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 96

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 96
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 96

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).

After his first marriage, Mr. Cox settled on 120 acres of land in White River township, about twenty acres of which were in cultiva- tion at the time. He subsequently sold this and purchased a quarter section adjoining a farm upon which his death occurred, and in time became the owner and proprietor of 400 acres of excellent land with 200 acres under a high state of cultivation. As a farmer, Mr. Cox was eminently successful and he accumu- lated a competence of worldly effects. He gave special attention to the improvement and raising of stock of all kinds, and his farm buildings, situated on a commanding knoll about three miles east of Winchester, are among the best improvements of the kind in Randolph.

Politically, Mr. Cox acted and voted with the republican party from the time of its or- ganization, was strongly anti-slavery during the existence of that institution, and took an active interest in all moral reform, especially that of temperance. He was in every respect

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an honored citizen and in the annals of Ran- dolph county his name is entitled to a place among its representative men. He died as he had lived, a member of the Society of Friends, and in in his death, which occurred February 21, 1891, the community lost one of its best citizens.

Mrs. Sarah Cox was born in Johnson coun- ty, Ind., July 17, 1822, and is a daughter of William and Tabitha Sanders, both parents natives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders, shortly after their marriage, moved to Washington county, Ind., thence to the coun- ty of Hendricks, and their deaths occurred in Marion county. They were the parents of five children, viz .: Hezekiah, deceased; El- enor, widow of Washington Smith; Sarah, Kesiah, wife of J. P. Duvall, and Absalom, deceased. Mrs. Cox was reared in Indiana, educated in the common schools, and for some time made her home with an uncle, David Pegg, of Wayne county, with whom she was living at the time of her marriage above noted. After the death of her husband she moved to Winchester, where she now owns a beautiful home supplied with all the comforts of life. She is a member of the Society of Friends, and a most estimable christian lady.

EV. WILLIAM M. COX, one of the best known men of White River town- ship, was born in this county Sep- tember 10, 1834. His father, Will- iam B. Cox, was a native of Guilford county, N. C., and came to this county in 1817, one year after the state was admitted to the Union. He was seventeen years of age when he came, having been born in 1800. His parents also came, Benjamin and Ann Cox, who were both natives of the Pine Tree state, North Carolina. He assisted his father in clearing and tilling the

land which his father had entered of the govern- ment, and which was one and a half miles from Winchester. At the age of twenty he left home and began life for himself, taking for his wife Margaret Peacock, a daughter of Abram Peacock. Nine children blessed this union, whose names are, Morab, Silas, Foster, Ase- nath, Henry, Margaret, Lydia, William and Ann. Four only survive, namely, Henry, Lydia, William and Ann. When he left home he settled on eighty acres in White River township, four miles east of Winchester, where he lived until his death, which occurred April 13, 1873. He was a practical hard working farmer, and made no pretentions to anything else. He never held an office nor never as- pired to. He was an active member of the Society of Friends; in church he was an elder for forty years. He was a whig in his early days but later a republican. At his death he left eighty acres to his widow during her life time, but on June 20, 1876, she was called away and the property was sold and divided among his heirs. The father was a quiet, un- ostentatious man, strictly conscientious and in every sense of the word a thoroughly good and exemplary man.

William M. Cox, whose name gives title to biography, was born and raised on the old farm, remaining with his parents until the age of twenty-seven, when he went to Winches- ter and engaged in the grocery business with his brother Henry. He was successful in trade and remained here three years, when he disposed of his interest to his brother and went to Dayton, Ohio, to accept a position as traveling salesman in a wholesale grocery house. His route lay over a portion of Ohio and Indiana, which he traveled for seven years, at the end of which time he purchased a farm of eighty acres, four miles east of Win- chester, and moved his family to it. But the firm at Dayton would not give him up, yet he

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AND WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

finally resigned his position, and in the spring of 1872, began active farming. He has added and sold some of the original, and now has a farm of ninety-two acres, upon which is a handsome, modern residence and the refine- ments of a cultivated, cultured home about him. He is a member of the Friends' church and was elder for four years previous to his acknowledgment as a minister. He has now been preaching for nearly fourteen years. He cast his first vote for Fremont in 1856, and has ever since been a straight republican, whose convictions partake of no uncertain ring. Six children bless his marriage: Enola, Lillie, Effie, Willie, Grace (deceased), and Harry. Enola married a farmer and lives in Delaware county; Lillie married William Chenoweth, a farmer of Wayne township; Effie married James Chenoweth, a merchant of Crete, Randolph county; Willie and Harry are still with their parents. Mr. Cox has never held or sought an office and has no am- bition in this turbulent and uneasy direction. Mrs. Cox was born near Fountain City, July 18, 1847, and was the daughter of Isaac and Lydia Woodard. The father was a farmer, and their daughter Mary Emily, now Mrs. Cox, was educated in the old seminary at Winchester. The father later went into the milling business at Fountain City, and still later into the milling and dry goods business at Winchester.

