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 64

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 64
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 64

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).

In the fall of 1892, Mr. Gibson bought property in Muncie, on which he resided until August, 1893, when he returned to Monroe township. He was always a prosperous man in his business. was careful, considerate and just, and never contracted an obligation unless he was positive that he could meet it. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a devout observer of its teachings, a liberal man to the poor, and never turned from his door a hungry man. He was also a member of the G. A. R.,

Williams post, No. 78. He was popular with young and old, and especially with yonng people, who loved him for his jovial disposi- tion.

October 14th, 1858, Mr. Gibson was united in marriage with Miss Catherine John- son, born in Henry county, Ind., March 8, 1838, daughter of John and Charlotte (Ste- phenson) Johnson. Her father was born June 2, 1811, in Virginia, and then moved to Ohio, and in a very early day came to Indiana and settled in Henry county. Here he lived until his death, March 21, 1889, He was mar- ried in Ohio before coming to Indiana, November 27, 1834, his wife being Charlotte Stephenson, who was born April 9, 1812, in Muskingum county, Ohio. Mrs. Johnson now lives in Henry county on the old homestead. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born nine children, four of whom are living, as follows: Catharine J., Silas; Lewis, and William K. The names of the deceased ones are Martha, who died August 23, 1840; Elizabeth, June 25, 1871; Sarah, August 16, 1852; Anna, Septem- ber 10, 1852, and Mary, March 21, 1858. Mrs. Gibson is a member of the High street Methodist Episcopal church of Muncie, and holds a eigh position in the esteem of neigh- bors and friends.

ILLIAM P. GILMORE, one of the intelligent and promising young farmers of Monroe township, Ind., was born September 20, 1867, a son of Ames B. and Mary (Wilson) Gilmore, natives of Indiana. He was reared at Spring- port, Henry county, Ind., and for twelve years worked for his father at that place, in the warehouse. His father was born in Madison county, Ind., and is now about fifty-three years of age. His mother was born in Rush

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county, Ind., and is now about forty-two years of age. His father was a stock merchant and a worthy member of the Christian church. William P. Gilmore was educated at the com- mon schools; began life empty handed; estab- lishing a home of his own by his marriage, November 22, 1888, to Miss Cora Bowers, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Sharp) Bow- ers; to this union two children have been born: Mabel R. and Lottie. Mr. Gilmore has a fine farm of fifty-five and one-half acres of well improved land, and in connection with farming he is making a specialty of raising Jersey cows, in which he is very successful. Socially, he is connected with the I. O. O. F., and re- ligiously he and wife belong to the Christian denomination. He is much respected by all in his locality. In politics he is a democrat.

J OHN C. HAYS is a native of Henry county, Ind., and dates his birth from the 7th day of December, 1850. His father, Simeon Hays, was a native of North Carolina, and his mother, whose maiden name was Catherine Bouslog, was born in In- diana. Simeon and Catherine Hays had a family consisting of the following children: John C., David M., Maggie, wife of William Painter; Miles A., died in 1878; Rachel, wife of Joseph Mann; Strauther, Mary J., deceased; Martha and an infant which died unnamed. The early life of John C. Hays was quiet and uneventful, being made up chiefly of the du- ties of farm life. Having been early obliged to rely upon his own resources for a livelihood, he has labored arduously and his efforts have been crowned with success in a financial sense. He attended school in the winter during his boy- hood, acquiring a practical education, and ever since his early manhood has devoted all his time and attention to the pursuit of agricul-

ture. He settled on his present farm, in Mon- roe township, in 1881, and now has a comfor- table home, consisting of eighty acres of fer- tile land, upon which are some of the most substantial improvements in the neighborhood where he resides.

On the 18th day of December, 1879, Mr. Hays was united in marriage to Sarah A. Strough, daughter of Absalom and Mary (Foltz) Strough, parents natives of Virginia and early pioneers of Henry county, to which part of the state they removed when the conn- try was a comparative wilderness. The wed- ded life of Mr. and Mrs. Hays has been blessed with the birth of six children, whose names are as follows: Amanda E., Mary C., Cordia J., Alta May, died January 24, 1889; Edna F. and Edith B. Mr. Hays is a member of the Christ- ian church and fraternally belongs to the I. O. O. F. The following are the names of the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Hays: John D. Strough, Ora O., Frank W., George L., Amanda E., Eddie and Cora Strough, the last two of whom died in infancy.

