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 56

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 56
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 56

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).

554

DELAWARE COUNTY :

J AMES E. STAFFORD. - A successful business man of Albany and large land holder of Delaware township, is the second son of Ralph Stafford, whose biography appears elsewhere, and was born February 11, 1840, in Delaware county, Ind. His early educational advantages, though limited, were diligently improved and, by a close application to his studies and wide range of reading, he became the possessor of a fund of valuable knowledge, which has enabled him to transact very successfully the business of an active life. He taught four terms of school in Delaware township and such was his success, that had he seen fit to remain in the educational field he doubtless would have risen high in the profession. He spent his boyhood days learning the trade of tanning with his father, and worked at that business until his twenty-fifth year, at which time, in partnership with his brother, George Stafford, he engaged in farming in sections 6 and 7 this township. From the beginning, his success was most satisfactory, and in time he succeeded in accumulating valuable real estate and now owns a fine farm, consisting of 229 acres, the `greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Stafford continued agricul- tural pursuits until 1883, in November of which year he engaged in the hardware busi- ness at Albany, which line of trade he con- ducted with success and financial profit until 1891. In that year he engaged with the Albany Furniture company, and has since been a leading member of the firm.

Mr. Stafford was married October 5, 1870, in Hamilton township to Miss Caroline Rus- sell, daughter of John and Susannah Russell, of Columbiana county, Ohio. Mrs. Stafford was born March 9, 1841, and is the mother of one child, Laura Helen Stafford, whose birth occurred October 9, 1871. Miss Stafford is a young lady of culture and refinement, an ac-

complished musician, and made commendable progress as a student in the art department of the Greencastle university. Politically Mr. Staf- ford is a republican and has been an aggressive worker in his party for a number of years. He became identified with the Masonic fraternity twenty-six years ago, and at this time is one of the active workers in lodge No. 171 at Albany. In addition to his commercial and agricultural interests Mr. Stafford is extensively engaged in real estate transactions in Delaware county.

J H. STAFFORD .- The subject of this sketch is a native of Delaware township, and a citizen of excellent reputation, whose success as a farmer has been very decided. He was born Septem- ber 27, 1842, being the third son of Ralph Stafford, whose history may be found else- where in this volume. Mr. Stafford received a common school education, and lived at home during his boyhood days, and learned the trade of a tanner, which he followed in connection with farming for several years. In 1868 he took entire control of the tan yards, and con- tinued in that position for three years; then managed the home farm for some time. In 1871 he bought the property, consisting of thirty-two acres, upon which he resides. Besides this, he owns the farm on which his father first located in 1834, having 234 acres, in all, of fine farm land substantially improved.

Mr. Stafford was married November 25, 1875, at Muncie, to Rachel Walburn, born in this township, September 24, 1852, being the daughter of Jefferson and Rebecca Walburn. Her father and mother were natives of Ohio, and are the parents of the following children, namely: Margaret, Martha, Catherine (de- ceased), William, Sarah Ann and Rachel. The parents of these children died in 1876, and now rest in Union cemetery.

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DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.

Jefferson Walburn was a farmer, and a man of prominence in his community. In politics he was a republican, and a very active and useful member of that party. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church, and devoted and upright christian people. They were pioneers, coming to this country in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford are members of the Methodist church, in which body they are rec- ognized as consistent and upright people. The husband is a trustee and otherwise prominent in the church. In politics he is a republican, and is always ready to lend a helping hand during any public crisis.

Beside owning valuable landed property, Mr. Stafford is a stockholder and a director of the Granville turnpike, and is also interested in the Delaware Natural Gas company. He enlisted May 12, 1864, in company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Indiana volunteer infantry, at Muncie. At Indianapolis he was made a fifth sergeant of the company, which was recruited in Delaware county by Capt. Cochran. The company was reorganized May 16, 1864, and they, with the remainder of the regiment, arrived at Bowling Green, Ky., June 1, 1864, reached Nashville June 6; left on the IIth, and reached Decatur, Ala., July 6; re- treated to Nashville, then on the 17th left for Louisville, arriving on the 18th; left Louisville August 4 and reached Nashville on the 6th, and returned to Indianapolis August 28, 1864. He was mustered out of the service September 6, 1864. The number of deaths occurring in his company during the period of service was five, and of desertion one.

