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 59

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 59
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 59

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OBERT W. STRADLING, one of the progressive farmers of Hamilton township and a member of one of the old and highly respectable families of Delaware county, of which he is a native, was born in the township of Hamilton, March 20, 1858, the son of Rhodes and Rachel (McCor- mack) Stradling. Rhodes Stradling was a native of Ohio and came with his parents to Indiana when a boy, and here married Miss McCormack, who bore him two children, namely: Willie Ann, wife of Cornelius B. Price, and Robert, whose name opens this

sketch. Rhodes Stradling was a prosperous farmer, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1861, was the owner of 240 acres of valuable land in Hamilton township. As a member of the Methodist church, he had for many years lived a most excellent christian life; in politics he wielded an influence for the republican party, and his death was felt to be a great loss to the community in which he had so long resided. Mrs. Stradling afterward re-married, and is still a resident of the town- ship of Hamilton, being now Mrs. N. Poland.

Robert W. Stradling was but five years old when his father died, and with the exception of three years spent with his grandfather in Muncie, passed his life upon the farm. He was married February 16, 1877, to Mary E. Weir, daughter of Even and Louisa (Williamson) Weir, the father, a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish descent, and the mother of Ohio, where she was born of German parentage. After marriage Mr. Stradling located about three miles from the village of Royerton on a farm of eighty- five acres. and in 1879 removed to his present place, about one quarter of a mile of Royer- ton, where he owns a valuable farm of 180 acres, upon which there is some of the best improvements in the township. Mr. Stradling is one of the progressive men of Delaware county, a representative farmer, and a man whom his neighbors and friends all unite in praising. Politically he is a republican, and while not a member of any church, gives cheer- fully to aid all religious movements, and is a liberal friend of everything that has a tendency to advance the moral well being of the com- munity. Like his father, Mr. Stradling posess- es excellent business qualifications, and by careful management and wise foresight has succeeded in accumulating a goodly portion of this world's goods. Mrs. Stradling is a member of the United Brethren church, and has been a very valuable helpmeet to her husband during

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their wedded life. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Stradling five are living at this time, namely: Frank H., Rachel E., Huldah L., Lillian L., and Jesse W. Mrs. Stradling is one of five children, namely: Mrs. Emma Sheets; Julia; wife of Benjamin Boyd; Rose, wife of Lawrence C. Klus; Thomas Weir and herself. The mother died in 1870; the father is still living in this county.

S AMUEL K. THOMAS .- Among the pioneers who had the courage to cast their fortunes in Delaware county, was William Thomas, who moved to this part of Indiana from the state of Ohio as early as 1834 and purchased 160 acres of land in what is now Hamilton township. He cleared a good farm and became a leading citizen in the community in which he resided. He married, in Ohio, Louise Batteral, and was the father of six children when he came to this state. The names of the children of William and Louisa Thomas were as follows: Nancy, wife of James Abbott; Lydia, wife of George Fetteral; James, John, Cordelia and Samuel K., whose name introduces this bio- graphical sketch. Of the above number James, John and Cordelia are deceased. The father departed this life in February, 1863, and the mother only a few days previous to that date.

Samuel K. Thomas was reared on the home farm, and since 1834 has been a resident of Delaware county, the history of which would be incomplete without an appropriate mention of his name. His early educational training was of the most limited character, at- tending school but a few months in the winter season during the years of his minority, and on reaching his twenty-first year, he began working for his father on the home farm and continued looking after the latter's interest

until about the age of thirty. In November, 1861, he was united in marriage with Sarah Cochran, daughter of Hiram and Betsy Coch- ran, of Ohio, and one year later located where he now lives in Hamilton township, purchasing a piece of unimproved land, which has since been developed into one of the finest farms in Hamilton township. Mr. Thomas has made a careful study of the science of agriculture and has been rewarded by having his efforts, in this direction, crrowned with the most flat- tering success. His place is a model in nearly every respect, and among the many improve- ments on the same are a large and commodi- ous brick residence and a very fine barn, in which are stowed all the modern appliances of agriculture. In January, 1881, Mr. Thomas suffered a great bereavement in the loss of his wife, who died that year, leaving one child. Three years later Mr. Thomas was united in wedlock to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Moses and Sarah (Bonner) Ashcraft, both parents natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are faithful members of the Christian church, and politically he is a supporter of the princi- ples of the republican party. Mrs. Thomas is one of the family of six children, the names of her brothers and sisters being as follows: Amos, deceased; James, a resident of West Virginia; Daniel, a farmer of Delaware coun- ty, Ind .; Rebecca, wife of Jacob Powell, of Wilson county, Kan., and John J. Ashcraft, who resides in West Virginia.

