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 131

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 131
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 131

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).

John French, of Red Key; Rachel, married to William Owens, of Wells county; Sarah, wife of Charles Hawkins; Lindley M., and Albert. Both parents belong to the Society of Friends, and in politics Mr. Parker is a republican.

William D. Parker remained on his birth- place, attending school and assisting his father on the farm until the date of his marriage, which occurred August 27, 1881, with Eliza- beth, daughter of Zimri and Julia (Menden- hall) Bond, and a native of Stony Creek town- ship, born in November, 1859. After his marriage Mr. Parker and wife lived on a rented farm for four years and then moved to his present place of eighty acres, which he had inherited from his grandaunt, and which he had made to blossom like the rose. Mr. Parker and wife, like their ancestors, are mem- bers of the Society of Friends, and in politics he is an ardent republican. The children born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Parker are four in number, of whom the first born died in in- fancy unnamed; the second and third, Laura E. and S. Goldie, reside with their parents, and the fourth, Hubert B., is also deceased. The dwelling of Mr. Parker and all its sur- roundings are kept with much tidiness, clean- liness and neatness, showing the presence of an intelligent manager, and the quiet, upright walk through life of the parents calls for and receives the approval and respect of the citi- zens of Stony Creek township and of those of the county at large.

S MITH SMULLEN, one of the oldest and most experienced native farmers of Stony Creek township, Randolph ! county, was born December 9, 1826. He is a son of Randolph and Polly (Johnson) Smullen, who were born in Maryland, near Chesapeake bay-the mother being a daughter

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of Smith and Saber Johnson, natives of the same region, and of the highest respectability. Randolph Smullen was reared to farming in his native state, but was still a young man when he moved to Clinton county, Ohio. There young Randolph entered 120 acres of land, but had the misfortune to lose the prop- erty because of a prior claim. He then came to Indiana, in 1826, and here made another entry, with which he was more fortunate, and on which he ever after made his home. The children born to Randolph and Polly Smullen were ten in number, viz: Nancy, deceased wife of Mr. S. Clevenger; Julia A., deceased wife of Allen Driscoll; Peter and William, de- ceased; Mary A., deceased wife of David Clevenger; Cyrus, deceased; Scarber, de- ceased wife of Michael Wolfe; Smith, our subject; Saber, deceased; and Milton, a farmer of Randolph county. The parents were mem- bers of the Methodist church, and in politics Randolph Smullen was a whig.

Smith Smullen was reared on the home farm on which he now resides, and which is now his own property. His education was acquired at the typical log school-house of his early days, but was as complete as the period afforded. In 1851 he married Margaret Reed, daughter of Henry and Jane (Denton) Reed, natives of Kentucky, and the newly married couple at once made their home on the pater- nal farm, their present place of residence, but subsequently Mr. Smullen purchased a farm of 160 acres, where he and family resided for some years before returning to the old home- stead. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smullen were four in number, and were named, William W., a merchant of Muncie; Mary J., wife of Luther Ofterdinger, of Red Key; an infant deceased, and Malinda A., wife of Aus- tin Friedline, a farmer of Randolph county. The family are all members of the Methodist church, and each enjoys the regard of the

community in which he or she lives. Mr. Smullen is a'democrat in politics, and besides being a thoroughgoing farmer, is an upright and useful citizen.

REDERICK B. SNYDER, the ener- getic young farmer of Stony Creek township, Randolph county, Ind., is the eldest son of George W. and Catherine (Butterbaugh) Snyder, and was born in Darke county, the father having been born in 1833, and the mother in 1836. George W. Snyder worked on the farm until eighteen years of age, and then served a short appren- ticeship with a blacksmith and wagonmaker at Greenville, Ohio, after which he conducted the business a few years at Hill Grove, Ohio, on his own account, where he manufactured many wagons of most substantial structure and excellent finish. He next purchased 120 acres of forest land, which, in a few years, he con- verted into one of the finest farms in Darke county. Later he sold this farm and bought another, comprising 150 acres, on which he resided for a number of years, and then ex- changed it for property near Dayton, where he at present lives, a highly respected citizen. Mr. Snyder had born to him by his first wife, Catherine Butterbaugh, five children, viz: Amy, wife of Gray Douglas, a farmer of Darke county, Ohio; Laura, wife of Eli Newton, a tinner of Hollansburg, Ohio; Frederick B., of Stony Creek township, Randolph county, Ind .; Fernando, a merchant of Hollansburg, Ohio, and Cleora, married to Charles Fulghum, a merchant of St. Louis, Mo. The second mar- riage of Mr. Snyder was to Julia Sink, and to this union there has also been born five chil- dren, as follows: Edward, a minister of the United Brethren church, at Dayton, Ohio; Lilian, deceased, and Nora, Myrtle, and Del- phia, at home.

