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 77

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 77
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 77

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).

Mr. Shirk remained single for one year, and was then married to Mrs. Hannah M. Jones, widow of Matthew Jones and daughter of David and Magdalen (Zimmerman) Baker, of German descent, and natives of Pennsyl- vania. They came to Muncie in the fall of 1861, and then moved to Dunkirk, where Mr. Baker purchased a farm of 160 acres, upon which his and his wife's deaths subsequently occurred. The wife of Mr. Shirk is a pious member of the Baptist church and is highly regarded in the community. Mr. Shirk has a farm of sixty acres of good and well improved land. He is an honest and hard working man and much respected in the township where he has resided for so many years. His educa- tion was received in the common schools, and he is a man of good practical common sense. In politics he is a democrat, and strongly at- tached to his party.

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The first husband of Mrs. Shirk was Matthew Jones, a native of Butler county, Pa., and the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Sanderson) Jones, natives of Pennsylvania. The following are the names of the brothers and sisters of Matthew Jones: Henry, a farm- er; Isaac, a farmer; William, a cooper; Betsy, wife of John Marks; Rebecca, wife of Levi Doty; Polly, wife of J. Reed, and Anna Will- iams, a half-sister. Matthew Jones is the second son, and a cooper and carpenter by trade. By his first marriage, which took place September 24, 1851, in Pennsylvania, he became the father of the following children, namely: Allen R .. Jefferson Z., Magdalen, Catherine, Anna, deceased, and David W. H. Mr. Jones was a member of the Methodist church, and an active worker in that body. He was a member of the Masonic order, being of a social mind, and making many friends. This good man wa's a kind father, and was highly respected by all knew him.

ILLIAM SHIRK is an honest, hard working and successful farmer of Niles township, who was born in Greene county, Ohio, in the year 1833. His parents lived and died in Ohio, the father passing away in 1859, and the mother in 1866. They are buried in the Shooks cemetery, in Greene county. The father was a farmer, and he and his wife were highly respected people. They lived and died in the faith of the Methodist church. William Shirk remained at home until he was twenty- three years old, and then married Margaret Golder, daughter of John and Emeline (Bul- lock) Golder. Her parents went from New York to Greene county, Ohio, where her father purchased a farm of 100 acres near New Jasper, upon which they lived and finally

died; the father in 1883, and the mother August 10, 1890. Mrs. Shirk has two brothers, John W. and Hiram A., both farmers. John and Emeline Golder were members of the Christian church, and are buried in the James- town cemetery, in Greene county, Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. Shirk are the parents of seven children, namely: John A., a farmer; Hiram G., a farmer; Dorothy E, wife of N. H. Bailey; Jacob M., a carpenter; William S., a farmer; Margaret E., wife of J. C. Fudge, and Laura D., at home. Mr. Shirk came to Niles township, Delaware county, Ind., Sep- tember 6, 1873, and settled at his present home, where he owns a farm of 160 acres of land, well improved. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church. Mrs. Shirk is a faithful and good wife, coming from honest and hard working parents, who set- tled in Ohio in an early day, endured all the hardships of pioneer life, a portion of which she herself experienced.

Mr. Shirk was a soldier in the late civil war, enlisting in 1864 in an Ohio regiment with which he served until July 17, 1865, when he was discharged on account of a wound received in the battle of Buzzard's Roost, Ga. He remained in the hospital for many months and now draws a pension from the government.

R. SMITH is a representative far- mer of Niles township, who was born in Greene county, Ohio, March 4, 1857. He is the son of Benjamin F. and Emily (Peterson) Smith, both parents of German extraction. The father went from West Virginia to Greene county, Ohio, where he met the lady who afterward became his wife. He lived in that county for thirty-six years, and then came to Niles township, Dela-

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ware county, Ind., where he purchased the farm of 240 acres, upon which M. R. Smith now lives. This land was partly cleared when it came into his hands, and he devoted himself to developing and putting in order the fine place, which, at this time, is one of the best farms in the township. At one period of his life Benjamin Smith owned 718 acres of. good land. He died May 5, 1888, and his wife Feb- ruary 5, 1881, and both were buried in the Eaton cemetery.

Benjamin Smith had the following brothers and sisters: John, minister; Martha A., wife of Joseph Stowe; Betsy, wife of Levi Gustin; Har- riet, wife of William McDaniel; Sophia, wife of Eli Anderson; Louisa; Catherine, wife of Alfred McDaniel. The following are the names of the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Emily Smith: Jacob F., a farmer; Amanda, wife of Smith Babb; Tena, wife of Andrew Black; Eli, a farmer; Wilbur, a farmer; Harriet, wife of James Anderson; and Ellen, wife of Edward Paget. Benjamin Smith was a very success- ful stock dealer, as well as a farmer, who made the tilling of the soil a thing of profit. His fellow citizens made him commissioner for nine years, and assessor for two terms. He was an honored member of the Masonic order. He and wife were members of the Methodist church, and highly respected in that body.

