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 76

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 76
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 76

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).

James E. McDaniel left home at the age of sixteen, and engaged in driving a team for a liveryman, but soon became tired of this, and after one year returned to the farm. He re- mained at work cn the farm for a year, and then hired out to a stock buyer, and followed that occupation for a period of eight years, subsequently going into the business for him- self, and keeping at it until his marriage, which took place April 27, 1882, to Miss Linnie L. Smith, daughter of Benjamin and Emily (Peterson) Smith, natives of Germany and of West Virginia. They came to Ohio, where they lived for thirty years, and then removed to Niles township, Delaware county, Ind., where they spent their last years. Here Mr. Smith purchased a farm of 240 acres, upon ninety of which Mr. McDaniel and family reside. The mother of Mrs. Mc- Daniel died February 5. 1881, and the father May 5, 1888, and they were laid to rest in Eaton cemetery. They reared the following family: Mary A., wife of John Barley; Charles, a stock dealer; Sophia L., wife of G. R. Lowe; Louis L., a farmer; M. R., Linnie and Emma A., the wife of Charles Miller. Mr. McDan-

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iel deals chiefly in trotters and draft horses, and is known as the owner of the great Ham- bletonian trotter, "Speedy." The family have a long time back been members of the Methodist church, the grandfather of our sub- ject having been a minister in that denomina- tion in 1775.

J OHN S. MANOR .-- Among the well kept farms which show the attention of a wise and intelligent manager, is that owned by John S. Manor, of Niles township, Delaware county, Ind. It was a present to him by his father, and he has made of it the pleasant home where he lives in peace and plenty. He was born in Richland town- ship, Jay county, Ind., January 16, 1851, a son of David and Jane (Shirriard) Manor, na- tives of Ireland and Germany. Mr. Manor came to Jay county in 1834, where he entered 160 acres of land, built a log cabin and began the clearing of the forest. Almost all of the farm was cleared by his own hands, and he was very industrious and hard working, and before his death accumulated a great deal of property. At that early day game was still abundant, and the family was well supplied with venison and turkey for the killing. Mr. Manor died August 5, 1890, and was buried in the Fairview cemetery in Randolph county. He was class leader and steward in the Metho- dist church, of which the family had long been valued members. Mrs. Manor still lives on the home farm of 200 acres which was left to the widow and children. Of the latter there was a family of sixteen, eleven of them still living. Their names are as follows: Mary C., the wife of William Rees; Samuel, a farmer; William and John S., likewise engaged; Rosa A., the wife of James Lord; Martha, the wife of Charles Havling, Hannah, the wife of Sam Dowden; Harriet, Charles, a farmer; Emma,

the wife of Lem Boots, and Deborah, the wife of Eli Bales.

John S. Manor remained under the par- ents' roof until he was thirty-three years of age, when he married, his wife being Miss Sarah Strong, the daughter of Napoleon and Catherine (Wolverton) Strong, who had two other children, Elmer and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Manor have two children, Herbert S., and David E. He is a republican in his poli- tics and socially he is connected with the Red Men. Mrs. Manor is a valued member of the Christian church. They are people greatly esteemed in their neighborhood, and Mr. Man- or is one of the best citizens.

0 ANIEL B. MOORE is one of the prominent agriculturists and enter- prising citizens of Niles township, Delaware county, Ind. His grand- parents were residents of Canada, but his birth took place in the city of Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Pa., October 29, 1839, a son of John R. and Sarah (Bodle) Moore, natives of Ireland and of Germany. His parents removed from Pennsylvania to Illinois in the spring of 1855, where they remained until the time of their de- mise, the father dying April 17, 1863, and the mother November 12, 1869, and they were laid to rest in Henry county, Ill. They were good and worthy people, the father being a deacon in the Baptist church, in which both were es- teemed members. Mr. Moore, Sr., was a jus- tice of the peace for many years and also taught school.

Daniel B. Moore made his home with his parents until the time of his marriage, when he was twenty-eight years of age. He had re- ceived educational training in the public schools and was an intelligent and apt pupil, and when he started out for himself was a capable man

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of business. He chose for his wife Miss Kate Weinman, daughter of Christian and Kate (Wolf) Weinman, natives of Germany, born in Wurtemberg, who came thence to Philadelphia and from there to Illinois. They settled in Henry county, that state, on a farm of 160 acres. By trade Mr. Weinman was a butcher, and both he and wife were members of the Lu- theran church. He died December 27, 1869, and the mother died February 22, 1886, and they were laid to rest in the Weathersfield cemetery in Illinois. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Weinman were: George F., a butcher by trade; Margaret, wife of William Wolf; Ed- ward, a farmer; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Lincoln; Mary; Joseph, a farmer, and Kate. who became the wife of Daniel B. Moore De- cember 4, 1867. The family of children born to the parents of Mr. Moore consists of six: Sarintha, the wife of H. C. Merritt; Robert, a farmer; Susan, the wife of Tracy Sykes; Daniel B .; John, a merchant, and Sarah, the wife of Daniel A. Bigelow.

