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 91

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 91
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 91

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).

807

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

Hall; Noah, married Amanda Prim; George, Nelson Grant, Dora, wife of James Lewis and Ozora T. This is a most interesting family, and the children, like their parents, are held in the highest esteem in the community. The youngest son, Ozora T., is a graduate of one of the leading literary and law schools of the country, and since his admission to the federal and supreme courts at Indianapolis in June, 1893, has practiced the legal profession very

successfully in Delaware county. He is a young man of more than ordinary ability ahil- ity and bids fair to make a creditable record as an attorney. Mr. Sharp, although in his sixty-sixth year, possesses in a remarkable de- gree his faculties, both mental and physical, and may be considered as in the prime of vig- orous manhood. He has borne well his part inn life, and it is with pleasure this brief tribute to his worth is presented in this connection.

产品

RANDOLPH COUNTY, INDIANA.

SOLDIERS MONUMENT, WINCHESTER, IND.

IRA ADAMSON.

WINCHESTER CITY AND WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

RA ADAMSON is a native of Randolph county, Ind., and was born April 30, 1833. His father, Abraham Adamson, was born in Kentucky, October II, 1802, and was taken to Warren county, Ohio, when quite young. He was there reared on a farm until about eighteen years of age, and about 1819 came to Indiana. In 1844 he was elected commissioner of Randolph county, and served for six consecutive years. In 1851 he was appointed one of the special commission- ers to purchase the farm for the benefit of the poor of the county. This farm comprised 225 acres, and the purchase was confirmed by the county commissioners at their March term of 1851. $1, 200 cash was paid for this farm, and two installments of $1,000, without interest, were subsequently met, making a total of $3, - 200. He was first married to Sarah Puckett, by whom two children were born-John and Elizabeth-both now dead. The mother of these died when they were young, and two years later Mr. Adamson married Miss Nancy Botkin, daughter of Hugh and Rachel Botkin, residents of Randolph county, Ind., but form- erly of Tennessee. To this union were born nine children, viz: Ira, Eleanor, William, Susanna, Ann, George W., Samuel, Martha and Phebe E. Of these Ira, William, Martha Phebe E., are still living. The father, a farmer, lived from the age of twenty-one until

his death, April 4, 1856, on the old farm, two miles north of Huntsville, in West River town- ship, where he owned 300 acres of fine land, on which his youngest daughter and son still reside. When the poor farm was first estab- lished in Randolph county, he acted as com- missioner thereof for eight consecutive years, and was, indeed, always prominent in political affairs, being at first a whig and later a repub- lican. His father, John Adamson, was a native of Maryland, and the father of John was born in England, but was an early settler of Mary- land.

Ira Adamson was reared on a farm joining the home place in White River township, orignally entered by his grandfather, and at- tended the schools of the district when not at work tilling the soil. He was married, De- cember 6, 1855, to Nancy A., daughter of Rev. Willis C. and Sarah Wilmore, and to this union have been born ten children, viz: Willis A., married Angeline D. Warren; Mary R., widow of George S. Evans, M. D .; Sarah A., Jessie W., John W., married to Alice Alexandria; Lucinda A. A., wife of John E. Leech; James I., married Minnie C. Man- ville, of Delaware county, Ohio; Hannah F., George W. and Theresa E., all still living.

Dr. G. S. Evans, the deceased husband of Mary R. Adamson, was born December 5, 1840, in Hillsborough, Wayne county, Ind.

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WINCHESTER CITY

A few years later the family, then consisting of father, mother, two sisters, brother and himself, removed to Spartanburg, Randolph county, Ind. In the year 1856 his father and youngest sister died. In 1857 his mother, sister and himself removed to Hollansburg, Ohio. In 1859 he and his mother returned to the old home at Spartanburg, from which time on he remained with and cared for his mother. About 1860 or '61, they removed to Union City, Ind. In 1866 he completed his com- mercial studies at an Indianapolis college. He then commenced the study of medicine with his brother. In 1870 he removed to Saratoga, Ind., when he continued in the practice of medicine until his fatal illness-always giving his time and energies to the welfare of his patients-always making a living sacrifice of his profession without a thought of reward. He was highly esteemed as a physician, care- ful in his practice and safe in counsel. Many, with grateful hearts, will remember his fre- quent calls and timely assistance rendered. He was at one time a member of the Reformed church at Hill Grove, Ohio, but while in Sara- togo was not connected with any church or- ganization, but was in sympathy with the interests of the church and willingly contribu- ted to the support of the same. He was united in marriage to Mary R. Adamson, November 29, 1884. By this union they were blessed with two children: Harry and Mabel Evans. He died in Saratoga, Ind., March 24, 1891, aged fifty years, three months and nineteen days.

