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 142

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 142
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 142

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).

1839

WEST RIVER TOWNSHIP.

Clayton Stevenson was born and reared in Warren county, Ohio, there married Charity Mann, and settled in New Burlington, where he worked at the saddler's trade for eight years. They had two children-Charles M. and one who died in infancy. The mother passed away in August, 1842. Mr. Stevenson then spent five years on his father's farm, after which he married Sarah B. Glover and moved to Indiana, locating upon a farm owned by his uncle, George, where he lived four years. In 1851 he moved to the farm now owned by his son, built a small house and began the development of his land. He took great pride in raising fine stock and in his business dealings was very successful. His wife died in November, 1874, and was buried in Cherry Grove cemetery. He was laid to rest by her side in January, 1877. In politics he was a stanch republican, and was an active and faithful member of the Society of Friends.

Charles Stevenson, after his mother's death, lived with his grandparents until six years of age, when his father married again and he continued with him, making his home under the parental roof until the father and step-mother had passed away. On the 22d of January, 1868, he married Mary A., daugh- ter of Jccob and Rachael (Hodson) Cox, na- tives of North Carolina. They became parents of a daughter-Charity E., now the wife of William R. Jones, a machinist of Richmond, Ind. Mrs. Stevenson died in January, 1870, and was buried in Union cemetery. In Sep- tember, 1871, Mr. Stevenson was united in marriage with Emily A .; daughter of Jesse and Matilda (Cropper) Haynes. Seven children grace this marriage-James E .; Mary A., wife of George A. Harvey; Edna L .; Laura M .; Jesse G .; Sarah E .; and Myrtle E. On his father's death Mr. Stevenson came into possession of the home farm. Indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature, and

the diligence and enterprise which character- ize his career have brought him a handsome competence, which numbers him among the well-to-do citizens of the community. Socially, he is a Mason at Huntsville.

S TEPHEN D. WARWICK, who is widely and favorably known through- out Randolph county, resides on sec- tion 20, West River township, where he is successfully engaged in farming. A na- tive of New York, his birth occurred in Erie county June 8, 1837. His parents, Darius and Elizabeth (Stevens) Warwick, were born and reared in New Jersey, and after their mar- riage went to the Empire state. The father was a sea captain and ran from Cape May to the Cape of Good Hope. He served in the war of 1812. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, a leading member of the Universa- list church, and his life was one of the strictest honesty and integrity. In 1838, he laid his wife to rest in Grass Lake cemetery in Michi- gan, and twelve years later was buried by her side. The ten children of the family are Darius, now deceased; Jacob, a machinist; Elizabeth, wife of William Riggs, of Michigan; Diana, wife of Hezekiah Hale; Rachel and Mary, both deceased; Joseph E., a machinist; John, who is engaged in blacksmithing; Char- ity, deceased, and Stephen.

Stephen D. Warwick was not two years old when his mother died. The father kept the family together during his life, but on his death the children were scattered, and, at the early age of fourteen, Stephen was thrown up- on his own resources, since which time he has made his own way in the world. For five years he worked at various employments, scorning no honest labor, and as the result of his industry and economy saved $1,400, which

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he invested in a stock of groceries. For two years he carried on this store and then enlisted in company A, Thirty-first Indiana infantry. The troops were sent to Kentucky, and partici- pated in the battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. At the latter place, Mr. Warwick was wounded and sent home on a forty days' furlough, but three months had passed ere he was again able for duty. Returning to the army at Nashville, he served as steward and nurse in hospital No 12, until discharged in 1862. After a short time spent at home, he again volunteered and joined the One Hun- dred and Fifty-fourth national guards of Xenia, Ohio. After some time he was taken sick and sent to the hospital in Columbus, where he re- ceived his final discharge in 1865.

For four years after his return home, Mr. Warwick worked at the carpenter's trade, then purchased forty acres of land, which he subse- quently sold, buying sixty-four acres elsewhere. This he traded for a stock of general merchan- dise. He built the first store in Modoc, car- ried it on for four years, then traded for prop- erty in Huntsville, which he afterwards ex- changed for a farm of sixty-two acres. The boundaries of the place have since been ex- tended until it comprises 162 acres of valuable land, well improved and highly cultivated. Mr. Warwick married Elizabeth, daughter of Ishmael and Mary (Mills) Conyer, the former of German parentage. They have reared a little girl, Elnora Kennedy, who is now the wife of Benjamin Petros, a well-to-do farmer of Nettle Creek township. For several years, Mr. Warwick was a local preacher in the United Brethren church, but he and his wife now belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. They take a very active and prominent part in religious work and are charitable and benevo- lent people, whose lives are filled with good deeds. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity and the Grand Army of the Republic and

is a self-made man, who is held in the highest regard by all.

