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 56
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period of sixteen years. Mr. Stafford's third marriage was celebrated December 15, 1881, in Greene county, Ohio, with Miss Sarah C. Anderson, a native of the same county and state, born near Xenia, April 8, 1857. Mrs. Stafford is the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Standfield) Anderson, of Ohio, whose respect- ive parents came from South Carolina and Virginia. The following are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Stafford: Edna May, Ruthie Jane, and Roxey Edith.
Mr. Stafford is a republican in politics, and as such was elected trustee of Delaware town- ship, which position he filled for four and one- half years from 1886 to 1890. He was also assessor of Niles township. He is one of the directors of the Albany Land company, and is the efficient superintendent of the Albany Natural Gas company. For twenty years he has been a member of the Odd Fellows frater- nity, belonging to lodge No. 361, of which he is trustee, and he is also an active worker in the encampment. Heis chaplain of the G. A. R. post of Albany, and is a leader of the Metho- dist church of his town, to which denomina- tion his family also belong. In 1864, May 10, Mr. Stafford enlisted in company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Indiana volunteer infantry, for the hundred days' service, and his command formed part of the army of the Cumberland and was assigned to guard duty in Alabama. Owing to physical disability he was furloughed but continued in the service until the expiration of his period of enlistment, leaving the army September, 1864, at Indian- apolis.
Mr. Stafford is the leading business man of the town of Albany and one of the representa- tive citizens of Delaware county. He is a very extensive buyer and shipper of grain, handling a large elevator which has a capacity of over 2, 500 bushels per day; he also deals in baled hay, straw, etc., in which line he does a very
large and lucrative business in Delaware and other counties. Mr. Stafford is public spirited, progressive, an earnest friend of education, and it was during his incumbency as trustee, that the beautiful graded school building of Albany was erected. He possesses, in an em- minent degree, the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens, and his name in these pages is a deserving compliment to an intelli- gent, enterprising and most worthy man.
EORGE A. STAFFORD .- The town- ship of Delaware, in the county of the same name, has long been noted for its fine farms and excellent class of citizens, and a prominent representative of the latter is found in the person of the subject of the following sketch.
George A. Stafford was born in Delaware county, Ind., November 23, 1835, a son of Ralph and Jane (Black) Stafford, the former a native of Giles county, Va., born in 1806. Ralph Stafford was a son of George and Cath- erine (Fair) Stafford, both natives of Ireland. Mrs. Jane Black Stafford was born in Clarke county, Ohio, May 30, 1815, and was the, daughter of Andrew and Susan (Ross) Black, whose genealogy appears elsewhere in this volume. The paternal grandparents of the subject located in Clarke county, Ohio, in 1811, and there engaged in farming and in su- perintending a tannery, and remained in that locality until the times of their demise, the father dying in 1876 and the mother in 1888.
Ralph Stafford was but a boy of five years when he accompanied his parents to Clarke county, and there he grew to manhood, at- tending the common school at intervals in the meantime. He early learned the trade of tanner and also that of shoemaking under the supervision of an uncle, John Black, with
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whom he remained for a term of two years, after which he went into partnership with Mr. Black, with whom he remained until 1835, when he came to Delaware county. He had visited this county in 1834, and entered 160 acres of land, returning again in September, 1835. Here he built an old fashioned log cabin, with puncheon floor, and this covered but half the area of the house. He remained on the place until 1854 and then removed to the farm now owned by his son, William, where he spent his declining years, departing this life August 12, 1876; his remains were laid to rest in the Black cemetery. His wife sur- vived him until December 21, 1888, at which time she was laid by his side in the same peace- ful spot, where a beautiful monument marks their last resting place. For many years they were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and were well known and respected people. He had served as trustee and gave satisfaction as an honest official, and at the time of his death he owned 484 acres of land in this township. They were the parents of five children, as follows: George A., James E., John H., William H. and Susan, deceased.
The immediate subject of this mention was reared on the home farm and received the ad- vantages of a good education in the excellent common schools. He learned the trade of tanner, which he followed until twenty-four years of age, and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, renting land of his father. He was married April 16, 1867, at which date he located where he now resides, owning at this time 280 acres of very valuable land, and his crops annually go far to swell the yield of the great state. His residence is a modern one of beauty and utility, and his grounds display, in their neatness and completeness, the pres- ence of an excellent manager.
