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 58

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 58
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 58

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).

OBERT A. JOHNSON, a prominent farmer and the present efficient trust- ee of Hamilton township, is a native of Indiana, born in the county of Randolph on the 20th day of April, 1853. His father, Josiah Johnson, was also a native of the Hoosier state and of German lineage. Many years ago Josiah Johnson moved from Wayne to Randolph county, and there married Nancy Allen, who bore him three children, namely: Ellen, wife of William A. Kimball: George W., who resides with his widowed mother in Wayne county; and Robert A., whose name introduces this biography. In In early life Josiah Johnson followed the car- penter's trade, but later, on account of a

severe attack of rheumatism, which pre- vented active exercise, he followed, for some years, the shoemaker's trade. He died July 22, 1863, in Wayne county, where his widow is still living.

Robert A. Johnson, at the early age of thirteen years, was obliged to rely upon his own resources for a livelihood, and since that time has had little or no assistance in the struggle of life. He worked at different kinds of employment, and in 1869 went to Illinois, where, for some time, he was occupied as a farm laborer; he remained in that state about ten months, returning to Indiana at the end of that time, and attending school for a limited period in Wayne county. In the spring of 1870 he again went to Illinois, where he re- mained until the following fall, at which time he went further west, locating first in Neosho county, Kan., thence to the county of Sumner, in the latter of which he purchased, in 1871, 160 acres of land. He was a resident of Kansas for a period of three years, at the end of which time he returned to Indiana, and since 1883 has been a resident of Hamilton township, where he owns a good farm, pur- chased in the last named year. In addition to his farming interests Mr. Johnson is exten- sively engaged in the manufacture of drain tile, having a large factory on his place, the prod- ucts of which have a wide sale in Delaware county. Politically Mr. Johnson is a republi- can, and as such was elected, in 1890, trustee of Hamilton township, the duties of which position he has since discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned.

Mr. Johnson has been married three times, first in Sumner county, Kan., on the 16th day of January, 1872, to Hatty Goodell, daughter of John and Cora Goodell, to which union one child, Harland D., was born. The death of Mrs. Johnson occurred on the 23d of Decem- ber, 1875, and in January, 1877, Mr. Johnson

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married his second wife, whose maiden name was Edith Bookont, daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Lumpkins) Bookout. Shortly after this marriage, Mr. Johnson located in Ran- dolph county, where he followed contracting and building about two years; and later located in Delaware county, at the date above mentioned. His second wife dying in 1880, on the 2d of July, 1882, he married his pres- ent companion, Laura Murray, daughter of James and Catherine (Taylor) Murray, who were among the old settlers of Henry county, where they still reside. The result of the last union has been five children, whose names are as follows: Guy B., Clyde C. and Corna A, twins; Frank N. and Ruby, the last named deceased. Mr. Johnson is a member of Wel- come lodge K. of P., of Muncie, and is one of the leading men of Hamilton township.

EORGE JONSONBOUGH (deceas- ed). - Among the departed citizens of Delaware county, held in grateful remembrance by a large circle of relatives and friends, the name of George Jonsonbough is deserving of special mention. The ancestors of Mr. Jonsonbough were na- tives of Pennsylvania, in which state his fath- er, John Jonsonbough, and mother, whose maiden name was Hannah Wise, were both born. They were married in Wayne county, Ohio, January 29, 1828, and later moved to Indiana, locating in White county, where Mr. Jonsonbough followed his trade of coopering until his death in September, 1878. His wife died a number of years previous, having been called to her final rest on the 21st of Novem- ber, 1846. John and Hannah Jonsonbough reared a family of eight children, whose names are as follows: George, whose name introduces this sketch; Daniel; Elizabeth, deceased;

Catherine, deceased; Henry; Minta, deceased; Margaret, wife of James Richie; and Hannah, wife of Perry Godlove.

