citizen, and a good neighbor, respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Wood, as was her husband, is a consistent member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.

ATHAN WOOD, son of James and Hester (Rhoeten) Wood, was born in Monroe township, Randolph county, Ind., November 13, 1838, and was reared on the home farm. Here he resided with his parents until his marriage, March 28, 1861, to Margaret, daughter of John and Eliza (Keever) Isenhart, who were of German de- scent, and came from Preble county, Ohio, to Green township, Randolph county, Ind., and entered eighty acres of land, which they cleared up, and on which they built a log cabin. The father was a farmer. They were the parents of eight children, viz: Sarah, George, Pris- cilla, Abigail, Eliza, Rebecca, Martin and Margaret. The father died in 1885, and the mother in 1887, and both were laid to rest in Strong cemetery, in Delaware county. They were both members of the New Light church, and were highly respected by their neighbors.

Nathan Wood, after his marriage, settled on an eighty acre farm given him by his father. The land was in a wild state, but he put up a log cabin, cleared the land, and in three years added another tract of eighty acres, and then erected a handsome residence. The land is now all cleared, and the farm is one of the best in the country. To this property he has added three other tracts, eighty acres each, in Green township, making a total of 500 acres. To the marriage of Nathan and Margaret Wood have been born the following children, viz: Flora, wife of Henry Adams, of Red Key; Elmer, a farmer; Estella, wife of Lorin Adams; Charles, a farmer; Orin, Rosa, and Marshall, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

EORGE W. WOOD, also a son of James E. and Hester (Rhoeten) Wood, was born in Monroe township, Randolph county, November 1I, 1847, and was reared on the home farm. November 14, 1868, he married Miss Lucinda, daughter of George and Mary (Hawkins) Read, of Greene county, Ohio, but who early came to Indiana and entered 300 acres of land in Jay county, on which they lived for several years, and then returned to Ohio. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he a member of the I. O. O. F. Their five children were named: Otis, half-brother of Mrs. Wood: Evaline, Israel, Shank and Lu- cinda. After his marriage George W. Wood settled on the farm of sixty acres, that his father had given him, and later added twenty acres, and still later 120 acres, so that he now has a well improved farm of 200 acres, all, excepting the original tract, the result of his own industry, skill and economy, and good management. His marriage has been blessed

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by the birth of five children, viz: Nora B., Cora R., Harvey E., Morton H., and William A. Mr. Wood has an interest in a gas well located on his brother's farm, and his own farm is one of the best improved in the county. He and his wife are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and their upright walk through life make them greatly respected by all who come within the scope of their acquaintanceship.

J OHN F. WOOD, farmer, is a native of Maryland and was born in Calvert county, June 23, 1829. He is the eldest of four children, two sons and two daughters, born to William and Ann (Burkhead) Wood, both of whom were natives of Maryland. The parents were of English descent. The father was born in 1802 and was the son of William Wood, Sr., and Mary (Hutchins) Wood, the latter of whom was also a native of Maryland. Mrs. Ann (Burkhead) Wood, was the daughter of John and Sarah Burkhead. These two families were direct descendants of English stock, and our John F. Wood, in whose name this sketch is written, is the fourth generation in America. William Wood, Jr., was reared a farmer in his native state, and was married in 1828, two years later emigrating westward in a horse-cart, with but limited means to make for himself and family a home. He located in Ross county, Ohio, near Greenfield, where he cleared a small tract of woodland, and in 1836 he sold out, and, loading his goods and family into a wagon, again took up the march of empire- this time in company with his brother James, and his brother-in-law, George Burkhead, and upon arriving at Smithfield, Delaware county, Ind., they left their families and began look- ing for land. The "land hunters" found a

fine tract, just north of what is now Parker, and they immediately hurried to Fort Wayne and entered it-680 acres in all-in its native wildness. They then returned to Smithfield and cut a road to their new home, at which they arrived in October, 1836. Soon the log cabin was erected, and pioneer life began in earnest. Their nearest trading post was Mun- cie, to which they had only a trail to direct them. Mr. Wood was successful in making one of the best homes, where he raised his family. He added to his original plat of land only forty acres, making the handsome estate of 430 acres. In politics he was an old line whig; in religion a member of the Methodist church. He died in 1861, and Mrs. Wood in 1869. Both had lived good and exemplary lives, and were highly esteemed and greatly respected wherever known. In physique, Mr. Wood was of more than ordinary size, robust and stalwart, and a man of great endurance.

