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 66

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 66
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 66

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).

John L., and Lulu M., deceased. Mr. Nichols died on the 20th day of August, 1892. and amid a sorrowing concourse of friends and neighbors was laid to his last rest in what is known as the Fall Creek cemetery.

The parents of Mrs. Nichols were early settlers of Monroe township, to which they removed many years ago, and where they still reside. Mr. Hill is a successful farmer, owning 120 acres of valuable land, is a republican in politics, and a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity.

LAYTON NICODEMUS, proprietor of a large and successful saw mill of Monroe township, was born in Preble county, Ohio, October 11, 1863, a son of Aaron and Maria (Sayler) Nicodemus, both parents natives of the same county and state, and of German descent. Aaron Nico- demus is by occupation a farmer and is still living in the county of his nativity; all his family of six children are living at this time. Clayton Nicodemus, like the majorty of country boys, early became acquainted with the rug- ged usages of farm life, was reared to agricultural pursuits in his native county and had the ad- vantages of a common school education. He remained with his parents until reaching the years of his majority, ahd then began farming for himself on rented land, and was thus em- ployed for a period of three years. In March, 1892, he purchased the mill of which he is now proprietor, and since that date has been actively engaged in the manufacture of lum- ber, which business is now among the most profitable of the kind in Delaware county. His mill is supplied with the latest improved machinery for the manufacture of lumber.

Mr. Nicodemus was united in marriage December 2, 1886, in Preble county, Ohio, with Miss Dora E. Goodwin, of the same

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county and state, where she was born, on the 30th day of October, 1861, the daughter of Timothy and Sarah (Parish) Goodwin. Mr. Nicodemus is a public spirited citizen, a repub- lican in political belief, and is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, belonging to lodge No. 133. He stands high in the com- munity where he resides and has a wide acquaintanceship throughout his township and Delaware county.

ILLIAM H. PEACOCK .- Promi- nent among the well known citizens of Monroe township is the gentle- man whose biographical sketch is herewith presented. William H. Peacock, son of Elijah and Mary (Wright) Peacock, was born in Tyler county, Va., March 28, 1845, and in his veins flows the blood of Scotch and Irish ancestry. His father, a blacksmith by occupation, moved with his family to Indiana a number of years ago, settling in Henry county, where, near the town of Luray, the early years of William H. were passed. He spent his youth on a farm and remained under the parental roof until the age of seventeen, at which time he responded to the country's call for volunteers, enlisting, December 15, 1863, in company G, Ninth Indiana cavalry, with which he served until honorably dis- charged June 25, 1865. His military career was an eventful one, and during his period of service he participated in a number of battles and experienced vicissitudes, through the like of which but few ever passed and lived to tell the story. He was made a prisoner of war at Sulphur Branch Trestle, September 25, 1864, and kept in confinement at Castle Morgan, Alabama, for nine months, during which period his sufferings and privations were of a most aggravated character, the effects of which

served to impair his health seriously for a number of years after leaving the army. When captured, he was in robust health, weigh- ing 197 pounds, but when released his weight had diminished to eighty-one pounds, and his constitution was greatly shattered by cruel treatment and exposure. His daily rations, during the greater part of his prison life, con- sisted of one quart of corn meal, ground cob and all, and at one timc he was compelled to undergo much inconvenience and suffering caused by an overflow of the Alabama river, which flooded the prison to a height of almost six feet. Among the battles in which he took part were Sulphur Branch, Duck River, and Franklin, beside which his command was engaged in skirmishing with the enemy nearly all the way from Nashville to Atlanta and back again to the former city. After his re- lease from prison he started from Vicksburg with several thousand others by boat, but seven miles above Memphis the boiler of the steamer exploded, resulting in the loss of nearly two thousand lives. This terrible dis- aster occurred in the night time, and the hor- rible sufferings of the poor scalded creatures who plunged or were thrown into the merciless waves of the Mississippi, baffle all efforts of description. Mr. Peacock was on board the ill fated vessel and he struggled between death by scalding and in the waves most bravely during the long hours of that sad night, and was picked up about seven and one-half miles below where the disaster oc- curred. He received a severe cut on the left shoulder, and after reaching the shore rambled around for three days before he suc- ceeded in finding any of his comrades. The agony experienced by Mr. Peacock in this ter- rible catastrophe, made a vivid impression upon his mind, and he recalls the scene only with feeling of the most acute emotion. For nearly three years after returning from the

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MONROE TOWNSHIP.

army Mr. Peacock suffered greatly from the effects of his imprisonment, and at one time became so emaciated that his weight was only seventy pounds. After sufficiently recovering his health he began working for his father, and on July 25, 1868, was united in marriage to Martha A. Reynolds, to which union three children were born, namely: Mary E., wife of John Watts; James R. and John C.

