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 80

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 80
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 80

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).

ILES MARSHALL .- In considering the progress made by any section of country, the thoughtful person will ask concerning those who have passed away, as well as of those who still car- ry on the affairs of life and enjoy its honors. The past has made the present what it is. One of those who for many years lived among the residents of Perry township, Delaware county, Ind., and whose life commanded the highest regard and confidence, is represented by the name with which this sketch is opened. Miles Marshall was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1811, and in 1836 immigrated to Delaware county, Ind., bringing with him his wife and infant. He had been married in 1834 to Miss Elizabeth Bell, daughter of James and Margaret (Blare) Bell, and ten children were born of this union, eight of whom yet live. The record is as follows: Thomas B., born August 27, 1835; Margaret A., born November 15, 1837; Reuben, born April 9, 1840; Hannah, born April 11, 1842, the wife of Henry Temple; Jacob W., born August zo, 1847, deceased; William H .; Eliz- abeth J., born March 9, 1850, the wife of John B. Jackson; Rebecca E., born May 3, 1853, the wife of Albert Offterdinger; Miles H., born February 15, 1856, and John B., born March 18, 1860.

Mr. Marshall spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and attended the neighbor- hood schools at intervals during his minority. His early life was attended with obscurity, but he lived to become one of the most prominent and successful men of Perry township, and at one time was the owner of 320 acres of land. At present his widow owns eighty acres and resides with a daughter. Mr. Marshall pos- sessed a mind of a judicial cast, and the con- fidence of the whole neighborhood was reposed in him. He was called upon continually to assist in the settlement of estates, and as a

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man of excellent judgment he could not be ex- celled. Politically, he was a republican for many years, but at the time of the second term of President Grant he became a demo- crat, and so continued all his life. He was a man of many good qualities of mind and heart and was much lamented by the people of the community, who had learned to esteem him for his many sterling qualities of manhood.

A UGUST OFFTERDINGER, deceased. As the name of the subject of this mention indicates, he was born in Germany and inherited, in a great measure, those qualities which have made his race respected and independent in whatever part of the world their fortunes may have placed them. His birth occurred January 7, 1811, a son of Gottleib and Frederica (Helfrie) Offterdinger, both natives of Germany, who spent their whole lives in the Fatherland. Mr. Offterdinger grew to manhood in his native country, and at the age of twenty years crossed the Atlantic and located in the state of Penn- sylvania, remaining there one year, and then coming to the state of Indiana and settling in Wayne county in 1832. He had learned the trade of tanner in his native country with his father, and after coming to Wayne county en- gaged in his chosen calling for Jacob Sinks until 1836. At that date he married Hannah Mendenhall, daughter of Isaiah and Christiana (Clark) Mendenhall, both natives of North Carolina, of English descent. Mrs. Offter- dinger was one of a family of ten children, and her birth took place January 16, 1818. She has but one sister living, Margaret, born in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Offterdinger reared a family of twelve children, as follows: Gottleib, born July 12, 1837, deceased; Theresa B., born November 26, 1838, deceased; Christina

M., born April 4, 1841, the wife of Samuel Parks; Sarah A., born February 5, 1843, de- ceased; Caroline, born August 1, 1844, the wife of David Doubty; Amanda, born Septem- ber 23, 1846, wife of David Waller; Mary J., born December 6, 1848, deceased; Franklin B., born January 12, 1851, deceased; Albert M., born August 17, 1853; Luther J., born August 5, 1855; John, born December 7, 1857, and Julia E., born March 9, 1860, the wife of Horace Marshall, deceased.

After marriage Mr. Offterdinger lived in Wayne county for five years, and then removed to Delaware county in 1842. In the latter county he engaged in farming, buying a small tract of land to begin with, and by industry and economy, accumulated from time to time, until at the time of his death he owned 696 acres of fine land. He received but a small amount of assistance from his home, never speculated, but made his money honestly, and by the dint of hard work and German thrift. His parents were members of the Lutheran church, and in that belief he was brought up, although he never united with any denomina- tion in America. For many years he was a republican, but at the time of the second can- vas of Gen. Grant, he became an independent, holding that position until his decease. He was one of the solid farmers and good citizens of the township, and left many friends behind.

