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 133

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 133
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 133

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).

Co.R box. M.S.

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the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he is a republican and has served as a member of the school board and town board. Aside from his business he owns 168 acres of well improved land in Greensfork township. In 1882, the firm of Bowen Brothers began deal- ing in grain, wood and coal, in connection with their other business, and enjoy a good trade. They are men of excellent business ability, sagacious and far-sighted, enterprising and progressive, fair and upright in all dealings, and are numbered among the leading mer- chants of Lynn.

J ONAH W. CAMPBELL, an honored veteran of the late war, now residing in Lynn, claims Indiana as the state of his nativity. Indeed, he has the honor of being a native of Randolph county, his birth having here occurred September 27, 1846. His father, Joshua Campbell, was born in Campbell county, Va., May 4, 1800, and throughout his entire life followed farming. In 1843, he emigrated to this state, and made his home in Randolph county for a number of years and then he removed to Williamsburg. In the Old Dominion he wedded Mary Harris, who was born in Campbell county, in 1800. By their union eleven children were born- John, now a farmer of Kansas; Elizabeth, deceased; Thomas, a farmer of Wayne county; James, deceased; William, of Fountain City, Ind .; Benjamin, a carpenter of Iowa; Sarah, who has also departed this life; Charles, of Iowa; Celie, wife of Charles Conway; Jonah, and Mary, wife of William Rector. The parents were members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and the father was a republican in politics.

Reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, Jonah W. Campbell was early inured to the

hard labor connected with the tilling of the soil. He remained with his parents until eighteen years of age, and then entered the service of his country. He was assigned to the Twenty-second infantry, but was not called from Indianapolis, where he remained for seven months. After his return home he began farming in his own interest, which he followed in this county for a year, and then removed to Wayne county, where he rented land for nine years. On the expiration of that period, he purchased eighty acres, and now owns 160 acres of fine land under a high state of cultivation and well improved. On the 16th of September, 1865, Mr. Campbell was joined in wedlock with Martha J. Adamson, a native of this county, and a daughter of Abraham and Nancy (Bodkin) Adamson. Two children grace this marriage-Asher, a barber of Lynn, and Evan, at home.

Mr. Campbell is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and receives a pension of $8 per month. He continued on his farm until 1888, when he came to Lynn, and pur- chased the livery stock of H. D. Nichols. For two years and a half he carried on busi- ness along that line, after which he devoted his energies to the management of his farm for two years. He then purchased the livery business of William Shaffer, which he still owns. Mr. Campbell is a self made man, who by his own efforts has arisen to a position of affluence. He began life empty handed, and by industry and perseverance overcame the obstacles in his path. His example is one well worthy of emulation.

a YRUS R. COX, M. D., a well known physician of Lynn, has the honor of being a native of Randolph county, for his birth occurred in White River i township on the 6th of December, 1853. He

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is a son of George Cox, who is mentioned among the White River sketches. The days of his boyhood and youth were passed in the usual manner of farm lads, he remaining under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Not wishing to follow the pursuit to which he devoted his energies in his early years, Dr. Cox began the study of medicine in Winchester, under Dr. Richard Bosworth, who directed his reading for four years. In 1877 he became a student in the college of Physicians and Surgeons in Indianapolis, Ind., from which institution, after the completion of a four years' course, he was graduated February 28, 1878. The doctor immediately opened an office and began practice in Win- chester, where he remained four years, when, in the spring of 1882, he came to Lynn. He has met with a high degree of success and has a reputation which many an older practitioner might well envy.

In Winchester, in December, 1874, Dr. Cox led to the marriage altar Miss Orlinda A. Pierce, a native of Randolph county, born October 1, 1853, and a daughter of James Pierce. Their union has been blessed with one child, Glenn, born April 24, 1885. The parents are highly respected people of this community and hold an enviable position in social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society. Their friends throughout the community are indeed many.

The doctor is a member of the Society of Friends, and his wife holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal church. He votes with the republican party, of whose principles he is a stanch advocate, and for one term he was elected coroner of the county. For three years he has served on the town board, and is now a member of the school board. Whatever public office he has been called upon to fill, he has proved himself a competent and faith-

ful official, prompt and trustworthy. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, for he is actively interested in the advance- ment of the schools. His standing in this community is well known. He has skill and ability which has gained for him a prominent place among his professional brethren.