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Frederick B. Snyder, at the age of six- teen, left the home farm in Darke county, Ohio, and for a while worked in the coal mines in Pennsylvania, after which he took a turn of steamboating and then returned home, where he remained until his marriage in Feb- ruary, 1880, to Laura, eldest daughter of Milton and Louisa (Chenoweth) Jefferies, na- tives of Darke county, Ohio, where the lady was born March 25, 1860. She is highly educated and refined, and is now the mother of three intelligent children-Milton Clyde, Charles L. and Cecil C. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Snyder rented a farm in Darke county, on which they remained one year, and then removed to a farm near New Madison, Ohio, on which they resided for a period of three years.

In 1884 Mr. Snyder came to Randolph county and purchased a farm of 140 acres from the Thornburg estate, which farm he has brought to a high state of cultivation, so that it will now compare most favorably with the best in the county. With his wife Mr. Snyder is a member of the Universalist church, and in politics he is a democrat. He is a stanch advocate of church and school, and he will see to it that his children receive as good an education as the land affords. His industry and integrity have won him the entire respect of the community, and his model farm, which is improved with a new and spacious mansion, is the delight of all beholders.

ILLIAM H. SNYDER, of Stony Creek township, was born near New Castle, Henry county, Ind., and is the eldest son of George W. and Elizabeth C. (Denny) Snyder, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, in 1818, and was of German descent, and the latter born

in Ohio-the daughter of Shuble and Margaret Denny, of Guilford county, North Carolina. George W. Snyder was the youngest in a family of six children, his elders having been Aaron, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, and Harry -- all deceased. The marriage of George W. and Elizabeth C. Snyder took place in Preble county, Ohio, in 1849, the result of the union being five children, named as follows: William H., Sarah M., Jacob C., Isaac F., and Delilah C., the last named being the wife of William R. Brown, of Muncie, Ind., and the others, with the exception of William H., being de- ceased. The father died in Henry county, Ind., and his widow afterward married John W. Franklin, with whom she lived until her death, twenty years later.

At the age of sixteen, William H. Snyder began life on his own account and has made a successful race. For two years he lived in Randolph county with his cousin, William Snyder, and then worked out until his mar- riage, July 28, 1872, to Mary, third daughter of Joshua and Amanda (Graham) Williams. Mrs. Snyder was born near Chester, Wayne county, Ind., December 4, 1852, and has borne her husband six children, viz .: Charles T., a farmer of White River township and the husband of Nora E. Morris; Nellie May, de- ceased; Omer G .; George T .; Athel M., and Hazel. Since his marriage, Mr. Snyder has passed his life at various places in Randolph county, engaged in farming and butchering. He has made many friends, and is highly re- spected by his fellow citizens. He is a mem- ber of Farmland lodge, No. 208, I. O. O. F., and of the encampment at Winchester. In politics he has always been a republican, and, with his wife, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

The Snyder family is an old one in Stony Creek township, and has always stood de- servedly high in the esteem of its citizens.

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ENRY STUDEBAKER, the famous miller and feed and flour exchange operator, of Farmland, Randolph county, Ind., is the third son of John and Nancy (Rudy) Studebaker, and was born in Miami county, Ohio, July 3, 1842. John Studebaker, like his parents, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Bedford county in 1812; his wife, Nancy, was born in the same county in 1816. They came to Ohio in early life, where John Studebaker operated a woolen and oil mill for seven years most successfully, but in 1839 he sold this establishment and pur- chased a fine farm of eighty acres, on which he lived until 1849, when he sold out and at once engaged in the woolen mill business-this time at Pleasant Run, Ohio. In 1864 he leased out this mill and moved to Troy, Ohio, where he embarked in mercantile business. In 1865 the mill last alluded to was entirely destroyed by fire, involving a loss of $22,000. From Troy Mr. Studebaker went to Lawrence, Kan., where, in conjunction with Messrs. Blood & Smith, he again engaged in the woolen busi- ness, but three years later sold his interest to his partners and returned to Miami county, Ohio, and erected another mill, which he . operated most successfully for four years on the same site that the former mill was burned. He then sold his mill to his son, Rudy, went to his daughter's farm near Troy, and for three years was employed in stock raising, after which he purchased a forty-acre farm and be- came a breeder of Jersey cattle, in connection with which business he also conducted a dairy. His death took place in Miami county, Ohio, in February, 1890. He had long been a mem- ber of the Dunkard church, of which his wife was also a worthy member, and his fame had spread far and wide as an eloquent minister in that denomination. His seven children were named: Isaac, deceased; Fannie, widow of James Quinter, a noted Dunkard divine; Rudy,