J AMES R. STAFFORD, a prominent business man of Albany, was born in Niles township, Delaware county, Jan- uary 22, 1846, son of Joseph and Eve Stafford. Subject's paternal grandfather was

a native of Ireland, but early came to the United States, locating in Virginia, where he was employed for some time as a linen weaver. Later in life, he located in Clarke, Ohio, where his death occurred. Joseph Stafford was a native of Clarke county, Ohio. James R. Staf- ford, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm in Niles township, attended the common schools during the winters, and at the age of twenty, attended school in Muncie, where he made substantial progress in the various branches of learning. He fitted him- self for the teacher's profession, and was thus employed for twelve consecutive years, devot- ing his attention in the meantime, during the summer season, to farming on the home place. On attaining his legal majority, he engaged in the pursuit of agriculture on a forty acre tract given him by his father, and on the latter's death, in 1877, he purchased a part of the homestead to which he added other land until he because the possessor of a fine farm of 135 acres, which is well improved and highly cul- tivated. On the 10th of October, 1867, when twenty-one years of age, Mr. Stafford was united in marriage with Miss Nancy E. Sharon, who was born in Niles township, this county, January 16, 1846, daughter of Henry Sharon, Esq. Two children resulted from this mar- riage, Minnie O., wife of James Syphers, and Joseph H., deceased. Mrs. Stafford, a highly respected lady and consistent member of the Methodist church, died in the full hope of a happy future, March 24, 1873, and her body was laid to rest beneath the shades of the beautiful Bethel cemetery of Albany. On the 28th of May, 1876, Mr. Stafford again entered the marriage relation, choosing for his com- panion, Elizabeth McDaniels, whose death oc- curred August 16th of the same year. She was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1846, and at the time of her departure, had been an earnest member of the Methodist church for a

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DELAWARE COUNTY :

period of sixteen years. Mr. Stafford's third marriage was celebrated December 15, 1881, in Greene county, Ohio, with Miss Sarah C. Anderson, a native of the same county and state, born near Xenia, April 8, 1857. Mrs. Stafford is the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Standfield) Anderson, of Ohio, whose respect- ive parents came from South Carolina and Virginia. The following are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Stafford: Edna May, Ruthie Jane, and Roxey Edith.

Mr. Stafford is a republican in politics, and as such was elected trustee of Delaware town- ship, which position he filled for four and one- half years from 1886 to 1890. He was also assessor of Niles township. He is one of the directors of the Albany Land company, and is the efficient superintendent of the Albany Natural Gas company. For twenty years he has been a member of the Odd Fellows frater- nity, belonging to lodge No. 361, of which he is trustee, and he is also an active worker in the encampment. Heis chaplain of the G. A. R. post of Albany, and is a leader of the Metho- dist church of his town, to which denomina- tion his family also belong. In 1864, May 10, Mr. Stafford enlisted in company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Indiana volunteer infantry, for the hundred days' service, and his command formed part of the army of the Cumberland and was assigned to guard duty in Alabama. Owing to physical disability he was furloughed but continued in the service until the expiration of his period of enlistment, leaving the army September, 1864, at Indian- apolis.

Mr. Stafford is the leading business man of the town of Albany and one of the representa- tive citizens of Delaware county. He is a very extensive buyer and shipper of grain, handling a large elevator which has a capacity of over 2, 500 bushels per day; he also deals in baled hay, straw, etc., in which line he does a very

large and lucrative business in Delaware and other counties. Mr. Stafford is public spirited, progressive, an earnest friend of education, and it was during his incumbency as trustee, that the beautiful graded school building of Albany was erected. He possesses, in an em- minent degree, the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens, and his name in these pages is a deserving compliment to an intelli- gent, enterprising and most worthy man.

EORGE A. STAFFORD .- The town- ship of Delaware, in the county of the same name, has long been noted for its fine farms and excellent class of citizens, and a prominent representative of the latter is found in the person of the subject of the following sketch.

