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 73
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
Mr. Wellington was married, in the year 1859, to Miss Malinda Holt, of Rush county, Ind., daughter of Drury Holt, one of the pio- neers of that part of the state. Mr. Holt was a successful farmer, owning a large tract of land in the county of Rush, and for nearly half a century was an earnest minister of the gospel. He was born in the year 1807, and died on the 11th day of March, 1883. At the time of his marriage his sole earthly posses- sion was represented by a two year old colt, beside which his indebtedness amounted to over $40. With an energy which has since characterized the man, he at once went to
work, and, actuated by a determination to succeed, has overcome the many difficulties by which his early life was surrounded, and is now the possessor of a beautiful and well cul- tivated farm, consisting of 165 acres, the greater part of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. Mr. Wellington is a prominent member of the German Baptist church, of which he has been a faithful minister for over twenty years. His wife is also a member of the same denomination, and the family is one of the most highly respected in the township of Mount Pleasant. For years Mr. Wellington has been an earnest advocate of temperance reform, and, believing that the liquor traffic can be successfully suppressed only by law, votes with the prohibition party. The follow- ing are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wellington: Lewis, Calvin, Seigle, Leathy, Lucinda, wife of J. S. Aldridge; Drury, Ottoway and Edgar Wellington.
J OHN WIGGERLY, one of the model farmers of Mount Pleasant township, and a gentleman of wide business and social standing, is a native of Indiana, born in Delaware county on the 27th day of September, 1848, son of David and Catherine (Knightenhelser) Wiggerly. As the names of the family indicate, Mr. Wiggerly's ancestors are of German descent, and his father came to Delaware county, in an early day, from the town of Connersville, where, for some years he worked at his trade, that of a baker. On moving to this county he engaged in the pur- suit of agriculture, in which vocation he was quite successful, having become the possessor of a farm of 120 acres of valuable land. He was born in the year 1813 and died in 1879. He and wife adhered to the religious faith of the Presbyterian church, and in politics he was a supporter of the democratic party.
681
MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
John Wiggerly grew to manhood on a farm, early became accustomed to its rugged duties, and at the age of twenty-one began the life of an agriculturist, which he has since continued with success and financial profit. In partnership with his brother, he now owns the old homestead, one of the most beautiful and fertile farms in Mount Pleasant township, and since coming into his possession it has lost nothing by his careful and painstaking management. Mr. Wiggerly exercises good judgment in his chosen vocation, is an intelli- gent observer and keeps fully abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to agriculture, which he considers in the light of a science. Politically he wields an influence for the dem- ocratic party, and while not aspiring to official honor at the hands of his fellow citizens, has always taken an active interest in political affairs.
I SAAC WRIGHT is a large land owner and an honored ex-soldier of Mount Pleasant township, Delaware county, Ind. He was born in the state of In- diana, July 4, 1841, a son of Jesse and Eliza- beth (Wrightsman) Wright. The father was a native of Ohio, born March 6, 1816, and died February 16, 1890; and the mother, a native of Wayne county, Ind., was born in December, 1824. The boyhood of Jesse Wright was spent on the Ohio farm until he was eight years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Indiana and located in the north- west part of the state, where for a few years he worked at the carpenter's trade. He then came to Delaware county for a short time, going thence to Henry county, but in 1862 he removed to Dallas county, Iowa, where he lived until his death, and where his widow still makes her home.
Isaac Wright remained at home until the
age of seventeen years, and then engaged in teaching school for a time, but, August 22, 1862, entered the army, he enlisting in com- pany K, Eighty-fourth Indiana volunteer in- fantry, and marched off under his country's banners. He participated in the battle of Chickamagua, where he was wounded by a musket ball and was obliged to spend six weary months in the hospitals at New Albany and Louisville. He also was engaged in a number of sharp skirmishes, and was finally honorably discharged and receives a pension of $6 per month for his injuries.
Mr. Wright was married April 3, 1866, to Miss Charity Jones, a daughter of John D. and Laodicia Jones-he of Ohio and she of Tennessee; the father born May 16, 1809, and the mother October 27, 1807. Mr. and Mrs. Jones married in Clinton county, Ohio, and came to this state in 1833, locating in Mount Pleasant township, on a part of Isaac Wright's present farm. Here he became a very successful farmer, owning, at his decease, January 13, 1870, 400 acres of land, the most of which is improved. Mrs. Jones is still liv- ing, making her home, at this time, with the family of her son, Isaac.
