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 55

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 55
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 55

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).

E MORROW, one of the promis- ing and prosperous young business men of the town of Albany, Ind., was born in Orland, LaGrange county, Ind., April 20, 1862, a son of J. S. and Emma (Calkins) Morrow. He was reared a miller and assisted his father in conducting a mill until he was eighteen years of age, after which he worked in Saint Louis, Gratiot county, Mich., where he continued for two and one- half years. At the end of that time he con- cluded to engage in another line, and chose the trade of jeweler, at which he served four years with L. W. Holmes, of Grand Ledge, Mich., becoming very proficient in the mean- time and gaining a thorough knowledge of the business. Not many young men have the ad- vantage of so extended an experience in me- chanics as Mr. Morrow, and right well has he taken advantage of his opportunities.

Mr. Morrow next went to Madison county, Neb., where he opened up a business and con- tinued it for four years, after which time he came to Albany, Ind., where he has since re- mained. Mr. Morrow was married in Emery City, Mich., November 23, 1883, to Miss Bina E. Holmes, a daughter of his teacher, L. W. Holmes, by which union he has become the father of three bright children: Cleo, Elmer and Arthur. In political affairs, Mr. Morrow takes a lively interest; is a prominent member

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of the republican party. He belongs to the K. of P., and is recognized as one of the most enterprising and public spirited of Albany's young business men. His work is well done and he does a good business in his line, carrying a full stock of watches, jewelry, clocks and all other articles usually found in first class establishments of the kind.

LBERT P. MURRAY, M. D .- Con- spicuous among the successful medical men of Delaware county is Dr. Albert P. Murray, of Albany, who was born October 18, 1846, near the town of Blountsville, Henry county, Ind. His father, Cornelius B. Murray, was born in Washington county, Pa., December 22, 1810, the son of William and Mary (Boles) Murray, who were born in Westmorland county, that state. In 1826 William Murray, Sr. and family moved to Ohio, thence in 1833 to Wayne county, Ind., and later to the county of Henry, where his death occurred in 1856. The doctor's father was a farmer, and in his younger days, taught school in his native state, and from the age of twenty-one until the present time has been an honored resident of Indiana. He resided in Henry county until 1864, at which time he removed to the county of Wayne and is now passing his declining years in retirement at his home in Hagers- town. His wife died on the 6th day of May, 1872. She bore her husband the following children: John C., William H., R. V., Mar- tha E., Albert P., Oran, Ovilla, C. C. and Julia. Mrs. Murray was a consistent mem- ber of the Metodist church and a woman highly regarded by all with whom she came in contact. Mr. Murray, Sr., is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternity, and in religion is liberal, not subscribing to any

church or creed. He has always taken an active interest in the cause of temperance and is at this time an active worker in the order of Good Templars.

Dr. Murray was reared on the farm until his sixteenth year and attended, in the mean- time, the district school, in which he made commendable progress in the branches usually taught therein. On the 8th day of February, 1864, he enlisted as a recruit in company K, Nineteenth Indiana volunteer infantry, with which he served until the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox, April 9, 1865, and was honorably discharged from the service July 18, the same year, at Indianapolis, Ind. He was in the army eighteen months and fifteen days, and the second day after going to the front was with his command in the bloody battle of the Wilderness, and he participated in all the leading battles of the Virginia campaign until the final surrender as above noted, going through all the battles without receiving in- jury. After receiving his discharge, he re- turned to his home, and entering school pur- sued his studies assiduously in the Hagerstown academy and Earlham college until 1867, at which time he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. A. McElwee at Hagerstown, where he remained for the greater part of three years. Before beginning practice he at- tended one course of lectures at the Medical college of Ohio at Cincinnati. In August, 1869, he removed to the village of Sharon, Delaware county, and began the practice of his profession, and two years later moved to Albany, where he has since resided. With a laudable desire to increase his knowledge of the profession, the doctor entered the college of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk, Iowa, from which he graduated June 19, 1878.

Dr. Murray was married January 25, 1872, to Louisa Orr, who was born in Liberty town- ship, Delaware county, Ind., on the 30th day

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of July, 1850, the daughter of Col. Samuel and Jane (Moore) Orr. To this marriage five chil- dren have been born: Edgar C., Gertrude D., Leo, Weldon Earl and Nellie. Dr. Mur- ray has an extensive and lucrative practice and his skill has made him a valued friend to those needing medical assistance. He is recognized as one of the leading physicians of Delaware county, and, in addition to his profession, has labored for the upbuilding and development of the community, being public spirited in all that term implies. He is a member of the Citi- zens' Gas company, of Albany, and has taken an active and prominent part in the upbuilding of the town and in the material advancement of the entire community. His life has been worthily spent and his upright character has won him high esteem. He belongs to the G. A. R. and K. of P., and is an earnest supporter of the republican party, but has never sought office at the hands of his fellow citizens.