S AMUEL PARKS .- The name which opens this sketch has been a familiar one to the residents of Perry town- ship, Delaware county, Ind., for many years, and the original is known to be one of the best citizens and most prosperous farmers of the township. Although at present an invalid, having been prostrated in July, 1892, with a stroke of paralysis, he still views

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life cheerfully from his comfortable sick room and takes an interest in all that goes on about him. He was born May 8, 1845, in the state of Virginia, a son of Amos and Sarah (Sikes) Parks, both natives of North Carolina, of Irish ancestry. Amos Parks died in the Old North state in 1888, but Mrs. Sarah Parks is still living there. Samuel was one of seven children and had no educational advantages, but by the ex- ercise of his strong mind he partially educated himself and became a good business man. In 1868 he was married to Miss Matilda Offter- dinger, daughter of August and Hannah (Men- denhall) Offterdinger, whose sketch appears in another part of this volume. Although no children have been born to this union, Mr. and Mrs. Parks have taken an adopted daugh- ter to their hearts and home. The illness of Mr. Parks interfered with his active life, he having been president of one of the gas well companies in this township. He is a member of the Masonic order, connected with lodge No. 331, located at Blountville. Politically Mr. Parks is aª prohibitionist, and he and wife are both members of the Methodist church. He has a fine farm of ninety-four acres, a beautiful home and a most excellent surround- ings, with every convenience for thorough farming. He and his wife are much eeteemed in the neighborhood.

BNER H. RATCLIFF, one of the the honored ex-soldiers and promi- nent farmers of Perry township, Del- aware county, Ind., was born in Clinton county, Ohio, April 23, 1846, a son of Nathan and Phebe (Hayworth) Ratcliff, both natives of Ohio, of English descent. Their removal to Howard county, Ind., took place in 1850; and they became the parents of seven children, Abner H. being third in order of birth.

In 1856, the mother of Abner H. died, and some four years later his father married Naomi White, who departed this life in 1892.

Abner Ratcliff lived at home, with his parents, until his enlistment in the army, in the late war, when he entered the Eleventh Indiana cavalry, in company L, under Capt. Lindsey, going into camp at Kokomo, Ind., and then at Camp Carrington, and then at Nashville, Tenn., in 1864. He continued with his regiment during the remainder of the war, except a few months, when he was within the walls of the hospital, and received his dis- charge May 23, 1865. He was at the battles of Franklin, Tenn., and at Spring Hill; also at the battle of Nashville and many minor skir- mishes.

After the war he returned home and worked in a saw mill and did some farm work until April 10, 1871, when he mar- ried. His wife was Miss Hannah E. Cof- fin, daughter of Francis, born March 11, 1798, and Susanna, born June 16, 1805 (Stanton) Coffin, the father a native of North Carolina, and the mother of Virginia. Mrs. Ratcliff was born, where she now lives, July 22, 1841, her parents having settled in Perry township in 1834. Mrs. Ratcliff is one of a family of twelve children. Her parents have both passed away, the mother in 1885, and the father in 1850. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ratcliff have become the parents of three children-Sarah E., born January 27, 1872; Frances O., born March 27, 1874; and Ada S., born April 15, 1878.

Mr. Ratcliff owns 100 acres of well im- proved land in Perry township, and has a pleasant home. He and wife are members of the Christian church, in which thay take a deep interest, and for whose prosperity they cheerfully labor. He is on of the esteemed members of the G. A. R. Abram D. Sholty post, No. 73, at Windsor, and the republican

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party, in its declarations, embodies the politi- cal doctrines to which he subscribes. He is no office holder, never desiring any recogni- tion, preferring to give his entire atttention to his farming interests. To the credit of Mr. Ratcliff, be it said he has made his own way in life, as far as receiving any aid from his an- cestors may be concerned. To him and wife belongs the credit of their success. The parents of Mrs. Ratcliff were of English de- scent. Her father was a whig. In addition to being a farmer he was a harness maker by trade.

J OHN N. REECE, a well known and popular citizen of Delaware county, was born in the state of Delaware, August 28, 1809, being the son of John and Susanna (Hogner) Reece. His father was a native of Delaware state, and of Welsh de- scent; his mother was a native of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. They were the parents of seven children, of whom John N. is the only survivor. The latter had no advan- tages of schooling, because the district schools of his time were few and far between. John N. Reece was married, in 1834, to Catherine Meyers, daughter of Jonathan and Margaret Meyers, her father being a native of Maryland, and her mother of New Jersey, and both of German descent.

