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 47

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 47
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 47

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).

J OHN H. TOM was born September 20, 1838, in Wooster county, Ohio, and is a son of John and Amy (McCoy) Tom, both parents natives of the state of Maryland. John Tom and wife left their native state in an early day and located in Ohio, thence, in 1839, immigrated to Delaware county, Ind., locating on a farm in Centre township, where the mother's death occurred May 7, 1866; the father followed her to the grave April 12, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Tom were members of the Lutheran church, and of their ten children five are living at this

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time: Anna, wife of W. Smith, of Muncie; Mary, wife of H. C. Matthews of this city; John H .; Amos, a resident of Mount Pleasant township, and Willard who lives in Pulaski county, Ind.

John H. Tom was but an infant when his parents moved to Indiana, consequently the greater part of his life has been passed within the boundaries of Delaware county. His early life was uneventful, having been passed on the home farm until his twenty-third year, and his education was acquired in the district schools, which he attended during the winters of his minority. When the dark clouds of civil war gathered over the country, Mr. Tom was among the many patriotic young men who tendered their services to the national government, and he went forth to do battle for the Union cause in 1862, enlisting August 5th, of that year, in company B, Sixty-ninth volunteer infantry, for three years' service, or during the war. He shared the fortunes and vicissitudes of his command throughout the terrible struggle, and with the exception of the last six months was a member of the same company in which he enlisted; the period alluded to was spent in what was known as company A, of the Sixty- ninth battalion. During the period of serv- ice, Mr. Tom took a gallant part in the following bloody battle: Richmond, Ky., Chickasaw Bluffs, Miss., Arkansas Post, Ark. ; Thompson Hill, Black River Bridge, Vicks- burg and Jackson, Miss., Blakely, Ala., and many other engagements of minor importance. He was captured at Richmond, Ky .; but re- mained a prisoner for a short time only, hav- ing been paroled within a brief period after the battle at that point. While in the service Mr. Tom contracted malarial fever, which almost completely shattered his health, and from the effects of that dread disease he never expects to fully recover. In July, 1865, he was discharged at Mobiie, Ala., and immedi-

ately thereafter returned home, and has since resided in Muncie and vicinity, engaged in various occupations, Mr. Tom owns a beau- tiful home of three and one-half acres in the suburbs of the city, and is a highly respected citizen, having numerous friends in Muncie and throughout Delaware county.

Mr. Tom was married December 4, 1865, to Margaret VanMatre, who was born in Del- aware county, December 4, 1847. Mrs. Tom is the daughter of Joseph and Martha A. (Williamson) VanMatre, of New York, and she has borne her husband two children-Cora A., who lives at home, and Albert, deceased. Mr. Tom reared his sister, Elizabeth Everett Tom. Mr. Tom is a republican in politics, a member of the G. A. R., and he exemplifies the teachings of the christian religion, in his daily walk and conversation, as a member of the Disciples church of Muncie.

SAAC NEWTON TRENT, M. D., of Muncie, Ind., is a native of Carroll county, in the same state, and was born December 18, 1854. His boy- hood days were passed on his father's farm, and as he advanced toward manhood he learned carpentering. In addition to attending the common schools, at the age of seventeen he attended the Battle Ground Collegiate insti- tute, at Battle Ground, Ind., pursued an acad- emic course for two years, and then taught common school in Carroll county for seven years, assisting on the farm during vacations. In 1878, he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. W. N. Gates, in Carroll, and was under his preceptorship, with the exception of the' time passed at college, until 1881. In 1879 he attended one course of lectures at the Ohio Medical college, and in 1880 one course at the Kentucky school of medicine, at Louis-

yours Ready

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ville, and from the latter graduated in 1881, receiving a gold medal for general proficiency, and was elected vice-president of the Alumni association for 1881-82. He began practice at Losantville, Randolph county, Ind., as part- ner with Dr. H. P. Franks. In 1886, while still maintaining his Losantville partnership, he went to New York, passed a whole year in the hospitals, and graduated from the college of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city in 1887; he then returned to his partner in Losantville and remained until 1888, enjoyed a fine practice, and never permitted a patient to leave their care for either surgical or medi- cal treatment. He then went to Columbus, Ohio, for a year, and in 1889 settled in Muncie.

