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 53
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five years, later spending six months in Florida for his health, and then acted as representative for D. Appleton & Co., of New York, for eighteen months. His health being restored by this change, he again began practice, locat- ing in the pleasant town of Desoto, Ind., where he has since continued and has gained many friends, not only among his grateful patients, but also among others who recognize in him a pleasant gentleman, and an energetic and en- terprising citizen.
Dr. Dill was married November 24, 1888, in Wells county, Ind., to Miss Lizzie A. Carr, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, June 7, 1865, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Zel- ler) Carr, of German and Irish ancestry. Mrs. Dill is a member of the Methodist church. Dr. Dill is a republican and is socially con- nected with the I. O. O. F., and has taken the blue lodge and chapter degrees in Masonry, and is a member of Hanselman commandery K. T., of Cincinnati, Ohio; he is also a mem- ber of the order of Red Men. He has large business interests in the town, and has made investments in the Desoto Land company.
J OHN S. FUDGE, the gentleman for whom this biography is written, was born in Green county, Ohio, March 7, 1827, and is a son of John and Cathe- rine (Sellers) Fudge. The father of the sub- ject was a very prominent man in the state of Ohio, serving for a number of years in the state legislature, in both upper and lower houses. He was born in Boutetourt county, Va., April 13, 1796, and passed out of life from the effects of a stroke of paralysis, September 15, 1868, at the age of seventy-three years. Many years ago he left his native state and removed to Ohio, locating about five miles west of the city of Xenia, where he purchased a large tract
of land, which he farmed, and also operated a tannery. In every walk of life he was promi- nent, and possessed the confidence and esteem of the community. For many years he served as county commissioner, and was appointed by the whig party associate judge in 1852. He acted as administrator on about 300 estates, in which capacity he gave the utmost satisfaction. In the Methodist church he was an officer for many years, and was considered one of the best of citizens and a good, religious man. In his political faith he was a whig, and united with the republican party upon its first organization.
The subject of this sketch received a good common school education and remained with his parents until attaining his majority, at which he desired to try his own fortunes. He began life for himself as a farmer in Greene county, Ohio, and continued in agricultural pursuits in that part of the state until 1864 when he removed to Delaware county, Ind., locating in Niles township. Here he purchased 160 acres of land and farmed it for four years. This farm he exchanged for one of 140 acres, on which he resided for seven years, when he sold it and purchased 150 acres and subse- quently forty acres more adjoining it, which he afterwards sold. On this farm he resided for ten years, when he again exchanged for another form of 160 acres, all in Niles town- ship. In 1885 Mr. Fudge exchanged a part of his farm for the pleasant and commodious residence and grounds in which he resides in Albany. In 1886 Mr. Fudge sold the balance of this farm in Niles township and purchased I22 acres but one-half mile east of the beauti- ful and rapidly growing village of Albany. It has since become very valuable, as it is con- sidered as good gas land as there is in the belt. In 1893 Mr. Fudge disposed of 117 acres of this splendid piece of property to the Albany Land company, and it will soon be one of the busy suburbs of the growing city.
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Mr. Fudge is a stock holder in the Dela- ware county Agricultural society and is also a director and stock holder in the Albany Gas company. He is retired from business and will spend the remainder of his days in the ease and comfort of his pleasant home in Albany.
Mr. Fudge was married in Green county, Ohio, October 28, 1847, to Miss Martha J. Boots, who was born in the same county and state August 4, 1830, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Peterson) Boots, both parents natives of Ohio. Martha C., wife of Charles Racer; John M., who is engaged in farming in Delaware county; Lewis M., who is engaged in the stock and provision business in Dun- kirk; Mary E., wife of J. W. Black, farmer in Niles township; Susan S., wife of A. N. Bos- man, farmer; Anna C., wife of D. M. W. John, farmer, all of Niles township, and Laura C., Allie F. and Hattie M., at home, engaged in the dressmaking business; Charles B., principal clerk in the store of Bliss & Kel- ler, in Muncie, Ind .; Ulysses F., with the dry goods house of S. C. Cowan, in Muncie, and Joseph R., who died, in 1861, at the age of three years.
Mr. Fudge and wife are members of the M. E. church of Albany and are highly re- garded in the neighborhood for their many ex- cellent traits of character.
