USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A portrait and biographical record of Delaware county, 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 39
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B RICE PETTIJON POWERS, an old and highly respected citizen of Centre township, a native of Monongalia county, Va. (now W. Va.), was born January 13, 1815, and is a son of Nehemiah and Cassandra (Holland) Powers. Nehemiah Powers was a representative of an old pioneer family of (then) Virginia, and first saw the light of day in a fort which had been erected to protect the settlement from the incursions of the savages. By occupation he was a farmer, and he followed that useful calling all of his life. He moved to Indiana in 1823, settling in Wayne county, thence, five years later, moved to the county of Henry, where his
M. POWERS.
MRS. M. E. POWERS.
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death occurred in September, 1846. His wife, whom he married in his native state, was a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Gordon) Hol- land, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively. She became the mother of twelve children, six of whom are living at this time. viz: Brice P .; Reason H .; Maria, wife of John Williams, a retired farmer living in Muncie; James, a resident of Blackford coun- ty, Ind., ; Joshua H., of Oregon; and Mary, wife of Noah Branson, a farmer living in Kan- sas.
Brice P. Powers was but a lad of about eight years when his parents moved to Indiana, and he received the principal part of his edu- cational training in the schools of Centreville, Wayne county, which he attended about two years. His first practical experience in life was acquired in a tan yard, where he was em- ployed for two years, after which he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Henry county, where he resided until his removal to the county of Delaware in 1852. Upon becoming a resident of the latter, he located where he now lives in Centre township, and has since become the possessor of 328 acres of finely improved and highly cultivated land, the result of his own in- dustry and successful financial management. Mr. Powers has been a hard worker, and his labors have ever been directed by prudent forethought, the legitimate result of which is the comfortable competence he now enjoys. On the 4th of May, 1844, Mr. Powers and Hannah Lewis, of Delaware county, Ohio, were united in marriage. Mrs. Powers is the daughter of John and Naomi (Kelly) Lewis, both natives of Ohio, the former of Delaware and the latter of Butler county. The follow- ing are the names of the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Powers: James, deceased; Nancy, wife of James Rosebraugh; Zeziah, deceased; Phebe, widow of David Daily; John, a resident of Iowa; Stephen G., who lives in the same
state, and Rachael, wife of H. Simpson. John Lewis, the father, died in Randolph county, Ind., September 15, 1876; his wife died in Delaware county, Ohio, in September of 1834. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Powers five children were born, namely; Naomi, widow of J. H. Helm, of Muncie; Mark, deceased; Nehemiah, a contractor of Muncie; Amelia, deceased, and John, who resides with his father on the home place. Mr. and Mrs. Powers are communicants of the Baptist church, and their lives have been fraught with kind acts and good deeds. They are among the highly respected residents of Centre township, and all with whom they have come in contact unite in praising them for their many virtues.
John Powers, the youngest sonof Brice P. and Hannah Powers, was born May 28, 1858, in Delaware county. His early educational training in the high school of Muncie, where he graduated in 1877, was supplemented by a thorough course in the literary department in the State university at Bloomington, which he completed in the spring of 1881. He taught school in Yorktown for two years, and is one of the intelligent and progressive young men of Delaware county. He lives with his father upon the homestead, in the management of which he displays the energy and thrift of the successful agriculturist.
ARK POWERS, the popular treas- urer of Delaware county, of which he is a native, was born in Wash- ington township, on the 4th day of June, 1845, and is a son of Uriah and Syl- vania (Wilson) Powers, natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Uriah Powers immigrated to Indiana as early as 1826, set- tling in Henry county, where he entered and improved a farm, but in 1834 disposed of his
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interest in that part of the state, and removed to Washington township, Delaware county, where Mr. Powers became a prominent busi- ness man, having been one of the pioneers of that section. For many years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, married in Washington township, and afterward built the Elizabeth mills, which he operated until his death in 1860; his wife preceded him to the grave, de- parting this life in 1856. Politically Mr. Powers was a republican, but could never be induced to accept any political office, prefer- ring to give his entire attention to his various business interests. He adhered to the creed of the Baptist church, while his wife was an active member of the Presbyterian denomina- tion. They reared six children to maturity, as follows: Bryce, a member of company B, Eighth Indiana infantry, was taken sick at the siege of Vicksburg and died in the St. Louis hospital; John, who died in 1865; Ann, died in 1861; Mary, now Mrs. Keesling of Perry township; Mark, the subject of this mention, and George, a well known resident of the township of Washington.