M. R. Smith received, for his portion, the old homestead, consisting of 120 acres. He remained at home until he was of age, and then married Sarah, daughter of Henry and Martha (Laturner) Shannon, of French and German descent. Her parents came from Maryland and Ohio respectively, and both came to this state with their parents, and here they were married in 1860; settling in Union township, Delaware county, where the father owned a farm of forty acres. Upon this he lived for twenty-two years, and then moved to Granville, where he owns a farm of 120 acres,

and upon which he now resides. Mrs. Emily Smith died July 17, 1885.

Mrs. Sarah Smith had one sister, Mary, wife of Walter Berry. The brothers and sis- ters of her father were: Alexander and Will- iam, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of William Gregory; Simon, a farmer; Nancy, wife of David Simongton; Mary, wife of David Si- mongton; Maria, wife of Miller Sherry. The brothers and sisters of the mother of the wife of our subject were: Mary, wife of William Wright; Maggie, wife of William Sherman: Lizzie; and Adolphus, a minister.

M. R. Smith moved on the farm which his his father gave him, soon after his marriage, and has lived there every since. He is nicely located, and has the best of improvements upon the place. He is an enterprising, hard working man, and highly esteemed by all who know him. His life companion is a pious member of the Methodist church. Mr. Smith, in addition to farming, devotes much of his time to the raising of stock, in which he is very successful. He is a member of the order of Red Men, and takes much interest in that organization. In politics he is a republican, and never fails to assist that party when ever his services are needed. He has the following brothers and sisters: Mary, wife of John Bar- ley; Charles a farmer; Sophia, wife of George R. Lowe; Louis F., a farmer; Linnie, wife of J. E. McDaniels; Anna, wife of Charles Miller.

J OHN R. STAFFORD, a prominent farmer of Niles township, of which he is a native, is a son of Joseph and Amrilla Stafford, and dates his birth from the 17th day of March, 186r. Paternally he is descended from Irish ancestry, and on the mother's side is of German lineage. Joseph Stafford and wife moved from Ohio to Dela-

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ware county, Ind., a number of years ago, settling in the township of Niles, where they reared a family, and where they resided uutil their respective deaths, the former departing this life April 3, 1877, and the latter August 30, 1882. The following are the names of the brothers and sisters of Joseph Stafford: Finley, George, Relph, Catherine (wife of Valentine Pence), Margaret (wife of John Black), Betsey, and Ruth (the latter married to William Black).

Amrilla Stafford, whose maiden name was Dinsmore, was the daughter of John Dinsmore, whose birth occurred near Winchester, Va., on the 28th of June, 1797. Mr. Dinsmore in an early day emigrated to Ohio, where he re- sided until 1837, in October of which year he became a citizen of the Hoosier state. He was married on the 25th of June, 1819, to Elizabeth Anderson, whose birth occurred May 9, 1798, in the state of Maryland. The follow- ing is a brief record of the family of John and Elizabeth Dinsmore, viz: Robert H. Dinsmore, the eldset son, was born December 1, 1855; Will- iam, born December 24, 1824-died December 28, 1862; Rachel A., born February 15, 1828; Amrilla J., born August 8, 1831-died August 30, 1883; Mary N., born August 18, 1833; Daniel M., born October 31, 1837-died Oc- tober 12, 1843; Eli W., born February 25, 1841-died October 12, 1843. The mother of these children died March 23, 1848, and the father was called to his final reward on the 29th of October, 1865. John R. Stafford grew to manhood in Delaware county, and has resided within its borders ever since his birth, making his home in Niles township, upon the site of his fathe's original purchase. At the age of twenty, he was united in mar- riage to Nancy A. Boyd, daughter of Cornelius and Martha (Jacobs) Boyd, to which union the following children have been born; William M., Bessie M., Susan Fair, Nellie E. and Charles

R., the last named deceased. Mr. Stafford began life for himself as a farmer, and still de- votes his attention to that useful calling, being, at this time, one of the successful agricultur- ists of the township of Niles. His first real estate consisted of forty acres, to which addi- tions have been made from time to time, until the area of his farm now contains ninety-five acres of fertile land, the greater part in a suc- cessful state of cultivation. Mr. Stafford is enterprising and progressive, a leading citizen of the community in which he resides, and his name is well worthy of mention among the representative men of Niles township. Po- litically, he is an ardent republican, and in religion, a Methodist. Mrs. Stafford is a member of the Christian or New Light church.

