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 141

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 141
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 141

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).

1328

RANDOLPH COUNTY :

wife of N. Puckett. Mr. and Mrs. Mills hold membership in the Christian church and take an active interest in its growth and upbuilding. In politics he is a republican, and in 1873 was elected justice of the peace, serving until 1876. The following year he was again elected and and filled the office until 1881. During one winter he married thirty-six couples. The life of Mr. Mills has been characterized by industry, perseverance and good management, and his untiring labors have brought to him a com- fortable competence, which now enables him to lay aside business cares and live retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

ILLIAM WILSON MILLS, who is now a leading merchant of Hunts- ville, was born in West River town- ship, September 18, 1856, and in the usual manner of farmer lads spent the days of his boyhood and youth aiding in the labors of the fields during the summer months and attending the district schools of the neighbor- hood through the winter season. In 1878, he became a student in Winchester, and after six months' study he embarked in teaching, following that profession during the winter months for eleven successive terms in this county. He proved an able instructor, and never had trouble in securing a school. The first marriage of William W. Mills took place February 2, 1880, to Earle Johnson, of Ran- dolph county, daughter of Joshua M. and Amanda (Pegg) Johnson. She died February 22, 1884.

On the 5th of February, 1887, Mr. Mills led to the marriage altar Miss Ida B. Rust, a native of this county, and a daughter of Will- iam R. Rust, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. They have become parents of two children-Lealon E. and Claire. Both Mr.

and Mrs. Mill hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal church, and are generous, benevolent people. In 1889, Mr. Mills came with his family to Huntsville, and by purchase succeeded to the general merchandise estab- lishment of Nichols Kable. He has a large store, with a stock valued at $3,000, and is doing a lucrative and constantly increasing business; in fact, his store is one of the finest in the place and is complete in all its appoint- ments. The proprietor, by his fair and hon- est dealing and courteous and gentlemanly treatment of his customers has secured a liberal share of the public patronage. His prosperity is certainly well deserved, for it is the reward of earnest effort. In politics Mr. Mills is a republican, supporting the men and measures of that party. He takes consider- able interest in civic societies, belonging to the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

0 AVID W. MOORE resides on section 18, West River township, Randolph county, Ind., and was born just a half mile from his present home on the 13th of December, 1839, and is a son of George and Mary (Hiatt) Moore, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. The days of his boyhood and youth were quietly passed upon the home farm, in the develop- ment of which he aided, grubbing up the roots from the ground and tilling the soil. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until twenty-eight years of age, when he was mar- ried, on the 22d of September, 1867, to Cather- ine Myers, daughter of Beniwell and Louisa (Glick) Myers, who were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania. After a short resi- dence in Ohio, they located in Stony Creek township, Randolph county. Mr. and Mrs.

1329

WEST RIVER TOWNSHIP.

Moore began their domestic life upon his father's farm, where they lived three years, and he then operated a rented farm for a year. In the fall of 1872 he purchased seventy acres of partially improved land and moved into a log house which was his home until he had ac- cumulated enough capital to replace it by a more modern residence. The home was blessed by the presence of two children, Arthur R. and Minnie E. The mother died March 9, 1882, and was buried in Buena Vista ceme- tery, where a fine monument marks her last resting place. She was an active member of the New Light church, a loving wife, a fond mother and was esteemed by all who knew her.

For his second wife, Mr. Moore chose Mrs. Mary Allison, widow of John Allison. She is a daughter of John and Catherine (Haper) Moyer, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled on a farm in this county in 1858, and reared a family of six children, namely: Martha, wife of D. W. Townsend; Julia, wife of William Stakebake; Henry, who died in the army; Catherine, wife of Wayne Brewer, and two others now deceased. The father died in 1885, and was buried in Huntsville cemetery, but the mother is still living in West River township. She is a member of the New Light church, as was her husband. Mr. Allison served as one of the boys in blue of company G, Twelfth Indiana infantry, for three years, and August 10, 1864, was wounded in the left arm at Raleigh. On the 23d of December, 1869, he wedded Miss Moyer, and, removing to Arkansas, there lived until his death, which occurred August 1, 1877. His widow subse- quently returned home and afterwards was again married, as above stated.