John F. Wood was only one year of age when his parents located in Ross county, Ohio, and seven on arrival in Randolph county, Ind., and lived his life on one of the best farms of Monroe township. Industry and frugality were among the early lessons taught him, and he received but a limited education at the pioneer school honse. He began life for him- self on a 160-acre tract of wild land, given him by his father, and commenced making a home by clearing away the dense forests. This tract is now one of the well improved farms of the township, and the record has only been changed from father to son.

John F. was married, in 1850, to Miss Mary Wirt, of this county. She was born in Highland county, Ohio, October 14, 1831, and was the daughter of Israel F. and Eliza- beth (Sprinkle) Wirt, both natives of Virginia. Mrs. Wood's parents came to Randolph county, Ind., in the year 1837. Mr. Wood's reminis- cences of early days are full of deep interest,

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MONROE TOWNSHIP.

and alone could form the base of a pleasant and profitable volume of reading. The first wheat was cut with a sickle and threshed with a flail, and cleaned with a sheet. He re- mained on his farm until 1892, when he moved to Farmland, where he owns a hand- some home and is enjoying the rest and leisure which he has so richly earned. He is the proud possessor of 350 acres of land, all of which is under the best improvement. In politics he is a republican, and there is no uncertain ring in the quality of his faith. He and his excellent wife are both members of the Methodist church. A large, old fashioned family have been born to them-twelve chil- dren in all, nine of whom are living, viz: Henry, grocer of Farmland, married to Melissa Ashwille; Wesley; Sarah E., (both dead); Elizabeth A., wife of Allen VanPelt; Marietta, wife of Oliver G. Smith; Eliza J., wife of William Stuck; Martha A., deceased; Lucinda, at home; Malleville, wife of George Horn; Cordelia, wife of Russel Branson; Norman L., married to Sarah Macy; Orvel, at home.

ENRY F. WOOD, the successful grocer merchant of Farmland, Mon- roe township, Randolph county, Ind., is a native of the township, and was born November 15, 1850. His parents, John F. and Mary F. (Wirt) Wood, were also natives of Monroe township, and are men- tioned more in the data above. While en- gaged in the usual farm duties that devolve upon the sons of the tillers of the soil, Henry F. Wood nevertheless had fair opportunities for an education, and attended the country and district schools and two terms of the Farm- land school. When fully prepared for the purpose at the age of nineteen he began teach- ing, and for several years alternated between

the school room and the farm, at the proper season. In 1878, he finally abandoned the farm and entered into the hardware trade at Farmland, which, with the exception of three years, he has since assiduously followed, in connection with which, however, he for four years actively engaged in shipping livestock. In 1889 he also opened a grocery, restaurant, and bakery, which he still controls and super- intends, Mr. Wood being one of the energetic and progressive men that cannot permit a business opportunity to present itself without availing himself of its salient and advantage- ous features. Mr. Wood has also been equally alert in the matrimonial field, and on the 4th of March, 1870, secured a life partner in the person of Miss Sarah Spillers, who has borne him two children, Ira C., a bookkeeper at Richmond, Ind., and Earl V., who is assisting his father. The mother, however, was called to a better land, September 25, 1881, and on May 9, 1883, Mr. Wood selected for his second partner in matrimony, Miss Melissa Ashwille, who was born in Ridgeville, Randolph county, Ind., August 9, 1859, the daughter James Ashwille, and this union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Ruby A. In politics Mr. Wood is a republican, and for twelve years has been an Odd Fellow, but it was not until 1891 that he was made a Mason. He is also a stockholder in the Progress Oil & Gas company.

