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 79

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 79
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 79

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).

Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Cun- ningham located on the place where he now resides, and he enjoys the distinction of having one of the finest and most successfully culi- vated farms of his neighborhood, and the most complete and comfortable dwelling in the township of Perry. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Masonic order, belonging to Muncie lodge, No. 18, and politically, wields an influ- ence for the republican party. For two terms he held the office of township trustee, and at this time he is the efficient commissioner from his part of the county, to which responsible position he was elected November, 1891. As an official, Mr. Cunningham is painstaking and methodical, and he loses no opportunity to look after the welfare of the county. His du- ties are discharged in a manner highly satis-

factory to all, and by his diligence in looking after the people's interests he has won for himself a warm place in the hearts of his fel- low citizens, irrespective of party.

J AMES DAVISON, one of the most enterprising farmers of Perry township, Delaware county, Ind., was born in Butler county, Ohio, December 28, 1822, son of James and Polly (Doty) Davison, both of whom were natives of Virginia, of English descent. James learned the trade of broom maker and did a good business in that trade for many years. In 1847 he married Miss Martha Kenyon, daughter of Daniel and Nancy (Dortch) Kenyon, the former a native of the state of Maine and the latter of Vir- ginia, and both of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon were the parents of eight chil- dren, but Mrs. Davison is the only survivor. Mr and Mrs. Davison reared a family as fol- lows: William T., born September 16, 1847, deceased; Mary, born September 15, 1849, the wife of Dr. J. L. Hendricks; Delisca I , born July 27, 1851, the wife of Volna Sears; John B., born March 16, 1854; Laura A., born October 16, 1857, the wife of John C. Wiggins; Orlef R., born September 26, 1860; Arthur I., born November 6, 1862; Frances A., born November 15, 1864, the wife of David L. Rees, and Omar L., born January 14, 1868.

One year after marriage, Mr. Davison moved to the place where he now lives and brought with him the first cook stove ever used in Perry township. He owns now 460 acres of land, which he has made by application to his work, being a man who has labored stead- fastly and has accumulated his large posses- sions honestly. He has never speculated and has never received any assistance. After lo-

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cating on his farm he worked at his trade in connection with his agricultural pursuits. He is what may be called a self made man, and is one who enjoys the respect of the citizens throughout Perry township. Politically, he affiliates with the democratic party.

0 AVID FLETCHER, who has passed his three score and ten years, is a very worthy citizen of Perry town- ship, and a native of Hamilton county. Ohio, born May 29, 1823. He is the son of John and Polly (Templen) Fletcher, the father being a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Ohio; he being of German, and she of English descent. In 1830 the parents came to Delaware county, where the father bought forty-nine acres of land in the woods, and endured many hardships while clearing the same. Of their children, only two have lived to be the heads of families, namely: David, and Mary A., wife of Hiram Pendlum, and they are the only living children. The deceased were: Rebecca, Eunice, William and an infant. The father died August 20, 1852, and the mother June 28, 1861, and both are buried in the Union cemetery.

David Fletcher was reared on the farm, but the schools of his day were far apart; hence he had but very little opportunity for gaining an education. The longest time he ever attended, at one time, was three weeks. His father was a tanner by trade, and when a boy David devoted his time between the farm and the tan yard. After attaining his majority David became a partner of his father, and worked at the tannery business about fifteen years. David Fletcher was married Decem- ber 10, 1846, to Asenath Thornburg, daughter of Joab and Elizabeth (Holloway) Thornburg, and five children have been born to him and

his wife, namely: John E., born December 23, 1848; Rebecca, born in 1850, wife of J. B. Howell; Joab, born December 19, 1855, died July 25, 1861; Samuel V., born Septem- ber 13, 1861; and Elizabeth E., deceased. The first land that David owned was twenty acres, to which he added, from time to time, until he got together 220 acres. This, how- ever, he divided among his children, so he now has but 160 acres. Beside other property, Mr. Fletcher owns stock in a gas well. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher are members of the Method- ist church, and are very useful in that body. Socially he is a member of lodge No. 331, A. F. & A. M. He is a prohibitionist, and very ardent in his support of that party.

ETER A. HELM was born in Dela- ware county, Ind., October 27, 1828, and is widely known and much re- spected in Perry township, where he resides. He is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Slick) Helm, natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish and English descent. Peter A. is the sixth of twelve children, and remained at home until twenty-one years old. He received about three months' schooling in each year, working upon the farm during the remainder of the time.