ILES HARROLD is one of the old settlers of Monroe township, of which, for over a half century, he has been a well known figure. Mr. Harrold was born in Hardin county, Ky., July 8, 1815, and is a son of Jonathan and Esther (Nelson) Harrold. Jonathan Harrold, the father, was born in North Carolina April 23, 1780, the son of Jonathan and Charity (Bee- son) Harrold, descendants of old and well known families who settled in that common- wealth at a period antedating the war of the Revolution. Jonathan Harrold, Jr., was the third son in his father's family and was reared a farmer in his native state, and departed this life May 17, 1865. Originally a democrat,

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he afterward changed his political views, and at the time of his death was a supporter of the republican party. His wife, the mother of the subject, died on the 20th day of July, 1858. They were the parents of eight children and were most excellent and worthy people, highly respected by all who knew them.

Miles Harrold passed his boyhood days in traveling about from place to place, as his father was a man of rambling disposition, and never resided at one point any great length of time. Until seventeen years of age he re- mained with his parents and then began learn- ing the blacksmithing trade, and which was his occupation for about one year. Abandon- ing this calling he engaged in farming, which he has since followed with success and finan- cial profit, and February, 1837, became a resi- dent of Delaware county, locating in the township of Monroe upon eighty acres of land which he had purchased a year previous from the government, at $1.25 per acre. He re- sided upon his original purchase until 1866, when he disposed of the same and bought his present place, consisting of 160 acres.

Mr. Harrold's early educational advantages were very limited, but he acquired sufficient information from books to enable him to teach, which profession he followed during the winter season in a rude log cabin in Wayne county. Mrs. Malinda Rhodes, who was born in Ohio, November 3, 1812, became his wife August 25, 1838. Mrs. Harrold is the daughter of Valentine and Catherine (Harrold) Gibson, who were the parents of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, six of whom are living at this time. To Mr. and Mrs. Harrold have been born the following children: Almira, deceased; Calvin, deceased; Mary A., wife of S. Fleming; Esther, wife of R. Robe; Valentine, Jonathan, Wilson, deceased; John W., Bnj. F. and Milton, deceased. In public affairs Mr. Harrold has ever manifested con-

siderable interest, and from 1864 to 1866 held the office of county commissioner, beside which position he has held other places of trust. Financially, he has met with most gratifying success, and in addition to his fine farm owns valuable town property, and has stock in a gas company. Mr. Harrold is es- sentially a self-made man, and his success in life is the immediate results of his industry and unaided efforts. He looks back upon a long and useful life, against which no suspi- cion of anything dishonorable has ever been uttered. Politically, he is a republican.

EORGE W. HIMES, was born in Wayne county, Ind., on the 2d day of March, 1842, and is the son of Louis and Martha Himes, of German and Irish descent respectively. By occupation the father was a farmer and shoemaker, and died on the 30th day of August, 1856; the mother died August 22, 1852. They were both members of the Christian church, and earned the reputation of most excellent and praise- worthy people.

George W. Himes remained in Wayne county, until a little past ten years of age, when he moved with his parents to the county of Howard, and there resided until the spring of 1861. He received a liberal education, and in 1865 began teaching, which profession he continued with gratifiying success for a number of years, having taught in all some thirty-three terms. On severing his connection with the teacher's profession, Mr. Himes accepted a clerkship with a mercantile firm, in which capa- city he continued two years, and for sometime afterward, sold books in various parts of Dela- ware and other counties. He became a resi- dent of Monroe township in December, 1865, and after following the vacations already re-

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ferred to, purchased the farm where he at present resides. Mr. Himes was married Octo- ber 27, 1868, to Mary McLain, daughter of Isaac and Maria (Hinaker) McLain. The wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Himes has been blessed by the birth of the following children, namely: Cindora, wife of D. H. Smith; Al- nora A .; Loyola M., wife of C. M. Harris; Leora, Indamora, Mary Lavora, and Ethel Lacora. Mr. Himes has always been active in behalf of the interest of his township, and for two years served as trustee of the same. He and wife are members of the United Brethren church, to which denomination the different members of their family also belong.