After marriage Mr. Wright engaged in farming on rented land, for a period of four years, at the end of which period he bought a farm in Harrison township and engaged in farming and stock raising, which he has con- tinued very successfully ever since. He now owns 180 acres of land in Mount Pleasant and Harrison townships, and is considered one of the strong financial men of the county. In political affairs he takes a lively interest, and is a prominent member of the democratic party; in religion both he and his excellent wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They find time to take part in the furtherance of all good projects. Two children have blessed their marriage, John A., now
682
DELAWARE COUNTY :
married to Miss Ocie Kirkpatrick and living in Harrison township; and Mary A., the wife of Jonas Jester.
RS. REBECCA YINGLING (de- ceased), the estimable lady for whom this biographical notice is prepared, was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, January 25, 1820, the daughter of Hamilton and Catherine Harpers, both parents natives of the state of Maryland. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Har- pers moved to Virginia, and after a few years' residence in that state emigrated to Ohio, where Mr. Harpers' death occurred, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-nine years. Hamilton Harpers was by occupation a farmer, in which useful calling he was very successful, and all who came in contact with him were ready to bear witness to his true worth as man and citizen.
The marriage of Rebecca Harpers and Will- iam Yingling was consummated in the year 1837, in Lawrence county, Ohio, where Mr. Yingling was born, October 23, 1811. For the fifteen years following their marriage, this couple remained in Ohio, Mr. Yingling being engaged in farming and the manufacture of charcoal. About 1852 Mr. and Mrs. Yingling moved to Indiana and purchased a tract of eighty acres of land in Mount Pleasant town- ship, Delaware county, which is still the home of the family, and upon which Mrs. Yingling resided until her death. On moving to this county, the greater part of the township of Mount Pleasant was a comparative wilderness, and the land upon which Mr. Yingling located was an unbroken forest, made doubly forbid- ding on account of its being nearly covered with water. To redeem this woodland and make of it a home was a task of no small mag- nitude, but Mr. Yingling, aided and encouraged
by the wise counsel of his excellent wife, la- bored diligently for a number of years and eventually saw his efforts crowned with suc- cess and a home prepared for his family.
Mr. Yingling was a most exemplary citi- zen, took an active interest in the public affairs of his time, and was an earnest believer in the christian religion, the precepts of which he exemplified in his daily walk and conversa- tion. During the last few years of his life he was a great sufferer, becoming almost a help- less invalid, during which time the manage- ment of the farm devolved altogether upon his faithful wife, who right nobly performed the task. Mr. Yingling died in 1889, deeply lamented by all who knew him. Mrs. Ying- ling still resided on the home farm which, under her management, was brought to a high state of cultivation, and she was considered one of the kind neighbors and excellent christ- ian women of the community in which she she lived. She was a devoted member of the Christian church, to which denomination her husband also belonged. Mr. and Mrs. Ying- ling had a large family, consisting of fourteen children, whose names are as follows: Ham- linton, who died in the army; Catherine, de- ceased; Elizabeth, deceased; John, married Sarah Preston, and is now a blacksmith; Na- thaniel, a farmer and carpenter, married Lu- cinda Wilber; Mary, wife of Nicholas Finegan; Margaret, deceased; Lewis, deceased; Rebecca, deceased; Elias, deceased; Matthias, married Malinda Pugh; Thomas, married Mary Ep- hart, and George, who married Rose Bonner. Mrs. Rebecca Yingling passed from earth, February 15, 1893, most deeply mourned, not only by her own large family, but by an ex- tensive circle of friends who appreciated her many good qualities, and who now sadly miss her venerable presence from their midst, and more especially will she be missed by the suf- fering poor, whom she was wont to succor.
NILES TOWNSHIP.
HARLES W. ANDREW is a native of Niles township, and is a young man of more than average ability as a farmer. He has taken hold of things and is making money by strict attention to his business. He was born September 8, 1866, being the son of James and Nancy (Allen) Andrew, of Irish and English descent, respectively. They went to Greene county, Ohio, at an early day, and settled near Tre- bine station, where the father owned a large farm. The father remained with his parents until he grew up, married early in life, and started out for himself. After his marriage to Nancy Allen he removed to Delaware county and settled on a farm of fifty acres that now forms the home of his son, Charles W. Some years later he went into the grocery business in the village of Parker, but this life did not suit him and he traded for the farm he had parted with. Here he settled down contented, and lived a farmer until his death, May 4, 1881. His remains rest in the Bethel ceme- tery. By two marriages he became the fatner of ten children, seven by the first, namely: Martha A., wife of Calvin McCoy; William L., died soon after the war; Rankin, a grocer; Molly G., wife of James Jellison; Sally J., wife of Samuel Dill; Talitha and Nancy, deceased; by the second marriage he had three children, namely: Lillie F., Effie E., deceased; and Charles W., whose name opens this sketch. He was a farmer and an active worker in the republican party. He owned a good farm of fty-three acres, which is well improved.