ENONA THOMAS is a well-to-do and excellent citizen of Niles township, who was born in Miami county, Ohio, June 2, 1836, being the son of Price and Anna (Bobo) Thomas. The parents are of German and Welsh-Irish descent, and went from Kentucky to Ohio in 1816, settling upon a farm of 160 acres. They lived there until 1833, when they came to Niles township, Del- aware county, Ind., settling at Granville. The father carried a chain to lay out the towns of Granville and Albany. He had the following brothers and sisters: Milton, a doctor; Susan- na, wife of Benona Robbins; Price, an auction- eer; Dorinda, wife of Andrew Battrell; Jerry, a farmer; William, a plasterer, and Michael, a farmer. Mrs. Anna Thomas had the follow- ing brothers and sisters: Martin, a farmer; Jemima, wife of T. Clemings; Jared, a farmer; Alley, wife of John Thomas; Margaret, wife of Absalom Carner; Dorcas, wife of Thomas McKinney, and Garner, a blacksmith. Price and Anna Thomas had born to them, beside

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Benona, the following children: Milton, a liv- eryman at Muncie; Alice, wife of Logan Jackson; Ferinda, deceased; Millie, wife of James Collins; Jerry, a saw mill owner; Ellen, wife of Gordon Collins; Elizabeth, wife of John Turner; Martha, wife of Joseph Sloniker; Elmira, wife of John Spence; Susan, wife of Joseph Crouch, and Emazetta.

Benona Thomas was married July 12, 1859, to Phebe, daughter of Isaac Bost, by whom he had two children, Ida M., died February 12, 1880, and Harriet C., died October 12, 1865. Ths wife died August 4, 1882, and was buried in Muncie cemetery. Mr. Thomas again mar- ried, his choice being Martha J., daughter of Jefferson Walvern. She died five years after marriage and was buried in the Granville ceme- tery. Mr. Thomas next married Mary E., daughter of Big George and Clarissa Fleming, her parents being natives of Virginia.

Benona Thomas enlisted in the Union army in August, 1862, in the three years' serv- ice, in company K, Eighty-fourth regiment, Indiana volunteers, at Muncie. He went to Richmond, Ind., and to Indianapolis, and was then sent to Guyandotte, W. Va., then to Nash- ville, where he was taken sick. He remained in Hospital No. 6 for a time, and then was taken to Louisville and placed in Hospital No. 7, ward No. 7; from which place he was finally sent home, having lost his right eye. He draws a pension of $16 a month as the result of this affliction. Mr. Thomas was postmaster for a period of four years and is a democrat in poli- tics. He is a member of the G. A. R. post, and is much attached to his old army comrades. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and are very much respected. They pursue the even tenor of a christian life, showing in all their acts the sincerity of the faith that is within them, and Mr. Thomas has not failed to inculcate his children with the principles of morality.

J OAB THORNBURG. - Among the many worthy people who have fine homes in Delaware county, Ind., we note Joab Thornburg and his worthy wife, who came here when there were no neigh- bors, no improvements, nothing but great woods and wild game, and possibly a lurking savage for company. Joab Thornburg is a representative of a state which has sent to sister states many of the settlers who have done the most toward upbuilding and civilizing -the state of Ohio. His birth occurred in Montgomery county, January 23, 1816, a son of Morgan and Hannah (Harl) Thornburg, natives of Tennessee, who had located for a few years in Ohio, and had then pushed farther west into Indiana, locating in Randolph county in 1806, where they lived for ten years, and then moved back to Tennessee. There they lived some years, and then went into Perry township and made a home.

In Niles township Mr. Thornburg entered eighty acres of land and then moved to Ring- gold county, Iowa, near Mt Ayr, where he spent the rest of his days, dying in the fall of 1865, his wife having preceded him two years. They were buried in Iowa. They had reared the following family: Elisha, a wheelwright; Rebecca, the wife of Thomas Cox; Jonathan, a farmer; Charity, deceased; Joseph, deceased; Joab; Morgan; Hannah, the wife of Sam Adamson; and Mary, the wife of Reuben Schockley.

Joab Thornburg remained at home until his marriage, but neither he nor his wife had any educational advantages whatever. Hes name was Elizabeth Medsker, daughter of David and Catherine (Hoover) Medsker, of German parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg were married March 12, 1840, and she became a helpmate, indeed, to her husband. She entered bravely into all of his plans for the new home in the wilderness, and many times

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worked by his side, clearing up brush and as- sisting in every way that her strength would permit.

