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 85

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 85
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 85

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).

When David Babb died he left the widow and the children 540 acres of land, beside property in Eaton. This worthy man was a member of the Masonic order, in which society he took a great deal of interest. He was fre- quently elected to township offices, and always filled them with credit, having served as school director and supervisor for a number of terms. Mrs. Margaret Babb is, as was her husband, a member of the Christian church, and is greatly esteemed by everybody who knows her. She was Margaret Morris, being the daughter of Henry and Christina (Craw- ford) Morris, of German and French descent. Her marriage to Mr. Babb took place Septem- ber 17, 1837. Her parents were born and reared in Brown county, Ohio, where they lived for some time, and then went to Defiance county, Ohio. Her father died in 1839, and her mother in 1879, the latter being seventy- seven years old at her death. Both were buried in the cemetery at Defiance, having died in the faith in which they lived, the Christian church. Her father's brothers and sisters were: Martha, Mary, Elizabeth, Isaac, John, Elisha, Elijah, Andrew and James. The brothers and sisters of her mother were: James, Oliver, Hettie, Orphie, Susan, Jane, Sarah and Anna.

The parents of Elias S. Babb gave him and his brothers each eighty acres of land, or its equivalent. The mother sold forty acres of land last fall to the Eaton Land company for $5,000, retaining forty acres for herself. The remainder of the large property had been divided among the children after her husband's death. The entire family is much respected by all who know them. Elias S., takes a great deal of interest in politics, and is always found on the republican side, doing his duty by that party. Elias S. Babb was married January 9, 1879, to Mary C., daughter of Tingly S. Morris, and by this union there were five children, namely: Minnie M., de- ceased; David H., Charles H., deceased; Myrtie F. and Emma Zetta. Mr. Babb and his wife are highly respected member of the Christian church. They are very industrious, and much esteemed by everybody. Before his marriage, and after he had grown up, Mr. Babb went west, where he worked on a farm for four years, and also followed the trade of a butcher for some time; then went into the mines and worked, being gone altogether about eight years, and spending his time in the neighborhood of Loveland, Colo. Having had a surfeit of western life, he came back and settled down on the farm of seventy- seven acres, which his father had generously given him.

O SCAR L. BARTLETT .- Among the prominent business men of Eaton, Union township, is Oscar L. Bartlett, who was born in Albany, Delaware county, April 22, 1865, a son of W. T. Bart- lett, mention of whom may be found elsewhere in these volume. Mr. Bartlett was reared on the farm until he had reached his majority and then engaged in farming for himself, which occupation he continued until he engaged in

765

UNION TOWNSHIP.

his present successful undertaking in the vil- lage of Eaton. In 1890, in connection with B. F. Houseman, he established the business of manufacturing hoops and spokes in Albany and Eaton, and at the present time the out- put of the factory is the enormous number of 20,000 yearly. This plant has become widely known for the excellence of the work done and is well patronized. In March, 1893, Mr. Bartlett purchased the interest of his partner, and has since conducted the business on his sole account.

Mr. Bartlet was married February 15, 1887, in Eaton, to Miss Lola, daughter of David Brandt, of Eaton, and one child has been born, September 22, 1891, and has been named Lerlie. Mr. Bartlett believes that the democratic party advocates those measures which will best govern this great country, hence he always votes with that organization. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic order and is much esteemed in his place of resi- dence. He is one of the representative busi- ness men of the town in which he resides and enjoys the confidence and esteem of a large and influential circle of friends throughout Delaware and adjacent counties.

0 AVID BRANDT .- Although the town of Eaton, Ind., is but a small part of the county of Delaware, it has more than its portion of successful busi- ness men, and among these the gentleman for whom this sketch is written is well and favor- ably known. Mr. Brandt was born in Fair- field county, Ohio, July 3, 1815, a son of David and Martha (Hamilton) Brandt. The father was born in Mechanicsburg, Pa., October 22, 1876, the mother near Shippensburgh, the same state, July 27, 1875. David Brandt, Sr., lost his wife July 17, 1847, and he sur-

vived her about two years. They were the parents of thirteen children, as follows: Adam, Barbara, Eve, Francis, Mary, John, George, David, Ruth, Samuel, Jacob, Martin, and Isaac, all of whom passed away except David and Isaac, the last named being the present post master at Des Moines, Iowa. During early life, David Brandt, Sr., was a school teacher, also was engaged in the making of saddles, and carried on farming at the same time. He was a Dunkard in his religious faith, and a very conscientious and moral man. His declaration to his sons that he would leave them a legacy of an unblemished life, was carried out, and is now recalled with pride by the survivors. Early in life he was a whig, but at the formation of the republican party he attached himself to that faith, and so con- tinued until his death. Mrs. Martha Brandt was a member of the Presbyterian church, a good and pious woman. When seventy-eight years of age Mr. Brandt moved to De Kalb county, Ind., and took charge of the post office, and attended to his official duties until within two weeks of his death.