A NDREW J. CRANOR, son of Col. Jonathan and Eleanor (Rush) Cranor, was born in Greenville, Ohio, August 29, 1853, but at the age of ten was brought by his parents to Randolph county, Ind., and was reared in Union City. At the age of sixteen he entered his father's hardware store as clerk, and after a few years engaged

in the hardware business on his own account at Winchester; at the end of three years, on account of ill health, he relinquished the busi- ness, and in January, 1883, accepted a posi- tion as clerk for the Winchester wagon works. This position he resigned about two years later, and engaged in pressing hay until his election as county auditor in the fall of 1886, which office he held for four years. He then entered upon the manufacture of barrel hoops, estab- lishing a factory at Winchester and one at Parker, having at output of 30,000 hoops daily, and employing about forty-five men, with machinery of the latest and most im- proved patterns.

Mr. Cranor was most happily married in Union City, across the Ohio line, January 27, 1872, to Miss Alice Parent, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, December 2, 1854, and who is a daughter of John and Ann (Arnold) Parent. Two children have been born to this marriage-Nellie, May 23, 1873; and Flora, June 23, 1882; the elder of whom was a gradu- ate of the city high school, and now a student in the Greenville (Ohio) college of art and music. Mr. Cranor is a Knight of Pythias, and in politics is a republican. With his wife he is a member of the Presbyterian church, and socially both enjoy the acquaintance of a highly respectable circle of friends. Mr. Cranor is one of the most enterprising business men of Winchester, and throughout his various ventures he has sustained an integrity that has never been tainted with the breath of suspicion, and a character without a flaw.

Col. Jonathan Cranor, father of Andrew J. Cranor, was born in Guilford county, N. C., January 6, 1823, came to Indiana with his father, John Cranor, who located in Wayne county, near Williamsburg. Young Jonathan was subsequently sent to Centerville, where he learned the trade of hatter, serving his appren- ticeship at the same bench with the lamented

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Oliver P. Morton. As years passed on their lives drifted apart, Col. Cranor removing to Ohio, where he lived for many years. His life has been an eventful one, characterized by a participation of a greater number of impor- tant and eventful scenes and incidents in our country's history than usually falls to the lot of one individual in this prosaic age. He was a soldier in the Mexican war with credit and distinction in the glorious campaigns in the American army under Gens. Scott and Taylor, and prior to the outbreak of the war of the rebellion, was prominently identified with the state military organization of Ohio. He was an intimate friend of Gen. Garfield, both before and during the war, and was among the first to respond to the call of the president for troops to aid in maintaining the supremacy of our flag. He entered the service as captain of company I, Eleventh Ohio infantry. At the expiration of the regiment's term of serv- ice (three months) he at once re-entered the service and recruited the Fortieth Ohio infan- try, which formed a part of the brigade under the command of Gen. Garfield. During the period in which he remained in command of his regiment, Col Cranor aided his command- ing officer by his advice and practical knowl- edge of military matters, greatly promoting the efficiency and general discipline, the officer in command having little or no knowledge of military affairs at that time. He was the trusted friend and companion of Garfield, and from him received numerous flattering testi- monials of gratitude for his assistance and co- operation.

After Gen. Garfield was relieved from his command, April, 1862, Col. Cranor wa- placed in command of all military forces in eastern Kentucky. After the organization of the state into military districts he was retained in command of the eastern district. This posi- tion was ably filled by him until 1863, when

he was forced to resign his command on ac- count of chronic diarrhea and general dis- ability, resulting from unusual hardships and exposure. He was one of the state president- ial electors at the time of Gen. Grant's first election as president, and served with distinc- tion as a member of the Ohio state senate during the administration of Gov. Brough. Since becoming a resident of Winchester, in 1880, he has been prominently identified with the industrial interests of that city.

