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 78
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The republican party enunciates the prin- ciples with which Mr. Carmichael can agree, and it has his vote and influence. He is a man of prominence in the community where he resides, takes an active interest in all move- ments having for their object the public wel- fare, and occupies a conspicuous place among the representative citizens of Perry township.
ACHARIAH W. CECIL .- The fine es- tate of Z. W. Cecil is located in Perry township, Delaware county, Ind., and is known to be one of the finest by nature as well as one of the best improved farms in the county. Its owner was born in Shelby county, Ohio, October 25, 1820, a son of Aaron and Anna (Springer) Cecil, the for- mer a native of Virginia and Scotch descent; the mother born in Kentucky of Swedish par- ents. These parents were married in Ken-
tucky in 1812, went to Ohio, and in 1831 moved to Delaware county, Ind. Aaron Cecil reared a family of eight children, all of whom lived to rear families of their own. Their names were: John, Sarah A., Zachariah W., Elihu, Samuel, Rebecca, Mary and Gordon. At one time Aaron Cecil owned 366 acres of land, which he had made by his own efforts, as he was a very hard working and prudent man.
Zachariah W. Cecil was reared on his father's farm in Ohio, and had but limited edu- cational advantages, not exceeding three months in the year. After he became of age he began farming for himself in Delaware county, where he now lives. At the age of twenty-four, in 1844, he married Miss Mary J. Legg, daughter of Walter and Barbara (Berges) Legg, and five children have been born to this union, namely: John B., born June 16, 1851, a farmer; Sarah A., born November 11, 1845, the wife of Thomas J. Jordan, a farmer of Daviess county, Ind .; Barbara A., born December 16, 1848, the wife of J. W. McDaniel, a Methodist min- ister, residing in Daviess county, Ind. ; Charles W., born May 20, 1857, a farmer on the old home farm, and Ellen, who died in infancy.
Walter Legg, the father of Mrs. Cecil, was a native of Lapland, of Scotch descent, and her mother was a native of north Canada, of English descent, and they were parents of six children. They emigrated to Wayne county, Ind., in 1818, and in 1862 Mr. Legg came to Delaware county on a visit, and died while here; eight years later the mother died, both of them being buried in the cemetery at Mount Tabor.
After marriage Mr. Cecil located on the farm where he now lives and has followed ag- ricultural pursuits all of his life. At this time his fine farm of 236 acres of fertile Indiana soil is his own, and the possession of such a fine property must be some recompense for the hard labor employed in obtaining it. He and
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wife, and also the children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which all take a deep interest. Socially, he is a member of one of the Masonic lodges located at Mun- cie. His political opinions are those advanced by the republican party. He is an honest man, a good citizen, and stands deservedly high in the estimation of the community, in the material and moral advancement of which he has been for many years a potent factor.
J ACOB CLEVENGER, owner of one of the fine farms of Perry township, Dela- ware county, Ind., was born in Dela- ware county, Ind., March 20, 1832, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Conner) Clev- enger, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Indiana, and both of Irish descent. Thomas Clevenger came with his parents to Randolph county at an early day, and endured all of the hardships of pioneer life. He was married to Elizabeth Conner, and reared a ยท family of ten children, with the exception of two, to years of maturity, but Jacob and a brother are the only living members. Thomas Clevenger died February 23, 1867, having been a farmer all of his life.
Jacob Clevenger lived at home with his parents until he was eighteen years of age, at- tending the poor schools of that time and neighborhood. He recalls one school which he attended, where the master regaled his pupils at Christmas with whisky. At the age of eighteen he married Mary Smith, a daughter of John Smith, and they reared four children: Charles C., born September 23, 1853, who married Louisa Johnson, and resides in Yates county, Kan .; Sarah J., was born July 18, 1855, and is the wife of John VanFleet, and resides in Henry county, Mo .; Thomas W., born June 11, 1859, married Ella Bell, and
they reside in Tacoma, Wash .; and Jonathan L., born December 24, 1862.