ARTIN ECKERLE, the efficient and popular postmaster of Lynn, is a na- tive of Germany. He was born in Weitenung, Baden, February 7, 1836, and is a son of Norbert and Hannah (Reis) Eckerle. His parents were born and married in the fatherland, and there Mrs. Eck- erle died in 1868. The following year Robert crossed the Atlantic and located in Richmond, Ind., where he engaged in general labor. Later he went to Piqua, Ohio, where his death occurred in May, 1882. He was a hard work- ing man and lived an honorable, upright life, and he and wife were members of the Catholic church. Martin is the eldest of six children; Lewis, the second son, is a railroad employe of Chicago; Teressa is now deceased; Solomon is a farmer, of Piqua, Ohio; Felix is deceased, and Amelia is the wife of Fred Kohlem, of Richmond.

Martin Eckerle was educated in Germany, and there learned the weaver's trade, which he followed until his emigration to America. Hav- ing heard from friends in this country of the privileges and advantages afforded in the new world, he determined to here try his fortune, and on the 22d of March, 1854, embarked on a sailing vessel, which, on the 12th of May, dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. By rail he went to Pittsburg. Pa., where he engaged in farm labor until fall. He then be- gan learning the shoemaker's trade in Alle- gheny City, where he remained until 1856,

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when he went to Cincinnati, where he contin- ued the manufacture of shoes until 1861. On the IS.h of April of that year he respond- ed to the first call of his adopted country for aid, and enlisted for three months in company C, Ninth Ohio infantry, serving until May 27. He was then sworn in for the three years' service and participated in the battles of Rich Mountain, Canofert Ferry, Chickamauga, Mis- sionary Ridge, and all the engagements of the Atlanta campaign. He received his discharge at Camp Dennison, Ohio, June 7, 1864, after three years of hard service, during which he faithfully defended the old flag that now floats triumphantly over the united nation. He re- ceives a pension of $10 per month.

From Cincinnati Mr. Eckerle came to Richmond, Ind., where he engaged in the manufacture of shoes until 1871, when he went to Boston, Ind., where he carried on business until March, 1880. He then came to Lynn, where he continued manufacturing, and also did a retail business until July 20, 1889, when he was appointed postmaster, which position he has since filled. He is a republican in politics and has been a member of the school board. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic, and he and wife are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Eckerle was mar- ried June 15, 1865, in Richmond, Ind., to Catherine Worch, who was born in Hessen, Germany, March 3, 1845, and is a daughter of George B. and Elizabeth Worch. Eight chil- dren grace this union: Sadie, now of Rich- mond, Ind .; Phebe, wife of George T. Cox, of Modoc; George L., John A., deceased; Mary, Frank, Mattie and Jennie.

Mr. Eckerle, as will be seen, made no mis- take in coming to the United States, and that he well deserves his citizenship is proven by the part he took in preserving the integrity of his adopted country.

J OSIAH B. ENGLE, youngest son of William and Letitia (Cabe) Engle, was born in Randolph county, Ind., October 30, 1854. His grandfather, Isaac Engle, son of Robert and Jane Engle, and a native of New Jersey, was born March 18, 1773. Sarah Price, whom he married, was the daughter of Thomas Price, her birth oc- curring in New Jersey, March 17, 1774. They were the parents of these children, all of whom are now deceased. Their names were Hannah, Robert, Sarah, Isaac, Rachel A., Prudence, Susan, William (father of Josiah, who introduces this sketch), Lydia A., and Phebe. In 1684 four brothers came from sixty-five miles southwest of London, England, three of whom settled in Pennsylvania, and one, who was the ancestor of William Engle, made New Jersey his home. William Engle, deceased, was born in Burlingfon county, N. J., December 13, 1811, and died in Wash- ington township, Randolph county, Ind .. December 18, 1884. He was laid to rest in Union cemetery.

At the age of fourteen years, William Engle came to Warren county, Ohio, with his parents, hisfather owning 120 acres of land there. On February 13, 1834, he was mar- ried to Letitia, daughter of Elias and Sarah (White) Cabe, the former, born in Bucks county, Pa., in 1768, being the son of Thomas and Rebecca (Vanhorn) Cabe, of Irish descent. The latter was born in Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of George and Mary White, who were natives of that state. Letitia Engle came to Ohio with her parents when she was two years old. She had one brother and five sisters, all of whom have entered the spirit land. They were Mary, Charlotte, Abigail, Sarah, Margaret and Thomas.