B. WILLIAMS, dealer in wagons, carriages and farm implements in Modoc, claims Indiana as the state of bis nativity, his birth having occurred in Economy, Wayne county, on the 18th of September, 1859. He is a son of M. B. Wil- liams, who is mentioned elsewhere in this vol- ume. He was reared to manhood in his native town and from an early age was found in his father's blacksmith shop. Almost uncon- sciously he picked up the business. When he was a lad of twelve his father made him a platform on which to stand, in order that he would be tall enough to work at the anvil, and since that time he has worked at the business. When the town of Modoc, Randolph county, was established, Mr. Williams was solicited to move to this place and open a blacksmith shop here. This he consented to do, and in the midst of the shrubbery he built his shop, and began business for himself. The date of his arrival was December, 1886. As the town grew and the population increased, his busi- ness also increased, and he has since had a flourishing trade. He still carries on his shop, and in connection with this he has added a stock of fine tools, wagons, carriages, buggies, breaking plows, harrows and other farming implements.

On the 26th of January, 1881, Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Miss Augusta Greenstreet, their union being celebrated in Economy. The lady was born in Wayne county on the 26th of January, 1861, and is a daughter of Jesse and Emeline (Manning) Greenstreet. The union of the young couple has been blessed with two children, a son and daughter, Harry and Hazel. The parents are

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WEST RIVER TOWNSHIP.

both prominent members and active workers in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Williams is now serving as trustee. He has been superintendent of the Sunday school for seven years, and does all in his power for the growth and upbuilding of both church and Sunday school. Like her husband, Mrs. Wil- liams delights in doing good, and in the church she is now serving as a steward. In politics, he is a supporter of republican principles, having affiliated with that party since attain- ing his majority. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias. Aside from his business and his home, he owns forty acres of land in Wayne county. His success in life is the result of his well directed efforts and untiring perseverance.

ICKS K. WRIGHT, of Modoc, was born in West River township, which is still his home, on the 12th of April, 1847, and he is a worthy representa- tive of one of the prominent pioneer families. His parents, Hicks K. and Sarah (Stephens) Wright, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume, came to Indiana in an early day. Midst play and work the boyhood days of our subject were passed, and in the common schools he acquired his education, attending in the winter season, when his labors were not needed at work upon the farm. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until seven- teen years of age, at which time he entered the service of his country, then engaged in civil war. It was in February, 1865, that he joined the boys in blue of company E, One Hundred Forty-seventh Indiana volunteer in- fantry, and was ordered to Harper's Ferry,

Va. After six months' service, he received his discharge from that place on the 4th of August, 1865. Although so young when he joined the army, the bravery and faithfulness of the old veteran were not lacking in the young soldier.

When the war was over, Mr. Wright re- turned to his home and resumed farming, which he followed continuously and success- fully until 1892, when he came to Modoc, where he has since made his home. In 1887, he began buying and shipping stock, which he carried on in connection with agricultural pur- suits, and since 1891 he has devoted his entire time and attention to stock dealing. This branch of his business has proved a profitable one, and his success along this line has made him well-to-do. He still owns his farm, comprising 158 acres of valuable land in Nettle Creek township, and also has some town prop- erty. In February, 1869, Mr. Wright was united in marriage with Miss Armina J. Pick- ering, who was born in Randolph county, June 28, 1850, and is a daughter of Enos and Lucinda (Johnson) Pickering. They have be- come parents of six children, namely: Ida E., wife of John Christopher; James B., a physi- cian engaged in practice in Colorado; Lavina, now deceased; Kittie S., who is successfully engaged in teaching school; Maud and Mabel, both at home. Mr. Wright has always been a friend to the cause of education, and served as school trustee for four years. Socially, he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, and is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a genial, pleasant gentleman, warm hearted and true, and throughout the community where his entire life has been passed he has many warm friends.

WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

a DMUND L. ANDERSON was born October 17, 1844, near Arba, Greens- fork township, Randolph county, Ind. His grandfather, Nathan An- derson, was the son of a Scotchman, who first settled in Virginia, thence removed to Ken- tucky, and from there to Butler county, O., in 1817, where he died soon after. Nathan Anderson left a family of six sons and four daughters. The sons were Joseph, John. William, Nathan, David and Harrison. The daughters were Sallie, Betsy, Nancy and Jane. Harrison, the youngest son and the father of Edmund L., was born in Butler county, O., in 1817. In 1819, his widowed mother, with her family, removed to Wayne county, Ind., settling in the woods near where the town of Bethel now stands. In 1837, Harrison An- derson was married to Lydia A. Shaw, who was brought by her parents, Joseph and Sallie Shaw, from Pennsylvania. They were of English descent, and she had a family rela- tionship consisting of five sisters: Hester, Mary, Rachel, Sarah, and Martha, and six brothers: Samuel, Gideon, Benjamin, Joseph, Thompson and Martin. There were born to Harrison Anderson and his wife, Lydia, three children: Elizabeth, wife of Levi Hill; Ed- mund L. and Annie, deceased, who was the wife of H. N. Converse. In 1849, he sold his farm, one mile north of Bethel, just over the line in Randolph county, and moved on the farm near Spartanburg, where he died in 1884.

His wife is still living on the farm at the age of seventy-five years. Edmund L. Anderson labored on the farm with his father, going to school during the winter until he went into the army, enlisting in company B, Seventh Indiana cavalry, in July, 1863. He served until November, 1864, when he was discharged for disability. He was with his regiment in west Tennessee with Gen. A. J. Smith during the winter of 1863 and 1864, and during the spring, summer and fall of 1864. He partici- pated in the battles of Okalona, Gun Town, Egypt Station and Post Gibson, Miss. On his return to Randolph county, from the army, he commenced business in Union City. On the 8th day of June, 1865, he was married to Lydia F. Paxson of Richmond, Ind. To this union four children were born: Laura, who died at the age of two years; Thomas Bert Anderson, who became the husband of Estella Chenoweth and who now lives on the farm one-half mile west of Spartanburg; Charles Everett Anderson, who married Ida Hall, daughter of Amos Hall, of near Winchester, and now lives one-half mile south of Spartan- burg, and Maggie, who lives with her father at their home in Union City, Ind., 245 West Pearl street.

In 1882, Mr. Anderson sold out his busi- ness and moved to his farm near Spartanburg, where in January, 1888, his wife died; in Sept- ember, 1890, he was married to Miss M. J. Downard of Danville, Ind; and in 1892 he

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again entered the boot and shoe business in Union City. Mr. Anderson's experince of over twenty years in this line, coupled with progressive tendencies and affable manners, has brought to his house a liberal share of patronage. His store-room, at the corner of Columbia and Oak streets, is one of the finest in Union City. While on the farm Mr. An- derson also demonstrated his capacity for successful business management in this line. In the present management of his farming in- terests he is actively represented by his two sons, Bert and Everett, who superintend some 350 acres of fertile and well watered farm lands, which are yielding profitable results in general farming and stock raising under their intelligent management. Mr. Anderson is a true republican in his political affiliation. He is a member of Campbell post, No. 444, G. A. R., at Spartanburg, and he and wife are members of the Christian church.

S TEPHEN H. BAILEY, manufacturer of and dealer in proprietary medicines, is the only living son of James and Mary A. (Teegarden) Bailey. He was born in Brown township, Darke county, Ohio, July 18, 1847. Mr. Bailey spent his boyhood days in helping to clear up and till his father's farm, with the advantage of three months' schooling a year in the winter. At the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to learn carpentering with George Grim, and followed that trade successfully for ten years. In 1872 he married and resided at Woodington, Ohio, where he followed his trade for a period of two years, and subsequently moved to his farm near Woodington, where he lived six years, and during that period cleared eighty acres of heavily timbered land and supplied it with substantial buildings and other improvements. From the timber products he sold over 900

