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 77
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Benona, the following children: Milton, a liv- eryman at Muncie; Alice, wife of Logan Jackson; Ferinda, deceased; Millie, wife of James Collins; Jerry, a saw mill owner; Ellen, wife of Gordon Collins; Elizabeth, wife of John Turner; Martha, wife of Joseph Sloniker; Elmira, wife of John Spence; Susan, wife of Joseph Crouch, and Emazetta.
Benona Thomas was married July 12, 1859, to Phebe, daughter of Isaac Bost, by whom he had two children, Ida M., died February 12, 1880, and Harriet C., died October 12, 1865. Ths wife died August 4, 1882, and was buried in Muncie cemetery. Mr. Thomas again mar- ried, his choice being Martha J., daughter of Jefferson Walvern. She died five years after marriage and was buried in the Granville ceme- tery. Mr. Thomas next married Mary E., daughter of Big George and Clarissa Fleming, her parents being natives of Virginia.
Benona Thomas enlisted in the Union army in August, 1862, in the three years' serv- ice, in company K, Eighty-fourth regiment, Indiana volunteers, at Muncie. He went to Richmond, Ind., and to Indianapolis, and was then sent to Guyandotte, W. Va., then to Nash- ville, where he was taken sick. He remained in Hospital No. 6 for a time, and then was taken to Louisville and placed in Hospital No. 7, ward No. 7; from which place he was finally sent home, having lost his right eye. He draws a pension of $16 a month as the result of this affliction. Mr. Thomas was postmaster for a period of four years and is a democrat in poli- tics. He is a member of the G. A. R. post, and is much attached to hisold army comrades. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and are very much respected. They pursue the even tenor of a christian life, showing in all their acts the sincerity of the faith that is within them, and Mr. Thomas has not failed to inculcate his children with the principles of morality.
J OAB THORNBURG. - Among the . many worthy people who have fine homes in Delaware county, Ind., we note Joab Thornburg and his worthy wife, who came here when there were no neigh- bors, no improvements, nothing but great woods and wild game, and possibly a lurking savage for company. Joab Thornburg is a representative of a state which has sent to sister states many of the settlers who have done the most toward upbuilding and civilizing -the state of Ohio. His birth occurred in Montgomery county, January 23, 1816, a son of Morgan and Hannah (Harl) Thornburg, natives of Tennessee, who had located for a few years in Ohio, and had then pushed farther west into Indiana, locating in Randolph county in 1806, where they lived for ten years, and then moved back to Tennessee. There they lived some years, and then went into Perry township and made a home.
In Niles township Mr. Thornburg entered eighty acres of land and then moved to Ring- gold county, Iowa, near Mt Ayr, where he spent the rest of his days, dying in the fall of 1865, his wife having preceded him two years. They were buried in Iowa. They had reared the following family: Elisha, a wheelwright; Rebecca, the wife of Thomas Cox; Jonathan, a farmer; Charity, deceased; Joseph, deceased; Joab; Morgan; Hannah, the wife of Sam Adamson; and Mary, the wife of Reuben Schockley.
Joab Thornburg remained at home until his marriage, but neither he nor his wife had any educational advantages whatever. Hes name was Elizabeth Medsker, daughter of David and Catherine (Hoover) Medsker, of German parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg were married March 12, 1840, and she became a helpmate, indeed, to her husband. She entered bravely into all of his plans for the new home in the wilderness, and many times
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worked by his side, clearing up brush and as- sisting in every way that her strength would permit.
Mr. and Mrs. Medsker came to Indiana from Pennsylvania, locating first in Henry county, and then in Randolph county, where they died, the father, February 18, 1874, and the mother August 10, 1883. They were laid to rest in Hagerstown cemetery. They were good, christian people, beloved by all who knew them. They reared the following family: John, deceased; Daniel, Zachariah and Corne- lius, all farmers; David, deceased; Jacob, died in the army; Isaac, a farmer; Elizabeth, wife of Joab Thornburg; Christina, the wife of Christopher Davis; Anna, the wife of Franklin Burroughs; and Susannah, deceased.
