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 39

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 39
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 39

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Rev. Phillips was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony, August 14, 1851, in Blooming- ton, Randolph county, Ind., to Mary Garrett, who bore him five children, of whom three are living, viz: Katie, wife of O. B. Thacher, of Spokane, Wash., Mary J., wife of A. B. Kline, of Bluffton, Ind., and Emma G., at home with her father. The mother of this family was called from earth January 24, 1879, at Goshen, Ind., and her mortal remains lie interred at that place. The second marriage of Mr. Phillips was solemnized April 13, 1880,

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in Circleville, Clinton county, Ind., with Nancy E. (Wilson) White, widow of Dr. J. B. White. This lady is also a devout mem- ber of the Methodist church. In politics Mr. Phillips is a republican. He is at present a non-affiliating member of the I. O. O. F., but before his voluntary withdrawal from active work in the order was an honored and promi- nent member and had attained a high rank in the brotherhood. Mr. Phillips is a strong ad- vocate of temperance. He has never tasted an intoxicant during all his life, and never loses an opportunity to inveigh against the accursed traffic in liquor.

0 R. ARTHUR JOHN PHINNEY, phy- sician, botanist and geologist, of Muncie, Ind., was born in Russell township, Geauga county, Ohio, Au- gust 27, 1850. He was reared on the home farm until of age, receiving in the meantime a good common school education, supplemented by an attendance at Geauga seminary and two terms at Oberlin college, and at Allegheny col- lege, Meadville, Pa., until he reached the ju- nior year, devoting special attention to the sciences and mathematics. During his colle- giate course, also, he employed his spare time in teaching in the common schools of Geauga and adjoining counties for six terms. In 1875 he took his first course of medical lectures, be- ginning in the medical department of Wooster university; his second course was at Pulte Medical college, of Cincinnati, in 1876-77, from which he graduated in the last named year. For little over a year he practiced in Galion, Ohio, and in October, 1878, come to Muncie, where he has had an excellent prac- tice ever since. He turned his especial atten- tion to botany at the time he left college, and his last work in this line ended with 1882,

when he was employed to prepare a complete record of the flora of Delaware county, Ind., which was published in the report of the state geological survey of that year. In this record he classified 720 plants, including grasses, sedges, rushes and flowers, and the task occu- pied him several years. The doctor has been a student of geology for many years, but his first official recognition was in 1881, when he was employed to make a geological survey of Delaware county, which proved to be so satis- factory that he was subsequently employed to survey Randolph, Grant, Henry and the north- ern portion of Wayne, and the results were in- cluded in the state report of 1882, 1883 and 1885-86 (two in one). This was a labor of five or six years, taken in connection with the practice of his profession. On the discovery of natural gas, the doctor began the study of the phenomenon minutely and scientifically, keeping a record of all the data obtainable throughout the state of Indiana, including records of all the geological strata passed through in drilling -- thickness, altitude, depth of Trenton limestone; whether gas, oil or water was found, total depth of well, and other minute facts, and securing and label- ing samples of drillings. By these data he was enabled to determine the limits of the field, and was the first to accurately define it. These reports were made the base of a series of articles, by the doctor, published in the American Manufacturer and Iron World, in December, 1887, and afterward, in full, in the Indianapolis News, and in the Petroleum Age, at Bradford, Pa., and attracted profound at- tention throughout the country. Major J. W. Powell, director of the United States geologi- cal survey, impressed with the thoroughness of the work done, appointed the doctor United States geological surveyor for a continuation of the survey of the Indiana gas field and di- rected a complete report to be made thereon.

THOS. PORT.

MRS. THOS. PORT.

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This was a labor of three years, and forms a part of the eleventh annual report of the United States geological survey. It is amply illustrated with maps and sectional views, and embraces everything of interest in relation to the gas field. The doctor has also been called to different parts of the United States at various times, in connection with his work. He has secured one of the most comprehen- sive working geological libraries in the state, and has collected an extensive variety of fos- sils, minerals and fresh water and land shells, embracing over 17,000 species, all classified and labeled. In the fall of 1892, this collect- ion was sold, and donated to Buchtel college, Akron, Ohio. The bulk of this immense re- search, study and labor has been accomplished within the past twelve years, and yet the doctor has assidiously attended to his daily professional duties, to which he now exclu- sively devotes himself, and in which he holds high rank. Music affords him his only pastime.