Daniel B. Moore first located on the old homestead, where he carried on farming for several years, but in 1874 he moved to Indi- ana and went into the lumber business, but later purchased the farm of 160 acres where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have two children, Kate C., the wife Daniel Storer, and Annie Mabel, yet single. Mr. Moore is a member of the Masonic order and has taken a prominent part in the affairs of the township. He was one of the first advocates of the pike roads, and, although there was much opposi- tion in some quarters, he finally carried his point and the people are grateful. He is the president of the Niles Natural Gas company and is very highly regarded, in every way, as an enterprising and excellent citizen. The family are members of the Missionary Baptist church, in which body he is a trustee, and all his acts conform to its teachings.

ANIEL N. PETERSON .- This name is one well known in Niles township, Delaware county, Ind., by those who gladly turn from the rough country by-ways and enjoy the pike road known as the Peterson & Black Pike road, the best in the township. He was considerably instrumental in having the road built and the gratitude of the traveling public is his.

Daniel N. Peterson was born in Greene county, Ohio, November 11, 1839, son of Jacob and Deborah (Mock) Peterson, natives of Virginia and of German extraction, the father born November 1, 1806, and the mother December 28, 1807. They removed to Greene county, Ohio, entered land, and there the father died September 7, 1863, and the mother, November 13, 1886, their burial being in Greene county. They were members of the German Reformed church. The brothers and sisters of Mr. Peterson, Sr., were Catherine, the wife of Joseph Boots; Samuel, a retired farmer; Christina, the wife of Solomon Bergdoll; Hannah, the wife of George Iman; Mary, the wife of Jonathan Ketterman; Joel, Jacob and Felix, farmers, and Moses, deceased. The brothers and sis- ters of Mrs. Deborah Peterson are as follows: Hannah, wife of John Calhoun; Lydia, wife of Thomas Lucas; Mary, wife of William James; Cynthia, wife of Perry Kilgore; Cath- erine, wife of Ezra Compton, and Daniel, John and Hezekiah, farmers. These are well known names through the county.

Daniel N. Peterson remained at home until he was married, November 27, 1860, to Miss Martha A. Ford, daughter of William and Harriet (McDonald) Ford, natives of Vir- ginia, who went to Clinton county, Ohio, in 1838, and settled on a farm, where his death took place in June, 1845, his wife surviving him three years. The brothers and sisters of the mother of Mrs. Peterson, are Louis, Bailus,

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Mary, Martha and Harriet, and the brothers and sisters of her father are Chancellor, James, Mary and Elizabeth, wife of Grayson Hump- ston. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Peter- son are Mildred, deceased; Sarah, wife of Jacob Peterson; James, John, deceased; William, deceased; Emily, deceased; Bailus, deceased; Mary E., wife of Silas Adsit; Martha (Mrs. Peterson); Charles, deceased, and Elizabeth wife of James Ashley. The brothers and sisters of Daniel L. Peterson are Lydia C., the wife of Allen Long; Hiram, deceased; Mary E., deceased; Jacob L., a mechanic, deceased; Virginia, wife of James R. Babb; Amy, wife of Martin Snyder, and John M., a farmer.

Daniel N. Peterson first settled on a farm in Greene county, Ohio, where he remained until 1865, and then came to Delaware county, Ind., and located in Niles township on a farm of eighty acres, nearly all of it cleared and well improved at this time. In the township he has been a most faithful man of affairs, serving as trustee for a period of ten years, which was a longer term of office than any other ever held in the township. It was during his administration that the splendid pike road was built of which he is superin- tendent, and he also was the means of having six brick school houses erected in the town- ship. He is well educated himself, and desires that the present generation shall have every advantage. Mr. Peterson is a stanch repub- lican and a prominent member of the party in local circles, his first vote having been for Lincoln. He is socially connected with the F. M. B. A., and is one of the best citizens, of whom too much can not be said. He has an adopted daughter who bears the name of Car- rie Peterson. Mr. Peterson has been very unfortunate in some ways, having been injured very seriously by a mowing machine some time ago, and one year since was caught in a barn door, by which he was hurt again, having

two ribs broken. Notwithstanding these acci- dents, Mr. Peterson attends to his business and is a fine man in every way. Since 1866, Mr. Peterson has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a steward, and in which for twelve years he was a class leader. Mrs. Peterson united with the church at the same time as did her husband, and they have since remained consistent mem- bers of the same.