Charles W. Andrew was married Decem- ber 31, 1888, to Barbara E., daughter of Lewis end Martha (Williams) Collins, natives of Ohio. Her parents settled in Perry town- ship, Delaware county, Ind., at an early day on a farm of 160 acres near New Burlington, where he spent many of his days. His wife is buried in the Burlington cemetery, and he lives in Albany. Lewis Collins had one brother, namely: William, and Mrs. Collins had four brothers, namely: Morrison, Samp- son and Laban, farmers; and Elias, a retired farmer. The mother of Mr. Andrew was a member of the Christian church.
The union of Mr. and. Mrs. Andrew re- sulted in two children, namely: William L. and Nellie F. Mrs. Andrew has two sisters, Minnie F., the adopted daughter of a farmer named Lunn, living in Iowa, and Laura, de- ceased, buried in the Granville cemetery. The mother of Mrs. Andrew was buried in the same place. Charles W. Andrew received a start in life from his mother, who now makes her home with him. He and and his wife have a good common school education, and are very much esteemed by all their neigh- bors.
OHN S. ANDREW .- One of the most industrious, energetic, and hard work- ing men of this farming community is James S. Andrew, whose comfortable and well appointed farm is located in Niles township, Delaware county, Ind. He was
684
DELAWARE COUNTY :
born in this township, November 24, 1853, son of James and Nancy (Law) Andrew, natives of England, who had settled in Greene county, Ohio, coming from thence to Delaware county in 1845. After living here some time they moved to Randolph county, to a small hamlet named Parker, where he engaged in the dry goods business, five years later removing to another farm located in Perry township, where he remained two years, and then bought back the first farm that he had settled on. He was a good man, and both he and wife were mem- bers of the United Presbyterian denomination. She died in 1860, and he May 4, 1881, both being laid away in Bethel cemetery, where a fine monument marks their last resting place. John S. Andrew was one of the following family of children: George F., a farmer; Will- iam, who died in the army; John S., Rankin H., a grocer; Carl W., a farmer; Martha, the wife of Calvin McCoy; Mary G., wife of James Jellison; Sarah S., wife of Samuel Dill; Eliza- beth, deceased; and Nancy.
John S. Andrew was married February 17, 1876, to Miss Ida F. Bryan, daughter of Milo and Elizabeth (Cannon) Bryan, natives of Ireland and England. They came from Ohio in 1869 and settled on the farm where they now reside, a beautiful tract of 120 acres. The families on both sides are long lived. Mr. Bryan's brothers and sister are Almira B., wife of John Smith; Mary J., de- ceased; Wesley, in the dry goods business; Joseph, a farmer; Levi, deceased, and William F., retired. The family of Mrs. Bryan was as follows: Randolph, a farmer; Wellington, Quincy, Montera, Curtis and William, de- ceased; Caroline, wife of Lewis Zyle; Eureka V., wife of Harrison Lovett, and Narcisse, de- ceased.
After marriage John S. Andrew first lo- cated on a farm in Liberty township and then went to Dunkirk, Jay county, Ind , where he
engaged in the livery business for a period of five years and then returned to the farm, buying his present home of forty acres. He engages in stock buying and finds this very profitable, as he understands how to manage it, in connection with his farming. He has made many improvements on his place and built his fine new house in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew belong to the Methodist church, in which he holds the positions of steward and class leader.
J AMES BALES is an influential citizen of Niles township, Delaware county, and was born in Greene county, Ohio, August 1, 1821. He is the son of Jacob and Dorothy (Hickman) Bales, of Irish and German descent respectively. These parents went from Virginia to Ohio a number of years ago, settling near Jamestown, on Cæsar creek, where they spent their days and died, the father in April, 1865, and the mother in 1872. They were highly respectable people, members of the Methodist church, and their remains were laid to rest in what is known as the Shirk cemetery, Greene county, Ohio.