EORGE W. WORL, township trus- tee of Monroe township, Randolph county, Ind., was born in Wayne county, Ind., August 30, 1836, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Daugherty) Worl. The father was born in Kentucky in 1805, and the mother in Greene county, Ohio, in 1813; they were married near College Cor- ner, Butler county, Ohio, in 1830, located in

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Wayne county, Ind., and there Robert Worl engaged in brick making until 1840, afterward moved to Miami county, engaged in brick making, and several years later started for California but died on the way in 1852. They were the parents of nine children, viz: Thomas E., Joseph, George W., William H. (killed in the battle of Peachtree Creek, Ga.), Lucinda, Henry, Marion, Melissa and Mary C. The parents were members of the Methodist chruch and led lives in accordance with its teachings. Mr. Worl was a whig in politics. He spent his money with a lavish hand but made it easy, being quite successful in business. He was a man of quick temper, but also a man of forgiv- ing nature and genial disposition.

George W. Worl was reared in the village of Peru, Miami county, Ind., until sixteen years of age, and later assisted in his father's brick yard until eighteen years old, when he found employment as boatman on the Wabash & Erie canal, between Vincennes and Toledo, for three years; next he became a porter in a hotel in Peru for two years, and next worked at farm labor and carpentering until 1858, when he commenced farming on rented land, and so continued until 1870, when he bought fifteen acres in Stony Creek township, Ran- dolph county, and by his industry was enabled to add to it until he owned forty acres, which he cultivated until his removal to Farmland, in 1884, since which time he has devoted his time to his duties as township trustee.

Mr. Worl was married July 19, 1857, in Delaware county, Ind., to Miss Lydia A. Ripley, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in August, 1841, and is a daughter of William and Minerva (Johnson) Ripley, na- tives of Maryland and Owens county, Ind., respectively. Their union was rewarded by the birth of four children, viz: Mary E., widow of John W. Clevenger; Emma A., wife of Al- fred Oren, of Farmland; William W., of

Richmond, Ind., and Ulysses S., at home. Mr. Worl has had his war experience which was severe and long one. He enlisted Au- gust 14, 1861, in company B, Thirty-sixth Indiana volunteer infantry for three years, and took part in the following battles: Stone River, Chickamauga, where he was four times wounded-in the head, the neck, the leg, and the hollow of the foot-Look Mountain, Mis- sion Ridge, and also was in the Atlanta cam- paign. He was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, September 22, 1864. In poli- tics Mr. Worl is a republican, and in 1870 was elected assessor for two years; subsequently as an appraiser for two years, then appointed by the county commissioners for two years, thus serving four years in that office, and was trustee of Stony Creek township for four years; in 1888 he was elected trustee for Mon- roe township, and is now the incumbent of that office. Mr. and Mrs. Worl are members of the Christian church, and in 1867 he was . made a Mason; he is also a member of the G. A. R. and the Black Hawk tribe, No. 79, of the Improved Order of Red Men. Mrs. Worl is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps of the G. A. R., and both he and she are constant workers for the good of the society, and the advancement of the interests of the community in general.

B ENJAMIN T. EDWARDS, one of the favorite liverymen of Farmland, is a native of Randolph county, Ind., and was born in West River town- ship, July 20, 1849. His parents, Jacob and Catherine (Abbott) Edwards were both na- tives of Ohio, but came to Indiana in an early day, and here the father engaged in agricul- tural pursuits until his death, in 1863, while serving with company D, Sixty-ninth I. V. I.

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NETTLE CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Mrs. Catherine Edwards is now a resident of Muncie. They were the parents of five chil- dren, named as follows: Benjamin T., Melissa J., deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Isaac and William.

