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 88

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 88
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 88

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RANK BLAKELY, the courteous and thriving general merchant of Gas- ton, Washington township, Delaware county, Ind., was born in Randolph county, Ind., September 15, 1855. His par- ents, William B. and Leah A. (Lyon) Blake- ly, came from Clinton county, Ohio, in 1852, and sttled on the farm near Farmland, Mon- roe township, Randolph county, where the father died in 1887. The mother still sur- vives, together with three sons and one daugh-

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ter, one son having died at the age of five years. The Lyon family is of English origin, and Mrs. Leah Blakely is the niece of Gen. Lyon, who was killed at the battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo., August 10, 186t, while gallantly charging the enemy. Mrs. Blakely also had three brothers in the Union army under the intrepid Gen. W. T. Sherman.

Frank Blakely performed the regular labor of a farm life until fifteen years of age, re- ceiving his elementary education at the dis- trict school, and then being sent to a higher grade, until prepared to engage in teaching, which vocation he followed for several years. Later, while attending college at Ridgeville, Ind., Mr. Blakely, in 1879, became acquaint- ed with his future wife, Miss Nellie Rowley, who was the preceptor of music in the same college. This acquaintanceship ripened into love, and June 28, 1883, at the home in Stur- gis, Mich., the two were united in matrimony, and at once located in Albany, Ind., where Mr. Blakely had for some years been engaged in the dry goods business. There came to bless this happy union two children, a boy and a girl, named Karl and Nina, the girl now aged nine and the boy seven years. But in Octo- ber, 1892, the young mother was seized with typhoid fever, and lingered until November 17, following, when death claimed her for his own. She was a most exemplary christian, and strove to soften the ills and asperities of life whenever within her power. She felt more the pang of parting with her most helpless children, still almost in their infancy, than she did the sting of the enemy of life, but she meekly bowed to the will of God. She was much beloved by her sorrowing husband, and loved and respected by her numerous acquaint- ances and the large circle of friends, who held her very dear.

The father of Mrs. Blakely was also a war- rior-patriot, and fell in the battle of the Wil-

derness, while fighting under Gen. Grant. Mr. Blakely, since his residence in Washington township, has won many warm friends, and by sound and substantial business methods, his business has had a very rapid and profitable increase since the first establishment of the store.

C. BRADDOCK is a well known citizen of Washington township, whose many good qualities have endeared him to the people of his community. He was born in Greene county, Pa., April 27, 1833, being the son of David G. and Susan (Crow) Braddock. His father was born May 9, 1807, and his mother in 1808, both in the above county and state. His parents remained in Greene county until their death; the father was a farmer who acquired 250 acres of land. He died in 1889, having survived his wife forty-three years. They were members of the Presbyterian church, of which he was a ruling elder. The father was of German descent. M. C. Braddock lived with his parents until he was twenty-one, obe- dient to them, and then he worked for his father until he was twenty-seven years old. In the year 1864 he enlisted in company A, Eleventh Pennsylvania infantry, and remained in the service until June 17, 1865. He parti- cipated in the battle of the Wilderness, of Five Forks, and was under fire every day after that engagement until the surrender of General Lee. He received a slight wound in the hip, caused by a musket ball, and receives a pen- sion of six dollars per month. After the war Mr. Braddock engaged in farming on eighty acres of land in Greene county, Pa. This he sold in 1870, and moved to his present farm in Washing- ton township, Delaware county, Ind., consisting of 165 acres. Here he has engaged in farm- ing ever since, as well as stock raising, hand-

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

ling a great many sheep. He was married April 21, 1860, to Mary Carter, who was born in Greene county, Pa., in 1835, and died in 1863. By this marriage he had one child, Viola, wife of George Reasoner. Mr. Brad- dock's second marriage was solemnized Octo- tober 6, 1870, with Mrs. Mary Ann Miller, who was born December 22, 1837. She was the widow of Abraham Miller, a native of Mus- kingum county, Ohio. Mr. Miller was born in 1832, and died in 1868, owning, at the time of his death, 200 acres of land. Mrs. Brad- dock is the daughter of Nancy and John (John- son) Crow, her father being a native of Greene county, Ohio, and her mother of Guernsey county, Ohio. Her father came to Delaware county, Ind., in 1836, and made a great deal of money, having given his children 960 acres of land. He died July 9, 1891, and the mother died December 9, 1887; both being members of the Presbyterian church. In politics her father was a republican, and warmly supported the ticket of that party.

