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 60

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 60
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 60

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).

years later he came to Delaware county and bought the 160 acres now owned by his son. He died in 1855 and his wife then removed to Wayne county where her life ended ten years later. They had both been members of the Baptist church. Isaac Coffin lived with his parents until he was of age, and then engaged to work, for his father, by the month, for a few years, at which time he bought a farm of eighty-five acres of his father. For one year he lived in Butler county, Ohio, since which time he has lived on his present farm engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1841 he married Mary Doty, the widow of Samuel Doty, who had formerly been a Reed. Her death oc- curred November 15, 1892, and her remains rest in Bethel cemetery in Harrison township. For forty years both she and husband were members of the United Brethern church. They had two children, William Henry, and Rachel, the wife of William Brown.

William H. Coffin was reared on the home farm and remained during his minority with parents. He learned the carpenter trade and worked at that for two years, following which he rented a farm of Mr. Joseph Quick for two years, and then moved to Grant county where he was engaged in the manufacture of tile for two years. He then moved to his present farm, having since resided in Harrison township. He has a fine place here, and is a man much esteemed in this locality. For the past four years he has held the office of justice of the peace. Politically, he is a republican. Mr. Coffin was married November 22, 1873, to Miss Mary Ann Needler, daughter of George and Lydia (Cun- ningham) Needler, he a native of Ohio, born in May, 1832, and she in the same year, No- vember 20, in the state of Virginia. Mrs. Cof- fin accompanied her parents to Grant county when three years of age, and Mr. Needler is still a resident of that county, where he is en- gaged in farming. The mother died a year

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ago. Both parents were members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Needler is a repub- lican of that county, known as a man of worth and sagacity. Mr. and Mrs. Coffin are the parents of the following children. Adam C., Nora Josephine, deceased; James Henry, Lydia Margaret, deceased; John, deceased; Martha R., Walter Earl, and Osa Edna, de- ceased. Mr. Coffin formerly voted the repub- lican ticket, but in late years his views of public questions have undergone a change, and he now belongs to the people's party. He is a man who is highly respected wherever known.

NOCH DRUMM, an enterprising citi- zen of Harrison township, Delaware county, Ind., was born in the county of Muskingum, Ohio, on the 10th day of June, 1840, son of Peter and Clasissa (Lake) Drumm. Paternally, Mr. Drumm is descended from German ancestry, and his father was for many years a farmer and manufacturer of stone ware in the above county and state. Mr. Drumm's boyhood days were spent on the farm much the same as the majority of country lads and from the age of twelve his time was alternately devoted to tilling the soil and working in the stoneware factory in the sum- mer and attending the district schools in the winter season. In his twentieth year Mr. Drumm came to Muncie, Ind., near which city he found employment as a farm laborer, and later he taught in the public schools for a limited period. On the 21st day of August, 1861, he married Margaret Gibson, daughter of Andrew and Rebecca Gibson, of Delaware county, and from that time until April, 1867, lived in Monroe township. He then moved to his present beautiful farm in Harrison township, where he has since resided, and he now ranks among the most energetic and

thrifty agriculturists. in the county of Dela- ware. Mrs. Margaret Drumm bore her hus- band the following children: Emanuel, An- derson, Peter Emsley, Marion, Howard, Clara R. and Enoch Orvil. Of these children Peter E. and Anderson preceded their mother to the grave, and on the 24th day of April, 1879, she was summoned to her final rest, leaving a child twenty-two days old, Enoch O., who died shortly thereafter. Left with a family of de- pendent children on his hands, Mr. Drumm managed to keep them all together and look after their interests as only an indulgent father could have done, until 1881, on October 29 of which year he married Mrs. Ann E. (Kern) Gough, who proved to be a kind mother to the family and a helpmate in the true sense of the word to her husband. Two children have been born to the second marriage: Addie F. and Maud. As already noted, Mr. Drumm is one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Har- rison township, and it is also just to class him with its most intelligent, wide-awake and broad minded citizens. His farm, consisting of 160 acres of highly cultivated land, is well pro- vided with excellent buildings, among which is a silo, the first structure of the kind ever erect- ed in Delaware county. Mr. Drumm was elected trustee of this township in 1873, the duties of which office he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public for a period of nine years. He takes considerable interest in all matters pertaining to natural gas and he uses that ideal fuel in his home also for pumping water and operating other kinds of machinery. He is essentially a self-made man in all that term implies, and his present comfortable competence and fortunate position in life are the results of his own unaided efforts. In all the relations of life Mr. Drumm has proven himself up to the mark, whether those relations were of a public or private nature.