Joab Thornburg first settled in Randolph county, where he lived four years, and then removed to Niles township, Delaware county, where his present pleasant home is located. It required much perseverance and enterprise to get the new home under way, as rolling logs by the week was not an infrequent task, but comfort finally reigned and now the farm of 280 acres repays them for all their trouble. They saw a large family grow up around them, as follows: Catherine, wife of David Bales; Maria, deceased; Nettie, wife of Elisha Win- gate; Mary A., wife of Jackson Klugh; Martha J., wife of Elisha Harty; Sarah E., wife of Henry Bales; Elizabeth W., wife of Jerry Williams; William M., who died May 9, 1878; Rettie S., wife of Lamar Cunningham and Amanda, wife of Aaron Rook.
Mr. Thornburg has been blessed with many of the blessings of life, and perhaps among them not the least are his sons-in-law. One of these, Elisha Harty, has descended from a good old Randolph county family. He was born in that county in 1844. He has had some misfortunes, having lost both of his little children, and fire having destroyed all
his buildings in 1885. He owns a farm of twenty-six acres. Another, Lamar Cunning- ham, was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1857. He has three children by his marriage with Mr. Thornburg's daughter, Hattie and Charles; infant not named. Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg are members of the German Bap- tist church, and politically he is a democrat and a good citizen.
G. WEAVER, one of the thrifty farmers and stockmen of Niles town- ship, is a son of A. C. Weaver, who located in this part of the county nearly half a century ago, moving to his home in a comparatively unbroken wilderness over a road cut through the woods from the town of Muncie. A. C. Weaver is one of the oldest living pioneers of Delaware county, moving here from Virginia at a time when but little attempt had been made to reclaim the country from its original forest growth. He became a large owner of real estate in what is now the richest gas territory of Indiana, and since the discovery of this marvelous fuel, he has been very actively interested in the growth and de- velopement of the country.
N. G. Weaver was born where he now re- sides, on the Ist day of December, 1863, being the youngest of a family of eight children. He commenced life as a farmer, to which useful calling he has always given much attention, though a good portion of his time has been devoted to mercantile pursuits, in which, as in agriculture, his success has been of the most encouraging nature. In addition to his farming and mercantile interests, Mr. Weaver for some years has been engaged in buying and shipping live stock, and other speculations, and to him is the township of Niles indebted for a large share of the recent development which has
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placed this section among the most advanced and enlightened portions of the highly favored county of Delaware. He has labored assidu- ously for the benefit of the community, and in the spirit of enterprise has done as much, if not more, than any other citizen of Niles to- ward the development of the natural gas and oil interests, which are destined, in time, to make this region one of the most prosperous and progressive sections of the great gas belt. Mr. Weaver's home is a model of comfort, and his beautiful farm, consisting of 240 acres of choice land, ranks among the best cultivated and highly improved places in Niles township. Mr. Weaver was married September, 1879, to Miss Angie Bailey, of this township, her ances- try being of the same Virginia origin as his own family. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are highly re- spected citizens of the community, and possess in full measure the high regard of all with whom they come in contact.
EORGE V. WILSON .- The name of Wilson is well known in Delaware county where, before the manhood of our subject, it had been made dis- tinguished by his father. George Wilson was born in Delaware county, Ind., in Niles town- ship, July 5, 1851, and son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Vincent) Wilson, natives of Ohio who came to Delaware county, Ind., in the fall of 1837, settling in Niles township on a farm of eighty acres, upon which Mr. Wilson built a log cabin, and the family lived as pio- neers. He was a man who exerted a great deal of influence, was prominent in many ways in the township, is a member of the Methodist church, and for the past four years has resided in Albany. His family is as fol- lows: Morgan A., oonnected with the furni- ture factory; John W., also in the factory;
George V., Nafry F., a farmer; Pruda L., the wife of George Barnes.
In 1873, George V. Wilson was married to Miss Mary E. Smith, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Hagler) Smith, natives of Ohio who came to Jay county, Ind., in 1840, set- tling on a farm of 160 acres of land. Mr. Smith was a man of prominence in the county; for fourteen years was justice of the peace, a member of the Masonic order, was county commissioner for one term, and for one term represented the district in the legislature. He was highly respected, and when his life ended, March 15, 1882, he was lamented by all. His remains lie in the Bethel cemetery. The mother still resides upon the fine farm of 160 acres. The children of Mrs. Smith are, Samuel B., a farmer; Laura S., the wife of Joel Green; Louis M., a farmer, and Mary E., the wife of our subject. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, Alma G. Mr. Wilson has a fine farm of eighty acres of well improved land, and in 1889 he built a very fine house, which makes a pleasant home. He is a good and worthy citizen, one of the re- liable kind, whom any county may be proud to class as a citizen.