now a stockman of Las Vegas, N. M .; Henry, whose name opened this biographical notice; Mary, wife of D. M. McCulloch, wholesale gro- cer of Troy, Ohio; Eliza, wife of David Long, a farmer, and Hannah L., wife of Albert Bangs, a merchant. In politics Mr. Studeba- ker was first a whig, then a republican, and, later, a strenuous prohibitionist.

Henry Studebaker, with whom this sketch is most concerned, was reared on the home farm in Miami county, Ohio, until he was twenty years of age, when he took charge of a woolen mill at New Vienna, Ohio, at which place he also attended the Dunkard college one year. His marriage took place at New Vienna, in 1862, to Miss Mary Barnes, daughter of James and Sarah (Burton) Barnes, and by this union Mrs. Studebaker became the mother of two children: Edgar, now a miller of Ran- dolph county, and an infant that died unnamed. Prior to his marriage, however, Mr. Stude- baker had enlisted in the Seventy-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, and with his regiment took part in the battles of Perryville and Richmond, Ky., but after the battle at the latter place was compelled to return to his home on ac- count of a severe attack of illness. On his recovery, however, still fired with patriotism, he entered the United State navy and was as- signed to duty on the Mound City, an ironclad then at Cairo, and belonging to the fleet under the command of Admiral Porter. While on this vessel he took part in the terrible engage- ments at Island No. 10, at Memphis, Vicks- burg, at Grand Gulf, and with Banks on his Red River expedition. He was then trans- ferred to the gun-boat Neosho, on board of which he was seized with a severe attack of epilepsy, while serving as master's mate, and for this affliction he is now receiving a pension of $30 a month. In 1865 he returned home from his gallant service in the war, and for a time was engaged with his father in mercantile

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pursuits, but soon purchased and operated a grist-mill at New Vienna, Ohio, for two years. Thence he went to eastern Ohio, where he sank an oil well, but the enterprise was not a pucuniary success. He then went to Burling- ton, Kan., where for a year he had charge of a woolen-mill, and also was engaged in trad- ing in livestock. This next venture was at Lawrence, Kan., where he was associated with his father for a year, and from that point he removed to Humbolt, Allen county, in the same state, where he resided two years. He then returned eastward, and for three years operated a mill at Troy, Ohio, and finally came to Randolph county, Ind., and purchased his present mill, which he operates, in conjunc- tion with his feed and flour exchange, during a business of $50,000 per annum. Mr. Stude- baker is a member of the G. A. R., is a pro- hibitionist, and enjoys the confidence and re- spect of every inhabitant in Farmland.

GEORGE O. THOMPSON, one of the most highly respected farmers and successful stock growers of Stony Creek township, Randolph county, Ind., is a native of Perry township, Delaware county, in the same state, and was born August 28, 1849, the only child of William and Permelia (Drake) Thompson, pioneer settlers of Delaware county. William Thomp- son was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, September 25, 1822, while his wife, Permelia, was born in Bartholomew county, Ohio, in March, 1824. Both were descended from long lines of agri- culturists in high standing. Mr. and Mrs. William Thompson are now residents of Perry township, Delaware county, Ind.

George O. Thompson was reared to farm- ing and became thoroughly practical in that

vocation. He received a good education at the common school of his neighborhood, and at the age of twenty-three-August 3, 1872- married Miss Mary Odell, of Delaware county, Ind., born November 28, 1850, a daughter of John N., and Rachael (Kidder) Odell, both of English descent and natives of Ohio, but settlers of early life in Indiana. In 1880, George O. Thompson left his farm in his native county and settled on his farm of 155 acres in Randolph county, which place he has earned through his industry and practical skill. and has put under a high state of cultivation. His live stock is the admiration of his neighbors, and his success as a farmer and stock grower is universally acknowledged. In politics Mr. Thompson is a stanch republican and an earnest supporter of the principles of his party. He is a member of the Windsor lodge, No. 517, I. O. O. F., and has filled all the chairs of the lodge, being universally es- teemed by his fellow members.