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J OHN DRUMM-About as near as one gets in this country to being absolutely independent is to be the owner of a nice farm in a section that gives plenty of rain and sunshine for the crops. Take the case of John Drumm, of Harrison township, with his broad acres, his nice house and barn, his horses and cattle and hogs, there is no noble in Europe half so happy and independent as he and his neighbors, who are fixed like him. Mr. Drumm has passed the three score and ten of the psalmist, and yet his natural vigor is not abated, and he enjoys life as it passes. He was born October 20, 1820, at Hopewell, Muskingum county, Ohio, being the son of Samuel and Susan H. (Writner) Drumm, the father being born December 15, 1786, and the mother February 12, 1795, he being a native of Virginia, and she of Philadelphia, Pa. Samuel Drumm went to Ohio when a boy with his parents, and lived with them until he was of age, spending his time upon the farm. Then he went into the manufacturing business, con- tinuing at it for fifteen years; after which he became a farmer and continued at that until his death, at the age of sixty-eight. In poli- tics he was a democrat, and voted for the can- didates of that party. His wife survived him six or seven years. He and she were members of the Methodist church. At the time of his death he owned 640 acres, the result of the labor of his own hands. He was the father of twelve children, all of whom lived to a good old age except one, who died in early woman- hood.

John Drumm remained at home upon the farm until he was of age and after that he con- tinued there, farming on his own account, until 1863, when he came to Harrison town- ship and bought land where he now lives- eighty acres, and afterward added thirty acres to that purchase. He was married, at the age of twenty-four, to Sarah, daughter of Andrew

and Mary (Weaver) Wise, natives of Pennsyl- vania, her mother being seven years the junior of her father. The father was a farmer and a member of the United Brethern church, the mother also being a member of that body. Mrs. Sarah Drumm bore her husband thirteen children, and died in 1871 and was buried in Bethel cemetery. The names of these child- ren were: Ashford, married to Mary Eber; Millie Ann, married to John Eber; Mary, wife of Bolen Weaver; Leonard, deceased; Amelia, wife of Leander Weaver; Elias, married to Mary Hale; Harry J., married to Mary Apple- gate; Jennie, wife of Peter Wier; George, married to Eva Shucks; Norma Belle, deceased; Susannah, deceased; Caroline, deceased; and Laura, at home.

Mr. Drumm next married, in July, 1873, Mrs. Auker, the widow of Henry Auker. Mrs. Drumm died in the following March. Mr. Drumm was reared a United Brethern, but after coming to this county he became a Metho- dist. In politics he is a democrat and always votes the ticket of that party.

ALTER GRAY, prominent farmer and lawyer, is a native of Indiana, born on the 15th day of July, 1851, in the county of Randolph. His father, Matthew Gray, was born in Wayne county, Ind., in the year 1822, moved to Delaware county in 1853, settling in Perry township, where he resided for a period of five years, moving thence to the county of Randolph. After a residence of seven years in the latter he returned to Delaware county, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1891. The mother of Walter Gray was Margaret (Sanders) Gray, a woman of most exemplary character.

Walter Gray remained with his parents

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until arriving at the years of his legal majority, pursuing his studies in the meantime in the common schools during the winter seasons and assisting his father on the farm in the summer. For some time after his twenty-first year, he taught school, and followed the pursuits of agriculture on the home place, meeting with encouraging success in both vocations. In 1874, on the 30th day of December, when twenty-two years old, Mr. Gray was united in marriage with Miss Mary Vanbuskirk, and shortly thereafter purchased forty acres of land in Jay county, upon which he resided until 1879, disposing of the same in that year and removing to Kansas. Not finding the west suit- able to his taste, he returned to Indiana after about one year's residence, and located in the county of Delaware, where he invested his sole earthly wealth, about seventy dollars, in a small tract of real estate, consisting of twenty acres. On this modest homestead Mr. Gray engaged in agriculture in a moderate way, and at the same time yielded to an inclination of long standing and began the study of law, in the prosecution of which his progress was most commendable. In due time he was admitted to the bar, since which date he has practiced successfully in the courts of Dela- ware county, where he has a large and lucra- tive busidess, looking after his farming interests in the meantime. For four years he was associated in the profession with Hon. George H. Koons, present judge Delaware circuit court, but since the elevation of that gentleman to the bench, has practiced without a partner. At this time he resides on a beau- tiful farm in Harrison township, in which, as in other parts of the county, he owns valuable tracts of real estate, being the possessor of over three hundred acres of land, the result of his own efforts and well directed energy and business thrift. In every relation of life Mr. Gray has proved a most exemplary man