ANIEL DAVIS, the father of James E. Davis, whose sketch is here given, is a native of Maryland, born October 15, 1832, and is a son of Daniel S. and Hannah (Leckroom) Davis. The Davis family came to Ohio from Maryland in 1833, where the residence continued until 1863, when they came to Randolph county, Ind., and here the father of Daniel Davis died at about seventy-three years of age. Mrs. Han- nah Davis died at about the age of sixty-five years. Daniel Davis is the third eldest in a family of nine living children. He was a pupil at the Ohio country schools and his busi- ness life has been that of a farmer. In 1861 he came to Randolph county, and this has been his home ever since. He now owns 141 acres of land about five miles from Winches- ter. The marriage of Mr. Davis took place February 6, 1855, with Miss Nancy Hancock, who was born in Ripley county, Ind., October 6, 1834. To this union have been born ten children, viz: Louis, Amanda, Jacob, James E., Anna, Vermont, George, Alberta, Myrtle and Clyde.

In politics Mr. Davis is a supporter of the people's party ; but formerly was a democrat. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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AND WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

J AMES E. DAVIS, proprietor of a large and extensively patronized meat market of Winchester, was born in Preble county, Ohio, November 4, 1860, son of Daniel Davis, of whom mention is made above. James E. Davis was reared to agri- cultural pursuits and remained with his parents until attaining his majority, when he began life for himself as a farm laborer, continuing the same until 1885. In the meantime, hav- ing husbanded his earnings with the intention of engaging in other business, he opened a meat market in the latter year in Winchester, locating on North Main street, where he began the business on a comparatively small scale, but, by his courtesy and efforts to please his customers succeeded, in a short time, in building up a very lucrative trade.

He remained at his original location until 1890, at which date he opened a market of enlarged capacity on Commercial row, where he has since conducted a very successful busi- ness, his place being one of the best known and most popular of the kind in the city. In his business Mr. Davis has met with most en- couraging success and financially he has ac- cumulated a comfortable competence, owning the pleasant home on north Main street, which, with his other means, represents the fruits of his own industry.

He was married June 7, 1886, to Susan R. Caffey, who was born at Hollansburg, Ohio, in October, 1864. To this union three chil- dren have been born, namely: Merril, Mary Ruth and James Raymond. Mr. Davis be- longs to the Pythian fraternity and the Im- proved Order of Red Men, and is a democrat in his political belief. Although yet quite a young man, Mr. Davis has shown a remark- able capacity for business, and too much praise cannot be bestowed upon him for the manner in which he has raised himself from compara- tive indigence to his present position.

J OHN W. DENNEY, county superin- tendent of the Randolph county schools, with his residence at Winchester, was born in Nettle Creek township, in the same county, September 12, 1857. His par- ents were William and Mary (Crabb) Denney. The father was born in North Carolina, and with his parents was taken when young to Ken- tucky, whence the family came to Randolph county, Ind. The mother was born in Ohio, and was an infant when brought to Randolph county by her parents, who died when quite young. The marriage of William and Mary Denney took place in 1842, and they still re- side in Nettle Creek township.

John W. Denney, like most lads born in the rural districts of Randolph county, was reared to farm work, but had the advantage of a good common-school education, which was supplemented by a year at Ridgeville college. At the age of nineteen he opened his first school, and continued to teach until he en- tered the Ohio Weslyan university in 1880; he then improved his knowledge of teaching by an attendance at the Richmond Normal school, and continued to be a pedagogue until his elec- tion as county superintendent, in 1887.

Mr. Denney was united in the holy bonds of matrimony, at Parker, Randolph county, November 4, 1889, with Miss Flora J. Deal, who was born in this county in 1857, and is the daughter of Peter and Sarah Deal, and their union has been crowned with the birth of two children, Roger M., and Thelma. The parents are consistent and reputable members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and their social relations are unusually pleasant, being looked upon, as they are, by their neighbors and friends, with sincere regard and unaffected esteem. In politics Mr. Denney is a republi- can, but, while he works vigorously and ardently for the welfare of his party, he does so with no selfish view of official reward, being

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WINCIIESTER CITY

content to fill only the position which nature seemingly has endowed him. Mr. Denney is a member of Winchester lodge, No. 56, F. & A. M .; of Losantville lodge, No. 232, I. O. O .. F .; is H. P. of White River encampment, No. 50, I. O. O. F., and is a Knight of Pythias, Winchester lodge, No. 91.

aa® ILLIAM B. DENTON, a native of Randolph county, Ind., was born in Stony Creek township, October 25, 1842, son of John H. and Julia Denton, natives respectively of Kentucky and Indiana. Mr. Denton's paternal ancestors were among the early pioneers of Kentucky, in which state his grandfather, Benjamin Den- ton, lived and died and where a number of descendants still reside.