Mr. Stafford votes with the republican party, and rejoices in its successes. Since 1864 he has
been a member of the Masonic order. In June, 1892, he became a director in the Farmers' bank, of Muncie, and is largely interested fn the same. He married Miss Sarah A. Zeliner, who was born in Wayne county, Ind., June 14, 1844, daughter of Benjamin and Hester (Hoppas) Zehner, of German ancestry, who were pioneers of this county in 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford have a family of four chil- dren, as follows: David R., Cyrus J., Emma C. and Ray J. The family is connected with the Lutheran and the Methodist churches, are good and worthy people, highly esteemed in Delaware township.
Mr. Stafford has been largely interested in and identified with the growth of the city of Muncie, having made a large purchase of real estate in 1887, which was laid out in city lots and known as "Winton addition." He has since kept up his interests in Muncie by subse- quent purchases, which have been profitable. He has just completed a large cracker factory, which will be one of the solid business indus- tries of the city.
ILLIAM HENRY STAFFORD .- The subject of this sketch is a na- tive of the county and township in which he lives, and is a man in the full vigor of life. His neighbors and friends esteem him because of his honest and manly qualities. Mr. Stafford was born February 4, 1848, being the youngest son of Ralph Staf- ford, previously mentioned in this volume. The boyhood of Mr. Stafford was spent on the home farm, and at the age of eight years he removed with his parents to the place where he now resides. His educational advantages were reasonably good, and he profited by them. As a dutiful son, he remained with his father during the latter's declining years, tak-
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ing charge of the farm in 1879. Prior to this time he had conducted it for a share of the proceeds. In the year 1889, he purchased the remaining portion of the farm, which gave him 236 acres in all of valuable land, well and substantially improved, and all in one body.
Mr. Stafford was married in this township (Delaware) May 18, 1879, to Miss Lucinda J. Knox, a native of the township and county; born February 20, 1860, and daughter of John and Madeline (Berry) Knox, residents of Ham- ilton township, this county. To this marriage, one child, Nora Edith, has been born, whose birth occurred March 18, 1884, a very bright and promising child. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford are members of the Methodist church. In politics he is a republican, and always takes an active part in the campaigns as they occur.
When Mr. Stafford was a lad of thirteen, he ran away from home, in 1863, to Indianap- olis, to volunteer in the army, was examined and accepted, but as he was about to take the oath his father stepped in and vetoed the pro- ceedlngs, and the patriotic lad was returned to his mother.
LFRED B. STRONG-The promi- nent citizen whose name introduces the following sketch, owns and oper- ates one of the finest and largest farms in Delaware township. By a proper rotation of crops, the land has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and the abun- dant harvests bear evidence of the thrift of the manager The father of A. B. Strong was Reuben Strong, a native of the state of Ver- mont.
Reuben Strong was twice married, the first time in Greene county, Ohio, to Anna Wilson, who bore him four children: Rhoda, widow of Martin Boots, residing in Randolph county, Ind .; John W., a citizen of the county of
Delaware; Catherine, who married George Mills, and Benjamin, the last two deceased. The second marriage was consummated with Barbara Boots, of Virginia, mother of the sub- ject. Reuben Strong and family moved to Delaware county, Ind., from Ohio, in 1834, and resided here until his death. Upon coming here, Mr. Strong, entered 600 acres of land in the woods, erected a log hut and began the clearing of the land. He had made great plans for the future, but passed from the scenes of earth after a residence of only eighteen months in his new home. His death occurred August 25, 1835, and his remains were laid to rest in a private ground upon his own land. The wife and mother realizing that she had a family to rear, remained upon the farm and conducted affairs. Her death occurred in June, 1861, and she was buried by the side of her husband. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both have the reputation of good and worthy people. The family consisted of eight children, as follows: Alfred B., the sub- ject of this sketch; Lydia, deceased; Eliza- beth, deceased; Melinda, deceased; Minerva, a resident of Randolph county; Mary, the wife of E. Bartlett, living north of Albany; Napo- leon, deceased; an infant, deceased.