Mr. Braddock held the office of justice of the peace for two terms, and has in other ways been identified with the interest of the community. He is a worthy man, and much esteemed by all who know him.

J ACKSON BROCK was born March 5, 1828, near New Burlington, Delaware county, Ind., and resided with his par- ents until he had reached the age of twenty-one years. His parents were Sherod and Mary Brock, the former having been born March 13, 1781, in Tennessee; he came from there when still a young man and settled in Wayne county, Ind., where he remained for a period of two years, and then bought land in Perry township, county of Delaware. He sold this in 1834 and purchased more land in Dela-

ware county, but one year later disposed of his country real estate near Muncie, rented land and worked at shoemaking for a few years. He spent his remaining days with his son, the subject of this mention, and died August 8, 1858.

Jackson Brock grew up in the country, and like most farmer lads, had but few educational advantages. He lived on the home place, assisting in the labor incident thereto, until 1854, when he bought a piece of land and went to work for himself. He hascontinued this until, at the present time, he is the owner of ninety-six acres of good Indiana soil. Mr. Brock takes an interest in his farm, for he alone has earned it, $17 representing all of the assistance he received from any source what- ever. Politically he is a republican, is a member of the United Brethren church, and is one of the worthy and reliable citizens of the township.

Mr. Brock has been twice married; his first wife was Elizabeth Barrett, born in 1831, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Barrett. They were married June 7, 1849, and had a family of five children, William, deceased, Samantha Ann, Lydia Jane, deceased, Jonathan Wesley, and Mary Emily, deceased. Mrs. Brock's par- ents were natives of Ohio, where Mr. Barrett carried on farming. In 1864, Mr. Brock mar- ried his present wife, Miss Malissa Rhodes, born in Ohio, in 1843, daughter of George and Elizabeth Rhodes, and the follow- ing children have been born of this union: Jacob Sherod; Andrew Jackson; Van Buren and Elizabeth Etta. The family are all attendants at the United Brethren church and are highly esteemed throughout the community.

It will be seen that Mr. Brock has been the architect of his own fortune, and his ex- ample is one that is well worthy the imitation of the rising generation of Delaware county, as well as elsewhere.

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DELAWARE COUNTY :

RYAN BROTHERS represent one of the most flourishing business houses of the town of New Corner, Dela- ware county, Ind. The elder, R. J. Bryan, was born in Washington township, Delaware county. December 16, 1852, and William R. Bryan, the junior partner, was born November 17, 1866, sons of John and Sarah (Bryan) Bryan, who were natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. They married in this county September 2, 1850, and imme- diately located in Washington township, with which they were so well pleased that they spent the rest of their lives there. They reared a family of eight children, as follows: Mary E., R. J., Jennie, Frank, Laura, Anna, William R. and Walter 1. The father of this family died in October, 1882, and the mother resides with her son. They always always belonged to the Methodist church, and were good and worthy people in every way. Mr. Bryan followed farming all of his life, and at death left an estate of 120 acres of land.

R. J. Bryan grew up in his home under parental care, receiving a good common school education, and he himself taught school for seven terms in the county before he was twenty-four years old. He was married Au- gust 3, 1876, in this township to Miss Lydia J. Clemens, born in Ohio, a daughter of William D. and Sarah F. (Jones) Clemens, who were natives of Ohio, and of English de- scent. By this marriage there were born three children: Flossie, deceased; Bessie and Bertha. In their religious connection Mr. and Mrs. Bryan are Methodists. Politically, both brothers are republicans and take promi- nent parts in local affairs. In 1877, R. J. Bryan began farming, at which he continued until 1883, when he engaged in general mer- chandise, following the latter until 1888, when he took in a partner in the person of his brother, since which time, the firm has done

a flourishing business of several thousands of dollars annually. He has been a hard worker and says that his success in life has come from close application to the work in hand.

William R. Bryan, the junior member of the firm, was reared on the farm, educated in the public school, and afterward took a course at Danville, Ind. In March, 1888, he went into business with his brother. He is a young man much respected in the village and is con- sidered a good business man.