When the first Mrs. Clevenger died, his eld- est daughter took charge of the household until his second marriage, which was with Miss Samantha Ray, daughter of William and Sa- rah (McClain) Ray, both natives of Ohio, the former of Scotch and the latter of Irish de- scent. Samantha was one of a family of ten children, of whom but only four are now living. By this marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cleven- ger had two children: Leonia M., born Sep- tember 23, 1866, the wife of Parker Marshall, and Ada B., born November II, 1875, wife of Luther Daughty, of Perry township. Soci- ally, Mrs. Clevenger is a member of the Whit- ney Masonic lodge, No. 229, located at New Burlington. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. Politically, he is a re- publican, although formerly he voted the democratic ticket, but his first republican vote was for Abraham Lincoln. He is one of the old and well known residents, and is highly esteemed.
HOMAS CLINE, deceased .- "The evil men do lives after them, the good is often interred with their bones." The fact that this quotation is fre- quently reversed is brought forcibly to the mind of the thoughtful reader as he cons the pages of this book, and learns that the pros- perity of this fertile region is due not only to the efforts of the present generation, but largely to those who have passed away, prom- inent among which enterprising and worthy men occurs the name of Thomas Cline. Mr. Cline was born in the state of Pennsylvania, March 18, 1810, the son of Peter and Nancy (Inghram) Cline, both natives of the same state, of German descent. The parents of Mr. Cline were very poor, and from earliest youth Thomas was taught the true dignity of
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labor. While still a boy he started toward the setting sun to seek his fortune, selecting Ohio as a field of operation. While in that state he met and married Miss Sarah Wilcox, and by this marriage had ten children, six girls and four boys, namely: Joseph, born December 4, 1840; Mary, born January 19, 1842; David L., born July 9, 1843; Henry C., born October 16, 1844; Martha J., July 6, 1847; Nancy H., born June 12, 1849; Eliza- beth A., born July 9, 1851; Harriet C., born May 25, 1853; Maria A., born December 23, 1855; and Inghram B., born September 25, 1859. December 26, 1860, Mr. Cline lost his wife, and the same year removed to Indiana with his chil- dren. Five years later he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret J. Wilcox, daughter of Joseph and Maria (Brant) Wilcox, a sister of his former wife. Joseph Wilcox was a native of New Jersey, while his wife was a native of Ohio, both being of English descent. Mr. Wilcox died in Miami county, Ohio, while his wife ended her days in Butler county, same state. By his second marriage Mr. Cline had two children, namely: William R., born Feb- ruary 24, 1871, and Burtice E., born Novem- ber 23, 1872.
When Mr. Cline commenced working for himself, he engaged by the day until he earned enough money to buy a farm, and so success- ful was he that at the time of his death he owned 370 acres of well improved land, all of which was purchased with money earned by his own efforts. In all matters which affected the public welfare, Mr. Cline's political views were in accordance with the principles enun- ciated by the republican party. He was a man who was proud of his township, his county, state and nation, and always did all in his power to advance the interest of the com- monwealth. During life he was a devout member of the Methodist church, with which body his wife and children are still connected.
E LEXANDER B. CUNNINGHAM .- The annals of Delaware county abound in the names of many noble men of whom the present generation feel de- servedly proud, and a true record of their lives, placed upon the printed page, will not only be perused with pleasure by those who know and honor them for their many sterling qualities of manhood, but will also be a source of much gratification to those who come after them. Among the hardy yeomen, to whose efforts and self sacrifices is the flourishing county of Delaware largely indebted for its present proud position among the sister coun- ties, is Alexander B. Cunningham, a brief epitome of whose life is herewith presented to the reader. Mr. Cunningham was born in York county, Pa., November 17, 1825, and is a son of Samuel and Julia Cunningham, both natives of the "Keystone state," the former of Scotch and the latter of English extraction. Samuel Cunningham was born April 7, 1778; married, January 15, 1807, Julia Boyd, whose birth occurred December 10, 1788. He served in the war of 1812, and his father, one of the early settlers ol Pennsylvania, was a soldier in the Revolutionary struggle. Mrs. Cunningham died in the state of nativity in 1834, and in 1845 Samuel Cunningham emi- grated to Delaware county, Ind., where his death occurred September 17, 1849. The children born to these parents were ten in number, Alexander B., being the eighth in order of birth.