David A. Helm enlisted, in 1861, in com- pany K, Thirty-sixth Indiana regiment, and took an active part in many of the engage- ments in which his regiment participat- ed. For eighteen months he was on detail duty, building pontoon bridges. He was discharged September 22, 1864, at Indianap- olis, and returned home. He was mar- ried the same year to Elizabeth Clevenger, daughter of William and Jane (Smithton) Clevenger; her father being a native of Ohio and of Irish descent, and her mother a native

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of Indiana, and of Scotch descent. By this union there were born the following children: George T., born October 19, 1865; Rebecca, May 27, 1868; Margaret E., born October 19, 1870, deceased; Clara L., born March 16, 1873, wife of Schuyler Farlow; Mary G., born January 18, 1876; William, born February 20, 1881, deceased; and Ota J., born October 22, 1882.

After his marriage, Mr. Helm bought 110 acres of land, and began farming. He now owns 207 acres of well improved land, all of which has been acquired by money he earned himself. Mr. and Mrs. Helm are members of the Christian church. Socially, he is a mem- ber of the G. A. R., at Windsor. In politics, Mr. Helm is a republican, has held the office of township trustee for two years, and is now assessor. He is a self-made, intelligent man of high character, having the confidence of all who know him.

J OSEPH HEWITT is one of the success- ful farmers and respected citizens of Perry township, Delaware county, Ind., also is known as a brave and efficient soldier during the late war. Mr. Hewitt was born in Randolph county, Ind., April 1, 1843, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Putman) Hewitt, both natives of Ohio, of Irish descent. In 1841 Joseph Hewitt removed to Randolph county, Ind., where he bought 160 acres of land, and there he and wife spent their last days.

Joseph Hewitt was reared on the farm of his father and received a common school edu- cation. When President Lincoln issued his call for troops in 1861, he was one of the brave men who responded to the call. He enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Indiana volunteers and went into camp at Richmond, Ind., from there being sent to Louisville, Ky., thence with his

regiment to Fort Donelson, in the great battle of which he bore a gallant part. He passed through the war uninjured, but took part in all of the engagements of the regiment until he was mustered out, September 2, 186z, at In- dianapolis. Mr. Hewitt was married June 19, 1864, to Miss Louisa Stump, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Kesler) Stump, natives of Virginia and Ohio, of German and English de- scent. Mrs. Hewitt is one of eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt reared the following family: Morton, born January 6, 1866; Anna E., born January 25, 1868; Martha E., born February 9, 1870, the wife of William Lindsley; Clinton R., born December 4, 1872; Bessie J., born October 1, 1875; Mary L., born October 8, 1877; Lula G., born October 27, 1879; Gola, born January 2, 1882, and Blaine, born March 26, 1885, who died December 5, 1886. Since his marriage, Mr. Hewitt has lived in Perry township, where he engages in farming. For many years he voted the repub- lican ticket, but in 1892, desiring a change, he voted with the people's party. Mr. Hewitt is a kind father and a good husband, and one of the best of neighbors. He is universally re- spected in his neighborhood and belongs to that large and respectable class of people who, in a quiet and unassuming way, do so much for the moral and social advancement of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt have re- cently become members of the Methodist Epis- copal church.

R OBERT HINDMAN, one of the pio- neers of Delaware county and a man who has made his record for indus- try, hard work, perseverance and in- tegrity, was born in Ohio, May 10, 1808, a son of Samuel and Isabella (Hamilton) Hind- man, both natives of Pennsylvania, the

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former of Irish and the latter of Scotch birth. Samuel Hindman moved from Pennsylvania to Kentucky and learned the trade of weaver, which he followed all of his life, also engaging in farming in connection with his chosen call- ing. He reared a family of eleven children.

Robert Hindman was reared a farmer and assisted his father in his work. At that time there were few schools, and young Robert had but limited educational advantages. After he had reached maturity and had gone out from under the parental roof, he worked for a time at various kinds of labor, earning money and living uprightly. When he began to desire a home of his own, he married Miss Rosanna Murry, daughter of William and Mary (Boles) Murry, both of them natives of Pennsylvania, of English descent. After two years of mar- ried life in Wayne county, Mr. Hindman de- cided to become a farmer for the remainder of his life, and for the purpose of obtaining land, he immigrated to Indiana and located in the woods, in Delaware county, entering eighty acres and purchasing forty, there being just enough of the eighty acre farm cleared to ena- ble a log cabin to be erected upon it.