At his father's death, Ira Adamson inherit- ed forty acres of land, which he disposed of shortly afterward and with the proceeds pur- chased eighty acres in White River township, adjoining a tract of eighty acres owned by his wife. After living on these joint farms ten years; he sold his own eighty acre tract, but still re- tains his residence on the remaining eighty acres.

August 13, 1864, Mr. Adamson enlisted in company F, One Hundred and Fortieth Indiana volunteer infantry, was mustered in at Camp Carrington, Indianapolis, was as- signed to the Twenty-third army corps, under Gen. Schofield, and served until the close of the war, at Greensboro, N. C., July 11, 1865, having participated in all the battles, marches and skirmishes of his brigade. On his return he resumed farming, and for the past eight years has been an apiarist, owning at the present time twenty colonies of thriving bees.

ENRY T. ADDINGTON, leading farmer and stock raiser of White River township, was born near the beautiful little town of Ridgeville, Randolph county, Ind., September 19, 1844, son of Jonathan and Sarah (Ruble) Addington. His paternal grandparents, Joseph and Celia Addington, moved to. Randolph from Wayne county a number of years ago, and Jonathan became a resident of the former when a young man. He was a miller by occupation and manufactured flour very successfully until his death, which occurred at the town of Mack- ville. on the 15th day of September, 1891; his widow still lives at the above village.

Henry T. Addington is the second of a family of six children, three sons and three daughters. When a mere lad he was brought by his parents to Mackville, where he received his educational training in the common school, and on arriving at a suitable age he began working in his father's mill, where he was em- ployed until 1865. at which time he left the peaceful pursuits of civil life and went south to do battling for the preservation of the Union. He enlisted, January 16th of the above year, in company A, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana volunteer infantry, which formed a part of the army of the Poto-

HENRY T. ADDINGTON.

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mac, and participated in a number of skir- mishes and irregular engagements during the latter part of the war, receiving his discharge on the 4th day of August, 1865.

After the war he purchased the farm where he now resides in section 19, township 20, range 16, and has become one of the leading agriculturists and stock raisers of White River. The productive capacity of his farm has been greatly increased by a successful system of tile drainage, the buildings are in excellent repair, and the highly cultivated fields, and general appearance of thrift and good manage- ment, bespeak the presence of a thorough farmer and successful business man. Mr. Ad- dington deserves great credit for introducing the breeding of fine Jersey cattle, and a superior breed of swine, Duroe Jersey, into the neigh- borhood, and by imitating his example many residents of the community have greatly in- creased the quality of their live stock and be- come successful stock men. Mr. Addington has been twice married, the first time, August 2, 1865, to Emily C., daughter of William and Christina Green, who departed this life on the 12th day of May, 1876, leaving three children: Lilly, now Mrs. Myers; Ellsworth and Mrs. Minnie McGuire. On the 29th of March, 1877, Mr. Addington and Nannie E. Edger became man and wife, and their wedded life has been blessed with the birth of four children: Bertha R., Harry R., Edward C., and Laura B. Politically Mr. Addington is a republican, and is also a member of the G. A. R .; in religion he is a Methodist, with which church his wife is also identified.

a HARLES S. ALBRIGHT, embalmer and undertaker of Winchester, is a native of Darke county, Ohio, and was born December 19, 1863; he is a son of Henderson L. and Catherine (Leedy)

Albright. Henderson L. was a son of Simp- son and Mary (Snowderly) Albright, natives of Germany; Mrs. Catherine Albright was born in Darke county, Ohio.

Henderson L. answered the call for 100 day men in the early part of the late war, and after his return engaged in farming until 1886, and then in undertaking, under the firm name of Ford & Albright, until 1887, when he retired to private life. His family consisted of the following children: Fremont, William D., Winfield S. and Charles S., and they also reared a girl, Lizzie Morris, now the wife of William D. Albright. Mr. Albright has been very liberal in his donations to church and school, and especially so in regard to Ottoman University.