S AMUEL H. WILSON is a thrifty far- mer of Niles township, where he was born November 13, 1864, being the son of Alfred and Martha E. (Wright) Wilson. He was reared upon the farm upon which he now resides, which contains ninety- two acres of well cultivated and finely im- proved land. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one, and was then married to Lenora H., daughter of Lewis and Lucinda (Jones) Davis, natives of Indiana. Her parents came from Henry county to Dela- ware county, Niles township, in March, 1883,
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and settled on a farm, where he now lives on 1723 acres of very good land. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. S. H. Wilson are: Elmer J., a school teacher; Orphia, at home; Charles N., a farmer; and Bertha A., the baby ..
Lewis Davis is a farmer of superior skill, and a stock raiser. He is widely known, giving his attention to the breeding of thorough- bred Poland-China hogs. He has a public sale of the increase in October of each year. This enterprising man is a member of the Ma- sonic order, and of the order of Red Men. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, and very prominent and popular peo- ple. Alfred Wilson cleared up the farm upon which Samuel H. now lives, while he is living a retired life at Muncie.
Samuel H. Wilson has two brothers and two sisters, namely: Samantha J., wife of D. W. Wingate; Lillie A., wife of J. A. Dwyer; Aaron C., a school teacher, and Oscar T., a farmer. He also has a half-sister, Sarah E. Wilson. The father of our subject had a sis- ter, Dissie L. Wilson, who died in August, 1878. The marriage of Samuel H. Wilson resulted in two children, namely: Lalah L. and Charles E. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are both members of the Christian church. Both of them received a good common school edu- cation and are well informed people. Mr. Wilson is a republican, and a very enterprising and industrious young man, highly respected by everybody.
J AMES W. WINGATE .- Niles town- ship has a number of worthy and good citizens, and prominent among these is James W. Wingate. He was born at Georgetown, Sussex county, Del., July 16, 1815, being the son of Philip and Sarah (Wright) Wingate, natives of Delaware and
Maryland respectively. The parents of Philip Wingate were born in Caroline county, Md., and lived in Georgetown. Philip was a car- penter by trade, first serving as an apprentice for five years, and then following the occupa- tion for the rest of his life. Mrs. Sarah Win- gate died in 1821, and was buried close by where she was born and reared. After this, Philip moved to Highland county, Ohio, and settled near Leesburg, where he warked at his trade. Then, in 1847, he came to Albany, Deiaware county, Ind., and worked at wagon making. He finally died at the home of his son, James W., October 9, 1871, and was laid to rest in Bethel cemetery. He was married a second time in Maryland, and this wife died in 1851; being buried also in Bethel cemetery. Philip Wingate had the following brothers: Cannon, a farmer, and John, a painter. The brothers and sisters of Philip's wife are: Celia, wife of William Maloney; Tilman, a trader; Rodgers, a farmer; Elisha, a farmer; Aaron, a farmer; James, a school teacher, and Hatfield, a farmer.
James W. Wingate was married in Fayette county, Ohio, March 30, 1837, to Melinda, daughter of James and Sophia (Chew) Stew- art, of Irish and American descent. Her par- ents came to Indiana, Delaware county, and settled on a farm of 160 acres. She had the following brothers and sisters: Lucinda, wife of Thomas Dowden; Matilda, wife of Morris Bennett; William Fishback; Margaret, wife of Colby Pepple; Rebecca, wife of Thomas Klugh; Mary, wife of Charles Ray; Rees, a blacksmith; William W., a carpenter; Harriet, wife of John Rees, and James J., a lawyer. The brothers and sisters of James W. Wingate are: Elisha, a carpenter; Francis, a laborer; William H., Robert, Thomas M., and Philip A., farmers; Louisa, deceased; Sarah A., wife of David McDaniel, and John N., a farmer.