Mark Powers received his primary educa- tion in the township schools, later attended the Muncie academy, and subsequently pursued his studies for two years' in the schools of Marion, Ind., in all of which he made substan- tial progress in the various branches of learn- ing. In 1861 he went to live with an uncle in Henry county, this state, and in the spring of 1864 he entered the army as a member of company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Indiana volunteer infantry, with which he served four months, and in 1865 enlisted in company F, One Hundred Forty-seventh regiment, with which he served until honorably discharged at the close of the war. On severing his connection with the army, he returned to Delaware county and engaged in farming and stock raising in Washington township, where
he has since made his home. In February, 1869, the marriage of Mr. Powers was solem- nized with Miss Mary E. Furgeson, step- daughter of Henson Lewis, of Washington township, and a lady widely and favorably known for her many excellent traits of charac- ter. Politically Mr. Powers is a republican, and as such was elected to the office of trustee of Washington township, the duties of which position he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people for the period of eight years. In 1890 Mr. Powers was compli- mented by his fellow citizens by being called to a more exalted official station, namely, treasurer of Delaware county, to which he was elected in November of that year, was again elected in 1892, and still fills the office in a manner gratifying to his friends as well as to those who differ with him politically. Frater- nally, he is a member of Lookout Mountain post, G. A. R., No. 345, New Corner, belongs to the Masonic order of Muncie, and is also identified with the Improved Order of Red Men of Muncie. Mr and Mrs. Powers have an interesting family of seven children, whose names are as follows: George, Burt, Webb, Susan, Paul, Bruce and John. Mrs. Powers belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of Muncie, of which she is a valued member.
a LISHA J. PUCKETT, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Muncie, was born January 31, 1843, in the town of Cadiz, Henry county, Ind. His father was Dr. Henry L. Puckett, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Comer, was also born in the same state. Henry L. Puckett received his professional education in the Botanic Medical college, Cin- cinnati, and began practicing at the town of
LEWIS REES.
MRS. LEWIS REES.
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Martinsville, Ohio, in the latter part of the 'thirties, moving thence to Indiana, locating first in Henry county and later in the Indian Re- serve in the present county of Howard. At the close of the late war, he went to Rich- land county, Wis., where his death occurred in 1887. Mrs. Puckett preceded her husband to the grave, departing this life in the year 1861 at her home in Tipton county, Ind. Henry L. and Elizabeth Puckett were the parents of four sons and three daughters: Elisha J., John L., J. Barkley and George B., all of whom entered the medical profession; John L. resides at Kokomo, Ind .; J. Barkley lives in Iowa, and George B., in Minneapolis; Maria, Letha and Margaret are deceased.
Dr. Elisha J. Puckett spent his youthful years on the Indian Reserve, and on the death of his mother went to Anderson, where he en- listed, at the breaking out of the great rebel- lion, in company G, Eighth Indiana infantry, Capt. H. VanDevender, for the three months' service. At the expiration of his enlistment, he re-entered the army for three years or during the war, joining company K, Sixteenth Indiana volunteer infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged at New Orleans in 1865. His command formed part of the Fourteenth army corps, department of the gulf, and he shared with his comrades the fortunes and vicissitudes of war on a number of sanguinary fields and throughout several hotly contested campaigns.
On severing his connection with the army, Dr. Puckett returned to Anderson, Ind., and for three years thereafter studied medicine with Dr. J. C. Cullon, under whose able in- struction he made such commendable progress that, before the expiration of the time noted, he began the practice of his profession as as- sistant to his preceptor. During the succeed- ing four years he practiced at the town of New Corner, Delaware county, and with the pecun-
iary capital thus acquired and actuated by a laudable ambition to drink more deeply at the fountain of professional knowledge, he entered college at Indianapolis, where in due time he graduated, receiving his diploma in 1878. Subsequently he took a post-graduate course, and in the winter of 1888 located in Muncie, where he has since resided, building up a large and lucrative practice in the city and through- out Delaware county in the meantime.
