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 89

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 89
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 89

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).

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Ohio, October 30, 1852. She is the daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Killian) Irvin, the father having been born February 24, 1817, in Fayette county, Ohio, and the mother in Clinton county, Ohio, April 11, 1825. The father was a cabinet maker, and followed that trade all his life. In the year 1856 he settled at Atlanta, Logan county, Ill., where he re- mained until his death, which occurred De- cember 22, 1888. He was an active member of the Christian church, and was the deacon in that body for years. Mr. Irvin was a strong supporter of the republican party. His widow is living with her daughter, Mrs. Dunn.

J. C. Dunn is a deacon in the Presbyterian church, and his wife is a member of the Christian church. In politics he is a republi- can, and always takes a lively interest in elections. Mr. Dunn has been in the milling business since 1866; first in Cumberland, and then in the Elizabeth mills; being now owner of the latter, and doing an excellent business. He also own a store at that place, where he sells all kinds of merchandise. In addition to this property he owns fifteen acres of land adjoining the mills, and is in very prosperous circumstances.

J OSIAH FERGUSON is a native of Southampton county, Va., and the youngest of six children of William and Mary (Glovier) Ferguson, as follows: Nancy, Drew, Lydia, Tabitha, Jane and Josiah. But little is known of the history of his ancestors, the father dying when Josiah was but ten years of age, leaving him to the care of his aged mother and sisters. The family left their native state and emigrated westward to Ohio about the year 1834. The journey through a sparsely settled country was an undertaking of no little magnitude, and Josiah and his sisters were compelled to traverse the greater part of

the distance to their new home on foot. After consuming about five weeks on the road, the family reached Clinton county, Ohio, and settled in a comparative wilderness, where Mr. Ferguson began clearing a farm. He possessed a strong rugged nature, and it is stated that he become one of the strongest and most able bodied men in the community where he resided. He worked early and late, and was a true type of those hardy pioneers through whose efforts civilization was introduced into the great states of Ohio and Indiana. In 1848 Mr. Ferguson came to Delaware county, Ind., and purchased a small tract of land in Harrison township, and at once went to work with his characteristic energy to make it habitable for the family. In 1856 he embarked in business in what is now known as the village of Gaston, which ven- ture proved unsuccessful, and he returned to his farm, where, until the close of life, he de- voted his attention, exclusively, to the pursuits of agriculture. A few months previous to his death he suffered a stroke of paralysis, from the effects of which he never entirely recovered. The infirmities ot age, together with the ail- ment mentioned, brought on the disease which ended his life; he died on the 30th day of October, 1891, aged seventy-five years, nine months and sixteen days. Susan Ferguson, wife of Josiah Ferguson, was born in North- ampton county, N. C,, June 9, 1823, and was the daughter of Josiah and Tabitha Oliver. From the best information obtainable, her ancestors came from the British Isles and snttled in North Carolina, at a period ante- dating the revolutionary struggle. Her father, Josiah Oliver, was born in 1782, married in 1807, Sallie Nelson, who became the mother of two children; Zachariah and Charlotte. The former died in early life, but Charlotte became the wife of Drew Ferguson, who in later years located in Grant county, Ind. After the death of his first wife Josiah Oliver

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married Tabitha Thorpe, who bore him the following children: Joseph, John, Charity, William, James, Susan, Evart, Edmund, Mary, Thomas and Benjamin Oliver. In 1833 Mr. Oliver met with the loss of his second wife, and a short time after that event removed to Ohio with his large family. At that time Susan Oliver was eleven years of age, and of the party she was one of the gayest, and she stood the trip remarkably well con- sidering her youth, as the trip had to be made on foot, a distance of over 500 miles. It was while on this journey she first met Mr. Fergu- son, who a few years later became her hus- band. He was then with a number of friends seeking a new home in the western country. Josiah Ferguson and Susan Oliver were mar- ried in 1838. Being in very poor circum- stances, they were obliged to encounter the vicissitudes of life in the best way possible, and he soon found employment in the family of Mr. Edward Thorpe. As soon as sufficient money could be procured, Mr. Ferguson pro- cured the necessary household effects and farm implements, rented a place and began house- keeping. After leasing and clearing a consid- erable farm in Ohio, he concluded to better lis condition by emigrating further westward; accordingly in 1848 the family removed to Delaware county, Ind. This country was at that time quite new, deer and wolves moved unmolested through the thick forests, and life in the woods had many hardships and obsta- cles for the pioneer family. It was in the fall of 1848 that the new house was reached, and Mrs. Ferguson, who still survives to tell the story of those stirring times, recalls with pleasure the many meals she cooked in the hollow stumps and the many days and nights of toil spent with her husband in battling with adverse circumstances. Mrs. Ferguson has reached the good old age of seventy years. Sixteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs.