James W. Wingate first settled in Ohio, in
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the town of Munroe, and worked at his trade, a carpenter, until 1852, when he moved to Niles township, this county, and settled upon the farm where he still resides. When he came, the woods covered the surface of the country, and the eighty acres that he bought were all in timber. With a brave heart he went to chopping down the trees and making his land ready for cultivation. He went into debt to pay for the land, but by hard work and close economy he has become independent. Then he began living in a hewed log cabin that had no doors nor window sash, and the flooring of which was composed of loose boards. Mr. Wingate never lost heart, but kept his eyes straight ahead, and continued to make money. Mr. Wingate has held the office of township trustee for four years; he is a member of the Masonic lodge, and also of the Good Templars. He and his wife are upright members of the Methodist church, and joined that body in 1837, and he and his wife brought their letters of member- ship with them to this county. Mr. Wingate is a trustee and a steward in the church to this day. He and his wife are the parents of the following children, namely: Isaac W., a carpenter; Elisha R., a farmer; Colby C., a peddler; James S., Philip R. and Bootle W., farmers; Sarah, wife of John Krohn; Thomas M., and David W., farmers; Jackson N., de- ceased. The mother of these children died February 21, 1875, and was buried in Bethel cemetery. A fine monument is erected upon the place of her sepulture.
Since the death of his wife Mr. Wingate has had his youngest son with him on the old homestead, where he continues to live. Mr. Wingate owns 665 acres of good and well im- proved land, which proves the industry and the good management of the man. He is highly respected by all his neighbors, and is a kind father and good friend. Few men are looked
up to for advice so much as he, and his words are words of wisdom.
EORGE W. YOUNTS is a well known name in Niles township, he being a very successful and popular citizen. He was born in Miami county, Ohio, January 8, 1850, being the son of Eli and Mary (Michael) Younts, of German and Scotch descent respectively. They went from North Carolina to Miami county, Ohio, lived there until 1856, and then came to Del- aware county, Ind., settling in Union town- ship, upon a farm of eighty acres. There they lived nine years, then moved to Niles township, lived there seven years, and then returned to Union township, where the father died in the spring of 1879. The mother then left her farm and went to Eaton, Union town- ship, where she still resides.
Eli Younts had the following brothers and sisters: John, a farmer; Abraham, a preacher; Joseph, George, Andrew and Isaac, farmers; Davis, a preacher; Mary, wife of Henry Hanel, and Catherine, wife of Jacob Helmick. Mrs. Eli Younts had the following brothers and sis- ters: Samuel, a farmer; Lucinda, wife of John Younts; Solomon, a farmer; Jane, wife of Jonathan Jones; Mahala, wife of George Younts, and Philip, a farmer. George W. Younts had four brothers, all deceased, and four sisters, but one of whom, Martha, the wife of William Schweitzer, is now living.
George W. Younts was married, at the age of twenty-two, to Martha A., daughter of William and Ruth (Stafford) Black. Mr. Younts first settled in Delaware township, lived there for three years, and then moved to his present farm, in Niles township, consisting of eighty acres, which was partly cleared. He moved into the old log house that yet stands
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in the lane, and there, by hard toil and good management, he has acquired a property of 155 acres of good and well improved land, with a fine brick residence. Mr. Younts is a man of more than average ability, and has always had an ambition to better his condition. The confidence of his neighbors resulted in his election as justice of the peace and his re-elec- tion, he serving in that capacity eight years in all. In 1890 he was elected township trustee by a large majority, which office he still holds. Mr. Younts is very much admired by all who know him. He is a member of the Masonic order, and also of the order of Red Men. Mr. and Mrs. Younts are the parents of one child, namely: Laura Forest. The parents received good educations, and are people of superior intelligence. They are members and active workers in the Methodist church. Mr. Younts is a republican, and always takes a prominent part in politics during election times.
Mr. and Mrs. Eli Younts were members of the German Baptist church, and were very good people. Eli was township trustee of Union township for one term. This worthy man once walked from St. Joseph, Mo., to Bear Valley, Cal., driving an ox team, and consumed six months and seventeen days in the journey. His return was by way of the ocean, from San Francisco to the Isthmus of Panama. He walked across the Isthmus, sailed to New York, and proceeded the rest of the way home by rail. He had to pay thirty dollars per hundred for flour in California, the same having been brought around by Cape Horn. The trip was a great benefit to him, as previous to that time he had been a man in poor health, but afterward continued well and hearty until his last illness.
The Younts family are upright in their conduct in every respect, and enjoy the re- spect of the community in which they live.
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
ILLIAM BEALL is a well known and prosperous citizen of New Burl- ington, Perry township, Delaware county, and a native of Henry county, Ind., where he was born November 26, 1853. He is the son of Charles and Vashti (Rea) Beall; the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Indiana, and both of Eng- lish descent. The father was a farmer all of his life, and at the time of his death owned 173 acres of land. He and his wife were the parents of fourteen children, namely: Martha; Andrew J., Sarah M., and James R., deceased; William; John, deceased; Eliza E., Melinda; Lawson, deceased; Charles B .; Lawrence;
Thomas; Marcus; and Lewis, deceased. The father was a hard working man and gave his children every advantage that he could. His wife died in 1872, and was buried in the Friends' cemetery in Henry county. He died January, 1892.