Alexander B. Cunningham remained with his father until he was twenty-three years of age. He attended school in Pennsylvania in his youth, but when left to his own resources learned the trade of carpentering under an ex- cellent workman by the name of James Truitt, and soon became very skillful in all depart- ments of his chosen calling. He continued carpentering for some time, but, being at-
A. B. CUNNINGHAM.
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tracted by the finer class of mechanical work, finally discontinued building and began work- ing at cabinet making in a shop with Mr. Lewellen, at the town of Smithfield. After working at this place for a period of two years he went east, where he once again engaged in carpentering, but, at a later date, accepted a position as agent and track supervisor with the B. & O. railroad company, in the employ of which he continued four years. After severing his connection with the road, Mr. Cunning- ham was for two and one-half years engaged in the mercantile business in Virginia, at the end of which time he returned to Indiana, and in partnership with his brother purchased a large tract of land in Delaware and other counties. For many years Mr. Cunningham has devoted his attention almost entirely to agricultural pursuits and stock raising, and his success in both these lines has been most en- couraging, his farm at this time being one of the largest and best improved in the county of Delaware. His home is known far and wide as the abode of free-hearted hospitality, and his elegant residence, erected at a cost of $20,000, is perhaps the finest farm dwelling in this part of the state. Mr. Cunningham was married December 12, 1865, to Mollie C. Hoopman, daughter of Rev. John and Liza (Redman) Hoopman, the result of which union has been three children: Elord E. was born October 12, 1867, and died February 12, 1888; Bertha L. was born July 6, 1870, and is now the wife of William Gilmore, to whom she was united in marriage August 5, 1889; Frank H., whose birth was September 1, 1873.
Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham and their two children are members of the Methodist church, in which they are highly esteemed. Frater- nally, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., be- longing to lodge No. 186, at Selma, and his political opinions are those enunciated by the republican party. Mr. Cunningham's busi-
ness and social standing in the community are of the very best, and universal is the esteem in which he is held. For nearly a half cen- tury he has been an honored resident of Dela- ware county, in growth and developement of which he has borne no insignificant part. Among his friends and neighbors, and wherever he is known, his word is considered as good as his bond, and it is a fact worthy of note, that he has never been sued at law on his individual paper, nor had much business of consequence in the courts. He is one of Del- aware county's representative farmers, and in all that goes to make up true citizenship, few occupy a more prominent position in the com- munity.
ARION A. CUNNINGHAM .-- To be an efficient and honorable agri- culturist in this highly favored sec- tion of Indiana, where the soil responds so generously to the hand which cul- tivates it, is to be assured of a comfortable home and favorable surroundings. Among the successful men of Perry township, in Marion A. Cunningham, who was born in Delaware county, Ind., October 6, 1854, a son of Ben- jamin G., born August 28, 1811, and Sarah (Rees) Cunningham, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Indiana. The ancestors of the family for many generations were indus- trious tillers of the soil, and, following their custom, Benjamin G. Canningham early chose agriculture for his life work, and so continued until his death. He came to Delaware county in 1836, a poor boy, but any one who then noted his energy and thrift might reasonably have predicted what followed, namely: His final standing as one of the wealthiest men, and most successful farmers of the section in which he resided. At the time of his death, which occurred May 14, 1865, he was the owner of
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786 acres of well improved land, all of which was acquired by his own energy and thrift. His wife survived him a number of years, dying in 1887. Six children were born to Ben- jamin G. and Sarah Cunningham, as follows: Greer B., Louis S., Marion A., Stephen B., Adeline and Joseph, all living except the first named.
Marion A. Cunningham was reared on the home farm, and had better advantages in the way of acquiring an education than many of the youth of his neighborhood, attending first the common schools, and later the Muncie high school, and one term at the Normal college at Valparaiso, completing his studies before at- taining his majority. In 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Jump, daughter of S. V. and Rebecca Jump, natives of Ohio and the state of Delaware respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are the parents of five in- teresting children, whose name are as follows: Mary Rebecca, born July 18, 1883; Fannie L., born June 30, 1885; Ethel R., born June 4, 1888; Nelson F., and Neva T. (twins), whose birth occurred August 29, 1890.
Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Cun- ningham located on the place where he now resides, and he enjoys the distinction of having one of the finest and most successfully culi- vated farms of his neighborhood, and the most complete and comfortable dwelling in the township of Perry. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Masonic order, belonging to Muncie lodge, No. 18, and politically, wields an influ- ence for the republican party. For two terms he held the office of township trustee, and at this time he is the efficient commissioner from his part of the county, to which responsible position he was elected November, 1891. As an official, Mr. Cunningham is painstaking and methodical, and he loses no opportunity to look after the welfare of the county. His du- ties are discharged in a manner highly satis-
factory to all, and by his diligence in looking after the people's interests he has won for himself a warm place in the hearts of his fel- low citizens, irrespective of party.
J AMES DAVISON, one of the most enterprising farmers of Perry township, Delaware county, Ind., was born in Butler county, Ohio, December 28, 1822, son of James and Polly (Doty) Davison, both of whom were natives of Virginia, of English descent. James learned the trade of broom maker and did a good business in that trade for many years. In 1847 he married Miss Martha Kenyon, daughter of Daniel and Nancy (Dortch) Kenyon, the former a native of the state of Maine and the latter of Vir- ginia, and both of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon were the parents of eight chil- dren, but Mrs. Davison is the only survivor. Mr and Mrs. Davison reared a family as fol- lows: William T., born September 16, 1847, deceased; Mary, born September 15, 1849, the wife of Dr. J. L. Hendricks; Delisca I , born July 27, 1851, the wife of Volna Sears; John B., born March 16, 1854; Laura A., born October 16, 1857, the wife of John C. Wiggins; Orlef R., born September 26, 1860; Arthur I., born November 6, 1862; Frances A., born November 15, 1864, the wife of David L. Rees, and Omar L., born January 14, 1868.
One year after marriage, Mr. Davison moved to the place where he now lives and brought with him the first cook stove ever used in Perry township. He owns now 460 acres of land, which he has made by application to his work, being a man who has labored stead- fastly and has accumulated his large posses- sions honestly. He has never speculated and has never received any assistance. After lo-
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cating on his farm he worked at his trade in connection with his agricultural pursuits. He is what may be called a self made man, and is one who enjoys the respect of the citizens throughout Perry township. Politically, he affiliates with the democratic party.
0 AVID FLETCHER, who has passed his three score and ten years, is a very worthy citizen of Perry town- ship, and a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, born May 29, 1823. He is the son of John and Polly (Templen) Fletcher, the father being a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Ohio; he being of German, and she of English descent. In 1830 the parents came to Delaware county, where the father bought forty-nine acres of land in the woods, and endured many hardships while clearing the same. Of their children, only two have lived to be the heads of families, namely: David, and Mary A., wife of Hiram Pendlum, and they are the only living children. The deceased were: Rebecca, Eunice, William and an infant. The father died August 20, 1852, and the mother June 28, 1861, and both are buried in the Union cemetery.
David Fletcher was reared on the farm, but the schools of his day were far apart; hence he had but very little opportunity for gaining an education. The longest time he ever attended, at one time, was three weeks. His father was a tanner by trade, and when a boy David devoted his time between the farm and the tan yard. After attaining his majority David became a partner of his father, and worked at the tannery business about fifteen years. David Fletcher was married Decem- ber 10, 1846, to Asenath Thornburg, daughter of Joab and Elizabeth (Holloway) Thornburg, and five children have been born to him and
his wife, namely: John E., born December 23, 1848; Rebecca, born in 1850, wife of J. B. Howell; Joab, born December 19, 1855, died July 25, 1861 ; Samuel V., born Septem- ber 13, 1861; and Elizabeth E., deceased. The first land that David owned was twenty acres, to which he added, from time to time, until he got together 220 acres. This, how- ever, he divided among his children, so he now has but 160 acres. Beside other property, Mr. Fletcher owns stock in a gas well. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher are members of the Method- ist church, and are very useful in that body. Socially he is a member of lodge No. 331, A. F. & A. M. He is a prohibitionist, and very ardent in his support of that party.
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ETER A. HELM was born in Dela- ware county, Ind., October 27, 1828, and is widely known and much re- spected in Perry township, where he resides. He is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Slick) Helm, natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish and English descent. Peter A. is the sixth of twelve children, and remained at home until twenty-one years old. He received about three months' schooling in each year, working upon the farm during the remainder of the time.