At the time of his death Mr. Strong had amassed a fortune for those days, was the owner of much stock and of 680 acres of land. He was a man who always took a prominent position wherever he lived, and served as just- ice of the peace in this county, as he had done for many years in his old home in Ohio. One of the characteristics of Mr. Strong was his straightforward way of doing things. He be- lieved a thing was right and said so; one of his earnest desires being the suppression of intem- perance. His voice was ever heard in favor of any and all things for the benefit of the com- munity. Being a hard working man, he ex- pected much from others and he knew how to
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manage his finances so that he left his family in affluence. Alfred B. Strong was born in Greene county, Ohio, February 9, 1817, and was reared on the home farm, but received only a limited education. He remained with his mother until her death, and then bought out the other heirs, and now owns 463 acres of well improved land. He was married May 20, 1841, in Delaware township, to Miss Mary Sharin, born in Irwin, Ohio, and a daugh- ter of George and Nancy (Hughes) Sharin, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respect- ively, who also were pioneers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Strong had a family of six children, as follows: Reuben, deceased; Nancy J., deceased; John, deceased; George, James, and Laura, the wife of Gordon Smith, of Jay county, Ind.
The pleasant home of Mr. Strong was visited by the hand of affliction, January 8, 1873, when the mother of the family was re- moved by death. She had been a good woman, affectionate wife and mother, and a good neighbor and a consistent member of the Methodist church. Politically, Mr. Strong is a republican, and his first vote was cast for William Henry Harrison.
APOLEON B. STRONG .- The fol- lowing record is prepared for one who has passed from the scenes of this life, but who is yet tenderly re- membered by a large circle of friends. His descent can be traced back to his great-great- grandfather, Noah Strong, who was born July 30, 1752, in Salisbury, Conn. Napoleon B. Strong's birth occurred in Greene county, Ohio, September 18, 1830. He was a son of Reuben and Barbara (Boots) Strong, of Ger- man extraction, who reared the following chil- dren: John, Cynthia, Benjamin, Alfred, Eliz-
abeth, Malinda, Minerva, Mary, the subject of this mention being the youngest member of the family.
Of the early life of the subject but few records are accessible. His marriage with Miss Catherine Woolverton took place Feb- ruary 14, 1858. She was the daughter of Abner and Abigail (Keever) Woolverton, na- tives of Germany and Ireland. These parents reared the following family: Catherine, Mrs. Strong; Mary, deceased; Eva, the wife of George Andrews; Jane, deceased, and Sarah, the wife of James Manor. After his marriage, Mr. Strong settled on the fine farm now ably managed by his widow, where he lived all of his days and upon which his death occurred February 14, 1871. He was a good man, was a very active member of the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Strong was also a member, but upon the organization of the Christian church at Albany, Mrs. Strong united with the latter. Mr. Strong's remains lie in the Strong ceme- tery, where a fine monument marks the last resting place of this worthy man. He had been interested in public affairs and voted with the republican yarty. He came to this county at an early day and endured many hardships and witnessed much of its wonderful growth.
Mrs. Strong also remembers many inter- esting events of pioneer life, as her parents were early settlers in their neighborhood, the father conducting a saw mill, and also preach- ing, as they were devout people, and earnest members of the Christian church. The early meetings were held at the home of the parents of Mrs. Strong. Mrs. Woolverton was an expert weaver and was one of those capable and efficient women of whom we love to read. Mr. and Mrs. Strong had three children; Sarah L., wife of J. S. Manor; Elmer A., a farmer, and Emma. The fine farm of Mrs. Strong contains 138 acres of well improved land.
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EORGE W. SYPHERS, a leading business man of Albany, Ind., was born in Pendleton county, Va., April 5, 1827. His father, William Syph- ers, was a native of the same state, and there married Eva Kibler, who was born in the town of Woodstock. William Syphers was, by occupation, a cooper, which trade he car- ried on in connection with farming both in his native state and Ohio, having moved to the latter in 1833, settling in Champaign county. In 1841 he removed to Adams county, Ind., where the death of himself and wife subse- quently occurred. William Syphers served in the war of 1812, was a man of sterling worth and strict integrity, a democrat in politics, and an active member of the United Presbyterian church. His wife, also a member of the same denomination, is rembered as a woman of many excellent traits of character, a kind mother, a faithful friend, and a most exem- plary christian.