J ACOB F. PETERSON has shown that economy and good management will result in the accumulation of a good property. He was born in Greene county, Ohio, being the son of Moses and Melinda (Juda) Peterson, both of German de- scent. The parents of his father and mother went from Virginia in 1813, to Greene county, Ohio, and Moses and Melinda Peterson were married in 1827. They owned 320 acres of land in Greene county, where they died; the father in 1867, and the mother in 1865, and are buried in the Xenia cemetery. They were the parents of nine children, namely: Emily, Amanda, Jacob F., Martha, Eli, a retired farmer; Christena, and Wilbur, a famer; Mary E. deceased; and Harriet, deceased.

Moses Peterson was the brother of the following: Samuel, Joel, Felix, Jacob, farmers; Catherine, wife of Joseph Boots; Mary, wife of Jonathan Ketman; Christina, wife of Solo- mon Bargdel; Hannah, wife of George Iman. The mother of our subject had one brother and two sisters, namely: Absalom, a farmer; Su- sanna, wife of William Shook; and Penina, wife of John Sparr.

Jacob F. Peterson was married at the age of twenty-two to Sarah, the daughter of William and Harriet (McDonald) Ford, of Scotch-Irish nativity. The parents of the

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wife of Mr. Peterson went from Virginia to Ohio, where they lived and died-her father June 6, 1845, and her mother, January 8, 1850, and both sleep their last sleep in Anti- och cemetery, Clinton county, Ohio. They were the parents of the following children: Mildred, deceased; Sarah, wife of subject; Emily, died September 11, 1836; Mary, wife of Silas Addsit; Martha, wife of D. A. Peter- son; Anna E., wife of James Ashley, of Illi- nois; James, a farmer; Mary, single; John, died September 11, 1839; Balis, died in 1842, and Charles, died in 1856. Her parents were members of the Baptist church. Jacob F. Peterson settled, after reaching twenty-one, on the old homestead, and lived there until August, 1866, when he moved to Delaware county, Ind., and settled on his pleasant farm in Niles township, consisting of 325 acres of land. It was then but partly cleared, but is now a beautiful home. A fine structure occu- pies the place of the old cabin, and it is sur- rounded by very substantial barns and outbuildings. Mr. Peterson has been very successful in his farming operations, and owns 325 acres of splendid land. He and his wife are very worthy members of the Methodist church, and are most useful in that body. They are the parents of a large and interest- ing family, namely: William, a carpenter; Newton, a farmer, married to Ella McDaniel; Lawson, a farmer, married to Rosa Devoe; Emily, was killed by a runaway horse, April 14, 1891; Florence, wife of Judson Bryan; Martha C., wife of John Murphy; Frank, married to Martha Brammer; Clair, wife of Ed Brammer. The entire family is held in highest respect, and are esteemed by the people of the township, and by all who know them. The Peterson family is highly moral and altogether upright in its walk through life, each member adhering in good faith to his religious convictions.

ILBUR PETERSON is a well-to-do citizen of Niles township, Delaware county, and was born in Greene county, Ohio, November 23, 1840. He is the son of Moses and Malinda (Juda) Peterson. (See sketch of Jacob Peterson ) Wilbur Peterson was married November 20, 1868, to Sarah J., daughter of Samuel and Angeline (Haines) Barley, natives of Virginia, who moved to Ohio at an early day; lived there for a number of years, and then moved to Niles township, where the father entered eighty acres of land. Here they lived until the death of the mother, when he came and made his home with his son, Wilbur, until his death, Octo- ber 24, 1886. The mother died February 23, 1883. The father of Mrs. Peterson had one brother and one sister, namely: John, a farmer, and Mary, wife of Isaac Carkuff. The parents of Mrs. Peterson were consistent members of the Methodist church. Her father, at one time, owned 259 acres of good land, which he gave to his children, they being named as follows: David, a farmer; Esterline, wife of Amos Fore- man; Kindrick S., deceased, and Charles E., a farmer.

After Wilbur Peterson married he settled in Ohio, near Xenia, where he remained one year, and then moved to his present home in Niles townsaip, where he owns a fine farm of 662 acres. His father gave him, when he started out for himself, $3,500, and his wife was given fifty-eight acres of land by her father. By this marriage there are four chil- dren, namely: Samuel M., Emma J., Effie F., and Mary A. Mr. Peterson makes stock rais- ing his chief business, and is very successful at it. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church, in which body they are recognized as sincere christians. Mr. Peter- son is a member of the G. A. R. and of the the order of Red Men.