John N. Reece and his wife are the parents of the following children: Susanna, born November 3, 1834, wife of J. S. Fetter; Louis C., born June 25, 1836; Margaret, born May 11, 1838, deceased; Elmer, born May 6, 1840; Elizabeth, born August 27, 1842, deceased; Mary J., born February 9, 1845, deceased; Thomas C,, born July 29, 1847; Sarah, born August 28, 1849, deceased; Solon, born Octo- ber 3, 1853; twins, died in infancy; Catherine, born May 6, 1858; William W., born January

12, 1861. After Mr. Reece had married he lived in Pennsylvania for ten years; then re- moved to Randolph county, Ind., in 1844; in 1854 he located in Delaware county, Ind., where he bought seventy-four acres of land. His wife was an invalid for a period of three years prior to her death, which occurred Octo- ber 28, 1885. In politics Mr. Reece is an in- dependent, voting for those who, in his judg- ment, will make the best officers.

J ACOB H. REES, an honored and prominent citizen, an ex-soldier of the late war and a well known farmer of Perry township, was born in Delaware county, Ind., November 5, 1840, son of John and Martha (Powers) Rees, both natives of Virginia, of Welsh descent. These parents came to Delaware county, Ind., in 1827, and entered 160 acres of land and erected a log cabin in the wilderness. A family of eleven children grew up around them, six of whom lived to be heads of families, five of whom are yet living. Mr. Rees died in 1864, and his wife in 1876, and both are lying in the Powers cemetery.

Jacob H. Rees was reared on the old home place and attended the neighborhood school for about three months in the year. He en- listed, in 1864, in company G, Ninth Indiana cavalry, and immediately thereafter went into camp at Richmond, Ind., but was soon sent with his command to Nashville, Tenn. His first engagement was at Franklin, from which place the regiment was driven back to Nash- ville, and from there pursued Hood's army to Athens, Ala., where it went into winter quar- ters near Sulphur Springs. From the latter place the regiment marched to Vicksburg, thence to Nashville, and later to Port Gibson, where Mr. Rees was taken sick and was sent

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on to Vicksburg to the hospital, where he was obliged to remain until mustered out August 27, 1865, going to Indianapolis, where he received his honorable discharge September 10, 1865. In 1874, Mr. Rees was married to Miss Elizabeth Conwell, the daughter of George and Mary (Messick) Conwell, both na- tives of the state of Delaware, the former of Irish descent and the latter of Welsh. Mrs. Rees is one of twelve children. Mr. and Mrs. Rees have two children, William E., born July 17, 1875, and Mary A., born De- cember 1, 1885.

Choosing agriculture for his life work, Mr. Rees first located on an eighty acre tract of land, which he improved and farmed for six years, and then sold and bought his present place, consisting of 160 acres, it being the old homestead farm which his father purchased from the government. Fraternally, Mr. Rees is a member of the Whitney Masonic lodge at New Burlington, No. 229. Politically he is a republican, and bravely upholds the princi- ples for which he fought. Mrs. Rees' father was a gallant soldier, gave up his life on the Mississippi river, and was buried at Helena. His wife passed away in 1883.

J OHN REES .- Among the prominent business men of the thriving town of New Burlington, Ind., the gentleman for whom this sketch is prepared takes a foremost place. John Rees was born in Delaware county, Ind., July 13, 1826, a son of Louis and Polly Rees, both of whom were natives of Wales, who came to Ohio with their parents when children. They married in Ohio, and reared a family of ten children, as follows: David, Louis, Robert and John, liv- ing, and Gracie, Bowen, Morris, Mary A., Syd- ney and Bort, deceased.

John Rees grew up on the farm of his father and learned by experience the practical duties of agricultural life. After he became of age he farmed the old homestead for his father for five years. The place was large, and the family needs were great, so that John did not get as many school advantages as he would have liked. In 1849 he married Mary A. Rees, daughter of David and Sydney (Oldaker) Rees, both of whom were natives of Wayne county, Ind., of German descent. Mrs Rees' father was born February 5, 1804 and her mother, September 20, 1814. They had but two children, Levina, the wife of Borter Rees, and the wife of the subject of this biog- raphy, the sisters marrying brothers.

John Rees and wife reared a family of eight children: Adeline, born October 8, 1854, deceased; Corracy, born November 25, 1857, deceased; Louis D., born December 5, 1860; Wesley, born September 9, 1863, deceased; Levina E., born October 9, 1865; Mary E., born November 9, 1869; Aburtis, born June 8, 1873, and Gunda B., born December 2, 1878.