George A. Stafford was born in Delaware county, Ind., November 23, 1835, a son of Ralph and Jane (Black) Stafford, the former a native of Giles county, Va., born in 1806. Ralph Stafford was a son of George and Cath- erine (Fair) Stafford, both natives of Ireland. Mrs. Jane Black Stafford was born in Clarke county, Ohio, May 30, 1815, and was the daughter of Andrew and Susan (Ross) Black, whose genealogy appears elsewhere in this volume. The paternal grandparents of the subject located in Clarke county, Ohio, in 1811, and there engaged in farming and in su- perintending a tannery, and remained in that locality until the times of their demise, the father dying in 1876 and the mother in 1888.

Ralph Stafford was but a boy of five years when he accompanied his parents to Clarke county, and there he grew to manhood, at- tending the common school at intervals in the meantime. He early learned the trade of tanner and also that of shoemaking under the supervision of an uncle, John Black, with

557

DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.

whom he remained for a term of two years, after which he went into partnership with Mr. Black, with whom he remained until 1835, when he came to Delaware county. He had visited this county in 1834, and entered 160 acres of land, returning again in September, 1835. Here he built an old fashioned log cabin, with puncheon floor, and this covered but half the area of the house. He remained on the place until 1854 and then removed to the farm now owned by his son, William, where he spent his declining years, departing this life August 12, 1876; his remains were laid to rest in the Black cemetery. His wife sur- vived him until December 21, 1888, at which time she was laid by his side in the same peace- ful spot, where a beautiful monument marks their last resting place. For many years they were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and were well known and respected people. He had served as trustee and gave satisfaction as an honest official, and at the time of his death he owned 484 acres of land in this township. They were the parents of five children, as follows: George A., James E., John H., William H. and Susan, deceased.

The immediate subject of this mention was reared on the home farm and received the ad- vantages of a good education in the excellent common schools. He learned the trade of tanner, which he followed until twenty-four years of age, and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, renting land of his father. He was married April 16, 1867, at which date he located where he now resides, owning at this time 280 acres of very valuable land, and his crops annually go far to swell the yield of the great state. His residence is a modern one of beauty and utility, and his grounds display, in their neatness and completeness, the pres- ence of an excellent manager.

Mr. Stafford votes with the republican party, and rejoices in its successes. Since 1864 he has

been a member of the Masonic order. In June, 1892, he became a director in the Farmers' bank, of Muncie, and is largely interested fn the same. He married Miss Sarah A. Zehner, who was born in Wayne county, Ind., June 14, 1844, daughter of Benjamin and Hester (Hoppas) Zehner, of German ancestry, who were pioneers of this county in 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford have a family of four chil- dren, as follows: David R., Cyrus J., Emma C. and Ray J. The family is connected with the Lutheran and the Methodist churches, are good and worthy people, highly esteemed in Delaware township.

Mr. Stafford has been largely interested in and identified with the growth of the city of Muncie, having made a large purchase of real estate in 1887, which was laid out in city lots and known as "Winton addition." He has since kept up his interests in Muncie by subse- quent purchases, which have been profitable. He has just completed a large cracker factory, which will be one of the solid business indus- tries of the city.

PILLIAM HENRY STAFFORD .- The subject of this sketch is a na- tive of the county and township in which he lives, and is a man in the full vigor of life. His neighbors and friends esteem him because of his honest and manly qualities. Mr. Stafford was born February 4, 1848, being the youngest son of Ralph Staf- ford, previously mentioned in this volume. The boyhood of Mr. Stafford was spent on the home farm, and at the age of eight years he removed with his parents to the place where he now resides. His educational advantages were reasonably good, and he profited by them. As a dutiful son, he remained with his father during the latter's declining years, tak-

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DELAWARE COUNTY :

ing charge of the farm in 1879. Prior to this time he had conducted it for a share of the proceeds. In the year 1889, he purchased the remaining portion of the farm, which gave him 236 acres in all of valuable land, well and substantially improved, and all in one body.

Mr. Stafford was married in this township Delaware) May 18, 1879, to Miss Lucinda J. Knox, a native of the township and county; born February 20, 1860, and daughter of John and Madeline (Berry) Knox, residents of Ham- ilton township, this county. To this marriage, one child, Nora Edith, has been born, whose birth occurred March 18, 1884, a very bright and promising child. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford are members of the Methodist church. In politics he is a republican, and always takes an active part in the campaigns as they occur.