In December, 1889, Dr. Trent was united in marriage with Miss Cora Shetterly, daughter of Philip Shetterly, of Winchester, Ind., but, within two weeks after his wedding, the Boyce block, in which he was domiciled, was de- stroyed by fire and all his personal effects con- sumed. His present office is in Odd Fellows' block, on Jackson street, where, in partnership with Dr. E. B. Mann, under the firm name of Trent & Mann, he has elegantly furnished apartments and enjoys a most lucrative prac- tice. Dr. Trent takes much interest in medi- cal society work, and has been president of the Randolph County Medical society and also representative to the American Medical asso- ciation; he is now a member of the Delaware County Medical society, Delaware District Medical society and the Indiana State Medi- cal society. The doctor has a predilection to- ward surgery, for which his long hospital ex- perience has peculiarly fitted him, and his success in laparotomy has been phenomenal. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1877, has passed all the chairs in the lodge, is a K. of P. and a member of the order of Chosen Friends.

Joseph Trent, father of the doctor, was born near Eaton, Ohio, and was quite a youth when taken by his parents to Carroll county. He married Mary Wagoner, and to this union were born six children, who, with their chil- dren, are still living, while Joseph and his wife still retain their residence in Carroll county, respected and honored by all who know them.

J OSHUA TRUITT, retired citizen and prominent business man of Muncie, was born September 7, 1830, in Adams county, Ohio. His father, George Truitt, was a native of the state of Maryland, from where he moved to Armstrong county, Pa., and afterward to Scioto county, Ohio, in 1814. About one year later he removed to the adjoining county of Adams, and in Novem- ber, 1830, came to Delaware county, Ind., and entered land two miles east of Muncie, where he cleared and improved a fine farm. He devoted his time to agricultural pursuits until a few years prior to his death, when fail- ing health compelled him to retire from active labor. He died in 1873. His wife, whose maiden name was Frances Walden, daughter of Elijah and Mary (Minor) Walden, bore him the following children: Mary, Minor, Parker, Rhoda, Joshua and William-five of whom lived to become heads of families, Parker dying in infancy. Of these children, Mary, Rhoda and Joshua Truitt are the only ones living at the present time. Mary is the widow of Aaron Moore, an old and respected farmer of Delaware county, and Rhoda is the wife of Samuel Cecil, a wealthy and influential far- mer and stock raiser of Centre township. The mother died in 1835 and Mr. Truitt after- ward married her younger sister, Mary Wal- den, who bore him one child, Caroline (de- ceased).

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Joshua Truitt accompanied his faiher's family to Delaware county in 1830. He at- tended school in Muncie for two terms and then engaged in teaching in the winter and working on the farm during the summer. He afterward attended school at New Castle, Ind., and until his twenty-sixth year was engaged alternately at farm labor, teaching and atteud- ing school. While at New Castle he first be- gan to give attention to matters political, and his convictions lead him away from the politi- cal school in which he had been reared. He became a republican, and his independence in this matter attracted the attention of promi- nent politicians. He was elected surveyor of Delaware county in the fall of 1856, and serv- ed for four years. He then engaged in the marble business at Muncie, at the same time acting as civil engineer until his brother re- turned from the army, when he placed the work in the latter's hands and engaged in the lumber trade. He first began buying and selling walnut lumber, and afterward erected a saw mill seven miles northwest of Muncie. Subsequently he removed his mill to Madison county, Ind., and in 1874 to its present loca- tion south of the Big Four railroad. Through- out a long and active life Mr. Truitt's trans- actions with all men have been of an honorable nature and he is universally respected and esteemed. In 1891 he retired from active life, but still owns the mill, which has been leased, beside other valuable property in the city and county.

On the 18th of April, 1860, Mr. Truitt was united in marriage with Miss Lida Kerwood, of Oxford, Ohio, who died December 13, 1863, leaving two children, namely: Lola and Stan- ley (the latter deceased). On the 17th of May, 1864, he was married in Mansfield, Ohio, to Mrs. Anna A. Ramsey, his present wife, whose sketch and life like portrait appears in this volume.