Dr. Puckett was married in 1861, while home on furlough, to Miss Malinda Harris, daughter of Washington and Sarah (Gifford) Harris, to which union seven children were born, five living at this time: Annie L., Frances, Ida Blanch, Bertha and F. W. Since beginning the practice of the healing art Dr. Puckett has continued to enjoy a well merited reputation for success in his calling. He has always been an ardent supporter of the democratic party, and during President Cleve- land's first administration was a member of the pension examining board of Delaware county. He is identified with the Methodist Protestant church, belongs to the I. O. O. F. and Red Men order, and was initiated into the mysteries of the Masonic fraternity a num- ber of years ago at Anderson.
EWIS REES, a prominent citizen of Centre township, and a member of one of the oldest and best known pioneer families of Delaware county, is a native of Ohio and a son of Lewis and Mary Rees. His paternal ancestors were among the early settlers of Virginia, and on the mother's side he is a descendant of the sturdy pioneers of Pennsylvania. Lewis and Mary Rees emigrated to Ohio many years ago, and as early as 1821 came to Delaware county, Ind., locating in the township of Perry, of which
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they were among the very first settlers. Their first home was located in the woods, and after developing a farm, Mr. Rees, Sr., moved to another part of the township and purchased 160 acres of government land, which was also in a primitive condition. Being a man of much more than ordinary thrift and business foresight, Mr. Rees made a number of judi- cious purchases, and in time became the owner of over 600 acres of valuable land, the greater part of which, under his successful manage- ment, was brought to a successful state of cultivation. Upon the home farm in Perry township, Lewis Rees, Sr., died in 1852, and his wife was summoned to her final reward in 1876. Lewis Rees was a prominent factor in in the early history and development of Del- aware county, and at one time filled the office of probate judge with ability. He became a republican upon the formation of that party, and was an earnest supporter of its principles until the close of his life.
Lewis Rees was born March 11, 1820, and has spent the greater part of his life in Dela- ware county. Like all people reared on a farm, he was early in life made familiar with the many labors and duties incident thereto, and until his marriage, at the age of thirty, he re- sided upon the home place and managed the same. His marriage was solemnized August I, 1850, with Mary A. Smith, who was born in Liberty township, Delaware county, January 2, 1831, the daughter of Lewis and Serepta (Preston) Smith, natives of Vermont, who moved to this part of the state at an early period of its history. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Rees purchased a farm of eighty acres, to which he at once removed, and upon which he resided for a period of eighteen years, and then moved to his present place in Centre township, where he has since made his home. In the meantime Mr. Rees accumulated valu- able real estate in various parts of the county,
and became the owner of over 300 acres of fine land, which he divided among the various members of his family. Since moving to his present place in Centre township, he has added to his original purchase from time to time until he how has in his possession over 377 acres adjoining the city of Muncie, all of which is substantially improved and represents a great value. In the true sense of the word, Mr. Rees is a self made man and as such ranks with the most successful agriculturists of Dela- ware county. He possesses financial ability of a high order, has always been a man of great industry, and his example is well worthy of imitation by those who are just beginning the struggle of life for themselves. He is one of the oldest and best known citizens of the county living at this time, and is fully entitled to the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, which he enjoys in a very marked degree. He is a republican in politics and a member of the Methodist church, to which his wife also belongs. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rees, namely: Elwood, Perlina, Randson, Serepta (deceased), Lucetta (deceased) and Emma.
a HRISTOPHER RIBBLE, one of the farmers of Delaware county, Ind., now living a life retired from active business in the pleasant city of Mun- cie, Ind., was born in Montgomery county, Va., November 16, 1817, son of David and Mary (Surfess) Ribble, natives of the same county, who removed to Delaware county in 1830 and settled in Perry township, where they entered a tract of land in 1829. David Ribble was a man of more than ordinary edu- cation for that period, and was prominently identified with the business and political life of
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the county. He was a republican in politics and was the representative of the people of his district for one term. He died in March, 1839. The mother of Christopher Ribble was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, a good woman and a kind neighbor, and her death occurred in 1852. They reared a family of six children, as follows: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Ingraham Sissell, of Tennessee; Martin, a resident of Muncie; Nancy, now Mrs. Joseph Thomas, of Iowa; Christopher, William, of Centre, and John of Iowa.