David Brandt, Jr., was reared to manhood in Fairfield county, Ohio, and there learned the shoemaker trade, in which he was engaged until 1840. He left Ohio February 17, of that year, and located in Cass county, Ind., where he was engaged in the manufacture of shoes until May 15, 1842, when he came to Delaware county, locating in Union township, where he followed the shoe business, moving in 1851 to the town of Eaton, with the com- mercial interests of which he has since been prominently identified. He has now a very prosperous business, owning a dry goods store, and also dealing in boots and shoes. Mr. Brandt has seen the country grow from a wilderness to its present advanced state of civilization. When he came, it was an almost unbroken forest and the location where his

766

DELAWARE COUNTY :

business house now stands was covered with brambles. He can relate, in the most inter- esting manner, tales of those early times when all settlers stood upon the same social plane, and good feeling and hospitality were uni- versal. During his long residence here he has seen the changes, many for the better, but a few not so much so. At one time Mr. Brandt owned 400 acres of land, but he has sold all but eighty, in this township. He married in this county, October 22, 1842, Miss Jane Long, born in Clinton county, Ohio, a daugh- ter of Robert and Jane (Woodruff) Long, na- tives of Kentucky, of Irish ancestry. Six children were born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Brandt, as follows: John, who gave up his life for his country. He entered the Sixty- fourth regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry, September 20, 1863, and died January 12, 1864, in Chattanooga hospital, No. 4: Robert, a merchant of Eaton; Martha, wife of Daniel Endee, the secretary of the Glass works; Alice, the wife of Mitchell Neff; Wayman, deceased and Elmira, the wife of James Long, a farmer of Nebraska. Mrs. Brandt died April 15, 1861, and her remains lie in the cemetery at Eaton. She was a consistent member of the Disciples church. Mr. Brandt married April 17, 1862, Mrs. Susan Sabin, who was born near Germantown, Mongomery county, Ohio, August 27, 1827, a daughter of Beniah and Sarah (Shafer) Eshtenfelder, of German extraction. To this marriage six children were born, as follows: an infant, de- ceased: Louise, wife of R. C. Peterson; Willie, clerk for his father: Viola, wife of Oscar Bartlett, a hoop manufacturer, and Chloe and Gertrude, deceased. For more than forty years Mr. and Mrs. Brandt have been members of the Christian church, he being the only one now left of the original or- ganizers of the church in this locality. Polit- ically he is a republican, voted for William

Henry Harrison in 1836, and in 1892 voted for Benjamin Harrison. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order and is one of the best citizens of the county.

ILLIAM COX is a highly respected citizen of Union township, Dela- ware connty, and was born in Preble county, Ohio, December 7, 1832, being the son of Isaac B. and Mary (Helm) Cox, both of English descent. His father went from Maryland to Tennessee when eighteen years old and was married while living in the latter state. He then went to Ohio and re- mained for five years, when he came to Dela- ware county, Ind., and settled upon the farm which he now owns. With haste he built his log cabin and removed into it when it had neither floor nor door. After a number of years he split his flooring out of blue ash and hewed it down. This humble house was his home for twenty-five years, when he built the com- fortable home his son, William, now lives in, the same being sided up with pebble-dash sid- ing. Here he spent the remainder of his days and passed away in the fall of 1870.

The names of the brothers and sisters of William Cox are : Sarah, wife of Robert Lan- sing; Caroline, wife of J. C. Long; Nancy, wife of William Adsit; Joanna, wife of Isaac Sleeth; Eliza, wife of Dr. Helm-William being the youngest of the family. When William Cox was twenty-two he went to Minnesota, where he remained one year, and then returned home, his mother dying soon after, in 1854. Again leaving home he went to the Rocky mountains, at Gold Run, Colo., and worked in the mines for four years, being very success- ful and.making enough to buy the farm upon which he lives, then consisting of eighty acres. Subsequently he bought the farm of his father, consisting of 200 acres.

767

UNION TOWNSHIP.