Charles S. Albright was reared a farmer in Darke county and received a very liberal edu- cation, but by overstudy was obliged to re- linquish his books and engage in business. In 1887 he began the study of embalming and funeral directorship under Curtis, of Greene- ville, Ohio, for a short time and then with Gross & Son, at Springfield. He then went into partnership with Peter Myers, but soon parted with him and came to Winchester in October, 1889. He holds a diploma from Clark's school of Indiana, dated May, 1889, and later he received a diploma from the United States college of Embalming, of New York city, and on coming here engaged in busi- ness under the firm name of Albright Bros. The firm carry a full line of caskets, robes, etc., and have three hearses and a funeral car, and are thus fully equipped for all demands for their services.

October 6, 1889, Mr. Albright was mar- ried in Preble county, Ohio, to Miss Edna Huddle, a daughter of Noah and Mary (Seitz) Huddle, born August 7, 1867. One child, Earle, has been born to this union. The par- ents are members of the United Brethren

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WINCHESTER CITY

church, and in politics he is a republican. Under her husband's able instructions, Mrs. Albright has also beome an expert in embalm- ing and undertaking. Mr. Albright is of an enterprising spirit, and takes great interest in all movements that have for their object the advancement of the city of Winchester.

HOMAS J. ASHTON, the very pop- ular saddle and harnessmaker of Winchester, was born in the town December 23, 1858. His parents were William B. and Mary A. (Copcutt) Ash- ton, both natives of England, the former hav- ing been born in Lancastershire and the latter in Derbyshire. They were married in the old country, embarked on a sailing vessel, and landed in New York city in 1843. They at once made their way to Columbus, Ohio, where Mr. Ashton was engaged in contracting in public works and railroads until 1852, when he came to Winchester to build the stretch of Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad running from Ridgeville to the former town, but lost $5,000 on the contract. He died December 7, 1884, and his widow now lives with a daughter in Winchester. Their ten children were named as follows: Miles A., George B., Sarah (wife of P. Ward), Emma, Mabel, Fannie, W. E., Thomas J., S. H., and Mollie (wife of R. J. Litchert).

Thomas J. Ashton was educated at the school of Winchester, and at the age of eighteen years began learning saddle making under F. B. Chapman, with whom he re- mained thirteen months, and then went to Fountain City, Wayne county, where he worked for two years, and then went to Hunt- ville, where for eleven months he carried on business on his own account. Returning to Winchester, he acted as general assistant for

E. H. Hinshaw for fifteen months, and then went to Union City with L. V. Buckingham, with whom he remained five years as assistant, and then bought an interest in the business and remained a few months longer. Coming once more to Winchester, he opened his present shop January 1. 1891, and now carries on assorted stock valued at $800, and is pre- pared to manufacture, also, any article de- manded in his line of business.

The marriage of Mr. Ashton was solemn- ized July 25, 1880, in Winchester, with Rhoda E. Cropper, who was born in Randolph county October 1, 1861, and is a daughter of Silas A. and Nancy (Williams) Cropper. To this happy union have been born five children, viz .: Orville S., in 1881; Loranna M., in 1884; Henry, deceased; Carl, deceased, and George B., born July 1, 1893.

Mr. Ashton is a past grand in the I. O. O. F., and a member of several other fraternal organizations, and stands very high in the esteem of his fellow citizens. In politics he is a democrat, but has never sought office.

J OHN BAIRD, one of the progressive and up-with-the-times farmers of White River township, was born near New Madison, Darke county, Ohio, Novem- ber 21, 1824. His father, John Baird, a native of Pennsylvania, was born July 28, 1775. He was first married in Pennsylvania to Mrs. Sarah Lee, a widow, and three chil- dren were born to them, Sarah, James and Elizabeth. After the decease of this wife he moved to Ohio and settled near Columbus, was married to Miss Jane Ballard, and imme- diately moved to Darke county and entered a quarter section of government land, where he lived, died and was buried. His profes- sion was that of a wagon-maker, and in all

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kinds of wood work was a skillful mechanic for those early days. His mother, Mrs. Martha Baird, came with him from Pennsyl- vania; his grandfather, John Baird, died in that state, and the grandmother died in Ohio at the advanced age of eighty-five years. The father of the second John Baird, Jr., in his day used to make wooden mold boards tor ploughs and truckle wagons. By his second wife he had four children, Indiana, Fanny, Rebecca and John-John, the youngest, and of whom we shall write, being the only one remaining of the children of the first and second wives. His father died August 7, 1833, aged fifty-seven years. He died of can- cer in the nose. The son remembers the father well, although but nine years old at the time of his decease. The father was a great hunter and had many thrilling narratives to relate of his adventures. He was a stanch Presbyterian, and once whipped his namesake for whistling on Sunday. He was justice of the peace twelve years previous to his death. He was a prominent man in his county for that early day and in good circumstances.