Ferguson, namely: Lucinda, Elizabeth, Jane, George, Ruth, Mary, Rhoda, Emma, Lydia, John, Silas, Daniel, infant son, Caroline, Josiah and Joshua. Of the above, death has claimed Elizabeth, Jane, George, Rhoda, Emma, Lydia, John, and Caroline and the infant, which died without being named.

S AMUEL GROOVER is a worthy citi- zen and successful farmer of Wash- ington township, who was born in Pennsylvania, September 20, 1833. Samuel Groover is the son of William and Catherine (Roderick) Groover, both of Penn- sylvania. The father moved to this state when Samuel was thirteen years old, and located in Mount Pleasant township, near the present site of Yorktown, took a lease, and was en- gaged in farming until 1859, the period of his death. His wife was called hence in 1851; they were both natives of Germany, and very worthy and good people.

Samuel Groover lived with his parents throughout his minority, and then rented the farm on which his father had lived in Mount Pleasant township. After two years he bought his present farm, consisting of forty-five acres, which is in a fine state of cultivation. This was in 1867, and Mr. Groover has continued to reside on the same ever since; in fact, his entire life has been spent as a farmer.

Mr. Groover was married May 20, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Schults, who was born in Ohio in 1827, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (McClurry) Schults. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Ohio. Jacob Schults went to Ohio with his parents when a young man, and later moved to Indiana when the wife of our the subject was ten years old, settling near York- town, and engaging in farming, which he fol-

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lowed to the time of his death. Mrs. Schults was a member of the Methodist church, and, like her husband, was of German descent. To the union with Miss Schults Mr. Groover is the father of the following children: Martha Ellen, Esther, Margaret, deceased, Charles L .; Mary C., Amanda, William and Rosetta, all four deceased.

AVID HEAL is an old and highly re- spected citizen of Washington town- ship, Delaware county, Ind., who was born November 5, 1823, in Muskingum county, Ohio, being the son of William and Olive (Carter) Heal; the father was born October 29, 1791, near Belfast, Me., and the mother October 18, 1799, in the same place; the father died April 16, 1847, and the mother September 19, 1844. William Heal went to Muskingum county when twenty-two years old, and worked in a foundry for seven years, after which he was employed in burning brick, cutting stone, building houses, he being a mechanical genius, who could turn his hand to almost anything. In 1829 he moved to Indiana, and entered 200 acres of land in Washington township, Delaware county, which at that time was virgin forest. He and his family lived by a log heap until he erected a rude cabin, which was very small, and only six feet in pitch to the ceiling. William lived to see 100 acres under cultivation, and had his family in a good substantial dwelling. In those days most of the marketing was done at Cincinnati and Michigan City. He was the father of nine children, seven of whom lived to rear families.

David Heal lived with his parents until he was twenty-one, his boyhood being spent in working upon the farm, splitting rails; and other work necessary for the improvement of

the place. His playmates when a boy were chiefly Indian lads, the red men being there in numbers, and living in great concord with the whites. The chances for an education were most limited, yet David so improved them, that he was able to teach school when twenty years old. He taught two terms, then at- tended school at Muncie for six months, and then resumed teaching for five terms, receiv- ing from $30 to $50 for seventy-two days' work. Mr. Heal purchased his first tract of land in 1848, it being a share of his father's estate, and consisting of twenty-one acres, worth at that time about $290. At the pres- ent time he owns thirty-one acres, having given his children 127 acres. He is one of the most useful men in the township, being public-spirited, and interesting himself in everything that will advance the welfare of the community. He held the office of justice of the peace for sixteen years, and has been a notary public for twenty years. An idea of the confidence that is placed in him may be seen in the fact that he has been administrator for twenty-five different estates, all of which were satisfactorily settled. He was married May 21, 1848, to Anna Caroline Rigdon, born May 24, 1831, in Guernsey county, Ohio. She is the daughter of Eli Rigdon, and her mother's maiden name was Nixon. Her father came to this state in 1838, and located in Blackford county, where he bought a grist mill and managed it for some time, after which he engaged in farming for a few years, and then came to Wheeling, Dela- ware county, where he was a merchant until his death. Mrs. Heal departed this life Janu-' ary 7, 1878, and her remains rest in Olive Branch cemetery. She was a good mother, a faithful wife, and a consistent member of the Christian church. The children by this mar- riage are: George E. and Anna Lacy, who are also members of the Christian church. In poli-