William Cox was married, December 10, 1865, to America Long, daughter of William and Anna (McLaughlin) Long, of English and Scotch descent, respectively. The parents of Mrs. Cox came from Clinton county, Ohio, at an early day and settled in Delaware county, Ind., on what is known as the William Props farm. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Cox are: Lucetta, wife of Joseph Hinton; John W., a farmer; Martha J., wife of John Morris; and Mary, wife of John Pilkey-Mrs. Cox being the second child. After his marriage, Mr. Cox settled upon the farm where he now lives, a splendid tract, consisting of 306 acres, finely improved. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are the parents of five children, namely: Charles V., a farmer; Anna, wife of Ezra Armstrong; John, a farm- er; Frank, and Jennie Fern.

When Isaac B. Cox settled here there were no roads between this point and Muncie, and game of all kinds abounded. During a period of thirty-five years of their married life Mr. and Mrs. Cox had no cook stove, and the father worked with a wooden plow, and cut his grain and grass with a sickle and other old- fashioned tools and implements. Once a year these parents made a trip to Ohio for flour, salt and coffee, and hauled it home in a wagon drawn by oxen. The first wheat grown in this section was called "sick," and could not be eaten. Mrs. Cox is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is highly esteemed in that body and also by all who know her. Mr. Cox is a member of the Masonic order and is much esteemed for his active interest in that society. He is a repub- lican, having cast his first vote for Fremont and his last for Harrison.

It will be seen that the Cox family are of pioneer stock, and that the township is some- what indebted to them for its splendid present development, and the present generation is not at all behind in continuing the good work.

EORGE W. DUKE is a successful farmer of Union township, who was born in North Carolina, May 22, 1820, being the son of James and Catherine (Reece) Duke, natives of Virginia. James Duke went from Virginia to North Carolina after he was married, and was over- seer for Capt. Williams on a slave plantation for four years. He then removed to Henry county, Ind., where he entered 120 acres of land, cleared the same, and after a life of toil died in 1873, and was buried in the Canada cemetery in Henry county, where his mother was buried in 1833. To James and Cathe e Duke were born the following chil George W .; John, living in California; Ed- ward, a farmer; William, an invalid; and James, a laborer.

George W. Duke left home when a lad of sixteen, and worked by the month for three or four years, after which he went into the business of buying stock, and continued at that for twenty-five years. He was married in the year 1847 to Jane, daughter of William and Hannah Smith, her parents being of Irish and German descent, respectively. The peo- ple of Mrs. Duke all lived in Virginia, and in the year 1870 came to Henry county, Ind., and spent the remainder of their days. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Duke, are: Carl- son, a grocer; Myer, a farmer; Emeline, wife of Myer Bell; and Minerva, wife of Miles Pierce.

George W. Duke first settled upon a farm of 160 acres in Henry county, and lived there the twenty-five years he was dealing in stock. From that point he came to Delaware county, Ind., and lived near Selma for four years on a farm; then moved upon a farm west of Mun- cie, resided there four years, after which he bought the farm of 120 acres, in 1882, upon which he now lives. His children by his mar- riage to Jane Smith were ten in number,

768

DELAWARE COUNTY :

namely: William, hotel keeper in Danville; John, a barber in Missouri; Martha, wife of George Koons; James, a liveryman in Eaton; Morrison, a cattle dealer in Texas; Joseph, a farmer in Illinois; Scott, a farmer; George, de- ceased: Newton, a locomotive engineer, and Luther, restaurant keeper in Missouri. The mother of this large and interesting family died in Henry county in 1873 and was buried there. Mr. Duke remained there a short time and then married Sarah, daughter of Wilson and Sarah (Dixon) Wisehart, both of German ex- traction. The people of the second Mrs. Duke went from Virginia to Tennessee; lived there for several years, and then went to Henry county, Ind., where they lived upon a farm. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Duke, namely, Josie. Mr. Duke and his wife are members of the Christian church, and are very much esteemed by all who know them. Mr. Duke has given up buying and selling stock, and devotes his entire time to the management of his farm.

I SAAC G. GOODRICK is widely known throughout Union township, and the adjacent country, and is highly re- spected, being a farmer of industrious habits and correct life. He was born in Ohio, was reared on a farm, and married at the age of twenty-six to Martha, daughter of John and Asenath (Greenleaf) Murphy, her father being a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Virginia. The parents of Mrs. Goodrick came to Delaware county, Ind., first settling near Smithfield, in Liberty township, and then re- moving to Albany, where they spent the re- mainder of their days, the father dying Janu- ary 5, 1885, and the mother September 5, 1872. A fine monument marks their resting place in Bethel cemetery. The brothers and sisters of Mrs Goodrick are Samuel B., a

farmer; Maria, wife of Joseph Blakely, and a half-brother, Abram R., a farmer.