John Baird, Jr., remained in the old home until he was twenty-one years of age, attend- ing school in the winter months. Arriving at his majority, he left home to learn the brick laying trade with Jason Downing, who married Rebecca, his youngest sister, September 21, 1848; he was married to Sarah Ann Woodbury, daughter of Nathan P. and Susannah (Jen- nings) Woodbury, all natives of Ohio. His wife was born February 7, 1829, and in this marriage thirteen children were born; the old- est died in infancy: Nathan James, born June 14, 1851; Lindzy, born August 16, 1852; Charles, born July 10, 1854; David F., born April 22, 1855; Michael, born October 6, 1856; William, born October 26, 1857; Fanny, born December 19, 1858, Susannah, born February 13, 1860; Elizabeth J., born June 14, 1861 ; John

Baird, Jr., born July 23, 1863; Melinda, born January 11, 1866, and of this number seven now are living. Mr. Baird worked at brick laying at intervals for eighteen years in connection with farming. By purchase and inheritance he be- came the possessor of forty-two acres of the old home place, where he lived until August 30, 1870, at which date, with his family, he came to Randolph county, where he has since remained engaged in farming. He has been administrator of numerous estates in Ohio and this county, but has never aspired to any office, being too busy with the affairs at home. In politics he is a straightforward republican, but before the Pierce administration voted the democratic ticket, but the Missouri compro- mise disgusted him. It is interesting to hear Mr. Baird relate his adventures with wild ani- mals in early pioneer days-especially with wolves-and the winter firesides are made more pleasant by these tales of the times that tried men's souls.

J ESSE J. BATES, a prosperous miller of Winchester, was born in Marlborough, Starke county, Ohio, September, 3, 1837. His parents, Benjamin and Lydia (Johnson) Bates, were natives of Vir- ginia, but were married in Stark county, Ohio, where the father followed farming until 1873, when, having lost the mother, the fam- ily came to Randolph county, where the father ended his days at the home of his son Edward. He was a member of the Society of Friends, was a successful man, and was a strong abolitionist.

Jesse J. Bates worked on the home farm in Stark county, Ohio, until he was twenty years old, and then served two years at the carpenter's trade under Benjamin Hawley; next he engaged in the grocery business at Alliance,

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Ohio, for a year and a half; he then engaged in milling at Bellefontaine for eighteen months, and then, in 1873, came to Win- chester, and with his brother Edward and Colton Bros. purchased an interest in the mill then owned by Robinson, Miller & Co. In 1877 the Colton Bros. retired, the Bates Bros. continuing in the business. The mill has a capacity of 100 barrels, and is fully equipped with the new roller-process ma- chinery. It is 40x100 feet, with engine room attached, and is arranged to grind wheat, corn, oats, barley and rye.

In February, 1864, Jesse J. Bates was married in Stark county, Ohio, to Mary A. Colton, a native of England and a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Culford) Colton, who came to America at an early day, and settled in Ohio. To the union of Jesse and Mary were born four children, viz: Harry, deceased; Nina and Frank, at home with their parents, and Helen, deceased. In politics, Mr. Bates is a thorough republican, and under the auspices of that party at one time served as township clerk in Stark county, Ohio. In religion he is a Methodist.

EV. ELKANAH BEARD, the father of the Friends' society in Winches- ter, Ind., was born in Greensfork township, Randolph county, October 28, 1833. His parents, William and Lydia (Cox) Beard, were both from North Carolina,

but were married in Randolph county, Decem- ber 9, 2829, and settled ten miles south of Winchester, near Lynn, where the father en- gaged in farming. There the mother died August 11, 1847; the mother of six children, viz .: Two that died in infancy; Elkanah, with whom we have most to do; Sylvania, deceased wife of C. Benson, by whom she was the 1

mother of three children-Addison (deceased); William (of Jay county), and Lydia G., wife of George Thomas, of Wayne county-Ben- jamin, a retired farmer of Lynn, and Cynthia, wife of Joel Mills, a farmer of Lynn.