David A. Helm enlisted, in 1861, in com- pany K, Thirty-sixth Indiana regiment, and took an active part in many of the engage- ments in which his regiment participat- ed. For eighteen months he was on detail duty, building pontoon bridges. He was discharged September 22, 1864, at Indianap- olis, and returned home. He was mar- ried the same year to Elizabeth Clevenger, daughter of William and Jane (Smithton) Clevenger; her father being a native of Ohio and of Irish descent, and her mother a native
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of Indiana, and of Scotch descent. By this union there were born the following children: George T., born October 19, 1865; Rebecca, May 27, 1868; Margaret E., born October 19, 1870, deceased; Clara L., born March 16, 1873, wife of Schuyler Farlow; Mary G., born January 18, 1876; William, born February 20, 1881, deceased; and Ota J., born October 22, 1882.
After his marriage, Mr. Helm bought 110 acres of land, and began farming. He now owns 207 acres of well improved land, all of which has been acquired by money he earned himself. Mr. and Mrs. Helm are members of the Christian church. Socially, he is a mem- ber of the G. A. R., at Windsor. In politics, Mr. Helm is a republican, has held the office of township trustee for two years, and is now assessor. He is a self-made, intelligent man of high character, having the confidence of all who know him.
J OSEPH HEWITT is one of the success- ful farmers and respected citizens of Perry township, Delaware county, Ind., also is known as a brave and efficient soldier during the late war. Mr. Hewitt was born in Randolph county, Ind., April 1, 1843, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Putman) Hewitt, both natives of Ohio, of Irish descent. In 1841 Joseph Hewitt removed to Randolph county, Ind., where he bought 160 acres of land, and there he and wife spent their last days.
Joseph Hewitt was reared on the farm of his father and received a common school edu- cation. When President Lincoln issued his call for troops in 1861, he was one of the brave men who responded to the call. He enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Indiana volunteers and went into camp at Richmond, Ind., from there being sent to Louisville, Ky., thence with his
regiment to Fort Donelson, in the great battle of which he bore a gallant part. He passed through the war uninjured, but took part in all of the engagements of the regiment until he was mustered out, September 2, 186z, at In- dianapolis. Mr. Hewitt was married June 19, 1864, to Miss Louisa Stump, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Kesler) Stump, natives of Virginia and Ohio, of German and English de- scent. Mrs. Hewitt is one of eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt reared the following family: Morton, born January 6, 1866; Anna E., born January 25, 1868; Martha E., born February 9, 1870, the wife of William Lindsley; Clinton R., born December 4, 1872; Bessie J., born October 1, 1875; Mary L., born October 8, 1877; Lula G., born October 27, 1879; Gola, born January 2, 1882, and Blaine, born March 26, 1885, who died December 5, 1886. Since his marriage, Mr. Hewitt has lived in Perry township, where he engages in farming. For many years he voted the repub- lican ticket, but in 1892, desiring a change, he voted with the people's party. Mr. Hewitt is a kind father and a good husband, and one of the best of neighbors. He is universally re- spected in his neighborhood and belongs to that large and respectable class of people who, in a quiet and unassuming way, do so much for the moral and social advancement of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt have re- cently become members of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
R OBERT HINDMAN, one of the pio- neers of Delaware county and a man who has made his record for indus- try, hard work, perseverance and in- tegrity, was born in Ohio, May 10, 1808, a son of Samuel and Isabella (Hamilton) Hind- man, both natives of Pennsylvania, the
JAS. H. JACKSON.
MRS. ELIZABETH JACKSON.
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former of Irish and the latter of Scotch birth. Samuel Hindman moved from Pennsylvania to Kentucky and learned the trade of weaver, which he followed all of his life. also engaging in farming in connection with his chosen call- ing. He reared a family of eleven children.
Robert Hindman was reared a farmer and assisted his father in his work. At that time there were few schools, and young Robert had but limited educational advantages. After he had reached maturity and had gone out from under the parental roof, he worked for a time at various kinds of labor, earning money and living uprightly. When he began to desire a home of his own, he married Miss Rosanna Murry, daughter of William and Mary (Boles) Murry, both of them natives of Pennsylvania, of English descent. After two years of mar- ried life in Wayne county, Mr. Hindman de- cided to become a farmer for the remainder of his life, and for the purpose of obtaining land, he immigrated to Indiana and located in the woods, in Delaware county, entering eighty acres and purchasing forty, there being just enough of the eighty acre farm cleared to ena- ble a log cabin to be erected upon it.
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