A LBERT B. PARKER .- The subject of this sketch is a member of the firm of Hunt & Johnson, dealers in hard- ware, gas fixtures, stoves and tinware in the town of Albany, Ind., one of the lead- ing and most prosperous business firms of the place. Mr. Parker was born in Clinton county, Ill., July 30, 1863, a son of William and Eveline (Keever) Parker, the father a native of North Carolina, born in 1834, and the mother born in Ohio in 1838. They were married in Clinton county, Ill., in 1857, and remained there for six years when they re- moved to Indiana, locating near Richmond, where Mr. Parker was engaged for seven years in milling. Subsequently he removed to the farm upon which he still resides, and is now living a retired life. The names of the eight children of William and Eveline Parker are as

follows: Hattie, Albert P., Ella, John, Earnest, George, Louise and Oliver. The mother died October 18, 1892. She was one of the best of mothers, and had lived a quiet and consistent life in accordance with her religious convictions, being a consistent member of the Society of Friends. Until he was sixteen years of age, Albert B. Parker spent his boy- hood days upon the farm. He received the education afforded by the common schools and then entered into business as a clerk in a hard- ware store at Lynn, Randolph county, where he remained for the following two years, sub- sequently entering the employ of the firm of Kent & Jackson, of Winchester, Ind., where he remained for nine years, thus becoming thoroughly acquainted with the business in all of its branches. Upon the dissolution of this firm he remained for one year with the suc- cessor and then engaged in business for him- self in Winchester for two years. Selling his interest there he entered into partnership with C. F. Hunt, at Albany, Ind., in which busi- ness connection he is still engaged under the firm name of Hunt & Johnson.

Mr. Parker was married July 30, 1885, to Miss Annie M. Hunt, in Huntsville, Ind., a daughter of William H. and Lovina (Hunt) Hunt. Mrs. Parker was born in Randolph county, September 14, 1862, and is a lady of taste and refinement and a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Parker, like his father, is a stanch republican. He is socially con- nected with lodge No. 361, I. O. O. F., and is a man much respected in business circles. His business is a growing one, and comprises stoves, tinware. gas fixtures, hardware, agri- cultural implements and machinery and is very complete in its line. As Mr. Parker is a com- petent business man and understands the wants of the public, his prosperity in this line is well assured, not only for the present, but for the future.

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a HARLES M. PAXTON .- Among the prominent business men of the pros- perous town of Albany, Ind., is the well known lumber dealer, Charles M. Paxton. He was born in Johnstown, Pa., February 22, 1852, a son of William F., and Isabelle (Sharp) Paxton, natives of Pennsyl- vania, where they married and reared their family. In 1855 these parents removed to Union City, Ind., where they remained for some time, going thence to Burlington, Iowa, where they resided three and one-half years. In 1860 they removed again, this time to their present home in Rensselaer, Ind., where Mr. Paxton is engaged in the mercantile trade. William F. and Isabelle Paxton reared a fam- ily of eight children, as follows: Virginia, wife of H. R. W. Smith, editor of Chicago Tribune Exchange; Charles M.,; John W. and Joseph C., twins; Ralph S., William G .. and Albert C. and Almira, twins.

Charles M. Paxton was reared on the farm and remained with his parents until he had at- tained his majority, at which time he engaged in farming and so continued until 1888, when he engaged in the butchering business in Rens- selaer, Ind. Seven months later he went back to farming and followed agricultural pursuits until July 15, 1892, when he came to Albany. Here he has been engaged extensively in hand- ling lumber, in addition to which he also deals in all kinds of sash, blinds, doors, shingles, etc.

In his political faith Mr. Paxton is a stanch democrat, and his services to the party are highly valued. Socially, he is a K. of P. of lodge No. 82, at Rensselaer. He was married August 8, 1875, to Miss Mary G. Richardson, who was born in Laporte county in October of 1856, a daughter of D. L. and Elizabeth (Windle) Richardson. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Paxton: Harry W. and Edith G. The family are members of the Free Methodist church of Albany.