Mr. and Mrs. Hindman have reared a fam- ily of eight children, as follows: Samuel; Cyn- thia, the wife of Samuel Hackman; Fremont, and Florence, the wife of David Brooks; all the rest are deceased. The family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church, to which Mr. Hindman has contributed liberally of his means and to which he lends his influence. Politically, he is a stanch republican, and gave his first presidential vote for John Quincy Adams. He is one of the oldest and most respected of the good citizens of the township, and a representative farmer of Delaware county.

Robert Hindman and his wife have de- servedly won the esteem which they enjoy, and the children are also highly esteemed.

J AMES H. JACKSON. The following biography is written of one who has passed from the scenes of his earthly labors, but who has left behind him a record of an honest and industrious life, filled with kind deeds to those around him. James Jackson was born in Shelby county, Ohio, February 6, 1823, a son of Jesse and Mary Jackson, both natives of Virginia, and both of English birth. He emigrated from Ohio to Delaware county, Ind., in the year 1873, and located in Perry township, where he engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. He married De- cember 1, 1845, Miss Elizabeth West, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Mary (Benbow) West, both of whom were natives of South Carolina, of English descent. Mrs. Jackson was one of six children, and she became the mother of four, as follows: John B., born September 3, 1846; Edward D., born March 28, 1849; Elizabeth J., born February 11, 1853; the wife of Jacob H. Kilmore, of Henry county, and Emma C., born March 22, 1859; the wife of Mark Swear- engen.

After his marriage, Mr. Jackson located on his farm, and faithfully followed agricultural pursuits until he was called away by death, October 28, 1889. He was a man of excellent traits of character, kind, but just, and was a capable manager of his business. The fine farm of 184 acres of good land was earned by his own efforts, and he took great comfort in thinking how well he had provided for those dependent upon him. His remains lie in the peaceful cemetery at Mount Pleasant. Both he and his excellent wife, who still survives, were members of the United Brethren church, and were faithful in their attendance and support. Mr. Jackson always manifested the interest of a good citizen in the affairs of the nation, and voted with the republican party. He was in all respects a representative citizen, and his death was felt as a personal loss, not only by

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his immediate relatives, but by the people of his township, who had learned to respect him for his sterling worth and manly character.

3 OHN B. JACKSON. Delaware county, Ind., is noted not only for its fine farms, but also for its wide awake and progressive citizens, and many of these reside in Perry township. Among the latter may be named John B. Jackson, who was born in Delaware county, September 3, 1846, a son of James H. and Elizabeth (West) Jack- son, whose sketch precedes this.

John B. Jackson was the eldest of the family of four children, and lived with his parents until he was twenty-one, having at- tended the common schools during the winters, as was the custom of the boys of the time and neighborhood. When he was twenty-two he entered upon the life of school teacher, and successfully continued it for some time. Mr. Jackson was married July 2, 1870, to Miss Elizebeth J. Marshall, daughter of Miles and Elizabeth (Bell) Marshall, and by this union became the father of five children, as follows: Miles H., born December 12, 1871; Clyde E., born April 27, 1873, but was taken away Sep- tember 12, of the same year; Fatima L., born December 20, 1875, who now is one of the efficient teachers of Delaware county; Gola M., born April 9, 1877, and Eva E., born Novem- ber 16, 1881. After his marriage, Mr. Jack- son bought 100 acres of land and began the cultivation of it, giving up the teacher's pro- fession entirely. He is now the owner of 140 acres, which are under a high state of cultiva- tion, and he is considered one of the prosper- ous farmers of the community in which he resides. Socially, Mr. Jackson is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Whitney lodge, No. 229, at New Burlington. In his |

political opinions, he is a republican, and has efficiently filled the office of assessor of Perry township for five years, and is at present serving as trustee of the same. He possesses in a marked degree the respect of the com- munity and is justly entitled to a prominent place among the representative citizens of Perry township and Delaware county.