ARRIET WILSON BROYLES is the widow of Anderson Broyles, one of the most prosperous farmers of Washington township, Delaware county, Ind., a good and worthy man who left a large estate of 500 acres to his survivors. Mrs. Broyles was born April 9, 1812, in the state of Kentucky, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Scott) Wilson, also natives of the same state. They came to Decatur county, Ind., when Mrs. Broyles was eight years old, there engaged in farming and entered land. They lived in a tent until they could build the house in which they lived until their death On February 20, 1835, the subject was united in marriage with Anderson Broyles, who was born in Greenville county, Va., August 19, 1812, and died December 29, 1889. He had immigrated with his father from Virginia to Rush county, Ind., in 1834, and afterwards lived in the state of Illinois for some time, but in 1837 removed to the western part of Washington township, Ind., which at that time was a wilderness. Industry and perse- verance made him successful, and he had the satisfaction of knowing that he had provided well for those dependent upon him. His father had a large family, but two children only of his are left, these being Madison, of

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

this county, and Joseph of Wright county, Mo. For fifty-five years he was a consistent member of the Methodist church, in which body Mrs. Broyles also holds a membership. Mr. Broyles was a son of Ephraim and Eliza- beth (Harvey) Broyles, natives of Virginia. He did not rear as large a family as his father, but as his death left a widow and five children to mourn his decease, together with a large number of friends. His remains were laid to rest in the Zion cemetery. His family were as follows: James T., John W., Nancy, de- ceased, William H., Lewis H., Irena, died February 1, 1851, and Joseph A. Mrs. Broyles manages her fine estate with wisdom and intelligence and is one of the most re- spected residents of the township.

HOMAS BROYLES (deceased) was born May 6, 1817, in Virginia, and when a young man came to Rush county, Ind., and engaged in team- ing, hauling goods from Cincinnati to Rich- land. When he married he gave up teaming and went to work on his uncles's farm by the month for two years, and then came to this county. This was in 1830, and he located near his present farm in Washington township, entering forty acres, right in the wilderness. He was obliged to borrow $50 to begin with, and by hard work and good management he made a success of life, owning 400 acres at the time of his death. He was united in marriage February 22, 1838, with Sarah Ann (Lyon) Broyles, who was born February 10, 1817, in Bourbon county, Ky. She was the daughter of John L. and Margaret (Sharp) Lyon, both parents natives of Kentucky. They came to Rush county, Ind., in an early day, and en- tered eighty acres of land. He was a carpen- ter and worked at the trade in connection with

farming. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church. The father of Mrs. Broyles voted the democratic ticket up to the beginning of the war, when he joined the re- publican party and remained loyal to it until his death; which occurred a number of years ago. His wife likewise is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Broyles are the parents of two children: Margaret Elizabeth, wife of John Harris, and Joseph William, who married Miss Mary Broyles.

ANNAH MCCREERY BROWN .- The well known lady whose name introduces the present sketch is the widow of William Brown, who, during life, was one of the largest land owners and most prominent men of Washington township, Delaware county, Ind. She was born March 24, 1831, in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel McCreery, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. In 1851 she was united in marriage with James Mar- shall, who was born in Harrison township and who engaged in farming there until the date of his death. He left two children, but both of whom are deceased, namely: Rhoda Catherine, and Elizabeth. Some time later Mrs. Mar- shall married Mr. William Myers, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, who came to the county of Delaware when a young man. Again she was left a widow with three children, Mary Ellen, now the wife of Frank Johnson, Lavina Ann and Jacob Henry, the last two of whom are deceased.

Mrs. Myers is a women of agreeable nature and of sociable temperament, eminently fitted to make a pleasant home for a husband, and March 20, 1867, she was married to William Brown. He was born in Ohio, and had come to this county at an early day and located in Washington township, where his father had

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DELAWARE COUNTY :

previously entered a piece of land. After the death of the latter, William bought the old home place. He was a man of prominence and was successful in a financial way, owning, at the time of his lamented demise, 520 acres of fine land, which is now managed by his widow. In politics, Mr. Brown was a demo- crat, and was an important factor in the deliberations of his party in local affairs. Both he and his wife were valued members of the Methodist church. Beside his widow, he left the following children: Sarah Catherine, the wife of Otis Broyles; Cora Eddie, the wife of Frank Hayden; and Rebecca Leona, the wife of William Shipley.