Mr. Moore was also in the service of his country. He enlisted for one year in Feb- ruary, 1865, as a member of company D, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana infantry,

under Capt. Hiatt, and on the close of the strug- gle was discharged in August, 1865. Since his return home he has been successfully en- gaged in farming. He owns and operates sev- enty acres of valuable land, which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. He also devotes considerable attention to the raising of fine horses and sheep. He and wife are members of the New Light church. Mr. Moore is a man of sterling worth and strict in- tegrity, prompt and faithful in the discharge of every duty, and true to every trust reposed in him.

ENRY H. MOORE, one of Ran- dolph county's most enterprising young men, is a member of the firm of Hanscom & Co., furniture dealers and undertakers of Modoc. His connection with this establishment has continued since 1892. They carry a full and complete line of furniture, such as is found in a first-class establishment of this kind, and do all kinds of undertaking and cabinet work. They have built up a good business and are now enjoying a large trade. Mr. Moore was born in Stony Creek township, August 13, 1859, and is a son of John and Eliza (Hubbard) Moore of Randolph county, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The education of our subject was acquired in the district schools of the community, and he was reared to man- hood on the old home farm, becoming thoroughly familiar with agriculture in all its various departments. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until after he had attained his majority, when he began life for himself. He purchased eighty acres of fine farming land in Stony Creek township, and placed it under a high state of cultivation. He is an industrious and energetic man and his work has brought its reward in the shape of a a well merited competence.

1330

RANDOLPH COUNTY :

On the 21st of October, 1881, Mr. Moore led to the marriage altar Miss Hannah E. Owens, their union being celebrated in Stony Creek township. She was born in North Car- oline, March 1, 1858, and is a daughter of John R. and Eliza (Mendenhall) Owens of this county. One child graces their union-Myron G. Mr. and Mrs. Moore hold membership with the Society of Friends and are people whose sterling worth and many excellencies of character have gained them the high regard of all with whom they have been brought in con- tact. Their lives have been quiet and unas- suming, yet have been filled with many good works. In politics, Mr. Moore is a supporter of republican men and measures. He has never been an office seeker, however, prefer- ring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. He continued in farm- ing until 1892, when he came to Modoc and joined the firm of Hanscom & Conroe, the name being changed at that time Hanscom & Co. He is a wide awake and enterprising business man, and his well directed efforts and perseverance have made his business career a prosperous one.

EORGE MOORE, a farmer of West River township, Randolph county, who owns and operates 1 52 acres of land. is one of the county's oldest residents. He was born in the state of Dela- ware in September, 1808, and is a son of David and Mary (Wilkins) Moore, natives of Ireland. The grandparents were Matthew Sarah (McDowell) Moore, who removed from Delaware to Pennsylvania, later to Ohio, and in 1817 to Wayne county, Ind. David and Mary Moore spent their last days in Wayne county. The family were all members of the Society of Friends. The father was a black-

smith by trade and in politics was a stanch re- publican. George is one of nine children: Sarah, deceased; Mary, wife of Jonathan Commons; Rachel, wife of Eli Townsends; Elizabeth, wife of Chandler Graves; Lydia V., wife of John Mar- tin; Henry, a farmer; George, of this sketch; Benjamin and Alexander, who also follow farm- ing. In the usual manner of farmer lads George Moore spent his boyhood and youth. At the age of twenty-two he was joined in wedlock with Mary Hiatt, a daughter of Isaac and Hannah (Sulgrove) Hiatt, natives of North Carolina. The young couple located on a farm in Wayne county, and he worked at his trade of cooper- ing until 1839, when he came to this county and purchased forty acres of land in West River township. At his father's death he re- ceived eighty acres, and afterwards bought fifty-two acres additional, making in all 172 acres. He build a split log cabin, which con- tinued to be his home for a number of years. But as his financial resources were increased he placed upon his farm all modern improve- ments and conveniences.