Christopher Ribble came to Delaware county when about thirteen years of age, and received his education in the early schools of the county. In 1839 he married Miss Martha VanArsdol, daughter of Cornelius and Jane (McClellan) VanArsdol, who settled in Perry township, Delaware county, in 1820. Mr. Van Arsdol was born in Kentucky and removed, when a child, with his parents, to Ohio, where he grew to maturity and married. After com- ing to Indiana he built a house upon his claim and cleared a farm. He served as justice of the peace and as county commissioner; was also a minister in the Christian church, being the first preacher of the county. His death occurred in 1869. He had been a soldier in the war of 1812.
After marriage, Mr. Ribble located in Perry township, where he cleared a farm, and here the family resided until 1873, when he retired from business and removed into Muncie. He is a stockholder in the Five Points Gas Well company. Politically he is a republican and takes much interest in public affairs. One son, Cornelius W., was born in 1842 and enlisted in 1861 in company K, Nineteenth Indiana volun- teer infantry, and died with typhoid fever, December 31, 1861, at Washington, D. C. Another son, William T., is a carpenter and contractor in the city of Muncie. Mr. and Mrs. Ribble are members of the High street Metho-
dist Episcopal church, and always take great interest in religious affairs.
ILLIAM RIBBLE, a prominent farmer of Centre township, and one of the oldest and best known citi- zens of Delaware county, is a na- tive of Montgomery county, Va., born Octo- ber 10, 1819. He is of German descent and the son of David and Mary (Surfess) Ribble. His grandparents located in Miami county, Ohio, in 1828, and in 1830 his parents re- moved to Delaware county, Ind., locating near Smithfield, Perry township. David Rib- ble died in 1839 at the age of fifty-two, and his wife in 1852, when sixty-three years old. David Ribble followed farming his entire life, and was chosen representative of Delaware county, Ind .. in the general assembly from 1835 to 1837. He reared a family of six chil- dren, viz: Elizabeth, Martin, Nancy, Christo- pher, William and John.
William Ribble received the most impor- tant part of his instruction in the common schools of Virginia, as the advantages afforded in the newly settled districts of Indiana were very meager, and much of his time was em- ployed in the work of the farm. After the death of his father, he assumed the manage- ment of the farm and at once began purchas- ing the shares owned by his brothers and sis- ters. He set to work clearing and improving the place, and from time to time purchased adjoining tracts until 1881, until he was the possessor of 344 acres of choice land. In 1858, he formed, with his brother-in-law, the firm of Hutchings & Ribble, at Selma, and engaged in the sale of general merchandise and in buying and selling grain and wool, carrying on the farm in the meantime. At the death of Mr. Hutchings, which occurred in
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1865, he sold his interest in the business and again turned his whole attention to agricult- ural pursuits.
In 1843, Mr. Ribble was elected justice of the peace on the whig ticket, and later by appointment of Gov. Whitcomb became major of the state militia. He assisted in the organ- ization of the republican party, and in 1874 was elected on that ticket to the general assembly. Mr. Ribble has been foremest in various public improvements, among which were the Smithfield & Burlington turnpike, of which he was secretary and a director, and the Muncie & Burlington pike, in which he also held an official position. In 1856 Mr. Ribble joined the Burlington lodge of Free & Accepted Masons, and, in 1867, took the chapter and commandery degrees. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for over forty years, holding, during that period, the office of steward.
On the 19th of November, 1844, Mr. Rib- ble was united in marriage with Harriet Ribble, who was born in Montgomery county, Va., January 24, 1824, the daughter of George and Sarah (Surfess) Ribble. George Ribble, in company with David Ribble, located in Perry township, Delaware county, in 1830, and in 1831 took command of a company of state militia, which position he filled until promoted to the rank of colonel in 1847. Subsequently (1855) he removed to the state of Iowa, locat- ing at the town of Clarinda, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 27th day of February, 1887. His wife, Sarah Rib- ble, died in the same place May 25, 1879, and they have fifty-six surviving grandchildren, and fifty-one great-grandchildren. George and Sarah Ribble, were earnest members of the Methodist church. To the marriage of William and Harriet Ribble have been born ten children, namely: Charles O., a resident of Liberty township; Helen; Clara, wife of L.