When Mr. Stafford was a lad of thirteen, he ran away from home, in 1863, to Indianap- olis, to volunteer in the army, was examined and accepted, but as he was about to take the oath his father stepped in and vetoed the pro- ceedIngs, and the patriotic lad was returned to his mother.

LFRED B. STRONG-The promi- nent citizen whose name introduces the following sketch, owns and oper- ates one of the finest and largest farms in Delaware township. By a proper rotation of crops, the land has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and the abun- dant harvests bear evidence of the thrift of the manager The father of A. B. Strong was Reuben Strong, a native of the state of Ver- mont.

Reuben Strong was twice married, the first time in Greene county, Ohio, to Anna Wilson, who bore him four children: Rhoda, widow of Martin Boots, residing in Randolph county, Ind .; John W., a citizen of the county of

Delaware; Catherine, who married George Mills, and Benjamin, the last two deceased. The second marriage was consummated with Barbara Boots, of Virginia, mother of the sub- ject. Reuben Strong and family moved to Delaware county, Ind., from Ohio, in 1834, and resided here until his death. Upon coming here, Mr. Strong, entered 600 acres of land in the woods, erected a log hut and began the clearing of the land. He had made great plans for the future, but passed from the scenes of earth after a residence of only eighteen months in his new home. His death occurred August 25, 1835, and his remains were laid to rest in a private ground upon his own land. The wife and mother realizing that she had a family to rear, remained upon the farm and conducted affairs. Her death occurred in June, 1861, and she was buried by the side of her husband. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both have the reputation of good and worthy people. The family consisted of eight children, as follows: Alfred B., the sub- ject of this sketch; Lydia, deceased; Eliza- beth, deceased; Melinda, deceased; Minerva, a resident of Randolph county; Mary, the wife of E. Bartlett, living north of Albany; Napo- leon, deceased; an infant, deceased.

At the time of his death Mr. Strong had amassed a fortune for those days, was the owner of much stock and of 680 acres of land. He was a man who always took a prominent position wherever he lived, and served as just- ice of the peace in this county, as he had done for many years in his old home in Ohio. One of the characteristics of Mr. Strong was his straightforward way of doing things. He be- lieved a thing was right and said so; one of his earnest desires being the suppression of intem- perance. His voice was ever heard in favor of any and all things for the benefit of the com- munity. Being a hard working man, he ex- pected much from others and he knew how to

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DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.

manage his finances so that he left his family in affluence. Alfred B. Strong was born. in Greene county, Ohio, February 9, 1817, and was reared on the home farm, but received only a limited education. He remained with his mother until her death, and then bought out the other heirs, and now owns 463 acres of well improved land. He was married May 20, 1841, in Delaware township, to Miss Mary Sharin, born in Irwin, Ohio, and a daugh- ter of George and Nancy (Hughes) Sharin, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respect- ively, who also were pioneers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Strong had a family of six children, as follows: Reuben, deceased; Nancy J., deceased; John, deceased; George, James, and Laura, the wife of Gordon Smith, of Jay county, Ind.

The pleasant home of Mr. Strong was visited by the hand of affliction, January 8, 1873, when the mother of the family was re- moved by death. She had been a good woman, "affectionate wife and mother, and a good neighbor and a consistent member of the Methodist church. Politically, Mr. Strong is a republican, and his first vote was cast for William Henry Harrison.

APOLEON B. STRONG .- The fol- lowing record is prepared for one who has passed from the scenes of this life, but who is yet tenderly re- membered by a large circle of friends. His descent can be traced back to his great-great- grandfather, Noah Strong, who was born July 30, 1752, in Salisbury, Conn. Napoleon B. Strong's birth occurred in Greene county, Ohio, September 18, 1830. He was a son of Reuben and Barbara (Boots) Strong, of Ger- man extraction, who reared the following chil- dren: John, Cynthia, Benjamin, Alfred, Eliz-

abeth, Malinda, Minerva, Mary, the subject of this mention being the youngest member of the family.