The second marriage of William Beard took place December 20, 1848, to Mary Huff, a native of North Carolina, and to this union was born one child-Lydia, now the wife of E. Kelley, of Oklahoma territory. Mrs. Mary (Huff) Beard died November 6, 1855, and was joined in the better land by William, her hus- band, October 26, 1857. William amassed considerable wealth in his days of early labor, owning 400 acres of well improved land at his death. He was devotedly attached to the So- ciety of Friends, was strictly upright, and his word was never violated. In politics he was an old-line whig until the disintegration of that party, and was a stanch abolitionist. He was naturally of a social disposition, was kindly in his manners to all, and very generous, being particularly liberal in the support of his so- ciety.

Elkanah Beard was reared to hard work on the home farm, going to the district school during the winter months until he waseighteen years of age, when he, himself felt qualified for teaching, and for four years alternated the winters and summers in teaching and farming. He then engaged in general merchandising at Lynn for four years, when the war of the re- bellion came on, and he was employed by sundry charitable associations at the north as an agent for supplying sanitary goods to refu- gees up and down the Mississippi river, and, in fact, in rendering aid to all who were in need. About this time, also, he was ordained a minister in his society. For three years he preached in the city hall, or until the meeting house was built. He exercised his function as such at home until 1869, when he was sent to Central India as a missionary under the

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auspices of the London Foreign Mission of Friends, and there passed three years, with his wife, working in the cause of Christ.

During this period he was stricken with Asiatic cholera, but was nursed through the dread disease by his faithful and devoted wife, who, through her constant attendance upon him, was herself broken down and one side paralyzed, which affliction necessitated their return home. In 1873, he accepted an invita- tion from his friends in Winchester, to come to this city and organize a society, there being none here at that time He accepted the in- vitation, succeeding in the undertaking, and after two years of hard labor, went to Califor- nia to recuperate his health. After having passed seven months in California, he set sail for lower California, and on the voyage from San Francisco to Los Angeles was shipwrecked off Point Sur, about 136 miles from the port of embarkation, and another vessel had to be secured, and after the rescue went to Oregon, where he spent two months and returned to Winchester. In 1877, at the solicitation of New York and Philadelphia Friends, he and wife went to the Indian territory, where they passed four years in christianizing and civiliz- ing the wilder and ruder tribes. After return- ing home they were content to remain until 1884, when then they crossed the Atlantic and passed a year in England. Returning home they, in 1886, at the solicitation of the Mis- sionary Board of Indiana, took charge of a Southland Normal college in Arkansas for four years, and then returned and re-engaged in home work, which embraces considerable stretch of territory. Mr. Beard was united in matri- mony November 28, 1852, with Irene S. John- son, who was born in Randolph county, De- cember 29, 1835, a daughter of Silas and Betsy (Cook) Johnson. Comment on the ex- tended work of Mr. and Mrs. Beard, half of which is not here narrated, would be superfluous.

C. BEESON, editor and one of the publishers of the Winchester Journal, the organ of the republican party in Randolph county, Ind., was born at Bloomingport, Ind., July 29, 1842, and isa son of Mahlon and Sarah (Arnett) Beeson. His parents were both natives of North Carolina, and were brought to the west in early chilhood. In 1850, he had the misfortune to lose his mother, and in 1856, he with his father re- moved to Hancock county, Ind., where his father died in March, 1888.

A. C. Beeson received a good common school education in youth, and, at the age of eighteen years, entered upon an apprenticeship at the printer's trade with William Mitchel, of the Greenfield (Ind.) Democrat. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company G, Seventy-ninth Indiana regiment, under Col. Fred Knefler. This regiment was attached to Gen. Thomas Wood's division of the Fourth army corps. Mr. Beeson participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged (excepting the battle of Stone River) up to the 23d of June, 1864. He was at the battles of Perryville and Chickamauga, the siege of Chattanooga, Mis- sion Ridge and Lookout Mountain, in the east Tennessee campaign as far as Bull's Gap, and the Atlanta campaign as far as Kenesaw Mountain, taking part in the battles of Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Cassville, New Hope Church and Lost Mountain. At the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, on the 23d of June, 1864, he was wounded in the left hand, and being thus permanently disabled and incapacitated for duty, he was honorably discharged from the service in February, 1865. On the 16th of February, 1865, he was ap- pointed deputy recorder of Hancock county, Ind., and was elected recorder in October of the same year. It is a noteworthy fact that he was the first republican ever elected to that office in that county. He resigned his office

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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 91

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