William Peterson enlisted August 22, 1862,

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in company D, One Hundred and Tenth regi- ment, Ohio volunteer infantry, at Xenia, and went to camp at Pickaway; then to Parkers- burg and remained there three weeks; thence to Clarksburg, Va .; and then to New Creek station. From the latter place he went to Cum- berland, Md., where he was taken sick and re- mained in the Kelly hospital for a short time, was then taken to the Olive hospital, where he re- mained a month, and was then discharged. He soon, however, joined his company just in time for the battle of Gettysburg. From this place his company went to Philadelphia, then to Balti- more, and afterward joined the army of the Potomac. They remained at Culpeper C. H. for three or four weeks; then marched to Bristol Heights, where they had a severe en- gagement and drove the enemy to the Rappa- hannock. From this point his regiment moved to Belton Station, where it had another en- gagement; then at Kellys' Ford the enemy was driven to Brandy Station, where another bat- tle was fought. November 26, 1863, his reg- iment crossed the Rapidan river and had an engagement with the enemy at Locust Grove. Here Mr. Peterson was wounded and laid up for several weeks. When he recovered he was sent with his regiment to re-enforce Gen. Ward, and marched twenty-four miles from IO A. M. until 3 o'clock of the following morn- ing. He has always been a republican, and he and wife are Methodists. He is also a member of the G. A. R. and the Red Men.

AVID C. RACER .- To possess the comforts of a home that is all one's own, and to live apart from the jost- ling crowd of the city in an air which is pure and sweet, this is real living; while the sojourner of the noisy and ill-smelling place filled with houses, and people does but stay

here upon earth. When to the health of the country are added, as in this case, the esteem of friends, and the respect of neighbors, this indeed is the sum of all living. David C. Racer was born in Washington county, Ohio, December 18, 1816; being the son of Dennis and Mary (Haldron) Racer, they being of French and Scotch descent, respectively. The parents of Mr. Racer went from Pennsylvania to Washington county, Ohio, in the year 1800, and lived there until 1847, when they removed to Indiana. While they were living in Wash- ington county, D. C. Racer was born near Marietta. When his parents settled in Indiana they occupied the farm upon which he now lives and which he owns. His brother entered the land, and he subsequently purchased it of him. Here it was that his father and mother lived and finally died, the mother February 23, 1871, and the father September 13, 1871. They now lie side by side in the John Black cemetery, after a married life of seventy years. The mother of our subject was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The children by the marriage of this estimable pair were: Joseph, lost off a steamer, in Arkansas, in the Red river; Mary, deceased; Susan, Elizabeth, and Melissa, also deceased; Dennis, died on on the way to California, and was buried at sea; David, a farmer; died in Iowa; Anna, wife of James Poser; and James, a farmer, died in Ohio. The father of David C. Racer has a brother and sister, Benjamin, a farmer; and Mary, wife of Henry Straight. The brothers and sisters of his mother are: John, who died at the age of one hundred; Joseph, died at the age of seventy; Colman, died at the age of seventy; Rebecca, wife of J. McVery; Ruthy, wife of Daniel Dowlton; and Nancy, wife of William Guilky.

David C. Racer was married at the age of twenty-four, to Malinda Farabee, daughter of William and Sarah (Hoadland) Farabee, the

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date of the wedding day being January 17, 1840. The parents of Mrs. Racer came from Pennsylvania to Athens county, Ohio, in 1838, where they settled upon a farm of 120 acres. There the parents finally died, the father in 1877 and the mother in 1856; being laid away in the cemetery at Athens, after forty years of happy married life. They reared a family of nine children, as follows: Mary, wife of James McWhorter; Thomas, a physician; Melinda; Catherine, wife of George Canny; Anna, wife of Samuel Mckibben; Elias, a farmer; and Silas and Samuel, deceased. Beside these, Mrs. Racer has the following half brothers and sisters: Nancy, wife of John West, John and Benjamin V., farmers.

The parents of Mrs. Racer were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal and of the Presbyterian churches, respectively, her father being a class leader in his church. The grandfather of Mrs. Racer owned 800 acres of land in Washington county, Pa.