To Mr. and Mrs. Moore were born six children, but Mahala and William A. are now deceased; Rachel is the wife of Alex Feagins; David is engaged in agricultural pursuits; Mar- tha is the wife of Sol Cox; and Henry A. fol- lows farming. The mother of this family died in January, 1884, and was buried in Buena Vista cemetery, where a fine monument marks her last resting place. She was a member of the New Light church and a most estimable lady. Since the death of his wife, Mr. Moore's niece, Mrs. Armeda Cougill has kept house for him. She is a daughter of Ben- jamin and Hannah (Wright) Moore, and the widow of B. P. Cougill. Mr. Moore is a self- mace man, who by his own industrious efforts has accumulated a handsome competency, and, aside from his present possessions, he has generously given to each of his children

1335

WEST RIVER TOWNSHIP.

$400. Although now eighty-five years of age, he is still hale and hearty and manages his own farm. He, too, is a member of the New Light church, and has lived a life that has gained him universal confidence and won him the high regard of all.

J AMES H. MORONEY, M. D., a prac- ticing physician of Carlos City, was born in Logan county, Ohio, July 25, 1855, and is the third child of Anthony and Mary J. (Brown) Moroney. Anthony was a native of county Clare, Ireland. Going to Scotland, he was there married, in 1847, to Miss Brown, a native of Herthshire, and a daughter of George Brown, who was a de- scendant of the Highland Scots. Mr. Brown reached the advanced age of one hundred and one years, and his father was one hundred and three years of age at the time of his death. Ten children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Moroney: Isabel, wife of Philip Stanley, a dairy man of Dayton, Ohio; Margaret, who died in childhood; James H .; Bridget, wife of W. S. Ditman, a farmer near Dayton, Ohio; John Columbus, a brick mason; Mary J., wife of P. F. Hunter, a contractor of Columbus, Ohio; Thomas, who died in infancy; Annie, at home; Ellen, and Margaret, wife of Ed. Walker, a tinner of Dayton. Five years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Moroney immigrated to America, landing in New York city in 1853, whence they went to Ohio. Anthony engaged in farming in Logan county until 1861, and then worked at the stonemason's trade in De- Graff until 1866, when he purchased eighty acres of land in Shelby county, Ohio, and be- gan farming. In 1882, he sold that tract and purchased seventy-five acres near where he now resides. He is a democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Catholic church in McCartheysville.

The doctor received a good common school education, after which he engaged in teaching for five years, and then was graduated, in 1881, from the college of Ada, Ohio. After spend- ing one year as clerk in a dry goods store, he began the study of medicine with Dr. W. Turner of Shelby county, with whom he re- mained a year, and then attended the Starling Medical college of Columbus, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1885. The first year of his practice was spent in Osgood, Darke coun- ty, Ohio, and in 1886 he came to Carlos City, where he has since lived. On the 8th of February, 1888, Dr. Moroney was united in marriage with Emma R., daughter of B. F. and Mary (Page) Hill. She was born in Win- chester, Ind., March 7, 1868, and was a suc- cessful teacher in the public schools prior to her marriage. The doctor and his wife are leading and influential people of this com- munity, and their fine residence, which was erected in 1891, is the abode of hospitality and a favorite resort with their many friends. He is a democrat in politics, and a member of the Catholic church. His ability, both natural and acquired, has won him an enviable place among his professional brethren, and since coming to this place he has built up a large and lucrative practice, which he well deserves.

a HARLES W: OSBORN, who owns and operates a good farm on section 16, West River township, was born in Perry township, Wayne county, Ind., February 8, 1833, and is a son of Isaiah and Lydia (Worth) Osborn. Matthew Osborn, a native of England, was the founder of the family in America. The great-grandparents were Daniel and Margaret (Stout) Osborn, the former a native of Sussex county, Del., and the latter of York county, Pa., where

1336

RANDOLPH COUNTY :

their marriage was celebrated. The grand- father, Charles Osborn, was born in Guilford county, N. C., in 1775, and at the age of nineteen went to Tennessee. In 1798 he married Sarah Newman, daughter of John and Sarah (Fielder) Newman, natives of England. Charles was a farmer and a preacher of the Society of Friends. Removing to Mt. Pleas- ant, Ohio, in 1816, he there published the Philanthropist, the first abolition paper ever published in the United States. In 1819, he went to Wayne county, Ind., and laid out and named the town of Economy. Subsequently, in 1842, he resided in Cass county, Mich., but his last days were spent in Porter county, Ind., where he died in 1850. He was twice mar- ried and was the father of sixteen children, all of whom reached mature years. He traveled ex- tensively as a minister of the gospel, visiting every state where there were meetings of his denomination, much of the time riding on horseback and preaching two or three times a day. Mr. Osborn spent the years 1832 and 1833 in Europe, engaged in church work. He was a man of much more than ordinary abili- ty, was prominent in abolition work and was a leading citizen of this state. A sketch of his life as an anti-slavery worker has been pub- lished by the Indiana State Historical society, prepared by the Hon. G. W. Julian.