After his marriage, Mr. Rees lived on the old homestead for some time, and then sold to advantage and bought the place where he now lives, consisting of 600 acres of well improved land. He is one of the wealthiest farmers in Perry township, and possesses the real esteem of all, and none are better known for kindness of heart to those less fortunate than himself. Politically, he votes with the republicans, but has never been a partisan in the sense of seek- ing official honors, never having had any aspi- rations in that direction. Such men are the bone and sinew of a country and their places in a community are eminently honorable and exceedingly difficult to fill. Mr. Rees has been something of a traveler. In 1859 he went to Pike's Peak and engaged in mining there, being quite successful. He had a fire claim near Mound City and made as much as

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$40 per day, and did not regret his venture. He is uow a stock holder in some of the gas wells in this vicinity, and occupies no unim- portant position among the substantial and well-to-do citizens of Delaware county.

EZEKIAH SHUTTLEWORTH. - Among the well known names in Perry township, Delaware county, Ind., that of Mr. Shuttleworth will always be held in kind remembrance. He passed out of life in his prime, but relatives and friends will ever cherish for him feelings of the deepest affection, and long mourn his de- parture from among them. He was born in West Virginia in 1844, a son of Joshua and Mary J. (Marrand) Shuttleworth. He was twenty-one years of age when he came here. He had been in the army, during the late war, having enlisted when a mere lad of nineteen years, and never entirely recovered his health, which the hardships of army life had shattered.

Mr. Shuttleworth was reared on the farm, and at a time when he should have been ac- quiring an education, was obliged to labor, but he was of a quick intelligence, and experience taught him many lessons, making of him a man who could well attend to all of the busi- ness affairs of his life without asking aid of any one. It is not always a college education which makes of men successful citizens in a financial point of view. One of the wise and never regretted actions of his life was his mar- riage, in 1871, to the most estimable lady who still survives him. She was Miss Elizabeth Felton, a daughter of Elijah and Elvina (Clem- mond) Felton, and from this union the following family of interesting children were born: Mar- tha, Charles, Richard, Mary, Louis, Rosa, Alvina and Margaret. After marriage, Mr. Shuttleworth bought 180 acres of land and

engaged in farming, but later he traded this place for another of 102 acres, where he made improvements, and then exchanged again for another farm of 160 acres, each time bettering his condition financially. Had his life been spared he would no doubt have been one of the wealthiest men in the township, as he possessed good judgment and was not easily deceived in any business transaction. What he had, he earned by the exercise of thrift and hard labor. Mr. Shuttleworth died in 1891, from disease contracted while in the army, as above stated. Since his death, his wife has most efficiently managed the affairs of the farm, showing most excellent judgment and wise discretion. Both Mr. Shuttleworth and wife were consistent and valued member of the United Brethren church, and long will be the time before his prerence will cease to be missed in the sanctuary. He was a good cit- izen, took much interest in the success of the republican party, to which he belonged, and "was ever active in promoting the welfare of the community of which, for a number of years, he was such an honored and upright citizen.

ILLIAM THOMPSON. - The suc- cess that William Thompson has attained in life is due entirely to his own unaided efforts, as he was left an orphan at the tender age of five years. William Thompson was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, September 25, 1822, son of James and Margaret (Gary) Thompson, both parents natives of Wales. Mr. Thompson, Sr., served in the war of 1812 and died at the age of fifty-two years, leaving a family of nine children, of whom William was the youngest son. At the death of his father, the young boy went to live in the family of a resident of Coshocton, with whom he remained two

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years, at the end of which period he found a home with hiseldest sister. Here he remained until attaining his majority, during which time he enjoyed the advantage of twenty-seven days of school. When his twenty-first birth- day was passed, Mr. Thompson began work for a man by the name of Jacob Elliott, a farmer, agreeing to give his services for $7 a month. This agreement lasted for a year, at the end of which time his employer failed, and consequently Mr. Thompson never re- ceived a single cent for his labor. In 1843 he came to Indiana, and as he had greatly im- proved the knowledge gained in his three weeks' schooling by hard study at night, he began teaching school at Stringtown, in an old log cabin. All his school appliances were very primitive, the first writing lessons being given on the clap boards with a piece of char- coal. In spite of all the disadvantages under which both teacher and pupils labored, the instruction gained in that little school was thorough, as the young instructor put all the energy of an earnest nature into his work.