The following are the names of the broth- ers and sisters of James Bales: Cyrus, a farmer; James, a farmer; Sarah, wife of John Jones; Elizabeth, wife of Adam Shirk; Rebec- ca, wife of John Beale; Louis, a farmer; La- ban; Amanda, wife of C. H. Spahr; John, a farmer; Dorothy, Mrs. C. H. Harness; Jacob and Leon, the last two and Mrs. Shirk deceased. James Bales was married November 20, 1842, to Melinda, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Kimmell) Shirk, natives of Virginia. Jacob and Catherine Shirk were the parents of eleven children, namely: Jemima, wife of James Dougherty; Sarah, wife of Jesse Bowlen; Alfred, a farmer; Melinda; Susan, wife of John King; Polly, wife of El
685
NILES TOWNSHIP.
Bales; Adam, a farmer; Jacob, deceased; Henry, a farmer, and William, a farmer. By his marriage with Miss Shirk, Mr. Bales is the father of eleven children, namely: David M., Alfred R., and Henry, farmers; Hannah, wife of Isaac Wingate; Leah, wife of William Frank; Laban, a farmer; Melinda J., wife of Morrison Klugh; James H., a farmer; Jacob L., a farm- er; John, a furniture dealer at Dunkirk, and Cyrus. The mother of this interesting family of children died September 5, 1892, and was buried in the Strong cemetery. She was a worthy member of the Methodist church, and a woman of many noble qualities of mind and heart. Mr. Bales came to Delaware county, September 19, 1853, settled in the woods, built a log cabin, and endured the usual hard- ships incident to pioneer life. He now owns 240 acres of land, which is well improved, and has one of the most comfortable and pleasant homes in Niles township, where he is spending the declining years of life in the enjoyment of the fruits of his early labors.
A NDREW J. BARLEY is a native of Niles township, Delaware county, and is an industrious and honest farmer, respected by all who know him. He is the son of John and Lavena (Haines) Barley, of German descent. The parents went from Virginia to Greene county, Ohio, May 4, 1812, and lived there until 1838, when they came to Delaware county. Here the father entered land and proceeded at once to clear the forest. After a while he disposed of his farm and went to Illinois, but did not remain long, and on his return bought the farm of eighty acres in this township, where the widow now lives.
Andrew J. Barley was married November 3, 1872, in Delaware county, to Rachel,
daughter of Cyrus and Cynthia (Beal) Bales; her parents being of Irish descent, and natives of Ohio, who came to Indiana in 1851 and settled upon a farm, then in the woods, where he now resides. The brothers and sisters of her father are: James, Lewis and Laban, farmers; Rebecca, wife of John Beal; Eliza- beth, wife of Adam Shirk; Sarah, wife of John Jones; Amanda, wife of Creighton Spore, and Dorothy, wife of Creighton Harness. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Rachel Bailey are: John, Evan, Stephen, William, Aaron, and Samuel, farmers; Rachel, wife of Henry An- drew; Louisa, wife of John Finley; Mary A., wife of Henry Beech, and Rebecca, wife of Louis Beason. The union of Mr. Barley with Miss Bales resulted in five children, namely: George A., Wilda M., Eva L., Mary F. and an infant deceased. Mr. Barley first located on a farm in Niles township, where he lived six years, and finally settled on his pleasant farm in the same township, consisting of forty acres of well improved land. John Barley died March 12, 1884, and was laid to rest in the Eaton cemetery. Mrs. Lavena Barley was a pious member of the Methodist church, and her people were hard shell Baptists.
a® ILLIAM D. BARLEY is one of the large land holders and prominent business men of Niles township, Delaware county, Ind., who has a war record of which he is justly proud. He was born in Greene county, Ohio, near the city of Xenia, March 23, 1838, a son of John and Lavena (Haines) Barley of German and Irish ancestry. They came from the state of Vir- ginia in 1828, and settled on a farm in Greene county, Ohio, where they remained until 1840, when they came to Niles township, and settled on eighty acres of land in the forest. Many
686
DELAWARE COUNTY :
of the early settlers selected the woodland on account of the proximity of water, which in a new country is a necessary object to keep in view. In the wilderness they built a log cabin in a little clearing, and dismal it was at first, no doubt, but the hearts of our pioneers were strong, and from that lonely beginning, and life of hardship, grew up a fine home, and a sturdy family gathered at the hearthstone. The first place was sold after improving, and the present home farm of eighty acres was bought, and here the father lived until his death; his remains now lie in the Eaton ceme- tery. His brothers and sisters were: Samuel, a farmer by occupation; Mary, the wife of Isaac Carkuff; the family of Mrs. Lavena Barley is as follows: William F., a farmer; Philip, a trader; Elizabeth C., the wife of Edmund Boots; Cyrus H., deceased; Mary C., the wife of Aaron Boots; Angeline, wife of Samuel Barley; Evaline R., wife of Archie Peterson, Daniel, deceased; and Samantha, deceased. Her people are all buried in the cemetery at the old home in Clinton county, Ohio. Mrs. Barley and son, William D., reside together. She and her husband reared a family of twelve children, of which William D., is the eldest, as follows: Samuel K., deceased; John A., a farmer; Peter A., and Andrew J., also farmers; Mary E., the wife of George W. Koile; Evaline V., the wife of Samuel Hoff- man; Martha E., the wife of Morgan Wilson; Luvenia A., the wife of Marion Shirk; Emaline J., the wife of John B. Shiller, and Angeline S., the wife of Newton G. Weaver.