Isaac G. Goodrick first settled on a farm near Albany, where he lived two years, and then removed to the Reesling farm, near Smithfield, where he lived three years. At this time he bought eighty acres near his pres- ent farm, and lived there sixteen years; then, selling out, he bought his present farm, con- sisting of 1113 acres, where he has lived for the past eighteen years. The children by our subject's marriage are seven in number, name- ly: Thomas W., a farmer; Albert L., de- ceased; Walter A., a teacher; John N., de- ceased; Emma O., Mary M., wife of Riley Garrard, and Josie L. The parents and chil- dren are members of the Christian church, and are highly respected by all who know them. The children have received a good common school education, and are occupying worthy and useful positions in the community in which they live. Mr. Goodrick is a republi- can, and cast his first vote for Fremont.

S AMUEL J. HARTLE, was born in Miami county, Ohio, December 26, 1851, being the son of Andrew and Anna (Petersiamee) Hartle. The father was born in Pennsylvania, and his father came to Ohio when his son was but ten years old, bringing him with the family. Mrs. Anna Hartle came from Germany with her parents when she was but ten years old. They settled in Miami county, Ohio, where she, like her husband, grew to maturity. There they were married and lived until 1882, when they came to Union township, Delaware county, Ind., where they live upon a well improved farm of eighty acres. The family comprised the follow- ing brothers and sisters: Jacob, John, and Andrew, farmers; Peter, a carpenter; Samuel

769

UNION TOWNSHIP.

and James, farmers; Barbara, wife of Jacob Baker; Hester, wife of Mahlon Martin, Fannie, wife of Zachariah Tobias, and India, wife of Isaac Tobias. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Anna Hartle are, Adam, Henry, and Martin, farmers; Christena, the wife of C. Smith; Harriet, wife of John Hartle; and Mary, the wife of Dr. Lingen. Samuel J. Hartle has no brother, but four sisters: India, Sarah, wife of Henry McDowell; Cassie, wife of Charles Carpenter, and Mina, wife of Levi Hayworth. After Samuel J. was of age he remained on the farm until two years before he was married, and these two years his sister kept house for him. In 1875, February II, he was married to Hester, daughter of Wilson J. and Nancy Johnson. Her parents were of English descent, and lived near Cincinnati for a number of years; they moved to Champaign county, Ohio, where they bought land, and lived the remainder of their days, the father dying in 1892, and the mother in 1872, both being buried in Honey Creek cemetery in that county. The father of Mrs. Hartle had one brother, Samuel. After his marriage, Samuel J. rented his uncle's farm for four years, and then moved in with his father, and has farmed his place ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Hartle are the parents of six children, namely: Mahlon, Emma, Charles, Wesley, Martin, Willie and Onie Maud. The family are members of the German Reformed church, and are held very high in esteem by all who know them. Mr. Hartle is a democrat in politics.

J AMES M. MOTSENBOCKER .-- The following biography concerns one of the members of a popular and success- ful business firm of the town of Eaton, Ind., a gentleman of many talents and a fine character. Mr. Motsenbocker was born in

Marion county, Ind., December 30, 1856, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Draper) Motsen- bocker. The father was born in Crittenden county, Ky., and was left an orphan at an early age, but when eighteen years old he came to Indiana and located in Marion coun- ty, where he followed his trade of coopering until the close of the late war, and then en- gaged in farming in Boone county, following the same in connection with coopering, at Zionsville. In 1869 he removed to Grant county, and there engaged in farming until the fall of 1877, when he removed to Kentucky, where he decided to remain two years, at the end of which time he removed to Arkansas, where he and wife remained until his death, in 1881, she surviving him one year.

Samuel Motsenbocker was of a roving dis- positioc, but was a good man, and never will- ingly injured any one. The political party to which he held allegiance was the republican, and he took much interest in the affairs of the nation. Mrs. Motsenbocker was a member of the Disciples of Christ church and died in that faith. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, as follows: Surilda, the wife of Joseph Cluster, of Arkansas; James M., our subject; Elias, of this place; Mary C, of Kansas; Leander M., Delos S., and Nancy A., all three deceased, and Sylvester L., of this place.