Mr. and Mrs. Medsker came to Indiana from Pennsylvania, locating first in Henry county, and then in Randolph county, where they died, the father, February 18, 1874, and the mother August 10, 1883. They were laid to rest in Hagerstown cemetery. They were good, christian people, beloved by all who knew them. They reared the following family: John, deceased; Daniel, Zachariah and Corne- lius, all farmers; David, deceased; Jacob, died in the army; Isaac, a farmer; Elizabeth, wife of Joab Thornburg; Christina, the wife of Christopher Davis; Anna, the wife of Franklin Burroughs; and Susannah, deceased.

Joab Thornburg first settled in Randolph county, where he lived four years, and then removed to Niles township, Delaware county, where his present pleasant home is located. It required much perseverance and enterprise to get the new home under way, as rolling logs by the week was not an infrequent task, but comfort finally reigned and now the farm of 280 acres repays them for all their trouble. They saw a large family grow up around them, as follows: Catherine, wife of David Bales; Maria, deceased; Nettie, wife of Elisha Win- gate; Mary A., wife of Jackson Klugh; Martha J., wife of Elisha Harty; Sarah E., wife of Henry Bales; Elizabeth W., wife of Jerry Williams; William M., who died May 9, 1878; Rettie S., wife of Lamar Cunningham and Amanda, wife of Aaron Rook.

Mr. Thornburg has been blessed with many of the blessings of life, and perhaps among them not the least are his sons-in-law. One of these, Elisha Harty, has descended from a good old Randolph county family. He was born in that county in 1844. He has had some misfortunes, having lost both of his little children, and fire having destroyed all

his buildings in 1885. He owns a farm of twenty-six acres. Another. Lamar Cunning- ham, was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1857. He has three children by his marriage with Mr. Thornburg's daughter, Hattie and Charles; infant not named. Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg are members of the German Bap- tist church, and politically he is a democrat and a good citizen.

1 G. WEAVER, one of the thrifty farmers and stockmen of Niles town- ship, is a son of A. C. Weaver, who located in this part of the county nearly half a century ago, moving to his home in a comparatively unbroken wilderness over a road cut through the woods from the town of Muncie. A. C. Weaver is one of the oldest living pioneers of Delaware county, moving here from Virginia at a time when but little attempt had been made to reclaim the country from its original forest growth. He became a large owner of real estate in what is now the richest gas territory of Indiana, and since the discovery of this marvelous fuel, he has been very actively interested in the growth and de- velopement of the country.

N. G. Weaver was born where he now re- sides, on the Ist day of December, 1863, being the youngest of a family of eight children. He commenced life as a farmer, to which useful calling he has always given much attention, though a good portion of his time has been devoted to mercantile pursuits, in which, as in agriculture, his success has been of the most encouraging nature. In addition to his farming and mercantile interests, Mr. Weaver for some years has been engaged in buying and shipping live stock, and other speculations, and to him is the township of Niles indebted for a large share of the recent development which has

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placed this section among the most advanced and enlightened portions of the highly favored county of Delaware. He has labored assidu- ously for the benefit of the community, and in the spirit of enterprise has done as much, if not more, than any other citizen of Niles to- ward the development of the natural gas and oil interests, which are destined, in time, to make this region one of the most prosperous and progressive sections of the great gas belt. Mr. Weaver's home is a model of comfort, and his beautiful farm, consisting of 240 acres of choice land, ranks among the best cultivated and highly improved places in Niles township. Mr. Weaver was married September, 1879, to Miss Angie Bailey, of this township, her ances- try being of the same Virginia origin as his own family. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are highly re- spected citizens of the community, and possess in full measure the high regard of all with whom they come in contact.

EORGE V. WILSON .- The name of Wilson is well known in Delaware county where, before the manhood of our subject, it had been made dis- tinguished by his father. George Wilson was born in Delaware county, Ind., in Niles town- ship, July 5, 1851, and son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Vincent) Wilson, natives of Ohio who came to Delaware county, Ind., in the fall of 1837, settling in Niles township on a farm of eighty acres, upon which Mr. Wilson built a log cabin, and the family lived as pio- neers. He was a man who exerted a great deal of influence, was prominent in many ways in the township, is a member of the Methodist church, and for the past four years has resided in Albany. His family is as fol- lows: Morgan A., oonnected with the furni- ture factory; John W., also in the factory;

George V., Nafry F., a farmer; Pruda L., the wife of George Barnes.