George W. Syphers, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, receiving a good education which enabled him to engage in teaching, a profession he followed very successfully for a number of years. He taught his first term of school in Wiltshire, Ohio, and his popularity as an instructor is attested by the fact that he continued in charge of the same school for twelve consecu- tive terms. On retiring from the educational field, he accepted a clerkship in a dry goods house at Monmouth, Adams county, Ind., where he remained one year, after which he was similarly employed in Wiltshire, Ohio, for a period of eighteen months. Disposing of his interest in that town, at the request of his father, he returned home and managed the place for eight years, thence removed to Salem, Ind., and purchased land one and one-half miles north of the town, upon which he found- ed a village and engaged in the general trade
in partnership with a brother. This relation continued until 1883, at which date he re- moved to Albany, where he has since carried on a successful business in the retail grocery line.
Mr. Syphers was first married in Decatur, Adams county, Ind., in 1859, to Miss Sarah Davey, a union blessed with the birth of the following children: Willis, Amy, Alice, Min- nie, Annie, Maynard, James E. and Eddie. The mother of these children departed this life June 2, 1871, and January 11, 1872, Mr. Syphers married Elizabeth Johnson, in Noble county, Ind., who died December 9, 1874. On September 22, 1876, Mr. Syphers and Mrs. M. J. Mills were united in the bonds of wed- lock in Belmont county, Ohio, the result of which union was the birth of one child, Clar- ence L. Syphers. Mr. Syphers is a worthy and energetic citizen, fully alive to all that has a tendency to improve the town or community. He is treasurer of the German Mutual Fire In- surance company, of Indianapolis, and in poli- tics is a supporter of the prohibition party, believing that the liquor traffic can be sup- pressed only by national and state legislation. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in every respect a repre- sentative citizen, and a notable example of the self-made man.
O THOLIC HENDERSON TINDALL, the well known resident and official for whom this sketch is prepared, was born in Van Wert county, Ohio, March 21, 1853, a son of Henry and Sarah E. (Miller) Tindall, the latter a native of Parkers- burg, West Va., and the former of Beaver county, Pa. These parents were married in Van Wert county, both having been previous- ly married. Henry Tindall engaged in farm-
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ing until his death in November, 1884. In his political faith he was a republican, and dur- ing a long life accumulated some seven hun- dred acres of land in Van Wert county, Ohio. His reputation was that of a man of the strictest integrity, and both he and wife were members of the United Brethren denomina- tion. His widow now resides with her son, the subject of this sketch, at Albany.
Otholic Henderson Tindall was reared on the home farm and early became inured to hard labor, remaining with his parents until he had reached his majority. For one year he farmed the old homestead and then bought land in Adams county, Ind., where he re- mained nine months, selling this tract to pur- chase property in Willshire, Van Wert county, Ohio. He took charge of the old homestead for three years, paying a money rent of $300 per year, and later went to the town of Van Wert, where for one year he was engaged in the insurance business.
His next business venture was the pur- chase of forty acres of land, in the county of Van Wert, where he remained one year, fol- lowing which he bought eighty acres in Adams county, Ind., where he remained two years, selling it at the end of that time and locating in the town of Albany, where for a period of six months he was engaged in mercantile pur- suits. Having been made constable, he after- ward engaged in other occupations. His term of service as constable was two years, and he served as deputy sheriff under O. H. Swain for four years. Later he went into the timber business and afterward engaged as tie contractor for the L. E. & W. R. R., until July, 1891, at which time he became identified with the Creamery Package Manufacturing company of Portland, Ind., with which he has since remained.
Mr. Tindall was married in Willshire, Ohio, February 9, 1873, to Miss Sarah E.
Stove, born in Van Wert county, Ohio, De- cember 22, 1853, a daughter of William and Sarah (Widmer) Stove, of German and Eng- lish ancestry. Seven children have been born of this marriage-William, deceased; Henry Frazier; Amos; John H .; Birdie; Arlie and Bessie. The eldest son is the telegraph opera- tor on the C. & E. R. R., at Spencerville, Ohio.