J OHN T. GRAY, farmer, was born in Randolph county, April 21, 1841, the son of Edward and Nancy (Godwin) Gray. The parents of Edward Gray migrated from Virginia to Ohio in 1832, thence to Randolph county, Ind., where the family secured 360 acres, upon which he grew to manhood. The following are the names of the brothers and sisters of Edward Gray: John H., Margaret, wife of William McCam-
ish; Jane, wife of A. W. Jarnigen; Malinda, wife of John Green, and Emily, wife of George Booher. The names of the brothers and sis- ters of Mrs. Gray are as follows: William, John, Nathan, James, Thomas, Goodwin and Sarah, wife of Dempsey Harber. Edward Gray was, for fifty years, a prominent mem- ber of the Methodist church, and is remem- bered as a man of most excellent reputation in the community in which he resided. He died March 25, 1890, and with his wife, who departed this life October, 1888, lies buried in what is known as the Hopewell cemetery. Edward and Nancy Gray had a family of six children, namely: William M., John T., Nathan E., James K. P., Mary and Sarah, the last two of whom are deceased.
John T. Gray was reared a farmer, and with the exception of a brief period, has fol- lowed that calling for his life work. He was married July 20, 1861, to Elizabeth Pace daughter of Uriah and Mary (Boots) Pace, of Randolph county, and immediately thereafter located on a farm in the county of Randolph, where he resided for some time. Disposing of his interest in Randolph county, and thinking to better his condition, he went to Kansas, but did not long remain in that state, returning to Indiana and locating in the town of Albany, Delaware county, which was his home for about one year. He then purchased his present farm in Delaware township, upon which he has ยท since resided. The following children have been born to John T. and Elizabeth Gray: Uriah, deceased; Sarah E., deceased; Harriet, wife of David Woolverton; Juliette, wife of E. A. Frank; Laura L., Edward, Bertha and James W., deceased. The parents of Mrs. Gray moved from Fayette county, Ohio, to Delaware county, Ind., in 1833, and settled near the town of Albany on a farm where the father died November, 1868; the mother is still living, and makes her home at this time at
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the town of Albany. She is a member of the German Baptist church, and the mother of the following children: Jessic, Edmund, William D., deceased; Albert, deceased; Harriet, wife of John Rutledge; Talitha, wife of Otho Dow- den; Elizabeth, wife of John T. Gray and Julia Pace. . Mr. and Mrs. Gray are members of the Christian church, and are highly respect- ed by all who know them. Their pleasant home, which is the abode of hospitality, is located on a small but beautiful farm, whose rich and fertile fields yield a golden tribute to the care and cultivation of the owner.
office in connection with a book and stationery store.
Mr. Hannan was the father of the follow- ing children: Emma F., the wife of Henry Stover, of Marion, Ind .; Eliza J., wife of Will- iam R. Brady, of Indiana; Alli, wife of W. R. Myers, of Muncie, Ind .; Mary, wife of George W. Bryan, of New Corner; E. P., subject of this mention; John B., of this state; Nannie M., deceased, and Joseph B., of Cincinnati. In his religious preference Mr. Hannan is a Baptist, and has long been an ardent supporter of the republican party.
Edward P. Hannan was reared as a farmer and had excellent school advantages, pursuing his studies until his seventeenth year, and then leaving his books to enter the employ of the mercantile firmi of Resoner & Knight, of New Corner, where he remained for one year. The following year he spent in the employ of George W. Stephenson, of Muncie, after which he spent one year working at the carpenter trade, and for about one year worked with Levi Johnson, in Huntsville, in Randolph county. He spent nine months on a farm and then went into the drug business for one year, but the next year was spent in the photograph business and six months as clerk in Hunts- ville.