The marriage of Dr. Phinney took place, October 16, 1879, to Miss Mary E. Little, daughter of John L. Little, of Muncie, and to this union one child, Louise, has been born.

ILLIAM N. PIXLEY, painter, was born in Adams county, Ohio, Sep- tember 11, 1851, son of Elijah and Harriet A. (Abbot) Pixley. Elijah and Harriet Pixley were born and married in the above county and state and reared a fam- ily of three children: William N., Jennie, (deceased), and James, who resides in Tacoma, Washington. The father died of cholera July 4, 1855, and the mother is living at this time with her son in the city of Tacoma. William N. received his education in the common schools of Ohio, and at the age of eighteen began learning the painter's trade, which he has made

his life work. In February, 1869, Mr. Pixley came to Muncie and engaged in painting with Alexander Wiley, and three years later became one of the principal workmen for the firm of Slinger & Wiley, and was thus employed until 1892, when he became a member of the firm. Mr. Pixley is a skillful painter, as is proved by the many specimens of his handiwork, as seen in the signs he has turned out. He is a repub- lican in his political affiliations, a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity, and, for some years, has been an active worker in the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Mr. Pixley was mar- ried July 3, 1861, to Miss Rebecca J. Richey, of Delaware county, Ind., and their home has been gladdened by two children: Gertrude and Arvil.

HOMAS PORT began life at the bot- tom of the ladder, which he has climbed to the top with no help but a brave heart, industrious hands and an intelligent brain, and is a living example of what may be accomplished in this country by thrift and perseverance, even under discour- aging circumstances. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, May 3, 1836, a son of John and Mary Jane (Carlton) Port. The parents were na- tives of the same place, married there and were in comfortable circumstances, but the long trip across the water to America pretty well drained their resources. They located in Fayette county, Ind., where they engaged in a general merchandise business, and Mr. Port followed this all of his life, which ended in 1839, his wife dying in 1841, and they were buried in Fayette county. They had been members of the Presbyterian church, and in his political views he was a tory. Four chil- dren were born to them-William, Margaret and Eliza J., all deceased, Thomas being the

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only one yet living. The mother afterwards inarried Jacob Troxall, and Thomas was reared by his step-father until he was seventeen years old, when he left home, possessing one pair of pants, one shirt and a straw hat, and reached the home of his sister, the wife of William Wilson, in the same county, bare-footed. Here he was given a good home and worked for a year for his board and clothes, at which time he decided to begin farming for himself. He engaged to buy an old horse for $60 on one year's time, and rented twenty-five acres of land. He tended a crop on this piece of land, sold it for $20 per acre, and thus gained a start in life.

Coming to Muncie the next winter, his quick intelligence showed him that money could be made in the buying and selling of horses, and he traded all winter, buying in Muncie and selling in Fayette county, but when summer came he engaged in farming again. In 1860 he bought eighty acres of land in Centre town- ship, Delaware county, paying $2,400 for it, and was able to pay down $1, 100, with notes for the balance, which long before they became due were fully paid. In 1864 he sold this land and then bought in Mount Pleasant township 120 acres, upon which he lived until 1885, owning at that time 400 acres, and then he came to where he now resides. Here he bought 160 acres and has made a pleasant home. In 1891 he sold 140 acres, the city of Muncie having so encroached upon him, and for this land he received $225 per acre. He has reserv- ed twenty acres around his home just outside the city, and he also owns 100 acres in Mount Pleasant township, which he has well improved.