and few citizens of his township are as widely and favorably known. A practical farmer, he believes in the dignity of that most useful and honorable calling; a lawyer of pronounced ability, his legal record during a number of years of close application to the profession is unclouded by the slightest tinge of anything disreputable in the practice; and a broad minded, intelligent man of affairs, he enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens and is looked upon in his community as a true type of the educated, courteous gentleman. Mr. Gray is the proud father of three sons, and his home is a model in its various appoint- ments, and the abode of generous, old fashioned hospitality. Mr. Gray has always taken an active part in politics, and at the early age of twenty years was chosen a member of the democratic central committee, with which party he officiated until 1890, since which time he has been identified with the people's party. Mrs. Gray was born in Delaware county, Ind., June 30, 1858, and is the daughter of James and Mary (Crim) Vanbuskirk. Mr. Vanbus- kirk was an Ohioan by birth, but came to Delaware county in his boyhood, and became one of the successful farmers of this part of the country. He died at the age of fifty-four years; his widow is still living, making her home at this time in Madison county, near the city of Anderson.

3 AMES M. HARTLEY .- The sons of pioneers have indeed reason to feel proud of their ancestry. The early settlers of Indiana were a class of men and women who came to the new west, not alone for personal aggrandizement, but mainly for the benefit of their posterity. They cheer- fully endured hardships and wrought gladly with their hands that they might provide a

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future for those who were dependent upon them. James M. Hartley was born October 24, 1849, in Grant county, Ind., where his parents, Joseph and Ellen (Hammers) Hartley, settled on a farm of forty acres, which they purchased from the government. The father still resides in Grant county, managing his farm, which now consists of 120 acres, but his wife died in 1852, in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she was for years a member. The father, a native of Virginia, born near Fremont, came to Indiana with his parents and settled in Henry county, where he remained until his removal to Grant county a short time thereafter.

James M. Hartley remained with his par- ents until he attained his majority, when he rented a farm until the spring of 1875, and then purchased his present farm in Harrison township, consisting of sixty acres. On this land he has erected a comfortable dwelling and barn, and the entire property is the result of his own unaided efforts. October 23, 1873, Mr. Hartley was united in marriage with Miss Marsha Scott, a native of Adams county, Ohio, daughter of David Scott (see sketch elsewhere). By this marriage the following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hartley: Carl, deceased, Linnie and Icie. Mrs. Hartley is a member of the Methodist church, in which body she is an important factor. Mr. Hart- ley's political convictions are in accordance with those enunciated by the democratic party. A life like Mr. Hartley's is an example to all of what industry and honest perseverance will accomplish.

RS. H. E. HARTLEY is a lady who is highly respected by all the people of Harrison township, where she lives. She was born March 8, 1841, in Henry county, Ind., being the daughter of

Thomas and Dinah (Jones) Gough. Her father was born June 1, 1800, and her mother Octo- ber 28, 1801, both being natives of Monongalia county, Va. ; the father dying October 22, 1883, and the mother April 2, 1874. Mrs. Dinah Hartley, in early womanhood, came from Vir- ginia to Henry county, Ind., on horseback. Mr. Gough came to Henry county, Ind., in 1835, and engaged in the practice of medicine, and at the same time carried on farming. Mr. Gough was a very prominent man in the county, and was held in the highest repute. After a number of years he disposed of his farm, and lived a retired life at Luray, Henry county. During his life he filled the office of justice of the peace for a number of years, to the entire satisfaction of the people.