a DWARD P. HANNAN .- Among the prominent and successful business men of Delaware township, Dela- ware county, Ind., we note the sub- ject of the following sketch. Mr. Hannan was born in Grant county, Ind., November 25, 1861, a son of James W. and Rose A. (Parks) Hannan, the former born in Taswell county, Va., in May, 1825, and the latter in Ohio, in 1828. They were married in Picka- way county, Ohio, where Mr. Hannan engaged in the practice of medicine, later adopting the profession of teacher, which he continued until 1852, when he came to Grant county, For three summers he traveled for the American Road company, of Kennett Square, Pa., and during the winters. he engaged in clerking and at the end of this time he went into partnership with M. V. Harness in a gen- eral store at Point Isabella, Grant county, Ind., for a period of about eight months, after which he engaged in the same trade with John H. Salyer, which partnership continued about six months. He then went back to New Cor- ner and went into the hotel and livery business for a period of two years, after which he moved to Albany, where he clerked for Hunt & John- Ind., and purchased a small farm, remaining upon the same until 1867, when he removed to Delaware county, and again engaged in agricultural pursuits. He subsequently re- moved to Wheeling, in Washington township, but shortly after removed to New Corner, now Gaston, where he engaged in general mer- chandise for two years. At the expiration of that time he sold his property and again engaged in farming until 1884. Once more he made his home in New Corner, and for a period of four years carried the mail between New Corner and Muncie, and also had charge of the post- ! son for fourteen months and then entered into
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a partnership with R. G. Hunt in a general store, which business he is conducting at this time.
Mr. Hannan was happily married Decem- ber 21, 1884, in Huntsville, Randolph county, to Elizabeth F. Hunt, who was born in Hunts- ville, September 9, 1862, a daughter of John W. and Rachel (Andrews) Hunt, of Scotch and English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Hannan have three children, Dana L., Loyd and Ogarita. The family is connected with the Methodist church, where they are highly es- teemed. Mr. Hannan is a republican in his political affiliations, and fraternally is con- nected with the order of I. O. O. F., No. 361, He is well known in this locality and he num- bers his friends by the score.
ILLIAM HEBB .- Among the well known residents of the town of Al- bany, Ind., the gentleman for whom this sketch is prepared is deserving of especial mention. Mr. Hebb was born in Preston county, Va., December 25, 1825, and is a son of Robert and Nancy (Evans) Hebb, natives of the same state, where they married and began domestic life on a farm in the county of Preston. They removed to Monon - galia county in 1829, and there remained until their deaths, in the years 1852 and 1882, respectively. Robert and Nancy Hebb were for many years members of the Methodist church and were much respected in the locali- ty where they lived for their many excellent traits of character. Their family were as follows: William, Sybrant, Jehu, Sarah, Martha, Anna, and Virginia living; Joseph, John, David and Josina, deceased. William Hebb was reared on the home farm in his native state, and at the age of twenty-two years, began the battle of life for himself as
an agriculturist. When he had attained his twenty-fourth year, he learned the trade of carpentering, which he successfully followed at different places until 1886. In 1854 he left his Virginia home and emigrating westward, located in Randolph county, Ind., where he re- sided until 1883, at which time he became a resi- dent of the flourishing town of Albany, where, for a period of eight years, he was engaged in fine carpenter work and contracting. At the end of that time, he became associated with his son in the harness business, with which line he was identified until March 1, 1893, when he retired from active life and at the present writing is not engaged in any undertaking. While a resident of the county of Randolph, he acquired considerable local prominence, and served the people for eleven years as jus- tice of the peace, an office to which he was also elected after becoming a resident of Al- bany, holding the same in this town two and one-half terms. His fraternal relationship is with the I. O. O. F., and in religion is a prominent member of the Christian church, contributing most liberally of his means to the local congregation with which he is identified. He is held in the highest esteem as an earnest and conscientious gentleman, and in the true sense of the word is one of Albany's repre- sentative citizens. Mr. Hebb was married December 25, 1851, in West Virginia to Miss Sarah M. Jones, and a family of eight chil- dren have been born to their union: Adolph, John F., Daniel R., Adelaid, deceased; Clay- ton, Lilly, wife of Thomas Cary; Grant, de- ceased, and Emma, wife of W. Hodge. The mother of these children departed this life March, 1875, and in September of the follow- ing year, Mr. Hebb's second marriage was consummated with Mrs. Maria Leavell, widow of the late John F. Leavell: two children, Rufus and Charles, have been born to this union.