ARTIN VAN BUREN PHILLIPS. Among the careful, discreet and en- ergetic business men of the town of Albany, Ind., is the subject of this biography. He is a son of Indiana, born near Windsor, in this county, March 16, 1834, a son of William and Harriet (Brooks) Phillips, of Pennsylvania, who were married in Greene county, Ohio, in 1825 Later they removed to this state and located in Delaware county, on the old state road, where they lived until 1842, when, on account of the death of Mrs. Phillips, the family removed to Windsor, where they resided for two years. Mr. Phillips sub- sequently married in Greenville, Ohio, Miss Martha Knight, and afterward moved to the village of Parker, in Randolph county, where he lived until his death, which occurred April 25, 1865. He was a republican, a devout member of the Methodist church, and left four children; Mary A., John A., Martin V. B., and William.

At the date of his mother's death, 1842, the subject of this sketch was but eight years of age and he was taken in charge by his grandfather, Brooks, with whom he lived until his thirteenth year. During the succeeding three years he worked as a farm laborer, re- ceiving for his services for that period the sum of fifty dollars, and he continued working at different occupations until the breaking out of the late war.

He enlisted, on July 22 in company K, Nine- teenth regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry, at Salem, Ind., for three years, and partici- pated in the battles of the army of the Poto- mac, the historic names of the following engagements being those in which his young life was risked: Gainesville, Chain Bridge, South Mountain, Antietam, Falmouth, first and second battles of Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Rappahan- nock and Barley's Cross Roads. After the.

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battle of Gainesville, Mr. Phillips was trans- ferred to battery B, Fourth regular artillery with which he participated in the succeeding engagements noted. At the expiration of his period of enlistment, Mr. Phillips re-entered the service at Culpeper, Va., for the rest of the war and was with his command through- out the eastern campaigns, taking part in the battles of Spottsylvania C. H., North Ann, South Ann, Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Horse Shoe Bend and Old Church. The Nineteenth Indiana, to which he belonged, was a part of the famous "Iron Brigade" and during the campaign last noted was engaged in active operations and fighting for twenty-one con- secutive days. At the battle of Old Church, August, 1864, he was injured in the face and thigh, necessitating his removal to the field hospital, from which place he was sent to head- quarters and given a furlough.

He came to Selma and remained for thirty- five days and again reported for duty at Indian- apolis, but his furlough was extended for thirty days. At the expiration of that time he re- ported to Capt. Burris at the soldiers' home, not being yet able to perform his duties as a soldier, and was given more time, and remained until the surrender of Gen. Lee and the order was given for the final discharge of all sick and wounded soldiers. His discharge was dated June 22, 1864, but for the following year he was unable to pursue any kind of business. Recovering slowly, he cautiously engaged in farming and perhaps the touch of the soil as- sisted in his recovery, for he continued it for six years, in Randolph county. This seemed too hard labor and he looked about for some easier way of earning a livelihood, accordingly, he interested himself in the management of portable engines and handled threshing ma- chines for five years; subsequently, learned the barber trade. He subsequently opened a shop in Albany and successfully conducted it for

eight years and then sold out to engage in his present lucrative business of grocery and restaurant.

Mr. Phillips has worked hard and has closely followed through life the path of duty. He votes with the republican party and social- ly affiliates with the order of Red Men. In April, 1891, he was elected to be justice of the peace and since that time has faithfully and efficiently filled the office. Mr. Phillips was married, January 25, 1863, to Miss Susannah Badders, a native of this county, daughter of Moses Badders, who was a pioneer of the township of Liberty, and to this union one child was born, Ida May, deceased; the mother died in 1866. In September, 1867, Mr. Phillips married Miss Clare Boyce, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, daughter of Leonard Boyce.

OHN S. PIERCE .- Among the busi- ness houses of the town of Albany, Ind., that owned and managed by the subject of this sketch calls for special mention, being one of the most complete of its kind in this part of the county.

John S. Pierce was born in Knox county, Ohio, February 23, 1865, son of Orange and Caroline (Selby) Pierce, both parents natives of Ohio. Orange and Caroline Pierce reared a family of five children, as follows: Asa, a resident of Michigan; J. O., a professor in the high school at Portland, Ind .; Emmeline, wife of John Hockings, of Portland; John S. and Belle, wife of J. W. Allen, of Portland. The parents removed to Ridgeville, Ind., in 1866, and there the mother died in 1868. They were members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Pierce at this time is one of the wealthy and influential men of Jay county, Ind. He is a republican in his politics, and during the late

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war testified to his loyalty by serving three years as a member of company A, Thirty- ninth Ohio volunteer infantry.