John H. Denton became a resident of Randolph county, Ind., as early as 1824, set- tling near Huntsville, thence in the year 1858 moved to the farm in Stony Creek township, where his death occurred November 11, 1882, at the age of seventy-three years and three months. His wife, whose maiden name was Julia A. Freer, daughter of Jonathan Freer, one of the early settleas of Randolph county, departed this life March 5, 1886, aged sev- enty-six years. The following children were born to John H. and Julia Denton: Joseph W., deceased; Jonathan F., James H., Mrs. Matilda J. Mattox, William B., John H., David, Mrs. Mary Harris, Sarah A., deceased, and an infant daughter that died unnamed. Of the sons, three served gallantly in the late war: Jonathan F. and William B. in the Eighty-fourth Indiana infantry, and James H. in the Nineteenth regiment Indiana troops.

William B. Denton spent the years of his youth and early manhood on the home farm, attended the common schools at intervals dur-

ing his minority, and on the 6th day of August, 1862, enlisted in company A, Eighty- fourth Indiana volunteers, with which he served in the army of the Cumberland until discharged June, 1865. Among the battles in which he took part were Chickamaugua, Blue Springs and Rocky Face Ridge, in the last of which he received a severe wound, which necessitated his confinement in a hos- pital for a period of about seven months. On rejoining his command he participated in a number of skirmishes and irregular engage- ments at Knoxville, Tenn., and elsewhere, and he barely escaped capture at Franklin, in the battle of which his regiment was engaged. At the expiration of his period of enlistment Mr. Denton returned to Randolph county and resumed farming, and in 1873 purchased the place where he now lives in the township of White River. As an agriculturist he is painstaking and methodical, and his farm, though not large, is very carefully tilled and yields abundant returns for the labor and care expended thereon. His buildings and other improvements are in first class condition and his home has long been recognized as the abode of plenty and true hearted hospitality.

Mr. Denton was married August 3, 1870, to Ella Allen, daughter of Philip Allen, of Hagerstown, Wayne county, Ind. The fol- lowing are the names of the children born to this union: Otto E., Oscar O., Ida A., Cora M., wife of G. Engle; Edgar A., Effie R. and Clarence E., twins; James F., Harry S. and Hugh C., twins; Arabelle and Archie, twins, both deceased, and Rollin E. Mr. Denton and family are communicants of the Methodist church. He belongs to Farm- land post, G. A. R., No. 261, and since cast- ing his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864, has been a supporter of the republican party, and never fails to give it his hearty aid when the proper time arrives.

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AND WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.

J OHN W. DIGGS, deceased, was born in White River township, Randolph county, January 20, 1826, a son of Armsbee and Mary (Way) Diggs, the former of whom was born in North Carolina, June 9, 1795. Armsbee and his young wife came to the wilds of Indiana, February 17, 1817, by wagon, and settled in White River township, where the father followed farming until his death, which occurred March 9, 1872, his wife dying in November of the same year. They were the parents of twelve children, viz .: Henry, two infants, Littlebury and Washington and Patience, all deceased; John W .; Jesse, of Winchester; Priscilla, deceased; William, of Vermillion county, Ind .; Rachel; Matthew W., of Farmland, and Fannie, of Blackford county, Ind. Armsbee was quite a wealthy man for his time, owning 196 acres of fine land at the date of his death. He was a great hunter and especially fond of following the deer, often killing three or four a day.

John W. Diggs was reared as most pioneer boys were, doing hard work on the farm, and, when he could be spared, attending the rude log school house of his neighborhood. He made his home with his parents until his mar- riage, when he began farming on his own ac- count on rented land. In 1852 he located in Winchester, following carpentering until 1855, when he bought a shop and engaged in the cabinet-making and chair-making business for the home trade, to which he added undertak- ing. These two branches he profitably con- ducted until the spring of 1863, when he sold out the cabinet-making branch and devoted his sole attention to undertaking until his death, which occurred July 24, 1893.