When David C. Racer first came to this country he was very much annoyed by the wolves and the panthers. He has killed four- teen of the former out of fifteen shots and has also brought down many a deer. His market was Muncie' and thither he had to drive his hogs. He and his wife kept house for twenty years before they had a cook stove, and still heve the kettle they first used, a ten gallon one, which the grandson retains as a momento. Mr. and Mrs. Racer have in their possession a pocketbook, which has been in the family since before the Revolutionary war.

Dennis Racer was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his grandfather was stolen when seven years of age and kept by the Indians until he was fourteen, when he was found and taken back to his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Racer have had by their marriage the follow- ing children: James C., a farmer; Thomas H., a farmer; Sarah, wife of Samuel Stafford;

William C., a farmer; John E., a farmer, and Susan, who died August 17, 1856, and was buried at Granville. David C. Racer was supervisor of the township for a period of three years. At one time he owned 320 acres of land; but he has helped his children and now he owns but 120 acres. He makes it a rule to give each of his children $1,200 when they start out in life for themselves. Mr. Racer is a strictly temperate man and can truthfully say that he never drank a drop of liquor in his life. In politics he is a strong republican and gives to that party a hearty support. Mr. and Mrs. Racer are members of the Methodist church, and they, as well as all the members of the family are highly re- spected by all who know them.

A DAM SHIRK .- Among the prominent residents of Niles township, Adam Shirk is well known as a successful, honest and prosperous farmer and stock raiser. He was born April 20, 1824, in Greene county, Ohio, son of Jacob and Cathe- rine (Kimmell) Shirk, natives of Virginia, who came to Ohio at an early day and settled on a farm situated on Cæsar creek, near James- town. There they lived and died, the father in 1872 and the mother in 1875. In their early days they were connected with the Methodist church, and the elder Mr. Shirk frequently walked a distance of three miles through the woods to attend divine service, carrying young Adam in his arms. Jacob and Catherine Shirk reared a family, as follows: Alfred, a farmer; Adam, whose name introduces this sketch; John, Jacob, Henry, William, Jemima, wife of James Dougherty; Sarah, wife of Jesse Bow- len; Malinda, wife of James Bales; Susan, wife of John King, and Mary, the wife of Eli Bales. | Adam Shirk has been a hard working man and

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now takes pardonable pride in his fine farm of 320 acres, which he has earned by his own close attention to business. He moved upon this place in September, 1853, and now has a fine estate, well improved and well stocked He first lived in a log cabin on the place for sixteen years, and then built the present beau- tiful residence, in which may be found every comfort.

Adam Shirk was drafted into the Uniied States service March 22, 1865, and went to Richmond, Ind., where he hired a substitute for $800. He married, February 16, 1846, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Dorothy (Hickman) Bales, natives of Ireland and Ger- many, and to this union seven children have been born, as follows: John, who died Janu- ary 20, 1852; Amanda J., who died August 10, 1871; Marion, a factory hand; Jacob, a a farmer; William, a farmer; Adam B., who died August 7, 1871; and Mollie, wife of Charles Bullock. Mr. Shirk has taken an active part in public affairs in the township. He was for some time drainage commissioner, and socially is a member of the Masonic order and the Patrons of Husbandry. He was mas- ter of the grange for four years, and all of his offices have been efficiently filled. He is a member of the Methodist church and one of the leading citizens of the community in which he resides.

ENRY SHIRK, a well-to-do and pop- ular farmer of Niles township, Dela- ware county, was born in Greene county, Ohio, April 10, 1832, and is son of Jacob and Catherine (Kimmell) Shirk. The father was of German descent, and set- tled on a farm of 120 acres in Greene county, having come from West Virginia. There he lived until his death in 1872, and three years later his devoted wife followed him to the grave. Jacob and Catherine Shirk were the

parents of the following children: Jemima, Sa- rah, Susan, Alfred, a farmer; Melinda, Adam, a farmer; Jacob, died in the army during the war; Henry, and William, a farmer. Henry Shirk remained at home until he was twenty-one years old, at which time he was married to Dorothy Bales, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah (Hickman) Bales, both natives of Penn- sylvania. Jonathan and Sarah Bales went to Ohio at an early day, where the father bought land which cost him $10 per acre. The father of Mrs. Shirk was a soldier in the war of 1812, in which he served three years, and later filled the office of justice of the peace for a number of years. The parents of Mrs. Shirk were honest, good people, and members of the Bap- tist church. Their children were four in num- ber, namely: Elizabeth, wife of George Brickles; Jonathan, a farmer; Leah, wife of Calvin Mullen, and Mrs. Dorothy Shirk; the latter died March 8, 1890, and was laid to rest in the Strong cemetery, where an appropriate monument marks the spot.

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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 76

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