Letitia Engle received a fair education. Her union with William Engle was blessed with twelve children, viz: Isaac, a Wells

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county farmer, who married Ann Hopkins; Wesley and Robert, farmers of this county, the former being the husband of Catherine Shepherd, and the latter of Elizabeth Steven- son; Elias, a Jefferson county, Kan., fariner, who wedded Ruth A. Thornburg; William, who entered the Sixty-ninth regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry, and was wounded in the battle of Shiloh, dying in hospital at St. Louis; Samuel, deceased; Calvin, farmer of this county, and husband of Ellen Greely; James, attorney at law at Winchester, and husband of Alice Monks; Daniel, farmer of this county, and husband of Martha Sharp; Albert, wedded to Mary Hodrick, he being a farmer of this county; Price, an Oklahoma farmer; Josiah, farmer in this county, married to. Amanda Hoover.

William Engle lived on a farm in Warren county, Ohio, eight years, moving from there to Randolph county about 1841. In 1842 he moved to Washington township, Randolph county, where he purchased 240 acres of land. Here he lived forty years, and then moved on a farm near, consisting of 408 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Engle were members of the United Brethren church for more than forty years. When Washington township had a board of three trustees, he was one of them, afterwards serving as trustee for several terms. William Engle was a stalwart republican and a public spirited man, always actively interested in every movement calculated to enhance the in- terests either of the country at large or his own immediate community.

The early life of Josiah Engle was spent on his father's farm, and at twenty years of age he completed a good common school edu- cation, after which he engaged in teaching in Randolph county, still living with his parents. On the 28th day of December, 1875, Amanda, daughter of Martin and Mary (Cook) Hoover, became his wife. Her parents were natives of

Wayne county, Ind., her father being a son of Andrew and Matilda (Worl) Hoover, and her mother a daughter of David and Dorothy (Rader) Cook, of Virginia. Mrs. Amanda Engle, who was born in this county, October 23, 1855, profited, in her girlhood, by the ad- vantages of the common sohools, acquiring a very fair education.

Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Engle are the parents of four children, one of whom, the second child, Myrtle M., was called, at the age of five years and seventeen days, to that bright shore where sin and sorrow ne'er infest the soul. The first born, Arthur, is at home, as are Mary C. and Nora B. Mr. Engle rented the farm, for two years, on which he located here, afterward purchasing forty-six acres, which were increased by fifty acres inherited by his wife. To-day he possesses 136 acres, which bear testimony to his success as a farmer. Mr. Engle is a republican.

R OBERT ENGLE, of Washington township, Randolph county, Ind., was born in Warren county, Ohio, on September 21, 1837, and is a son of William and Letitia (Cabe) Engle, with whom, at the age of five years. he came to Indiana, where his youth was passed in farm life, and in acquiring a good, practical education. He first attended the common schools, later com- pleting the union school course at Waynes- ville, Ohio. Possessing the gift of ability to impart to others his knowledge, Mr. Engle was, for a number of terms, a successful teacher. Miss Datie Ferguson, who was born to Charles and Elizabeth (Brittain) Ferguson, in Wayne county, Ind., on April 19, 1839, be- came his wife at Centreville, Ind., April 6, 1860. Her parents were natives of New Jersey. Four children were born of their union,

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namely: Augusta E., wife of William Boyd, a farmer of Wayne county; Susan, wife of Luther Mills, a merchant of Red Key; Will- iam, professor of music in the Central normal college, of Danville, Ind., and Pearl. After his marriage Mr. Engle lived for three years on eighty acres of land, which he purchased in Washington township. Mrs Datie Engle died February 18, 1885, and was interred at Williamsburg, Wayne county. She was a member of the United Brethren church. On December 21, 1887, Mr. Engle married Miss Elizabeth Stevenson, and moved on a farm of 100 acres, where they still live.