Mrs. H. E. Hartley was married in 1863 to Benjamin F. Hartley, a native of Henry county, who was born September 3, 1833. He was the son of Elisha and Sarah (Emer- son) Hartley, both natives of Virginia. Ben- jamin F. Hartley was a successful farmer, owning 194 acres, which he acquired by the labor of his own hands. He came to this county in 1867 and located on a farm in Har- rison township, which is now occupied by his widow. In politics Mr. Hartley was a demo- crat, and always supported the candidates of that party. The deceased was a kind and loving father, and a devoted husband, as well as a worthy citizen. By her marriage with Mr. Hartley our subject is the mother of the following children: John M., Warren, de- ceased; Harley D., Sarah and Thomas, both living at home. The father of these children took much interest in the Odd Fellows, being a member of Lodge No. 74 at Muncie. His remains lie in the Beech Grove cemetery, Henry county. His widow lives at the old home- stead in the midst of her family, passing her life quietly, and proving herself to be a kind neighbor and a considerate friend. Mrs.

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Hartley is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church.

J OHN KIRKMAN .- Among the many well-to-do citizens of Harrison town- ship, John Kirkman is prominent and highly esteemed by all who know him. He was born in 1835, in Bartholomew county, Ind .; being the son of John and Malaha (Dil- lon) Kirkman. His father was born in Guil- ford county, N. C., March 3, 1788, and his mother in the same county in 1792. The father was a hatter by trade, and lived until his twenty-second year in his native county. At this time he came to Indiana, and located in Howard county, where he engaged in farm- ing until 1875. Then he removed to Oregon, and there lived a retired life in Douglas county in that state, until October, 1892, the date of his death, at the age of 104 years. The mother of our subject died in 1836, when his father married, a few years later, Margaret Pike, a native of North Carolina.

In consequence of the death of his mother, John Kirkman lived with his sister until he was fourteen, and then for the next four years with a man by the name of Skein, after which he made his home with his brother, Peter, in Howard county. At the latter place he worked at whatever thing came to hand. He was married December 30, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth Parker, daughter of 'Squire Parker, an old pioneer of this county. She was born in Delaware county February 13, 1841. Mr. Kirkman, soon after his marriage, began lum- bering by renting a saw mill, which business he followed for thirty years at different places in the county. He then bought 160 acres of splendid land in the northwest part of Har- rison township, where he now lives a retired life. This farm is the reward of his own labor. John Kirkman enlisted in 1861 for

one year in company B, Twelfth Indiana regi- ment, and served sixteen months, having taken part in several skirmishes. He receives a pension of seventeen dollars a month as the result of disabilities received in the service. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkman are the parents of one child, John P., who is a prosperous merchant. They are prominent members of the Christian church. Mr. Kirkman is an active member of lodge No. 425, I. O. O. F., at New Corner.

HOMAS MCCREERY is one of the prominent and successful farmers of Harrison township, being held in highest esteem by all who know him. He was born in Carroll county, Ohio, October 7, 1826, and came from that county at an early day with his parents, with whom he lived until twenty-four years of age, when he was married. After he became of age he worked with his father until his marriage. After the event he engaged in clearing up an eighty acre contract, which his father gave him, beside working his father's farm on shares. He has added to this property at different times, and at the present owns 417 acres and has given 160 acres to his sons. He also owns a half interest in a large store room in New Corner, and has other prop- erty located there.

Mr. McCreery was married October 25, 1849, to Miss Catherine Brown, daughter of Samuel and Phebe Brown, natives of Clinton county, Ohio. He came to this county and located in the western part of it, and was en- gaged in farming. He was also a cooper by trade. Mrs. Catherine McCreery was born April 7, 1828, and died April 15, 1886. Her remains rest in the Wheeling cemetery, where a beautiful monument marks the spot. She was a devoted member of the Methodist church, and enjoyed the esteem of everyone.