Mrs. Thompson is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the fam- ily stand high in the regard of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, in both Randolph and Delaware counties, and in that of the community at large. Two sons have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson- Samuel E., born May 28, 1873, and John W., born February 21, 1876. The latter gradu- ated in the common school branches in his fourteenth year, and is looked upon as a re- markably bright youth.

0 WEN O. THOMPSON, retired farmer and blacksmith of Stony Creek town- ship, Randolph county, Ind., and one of the most successful mechanics and agriculturists of his day, was born in Coshoc- ton, Ohio, March 2, 1814, and is the son of

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James and Margaret (Gary) Thompson. The paternal grandfather of Owen O. was also named James, and he married a Miss Horton. The parents of Owen O. were born in Virginia in 1774, and in Maryland 1779, respectively, and were married in the latter state in 1799. To this marriage were borneight children in the following order: Elizabeth, widow of John Far- well, of Fulton county, Ohio; Cornelius, de- ceased; Lena, widow of John Durbin, Fulton county, Ohio; James, deceased; Owen O., whose name opens this sketch; Naomi, deceased; Sam- uel, deceased, and William, a farmer of Dela- ware county, Ind. The parents of this family settled in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1814, and entered a tract of eighty acres of land, then in its primitive state. There the father died in 1826, and the mother in 1830, both having been life-long members of the Methodist church. The father was a gentleman highly respected in his community, and was an old line whig, and for a long time was township clerk.

Owen O. Thompson was reared on the old homestead in Coshocton county, where he also secured a fair education at the old log school house of the period. In 1830 he ap- prenticed himself, until his majority, to a blacksmith, and became a thorough master of the trade. He then entered into partnership with Nicholas Higgins, for two years, and at the expiration of this term purchased the tools and continued the business on his sole account, until 1883, when, having met with the success his knowledge of the business warranted, he retired to enjoy at leisure his competency.

The marriage of Mr. Thompson took place February 20, 1840, to Miss Arabella Hopper, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Lyons) Hop- per, natives of Ohio, and this felicitous unicn has been crowned by the birth of nine chil- dren, as follows: Mary L., wife of Caleb Swingely, a farmer of Delaware county, Ind .; Robert L., collector of the port of Manatee,

Fla ; Sarah J. and Ellen J., both deceased; Martha A., wife of Charles Newhall, a farmer of Randolph county, Ind .; Octavia, deceased, William B., fruit-grower of Manatee, Fla .; George G., farmer of Randolph county, Ind. ; and Rosella J., wife of Benjamin F. Turner, stone-mason of Randolph county. As early as 1840 Mr. Thompson came to Indiana and settled in Randolph county, and here most of his interesting family was born. His farm of 103 acres he has deeded to his children, and a very valuable and well improved farm it was. Mr. Thompson had the misfortune to lose his estimable wife May 14, 1878. This lady . was a life-long and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, while Mr. Thompson is a member of the Lutheran congregation. He has been a justice of the peace four terms, and is a stanch republican, having voted for every candidate of that party nominated within his precinct or district. His success in busi- ness and the respect accorded him by the com- munity, in which he has so long resided, are ample guarantees of his sterling qualities as a man and citizen.

VILAH W. THORNBURG, whose family name is mingled with that of the best families of both Stony Creek and Monroe townships, Randolph county, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, June 14, 1822. He is the second son born to to Joseph and Matilda (Higgins) Thornburg, natives, respectively, of North Carolina and Ireland. Joseph Thornburg was a son of Isaac, also a native of Ireland, and his wife, Rebecca Thornburg. Matilda Higgins was a daughter of William Higgins, who left his na- tive Ireland for the freer land of America, when his daughter was quite young. Joseph, the father of Avilah W., was brought west

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from North Carolina by his parents to Ohio, in 1812, in a wagon, the only means of trans- portation in that early day. In 1819, he was married, in Belmont county, Ohio, to Matilda Higgins, who bore him ten children, viz: Lewis, a fruit grower of DesMoines, Iowa; Avilah W., named above; Josiah and William, deceased; Amos, of this county; Edmund; Mary A., deceased wife of Morris Reece; Elizabeth E., widow of John Chandler; Lydia J., wife of William Cecil, of Iowa; Caroline, of Arkansas City, Kan. After his marriage, Joseph and his wife moved to Clinton county, Ohio. where, for a time, he followed the trade of hat making. In 1827 he brought his family to Randolph county, Ind., where, for a few years, he continued his trade as a hatter, and then entered 160 acres of land, on which he lived until 1865, when he sold out and re- moved to Van Buren county, Iowa, where his wife died in 1873, and he in 1878-both mem- bers of the Christian church.