Joshua Truitt is a man of marked individ- uality, a good student, a close and logical reasoner. He is of an analytical turn of mind, and very careful and painstaking in his studies and investigations. He is a deep, close thinker, and possessed of a mind that naturally abhors superficiality, He is careful and cautious in his methods of arriving at conclusions; but when he has once assumed a position upon a given question he defends it with rare tenacity and determination. He is a man of strong convictions and a high sense of justice, and is inclined to be contentious, even in matters of little consequence, where he thinks there is a principle involved. The mere looker-on, with- out going into an investigation of the premises, would sometimes think him unreasonably stub- born. He is a man of generous disposition and temperate habits, and a close observer of current events. He has written and delivered before the Ethical, Literary Friends, Literary and Scientific association, and other literary societies of Muncie, of which he has been a member, several valuable, interesting and highly entertaining papers on various enter- taining literary topics. He is a firm believer in the principles of christianity, and always ready and eager to defend them when he thinks they are being assailed. He has been an active member of some of the leading literary socie- ties of Muncie; among them those already named, and has contributed his full share toward the literary progress and advancement of the city. These facts are gleaned from data furnished by intimate friends of the subject of this sketch.

A NNA AUGUSTA TRUITT, philan- thropist and temperance worker of Muncie, but whose name is known wherever the cause of temperance has an apostle or reform an advocate, was

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born at Canaan, New Hampshire, in 1837, her father having been Daniel G. Pattin, who married Ruth Chase Whittier, the latter a relative of Gov. Chase, of New Hampshire. as well as of the "Quaker Poet," John Green- leaf Whittier. Anna Augusta was still quite young when her father emigrated with his family to northern New York, where her early education was imparted by private tutors; but she subsequently passed two years at College Hills seminary. She was married, in 1860, to John P. Ramsey, and with her husband went to live in the south, where they resided until the outbreak of the Rebellion, when, on account of diametrical differences of opinion between themselves and the inhabitants, they returned to the north, but at a large sacrifice of personal and other property.

Here, in 1864, the husband was called from life, and she became the wife of Joshua Truitt, an energetic business man of Muncie, Ind., but now retired, and whose biographical sketch will be found above. During the Civil war Mrs. Truitt was untiring in her labors in behalf of the boys at the front, preparing bandages and scraping lint for the use of the surgeons, and collecting provisions, clothing, blankets, and hundreds of other things useful and needful to the soldiers.

But the close of the war did not end her good work. Her benevolent mind was still act- ive, and sought wider fields for usefulness and the exercise of that charity which seems to be an inherent part of her nature. For many years she has been an earnest and faithful worker in the Woman's Christian Temperance union, and has long been president of the Dela- ware County union. Eloquent, methodical and business like, she has invariabiy acted as delegate from the local to the district, state and national conventions. For many years she has been an attendant of the Presbyterian church, and was the Indiana temperance dele-

gate to the International Sunday-school con- vention held at Pittsburg, Pa., in June, 1890, and her report of its proceedings was accepted without alteration or amendment, which fact speaks well for her accuracy, lucidity, and also her logical trend of thought.

As a member of the industrial school at Muncie, she has willingly made any sacrifice to render her services useful, either as officer or in the performance of duties pertaining to the executive department, or as the earnest worker at stated meetings. Her frequent visits to the homes of the poor are proverbially welcome, for she carries with her not only sympathy and wise counsel, but equally needed food and rai- ment; and in this connection it may be said that there is probably no other one woman in Muncie known to more children than Mrs. Truitt, who is constantly performing for them some work of kindness, be it great or small. Indeed, she would hardly be at peace with her- self, it she were not, at all times, so engaged. She has never had any children of her own, but has taken into her household, however, the four children of her deceased brother, and over these she continues to keep the watchful eye of a mother, and to perform for them all those duties that the most tender and loving mother could find in her heart to perform.

Mrs. Truitt is possessed of an intuitive knowledge of human character, approaching clairvoyance, and added to this rare faculty is a magnetism that makes her own presence felt wherever she may be-in company with the single individual or while stationed before a multitudinous and mixed audience. Her perceptive and receptive faculties are most descriminative, and it requires no mental effort on her part to select the real from the ficti- tious -- to seperate the wheat from the chaff. Being keenly anticipative, she arrives at a climax before a proposition has been half argued; or at a sequel before a story has been