In 1864, in September, Mr. Engle enlisted in the Ninth regiment Indiana volunteer in- fantry, giving to his country faithful service until June 29, 1865, when he was discharged at Cairo, Ill He took part in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and is a worthy pen- sioner, receiving a small amount monthly. Mr. and Mrs. Engle are members of the radical branch of the United Brethren church. In 1884 Mr. Engle was made township trustee, in which office he served four years. Politically, he is a republican. Mr. Engle feels a natural and justifiable pride in the accomplishments of his ansestors, and of whom mention is made above.

EORGE H. FICKEL, one of Lynn's leading merchants, is engaged in the hardware, furniture and undertaking business. His establishment is com- plete in all its appointments and he carries a stock valued at about $4,000. By close at- tention to the details of his business, and well directed efforts, he has won success, his court- eous treatment and straightforward dealings having secured him a liberal patronage. A native of Ohio, Mr. Fickel was born in Frank- lin county, December 22, 1845, and is a son

of Robert and Cynthia (Vanschoyk) Fickel, the former a native of Perry county, Ohio, and the latter of Franklin county, where their marriage was celebrated. There the father followed farming until the death of his wife in 1852. They had three children: Eliza, wife of John Miller; G. H., and Ella, wife of L. Hackett, of Douglas county, Ill. In 1855, Robert Fickel weded Parthenia Vanschoyk, a sister of his first wife, and they became par- ents of five children: Martha, deceased; Mary, wife of J. Hackett; David, of Douglas county, Ill .; Willie, deceased, and Frank, of Decatur, Ill. The mother died in 1889, and Mr. Fickel passed away in 1888. In 1867, he removed to Douglas county, Ill., where he fol- lowed farming throughout his remaining days. He was a member of the Methodist church, and a republican in politics. During the late war, he served as a member of company F, One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio infantry.

Midst play and work, upon the home farm in the Buckeye state, George Fickel wasreared to manhood. He, too, went to Douglas coun- ty, Ill., in 1867, and there engaged in the operation of a farm until 1877, when he came to this county, and engaged in the manufac- ture of drain tile. For eight years he con- tinued that business and then, having his ankle mashed, he was crippled by the accident and for three years was unable to walk. After his recovery he embarked in his present line of business in 1891, and has since enjoyed a lucrative and constantly increasing trade. On the 13th .of January, 1881, in Union City, Mr. Fickel led to the marriage altar Miss Liz- zie C. Anderson, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, February 1, 1862, and is a daughter of Joseph and Lucinda (Harrison) Anderson. Two children grace the union- Charles H. and Idris. Mr. Fickel is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and is a republican in politics. For three terms

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he has served on the town council, his faithful performance of duty causing him to be twice re-elected. He has the best interests of the community at heart and is wide awake to everything that tends to promote its growth and upbuilding. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their home is the abode of hospitality and in social circles they rank high.

ENJAMIN DAVIS GRINDLE, dealer in hardware, building material, sash, doors and blinds, is an enterprising business man of Lynn, and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers this record of his life. He was born in Fayette county, Pa., January 23, 1826, and is a son of Christian and Jane (Davis) Grindle, who were also natives of the same county. There they were married and began their domestic life upon a farm, where they made their home until 1836. In that year they removed to Perry county, Ohio, where the father followed farming until his death in 1838. In 1853 Mrs. Grindle became the wife of James Ross of Ohio, and after his death she came, with her son, Benjamin, to Indiana in 1873. Subse- quently she returned to the Buckeye state and made her home with her daughter in Perry county, until called to her final rest in 1891. The daughter, Susanna, died in 1892, leaving our subject the only survivor of the family. The parents were members of the Presbyterian church, and were people possessed of many excellencies of character.

Benjamin Davis Grindle, whose name heads this record, spent the days of his boy- hood and youth in the usual manner of farmer lads, and remained with his mother on the old homestead until twenty-two years of age, when, in Perry county, Ohio, he was united in marriage with Zuba L. Sams, a native of

that county. The following children were born of this union: James P., now of Pitts- burg, Pa .; John A., of Licking county, Ohio; Charlotte J., wife of Samuel Dunwoody; Laura C., deceased; William Edward, of Pittsburg, Pa. ; and Asa Mahlon, of Union City, Ind. The mother of this family died about twenty years ago, and Mr. Grindle was again married in Miami county, Ohio, his second union being with Mrs. Marjory A. McClurg.