Mr. Peacock has a nice little home, the abode of hospitality and plenty, and he is highly respected by all who know him. Breck- enridge Reynolds, the father of Mrs. Peacock, was a large and wealthy land holder, being at one time the possessor of over 1,000 acres. He was a native of Virginia and the father of a number of children, a mention of whom is found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Peacock owns 140 acres of land, and built his present residence in 1893. In his political views he is an uncompromising republican.

a LARISSA PHILLIPS, a well known lady of Perry township, of which she is a native, was born November 18, 1854, the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Kisling, natives respectively of Vir- ginia and Indiana. Daniel Kisling left his na- tive state in an early day, emigrated to Indi- ana, and, in 1831, come to what is now Monroe township and settled on a farm of 160 acres, which he purchased from the government. He bore an active part in the growth and develop- ment of the country, and saw the county of Delaware redeemed from a wilderness state and become one of the most highly civilized and progressive sections of Indiana. He died on the 6th day of April, 1884, and on the 10th of September, 1890, his good wife followed him to the grave. Daniel and Elizabeth Kisling raised a large family, consisting of the follow-

ing children: Sophia, John, Sarah, Martha, Isaac, Hugh, Jacob, Mary C., wife of John Will; Daniel, Emma, Elizabeth, Clarissa, wife William Phillips, and Rosanna, wife of Elwood Reese.

Clarissa Kisling was raised in Monroe township, where, on the 11th day of April, 1872, she was united in marriage to B. G. Cunningham, of Virginia, and son of B. G. and Mary (Rees) Cunningham. By this union she became the mother of five children, namely: Stella A., Nellie E., Elsie L., Isca E. and Rollin, who died February 14, 1879. Mr. Cun- ningham was a man highly prized in the neigh- borhood for his integrity and honorable deal- ings, and his success as a farmer is attested by the fact that he accumulated a good property which he left to his children. After Mr. Cun- ningham's death, which occurred on August 17, 1880. Mrs. Cunningham remained single until January 29, 1891, when she was united in mar- riage to Mr. W. H. Phillips, a successful farmer and business man, and a prominent citi- zen of Liberty township. Religiously he and his wife are earnest workers in the Methodist denomination. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are peo- ple of eminent respectability, and few resi- dents of Liberty township possess the confi- dence and esteem of their fellow citizens in a more marked degree than they.

B ENJAMIN F. RALSTON, a native of Wayne county, Ind., was born on the 14th day of February, 1835. His father, Andrew Ralston, was a native of Kentucky, in which state his mother, whose maiden name was Millie J. Street, was also born, both families being of English origin. Benjamin F. Ralston grew to manhood on a farm, received a common school education, and after his twenty-first year engaged in various

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employments. He subsequently engaged in farming, and on the 5th day of August, 1862, entered the army, enlisting in company G, Eighty-fourth Indiana volunteers, for the three years' service or during the war. He was with his command until May 19, 1865, and participated in many of the hardest battles of the rebellion, in all of which he bore the part of a brave and gallant soldier, thus making a record in which his family takes pardonable pride. During his period of serv- ice he encountered many severe hardships the effect of which was a serious impairment of his health, and he retired from military life a great sufferer, and continued as such until his death, on the 9th day of May, 1877. Mr. Ralston was a true type of a gentleman and numbered his friends by the score in whatever locality his lot was cast. He was a republi- can in his political belief, but he never aspired to office. On the 27th day of May, 1860, Mr. Ralston and Nancy J. Windsor were united in the bonds of wedlock, a union blessed with the birth of five children, namely: Hannah, wife of Frank Angel; William A. ; Laura B., wife of Valentine Turner; John R .; and Dick.

Mrs. Ralston was born in Monroe township, Delaware county, May 12, 1845, and is the daughter of William and Jane (Conner) Wind- sor. These parents were of English and Irish descent, respectively, and emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana in an early day and were among the pioneers of Delaware county. Mrs. Ralston is a highly respected lady and a con- sistent member of the Christian church, with which she has been connected for a number of years.