Isaiah Osborn was born in Knox county, Tenn., November 25, 1803. Went from there to Jefferson county, with his father, and thence to Mount Pleasant, Ohio, in 1816, where he was put to the printing business. In 1819 he went with his parents to Wayne county, Ind., worked on a farm till 1822, when he went to Greenville, Tenn., and worked with Benjamin Lundy at printing in the office of the Genius of Universal Emancipation. Returning to Indiana in 1825, he worked at printing at Centerville and Indianapolis till 1828, when he went to Economy, taught school, served as

justice of the peace and was married to Lydia Worth, June 24, 1829. He entered eighty acres of land about this time, built a log cabin in the midst of the forest, and began the de- velopment of a farm, upon which he lived till his death, which occurred June 16, 1846. His wife, the daughter of Job and Rhoda (Macy) Worth, was born November 1, 1805, and came to this state at the age of eighteen, re- siding with her mother in West River town- ship, Randolph county, teaching school up to the time of her marriage. She is still living in Dunreith, Ind., with her son-in-law, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, her mental faculties but little impaired. Both were members of the Friends' church, both were elders, and both served as clerks of their monthly meetings (for formerly men and women held separate business meetings) and the office of clerk included that of presiding officer.

Of the eight children of the family Caro- line is the wife of William Edgerton, a suc- cessful farmer of Henry county. She is a woman of ability, is a member of the Friends' church and of the W. C. T. U .; is president of the Organizer Publishing company, of Indi- anapolis, the state organ of the union, con- ducted and worked entirely by women. She is also a member of the board of managers of the Hadley Industrial School for Girls, also conducted by women alone; is state superin- tendent of temperance literature for the union and is actively engaged in temperance and philanthropic work. Rhoda received a good education in the common schools, at the Union Literary institute in Randolph county, and at Antioch college, Ohio. She was a successful teacher and died in 1859, at the age of twenty- four. Edmund is a farmer of Wayne county residing on the old homestead.

Laurinda received a good common school education. For more than twenty years she

1337

WEST RIVER TOWNSHIP.

was a successful teacher in the public and private schools, teaching in Randolph, Wayne, Henry and Union counties. In 1876 she married Thomas Ward, a banker of Winches- ter. She is a member of the Friends' church, also of the W. C. T. U., and is actively en- gaged in temperance, benevolent and church work.

Narcissa obtained a fair education in the public schools and at select schools at Econo- my and Fountain City. She also was a teacher, and was married to Henry Charles, a farmer of Wayne county. She died in 1878 at the age of thirty-seven years. Martha and Eunice died in 1848, aged five and two years respectively.

Charles W. Osborn was learned to spell and read by his mother as she sat him at the head of her spinning wheel while she worked to clothe her family. Until large enough to work on the farm he attended the denomina- tional or Friends' school under the control of the monthly meeting. For in early times, be- fore the public school system was developed, the Friends always built a church and a school house side by side. His father died when he was thirteen years old, and the work of the farm devolved on him, so that he seldom got more than two months' schooling out of the year till he was twenty years old. In 1853 he attended the Union Literary institute, a manual labor school in the eastern part of Randolph county, where students could work out a part of their board and tuition. He was in the school twelve months under Prof. E. Tucker, meeting most of his own expense and a part of that of his sister Rhoda's, by his own labor and keeping up his studies. For four months he had the entire superintendency of the work on the farm, the providing for the forty boarders, attending to the correspond- ence, keeping the books, etc., in addition to five studies and hearing a class recite each day.