Mr. Thompson was married March 12, 1844, to Miss Elizabeth P. Drake, a daughter of Joel and Mary (Stewart) Drake, natives of Ohio and Virginia, both of Irish descent. Mrs. Thompson was an only child. Mr. Drake died in 1845, but his wife survived him until 1867. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson one child has been born, George O., whose birth occurred April 28, 1849. After marriage the young couple settled down on the farm where the ceremony was solem- nized, and have made it their home ever since. Religiously Mr. Thompson is connec- ted with the United Brethren church and has been the efficient superintendent of three Sun- day schools for as many successive years. Mrs. Thompson occupies a prominent place in the Methodist church. Politically Mr. Thompson is a stanch republican and is well

informed on all the leading topics of the day. He is a farmer who keeps fully abreast of the times and is a man who enjoys the respect and esteem of the entire community.

DWARD THORNBURG is a well- to-do farmer who was born in Guil- ford county, N. C., in 1807. He is the son of Isaac and Rebecca (Hud- son) Thornburg, both natives of the same state. The father was of Irish and the mother of Welsh descent. Isaac Thornburg came to Randolph county in 1831, bringing his family with him, and entering 320 acres of land, upon which he settled, and finally died in the year 1861. His remains are buried in the Hordshaw cemetery.

Edward Thornburg lived with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, and re- ceived no advantages of schooling whatsoever. He came to Randolph county in 1829 and worked at such employment as he could find, in order to earn a livelihood. Two years afterward, he was married to Susan Thorn- burg, daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Bales) Thornburg. This marriage proved a very fruitful one, there being thirteen children born, the names of the entire number being as fol- lows: Elizabeth J., born March 20, 1832, de- ceased; Rachel, born January 18, 1834, deceased; Margaret, born December 27, 1835; Mary, born December 12, 1837; Martha, April 11, 1840; Rebecca, July 11, 1842; Eliza- beth, August 5, 1844; Caroline, December 28, 1846; Isaac, May 20, 1848, deceased; Joseph M., October 21, 1850, deceased; John W., January 3, 1853; Sarah E., November 4, 1855, deceased; and George H., born April 13, 1859. After Mr. Thornburg married he entered 120 acres of land in a howling wilderness. This he improved, and has added to it until he now

DELAWARE COUNTY :

owns in all 340 acres of well cultivated land. On November 7, 1862, his wife died, and in 1863 he was married to Mrs. Lydia A. Petro, daughter of Jacob and Martha (Boyles) Nevil, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg are faith- ful members of the Christian church. He is a republican, and prior to the birth of this party he was a whig, and cast his first vote for John Quincy Adams for president. Mr. Thornburg is a worthy and good citizen, and is much respected by all who know him.

3 OSEPH H. THORNBURG is a farmer of worth and influence in Perry town- ship, Delaware county, and is recog- nized as a man of energy and strong force of character. He was born in Clinton county, Ohio, April 17, 1831, being the son of Alexander and Malinda (Huskins) Thornburg. His father was a native of Ohio, and his mother of North Carolina, both being of English descent. They were the parents of two children only. Mrs. Malinda Thornburg died in 1834, and in 1836 Alexander Thorn- burg married a second time, his wife being Angeline Sullivan, by whom he had five chil- dren. The father was a farmer, and a very successful one, owning 300 acres of land at the time of his death, having previously divided a large part of his property among his children. This worthy man died in 1883, and was buried in the Union cemetery.

Joseph H. Thornburg was reared on his father's farm, and received a very limited edu- cation, the schools of that time holding very short terms, and being far apart. Beside, the farm work was so hard that it was pretty diffi- cult to get away from it. He was married, in 1854, to Hannah Cunningham, daughter of Samuel C., and she bore him four children,

namely: Francis M., William A., Elnora, and Sarah H. The mother of these children died in 1862, and in the following year he took Paulina Swearinger for his second wife, who bore him two children, namely: Emma, wife Eli Yockey, living at Muncie; and Irwin V. The second wife died, and in 1870 he married his third wife, Sarah W. Benbow, daughter of Edward and Susannah Benbow, by whom he had two children, namely: Jane, wife of Will- iam Knox; and Charles. The third wife died, leaving him a widower for the third time, and in 1872 he married his present wife, Sarah Thornburg, daughter of John and Eliza (Evans) Craig, her parents being natives of Ohio, and of English descent. There were three children by this marriage, Elnora, Sarah, and Burtice. As will be seen, Mr. Thornburg has lost several wives, and other misfortunes have befallen him, but he has courageously met them, and has the satisfaction of knowing that he has done his duty, and has now arrived at a point where he can take life easily. Mr. Thornburg owns 360 acres of fine land in Perry township, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He and his wife are devoted members of the Christian church. Mr. Thornburg is a member of the republican party, and supports its nomi- nees with much earnestness.

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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 80

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