J OHN D. WHITE, son of John and Han- nah (McDaniels) White, was born in Butler county, Ohio, January 20, 1816. John White, Sr., was a native of Penn- sylvania, where he was born in 1789, and the mother's birth occurred in Virginia in 1791. After their marriage, this couple moved to But-

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HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

ler county, Ohio, and in 1817 immigrated to Indiana, locating in Franklin county, where, in 1826, Mr. White purchased from the gov- ernment 126 acres of land. He died in 1859, and in 1870 his faithful wife, who had been his helpmate through so many long years of strug- gle, was called to her rest in 1870. John and Hannah White had a family of ten children, eight of whom lived to have families of their own, six of the number now living, namely: Thomas N., retired farmer of Decatur county, Ind .; Abigail, the wife of O. Reed; John D., Isaac, of Decatur county, this state; Hannah J., wife of William Eddings, and Samuel S., a resident of the state of Kansas.

John D. White lived with his parents until his marriage, which occurred December 31, 1835, with Louisa Earl, daughter of James and Nancy (Ward) Earl, after which event he engaged in farming for himself in Decatur county, where he lived until his removal to the county of Delaware in 1869. He has given the best energies of his life to his chosen call- ing of agriculture, and financially has met with gratifying success, owning at this time a well improved farm in Hamilton township. By his marriage with Nancy Ward, Mr. White became the father of the following children: Thomas, deceased; Mary, deceased; Robert; Isaac; John N .; Mary J., wife of Charles Tingle; Nancy L., wife of Joseph Campbell, and Thomas R. In the year 1853, death in- vaded the home of Mr. White, and took thence his companion, and later he was united in marriage to Anna Earl, of Indiana. Mrs. White was born in Franklin county, Ind., and has borne her husband the following chil- dren: Elizabeth, wife of John Turner; Han- nah J., wife of Ephraim Colvin; America, wife of Joseph Shaffer; Hester, wife of George Rusler; Samuel D., Edda N., Joseph E., and James O., the last named not living. Mr. and Mrs. White are well known and highly

respected citizens, and have endeared them- selves to their friends and neighbors by their many kindly acts and words of encouragement. For a number of years they have been mem- bers of the Christian church, and their lives have indeed been exemplary.

DAM WILLIAMSON .- The ances- tors of the gentleman whose sketch is herewith presented were natives of Germany, from which country his paternal ancestors emigrated to the United States many years ago, settling in one of the eastern states, subsequently moving to Ohio. His father, Peter Williamson, was born in 1802, and in 1827 married Rosanna Shafer, the daughter of a German emigrant who came to this country in the year 1820. Peter Will- iamson owned a farm in Ohio, which he dis- posed of in 1834, and moved to Delaware county, Ind., where he purchased 320 acres of land, adding to the latter tract an additional eighty acres, thus making a good home, upon which his death occurred in 1870.

John Adam Shafer, the maternal grand- father of Adam Williamson, accompanied by the mother of Mrs. Rosanna Williamson, left Germany on the 19th of September, 1819, with the object of coming to the new world. He was accompanied by his family, consisting of his wife, Sabina, three sons and five daugh- ters, all of whom were born in the province of Nuremburg, and after passing through several provinces of Germany, finally took a sailing vessel for Amsterdam, Holland, which city they failed to reach on account of the vessel springing a leak, which necessitated the cap- tain putting into the port of Lisbon, Portugal, where they remained until December 24, of the same year, when they again put to sea. From Lisbon the vessel, upon which they em-

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DELAWARE COUNTY :

barked, made its way directly to Baltimore, Md., where they arrived, without any further mishaps, February 25, 1820. Having been so long upon the journey from the fatherland, Mr. Shafer was compelled to expend all of his means, so that upon arriving in the new world, three of the older children were bound out from three to five years, in order to pay their passage, which amounted to $80 each. The rest of the family immediately proceeded by wagon to Brownsville, Pa., thence to Portsmouth, Ohio, by flat boat, where Mrs. Shafer died in 1821, a short time after reach- ing their destination. Three and one half: years after their arrival at Portsmouth, George Shafer walked to Baltimore to fetch his sisters to their western home, two of whom returned wiih him, while the third remained in the east several years longer, rejoining the family in 1832. Subsequently, Mr. Shafer came to Indiana and settled in Hamilton township, Delaware county, where he remained until his death, July, 1870, at the advanced age of ninety-five years.