cords of wood, 20,000 staves and thirty-five cords stave bolts. In 1880 Mr. Bailey sold his farm and removed to Union City, where he entered the employ of W. T. Worthington and was for twelve years engaged successfully in the sale of sewing machines and buggies for that firm. After this he was employed by the Buckeye Manufacturing company at Union City as traveling salesman for their specialties for nine months. During the last five years Mr. Bailey has been interested in preparing proprietary medicines, his chief attention being devoted to a medicine called "Essence of Life," which he made and sold to the local trade only, until January, 1893. The cures effected by this medicine were so numerous and striking that Mr. Bailey gave up his other work, and for the past year has devoted all his time to its manufacture and introduction to the wholesale trade. His efforts have re- sulted in establishing a widespread sale, and from fourteen different states he now receives orders daily-from Baltimore to San Francisco. The "Essence of Life" is a specific remedy for kidney, blood and nerve diseases, and its merits are attested by strong testimonials from those who have used it in many localities. Mr. Bailey, January 1, 1872, was married to Sarah C. Crick, a native of Maryland and a daughter of John and Ann Rebecca (Robinson) Crick. Five children have been born to them -Daisy Violet, wife of Charles F. Shepherd, traveling salesman for "Essence of Life," and a resident of Union City; Carl Emerson, Birdie Blanche, Ivy Pearl, and James Otis. Mr. Bailey is a consistent and active member of the Meth- odist church.

R OBERT J. BRADY, clothing mer- chant of Union City, Ind., was born in the town of Killybegs, county of Donegal, north of Ireland, Septem- ber 21, 1848, and is a son of James and Mar-

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UNION CITY

garet (McNulty) Brady. He was reared on a farm, was educated in the national schools, and at the age of seventeen-1865-came to America without means, landing in New York. He then traveled through the eastern states, selling dry goods on his own account; next engaged in the general merchandising business at Maysville, Ky., from 1869 to 1874; he then went to Brown county, Ohio, made his home at Georgetown, married Miss Victoria Fite, of Brown county, in September, 1878, and moved from Georgetown to Union City, Ind., in 1879, and traveled in commercial business for three years.

Since then he has been engaged in the clothing business He has occupied his pres- ent store for five years, occupying a portion of the second story, his salesroom being 100 by 27 feet. He constantly employs four per- sons, and conducts the only exclusively cloth- ing house in the city. The parents of Mr. Brady, James and Margaret Brady, had born to them seven children, all now in America save one: Catherine, wife of Hugh Doherty, of Ft. Worth, Tex .; Andrew, merchant at Montgomery, Ala .; Robert J., subject of this sketch; Margaret, unmarried, in New York; Mary, still in Ireland; James, a railroad man of Woody Mills, Minn. ; Patrick H., in the store with his brother, Robert J.

The mother of this family died in Ireland in 1876, and the father is living with Patrick in Union City, at the age of eighty-three years. The parents of Mrs. Robert J. Brady are Jef- ferson and Elizabeth (Pickering) Fite, who have had born to them five sons and two daughters, viz: Rufus, Albert G., Morris W., Edgar, Clement V., Victoria and America. Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Brady are the parents of five children, named as follows: Lena Elizabeth, Magdelene, Mary Addine, Agnes Margaret, Robert F. and Gertrude. Mr. Brady is a member of the Knights of St John

and of the Catholic Benevolent association. The family is highly respectable, and Mr. Brady is considered as one of the substantial business men of Union City.

APT. GEORGE W. BRANHAM, a prominent citizen of Union City and a gentleman of broad experience, was born in Vernon, Jennings county, Ind., January 11, 1839, the son of Simeon and Jemima (Chambers) Branham. His father, who knew by experience the advantages of an education, kept George in the subscrip- tion schools, where he applied himself very closely. In 1853 the family moved to Union City, Ind., and opened a railroad eating house near the depot. At seventeen, George W. went to Galion, Ohio, to work in the Bee Line machine shops, where he remained for two and a half years. He then accepted an invitation from his father to return to Union City and assist him in running the hotel which he had started. George remained with his father until July, 1860, when he purchased the Branham house at Bellefontaine, Ohio. This he conducted very successfully until June, 1862, when he sold out and came back to Union City.