Mr. Tindall is a man of considerable means and has had a very successful business career. He owns ten shares in the Albany Land com- pany and four shares in the gas wells.
J OHN N. WINGATE .- Among the prominent farmers of Delaware town- ship the name of John N. Wingate is entitled to specific mention. Mr. Win- gate was born in Highland county, Ohio, April 4, 1830, and is a son of Philip and Mary Win- gate. The father was born in the state of Delaware, in 1791, and was married, in 1822, in Highland county, Ohio, to Mary Anderson, and for a number of years worked at the car- penter's trade. He came to Indiana a number of years ago, moving his family and household ef- fects in one small cart, and the sum total of his available wealth, on reaching his destination, was twenty-five cents in money. He worked at his trade until 1843, at which time he be- came a resident of Delaware township this county, where his death occurred in 1872. He was the father of thirteen children, five of whom are living at this time. He belonged to the Methodist church, was originally a whig in his political belief, and later became a repub- lican, the principles of which party he advo- cated until his death.
The immediate subject of this sketch, John W. Wingate, spent the first fifteen years of his life in Ohio, and then accompanied his
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parents to Delaware county, Ind., remaining with his father until attaining his legal major- ity. While still young, he developed con- siderable skill as a mechanic, and at the age of twenty, began working at the carpenter's trade, which calling he followed until 1865, when he engaged in agricultural pursuits on the farm where he has since made his home. Mr. Win- gate is a notable example of what a young man, without any assistance from friends or fortune, can accomplish, with the aid of well directed energy and wise business foresight. From a small beginning, he has increased his share of this world's wealth, until at this time he is the fortunate possessor of 270 acres of fine land, which has been developed into one of the best, and one of the most successful farms in the county of Delaware. His early education was limited to a few months each winter in the common schools, and he is in the true sense of the word a self educated man, his fund of practical knowledge having been attained by years of intelligent observation and business association with his fellow men.
His first marriage was solemnized Febru- ary 25, 1855, in Ohio, with Amanda M. Black, who died January 27, 1861, leaving two child- ren, Theodore W., a farmer residing in Mich- igan, and Robert N., a resident of the town of Albany, Delaware county. On the 23d day of October, 1863, Mr. Wingate took a second wife, Mrs. Charlotte R. Wilson, widow of the late Morgan Wilson, and daughter of James R. and Eve Black. By her previous marriage, Mrs. Wingate had two children: Anthony M. Wilson, of Nebraska, and James R. Wilson, deceased. The following are the names of the children born to her marriage with Mr. Win- gate: Clara E., wife of Richard A. Jones; Arthur M., Eldora, Clayton B., Lillie Dell, Maud P. and Laura. Mr. Wingate is a dem- ocrat in politics, and at one time served as trustee of his township. He is a member of
the I. O. O. F. lodge, No. 361, and is a share holder and prominent factor in the Albany Land company. Mrs. Wingate is a member of the Delaware Chapel Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wingate's residence of fifty years in this community has acquired him many friends and is well respected as a substantial and honored citizen.
EORGE W. WHITEMAN .- Few men in Delaware county have had a more interesting and varied experience in life than the gentleman whose brief biography is presented herewith. George W. Whiteman was born near Brighton, Sussex county, England, and is the son of Charles and Harriet (Clark) Whiteman, both parents natives of the same country. By occupation, Charles Whiteman was a railroad contractor. He laid out the Lewis and St. Albans canal in 1846, assisted in the construction of the same, and was made superintendent after its comple- tion. During the great excitement growing out of the discovery of gold in California, he, with thousands of his countrymen, was at- tracted to that far off country, and for two or three years he participated in the search for hidden treasures and took part in the exciting scenes of those times. After living an adven- turous life in California for some time, he re- turned to England and again entered actively into the business of railroad contracting, build- ing the branch road from Maidestone to Sher- ness, in Kent, and the London and Charring Cross railway, which latter work included the removal of the old suspension bridge across the river Thames, erected in the time of George III. Subsequently, he concluded a contract with the Brazilian government for the con- struction of a railroad from Rio Janeiro to a point in the interior, and after completing the
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