John S. Pierce grew to manhood in a pleas- ant home, was reared on the farm and received good educational advantages, graduating from Ridgeville college, in which he took the scien- tific course. On the completion of his literary education, Mr. Pierce engaged in the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Far- quhar, of Ridgeville, in whose office he con- tinued two years, and then he took a course of lectures in the Miami Medical college, of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, afterward graduating from the National Institute of Pharmacy, at Chicago. His first location was at Red Key, Jay county, Ind., where he went into the drug business and where he continued for four years, removing to Albany in 1891, and where he has since car- ried on a successful trade. He has a very complete stock of drugs, jewelry, etc., and is one of the leading business men and represent- ative citizens of the town and county, Mr. Pierce was married November 19, 1889, in Ridgeville, Ind., to Miss Lillie M. N. Jones, who was born in Randolph county, Ind., Sep- tember 10, 1873, a daughter of Daniel and Adeline (Wood) Jones. One child was born of this marriage, Edgar O., deceased, and Mrs. Pierce also departed this life in May, 1892. She was a good woman and an active member of the United Brethren church.

Mr. Pierce affiliates with the republican party, and takes a deep and intelligent interest in public affairs. He is connected with the I. O. O. F., No. 231, of Ridgeville, and be- longs to Valentine lodge, No. 278, K. of P., of Albany. Since his residence in Albany he has made many friends by his pleasant and unas- suming manner, and all who know him pro- nounce him a most courteous and genial gen- tleman, as well as a dealer who understands his business.

S AMUEL J. SHROYER .- The sub- ject of this sketch, a very worthy and successful farmer of Delaware county, was born in Henry county, Ind., De- cember 12, 1837. He is the son of Anthony and Matilda (Jones) Shroyer; the father born in Taylor, W. Va., in 1815, and the mother in the same county and state, one year later. These parents were married in Virginia and moved to Henry county in 1837, Mr. Shroyer buying land in Delaware township and county, the following year. Here he moved in the spring of 1839, thus becoming one of the earliest pioneers of the county. His land con- sisted of 220 acres, being the original purchase with additions made from time to time by sub- sequent purchase. He improved and lived upon the farm until his death, November 26, 1881. The wife survives and lives upon the old homestead with her youngest daughter.

Anthony and Matilda Shroyer were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living, namely: Lewis N., living in Blackford county, Ind .; Martha, wife of Thomas Bart- lett, a farmer of this county; Elmira, wife of Samuel Williams, deceased; Sarah, wife of Benjamin Whitehair, of this county; Alice, wife of Fletcher O. Pittenger, and Samuel J. Mr. and Mrs. Shroyer were members of the Methodist church, and active workers in that body. The father always took a very lively interest in churches and schools, and in fact was interested in everything that promised good to the people. In politics he was a republican, and earnestly supported the candidates of that party. He accumulated a very handsome property in land and personal effects, and was one of the representative cit- izens of the township in which he resided for so many years.

Samuel J. Shroyer was born two months after his parents became settlers of this county, and was reared on the home farm, receiving a

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common school education. After reaching his majority he began farming on his own account, buying eighty acres of land in Liberty town- ship, where he remained more than twenty- five years; then he sold this property and bought fifty acres of fine land where he now lives, which is well and substantially improved. He was married April 16, 1857, to Elizabeth Boyles, who was born May 1, 1834, in West Virginia, of which state her parents, Joshua and Sarah (Jones) Boyles, were also natives.

Mr. and Mrs. Shroyer are the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living, name- ly: William Clark, a teacher in this township; Sarah E., wife of John Jones, a farmer of Liberty township; Matilda, wife of William Barnes, a carpenter; Martha, wife of Gran- ville Simmons, a farmer of this county; Leora, wife of Arthur Wingate, a farmer; Clara, wife of David Boots, of Delaware township; Cora, wife of Ivan Justice, a farmer of this township, and Lola, who still lives under the parental roof. The subject and wife are members of the Methodist church, and are devoted be- lievers in its teachings. In politics Mr. Shroyer is a republican, and has filled the office of justice of the peace in Liberty town- ship for twelve years. Since moving to Dela- ware he has been township trustee, and has been filling that office since 1889 to the satis- faction of the entire community. He is a member of Anthony lodge No. 171, A. F. & A. M. Beside owning his farm and other property he has stock in the Albany Land company.

AVID W. SLONIKER, senior mem- ber of the firm of Sloniker & Leffler, dealers in hardware of all kinds, in connection with agricultural imple- ments, in the town of Albany, Ind., is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Sloniker was born

in Hamilton township, Delaware county, Ind., February 28, 1844, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (McCormick) Sloniker, who came to the county in 1836, being among the earliest pio- neers. They were the parents of thirteen children, but only four survive, these being, Benjamin F., David, Cornelia, and Martha J. Jacob and Elizabeth Sloniker were consistent members of the Christian church, and Mr. Sloniker became one of the wealthiest men of the county.