LFRED CAMPBELL is a native of Indiana, having been born in Jeffer- son county, May 12, 1819. He is very active for his years, and is held in very high esteem by his neighbors. Mr. Campbell is the son of James and Sarah (McClure) Campbell; his father a native of Culpeper county, Va., and his mother of Pennsylvania. The father immigrated with his parents to Kentucky when very young; re- mained there several years, and then came with the family to Jefferson county, Ind., and entered 160 acres of land, where he remained until within a few months of his death, when he sold and moved to Ripley county, Ind., and purchased eighty acres. He made farming his principal business, and died in 1829. At that time Alfred Campbell was but ten years old, and he remained with his mother until he was twenty-two years old, being her mainstay after he was old enough to understand and per- form the duties of the farm. Alfred Campbell was united in marriage, at the age of twenty- two, to Sarah Nicholson, of Ripley county. Ind., born September 18, 1841. She is the

daughter of George and Sarah (Basset) Nichol- son. Her parents were natives of Holmes coun- ty, W. Va. George Nicholson immigrated with his parents to Kentucky when a boy; remained there until after his marriage, and then brought his family to Ripley county, Ind., where he purchased land and settled and finally died. He was very successful as a farmer, and accu- mulated considerable land. He and wife were of Scotch descent, and were members of the Baptist church.

After the marriage of Mr. Campbell he rented a farm for four years in Ripley county, and then bought forty acres, upon which he remained six years; then came to Delaware county and located upon his present farm in Washington township, consisting of eighty acres, all of which was in timber at the time of the purchase. He has remained upon this property ever since, and now owns 110 acres, all of which are under cultivation. Mr. Campbell has always been a farmer, but has devoted a great deal of his time in the past thirty years to the work of the ministry. He has never received any pay to speak of for his services, his church, the Missionary Baptist, engaging his services in establishing new places of worship where the congregations were small and unable to give him any stated salary. He and his wife have been members of that church for upwards of fifty years. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are the parents of the fol- lowing children: Jeanetta, George, and Will- iam Oliver, .deceased; Sarah Ann, wife of James Stace, a blacksmith of this township; Cynthia, deceased; Acha, wife of S. W. Hay- den, a farmer of Washington township, and Jane, wife of David Williams, also a farmer of the same township. In politics Mr. Camp- bell is a republican, and believes that the safety of the country demands the continued success of that party, consequently, he ardent- ly works for it.

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

ILLIAM A. CLEMENS was born in Randolph county, Ind., January, II, 1834, and is the son of Dr. William D. and Sarah (Jones) Cle- mens. The parents came originally from Ohio, and were married at Fairview, Randolph county, Ind., in April, 1832. The married couple located at Fairview, and here Mr. Cle- mens engaged in the shoemaking business for a living, and at the same time studied medi- cine. He was of the old school, and began practicing medicine in Alexandria, Madison county, Ind., in 1862, and remained there for four years, when he came to this place, and remained until his death, which occurred July 18, 1889. He remains are in the Odd Fellows' cemetery at Cumberland, Grant county, Ind. The widow is now the favorite milliner of that place. They are the parents of two children: William A., and Lydia J., the wife of R. J. Bryan. Dr. Clemens was a republican in politics, and was moderately successful in life, and both he and wife were members of the Methodist church.

William A. Clemens was practically reared in the village of Fairview, and came from that place to Delaware county. He received a good common school education, and began life for himself at the age of seventeen by teaching school in the winter. He then served under Thomas Stubbs at the carpenter trade for three years, and has followed the same ever since. He was married February 28, 1875, to Martha Burgess, who was born in Delaware county, Ind., August 2, 1854, the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Bryan) Bur- gess-the family of German extraction. To this union there have been born three children -Omer E., Joseph C. and Harry M. Mr. Clemens and wife are members of the Method- ist Protestant church. He was elected justice of the peace in 1888, entered upon the duties of office in April, 1889, and has served in that

capacity with fidelity, and to the satisfaction of the public to the present time, having been re-elected since that date In politics Mr. Clemens is a republican, and takes an active interest in all matters relating to the success of that party.