Mr. Diggs was married May 22, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Helms, daughter of John and Mary Helms. To this union were born three children, viz .: George S., an undertaker of Marion, Ind .; Charles C., a liveryman of Win-

chester; and Edward F., a veterinary surgeon of Winchester. Mr. Diggs was, as his widow still is, a member of the Methodist church, and in politics was a republican. He was repeatedly elected councilman, was treasurer of the town board, and was township trustee for six years. He had been a member of the I. O. O. F. since January 11, 1854, had passed all the chairs, and belonged to the uniform rank. He amassed considerable wealth, was recognized as one of the best citizens, and always felt an interest in the progress and public welfare of Winchester's county and town, contributing liberally to enterprises in- augurated with this end in view. His life was consistent with his religion, and with all his dealings with his fellow-men he was honorable and fair. Mrs. Diggs, the wife of the late and lamented John W. Diggs, was born in Mont- gomery county, Ohio, July 31, 1829, daughter of John and Mary (Cobb) Helms. Her father was born in North Carolina, and died in Mont- gomery county, Ohio, February 1, 1830, and her mother was born in South Carolina in 1800, and died June 18, 1860, in Randolph county, Ind. Mrs. Diggs came to this county in October, 1838.

George S. Diggs, the eldest son of John and Elizabeth H. Diggs, was born near Win- chester, Ind., May 15, 1852. He was educated at the schools of this county, and later was a merchant of Winchester for twelve years. In 1882 he removed to Marion, Ind., and since then has been in the undertaking business. He was married November 16, 1870, to Estal- ine M. Druley. They have three children, viz: John E., Bertha B., and Elizabeth M. Mr. Diggs is a republican, a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. He and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.

The family in itself is a highly respected one in the county, and in its own community none is more highly esteemed.

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WINCHESTER CITY

a HAS. C. DIGGS, son of John W. Diggs, whose sketch appears in close connec- tion with this, was born in Winches- ter, February 14, 1862, received a very good education in the city schools, and in 1874, engaged in the livery busi- ness, in which he has met with much suc- cess and which he still continues. He was married July 8, 1881, to Miss Louie Holman, who was born at Marion, Grant county, Ind., in 1863, and is a daughter of William A. and Matilda (Stevens) Holman, the happy union resulting in the birth of one child. John H. Mrs. Diggs is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Diggs is a Knight of the Golden Eagle, and in politics is a re- publican. He is recognized as an upright citi- zen, square and honest in his dealings with his fellow men, and as one that can be relied upon when called to perform any of the duties of a faithful citizen.

a DWARD F. DIGGS, youngest son of John W. Diggs, (to whose sketch above the attention of the reader is invited), was born in Winchester, Ind., August 4, 1865. He attended the city schools until fifteen years of age, and then learned the cooper's trade under E. S. Pasters, serving an apprenticeship of three years. He then clerked for four years in the dry goods store of Diggs & Way, and later entered the Ontario Veterinary college. where he studied two sessions and graduated March 29. 1889. In the spring of 1889, he opened his place of business in Winchester, and since that time until the present, has had a constantly increasing and lucrative practice. Mr. Diggs was most happily married, Octo- ber 10, 1889, to Miss Vora Harter, who was born in Parker, Randolph county. She is

now the mother of one child, Norma Mary. Mr. Diggs is an Odd Fellow, and in politics is a republican, and like the rest of the family, is highly thought of in the community.

ILLIAM C. DIGGS, county com- missioner of Randolph county, Ind , was born in Stony Creek township, February 5, 1844 John Diggs, the father of William C., descended from an old North Carolinian family that early settled in Randolph county. John was born August 8, 1802, was reared to farming, and shortly after reaching the age of discretion married Miss Catherine Puckett, a most amiable young lady, who was born April 16. 1804. Five children blessed this union, and were named as follows: Emily, Lydia, Daniel, deceased, Lavina, deceased, and William C., of whom this brief sketch has most to treat. John Diggs, a member of the Society of Friends, was a most prudent, wise and success- ful agriculturist, and was the owner of 259 acres of land, almost all of which was acquired by his personal toil, although for nearly thirty years before his death, which occurred Janu- ary 22, 1862, he had hardly been able to do a full day's work on account of dropsy in the chest-but his spirit was indomitable and perseverance was the law of his life, next to that of uprightness. His widow survived un- til October 29, 1857, when she, too, was called away to join him in the illimitable Be- yond.

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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 96

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