Adam Williamson accompanied his parents to Delaware county when five years of age, since which time he has passed the greater part of his life within its borders, being now among its oldest living residents. Here he grew to manhood, and in his youthful days at- tended the country schools, and on attaining his majority engaged in the pursuit of agricul- ture, which has been his life work. April 12, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Moore, daughter of Lewis and Patience (Truitt) Moore, the parents both being natives of Ohio and of English descent. Six children were born to this union, namely: William A., a resident of Muncie; Flora B., wife of Amos Garrison; Mary T., wife of Dant Smith; Hat- tie, wife of William Norris; Emma Z. and Effie. The mother of these children died No- vember 6, 1880, and lies buried in Beech Grove

cemetery, Muncie. Subsequently, March 8, 1882, Mr. Williamson married his present wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Pittenger, daughter of Daniel and Ellen (Jones) Pitten- ger. Mr. Williamson is a democrat in politics, belongs to Muncie lodge, No. 74, I. O. O. F., and with his wife is a communicant, of the Methodist Episcopal church. He owns 160 acres of fine land two and one-half miles north of Muncie. He settled on this farm forty years ago, and cleared it from the green. He is one of the leading citizens of the township.

J AMES WOOD .- Among the well known citizens of Hamilton township was the late James Wood, who, for many years, was one of the representative men of this community. His parents, William and Dorcas (Bowen) Wood, moved to Delaware county in 1839 and remained here until their respective deaths. James Wood was born in Ross county, Ohio, April 11, 1821, and when thirteen years of age began to learn the tailor's trade in the town of Greenfield, the same state, and after remaining in that place until 1840, came to Indiana and followed his chosen call- ing for some time in the town of Anderson; later he opened a shop of his own in Granville, Ind., where he carried on a successful business for several years. In 1850 he located on the farm in Hamilton township, Delaware county, upon which his widow still resides, and became a leading agriculturist. Mr. Wood was a man of character and good social standing, a devout member of the Christian church, in which he had been a deacon for a number of years, and the precepts of which he exemplified in his daily life and conversation. The death of this excellent man occurred on the 29th day of May, 1892, and his remains now rest beneath the shades of the Granville cemetery.

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HARRISON TOWNSHIP.

His marriage with Miss Susan Gregory, daughter of John and Nancy (Shideler) Greg- ory, took place in 1845. Mrs. Wood was one of a family of eleven children, only one of whom, besides herself, is living, namely, Thomas Gregory. The names of those de- ceased, as far as can be remembered, are as follows: Mary P., Sarah, Susannah, Elizabeth, Jane, John S., and Noble; the last named killed while serving this country in the late

war. The father of these children died Janu- ary 29, 1843 and the mother departed this life April 2, 1887. Mrs. Wood resides on the home farm, which she manages very success- fully, and is an estimable christian lady, highly respected in the community. Never having had any children of her own, she is now rais- ing a niece, Miss Nettie Gregory, daughter of Thomas and Jennie Gregory, whom she took at the age of seven years.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP.

ENJAMIN BARCLAY .- All of the people of Harrison township know Benjamin Barclay, the subject of this sketch, and know him favorably. He was born May 4, 1828, in Licking county, Ohio, being the son of James and Elizabeth (German) Barclay. The father was born in 1804 in Virginia, and the mother in Maryland. . The father came to Licking county when but a boy with his parents, and spent the greater part of his life in farming. In politics he was a democrat of the Jackson school. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church.