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B F. HOUSEMAN, the efficient and affable gentleman who manages the telegraphic service of the L. E. & W. railroad at Albany, Ind., is the sub- ject of this biographical notice. Mr. House- man was born in Seneca county, Ohio, January 4, 1861, and is a son of D. M. and Elizabeth (Powell) Houseman, natives of Pennsylvania and of Virginia, respectively. They were the parents of four children, David, who died in the army; George, a farmer, Catherine, an accomplished lady who spent seven years in Africa, teaching the natives, and B. F. The father died in June, 1883; the mother is now a resident of the village of Albany. Mr. Houseman had been a soldier, and his death was caused by trouble contract- ed while in the army. Politically, he was a democrat.
At the age of sixteen years the subject of this sketch began life for himself, engaging in any general work to which he could turn his hand, until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began the study of telegraphy under F. L. Twining, at Kansas, Ohio, remaining under his instructions for one year. In 1882 he was appointed to take charge of the office at Buckland, Ohio, and remained in that po- sition for three years, and in 1886 became the manager of the office of the L. E. & W., at Albany, Ind. He has faithfully performed his duties to the company and has been most thoughtfully treated in return.
Mr. Houseman was married December 23, 1888, to Miss Wilda M. Bartlett, daughter of William T. Bartlett, of Albany, and has two bright little daughters, Lena A. and Blanche. Mr. Houseman is a democrat and is con- sidered one of the prominent factors of his party in Delawaro county. Socially, he is a member of the R. R. Telegraphic union and in a financial way is a member of the Co-oper- ative Gas company of Albany.
EORGE W. JONES .-- The subject of this sketch, the prosperous owner and manager of the only general store in the thriving little town of Desoto, Ind., is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Yeager) Jones, and was born in Monongalia county, W. Va. His parents were also born in the same state, of Welsh and German an- cestors. They married there, and remained in the old place until 1844, when they removed to Indiana and settled in Delaware county. They found a primeval wilderness, bought sixty acres of land and began their pioneer life in earnest. Work, hard work, was the order of the day, and Mr. Jones did much of it. He took a pride in his home and labored faithfully, suc- ceeding as all do, who persevere, and at the time of his death, July 15, 1862, he owned two hundred and forty acres of well improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were the parents of five children, as follows: Joseph C., George WV., Rebecca, wife of J. W. Fryer; Jacob Y. and James B., the last two of whom were killed in the army during the late war. Mrs. Jones died December 12, 1867. Both had been valued and consistent members of the Christ- ian church. He was a republican in his politi- cal convictions, and for a great many years be- longed to the Masonic order. Mr. Jones' second wife was Catherine Synder, who sur- vives him, but there were no children born to this union.
Upon the home farm the subject received his practical training, which made of him a self-reliant and successful agriculturist, and after he had reached his legal majority he farmed for his father for one year, then rented land for the two following years. Then he moved near Idaville, in White county, where he purchased property and engaged in clerking in a general store, following this occupation for three years, later spending two years working at the carpenter trade. He then purchas e
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forty-five acres of land in Delaware township, moved to the same and engaged in farming and improving the land, upon which he re- mained three years. During the six following years he was engaged in the saw mill business and then again went to farming, which he pur- sued for ten years, at the end of which time he located in the pleasant town of Desoto, which he decided to make his home. He is now con- ducting the only general merchandise store in the place, and in August, 1890, was appointed postmaster of the town. For the past four years he has been a prohibitionist in his politi- cal convictions, and has served the township as trustee for two terms. He is a man of con- siderable means, owns forty-seven acres of land in the township, and has $5,000 in the Desoto Land company.
Mr. Jones was married April 22, 1859, to Miss Martha A. Shaffer, and six children were born to this union, only one of whom is now living, Addie, the wife of L. McHardie, of Desoto, who is engaged with Mr. Jones in general merchandising. The mother died February 17, 1862. Mr. Jones' second mar- riage was solemnized April 26, 1863, with Miss Lydia V. Bell, daughter of John and Maria (Callender) Bell, who was born in Madison county, Ohio, June 13, 1861. The marriage took place in Jay county, Ind., and has been blessed with three children, namely: Walter E. and Alma F., and an infant daughter. The family are members of the Christian church, in which they are much esteemed.