ILLIAM A. JORDAN .- Among the prosperous farmers of Perry town- ship stands William A. Jordan, who was born in Wayne county, Ind., November 9, 1826, and is the son of William and Mary (McClellen) Jordan. His ancestors came from Scotland in an early day and settled in Pennsylvania in 1800. William Jordan, father of William A., came from Penn- sylvania to Wayne county, Ind., and entered a tract of land and made a comfortable home there in 1810. He was also a soldier in the war of 1812. He then went back to Pennsyl- vania, and married Miss McClellen; and soon after returned with his bride to Indiana, to his farm. Here, through his industry, Mr. Jordan succeeded in accumulating considerable means, owning at one time a fine farm con- sisting of 400 acres, and a tract of 560 acres of valuable land in Wabash county. Mr. and and Mrs. Jordan reared a family of eleven chil- dren, as follows: George, John, Rachel, Rus- sell, deceased; Jane, deceased; Margaret, de- ceased; William A., James R., Smith, Eliza- beth A., deceased, and Nancy. The father of these chlidren died, at the age of eighty-six years, in 1878, and the mother in 1883. They were laid to rest in the Jordan cemetery, and were much mourned by their relatives and a large circle of friends.

William A. Jordan was reared on the farm and received a good education for those days,

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as he had the advantage of eighteen months of training in a graded school. He married, in 1847, Miss America Davidson, daughter of William and Mary (McSherley) Davidson, who were natives of Kentucky, of Scotch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan became the parents of twelve children: Viretta, wife of Dr. A. L. Murray, of Eaton, Francis M., a farmer; Mary C., wife of C. R. Howell; Harriet J., wife of J. L. Thornburg; Olive A., deceased; Webster, a farmer; John S .; Florence N., deceased; Clay, deceased; Carrie, wife of Fremont Gates; William, a farmer, and Volney M. After his marriage Mr. Jordan settled in Delaware county, and in 1847 purchased 140 acres of land, nearly all of which was covered with undergrowth, but by hard work and close economy he kept adding to his farm, and at the present time owns 640 acres of well improved land. In 1872 Mrs. Jordan was called to the land of departed spir- its, and now lies buried in the Blountsville cemetery. In 1873, Mr. Jordan was married to Miss Minerva Finch, daughter of John and Mary (Blount) Finch. Mrs. Minerva (Blount) Jordan was born in Randolph county, Ind , May 6, 1836, and daughter of John and Mary (Blount) Finch, who were of Scotch and Irish extraction and who were pioneers of this coun- ty, and the family located in or near Blounts- ville about 1810. His grandfather was in the war of 1812. Mr. Jordan and his wife are de- voted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his politics he is a republican and socially he is a member of the Good Templar lodge. He has served as justice of the peace for one term, and was also trustee for one term during the time the first school houses were being built in Perry township. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan are very highly respected and loved by all who know them, their walk through life having been such as to command the affection and esteem of their neighbors, as well as that of many outside the township.

EORGE W. KEESLING grew up in Delaware county, Ind., amid scenes of forest clearing, and at a time when the country was settling but slowly. He was born October 15, 1842, being the son of Martin and Corassa (Rees) Keesling, the father a native of West Virginia, and the mother of Ohio, and both of German descent. They were the parents of ten children, name- ly: Morris, deceased; Lewis; Sophia; an in- fant, deceased; Mary; Mahala; George; Lee, deceased; Henry C. and Stephen C., an in- fant, deceased. Martin Keesling came to Delaware county with a brother and sister, being comparatively poor, but he was a shrewd, hard working man, and owned at the time of his death 756 acres of land. He died in 1868, and his wife in 1880, both being buried in the Rees cemetery. George W. Keesling lived at home until he was eighteen years old, receiving the advantages of the dis- trict school, and at the age of nineteen enlist- ed in company G, Ninth Indiana cavalry, under Capt. J. R. Nasher, and went into camp at Nashville, Tenn. The first engage- ment he was in was at Lawrenceburg, Septem- ber 16, 1864; then at Florence, September 18, 1864; Pulaski, September 28, 1864; Franklin, December 17, 1864, and Little Harpeth, De- cember 17, 1864. He escaped injury, and was discharged at Vicksburg, August 18, 1865. He returned home and lived there until his marriage, which occurred February 28, 1867. His wife was Cora Cunningham, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Farmer) Cunningham, her father being a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Maryland. Cora was one of three children, two girls and a boy. Her father came from Virginia to Delaware county, Ind., in the year 1865. He now lives at Converse, where he is a general merchant.