T. Wilson, of Osage county, Kan .; David, who lives in Tennessee, George A., a resident of the township of Liberty; Sarah A., « fe of T. W. Cornell; Harriet B .. wife of W Brown, an attorney of New Castle, In Cliza, deceased; Mary R., wife of W. L. Legg, Fort Scott, Kan .; Gertrude, deceased, and Lydia E., deceased.
EBSTER S. RICHEY. - Among the officials of Delaware county, Ind., who do her honor by their efficiency, the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch occup es a de- servedly conspicuous place. Since 1890 he has been the auditor of the county, and has most ably and faithfully performed th e onerous duties of the position to the satisfact.on of the people, irrespective of party affiliati ¿n.
Webster S. Richey was born in Preble county, Ohio, March 11, 1848, and is a son of Samuel W. and Sarah C. (Fleming) Richey, natives of the same state, of the counties of Preble and Butler, respectively. The father was a prominent business man of New Paris, Ohio, and died in 1881, at the advanced age of seventy-six. Webster S. is the youngest of a family of eight children and was reared in his native town until sixteen years of age, attending in the meantime the public schools, in which he laid the foundation of an educa- tion which, supplemented by a subsequent course of instruction, and a life of great busi- ness activity and close observation of events, has made him one of the best informed men in every community where his lot has been cast. On the first day of April, 1864, at the age of sixteen, he entered the service of his country, enlisting in the Eighth Ohio battery of light artillery, and served faithfully for fifteen months, at the end of which time,
W. S. RICHEY.
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owing to a serious injury received while mount- ing a cannon, and the war being over, he severed his connection with the army and re- turned to Ohio, and for some time thereafter was engaged in the drug business at the town of New Paris, and while thus employed at- tended school as occasion permitted. In 1867 Mr. Richey accepted a position as bookkeeper in a wholesale grocery house at Richmond, Ind., in which capacity he continued until 1870, when he located in Muncie and engaged in the drug business in partnership with W. E. Richey, under the firm name of Richey & Richey. From 1871 to 1876 he was agent of the American Express company at Muncie and joint agent for the United States and Ameri- can companies from the latter year to 1880, also serving as freight clerk for the Bee Line railroad from 1880 to 1881. From the latter year to 1882 he was bookkeeper for James Boyce, and from 1882 to 1887 was the route agent through Ohio and Indiana for the United States Express company. From 1887 to 1889 he was again bookkeeper for James Boyce and served in that capacity until 1890, in which year he was elected to his present posi- tion, auditor of Delaware county.
Mr. Richey is a prominent member of the Williams post, No. 78, G. A. R., Muncie, and was mainly instrumental in the establishment of a similar organization at New Paris, Ohio, in 1886, of which he was made commander. He takes great interest in all matters pertain- ing to the Grand Army. He is also promi- nently identified with the A. F. & A. M. fraternity, belonging to lodge No. 433, of Muncie, also being a member of Muncie chap- ter and commandery. He belongs to lodge No. 74, I. O. O. F., tribe No. 30, I. O. R. M., took an active part in the organization of the Ancile club and is one of the active members of the Citizens' Business club. It will thus be seen that the career of Mr. Richey has been
one of untiring activity, and the important trusts to which he has been called at different times, and the important office which he now so ably and acceptably fills, attest his popu- larity with the people of his county. A self made man, he has always been imbued with the spirit of self reliance, and every interest imposed in him has been managed with excel- lent tact and judgment. As an official, he enjoys in a full measure the confidence of his fellow citizens, and all who have had business relations with him bear testimony to his worth as an intelligent and most affable and courte- ous gentleman.
Mr. Richey was married October 15, 1872, to Miss Julia Thomas, daughter of J. Harvey Thomas, of Dayton, Ohio, and three children have been born to their union, namely: Albert S., a student at Purdue university, where he is taking the course of electrical engineering; Reba and Paul. Mr. Richey is himself liberal in his religious views, but his family are members of the Presbyterian de- nomination.
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