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tics Mr. Heal is a stanch republican. He is living a retired life, after long years of arduous labor, and, despite his age, is strong as a young man of thirty.

EWIS J. HOOKE, a prominent farmer and successful man of Wash- ington township, Delaware county, Ind., was born in Rockingham coun- ty, Va., July 17, 1840, a son of Jerry and Anna (McNett) Hooke, both natives of the same place. By trade the father was a car- penter, who spent his whole life in the county of his birth, and died when Lewis J. was six years of age. Following this event, Lewis J. lived with Mr. Elijah Huffman until he was nineteen years of age, and then learned the trade of miller, being apprenticed for two years, at wages of $40 for the first year and $60 for the second year. He filled out his contract, serving the first year on Mill creek, Rockingham county, Va., and the second year in Augusta county, on Middle river. For six months he served as a soldier in the Confeder- ate army, having been pressed into the service; in 1862, went to Roanoke county, where he worked in a mill until 1864, and then removed to Logan county, Ohio. In the state of Ohio Mr. Hooke remained until 1865; engaged in the milling business, at which date, he re- turned to Roanoke county, Va., and engaged in farming for a short time, subsequently com- ing back to Logan county, Ohio, where for a brief period he continued to pursue his chosen calling. Again he returned to the state of his birth, but in a short time came back to Logan county, Ohio, and after engaging in milling for a time farmed for three years. Mr. Hooke then came to Delaware county, Ind., in 1873, and located on his present farm of eighty-three acres of well improved land in Washington

township, and as agricultural labor proved remunerative he has devoted the greater por- tion of his time to the cultivation of the soil. In addition to his labors in this direction Mr. Hooke is the solicitor for the German Baptist Mutual Insurance company.

Mr. Hooke was married June 12, 1866, to Miss Lucy A. Moomaw, born September 9, 1845, near Amsterdam, Va., daughter of Joseph and Mary (Stover) Moomaw. The following interest- ing family have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hooke: Calvin W., Joseph W., Harvey L., Effie C. and Eddie C., twins; Hugh A., Mary Esta, Clara V., and Anna F. In politics Mr. Hooke is a democrat, and is one of the leaders of that party in the township. He and his family are very prominent in the German Baptist church, of which he and his wife are members. Having risen by his own industry, Mr. Hooke is rightly considered one of the representative men of the township, and is highly . espected by all his neighbors and friends.

I SAIAH HOWARD .- The history of Washington township would be incom- plete without the sketch of Isaiah How- ard, a well known and popular farmer of this section. Mr. Howard was born De- cember 1, 1831, in Ross county, Ohio, and his days were passed under the parental roof until he reached manhood. His father, being a farmer, he toiled in the field, and when there was nothing to do on the farm he attended school, if any was in session. In other words, Mr. Howard's educational opportunities were very limited, and six months will cover the time he spent under a teacher. After his mar- riage, he rented a farm in Ross county, and remained there for twelve years, and then came to Delaware county, Ind., and located in Washington township upon a portion of his

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present farm. He bought 120 acres, all of which is now under a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Howard has been a minister of the gospel for a quarter of a century, being an ac- ceptable preacher for the German Baptists. The financial reward he has received for his ministrations has been very slight, and he has always looked for a higher source of recom- pense. The wife of Mr. Howard was Sophia Moomaw, of Ross county, Ohio, born Septem- ber 5, 1835, being the daughter of Peter and Celia (Adams) Moomaw. Her father is a na- tive of New Amsterdam, Va., and her mother of Ross county, Ohio. The father came to Ross county with his parents when about four years old, and spent his life there engaged in farming, and owned a large tract of land at the time of his death. Her parents were mem- bers of the German Baptist church.