George Jonsonbough was born in Wayne county, Ohio, January 25, 1829. When six- teen years of age he began to learn the trade of carpenter and builder, in which he soon acquired great proficiency, and at which he worked for some time in his native state and in Indiana. In 1867 he removed to Royerton, purchased the first lot that was sold in that town, and erected a dwelling thereon, and for some time operated quite successfully a saw mill, which was extensively patronized by the citi- zens of Royerton and vicinity. He was a man of sterling integrity and was highly respected in the community where he resided. His death occurred on the 24th day of April, 1888, and Union cemetery of Delaware county is his final resting place. Mr. Jonsonbough was married on the 22d day of August, 1857, to Lonisa Cline, danghter of Abraham and Massey Cline, natives of Ireland and Virginia respect- ively. Mrs. Jonsonbough was one of a fam- ily of nine children, as follows: Jane, Eliza- beth, Jemima, Amanda, Mahlon L., Eli B , Mary E., Sarah J. and Louisa. The mother of the above children died September 14, 1855, and Mr. Cline afterward married Hannah Hat- field, to which union three children were born: Marth A., Emmery and Flora. The father and mother of these children died August 30, 1866, and October 30, 1892, respectively. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jonsonbough were born seven children: Sarah A., April 7, 1859, wife of Eli Studebaker; Elmer E., January 9, 1862; Ira A., January 7, 1865; Henry K., June 20, 1870; Leotis, March 31, 1875; James and Maggie, deceased.

It will thus be seen that the Jonsonbough family were among the pioneers of Delaware county, and that the family has always main- tained a high standard of respectability.

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ATTHEW McCORMICK was born rine (Stifler) McCormick, of Irish 25, 1833, son of William and Cathe- in Bedford county, Pa., September and German descent, respectively, and both natives of Pennsylvania. William McCormick was, by occupation, a cabinet maker, and worked at that trade in his native state until 1837, at which date he moved to Delaware county, Ind., and entered 160 acres of land in Hamilton township, and began farming, which he followed the residue of his days. He died in 1855, and his wife followed him to the grave on the 4th day of October, 1881.

Matthew McCormick was the second in a family of nine children, and since early boy- hood, has been a resident of Delaware county in the growth and development of which he has always taken an active part. His early education was almost entirely neglected, but, possessing a strong practical mind, which rises above environments, he has since become well informed upon current events, and has been called to fill important official positions by his fellow citizens. Shortly after attaining his majority, in company with other spirits as dar- ing as himself, Mr. McCormick joined the exodus of gold seekers and went to California for the purpose of improving his fortunes. He went to that far off state via the New York and Panama route, and was thirty days making the voyage from New York city to San Francisco. On reaching his destination, he found employ- ment for some time in the mines, operated a claim of his own for several months and then returned to Indiana and resumed farming, having been absent from 1854 to 1856. For a short time after his marriage, which was cousummated June 21, 1856, with Miss Eliza A. Lefter, daughter of Philip and Mary (Stadbrook) Lefter. Mr. McCormick had charge of the home farm, but subsequently purchased a place in Hamilton township, where he resided until

March, 1893, when he removed to Shideler. He entered the army, in 1864, as a member of the Forty-second Indiana infantry, and was with his command in the Atlanta campaign, was present when the confederate Gen. John- son surrendered his forces, and was mustered out by the department of war at Louisville, Ky., in 1865, receiving his final discharge at Indianapolis, Ind. Politically Mr. McCor- mick is an ardent supporter of the republican party, and as such has been three times com- plimented by being elected to the office of county commissioner, the duties of which he discharged with credit to himself and satis- faction to his constituents. Fraternally he is member of the G. A. R. post of Eaton, Ind., and in religion belongs to the Christian church, with which religious body his wife is also identified. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick are the parents of the following children: Amelia and Cordelia, twins, born May 22, 1857,-the former the wife of C. T. Bartlett and the lat- ter of Charles Mansfield; Mary C., born November 13, 1860, now deceased; Adam, born September 8, 1866; Savannah, born March 24, 1868, wife of Ralph H. Clark; Eva- line, April 15, 1870; William, born July 11, 1874, and died February 9, 1875. Mr. Mc- Cormick now owns 160 acres of land, and is one of the leading men of this county. He is now president of the board of county commis- sioners. Evaline, the youngest daughter, has been a teacher, for three years, in Muncie schools.

ARON MOORE (deceased) .- Few residents of Hamilton township were as widely and favorably known as the late Aaron Moore. He was the son of Lewis and Patience (Truitt) Moore, na- tives of Ohio, who came to Delaware county in the fall of 1829, settling in the township of

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HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

Centre, the former dying November 20, 1841, and the latter in 1874. They were the par- ents of ten children, of whom the following are now living: Parker, of Centre township; Rhoda, wife of Lloyd Wilcoxon of Muncie; Lewis, who lives in Illinois, and Patience. The names of the deceased are as follows: Nancy, John, Aaron, Amanda, Sarah and Mary.