Avilah W. Thornburg was brought to Ran- dolph county, Ind., when he was but five years of age, and here received about three months' schooling, there then being no places especially established for the education of the young, who had to rely on the visits of an oc- casional itinerant teacher. His chief training was on the home farm, but he was naturally apt, fond of study, and an attentive observer of men, and thus made up for for the deficiency of scholastic facilities in his youthful days. His life was passed on the home farm until his marriage, in March, 1844, to Esther Amburn, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Hodson) Am- burn, of Virginia, but of a family whose name is prominently known in Randolph county. To this union were born two children, viz .: An infant, deceased, and Theophilus, a farmer of Grundy county, Mo.

In 1860 Mr. Thornburg was deprived of his wife by the fell destroyer, death. In 1861,

however, Mr. Thornburg took to himself a second mate, Miss Rebecca Markle, daughter of Gideon and Ann Markle, natives of Pennsyl- vania, but many of whose descendants fill promi- nent positions in Randolph county. To this union have been born five children, viz .: Mor- ton, deceased; Grant, a farmer of Stony Creek township; Omer, a brief sketch of whom will be found in close proximity to this biographi- cal notice; Millard, at home with his parents, and Cora, wife of Edgar Hill, of Monroe town- ship, this county. Mr. Thornburg, since his residence in Indiana, has bought, sold and ex- changed lands various times, the result being that he now owns a fine farm of 203 acres, his every effort having been a thorough success. He has been a member of the Christain church for the past twenty years, and for his strict adherence to the teachings has won the respect of all who have the pleasure of knowing him.

Frederick Grant Thornburg, son of Avilah W., was born in Stony Creek township, De- cember. 2, 1865, and was reared a farmer. His home was with his parents until his mar- riage, January 15, 1887, to Miss Cora A., daughter of Washington and Hannah (Bales) Wright, natives of North Carolina. After his marriage he settled on his father's homestead, but later secured a home of his own, on which he now resides. He is the father of three children, named Agnes, Mabel J. and Ralph. Fred Grant and his wife are members of the Christian church, and in politics he, like his father, and all the male members of his father's family, is a republican. Millard Thornburg was born June 14, 1870, and has always re- remained on the home farm. He acquired a good education, which was completed at the age of eighteen years. December 1, 1892, he married Miss Della, daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Myers) Moore, of which family mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Millard Thornburg is a member of Black Hawk tribe,

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No. 79, I. O. R. M., at Farmland, and his strict integrity has won for him the sincerest respect of his fellow citizens.

O MER THORNBURG, one of the young and prospering farmers of Stony Creek township, Randolph county, was born in this township March 28, 1867, and is the third child born to Avilah W. and Rebecca (Markle) Thornburg, a more ex- tended sketch of whom will be found in close connection with this. Omer, like most of the men of Stony Creek township, was reared to husbandry on his father's farm, and a very good husbandman he has proven to be. His education was acquired at the common schools of his township, but he was no sluggard in his studies, and the result was that he came to be quite a well-informed man, having pursued his studies until twenty-one years of age. On the eleventh day of September, 1880, he mar- ried Ethel Branson, daughter of James M. Branson, who proved to be a most amiable and loving wife, and who became the mother of two children-Ray and Hazel. Having previously purchased a tract of eighty acres, Mr. Thornburg, immediately after his marriage, settled on his land, on which he has ever since made his home, and which he brought to a state of high cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Thorn- burg are highly respected by their neighbors, and are consistent members of the New Light church at White River. Mr. Thornburg is also a member of Black Hawk tribe, No. 79, of Farm- land, and in politics is a strong republican. Socially, Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg mingle with the most respectable and steady-going citizens of Stony Creek township. Although still a young man, Mr. Thornburg has gained for himself a fine reputation as a farmer and as an intelligent business man.

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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 131

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