Mr. Howard is the son of John and Mar- garet (Jones) Howard, the father born in Rockingham county, Va., April 3, 1802, and the mother in Augusta county, of the same state, July 14, 1814. The father went to Ross county, Ohio, with his parents when twelve years old, and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1871. After attain- ing manhood he learned the blacksmith's trade, and worked at this, in connection with farming, all his life. In politics he was a democrat, and firm in the belief of the teachings of that party. The marriage of Isaiah and Sophia Howard resulted in the birth of nine children, namely: Alice Mary, wife of Frank White, clerk in a dry goods store in Hartford City; Ella Jane, wife of E. E. Allen, an employe in the handle works at Huntington, Ind .; Eliza- beth, wife of J. O. Allen, bank cashier, Sum- mitville; Peter S., a farmer in Madison conn- ty, married Miss Anges Thomas; John, a stock buyer at Summitville; McCrillus, a farmer, at home; Joseph, a farmer, at home, and Ed- ward, at home. In politics Mr. Howard is a

prohibitionist, and stands squarely upon the platform of his party.

ENRY HYER is a man in the full vigor of strength, and a representa- tive farmer of Washington township, who has accumulated a good prop- erty by the labor of his own hands. Mr. Hyer was born in Ross county, Ohio, Novem- ber 10, 1837, and lived with his parents until twenty-one years old. At the age of seven- teen he went with his parents to Greenfield, Ohio, and there attended school ten months, working upon the farm for the remainder of the time until April, 1861, when he enlisted in company C, Twenty-second regiment Ohio volunteers, for three months. He served abont five months, and then returned home and worked upon his father's farm. He was married August 19, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth Ellen Winengar, born August 27, 1839, in Highland county, Ohio, and died December 8, 1873. She was the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Johnson) Winengar, both na- tives of North Carolina. Her father emi- grated with his parents to Virginia when but a boy, remained there a few years and went with his parents to Highland county, Ohio, and in 1866, with his wife, removed to Marion county, Iowa. After farming there for ten years, he moved to Nebraska, located on a farm and died a few days later. Some time during the year 1864 Mr. Hyer entered the lumber trade, and followed it for two years, at the end of which time he went to Johnson county, Mo., with his wife. There he engaged in farming and stock raising, which he fol- lowed until the spring of 1877, when he moved to Madison county, Ind., and engaged in the lumber business. At the latter place he remained two years, and then moved to a

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point near New Cumberland, and carried on the lumber trade there for three years. He then bought the farm on which he now lives, consisting of 160 acres, which was then in a primitive state. He went to work with a will, and the result is that the land is almost en- tirely under cultivation. During this time he continued to follow the lumber trade for several years, and met with encouraging success in the same. He served for a term as road sup- erintendent, at a time when this official had charge of all the roads in the township. He now holds the office of township trustee, to which he was elected by the republican party, of which he is an active and influential mem- ber. By his marriage, previously noted, Mr. Hyer is the father of five children, namely: James Orlin, Charles Henry, Lizzie Maude, Evelyn, and Orland; the first and last deceased. Mr. Hyer's second marriage was consummated in October, 1881, with Mary P, Moore, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, Novem- ber 8, 1850, she being the daughter of Jesse and Mary (Ferron) Moore. Her parents are natives of the same county and state. When she was but one week old she lost her mother, and her father passed away in 1889. The latter owned a farm of 120 acres in the county in which he was born. By his last marriage Henry Hyer is the father of two children, namely: Henry Clyde, and Edith Pearle.

John and Elizabeth (Strayley) Hyer, par- ents of Henry, were natives of Ross county, Ohio. The father lived in that county until fifty years of age, and then moved to Greenfield, with the object of giving his children an education. There he re- mained four years, during which time he conducted a hotel. He then moved back to his farm in Ross county, which consisted of twenty-two acres, staid there a few years and then moved to Henry county, Ind., purchasing 120 acres, where he lived until his death.

Henry Hyer and wife are active and upright members of the Methodist church.