ILLIAM F. KROHN .- The follow- ing biographical sketch is written of one who has arisen by his own efforts from humble environments to be one of the wealthiest and most prom- inent and respected citizens of Delaware coun-
ty, Ind. He was born in Delaware township and county, a son of William F. and Mary M. (Pendry) Krohn, the father having been born in North Germany, May 10, 1805, a son of William Krohn, of Germany also. William F. Krohn came to America about the time he was old enough to enter the militia, but re- mained only a short time, when he returned to his native country and there finished his education. He was a man of fine education, conversing in five different languages. He married Mary Pendry, who was born in Greene county, Ohio, and to this marriage the follow- ing family of children were born: Mary L., the wife of Isaac Mann; Elizabeth, wife of William Lister, of Randolph county; John S., Henrietta, now residing with her brother William; William B., our subject, and Bar- bara, wife of R. W. Maxwell.
The father of this family passed out of life May 9, 1868, and the mother in 1847. She was a Quaker in her religious belief, and he was a member of the German Reformed church. He was a democrat in his political convictions until the late war, when he became a Douglas man, but later in life a republican. His profession was that of veterinary surgeon, and in pursuit of it he traveled through four kingdoms. His memory of people and places, as well as events, was wonderful, and made him a most entertaining companion.
William F. Krohn was reared in the vil- lage of Albany and early displayed business talent, from the age of eight years taking care of himself. He engaged in driving cattle and did work often by the day, and in 1867 he and his brother John entered into a real estate transaction which proved the nucleus of his fortune. Together, they purchased five lots in the town of Albany, and when the price advanced and land became more valuable, they sold it, purchasing five acres of J. S. Fudge, himself a good business man, paying
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$100 per acre, and sold this later at an advance of twenty per cent. buying then, close by, a tract of eighty acres which they from time added to until now they own 726 acres, all of which is valuable land. In connection with their other interests they have been successful in stock raising, and now are considered very responsible and wealthy members of the com- munity. Until the marriage of the others, Miss Henrietta kept house and lived with them, but now she is the presiding good genius in the home of the subject. She is one of the val- ued and efficient workers in the Methodist church. In his politics, Mr. Krohn votes with the republican party.
J OHN S. KROHN .- Prominent among the enterprising farmers and stock raisers of Delaware county is John S. Krohn, who for many years has been one of the leading citizens of the township of Delaware. Mr. Krohn's parents were William and Mary (Pendri) Krohn, the father a Ger- man and the mother a native of this country. The father came to the United States in 1833, landing in New York, from which city he pro- ceeded to Greene county, Ohio, where he followed his profession of veterinary surgeon for a period of four years. At the end of that time he came to Delaware county, Ind., and located at the town of Albany, where his death occurred May 9, 1864; his wife preceded him to the grave, dying on the 29th day of March, 1848. The following are the names of the six children born to William and Mary Krohn, namely: Louisa M., wife of Isaac Mann; Elizabeth, wife of William M. Lister, of Ran- dolph county; John S., whose name introduces this mention; Henrietta; William B., noticed elsewhere; and Barbara, wife of Robert Max- well.
John S. Krohn, born in Delaware county, December 3, 1841, was reared in the town of Albany, and his education embraced the studies included in the common school curriculum. At the early age of twelve years he began working for himself at different occupations, and later, was employed in driving live stock to Cincinnati and other prominent shipping points. At the age of nineteen, with a spirit that animated so many patriotic young men during the dark period when the war cloud spread its sombre folds over the country, he went forth to do battle in behalf of the Nation- al Union. He enlisted September 20, 1861, in company D, Second Indiana volunteer cav- alry, for a three years' service and remained at the front one month in excess of his period of enlistment. He was taken prisoner at Huntsville, Alabama, December, 1863, by the confederate general John Morgan, but was soon exchanged and returned to his command. He participated gallantly in many hard fought battles, including the numerous engagements of the Atlanta campaign, and made a record as a soldier of which he feels deservedly proud. Mr. Krohn was honorably discharged at Indianapolis October 7, 1864. On retiring from the army. he returned home and engaged in teaming and general farming, and purchased his first property in 1866. This was but an insignificent piece of land, but by well directed effort and wise forethought, he added thereto, from time to time, until he is now the fortun- ate possessor of over 700 acres, which repre- sent the results of his own labor and successful management. His farm is under a high state of cultivation, and in addition to agriculture, he deals in live stock,-being one of the most successful stock men in Delaware county.
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