Aaron Moore was born in Scioto county, Ohio, August 22, 1819, and grew to manhood on the farm, acquiring, in the meantime, a practical education in the common schools. He was married October 28, 1843, to Mary A. Truitt, and immediately thereafter located on 120 acres of unimproved land, from which he cleared a valuable farm and to which he subse- quently added an additional seventy acres, making his home place one of the best in Ham- ilton township. He followed agricultural pur- suits all his life and met with most flattering success, acquiring thereby a comfortable com- petence, which with an unblemished name he left to his descendants Mr. and Mrs. Moore had a family of six children, two of whom are now living: Lewis and Florence, the latter born October 24, 1856, and who in 1885 was married to W. T. Minton. Mr. and Mrs. Minton have one child, Lucy, born June 21, 1886. They reside on the home place and are among the highly respected residents of Ham- ilton township. The following are the names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Moore who have passed from life: George; Naomi, left one child; Mary E. Brook, born February 3, 1881; Sarah, and Julia.

Mr. Moore was one of a class of men who are rapidly passing from this region, and pos- sessed, in a marked degree, the characteristics which distinguish that class, namely, industry, economy, good business foresight and a high sense of moral obligation to the community. He was for years a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he held

the position of class leader and Sunday school superintendent, and was always identified with the moral and spiritual advancement of his neighborhood. Politically he supported the democratic party, and at one time held the office of trustee of his township. The death of this good man occurred June 25, 1873, and his body was laid to rest in the family plat of the Moore cemetery, followed to the grave by a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends.

Mary A. Moore is the daughter of George and Frances (Waldren) Truitt, both parents natives of the state of Pennsylvania. George Truitt went to Ohio at the age of fourteen, where he lived until his majority, and in 1820 was united in marriage with Miss Truitt, who bore him six children; Mrs. Moore, being the eldest of the number, was born April 16, 1822, in Adams county, Ohio. The names of the other members of the family are as follows: Miner, deceased; Rhoda, wife of Samuel Cecil, a farmer of Centre township; Joshua, who resides in Muncie, and William, deceased. The mother died in 1836, and the following year George Truitt took to wife Mary Wal- dren, who bore him one child, Caroline, who died some years ago. The father died January, 1872, at an advanced age. Lewis, the eldest son of Aaron and Mary A. Moore, was married, in 1874, to Miss Ophelia G. Cones, and now resides upon the home farm. He is one of the prominent citizens of the community and one of the representative farmers of Hamilton township. He first attended the common schools of Delaware county, and later spent three years at Wabash college at Crawfords- ville, Ind., where he intended to complete the regular collegiate course, but on account of the death of his father he abandoned that idea. At nineteen years of age he enlisted in com- pany B, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Indi- ana volunteer infantry. For three years he

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has been giving special attention to breeding thoroughbred Jersey cattle.

3 AMES POWELL, an old and honored resident of Hamilton township, is a native of Hampshire county, Va., where his birth occurred on the 2d day of June, 1809. His father, William Powell, was born in New Jersey, of English parentage, and the mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Cooper, was a descendant of an old Swedish family, that settled many years ago in Virginia, where her birth occurred. Will- iam Powell was a farmer and blacksmith, both of which callings he followed in Virginia until the year 1818, at which time he emigrated to Ohio, thence, three years later to Wayne county, Ind., where he died in the year 1863. His wife died several years previous to that date, and both are remembered as prominent pioneers of Wayne county.

James Powell remained with his parents until seventeen years of age, when he began working at the blacksmithing trade for John Clark, of Richmond, Ind., and later effected a co-partnership with his father in the same business, which they carried on for some years near the town of Hagerstown. On the 2d day of May, 1830, he married Emma Hancock, daughter of Joseph and Susanah (Millman) Hancock, of Montgomery county, Ohio The fruit of this union was thirteen children, of whom ten grew to be heads of families, name- ly: Sarah, wife of Thomas Dean; Vashti, wife of Benjamin Shaw; Elvira, wife of T.