William Beall lived with his parents until he was of age, when he took his father's farm and managed it for four years. He was mar- ried, in 1877, to Lucy Wilkinson, daughter of Samuel and Angeline (Hubbard) Wilkinson, natives of Ohio, and of English descent. Mrs. Beall's father was born in 1833, and in 1860 moved to Henry county, where he was engaged in farming. Mrs. Beall was born
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March 2, 1862, and is one of eleven children, nine of whom are living. Both her parents reside in Henry county. By his marriage, William Beall is the father of three children, namely: Clement, born October 9, 1878; Bertha, born April 15, 1884; Lavaria, born April 3, 1892. After his marriage Mr. Beall located on a farm of forty acres in Henry county; lived there five years, then bought the farm upon which he now lives, consisting of eighty-five acres of well improved land. Mr. Beall has built a fine new house and barn, and although a young man he has earned every dollar that he owns, being a hard work- ing farmer, and a good manager. He has never speculated, but has made his money as a farmer. He was a republican until 1892, when he voted the prohibition ticket.
J OHN N. BELL, M. D .-- In these latter days, the aspirant for success in any line must have not only have zeal in his heart but also wisdom in his head. Fortunately this has been the case with the distinguished gentleman whose name intro- duces the present sketch. Dr. John N. Bell was born in West Virginia, April 21, 1858, a son of Henry and Louisa (Swisher) Bell, the former of Irish descent, and the latter of Ger- man. Henry Bell was born February 1, 1824, and the mother of the doctor December 24, of the same year. The paternal grandparents of the doctor are yet living, at a good old age, in West Virginia. His parents were there married and became the progenitors of a family of ten children, eight of whom are yet living. The family record is as follows: Mary V. and Sarah A., deceased; Andrew J., Margaret L., George W., Samuel H., John N., Charles F., Carrie F., and a deceased infant.
in the county of his birth. He attended the common schools, and being unusually intelli- gent, was able, at the early age of sixteen years, to successfully teach school. This pro- fession he followed for ten years. In 1885, he began the study of medicine, and later took a two years' course at Columbus, Ohio, and then entered the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in March, 1888. Im- mediately coming to New Burlington, he found a field awaiting him, and has been signally successful in his practice.
Dr. Bell was married, November 28, 1888, to Miss Carrie L. Will, the daughter of John and Mary (Keesling) Will, both of them na- tives of Indiana and of German descent. Mrs. Bell was one of four children, and her family are among the most highly respected in Perry township. One little daughter has came into the happy household of Dr. Bell-Letha E., born June 18, 1891. Both Doctor and Mrs. Bell are earnest and working members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a republican, as is his father, who is also an ex-soldier. Since his location in New Bur- lington, Dr. Bell has built up a large and lucra- tive practice and now takes rank among the foremost physicians and surgeons of Delaware county. He is not only distinguished for emi- nent attainments as a healer of disease, but he is known as the friend of the rich or poor who need his skill. He is an indefatigable worker and is among that class of physicians who en- courage all the advancements of science, and he gladly takes advantage of them for the ben- efit of the medical profession.
3 AMES CARMICHAEL is a resident of Perry township, Delaware county, Ind. He was born in Union county, in the same state, December 6, 1819, and is
Dr. Bell was reared to agricultural pursuits | a son of Andrew and Margaret (Mansfield)
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Carmichael, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio, both being of Irish descent. James Carmichael was one of nine children, only three of whom still survive. He remained at home until he lost his father, whom he had assisted ably in the cultivation of the home farm, which farm also received his personal attention in the in- terest of the family until his marriage. He was united in marriage with Tacy Watson, in 1841. She was the daughter of James and Frances (French) Watson, natives of Vir- ginia, the former being of English descent and the latter of Irish. By. this union, children were born as follows: Rebecca, the deceased wife of Samuel Hindman; Margaret F., the wife of Wellington Rees; Elizabeth L., de- ceased; William W., Andrew, George L., John L., Charles M., deceased; Mary, the wife of Samuel Richison; Eliza, the wife of William Stanley, and Milton.
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