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By the marriage the following children were born: Samuel J., married to Martha Trout; Hannah Elizabeth, wife of William Jenny; Rebecca, deceased; James William, living at home; Nathan Andrew, married to Nettie Trout ; John Wesley, married to Martha Wood- ring; Sarah L., wife of John Kirkland; and Mary M., wife of of Barney Hannan. Mr. Mc- Creery married September 18, 1888, for his second wife, Mrs. Margaret Ellen Anderson, widow of O. Anderson, a native of Clermont county, Ohio, who practiced medicine in High- land county, Ohio, a number of years. Mr. McCreery is a republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Espiscopal church. He is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (May- nard) McCreery. Samuel McCreery was born July 9, 1801, in Virginia; emigrated to Carroll county, Ohio, when a young man, and pur- chased one hundred acres of land, which he farmed, and remained there until 1838, when he came to this county and entered 360 acres of land, then in a primitive state. Mrs. Mc- Creery departed this life February 2, 1889, and her remains rest in the Wheeling cemetery. She was a Methodist and a devoted Christian woman. Samuel McCreery died November 23, 1893, at the age of ninety-two, and was one of Harrison township's most highly respected citi- zens; he was a member of the Methodist church, and a stanch supporter of the republican party.

ENRY MILLER, a well known farm- er and respected citizen of Harrison township, Delaware county, Ind., is the subject of the present sketch. He was born in Adams county, Ohio, June 14, 1835, a son af Levi and Rheuhama (Summer) Miller, the former born April 1, 1801, in High- land county, Ohio, and the latter June 5, 1809, He died in 1871, in Delaware county,

Ind., and she in 1878, in Delaware county, Ind. Both were members of the Methodist church. They first located in Henry county after coming to this state, and then came to Delaware county, where Mr. Miller entered eighty acres of land, owning at the time of his death, a fine tract of 420 acres, 150 of which was cleared. He lived here at the time when transportation facilities were almost nothing, and the only way to obtain a market for his wheat was to haul it to Cincinnati, where he received for it forty cents a bushel.

Henry Miller remained with his parents until he was of age, when he engaged in work for his father for one year, and then went into the same pursuit for himself, on a farm of sixty acres, from 1858 to 1875, when he came to his present farm in Harrison township, which at that time consisted of 160 acres, but now he owns only 147 acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation.

On December 2, 1858, Mr. Miller married Miss Ellen Mclaughlin, who was born June 23, 1840, in Washington county, Ohio, daugh- ter of James and Elnora (Boyle) Mclaughlin, the former born in May, 1807, and the latter in May, 1814. Mr. Mclaughlin came from Allen county, Ohio, to this township and lo- cated on the farm now occupied by Mr. Miller, but passed out of life June 10, 1852. His widow is still living in this township. They were worthy people and members of the Methodist church.

Mr. Miller was a soldier in the late war, enlisting August 12, 1862, in company D, Eighty-fourth Indiana regiment, for three years and served until the close of the war, engaging in a number of skirmishes. and now receives a pension of $4. per month. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have the following children: James Levi, Martha Jane, the wife of Derilus Trout; Sarah Samantha, wife of Andrew Woodring; Ora Elmer, and Nora Ann who is

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deceased. Mr. Miller is a democrat in his political convictions and is a worthy citizen. He and wife are worthy members of the United Brethern church.

S AMUEL J. NEWMAN .- Among the very respectable and honest, hard- working citizens of Harrison town- ship, is Samuel J. Newman. He was born May 30, 1839, in Adams county, Ohio, being the son of Samuel D. and Serena (Ran- dall) Newman. The father was born July 15, 1803, in Virginia, and the mother February 29, 1804, in New York state. The father, Samuel D. Newman, came to Blue Creek, Adams county, Ohio, with his parents when he was about thirteen years of age, and remained there until he was twenty-one, when he bought a farm in this county. When about thirty- five years old he engaged in the mercantile business at Blue Creek, Adams county, Ohio, conducting a general store for about thirty-five years; also operating a saw mill and grist mill at the same place during this time. This en- terprising man was also a very large land owner, having at the time of his death 1, 000 acres. Notwithstanding his arduous duties he was likewise a minister for the Christian church for a number of years prior to his death, which occurred March 26, 1888. In politics he was a democrat of the Jacksonian school. His worthy wife, to whom he was married in 1825, died January 30, 1887. Both of them were of English descent, and were very much esteemed by their neighbors and friends.

Samuel J. Newman lived with his parents until he was twenty-two years old, and then he engaged with his father as an engineer in the mill, working in this capacity for two years; then entered a store and continued there as clerk for the same length of time. He was then

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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 60

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