Bonner; William, Ennis, John, Anna, wife of Jonathan Shaw; Samuel; Mary, wife of David Watson; Emily, wife of J. T. Julian. After his marriage Mr. Powell worked at his trade about one year in Wayne county, and in the year 1846 became a resident of Delaware

county, settling near the town of Shideler, where he purchased seventy acres of wood land, upon which he at once erected a cabin and a blacksmith shop. He cleared a farm, and in the meantime worked at his trade, and eventually succeeded in placing himself in very comfortable circumstances. His grandson, Robert N. Powell, is now tilling the old home farm and looking after his grandfather's interest. In 1861, Mrs. Powell died, and in 1863 Mr. Powell married his second wife, Eliza J. Bounds, who died in December, 1890. For many years Mr. Powell has been a member of the United Brethren church, of which denomi- nation he is a local minister. He cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, but of late years has affiliated with the republican party.

AVID SIMONTON was born in Athens county, Ohio, October 9, 1821, the son of David and Anna (Ross) Sim- onton, both parents natives of the same state. David Simonton remained in Ohio until 1832, at which time he came with his mother to Delaware county, Ind., his father having died ten years previous to that date. He began life in obscurity and his early sur- roundings were of the most discouraging na- ture. Amid the stirring scenes of pioneer times the years of his early youth and man- hood were passed, and by the most rigid econ- omy he succeeded in purchasing forty acres of land, which he paid for by saving a part of his meager earnings of thirty-seven cents a day. From this piece of unbroken forest he cleared a farm, and, as circumstances would permit, purchased additional land, until finally he be- came one of the largest and most prosperous owners of real estate in the county, being at one time the possessor of over 500 acres of valuable land, all of which was gained by his

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own unaided efforts. In time he became quite wealthy, and by judicious investments suc- ceeded in laying a foundation for a very hand- some fortune. To his great credit, be it said, that not one cent of his possessions was ob- tained through any but the most honorable means, and it is stated that no poor man ever went to him for aid but what the favor was granted. At the time of his death, it was ascertained that there were outstanding ac- counts to the amount of $5,000 against cer- tain parties whom he had generously aided and from whom he never expected a return of the money loaned. In addition to his large tracts of real estate in Delaware county, he was the possessor of much valuable personal property, and at the time of his death had on interest over $25,000. Mr. Simonton was a firm believer in the religion of the Bible, and for many years was an active member of the Christian church, in which he held the office of deacon. The death of this excellent man occurred in 1885, and his memory is gratefully cherished not only by his immediate family, but by a large number of friends whom he aided in times of distress and financial embar- rassment. Mr. Simonton's first marriage was solemnized in 1844, with Mrs. Mary A. Shan- non, which union was blessed with the birth of four children: John R .; Elizabeth, wife of Henderson Cates; Sarah A., and Maria J., the last two of whom are deceased. The mother of these children departed this life in the year 1852, and subsequently Mr. Simonton married Minerva Burt, daughter of John and Mary A. (Thompson) Kain, natives respectively of Ken- tucky and Pennsylvania. To this second mar- riage, five children were born, only one of whom, Mrs. Mary Studebaker, is living at this time. By a previous marriage with Joseph Burt, Mrs. Simonton had two children: Mandy and Ludlow, deceased. Mrs. Simonton was born in Fayette county, Ind., September 5,

1828, came to Delaware county in 1832, learned the trade of a tailoress, and worked at that business for about fifteen years.

Rev. George Studebaker, who married the only living child of Mr. and Mrs. Simonton, was born in Richland county, Ill., July 17, 1861. After receiving a good education, he began teaching, at the age of twenty, and followed that profession for several years longer with gratifying success. On the 14th of May, 1879, he united with the German Bap- tist church, was chosen a minister of the same in 1881, since which time he has devoted the greater part of his time to preaching the gos- pel, in which good work he has been greatly blessed. His marriage with Miss Simonton was consummated June 10, 1882, and their home is now gladdened by the presence of one bright child, Mark E., who was born January 21, 1888. Their first child, born October 4, 1883, departed this life on the 21st day of Decem- ber, 1884.

A LEXANDER SNIDER is one of the largest farmers of Delaware county, as well as one of its most progressive and enterprising citizens. He is the son of Joseph and Catherine (Stemtebaker) Snider, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and descendants of old and highly respected German families. Joseph and Cath- erine Snider were married in Ohio, and came to Indiana as early as 1835, settling in Union township, where Mr. Snider purchased 140 acres of land and engaged in farming.