In 1870 Mr. Port began the buying and selling of stock very extensively, and has made it very profitable, managing his business with good judgment and unceasing care. He was married September 4, 1859, in Centre town- ship, to Miss Catherine Williams, a native of

the township, born March 11, 1842, a daughter of William Y. and Sarah (Tomblison) Will- iams, who were natives of Ohio and early pioneers of Delaware county. Mr. and Mrs. Port had a family of seven children, as follows: Laura M., wife of Charles Koontz, a glass manufacturer of Muncie, who was deputy treas- urer for the term of eight years; Ellsworth, deceased; John W .. the secretary of the Port Glass works; Charles H. and two infants, de- ceased, and Maud, who resides at home. Politi- cally, Mr. Port is a believer in the principles of the democratic party, which he cordially sup- ports Mr. Port is one of the stockholders in the Port Glass works and is considered one of the strong financial men of Muncie. The father of Mrs. Port was born in 1811, and now resides in Centre township. The mother of Mrs. Port died in this township in 1856, at about forty-one years of age. They had a family of nine children, as follows: John (de- ceased), Zadoc, Isaac, Catherine, Henry, Sarah Ann, William (deceased), Perry and Nathan. Mr. Williams is a republican and a member of the Protestant Methodist church.

RICE PETTIJON POWERS, an old and highly respected citizen of Centre township, a native of Monongalia county, Va. (now W. Va.), was born January 13, 1815, and is a son of Nehemiah and Cassandra (Holland) Powers. Nehemiah Powers was a representative of an old pioneer family of (then) Virginia, and first saw the light of day in a fort which had been erected to protect the settlement from the incursions of the savages. By occupation he was a farmer, and he followed that useful calling all of his life. He moved to Indiana in 1823, settling in Wayne county, thence, five years later, moved to the county of Henry, where his

M, POWERS,

MRS. M. E. POWERS.

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death occurred in September, 1846. His wife, whom he married in his native state, was a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Gordon) Hol- land, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively. She became the mother of twelve children, six of whom are living at this time. viz: Brice P .; Reason H .; Maria, wife of John Williams, a retired farmer living in Muncie; James, a resident of Blackford coun- ty, Ind., ; Joshua H., of Oregon; and Mary, wife of Noah Branson, a farmer living in Kan- sas.

Brice P. Powers was but a lad of about eight years when his parents moved to Indiana, and he received the principal part of his edu- cational training in the schools of Centreville, Wayne county, which he attended about two years. His first practical experience in life was acquired in a tan yard, where he was em- ployed for two years, after which he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Henry county, where he resided until his removal to the county of Delaware in 1852. Upon becoming a resident of the latter, he located where he now lives in Centre township, and has since become the possessor of 328 acres of finely improved and highly cultivated land, the result of his own in- dustry and successful financial management. Mr. Powers has been a hard worker, and his labors have ever been directed by prudent forethought, the legitimate result of which is the comfortable competence he now enjoys. On the 4th of May, 1844, Mr. Powers and Hannah Lewis, of Delaware county, Ohio, were united in marriage. Mrs. Powers is the daughter of John and Naomi (Kelly) Lewis, both natives of Ohio, the former of Delaware and the latter of Butler county. The follow- ing are the names of the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Powers: James, deceased; Nancy, wife of James Rosebraugh; Zeziah, deceased; Phebe, widow of David Daily; John, a resident of Iowa; Stephen G., who lives in the same

state, and Rachael, wife of H. Simpson. John Lewis, the father, died in Randolph county, Ind., September 15, 1876; his wife died in Delaware county, Ohio, in September of 1834. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Powers five children were born, namely; Naomi, widow of J. H. Helm, of Muncie; Mark, deceased; Nehemiah, a contractor of Muncie; Amelia, deceased, and John, who resides with his father on the home place. Mr. and Mrs. Powers are communicants of the Baptist church, and their lives have been fraught with kind acts and good deeds. They are among the highly respected residents of Centre township, and all with whom they have come in contact unite in praising them for their many virtues.

John Powers, the youngest sonof Brice P. and Hannah Powers, was born May 28, 1858, in Delaware county. His early educational training in the high school of Muncie, where he graduated in 1877, was supplemented by a thorough course in the literary department in the State university at Bloomington, which he completed in the spring of 1881. He taught school in Yorktown for two years, and is one of the intelligent and progressive young men of Delaware county. He lives with his father upon the homestead, in the management of which he displays the energy and thrift of the successful agriculturist.