Mr. Himes has a military record of which he feels justly proud and of which a brief syn- opsis is herewith presented. In the spring of 1861 he started from Kokomo to Indianapolis, expecting to become a member of the Twelfth Indiana volunteer infantry under Capt. T. P. Kirkpatrick for the twelve months service. While at Indianapolis a call was issued from Washington for three years' troops and, Mr. Himes with other of his comrades of the Twelfth regiment, asked to be transferred to the three years' service. The request of his company, in this regard was accordingly granted, and he became a member of company E, Thirteenth Indiana volunteer infantry, which took the oath of allegiance on the 9th day of June, 1861. On the evening of July 4, the command received orders to proceed to the front, and at once went to West Virginia, where he received his first introduction to the active service of war. After a long and tire- some march over almost impassable roads, meeting with some opposition from the enemy on the way, the regiment engaged in its first battle at Rich Mountain on the 11th day of July, 1861. Subsequently, Mr. Himes parti- cipated, with his command, in the battle of Greenbrier, and was with Gen. Milroy in an

expedition which resulted in a number of skir- mishes and battles, in one of which Mr. Himes was badly wounded by a minie ball which passed through his left hand, rendering that member uselees for life. The missile also shattered the gun stock, passed through nine thicknesses of clothing and penetrating the right breast and lung, almost disabling the right hand at the time. His sufferings, from this severe wound were most painful, and for four months thereafter he was confined to the hospital. On attempting to rejoin his regi- ment he was intercepted by the proper authori- ties and compelled to remain one month longer in the hospital in Maryland. He re- joined his regiment at Winchester, Va., how- ever, but after one month's service was discharged on account of his disability and re- turned home where he has since been engaged in the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. His wound rendered him a cripple for life and he now receives a liberal pension from a generous government, in the saving of which he bore so brave and gallant a part.

J T. HOLSINGER, manufacturer of drain tile, was born in Bedford county, Pa., November 27, 1845, the son of John and Sallie (Teter) Holsinger, par- ents natives of the same state. John Holsinger moved to Indiana with his family in 1849, settling first near Hagerstown, Wayne county, thence later moved to the county of Henry, where in addition to farming he worked at his trade of coopering. He purchased 160 acres of land, to which he afterward added another quarter section, upon which he lived until 1876. In 1870 he laid out the town of Oak- ville, and was there engaged in the mercantile business for a brief period and then went to Fillmore county. Neb., where he purchased a

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farm of 160 acres, upon which he lived until 1889, when he returned to Indiana. He died at Oakville, August 20, 1892. He was born in Franklin county, Pa., February 2, 1820. He was a son of Jacoh Holsinger, Sr., a native of Pennsylvania. The mother was born Jan- uary 16, 1822, in Bedford county, Pa., and died November 8, 1889. He was a member of the German Baptist church, a consistent christian and a very succeseful business man. His body lies buried in Beech Grove cemetery, Henry county, and his wife, who died in Nebraska, was laid to rest near the town of Carlton, that state.

J. T. Holsinger was but a lad when his parents moved to Indiana and he has spent the greater part of life in this state. He was reared a farmer, received his educational training in the common schools, and on the 18th day of April, 1872, was united in mar- riage to Mary C. Graham, daughter of David A. and Mary (Rutherford) Graham, the father a native of Ireland. David Graham moved with his family to Delaware county in 1859 and remained here until entering the service of his country at the breaking out of the great rebel- lion. He passed through the Virginia cam- paigns, and participated in numerous battles and engagements and earned the reputation of a brave soldier. His wife died in the spring of 1859 and was buried near Fairmount, W. Va. Besides Mrs. Holsinger, Mr. and Mrs. Graham had one son and four daughters, namely: Anna, wife of Joseph Jenkins; Ellen, wife of James Skinner; Fanny, wife of Samuel Conwell; Eliza, wife of Coleman Waters; and John Graham, who married Miss Sarah Waters. The wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Holsinger has resulted in the birth of three children whose names are as follows: Eva P., now Mrs. George A. Metzger; Rosa L. and Meda, the last named of whom died August 24, 1887. At the present time Mr. Holsinger

is extensively engaged in the manufacture of drain tile. His success in this line of industry has been very marked, and the output of his tile factory finds a ready sale in the markets of Delaware and other counties. As a busi- ness man Mr. Holsinger has an enviable repu- tation, and as a citizen is fully alive to all the interests or benefits of the public; he is widely and favorably known throughout the township in which he resides. In politics he is a repub- lican; and a member of the Progressive Breth- ren church. He has made his own way in life and is successful. His tile factory has a capacity for 150,000 tiles per annum, sizes ranging from three inches to twenty inches.