David W. Sloniker was reared on the old home farm, receiving a good common school education, and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-three years old. Until 1887 he followed the peaceful life of an Indiana agriculturist, but at that date he moved to the town of Albany, and engaged in the hardware business. At first his stock was small, as his means were somewhat limited, but, as the years went by, the country began to be more settled and farming more generally carried on in a large way, the demand for his goods grew apace and now he has a large trade and a complete stock. His son-in-law, James H. Leffler, is connected with him and they are doing a prosperous business.

When the clouds of war hung over the country, Mr. Sloniker entered the army, en- listing in company B, Eighty-fourth I. V. I. July 30, 1862, for three years or during the war, and served thirty-four months, and was honorably discharged June 14, 1865, at Nash- ville, Tenn. He took part in the battles of Rockyface Ridge, Dalton, Tunnel Hill, Resaca, Burnt Hickory, Kingston, Cartersville, Alla- toona Pass, Big Shanty and Kenesaw Mountain, where he was wounded. He left the hospital and joined his regiment in time to take part in battles of Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, although still suffering from the wound receiv- ed at Kenesaw. Mr. Sloniker was married November 15, 1866, in Hamilton township,

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this county, to Miss Elizabeth E. Green, who was born in Delaware county, January 6, 1846, the daughther of Andrew and Massey (John- son) Green. To this union three children have been born-an infant, deceased; Nettie, the wife of James H. Leffler, and Matthew, deceas- ed. In his political belief, Mr. Sloniker is a republican, and has served the township as assessor for five years. Fraternally, he is a member of the order of Red Men and of I. O. O. F., and also of Knights of Pythias. He is one of the best citizens of the town of Albany, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends throughout the county.

S AMUEL B. SMITH was born in Jay county, Ind., June 22, 1841, being the son of Matthew A. and Elizabeth (Hagler) Smith, natives of Ohio and Virginia, respectively. The father and moth- er were married in Greene county, Ohio, July 2, 1840, and removed to Jay county, Ind., in the following year, where the former's death occurred March 15, 1882; his widow resides there at the present time. The following are the names of their children: Samuel B .; Laura, wife of Joel Green; Mary E., wife of George Wilson and Lewis M. By persevering toil Matthew Smith accumulated a comfortable portion of worldly wealth and was able to give to each of his children one hundred acres of land. In politics he was a republican and was frequently elected by that party to respon- sible positions. He served as a justice of the peace for fourteen years, an equal length of time as a county commissioner, and likewise represented his county in the state legislature from 1875 to 1877.

Although not now a farmer, the gentle- man whose name introduces this mention knows all about that life, having spent all his

days upon a farm until the period of his en- listment in the army. He entered the service of his country August 11, 1862, at Muncie, becoming a member of company B, Eighty- fourth Indiana infantry, and participated in the following battles, namely: Chickamaugua, Buzzard's Roost, Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kingstown, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Pine Mountain, Lost Mountain, Kene- saw Mountain, Neal Dow Church, Peachtree Creek, Siege of Atlanta, Shoals Creek, Jones- borough, Lovejoy Station, Franklin and Nash- ville. He was discharged June 17, 1865, at Indianapolis, and of the entire regiment, only 327 men returned, so great was the loss during its long and active period of service. Return- ing home, Mr. Smith engaged in farming and continued that useful calling until 1883, at which time he moved into the village of Al- bany, where he has since been engaged in mercantile pursuits. After the election of Harrison, he was appointed postmaster, and the record shows that he proved a very efficient and painstaking official. Mr. Smith has been a member of the Methodist church since his fourteenth year, and in politics he is a repub- lican, firmly adhering to the principles of that party. He was married September 8, 1866, to Sarah Burkhead, born in Randolph county, Ind., December 27, 1844. She is the daugh- ter of George and Catherine (Davis) Burk- head, natives of Maryland, of English ex- traction, and has borne her husband two chil- dren, namely: Annie K., wife of H. E. Babb, and Cora L., wife of George A. Murphy. Mr. Smith is a man who is very popular with all who know him; genial and pleasant in manner, considerate of others, and very ac- commodating in disposition. Mr. Smith has lived the life of a consistent christian and has reared his family to lead lives equally moral, and trained them to habits of industry and usefulness.

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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 55

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