J ACOB REPLOGLE, is a native of In- diana, born in the county of Wayne, on the 7th day of February, 1845, the son of David and Nancy Hoover Replo- Both these parents were natives of Penn- gle.

sylvania, where they were reared and married, and where the father followed the occupation of farming in connection with that of milling, which trade he learned in his early manhood. David Replogle left his home in Bedford county, Pa., and emigrated to Wayne county, Ind., where he engaged in farming, and where he remained until his removal to Jefferson county, Kan., in the year 1857. In the latter state Mr. Replogle died on the 20th day of March, 1870, and five years later Mr. Replogle followed her to the grave. Ten children was the result of their union, all of whom grew to the years of manhood and womanhood, and the majority of whom became heads of fami- lies. The following are their names: Katie, deceased; John, Samuel, David, Jacob, Susan, Barbara, Nancy, Mary, deceased; and Levi. David Replogle earned the reputation of a very worthy citizen, and his success in life was most gratifying, having by close attention to his business accumulated a comfortable com- petence, which he left to his children. He was a member of the German Baptist church, and while not a partisan, took considerable interest in matters political, voting with the republican party.

Jacob Replogle was reared to agricultural pursuits, and his lot, like the majority of boys raised in the country, was one in which hard work formed a goodly part. While still young, he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed with fair success for a period of five years, and then began farming, which, in connection with threshing, he continued during the greater part of the time until 1875. In the mean time he spent four years in the state of Kansas, and in 1877 engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Wayne county, purchasing a mill at Cam- bridge City, which he operated with financial profit until his removal to the town of Oak- ville, Delaware county, in 1880. Eight years from the last date he moved to the place where

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he now resides, where, in addition to the saw milling business, he carries on the manufacture of drain tiling, both these enterprises being very successful and largely patronized. By strict integrity and honest dealing with all men, Mr. Replogle has won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has had busi- ness transactions. As a member of the Soci- ety of Friends, he has proved his profession of religion genuine, by a life of good deeds, and his denomination finds in him an earnest friend and liberal promoter. Mr. Replogle was mar- ried in Wayne county, May 10, 1866, to Miss Susan Heiney, daughter of Jacob and Susanah (Kinsey) Heiney, both parents of German lineage. Jacob and Susan Heiney were mar- ried in Ohio and raised a family of eight chil- dren. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, a prominent member of the Lutheran church and died on the Ist day of July, 1883; his widow is still living, residing at this time in the town of Hagerstown, Wayne county. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Replogle have been born four children, whose names are as follows: Charles, a well known teacher of Delaware county; Clinton S., who also follows the profession of teaching; Amos E., a student, and an infant, which died unnamed.

RECKENRIDGE REYNOLDS-(de- ceased). The late Breckenridge Rey- nolds, one of the pioneers of Dela- ware county, was a native of Vir- ginia, born on the 2d day of March, 1815. He came to Indiana when the country was new, and settled about four miles south of Muncie, where he built a small cabin, and in a primi- tive way began life in the wilderness. Within a short time he moved to the site of the pres- ent home in Monroe township, where he clear- ed a farm, which, in after years, became one

of the finest and best cultivated places in the southern part of the county. He began this strugle in Delaware county, with but a limited amount of this world's goods, and it is stated that he paid for the corn with which to plant his first crop by grubbing for a neighbor at the insignificant remuneration of twenty-five cents a day. He toiled early and late, and being a man of great physical endurance and deter- mined energy, he eventually succeeded in lay- ing the foundation for the competence which rewarded his efforts in alter years. In a finan- cial sense, he met with the most encouraging success, and at the time of his death was the owner of 925 acres of valuable land, beside a great deal of personal property, and a com- fortable bank account. He died on the 17th day of February, 1887.