J EDIAH HOUCK (deceased) was born in Lancaster county, Ohio, February 4, 1832, the son of George and Eliza- beth Houck, parents both natives of Germany. Mr. Houck was raised in his native state, came to Delaware, county a number of years ago, settling in Monroe township. On the Ist day of February, 1852, he was united in marriage to Hannah Rogers, daughter of George and Anna (Spratts) Rogers, and to Mr. and Mrs. Houck were born six children: Viretta, Ann E., Sarah, Arminta, John and Alice.

Mr. Houck continued to reside on his farm in Monroe township until his death, which oc- curred about twenty-eight years ago. He was a man widely and favorably known in the community, noted for his honesty and integ- rity of purpore and his death was felt to be a great loss in the neighborhood in which he had for so many years resided. His widow re- mained single for three years and then mar- ried George Vores. This marriage resulted in the birth of four children: Mary E., deceased, James V., Melvina and Frank. George and

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Anna Rogers, parents of Mrs. Vores, were descendants of Irish and German ancestors respectively, and they reared a family of eight children, whose names are as follows: Eliza J., wife of James Powers; Rachel, wife of John Miller; Hannah, Henry E., Candace, wife of Wilson Daniels; Watson, deceased, Clarissa, wife of Marion Davis, and Amanda, wife of Silas Kennedy.

Sarah Houck, third daughter of Jediah and Hannah Houck, was born January 12, 1859, in Delaware county, Ind., and has spent the greater part of her life in the township of Monroe. She early began making her own living working from place to place, and since early girlhood has made her home with Mrs. Lackey, with whom she at present resides. Her life has been one of great usefulness and her friends are numerous in the community where she lives and throughout the township of Monroe.

a HARLES HOUCK, an intelligent gen- tleman and progressive farmer of Mon- roe township, of which he is a native, was born February 18, 1860, and is a son of George and Sarah (Louthain) Houck. George Houck, the father, was a native of Virginia, but early moved to Henry county, Ind., where he was married in 1849, and where he followed farming until he moved to Dela- ware county, in 1852. On coming to this county he purchased 160 acres of fine land which, at that time, was in a primitive condi- tion, and by dint of hard work succeeded in developing therefrom a beautiful home. Un- fortunately he was not long permitted to enjoy the fruits of his labor, having been called to his final reward on the 26th day of January, 1887. George Houck was a man known far and wide for his sterling worth and high sense of honor. By careful financiering he became the possessor

of a goodly portion of this world's goods, and his death was felt as a great loss to the com- munity.

Charles Houck is, in many respects, like his father before him, whose qualities of man- hood he has inherited. Reared on the home farm, he was early taught those lessons of in- dustry and frugality by which his subsequent life has been characterized, and upon attaining his legal majority he chose the pursuit of agri- culture for his permanent business and has since followed the same with success and finan- cial profit. Mr. Houck was married December 22, 1883, to Miss Malissa Davis, a native of Delaware county, born in the township of Sa- lem, April 4, 1860. Mrs. Houck is a daughter of Samuel and Emily (Trout) Davis, natives of Ohio and Virginia. These parents had a family of nine children, eight of whom are living at this time, Mrs. Houck being the fourth in or- der by birth. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are living a life of retirement in a beautiful home in the city of Muncie. To Charles and Melissa Houck have been born four children: Warren W., infant, deceased; Maggie and Effie E. Mr. Houck enjoyed but few advantages of obtain- ing an education in his youth, attending the common schools, but is now one of the well informed men of the neighborhood where he resides. He is a good farmer and an industri- ous and enterprising citizen, and possesses in a marked degree the confidence and esteem of those who know him.

J OHN WESLEY HOUCK, a prominent business man of Cowan, and an old and well known resident of the town- ship of Monroe, is a native of Henry county, Ind., born on the 25th day of March, 1839. His father, George Houck, was born in Hagerstown, Md., about the year 1786, and

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MONROE TOWNSHIP.

grew to manhood in that state, moving in 1834, to Indiana, and locating in Henry county. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Mummaugh, and whom he married in 1834, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio. Shortly after their marriage they removed to this state, and were residents of Henry county until 1866, at which time they removed to the county of Delaware, where their respective deaths occur- red, the mother dying February 22, 1867, and the father on the 3d day of March, 1872. George Houck was by occupation a farmer, which useful calling he followed all his life, and is remembered as a man of excellent parts, and a devout member of the Christian church. Mrs. Houck was also a member of the same denomination, and was noted for her many kindly acts and deeds.