In 1873, George V. Wilson was married to Miss Mary E. Smith, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Hagler) Smith, natives of Ohio who came to Jay county, Ind., in 1840, set- tling on a farm of 160 acres of land. Mr. Smith was a man of prominence in the county; for fourteen years was justice of the peace, a member of the Masonic order, was county commissioner for one term, and for one term represented the district in the legislature. He was highly respected, and when his life ended, March 15, 1882, he was lamented by all. His remains lie in the Bethel cemetery. The mother still resides upon the fine farm of 160 acres. The children of Mrs. Smith are, Samuel B., a farmer; Laura S., the wife of Joel Green; Louis M., a farmer, and Mary E., the wife of our subject. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, Alma G. Mr. Wilson has a fine farm of eighty acres of well improved land, and in 1889 he built a very fine house, which makes a pleasant home. He is a good and worthy citizen, one of the re- liable kind, whom any county may be proud to class as a citizen.

S AMUEL H. WILSON is a thrifty far- mer of Niles township, where he was born November 13, 1864, being the son of Alfred and Martha E. (Wright) Wilson. He was reared upon the farm upon which he now resides, which contains ninety- two acres of well cultivated and finely im- proved land. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one, and was then married to Lenora H., daughter of Lewis and Lucinda (Jones) Davis, natives of Indiana. Her parents came from Henry county to Dela- ware county, Niles township, in March, 1883,

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and settled on a farm, where he now lives on 1723 acres of very good land. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. S. H. Wilson are: Elmer J., a school teacher; Orphia, at home; Charles N., a farmer; and Bertha A., the baby.

Lewis Davis is a farmer of superior skill, and a stock raiser. He is widely known, giving his attention to the breeding of thorough- bred Poland-China hogs. He has a public sale of the increase in October of each year. This enterprising man is a member of the Ma- sonic order, and of the order of Red Men. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, and very prominent and popular peo- ple. Alfred Wilson cleared up the farm upon which Samuel H. now lives, while he is living a retired life at Muncie.

Samuel H. Wilson has two brothers and two sisters, namely: Samantha J., wife of D. W. Wingate; Lillie A., wife of J. A. Dwyer; Aaron C., a school teacher, and Oscar T., a farmer. He also has a half-sister, Sarah E. Wilson. The father of our subject had a sis- ter, Dissie L. Wilson, who died in August, 1878. The marriage of Samuel H. Wilson resulted in two children, namely: Lalah L. and Charles E. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are both members of the Christian church. Both of them received a good common school edu- cation and are well informed people. Mr. Wilson is a republican, and a very enterprising and industrious young man, highly respected by everybody.

J AMES W. WINGATE .- Niles town- ship has a number of worthy and good citizens, and prominent among these is James W. Wingate. He was born at Georgetown, Sussex county, Del., July 16, 1815, being the son of Philip and Sarah (Wright) Wingate, natives of Delaware and

Maryland respectively. The parents of Philip Wingate were born in Caroline county, Md., and lived in Georgetown. Philip was a car- penter by trade, first serving as an apprentice for five years, and then following the occupa- tion for the rest of his life. Mrs. Sarah Win- gate died in 1821, and was buried close by where she was born and reared. After this, Philip moved to Highland county, Ohio, and settled near Leesburg, where he warked at his trade. Then, in 1847, he came to Albany, Deiaware county, Ind., and worked at wagon making. He finally died at the home of his son, James W., October 9, 1871, and was laid to rest in Bethel cemetery. He was married a second time in Maryland, and this wife died in 1851; being buried also in Bethel cemetery. Philip Wingate had the following brothers: Cannon, a farmer, and John, a painter. The brothers and sisters of Philip's wife are: Celia, wife of William Maloney; Tilman, a trader; Rodgers, a farmer; Elisha, a farmer; Aaron, a farmer; James, a school teacher, and Hatfield, a farmer.

James W. Wingate was married in Fayette county, Ohio, March 30, 1837, to Melinda, daughter of James and Sophia (Chew) Stew- art, of Irish and American descent. Her par- ents` came to Indiana, Delaware county, and settled on a farm of 160 acres. She had the following brothers and sisters: Lucinda, wife of Thomas Dowden; Matilda, wife of Morris Bennett; William Fishback; Margaret, wife of Colby Pepple; Rebecca, wife of Thomas Klugh: Mary, wife of Charles Ray; Rees, a blacksmith; William W., a carpenter; Harriet, wife of John Rees, and James J., a lawyer. The brothers and sisters of James W. Wingate are: Elisha, a carpenter; Francis, a laborer; William H., Robert, Thomas M., and Philip A., farmers; Louisa, deceased; Sarah A., wife of David McDaniel, and John N., a farmer.

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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 77

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