Alexander Snider was born in Miami county, Ohio, January 26, 1826, accompanied his parents to Delaware county when but nine years of age, and here grew to manhood on the farm, where he assisted his father and began life, on his own responsibility, as a tiller of the soil. His early educational advantages

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were quite meager, attending the schools of the country on an average of about four weeks each year, but being of an inquiring mind and an intelligent observer, he has since become the possessor of a fund of practical knowledge such as schools and colleges fail to impart. On the 15th day of March, 1849, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Sharp, daughter of Absalom and Rachael (Beezly) Sharp, natives of Indiana and Ohio, re- spectively. After marriage Mr. Snider en- gaged in farming on a tract of 80 acres which he purchased, and to which he has added from time to time until he now owns 215 acres of valuable 'land, beside having given to each of his children a good home. Mr. Snider had been very thrifty in his dealings, and by the exercise of rare business tact, has accumulated a comfortable fortune, being the largest tax payer in Hamilton township, and among the wealthiest farmers in the county. He is a public spirited man, and uses his in- fluence in behalf of all enterprises having for their object the welfare of the community, and stands deservedly high in the estimation of his neighbors and fellow citizens. Politically he is a republican, and for many years has been a deacon in the German Baptist church, with which his wife is also identified. He is one of a family of nine children, all of whom grew to be heads of families, and became worthy people. The following are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Snider: John A., whose birth occ' rred January 7, 1850, married Eliza- beth Jousonbourgh, and is located in Hamilton township; Rachael B., born July 30, 1860, the wife of Jacob Raric, and is also a resident of the township of Hamilton.

It is to the men of Mr. Snider's caliber that a country owes its growth and prosperity, and such as he are always made welcome wherever new settlements are made by the pioneers.

HOMAS STAFFORD, of Hamilton township, is a native of Clarke coun- ty, Ohio, and dates his birth from the Ist day of January, 1819. His father, Thomas Stafford, was born in Ireland, and his mother, whose maiden name was Catherine (Williams) Stafford, was a native of Virginia and a descendant of an old and highly respect- ed German family of that state. Thomas Staf- ford, Sr., came to the United States at the age of ten years, with his parents, and passed the early years of his manhood in Virginia, subse- quently moving to Ohio, where he remained until his death, which occurred at the ad- vanced age of eighty-two years. Mrs. Staf- ford departed this life at the age of fifty-two, and was the mother of twelve children, all of whom became heads of families and four of whom are living at this time, namely: George W., of Clarke county, Ohio; Thomas, of Dela- ware county, Ind .; Henry W., a resident of Clinton county, Ind , and Lucinda, wife of Michael Snyder, who also resides in the county last named. Thomas Stafford, Sr., followed farming all of his life, and was a very success- ful man, having accumulated a valuable tract of land consisting of 320 acres in Clarke county, Ohio.

Thomas Stafford, Jr., for whom this sketch is prepared, was reared in his native county and state and was there married on the 20th day of January, 1846, to Matilda J. Black, daughter of Samuel and Malinda (Mitchell) Black, parents natives respectively of Virginia and Ohio. Having definitely decided upon adopting the pursuit of agriculture as his life work, he began the same in Clarke county, Ohio, and five years after his marriage, think- ing to improve his fortune further west, he emigrated to Indiana and settled in Delaware county, where he purchased a tract of land consisting of 240 acres, upon which he at once erected a small cabin and began clearing a

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farm. From the days of his boyhood Mr. Stafford has practiced habits of industry which have borne rich fruit, and ever since locating in this county his financial condition has con- tinually improved, having at one time been the possessor of 400 acres of as choice land as lies in the central part of Indiana. He has risen to his present independent position by his own exertions and the competence he en- joys is the reward of untiring labor and cour- age in the battle with the world. He has been liberal with his children, assisting each to a good farm, and is now passing his declining years practically retired from the active duties of life and in the enjoyment of well earned and highly appreciated quietude. To bless their wedded life there were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Stafford, namely: Sylvester, a prosperous farmer who has charge of the home place; Samuel, a well known resident of Ham- ilton township; Joseph, a farmer of Delaware county; Laura E , wife of Charles Spencer. As members of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Stafford and his estimable wife have lead consistent christian lives, and by the practice of the religion they profess, have been the means of accomplishing great good in the community.

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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 58

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