James M. Motsenbocker was reared in Grant county until he was about sixteen years of age. For three years he worked for an uncle near Indianapolis and thus assisted his father, and later attended school in winter and worked during the summer until he had ac- quired a good common school education. He was a lad of more than ordinary intelligence and ability, and was possessed of a desire for a thorough education. For five weeks he at- tended school at Charlottesville, Ind., and upon his return to Grant county obtained a certificate, enabling him to teach school,

770

DELAWARE COUNTY :

which he did for six months. In the winter of 1875 he thus taught, and in the following sum- mer studied telegraphy at the business college at Indianapolis, but this term lasted only six weeks, and, having an opportunity, he taught during the following winter in Grant county and the next summer attended two terms of school at Lebanon, Ohio. The follow- ing winter, Mr. Motsenbocker taught in Ma- rion county, Ind., and when his school was out attended one term at Terre Haute, follow- ing this with one terin more of teaching in Marion county, and then, to recuperate after so much intellectual labor, he returned for a time to farm labor. In the fall of 1878 he came to Delaware county and engaged in teaching until 1888, and then embarked in the hardware business until the following January, when, in company with Dr. A. L. Murray, he bought the drug store of which they are now the proprietors, and where they carry a full line of drugs, wall papers, etc .- in fact, they have the largest and most complete line in the county outside of Muncie. Mr. Motsenbocker was married in Delaware county, December 25, 1885, to Nanny A. Peterson, daughter of Eli and Sarah (Hook) Peterson, of Green county, Ohio. One child has come to bless this union, Merlin Bliss. Mrs. Motsenbocker is a member of the Methodist church, and a very estimable lady. Politically Mr. Motsen- bocker is a republican and is considered a val- uable member of the party. He is a stock- holder in the Eaton Window Glass company and was its manager for some time. He is also interested in the Mississinewa Land Improve- ment company, and is its secretary and treas- urer, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

James M. Motsenbocker. although yet quite a young man, has shown himself to be made of sterling material, and to be worthy of the pioneer family from which he is descended.

0 R. ALFRED LESLEY MURRAY. - Conspicuous among the successful professional men of the town of Ea- ton, Delaware county, Ind., is Dr. A. L. Murray. Dr. Murray was bron in Henry county, Ind., February 25, 1845, a son of James and Catherine (Taylor) Murray, the former born in Pennsylvania, July 19, 1813, and the latter in Indiana, March 31, 1817. James and Catherine Murray were married in Wayne county, Ind., November 19, 1835, and immediately thereafter located in Henry coun- ty and engaged in farming. During the winter seasons Mr. Murray engaged in teaching school, which profession he followed for sev- eral years after his marriage. In 1880 he sold his farm and built a home in Blountsville, Henry county, Ind., and has since then re- sided there. Mr. and Mrs. Murray were among the early pioneers of Henry county, he buying his first forty acres of land in 1838. During his farming life, he accumulated some 200 acres and was a very prosperous and suc- cessful business man. In 1855 he was stricken with paralysis, and since that time he has not been able to do much in any active line. In early life he was a whig, but later joined the republican party. Public affairs, particularly temperance and educational matters, have in- terested him greatly, and he has always been regarded as a man of intelligence and high inoral character. Mr. and Mrs. Murray reared the following family: F. W., of Henry county, where he is engaged in farming; S. T., a physician of Greentown, Howard county; Mary A., deceased; Alfred L., Helen, Viretta and Alice, all three deceased, and Laura, the wife of R A. Johnson, of Hamil- ten township, Delaware county.

Dr. A. L. Murray was reared on the home farm and received the advantages afforded in the common schools, remaining with his par- ents until he was nineteen years old. At the

771

UNION TOWNSHIP.

age ot eighteen he began teaching in Delaware county, in 1863, and taught six terms, and two years later entered upon the study of medicine, under the direction of Dr. John A. Windle, of Blountsville. He continued his reading with him for eighteen months, finished his preparatory course with Dr. D. N. Kendall of the same place, subsequently passing one term in the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati, and then began his practice at Economy, Wayne county, in 1867, at which place he re- mained one year. He then returned to Blountsville, where he practiced his profession until 1873, at which time he located in Gran- ville, Delaware county, and in 1884 removed to Eaton, where he practiced until 1892, when failing health caused him to retire. In 1889 he engaged in the drug business with J. M. Motsenbocker. Dr. Murray was married December 24, 1870, to Miss Viretta Jordan, of Delaware county, where she was born Jan- uary, 30, 1849, a daughter of W. A. and America (Davidson) Jordan, of Irish and Eng- lish descent. Three children have been born to this union: Bertha, wife of C. K. Van Buskirk; Goldie, and Cora deceased. Politi- cally, the doctor is a republican. He takes great interest in public affairs and is one of the representative citizens of Delaware county.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 85

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