J OHN DUNN a prominent and popular citizen of Washington township, was born in Monroe county, Ohio, August 26, 1829. He is the son of John and Cathander (Knight) Dunn. The father was born in 1775, in Monongalia county, Va., and the mother in Monroe county, Ohio. John Dunn went to Monroe county, when a young man, and remained there until his marriage. Following this event he engaged in farming, and pursued that occupation in Ohio until 1832, at which date he came to Delaware county, Ind., locating in Washington town- ship, on 160 acres of land, in section 15. He afterward bought 240 acres, but remained on the first purchase until his death, which oc- curred in 1865. His wife died in 1863, both being members of the Baptist church. The father was a democrat until 1856, and then he became a republican.

John Dunn remained obedient to his par- ents until he was twenty-one, and then rented his father's farm until the death of the latter, when he inherited eighty acres, and bought an adjoining eighty acres, living upon this land for ten or twelve years, and then bought 100 acres of his present farm in section 10, Wash- ington township. At the present time he owns eighty acres in section 15, and 280 in section 10, upon which he has erected one of the handsomest residences in the township.

Mr. Dunn was married September 3, 1854, to Sarepta Littler, born February 24, 1843, in Grant caunty, Ind. She was the daughter of Thomas and Susan (Fry) Littler. Her father

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DELAWARE COUNTY :

was born in Hardy county (now W. Va.), in 1802, and her mother in the same county in 1805. The father removed to Grant county, Ind., with his wife, in 1829, and entered 120 acres of land; afterward buying 1 38 acres more. Mrs. Littler died in 1869, and her husband in 1883. They were members of the Methodist church, and were worthy and greatly respected people.

To Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were born the fol- lowing children: Rosetta, wife of John Dorton, a farmer of this township; Sylvester, married Angeline Richards, living in Jefferson town- ship, Grant county, a farmer; Thomas L., at home; Alma Amanda, wife of Henry Dooling, of Grant county; Emma May, at home. Mrs. Dunn died August 27, 1893, and her remains rest in New Cumberland cemetery. Mr. Dunn is a firm believer in the teachings of the dem- ocratic party, and gives it a hearty support at every election.

J OHN C. DUNN, a highly respected citizen of Washington township, was born in Blackford county, Ind., August 28, 1840, and is the son of Thomas and Sarah (Reasoner) Dunn, the father having been born in Pennsylvania in 1812, and the mother in Ohio in 1815. Thomas Dunn emi- grated with his parents to Virginia when a boy, remained there a short time, and accompanied them to Henry county, Ind. He lived with his parents until he was of age, and then learned the carpenter's trade. About this time he' entered eighty acres of land in Washington township, Delaware county, which he after- ward traded for another eighty acres in the same township, in section 10. This was about the year 1842. In 1865, he bought the Cum- berland mills in Grant county, and operated them until the time of his death, which occur- red in November, 1881. This enterprising

man also owned an interest in the Elizabeth mills in Washington township, now operated by his son, John C. He likewise owned eighty acres of land in Jefferson township, Grant county, and forty acres in Washington town- ship, Delaware county. This property was cleared by his own industry and good manage- ment. He filled the office of township trustee for sixteen years, and took a very active part in politics, always supporting the republican ticket. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, in which faith she lived and died in 1890.

John C. Dunn's boyhood days were spent upon the farm, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of farming. He enlisted in 1862 in the Eighty-fourth Indiana infantry for three years, or during the war, all of which time he served except one month, taking part in the Atlanta campaign, and was in the following battles: Buzzard's Roost, Pulaski, Duck River, Franklin and Nashville. In the last named battle he was wounded in the knee by a minie ball, and was in the hospital for five days. He was mustered out in June, 1865, having served throughout the entire war. He has never made application for a pension. Upon his return home he worked for his father one year in the mills, and then traveled for a few months in Iowa and Illinois and the northern part of this state.

Mr. Dunn was married May 19, 1870, to Sarah Horner, born in Darke county, Ohio, in 1843, daughter of Andrew and Nancy (Walker) Horner, natives of Pennsylvania. Her father was a farmer of Grant county, Ind. Mrs. Dunn died February 22, 1891, and was buried in Elizabethtown cemetery. She was the mother of one child, Della, wife of William R. Janney, a farmer of this township. Mr. Dunn married again October 25, 1892, the maiden name of his wife being Clara E. Irwin, born in Clinton county,

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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 88

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