Benjamin T. Edwards was reared a farmer and remained on the home farm in West River township until thirteen years of age when he removed to White River township and for seven years was employed by the month at farm labor by James Clayton. He then rented land, went to farming on his own account, and also engaged in threshing and at all kinds of general labor for the six ensuing years. He was now able to purchase forty acres, which he subsequently sold, and re- moved to Stony Creek township and purchased 120 acres. Of this tract he has since disposed of fifty acres, retaining seventy acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. In 1892 he removed to the town of Farmland,

where he engaged in the livery business in company with M. L. Murry, but this partner- ship was dissolved November 13, 1893, and Mr. Edwards became the sole proprietor, and has since been doing a most flourishing busi- ness, being personally very popular and sup- plying his patrons with first-class rigs.

The marriage of Mr. Edwards took place September 20, 1870, to Miss Lurena Pegg, who was born in White River township Jan- uary 4, 1852, the daughter of John and Lydia Pegg. To this union have been born three children, viz: Daisy R., who became the wife of James Clevenger, of Stony Creek township, on September 21, 1893; the remaining two are Minnie Belle and Guy Everett. Frater- nally, Mr. Edwards is a member of the Im- proved Order of Red Men, and in politics is a republican. He stands unimpeached as a business man, and he and family are highly respected in both town and country.

NETTLE CREEK TOWNSHIP.

a LIJAH ADAMS, one of the men of Net- tle Creek township who has made a success, is a native of Henry county, Ind., and was born September 20, 1831. He is the son of Jonathan and Rachael (Braun) Adams. The father, Jonathan Adams, was born in Surry county, N. C., in the year 1799, and was the son of Joel and Hannah Adams. Rachael Braun was also a North Carolinian, by birth, and the youngest daughter of Moses Braun, a native, also, of the same state. Both were children of farmers, were reared on the farm, and received such educa- tion as the period afforded. Each remained

under the parental roof until they were married. To this union six children were born, three sons and three daughters: Isaac, died in infancy; Hannah, died in childhood; Sarah, deceased wife of James Conner, a farmer of Kansas; Mary A., wife of Jacob Saddler, a farmer of Marshall county, Ind .; Elijah, of Nettle Creek township, Randolph county, Ind., whom this biography concerns; and George W., of Oklahoma, attorney at law. After the marriage of Jonathan and Rachael Adams they moved to Wayne county, this state, where they lived for a few years, after which they went to Henry county, where they

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entered eighty acres of land, but a few years later sold this and moved to Raysville, and then to Wabash county, where he died and was buried near the city of Lafayette. After the death of the father the family returned to Henry county, and here the mother married William Moore, but in 1876 died in Marshall county. They were both members of the Society of Friends and the mother also of the New Light. The father was a stanch whig in politics and was a man whose influence was felt in the community in which he lived.

Elijah Adams lived on farms at various places and until the age of fourteen years remained with his parents, at which time he began to work for himself, and before reach- ing his majority he was the happy owner of forty acres of land, the fruit of his frugality and industry. September 18, 1851, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Dunbar, daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth (Bell) Dunbar, both natives of North Carolina; Elizabeth was born in Wayne county, February 6, 1833; six children were born to them, five sons and one daughter, Marcus, of this county, a farmer; William, also of this county, a farmer; Emily, wife of William Bookout, a farmer of Nettle Creek township; John R., a farmer of this county; Rufus, a farmer of Randolph county, and Charles O., still living at home. After their marriage they settled in Henry county, where they remained until 1857, when they sold their property here and bought 1 30 acres in Rar.dolph county, and to this he has added from time to time until the farm consists of 327 acres. Mr. Adams is a prosperous man. Hard work, good management and economy have brought to him the almost inevitable re- sults. Abundance meets him on every hand, and a well tilled farm and a pleasant family and happy home make life to him well worth living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Adams are mem- bers of the Methodist church. Mr. Adams in

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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 125

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