ARK POWERS, the popular treas- urer of Delaware county, of which he is a native, was born in Wash- ington township, on the 4th day of June, 1845, and is a son of Uriah and Syl- vania (Wilson) Powers, natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Uriah Powers immigrated to Indiana as early as 1826, set- tling in Henry county, where he entered and improved a farm, but in 1834 disposed of his

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interest in that part of the state, and removed to Washington township, Delaware county, where Mr. Powers became a prominent busi- ness man, having been one of the pioneers of that section. For many years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, married in Washington township, and afterward built the Elizabeth mills, which he operated until his death in 1860; his wife preceded him to the grave, de- parting this life in 1856. Politically Mr. Powers was a republican, but could never be induced to accept any political office, prefer- ring to give his entire attention to his various business interests. He adhered to the creed of the Baptist church, while his wife was an active member of the Presbyterian denomina- tion. They reared six children to maturity, as follows: Bryce, a member of company B, Eighth Indiana infantry, was taken sick at the siege of Vicksburg and died in the St. Louis hospital: John, who died in 1865; Ann, died in 1861; Mary, now Mrs. Keesling of Perry township; Mark, the subject of this mention, and George, a well known resident of the township of Washington.

Mark Powers received his primary educa- tion in the township schools, later attended the Muncie academy, and subsequently pursued his studies for two years' in the schools of Marion, Ind., in all of which he made substan- tial progress in the various branches of learn- ing. In 1861 he went to live with an uncle in Henry county, this state, and in the spring of 1864 he entered the army as a member of company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Indiana volunteer infantry, with which he served four months, and in 1865 enlisted in company F, One Hundred Forty-seventh regiment, with which he served until honorably discharged at the close of the war. On severing his connection with the army, he returned to Delaware county and engaged in farming and stock raising in Washington township, where

he has since· made his home. In February, 1869, the marriage of Mr. Powers was solem- nized with Miss Mary E. Furgeson, step- daughter of Henson Lewis, of Washington township, and a lady widely and favorably known for her many excellent traits of charac- ter. Politically Mr. Powers is a republican, and as such was elected to the office of trustee of Washington township, the duties of which position he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people for the period of eight years. In 1890 Mr. Powers was compli- mented by his fellow citizens by being called to a more exalted official station, namely, treasurer of Delaware county, to which he was elected in November of that year, was again elected in 1892, and still fills the office in a manner gratifying to his friends as well as to those who differ with him politically. Frater- nally, he is a member of Lookout Mountain post, G. A. R., No. 345, New Corner, belongs to the Masonic order of Muncie, and is also identified with the Improved Order of Red Men of Muncie. Mr and Mrs. Powers have an interesting family of seven children, whose names are as follows: George, Burt, Webb, Susan, Paul, Bruce and John. Mrs. Powers belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of Muncie, of which she is a valued member.

LISHA J. PUCKETT, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Muncie, was born January 31, 1843, in the town of Cadiz, Henry county, Ind. His father was Dr. Henry L. Puckett, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Comer, was also born in the same state. Henry L. Puckett received his professional education in the Botanic Medical college, Cin- cinnati, and began practicing at the town of

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Martinsville, Ohio, in the latter part of the 'thirties, moving thence to Indiana, locating first in Henry county and later in the Indian Re- serve in the present county of Howard. At the close of the late war, he went to Rich- land county, Wis., where his death occurred in 1887. Mrs. Puckett preceded her husband to the grave, departing this life in the year 1861 at her home in Tipton county, Ind. Henry L. and Elizabeth Puckett were the parents of four sons and three daughters: Elisha J., John L., J. Barkley and George B., all of whom entered the medical profession; John L. resides at Kokomo, Ind .; J. Barkley lives in Iowa, and George B., in Minneapolis; Maria, Letha and Margaret are deceased.

Dr. Elisha J. Puckett spent his youthful years on the Indian Reserve, and on the death of his mother went to Anderson, where he en- listed, at the breaking out of the great rebel- lion, in company G, Eighth Indiana infantry, Capt. H. VanDevender, for the three months' service. At the expiration of his enlistment, he re-entered the army for three years or during the war, joining company K, Sixteenth Indiana volunteer infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged at New Orleans in 1865. His command formed part of the Fourteenth army corps, department of the gulf, and he shared with his comrades the fortunes and vicissitudes of war on a number of sanguinary fields and throughout several hotly contested campaigns.