During the late war Mr. Grindle enlisted, in 1864, in the quarter master's department and went to Nashville, Tenn., as a carpenter. Therc he worked for nineteen months, having charge of a gang of men. The year 1873 witnessed his arrival in Indiana. He located in Jay county, where he followed farming until 1876, when he removed to a farm in Randolph county, and successfully continued its opera- tion until 1888. He then came to Lynn, where he has since been engaged in his present line of business. He owns thirteen acres of land in Lynn. Mr. Grindle is a man of ster- ling worth and strict integrity, and throughout the community where he resides is held in the highest regard. Since 1853 he has been an honored member of the republican party; and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

PILLIAM R. HALLIDAY, an enter- prising and highly respected busi- ness man of Lynn, Ind., who is ex- tensively engaged in the drug trade, was born in Washinston, Wayne county, Ind., March 31, 1850, and is a son of Elias F. Halliday, of Farmland, Ind., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. He began his educa- tion in the common schools of the neighbor- hood, pursued his studies in Winchester until seventeen years of age, when he entered upon his business career as clerk in the drug store

JAMES M. HAMILTON.

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of L. A. Gabel, of Farmland, For four years he remained with that employer, and then went to Winchester, where he began business for himself, forming a partnership with W. W. Reed, and opening a drug store, which they carried on until June, 1872. In that year Mr. Halliday came to Lynn, and here opening a drug store, which he continued alone for three years. He then formed a partnership with W. M. Halliday, of Ohio, and this connection was continued for fifteen years, but in 1890, W. M. Halliday retired, and since that time Mr. Halliday has been alone in business. He is now doing a profitable trade, and ranks among the leading merchants of this place.

A marriage ceremony performed in Farm- land, on the 26th of September, 1872, united the destinies of Mr. Halliday and Miss Ella Stafford, who was born in Blackford county, Ind., April 7, 1854, and is a daughter of Samuel G. and Mary E. (Jones) Stafford. Three children grace their union: Gertrude; Frank and Bernda. In his social relations, Mr. Halliday is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in his political affiliations he is a republican. He has been honored with several local offices of trust, hav- ing served for two years as town treasurer, and for two years as clerk. It is needless to say to those who know Mr. Halliday that his duties were promptly and faithfully performed; no matter what the trust reposed in him, it is always discharged to the best of his ability. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are numbered among the most highly respected citizens of the com- munity.

J AMES M. HAMILTON came to Lynn, Washington township, in March, 1855, and since 1882 has been connected with the railway mail service, and is now running on the I. B. & W. railroad. He

was born in Waterloo, Fayette county, Ind., September 2, 1845, and is the third son of Capt. Robert and Malinda (Matthews) Ham- ilton, whose sketch we give below. He re- ceived his education in the common schools and in Winchester. He learned the printer's trade in the office of the Randolph County Journal, and devoted his time to that work until July 15, 1861, when he enlisted in com- pany C, Nineteenth Indiana infantry, but being only sixteen years of age he was rejected. Determined to enter the service, however, he went as an officer's servant, and was at the front for nineteen months and was in the bat- tle of Lewinsville, Va., September 11, 1861. He then returned and went with the state sanitary committee to Vicksburg, Miss., look- ing after the sick and wounded soldiers of Indiana. On the 3d of November, 1863, Mr. Hamilton enlisted in company G, One Hun- dred Twenty-fourth Indiana infantry, for three years, under Capt. Asa Teal, and served until the close of the war, participating in the bat- tles of Dalton, Reseca, Altoona, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattanooga, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Columbia, Franklin, Goldsboro and Wise's Fork, N. C. He received a furlough at Raleigh, N. C., August 31, 1865, and started home. On going to Indianapolis to be mustered out he was again called to Greens- boro, N. C. He still has in his possession his descriptive roll and remarks thereon made by his captain, which contain the following: "Sergeant James M. Hamilton took an active part in the Georgia campaign from Dalton to Jonesboro, was in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and took a very conspicuous part in the battle of Wise's Fork, N. C., March 8, 9 and 10, 1865. He possesses all the qualities of a good soldier." He also has a furlough pass on his person given the 3d of May until the 3d of June, 1865. He was at the organi- zation of the regiment, was commissioned

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orderly sergeant and held the commission all through his term of service.

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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 133

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