Mr. Reynolds was twice married, the first time, on the 13th day of September, 1838, in Virginia, to Ellen Lucas, who bore him the fol- lowing children: Archibald H., deceased; James A. ; William A. : Hugh C .; Mary, deceased wife of H. Brown; Martha, wife of William Peacock; John H .; Robert H. : and Harriet, wife of John Simpson. Mr. Reynolds' second marriage was solemnized June 1, 1868, with Euphamia Gibson, daughter of Borter and Mary A. (Rhoads) Gibson. The parents of Mrs. Rey- nolds came to Monroe township in a very early day and were among the prominent pioneers of the southern part of Delaware county. The following are the names of the children born to Borter and Ma.y Gibson: Nicholas (de- ceased), Julia (deceased), Thomas, Elizabeth, wife of John Bradrick; Harriet, wife of Robert Rees; Eliza, wife of William Bridges; Francis, deceased. Mrs. Euphamia Reynolds; Maria, wife of John Driscoll; and Charlotte, wife of Charles Kiger. Mr. Reynolds' second mar- riage resulted in the birth of three children, namely: Indiana, wife of Philip Turner; Union, wife of Charles Springer; an infant,

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died April 25, 1875. Mrs. Reynolds resides upon the home farm, consisting of 236 acres, and is a woman highly respected in the com- munity where she has lived for so many years. She is a consistent member of the Christian church.

3 OHN H. REYNOLDS is a well known farmer and stock raiser of Monroe township and one of the representative agriculturists of Delaware county, Ind., Mr. Reynolds was born in Monroe township. the son of Breckenridge and Ellen (Lucas) Rey- nolds, natives of Virginia and the father a farmer by occupation. John H. Reynolds was reared on the home farm, received an education in the common schools and has devoted all his life tilling the soil, having commenced farming for himself on 140 acres of land, a part of which was left him by his father. He has been a hard worker, and industry and economy have been the characteristic traits of his life. He has added to his original place from time to time, and is now the possessor of 180 acres of valuable land, the greater part of which is un- der a successful state of cultivation, and his improvements rank among the best in the neighborhood where he resides.

On the 13th day of September, 1873, Mr. Reynolds and Mary J. Masterson were united in the bonds of wedlock, and their union has been blessed with the birth of the following children: Frank, died March 22, 1875; Breck- enridge, James, infant, died November 29, 1878; Charles, Lucy, died March 11, 1883, and two infants, whose deaths occurred January, 1884, and January, 1886, respectively. The parents of Mrs. Reynolds were James and Thankful (Daniels) Masterson, natives of Penn- sylvania, and of Irish descent. They removed to New York in 1830, and in an early day emi- grated to Indiana, settling first in Henry coun-

ty, thence moving to Delaware county, locating in the vicinity of Muncie, when there were but three houses in the place. Mr. Masterson, at one time, operated a carding machine, a saw mill and a distillery, but after coming to Indi- ana gave his entire attention to farming. He cleared a farm from the woods, and, at the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1870, owned a valuable tract of 240 acres of land. He was a member of the Catholic church, served as trustee for three terms, and is remembered as a man of local prominence in the neighborhood of his home. He was buried in the Lebanon cemetery, and his wife, who died in 1853, rests by his side. The fol- lowing are the names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Masterson: Mrs. Mary J. Reynolds, Albert, Henry, John, Thomas, Josiah, Anna E., James E., Samantha and Maria, the last five of whom are deceased.

J AMES L. RINKER was born Septem- ber 26, 1842, in Shenandoah county, Va., and was the son of Philip and Lydia Rinker. The father was, by occupation, a farmer and died in Delaware county, Ind., in the year 1882; the mother is is still living and makes her home, at this time, in the township of Salem. James J. Rinker always followed the farmer's occupation and devoted himself to his chosen calling with an earnestness that wrought good results. He was an honest man, whose word was as good as his bond, and, as a member of the Chris- tian church, he lived out his profession in the actions of his daily life. Financially, he met with well merited success, and by diligent at- tention to his chosen calling succeeded in gain- ing a fair share of this world's goods. His honorable dealings with his fellow men won their confidence and esteem, and he was

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recognized as one of the best citizens in the community in which he resided.

Mr. Rinker was married October 31, 1861, to Miss Mary A. Clevenger, daughter of James and Mary Clevenger, natives, respectively of Virginia and Ohio. This marriage resulted in the birth of six children, namely: Amanda, wife of Joseph Myres; Ida L., wife of Fred Cewert; Marion O. ; Otto E. ; Ollie E. and Bertha E. Mr. Rinker departed this life on the 26th day of October, 1870, deeply lamented by all who knew him. Mrs. Rinker resides upon the home place, a beautiful farm, in the man- agement of which she displays great energy and forethought. The following are the names of the two brothers and one sister of Mr. Rinker: John H., Jacob and Julia A. James and Mary Clevenger, the parents of Mrs. Rinker, had a family of six children, whose names are as follows: Mary A .; Sarah J., wife of William Kneepman; Nancy E., wife of R. Gum; Catherine, wife of Calvin Skinner; John; and Phebe, wife of Frank Heaton.