The war was now the all absorbing ques- tion and Mr. Branham organized a company of volunteers. The Indiana quota was filled, but their services were accepted by Gov. Todd, and the company became K, Eighty- seventh Ohio volunteer infantry. Mr. Bran- ham was offered the captaincy, but declined because of his age, and accepted the position of first lieutenant. He was called east and put on patrol duty in Baltimore, and later at Harper's Ferry. At the latter place, in Sep- tember, 1862, he was taken prisoner, but fortunately was paroled five days later. Re-

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AND WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

turning to Union City he began with his brother William to buy army horses for the government. He enlisted again May 10, 1863, and was made captain of company B, Seventh Indiana cavalry under Col. Shanks, a brave, warm hearted officer. His company participated in the following battles: Okalona, Miss., Raleigh, Tenn., Guntown, Miss., Port Gibson, Miss., Grand Gulf, Miss., Verona, Miss., Egypt, Miss., Boliver, Miss., Hatch's River, Miss., Hurricane Creek, Miss., Oxford, Miss., Independence, Mo., Big Blue, Mo., Little Osage, Mo., Wine Creek, Kan., and other places. After two years of active serv- ice he was made to realize that he could no longer stand the privation and exposure in- cident to a soldier's life. He resigned and came home. On recovering his strength, he entered the boot ahd shoe business with his father, purchasing the stock of goods owned by Avery & Deane. Remaining here six months, he sold out to his father, moved to Connersville and started a boot and shoe store of his own. In 1867, selling his stock of goods, he moved to Quincy, Ill., where for eight months he had charge of one of the largest hotels in the city. He next became traveling salesman for a Quincy wholesale boot and shoe house. After serving here for one year he went to New Mexico, and for eight months was salesmen in a large branch store at Maxwell. In the fall of 1871 he returned to Union City and took up the hotel business again, which he ran very successfully. He afterwards engaged in the livery business with his brother William and continued his active bursiness career till 1878.

Capt. Branham was married April 19, 1860, to Loretta, daughter of Dr. R. A. Cooper, one of the earliest settlers in Union City. They have two daughters. One, Mary C., is married; the other, Dora W., a refined and accomplished young lady, has achieved

quite a reputation as an artist. Her paintings in both oil and water colors show her to pos- sess talent of a very high degree. Capt. Branham as a soldier was brave and well liked by his men; as a citizen, he is courteous and obliging.

....

ILLIAM BRANHAM, the genial, courteous and popular proprietor of Branham's hotel and restaurant at Union City, is a native of Indiana, having been born in Jennings county, Febru- ary 5, 1837, the son of Simeon and Jemima (Chambers) Branham, and the eldest son of a family of two sons and two daughters. At the age of fifteen, having attended the common schools of his neighborhood during the inter- val, he came to Udion City with his parents. Railroad trains had just begun to run, and they constructed an eating house of up and down boards, 124x24 feet, with no plastering, on the site of the present restaurant. The Dayton & Union and Bee Line trains stopped here, and business was excellent. Here Will- iam assisted until his father erected the Bran- ham house, and moved into it in 1856. The main building was 56x60 feet, and there Will- iam has remained since, with the exception of a part of 1859, when he conducted the Bran- ham house at Bellefontaine, Ohio, also for his father.

About the opening of the late war William opened a livery stable on his own account, near the Branham house, and conducted it for eight years. He then sold the stable and embarked in the hotel and restaurant business on the old site, and carried it on most success- fully until the disastrous fire of May 4, 1883. In ninety days thereafter he had completed a new building-a substantial brick-and has held an interest ever since with the exception of two years, when it was carried on by his

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UNION CITY

son. In April, 1893, with his son, Frank L. Branham, he bought out the lease, furniture and fixtures of H. H. Elliott, and the firm name has since beon Frank L. Branham & Co. At the same time he formed a co-partnership with his second son, Albert, and by them the restaurant has been since conducted, with a hotel attachment.

The marriage of William Branham took place in 1857, to Miss Leora V., daughter of Alfred Lenox, one of the pioneers of Union City, and to their union have been born two daughters and two sons, viz: Flora, widow of C. W. Pierce, Jr .; Ida, wife of Frank H. Bowen of Union City; Frank L. and Albert. Mr. Branham and his sons are adepts at their business. No efforts are spared to make the patrons of the hotel feel at home, and the tables of the dining room and of the restaur- ant are supplied with the choicest vlands and every delicacy of the season, while polite and accomodating attendants are always promptly on hand to supply the slightest behest of the guest. In politics Mr. Branham is an uncom- promising republican and always manifests a great interest in the affairs of his party.

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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 142

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