On severing his connection with the army, Dr. Puckett returned to Anderson, Ind., and for three years thereafter studied medicine with Dr. J. C. Cullon, under whose able in- struction he made such commendable progress that, before the expiration of the time noted, he began the practice of his profession as as- sistant to his preceptor. During the succeed- ing four years he practiced at the town of New Corner, Delaware county, and with the pecun-

iary capital thus acquired and actuated by a laudable ambition to drink more deeply at the fountain of professional knowledge, he entered college at Indianapolis, where in due time he graduated, receiving his diploma in 1878. Subsequently he took a post-graduate course, and in the winter of 1888 located in Muncie, where he has since resided, building up a large and lucrative practice in the city and through- out Delaware county in the meantime.

Dr. Puckett was married in 1861, while home on furlough, to Miss Malinda Harris, daughter of Washington and Sarah (Gifford) Harris, to which union seven children were born, five living at this time: Annie L., Frances, Ida Blanch, Bertha and F. W. Since beginning the practice of the healing art Dr. Puckett has continued to enjoy a well merited reputation for success in his calling. He has always been an ardent supporter of the democratic party, and during President Cleve- land's first administration was a member of the pension examining board of Delaware county. He is identified with the Methodist Protestant church, belongs to the I. O. O. F. and Red Men order, and was initiated into the mysteries of the Masonic fraternity a num- ber of years ago at Anderson.

EWIS REES, a prominent citizen of Centre township, and a member of one of the oldest and best known pioneer families of Delaware county, is a native of Ohio and a son of Lewis and Mary Rees. His paternal ancestors were among the early settlers of Virginia, and on the mother's side he is a descendant of the sturdy pioneers of Pennsylvania. Lewis and Mary Rees emigrated to Ohio many years ago, and as early as 1821 came to Delaware county, Ind., locating in the township of Perry, of which

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they were among the very first settlers. Their first home was located in the woods, and after developing a farm, Mr. Rees, Sr., moved to another part of the township and purchased 160 acres of government land, which was also in a primitive condition. Being a man of much more than ordinary thrift and business foresight, Mr. Rees made a number of judi- cious purchases, and in time became the owner of over 600 acres of valuable land, the greater part of which, under his successful manage- ment, was brought to a successful state of cultivation. Upon the home farm in Perry township, Lewis Rees, Sr., died in 1852, and his wife was summoned to her final reward in 1876. Lewis Rees was a prominent factor in in the early history and development of Del- aware county, and at one time filled the office of probate judge with ability. He became a republican upon the formation of that party, and was an earnest supporter of its principles until the close of his life.

Lewis Rees was born March 11, 1820, and has spent the greater part of his life in Dela- ware county. Like all people reared on a farm, he was early in life made familiar with the many labors and duties incident thereto, and until his marriage, at the age of thirty, he re- sided upon the home place and managed the same. His marriage was solemnized August 1, 1850, with Mary A. Smith, who was born in Liberty township, Delaware county, January 2, 1831, the daughter of Lewis and Serepta (Preston) Smith, natives of Vermont, who moved to this part of the state at an early period of its history. 'Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Rees purchased a farm of eighty acres, to which he at once removed, and upon which he resided for a period of eighteen years, .and then moved to his present place in Centre township, where he has since made his home. In the meantime Mr. Rees accumulated valu- . able real estate in various parts of the county,

and became the owner of over 300 acres of fine land, which he divided among the various members of his family. Since moving to his present place in Centre township, he has added to his original purchase from time to time until he how has in his possession over 377 acres adjoining the city of Muncie, all of which is substantially improved and represents a great value. In the true sense of the word, Mr. Rees is a self made man and as such ranks with the most successful agriculturists of Dela- ware county. He possesses financial ability of a high order, has always been a man of great industry, and his example is well worthy of imitation by those who are just beginning the struggle of life for themselves. He is one of the oldest and best known citizens of the county living at this time, and is fully entitled to the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, which he enjoys in a very marked degree. He is a republican in politics and a member of the Methodist church, to which his wife also belongs. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rees, namely: Elwood, Perlina, Randson, Serepta (deceased), Lucetta (deceased) and Emma.

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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 39

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