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half narrated; and they are those qualities that render her invaluable as a debater or as a presiding officer. In oratory and literature, no one who has read or has listened to one of her carefully prepared addresses has failed to be impressed with its rare merit as to profund- ity of thought and lucidity of terms. In artist- ic matters her eye is alert and her hand apt in harmonizing colors and forming groupings, and there can be no doubt but that, had she earlier turned her attention to art, she would stand to-day, in the eyes of the world, as high in that department as she does in the depart- ment of literature. Her moral nature is sweet and beautiful, and, while not blind to the shortcomings of others, she is not censorious, but is always willing to see the "beam" in her own eye. Benevolence is the one under- lying trait of her character, and, being with- out envy or malice, or weak yearning for pop- ularity, she prefers to let her quiet work speak her motives rather than garrulous disputation, by mouth or pen, with those who may too in- dividiously criticize her utterances and actions.

a DWARD&TUHEY-Among the suc- cessful self-made men of Muncie de- serving mention, the name of Edward Tuhey is especially prominent. The subject's father, Patrick Tuhey, of county Cork, Ireland, where his birth occurred in the year 1815, came to the United States when a young man, and for some years thereafter re- sided in Greene, Madison and Montgomery counties, Ohio. He assisted in grading and constructing the Little Miami railroad, and in 1853 came to Muncie, Ind., as a contractor on the old Bee Line railroad. Being pleased with this city, he decided to make it his resi- dence; engaged in contracting and building of all kinds of public works, being identified with

the city in these interests for forty years, and he passed the residue of his days here. He passed from earth July 2, 1893. He was a man of energy and determination, worked diligently all his life and died lamented by all who knew him. By his marriage with Nancy Mahony, of Dayton, Ohio, Patrick Tuhey had a family of five children, namely: Edward, Patrick J., Blanch, Anna and Mamie, all living except Patrick J., who died shortly after attaining his majority.

Edward Tuhey first saw the light of day in Muncie, Ind., January 10, 1857. Being the eldest son, he was early obliged to contribute his share toward the support of the family, consequently his education was obtained under many difficulties. During his youthful years he attended the schools of Muncie, and later, in order to procure the necessary money to enable him to prosecute his studies in the higher branches of learning, he herded sheep and fed stock for A. G. Harrison, a farmer of Mt. Pleasant township, and in a like capacity for one Russell Williams, this being in the winters of 1876-78. After an attendance at a normal school for one term, Mr. Tuhey was sufficiently advanced in his studies to procure a teacher's license, and for the greater part of the succeeding eight years he was engaged in educational work in the district schools of Delaware county. For one year he was super- intendent of the public schools of Fowler, this state, but in 1887 he abandoned the field of education and engaged in real estate trans- actions in the city of Muncie. Later he became proprietor of the National hotel in this city, once known as the Haines house, and after ministering to the wants of the traveling pub- for two years, sold out, and effected a co- partnership in contracting for street paving and sewer work with Thomas Kinser, which relationship continued about two years, under the firm name of Kinser & Tuhey, during the

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life of which partnership many contracts for the construction of sewers, street paving, etc., in Muncie and other Indiana cities were exe- cuted. At the dissolution of the partnership, Mr. Tuhey continued the business alone with gratifying success for two years; doing a large amount of work in Muncie and other places. In 1892 he assisted in organizing the Muncie Iron & Steel works of which he was made secretary and treasurer, and to which he now devotes his entire attention.

From the foregoing it will be seen that Mr. Tuhey's career has been one of unceasing activity; and his success is such as few men attain in a much longer life. In the prosecu- tion of his various enterprises he has exercised ability of high order, and his reputation as a thoroughly honorable and conscientious busi- ness man has never been impeached, nor have his integrity and honesty ever been questioned. Not only has he been successful in the aquisi- tion of wealth, but he has manifested a com- mendable purpose in its use, which does not always accompany the talent for gaining riches. Every movement of public enterprise or private benevolence finds in him a ready assistant. He is one of Muncie's most sub- stantial citizens, and in business circles enjoys a reputation much more than local.

Mr. Tuhey was married March 10, 1879, to,Mary McKinley, daughter of Joseph W. and Elizabeth (Darrah) Mckinley, of Delaware county, the result of which union are the fol- lowing children: Carl, Earl, Walter, Nellie, Ray and Edward, all living at this time.