MOS F. JANNEY is a highly respect- ed citizen of Washington township, who has lived a successful life, and by industry and strict attention to his own affairs has become one of the leading farmers of the community in which he resides. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, May 5, 1837, being the son of Joseph and Sarah (Hayden) Janney, the father a native of Stark county, born December 21, 1811, and the mother born in Westmoreland county, Pa., March 1, 1812. The father came to Dela- ware county, Ind., in 1837 and located in the township of Washington upon a farm. Up to the time of settling in Indiana he operated a grist mill, but on becoming a resident of the Hoosier state he gave histime unreservedly to farming, at which he was most successful. He occumulated ample means and was able to give to each of his seven children an eighty- acre tract of land. He was an active member of the republican party, and always took an interest in the great political questions of the day. He and his wife were members of the Christian church.

Amos F. Janney lived upon the farm with his parents until he was twenty years old, working upon the place during the summer and attending school during the winter season. He began life for himself by taking charge of the home farm for a year, and working it upon shares, and at the expiration of that time, bought a farm of eighty acres in Washington township, upon which he continued to live until within a comparatively recent date, when he removed to the village of Gaston, where he is spending his years in retirement from active business. Mr. Janney owns a farm of 150

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acres, in a fine state of cultivation, and also has a valuable property in Gaston. Mr. Jan- ney was married March 12, 1857, to Miss Bar- bara J. Roberts, who was born November 16, 1835, the daughter of Vincent and Dorcas Roberts, natives of Dearborn county, Ind. Mr. Roberts became a resident of Delaware county in 1854, locating upon a farm in Washington township. He was a minister of the Christian church, and he and his wife died a number of years ago, firm believers in the faith of that body. Mr. Roberts was a very intelligent and successful farmer.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Janney re- sulted in the following offspring: Dorcas, wife of Volney Reeves; Vincent R., married to Jane Woodring; John W., married to Anna Myers; Alice A., wife of Nathan Brown, of Madison county, and Jacob, married to Della Dunlap. Mrs. Janney died November 10, 1881, and her remains rest in the Perry ceme- tery, Washinton township, she dying, as she had lived, unshaken in her faith in the Christian church.

Mr. Janney married again April 3, 1882, his wife being Mrs. Cynthia (Wear) Love, widow of Joseph Love and the daughter of James and Eliza Wear; she was born March 4, 1848. Mr. Love was born in Ohio and came to Dearborn county, Ind., when a boy with his parents; Mrs. Love being a native of Dearborn county, Ind. After the marriage of her parents they came to this county and lo- cated in Harrison township, in which they lived the remainder of their days upon a farm, the father making his business very successful. Both have been dead a number of years and their remains lie in the Nottingham cemetery, Harrison township.

Mr. Janney has three children by his sec- ond marriage, namely: Emerson, Lillian and Everett, the last-named dead. Before giving any of his land to his children, Mr Janney

owned 270 acres. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian church and are held in high estimation by all their neighbors and friends.

ENRY A. JONES is one of the lead- ing men of Washington township, and one who is always ready to do all in his power to advance the inter- ests of his community. He was born August 6, 1828, in Adams county, Pa., being the son of Jacob and Mary Ann (Neely) Jones, both of Welsh extraction. Jacob Jones was born January 6, 1806, in Cumberland county, Pa., and Mrs. Jones is a native of Adams county, same state. Mr. Jones emigrated to Ohio in 1832, lived in Miami county, upon a farm, for six years, then farmed in Clarke county for three years, after which he came to Delaware county, Ind., in 1841, and located in Wash- ington township, on 120 acres of land. This land was covered with heavy timber, but he lived to see it under a high degree of cultiva- tion, and finally died January 5, 1891. His wife died in Pennsylvania when Henry A. was a mere boy. She was a member of the Epis- copal church, as also was her husband; the latter was a strong republican, and always supported his party ticket. In 1837 he mar- ried Maria Packer, who died in 1853. He filled the offices of justice of the peace, and township trustee, and was very prominent in the affairs of the county.

Henry A. Jones lived with his parents un- til he was of age, and then learned the car- penter's trade, but worked at home most of the time until he reached the age of twenty- four, but carpentering engaged his attention for some time after his marriage. When this latter important event occurred he owned ninty-one acres of land in the township named, and lived upon it until 1883. The

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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 89

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