3 OHN ROLLER was born June 4, 1855, in Wayne county, Ind., the son of William R., and Anna M. (Smith) Roller. The names of the children of these parents, aside from the subject are Alonzo, Frank, deceased; Emma, wife of Jonathan Harrold; Kate and Lizzie Roller. The mother of these children died November 14, 1883, and the father resides at this time in the city of Muncie. John Roller received his education in the common schools, and moved to Delaware county in the year 1862, his voca- tion at this time being that of farming. He spent three years in the village of Cowan, resided one and one-half years in Muncie, and moved from there to Harrison township, where he followed the pursuit of agriculture for a

period of three years. From Harrison he moved to his present place, in the township of Monroe, and at this time is one of the success- ful farmers of the community in which he re- sides. As a citizen, Mr. Roller is held in high esteem, and he has a host of friends among the people of Monroe and adjoining townships, who respect him for his many sterling qualities of manhood. He is recognized as one of the wide awake and enterprising men of Monroe township, and takes an active interest in the advancement of his neighborhood, both ma- terially and morally. Mr. Roller was married February 25, 1879, to Sarah H. Cheeseman, who has borne him two children, Charley and Stella. Mrs. Roller is the daughter of Richard and Nellie Cheeseman, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. See sketch of Mrs. Nellie Cheeseman.

ALENTINE SHOCKLEY, an old and highly respected farmer of Mon- roe township, now living a life of re- tirement, was born in Delaware county, Ind., March 11, 1838, the son of James and Mary (Ogle) Shockley. These parents emigrated from Virginia to Indiana in 1834, and settled in Delaware county, where they bought forty-five acres of land and cleared a farm. They bore their full share of the hardships and vicissitudes of life in the back woods, and were creditable representative of that large class of pioneers to whose industry and perseverance the county is so largely indebted for its present advanced and prosper- ous condition. James Shockley was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for a great many years, as was also his wife, and they are remembered as people of excellent character and consistent christians.

Valentine Shockley grew to manhood in

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Monroe township, where he was born, and re- mained with his father until the latter's death, which occurred on the 15th day of June, 1849. He early learned those lessons of industry and economy which bore their fruit in the success of subsequent life, and, having decided upon agriculture as an occupation, steadily pursued that useful calling until a competency enabled him to retire from the active duties of life. Mr. Shockley is a self made man in all that term implies, and the beautiful and highly cultivated farm of 150 acres and other proper- ty which he now owns are the direct results of his own efforts. Mr. Shockley was married February 2, 1863, to Martha, daughter of John and Cynthia (DeWitt) Gibson. The wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Shockley has been gladdened by the birth of seven children, namely: Etta, deceased wife of William Hutchings; she left one child, Gracie; Re- becca, wife of Allen Drumm; Frank; Ollie, wife of Grant Keesling; Marion, Charles, and an infant that died without being named. The father and mother of Mrs. Shockley died in the years 1882 and 1844, respectively, and lie buried in the Reynolds cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Rebecca, wife of Robert Turner; Mary, wife of James Ross; Jane, wife of John Nelson; Fran- cis, deceased; Clark, and Gibson. Mr. Shock- ley is an active worker in the F. M. B. A. and a republican in his political affiliations. He is a member of the church of the Christian Con- nection, in which he is highly esteemed, and to which his wife also belongs.

ILLIAM SNIDER, late prominent farmer of Monroe township, was born July 16, 1814, in the state of Kentucky, and was a son of Peter and Mary Snider. These parents settled in

Henry county in an early day on a farm and there resided until their respective deaths. William Snider was by occupation a farmer, and during a long residence in the township of Monroe, earned the reputation of an honorable citizen, and by his upright conduct gained many friends in the community. He was mar- ried, in 1839, to Jane Russell, who subse- quently died, leaving one child, Calvin Snider. Afterward Mr. Sutton met and married Sabra Sutton, daughter of Thomas and Candace (West) Sutton, the ceremony having taken place on the 27th day of January, 1876. The result of the second marriage is four children, namely: Ola, Effie, Vora and Sylvia.

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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 66

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