INUS TURNER(deceased) .-- Among the early settlers of Muncie there were but few who took a more active part in the improvement of the town than Mr. Turner. He was long

engaged in the manufacture of brick, and erected the first brick house in the town, and his residence on west Main street was the first brick house in the county. In whatever he engaged he was actuated by a laudable ambi- tion ts excel. He was one of the early mer- chants of Muncie, and was identified with its mercantile interests until the infirmities of age caused his retirement life. Minus Turner was born May 22, 1807, near the city of Dover, Del., and was scarcely more than an infant when he accompanied his father's family to Kentucky. All his school experience was limited to the crude system in vogue at that time in the latter state; and for whatever knowledge he acquired in later years, he was indebted to his own individual effort. In 1823, he removed with his father's family to Randolph county, Ind., where he remained six years. He came to Muncie in 1829, and engaged in bricklaying and plastering. In 1831, he was married, in Randolph county, Ind., to Eliza C. Bowen, who died in Muncie. In October, 1833, he married Miss Fanny Marshall, who survives him. She is the daughter of John and Nancy Marshall, early settlers of Muncie.

Mr. Turner was engaged at his trade until 1838, when he erected the brick block on the corner of Walnut and Main streets, which was destroyed by fire a few years ago, and suc- ceeded by the Patterson block. In this build- ing-then one of the finest in the town-he enjoyed his first experience as a hotel keeper, and won the regard of the traveling public, proving himself a genial host, and one ever solicitous for the welfare and comfort of his guests. He was thus engaged for nine or ten years, at the end of which time he sold out and erected a brick storeroom at the east end of the same lot, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In less than a year thereafter he sold out, resuming work at his trade; and, in 1861, he and his son, Leonidas L., engaged in

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the boot and shoe business, and conducted a very satisfactory trade until the senior mem- ber of the firm felt the necessity of retiring from the tedium of active business life. The store was sold to William Lynn, and Mr. Turner led a retired life until his death. He settled in an infant community, and, by his untiring labors at his trade, advanced step by step, on the road to wealth, prospering with the community, and lending a helping hand in its advancement and public improvements. He always possessed a nature that drew friends to him, and has ever retained the confidence and esteem of those with whom he had been associated through life. His second marriage was blessed by nine children, viz .: Millie, Leonidas L., Charles M., Jane, Lycurgus C., Matilda A., Eliza, Nancy E. and Martha A.

ILLIAM D. TURNER, retired super- intendent, Muncie, Ind., was born in Manchester, Carroll county, Md., in 1816, the son of William and Charlotte F. (Droud) Turner. The family moved to Hanover, York county, Pa., when William D. was but three years old, and the father, who was originally from the New Eng- land states, died when the lad was quite young, and the latter was not more than seventeen when he lost his mother. His instruction at school was somewhat imperfect, inasmuch as it was partly in English and partly in German. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed at Hanover, York county, for four years, to the cabinet maker's trade, and, having learned it, worked as a journeyman at Baltimore, Md., and elsewhere, until 1844. Going to Cincin- nati, Ohio, he was superintendent for the Kammlsburg furniture factory for about five years, putting in the machinery; then started a furniture machinery factory on his own account,

but was four years later burned out, at a total loss; he then went to Bellefontaine, Ohio, went into partnership, added his new inven- tions in machinery for cabinet making, and within six months this concern was consumed by fire, and the loss total; he then superintended another factory at Cincinnati until the firm dissolved; then remodeled the factory of Cooley, Newkirk & Co., at Connersville, Ind., and superintended for some time. In 1871 he located in Muncie, Ind., superintended the Muncie Machine Co.'s works, and afterward those of its successors, Wysor, Hammett & Co., and their successors, at pattern making, until about 1891, when advancing age warned him to retire.

In 1852 Mr. Turner was married to Miss Phebe A. DeRoads, of Columbiana, Ohio, and this union has been blessed with ten chil- dren, six of whom live to console and comfort the declining years of their father, he having lost his life-partner in June, 1892, at the age of sixty-seven years. The surviving children are Miss Addie M., a leading dressmaker of Muncie; Sophie, wife of Mr. Oliver Smith, son of the Hon. Mark Smith, of Muncie; Sarah, wife of J. Rieff, a telegraph operator at Philadelphia, Pa .; Mary J., wife of Mr. A. Jones, printer, Philadelphia; Florence and Cora, at home. One of the sons, William Henry, died at home from disease contracted in the army, and one son and two daughters died in in- fancy.

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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 47

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