William D. Barley has always made his home with his mother, until lately, when he purchased the home and the adjoining land, and now has a farm of 210 acres. He is a carpenter by trade, and worked at this for a period of seventeen years. Early in life, hav- ing had good school advantages, he taught for eight terms. On February 13, 1865, he
enlisted in company B, One Hundred and Forty-seventy regiment, Indiana volunteers, at Richmond, Ind. From there the regiment was sent to Charlestown and then shortly to Berryville, Va., and on to Harper's Ferry, where he was discharged August 4, 1865. He had performed all the duties of a soldier and came home unscathed, going to work at his trade. He is a member of the G. A R. post, of the I. O. O. F., and of the Red Men. He has now retired from farm labor, finding more congenial and easier employment in the buy- ing and selling of cattle. He is an industrious and enterprising man, highly respected by all who know him, and in politics is a republican.
J OHN BEAL, retired farmer and promi- nent citizen of the town of Albany, was born and reared in Greene county, Ohio, about seven miles southeast of the city of Xenia, near Paintersville, on the 18th day of March, 1821. His father, George Beal, was one of the old Quaker settlers of that region, moving there in early life from his native state, Pennsylvania, where his ances- tors for many generations had resided. By occupation he was a tiller of the soil, and he is remembered as a steady, honest citizen, honorable in all his transactions and eminently respected in the community where so many years of his life were passed. His death oc- curred in Greene county, Ohio, in the year 1877
John Beal spent his youthful days in the above county and state, and became a resident of Delaware county, Ind., about forty years ago, settling in Niles township, of which he is now one of the oldest citizens in point of con- tinuous residence. He followed farming very successfully until 1893, at which time, owing to advancing age and a competence acquire
687
NILES TOWNSHIP.
by years of patient toil, he retired from active life to the town of Albany, where he owns a beautiful home, in which the declining years of his life are being passed. Mr. Beal's first marriage was solemnized in Greene county, Ohio, about the year 1844, with Rebecca Bales, who bore him thirteen children, but four of whom are living at the time of this writing.
Like the rest of mankind Mr. Beal has frequently been called to pass through the deep waters of affliction, his children having been taken from him, one by one, and about eleven years ago his faithful wife, who had been his companion for so many years during the earlier and later struggle of life, was sum- moned to her final home by the unsparing hand of the grim destroyer, Death. Subse- quently Mr. Beal chose for a wife Mrs. Eliza- (Stafford) Warfel, widow of Daniel L. War- fel, late resident of Centre township, this county. By her previous marriage, Mrs. Beal had seven children, four of whom are living at this time. Mr. Beal has always been a very industrious man, and as a reward of his thrift and economy, he is now enabled to live in a manner befitting one who has battled so long and so successfully with the world. A demo- crat in politics, he has never been an office seeker; and a member of the Old School Bap- tist church, his daily walk and conversation have ever been in harmony with his religious profession. His life has been fraught with good works, and the future awaits him with bounteous and abundant rewards.
0 AVID M. BELL is a worthy and good man who lives in Niles town- ship, and is greatly respected by all his neighbors. He was born in Jay county, Ind., September 8, 1842, the son of David and Lydia (Kyles) Bell, the parents
being of Scotch-Irish descent. They went from Greene county, Ohio, in 1835, and settled in Richland township, Jay county, on a farm of eighty acres, which he entered up; there he lived until his death, February I, 1850. The mother died on the old homestead August 15, 1887. Their remains are buried in the Bethel cemetery, where a fine monu- ment marks their last resting place. The brothers and sisters of David M. are: Samuel K., a plasterer; William C., deceased; John D., a farmer; Nancy A., wife of Joseph Leval- ly; Sarah E., wife of Louis Levally; and Lydia M., Freeborn and Viney R., the last three deceased; George and Nathaniel, farmers.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.