John Wesley Houck was reared to man- hood in Henry county, and early in life learned those lessons of industry which have redound- ed to his success in subsequent years. He labored hard on the farm during his minority, attended the indifferent schools of the country, in which he obtained a limited education, and at the age of twenty-one began life for him- self as a farm laborer, receiving for his ser- vices first $16 per month, and afterward the sums of $20 and $25 per month. He was thus engaged for a period of six years, when he married and began farming for himself on rented land, continuing to receive a share of the proceeds of the soil tilled for about eight years. At the end of that time he purchased an improved farm of eighty acres, which he now owns, and upon which he resided until 1890, when he discontinued agricultural pur- suits, and engaged in the manufacture of coil hoops at the town of Cowan. He is asso- ciated in this interest with Messrs. Davis & Perdiue, under the firm name of the Cowan Coil Hoop company, and is doing a very suc- cessful business. In addition to his manu-

facturing interests, he is also proprietor of a hotel at Cowan, which is a well known and favorite stopping place for the traveling public.

Mr. Houck was married November 29, 1866, to Miss Rebecca Conner, who was born in Henry county, Ind., January 17, 1847. Mrs. Houck is a daughter of Marshall and Susan (Fadley) Conner, and is one of the fam- ily of eight children, only one of whom, beside herself, is living at this time, to wit, Mrs. Susan Clevenger. To Mr. and Mrs. Houck have been born three children, namely: Charles L., principal of the New Corner school and one of the efficient instructors of Delaware county; Laura Bell, also a well known teacher, and Dora Lee, at present a student of the Cowan schools. Politically Mr. Houck is, and always has been, a supporter of the democratic party and he is also a wide awake and progressive citizen. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. lodge, No. 561, of Cowan, in which he holds the positions of trustee and treasurer. Of the family of ten children, of which he is a member, only two beside himself are now living, namely, Michael and Maria.

EORGE W. KABRICH, farmer of Monroe township, was born October 3, 1852, in Loudoun county, Va., and is the son of Rev. John M. and Eve M. (Fry) Kabrich, both parents natives of the Old Dominion state. Rev. John M. Ka- brich moved to Indiana in 1863, locating near Fairfield, Franklin county, thence in 1874 to the county of Delaware. At this time he is pastor in charge at Daleville, where he resides -one of his preaching points. John M. and Eve M. Kabrich have a family of eleven chil- dren, seven of whom were born in Virginia, and all save one are living at this time. Their names are as follows: Lydia M., deceased;

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George W., David W., Henrietta, Sophia, Florence, Eliza, Henry, Recompense, Minnie and Charles. The first ten years of the life of the subject of this sketch were spent in his native county and state, and he then removed with his parents to Maryland, which was his home until the family located in Franklin county in the year above noted. In 1875 he came to Delaware county, and for the four succeeding years was employed by M. R. Harris in labor upon a farm. December 8, 1878, he married Josephine Kessinger, who was born in Henry county, Ind., October 9, 1859, and who died December 31, 1883, leaving one child, Walter M. Kabrich. She was a true wife, a sincere christian, and died highly esteemed by all who knew her. Mr. Kabrich's second marriage took place December 25, 1889, with Bertha I. McLain, who was born in Delaware county, October 12, 1868, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Perdiue) McLain, a union blessed with the birth of one child, Gladys. Mr. Kabrich purchased his present farm in Monroe town- ship in 1880, and has a good home supplied with a comfortable portion of this world's goods. He is a republican in his political be- lief, stands high in the community where he resides, and is one of the intelligent and well informed citizens of Monroe township. He now owns fifty-seven acres of choice land. He and wife are members of the Christian church at Tabor.

J OSEPH E. KERN is a native of West Virginia and dates his birth from the 20th day of December, 1855. His parents, Jacob and Mary (Dean) Kern, were of German descent and came from Vir- ginia to Indiana in October, 1861, settling in Henry county near the town of Luray, and seven years later, removed to Oakville where

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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 64

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