Benjamin Barclay lived with his parents until the age of eighteen, when he was ap- prenticed to the trade of a blacksmith, work- ing at this for two years for his board and clothing. After this he followed his trade for two years and then was a farmer for one year. At this time he came to Indiana and located in Henry county, following his trade, after which he came to this county and bought eighty acres of land in the northwest corner of Harrison township. Here he built a shop and worked at his trade, farming at the same time for eighteen years. At this time our subject

lives on a farm in this township, and still owns the original acres upon which he settled. Mr. Barclay was married November 1, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth McInturf. His wife was born July 4, 1831, and died January 25, 1865. She was the daughter of Frederick and Anna (Myers) McInturf, they being natives of Ohio, her father following the occupation of a farmer. Mrs. Barclay, the wife of our subject, was a devoted member of the Methodist church. By this marriage our subject was the father of six children, namely: Salathiel, deceased; Louisa, Susannah, Sarah, Netta, and James Leonidas.

Mr. Barclay again entered into the holy bonds of matrimony December 24, 1885, taking for his wife the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Shafer) Williamson; her father being a native of New Jersey, where he was born in 1790, and her mother was born in Germany in 1802, the latter came to this country with her parents when but a child. The father of Mrs. Barclay came to Scioto county, Ohio, where he owned a fine farm at the time of his death, which occurred in 1849. His wife survived him until the year 1880, when she died in the faith of the Methodist

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DELAWARE COUNTY :

church, in which she had lived all her days. The second wife of Mr. Barclay was the widow of W. F. Nottingham, who was a na- tive of Ohio and came to this state when but a child. He was born in 1828, and died in 1880. He was married to the present Mrs. Barclay August 4, 1850, and by this marriage Mrs. Barclay had four children, namely: Jos- eph, deceased; George, deceased; John; and Sarah Catherine, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Barclay are both consistent members of the Methodist church. Our subject is devoted to the principles of the democratic party, and heartily supports its candidates.

EV. GEORGE BOXELL .- Harrison township can point to more than one of her citizens with pride, for not only have they fulfilled all the require- ments of private life, but when occasion de- manded have assumed the duties of public office in such a manner as to call forth the admiration of their constituents. Such a man is George Boxell, one of the prominent farm- ers of the township, now serving as township trustee. Mr. Boxell was born January 16, 1833, in the state of Virginia, a son of Joseph and Elenor (Shamlin) Boxell, natives of Vir- ginia and Ireland, respectfully. Mrs. Boxell came to this country when still young. When the subject was still a boy, the family removed to Boone county, Ohio, and in 1835 to Grant county, Ind. The family name of Boxell is an old one, the ancestral record reaching back many generations to English progenitors.

George Boxell remained with his parents until he reached his majority, when he engaged in teaching for some three years in Grant county, after which he began to preach, riding what was known as the Jonesborough circuit for a number of years. During his

ministry he was greatly beloved and the good he did in this capacity can not be over esti- mated. At present Mr. Boxell is the owner of eighty acres of choice land in Harrison town- ship, where he is greatly respected by the entire community. Mr. Boxell's first marriage was solemnized January 16, 1858, with Miss Rhoda McKever, daughter of Noah and Eliza- beth McKever, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Boxell died January 10, 1880, and July 26, 1882, Mr. Boxell was married again, his second choice being Miss Emma Thompson, who was born October 18, 1862. By this last marriage one child, Estella, has been born. It is a remark- able fact, and but an indication of the popu- larity of Mr. Boxell, that, at the time of his election to his present office, he received a large majority over the republican candidate, although he had made no canvass, which fact attests his great popularity with the people, irrespective of party affiliation. He is a mem- ber of the democratic party. In the language of David Hill, of N. Y., "I am a democrat." He is a minister of the Methodist Protestant church and for thirty-five years he has been preaching. He has preached 1,308 funeral sermons. He has been prominent in church work.

IRAM BRANSON is a man approach- ing seventy years, and has spent his life in such a manner as to command the respect of his neighbors, and meet with the approval of his conscience. He was born in Highland county, Ohio, May 4, 1825; being the son of Elizabeth and Robert Branson; the former was born in North Caao- lina, in 1798, and the latter was born in Vir- ginia in 1802. Robert Branson settled in Highland county, Ohio, with his grandfather when a boy, going there on a pack horse. He was one of the first settlers of Henry county,

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HARRISON TOWNSHIP.