By his marriage to Miss Cunningham, Mr. Keesling is the father of seven children,

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namely: Ella M., born June 16, 1868, de- ceased: Ida, born August 19, 1869, wife of Cormelias Swingly; Laura, born March 14, 1872, wife of William Jordan; George B., born July 4. 1874: Homer, born February 16, 1877, deceased; Clara, born November 7, 1881; and Hildrey, born December 7, 1889. After his marriage Mr. Keesling lived at the old place one year, and then bought 140 acres of land, to which he has added until he now owns 449 acres in Delaware county, beside 270 acres in York county, Pa. Mr. Keesling is a self made man, and well liked, being much respected by all who know him, and is a man of superior management, In politics he is a republican, and his influence, which is always exerted for that party, is considerable.

J OHN LINDSEY is a well-to-do and popular farmer of Delaware county, who was born in Wayne county, Ind., July 9, 1834, being the son of Thomas and Sarah (Finch) Lindsey. His parents are of Scotch-Irish descent, and in 1828 immi- grated to Delaware county, Ind. They were the parents of eleven children, namely: Mel- muth E., John, Sarah, William, Robert, Thomas, Clarence, Monroe and Matthew, the last four deceased; the remaining two died in infancy. The father of these children died in 1881, and five years later the mother also died, the two now resting in Blountsville cemetery. John Lindsey lived at home until he married, in 1853, Emma, daughter of Samuel B. and Mary (Truitt) Clevenger. By this marriage eight children were born, namely: Francis M., Thomas C., James M., Laura, wife of Charles Hegwood; Clara, wife of J. C. Thornburg; Ora, wife of Jonathan Jefferson; Martha, wife of C. Clevenger, and Allie, wife of Walter Thornburg. After Mr. Lindsey

married he bought forty acres of land, lived on it for seven years; then sold it and bought eighty acres in Delaware county. In 1864 he sold the property and went to Parker, where he engaged in general merchandise for two years; then went to Blountsville and followed the same business for one year. Then he re- turned to farming, buying 120 acres, and later, eighty more. In the meantime he had gone security for Henry Jacobs and Ben Evans, and had to pay the whole amount, being com- pelled to sell his land, and it took all his money. Mr. Lindsey would not be cast down, but borrowed the money to buy 175 acres of land, paying ten per cent interest four years; later, he bought eighty acres more, and now owns 389 acres in all. He has bought and shipped stock, together with farming, for the past thirty-five years. In the year 1880 his wife died, and in 1882 he again married, his second wife being Sarah, daughter of John and Mary (Burnside) Sivvee. By this mar- riage are two living children-Corwin and Ethel. In politics Mr. Lindsey is a republi- can and very strong in that faith.

ARY H. McCORMICK .- Among the large and well cultivated farms of Delaware county, Ind., here and there may be found smaller ones, just as carefully managed and just as product- ive, according to size, and upon one of these pleasant tracts, of fifty-two acres, in Perry township, resides the lady for whom the fol- lowing sketch is prepared.

The birth of Miss McCormick took place in a state which has, in times past, produced many brave and self reliant women. She en- tered the world, April 15, 1836, in Bedford county, Pa., a daughter of James and Eliza- beth (Langham) McCormick, both of whom

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were natives of the Keystone state, the former of Irish and the latter of German extraction. In 1839, Mr. and Mrs. McCormick immigrated to Fayette county, Ind., where Mrs. McCor- mick died, after which the father brought his children to Delaware county. In 1841, Mr. McCormick was also removed by death, leav- ing three orphan children, Mary H. being the eldest, and at that time but five years of age. She was taken by her grandmother, and lived with the latter until, at the age of ten, she was bereft of this natural guardian. The next five years were spent in the family of a Mr. Hoover, but at that time she undertook the care of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Halstead, and faithfully per- formed a daughter's part to them until their respective deaths. Miss McCormick, in her life, has displayed those qualities which make successful the lives of the hospital nurses, those noble women who smooth so many dying beds and show tenderness and care to those who have none other to care for them. Pa- tience, tenderness, piety, industry and econ- omy are necessary qualities to one who can take up such a burden. That the ministra- tions of Miss McCormick were appreciated, was shown by a bequest of $1,800, at the time of the death of her employers. With this money she wisely invested in land adjoin- ing the Halstead estate, and has lived here, her own mistress, ever since. The biographer is not informed concerning Miss McCormick's attitude on the question of woman's rights, but she has shown by her life that she has not preferred marriage, and has sufficiently proved by her efficient management of her affairs that she has needed no male directing hand. She has one sister, the widow of Joseph Runkle. For thirty-six years she has been an active and valued member of the Christian church. Few ladies, indeed, have exhibited as much self reliance as Miss McCormick, and none, certainly, deserve higher commendation.

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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 79

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