Seven years' experience and training at home had made it possible to attend to such busi- ness, and it was any way to get an education so it was honest and honorable. Leaving the institute he taught two terms of school in Wayne county; one in Henry county, and then raised a crop on the farm, and entered Antioch college in the fall of 1856. . Here he supported himself in part by sweeping the floors of the college and dormitory. A portion of his earn- iugs heretofore were given to his mother for the support of the family. He was at Antioch six months, then returned to Wayne county, and farmed in the summer and taught school in the winter, and in the spring of 1858 mar- ried Asenath W. Wood, daughter of Jacob and Phœbe (Pickering) Wood of Henry county, and continued the operation of the old homestead, teaching in the winter till 1860, when he removed to the farm where he now resides. He has taught school for ten years, proving an able and efficient instructor. His farm of sixty acres is a valuable and desir- able home, highly cultivated and improved.

Mr. Osborn was an abolitionist from boy- hood, as were his parents before him. His father cast the only vote for James G. Birney in 1840 that was cast at Economy. As the republican party was pledged to the non-ex- tension of slavery, C. W. Osborn was identi- fied with it from the first, and got leave of absence from Antioch college to go home and cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fre- mont. When the slaves were liberated and their rights secured by constitutionol law, he turned his attention to the prohibition of the drink traffic. On becoming convinced that it could not be effected through the republican party, he assisted, in 1884, in the organization of the prohibition party in Indiana, and has since voted with that party and labored for its success.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Osborn have been born

1338

RANDOLPH COUNTY:

six children-Arthur W., who is a well in- formed man from extensive reading and close observation, is engaged in making tubular wells and erecting wind mills; Daniel Worth is a successful farmer and stock grower of Washington township; Laura Cordelia, died at the age of eleven years, Edgar C., at the age of two years, and Carrie while an infant; William E., is at home attending school and working on the farm during vacation. The parents are active and faithful members of the Society of Friends, of which Mr. Osborn is a local preacher. For eighteen years he served his monthly meeting as clerk and presiding officer. He has been prominent in Sabbath school and temperance work, and has done everything in his power to advance the cause of christianity. His life has been an exem- plary one, and the honorable, upright career of this worthy man is well deserving of emu- lation.

ENRY SHAFFER, a farmer of West River township, Randolph county, Ind., was born in Prussia, Germany, August 6, 1847, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Eggleman) Shaffer. In January, 1848, these parents came to the United States, landing at New Orleans, whence they came to Indiana, and until 1866 resided in Richmond, Wayne county. They then came to Randolph county, and purchased a farm of eighty acres. Here the father was laid to rest in August, 1870, in the New Dayton cemetery, at the age of seventy. He had been a member of the Lutheran church and a democrat in politics. The mother is still living at an advanced age, but is quite active. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer the following children: David, Henry, Eliza (deceased), John, William, Aaron, Charles and Mary.

Henry Shaffer, the subject proper of this

sketch, was but six months old when brought to this county. He was educated in the com- mon schools and assisted on the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when he married Hannah Smith, daughter of Henry and Adeline (Speece) Smith, of Ger- man extraction. After his marriage, Mr. Shaffer lived on rented farms for several years, and after drifting around for some time pur- chased his present farm of ninety acres, which he has highly improved. To the marriage of Henry and Adeline Shaffer have been born four boys, named as follows: John A., George W., Mahlon H. and William E. In addition to following his vocation of farming, Mr. Shaffer has for some years worked at carpen- tering. Mrs. Shaffer is a devout and active member of the Christian church, and the en- tire family enjoy tne respect of their neighbors.

a HARLES M. STEVENSON, of West River township, Randolph county, Ind., is the owner of a fine farm com- prising 120 acres of rich and valuable land. The entire amount is under a high state of cultivation and is well improved with all the ascessories and conveniences of a model farm. In connection with the tilling of the soil, he deals quite extensively in short horn cattle and thoroughbred Shropshire sheep, having some fine specimens of both upon the place. He is an industrious and energetic man and is recognized as one of the substan- tial agriculturists of the community. He was born in New Burlington, Clinton county, Ohio, November 29, 1840, and is of Scotch, Irish and German extraction. Three brothers of the name of Stevenson came from Scotland to America, one settling in New Jersey, one in New York, and the third going south. The grandfather was born in New Jersey in 1760.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 141

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