Ind., reaching there in 1827. In the spring of 1840 he came to Delaware county, Ind., where he engaged in farming until his death, which took place in 1852. Hiram Branson re- mained at home until his marriage, which occurred July 27, 1848; his wife being Miss Charlotte Jackson, daughter of Jesse and Mary Jackson, both natives of Tennessee. Mr. Branson had born to him by this marriage the following children: Rufus, Isaac, Sarah, Noah C., John, Jerry S., Martin, Phebe Jane and Oliver P. Mr. Branson married again January 20, 1865, his choice being the widow of Wilson Lacy; her first husband being a native of Tennessee and a farmer. This wife was called away from earth in August, 1877; having borne Mr. Branson five children, as follows: Frances, Martha, George, Cynthia Ann, and Cora May, deceased. Mr. Branson married a third time, September 27, 1878, the maiden name of his wife being Susanna Bur- gess, the widow of Jacob Jetmore. By this wife there was one child, Clara Ellen. He and his wife are both members of the German Baptist church.

Mr. Branson enlisted during the war in company B, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana regiment, for one year, or during the war. This was in February, 1865, and he returned home May 22 of that year, having been in no battle. Our subject was a whig, after which he became a republican, and is now a prohibitionist.

J. H. Branson was born in Stony Creek township, Henry county, Ind., February 10, 1831, and lived with his parents until he was of age, after which he worked for his father two years on the farm, and then went to Cal- ifornia. There he remained two years engaged in mining, which proved profitable; then he returned to this township and bought eighty acres of land, which is his present farm, and is under good cultivation. He was united in

marriage July 6, 1856, to Miss Mary Fox, daughter of Asa and Mary Fox; her mother being a native of Connecticut, and her father of Pennsylvania.

The father, when a young man, located in Kentucky, where he remained thirty years, and then came to Harrison township. The mother of the wife of our subject was a member of the Methodist church.

By his marriage with Miss Fox our subject had the following children: Elizabeth, Sara Ann, Ellen Martha, George W., Premma, William, deceased, Joseph, William Jehosha- phat, deceased, Edward J., Asa deceased, Flora Belle and Mary Minnie. In politics Mr. Branson was a whig until the republican party came into existence, since which time he has been an active member of that party. He is a member in good standing of the Christian church, and is a worthy and good citizen.

OSEPH S. BROWN .- No man is so in- dependent as the farmer. To him the residents of the great cities look for theproducts of the soil, while he, if he wish, can be entirely independent of their toil. After many years devoted to the tilling of the soil, the subject of this sketch, Joseph S. Brown, is ready to agree that, although the life of a farmer be full of toil and hardships, yet on the whole it is a very pleasant one. Mr. Brown was born March 20, 1819, in the state of Penn- sylvania, son of John and Elizabeth (Staup) Brown, both natives of Pennsylvania, of Ger- man descent. In 1834 the family removed to Ohio, settling in Henry county. Mr. Brown, Sr., remained in Henry county until the time of his death, engaged in coopering, carpenter- ing and farming.

Joseph S. Brown was educated in the com- mon schools and remained with his parents

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until he became of age, when he rented a farm in Clinton county, Ohio, where he remained until 1853, at which date he removed to Dela- ware county, Ind., and purchased forty acres of land, to which he later added forty acres, making eighty acres in all. This farm was a wild, unculti- vated one, but Mr. Brown reclaimed it from a wil- derness and brought it to its present state of cultivation. Mr. Brown was married in 1841, to Mrs. Mary (Jones) Taylor, born in 1809, widow of James Taylor, and daughter of Will- iam and Nancy Jones. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown, namely: John, deceased; William Henry; Eliza Jane, wife of William Downing, and James H., deceased. Mrs. Brown died in 1891, and her remains rest in Nottingham cemetery. She died in the faith of the Christian church, of which body her hus- band has been for years a faithful member. In politics Mr. Brown supports the principles enunciated by the democratic party. In every particular he has fulfilled all the duties re- quired of him in every walk of life to which he has been called, and justly meriis the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors and friends throughout Harrison and other town- ships.

ILLIAM H. COFFIN .- Among the prosperous farmers of Harrison township whose name his friends will greet in this volume with pleasure, is the subject of the present notice. He was born in this township, January 20, 1847, a son of Isaac and Mary (Reed) Coffin, the former a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, born there November 18, 1821, a son of Sam- uel and Rachel Coffin, natives of Massachu- setts and of Kentucky. Samuel Coffin was a stone mason and plasterer by trade. He came to this state and located in Fayette county, in 1833, on 100 acres of land there, but six

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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 59

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