Of the early life of the subject but few records are accessible. His marriage with Miss Catherine Woolverton took place Feb- ruary 14, 1858. She was the daughter of Abner and Abigail (Keever) Woolverton, na- tives of Germany and Ireland. These parents reared the following family: Catherine, Mrs. Strong; Mary, deceased; Eva, the wife of George Andrews; Jane, deceased, and Sarah, the wife of James Manor. After his marriage, Mr. Strong settled on the fine farm now ably managed by his widow, where he lived all of his days and upon which his death occurred February 14, 1871. He was a good man, was a very active member of the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Strong was also a member, but upon the organization of the Christian church at Albany, Mrs. Strong united with the latter. Mr. Strong's remains lie in the Strong ceme- tery, where a fine monument marks the last resting place of this worthy man. He had been interested in public affairs and voted with the republican yarty. He came to this county at an early day and endured many hardships and witnessed much of its wonderful growth.

Mrs. Strong also remembers many inter- esting events of pioneer life, as her parents were early settlers in their neighborhood, the father conducting a saw mill, and also preach- ing, as they were devout people, and earnest members of the Christian church. The early meetings were held at the home of the parents of Mrs. Strong. Mrs. Woolverton was an expert weaver and was one of those capable and efficient women of whom we love to read. Mr. and Mrs. Strong had three children; Sarah L., wife of J. S. Manor; Elmer A., a farmer, and Emma. The fine farm of Mrs. Strong contains 138 acres of well improved land.

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DELAWARE COUNTY :

EORGE W. SYPHERS, a leading business man of Albany, Ind., was born in Pendleton county, Va., April 5, 1827. His father, William Syph- ers, was a native of the same state, and there married Eva Kibler, who was born in the town of Woodstock. William Syphers was, by occupation, a cooper, which trade he car- ried on in connection with farming both in his native state and Ohio, having moved to the latter in 1833, settling in Champaign county. In 1841 he removed to Adams county, Ind., where the death of himself and wife subse- quently occurred. William Syphers served in the war of 1812, was a man of sterling worth and strict integrity, a democrat in politics, and an active member of the United Presbyterian church. His wife, also a member of the same denomination, is rembered as a woman of many excellent traits of character, a kind mother, a faithful friend, and a most exem- plary christian.

George W. Syphers, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, receiving a good education which enabled him to engage in teaching, a profession he followed very successfully for a number of years. He taught his first term of school in Wiltshire, Ohio, and his popularity as an instructor is attested by the fact that he continued in charge of the same school for twelve consecu- tive terms. On retiring from the educational field, he accepted a clerkship in a dry goods house at Monmouth, Adams county, Ind., where he remained one year, after which he was similarly employed in Wiltshire, Ohio, for a period of eighteen months. Disposing of his interest in that town, at the request of his father, he returned home and managed the place for eight years, thence removed to Salem, Ind., and purchased land one and one-half miles north of the town, upon which he found- ed a village and engaged in the general trade

in partnership with a brother. This relation continued until 1883, at which date he re- moved to Albany, where he has since carried on a successful business in the retail grocery line.

Mr. Syphers was first married in Decatur, Adams county, Ind., in 1859, to Miss Sarah Davey, a union blessed with the birth of the following children: Willis, Amy, Alice, Min- nie, Annie, Maynard, James E. and Eddie. The mother of these children departed this life June 2, 1871, and January 11, 1872, Mr. Syphers married Elizabeth Johnson, in Noble county, Ind., who died December 9, 1874. On September 22, 1876, Mr. Syphers and Mrs. M. J. Mills were united in the bonds of wed- lock in Belmont county, Ohio, the result of which union was the birth of one child, Clar- ence L. Syphers. Mr. Syphers is a worthy and energetic citizen, fully alive to all that has a tendency to improve the town or community. He is treasurer of the German Mutual Fire In- surance company, of Indianapolis, and in poli- tics is a supporter of the prohibition party, believing that the liquor traffic can be sup- pressed only by national and state legislation. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in every respect a repre- sentative citizen, and a notable example of the self-made man.

0 THOLIC HENDERSON TINDALL, the well known resident and official for whom this sketch is prepared, was born in Van Wert county, Ohio, March 21, 1853, a son of Henry and Sarah E. (Miller) Tindall, the latter a native of Parkers- burg, West Va., and the former of Beaver county, Pa. These parents were married in Van Wert county, both having been previous- i ly married. Henry Tindall engaged in farm-

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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 56

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