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 80
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
John N. Reece and his wife are the parents of the following children: Susanna, born November 3, 1834, wife of J. S. Fetter; Louis C., born June 25, 1836; Margaret, born May II, 1838, deceased; Elmer, born May 6, 1840; Elizabeth, born August 27, 1842, deceased; Mary J., born February 9, 1845, deceased; Thomas C,, born July 29, 1847; Sarah, born August 28, 1849, deceased; Solon, born Octo- ber 3, 1853; twins, died in infancy; Catherine, born May 6, 1858; William W., born January
12, 1861. After Mr. Reece had married he lived in Pennsylvania for ten years; then re- moved to Randolph county, Ind., in 1844; in 1854 he located in Delaware county, Ind., where he bought seventy-four acres of land. His wife was an invalid for a period of three years prior to her death, which occurred Octo- ber 28, 1885. In politics Mr. Reece is an in- dependent, voting for those who, in his judg- ment, will make the best officers.
J ACOB H. REES, an honored and prominent citizen, an ex-soldier of the late war and a well known farmer of Perry township, was born in Delaware county, Ind., November 5, 1840, son of John and Martha (Powers) Rees, both natives of Virginia, of Welsh descent. These parents came to Delaware county, Ind., in 1827, and entered 160 acres of land and erected a log cabin in the wilderness. A family of eleven children grew up around them, six of whom lived to be heads of families, five of whom are yet living. Mr. Rees died in 1864, and his wife in 1876, and both are lying in the Powers cemetery.
Jacob H. Rees was reared on the old home place and attended the neighborhood school for about three months in the year. He en- listed, in 1864. in company G, Ninth Indiana cavalry, and immediately thereafter went into camp at Richmond, Ind., but was soon sent with his command to Nashville, Tenn. His first engagement was at Franklin, from which place the regiment was driven back to Nash- ville, and from there pursued Hood's army to Athens, Ala., where it went into winter quar- ters near Sulphur Springs. From the latter place the regiment marched to Vicksburg, thence to Nashville, and later to Port Gibson, where Mr. Rees was taken sick and was sent
731
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
on to Vicksburg to the hospital, where he was obliged to remain until mustered out August 27, 1865, going to Indianapolis, where he received his honorable discharge September 10, 1865. In 1874, Mr. Rees was married to Miss Elizabeth Conwell, the daughter of George and Mary (Messick) Conwell, both na- tives . of the state of Delaware, the former of Irish descent and the latter of Welsh. Mrs. Rees is one of twelve children. Mr. and Mrs. Rees have two children, William E., born July 17, 1875, and Mary A., born .De- cember 1, 1885.
Choosing agriculture for his life work, Mr. Rees first located on an eighty acre tract of land, which he improved and farmed for six years, and then sold and bought his present place, consisting of 160 acres, it being the old homestead farm which his father purchased from the government. Fraternally, Mr. Rees is a member of the Whitney Masonic lodge at New Burlington, No. 229. Politically he is a republican, and bravely upholds the princi- ples for which he fought. Mrs. Rees' father was a gallant soldier, gave up his life on the Mississippi river, and was buried at Helena. His wife passed away in 1883.
3 OHN REES .- Among the prominent business men of the thriving town of New Burlington, Ind., the gentleman for whom this sketch is prepared takes a foremost place. John Rees was born in Delaware county, Ind., July 13, 1826, a son of Louis and Polly Rees, both of whom were natives of Wales, who came to Ohio with their parents when children. They married in Ohio, and reared a family of ten children, as follows: David, Louis, Robert and John, liv- ing, and Gracie, Bowen, Morris, Mary A., Syd- ney and Bort, deceased.
John Rees grew up on the farm of his father and learned by experience the practical duties of agricultural life. After he became of age he farmed the old homestead for his father for five years. The place was large, and the family needs were great, so that John did not get as many school advantages as he would have liked. In 1849 he married Mary A. Rees, daughter of David and Sydney (Oldaker) Rees, both of whom were natives of Wayne county, Ind., of German descent. Mrs Rees' father was born February 5, 1804 and her mother, September 20, 1814. They had but two children, Levina, the wife of Borter Rees, and the wife of the subject of this biog- raphy, the sisters marrying brothers.
John Rees and wife reared a family of eight children: Adeline, born October 8, 1854, deceased; Corracy, born November 25, 1857, deceased; Louis D., born December 5, 1860; Wesley, born September 9, 1863, deceased; Levina E., born October 9, 1865; Mary E., born November 9, 1869; Aburtis, born June 8, 1873, and Gunda B., born December 2, 1878.
After his marriage, Mr. Rees lived on the old homestead for some time, and then sold to advantage and bought the place where he now lives, consisting of 600 acres of well improved land. He is one of the wealthiest farmers in Perry township, and possesses the real esteem of all, and none are better known for kindness of heart to those less fortunate than himself. Politically, he votes with the republicans, but has never been a partisan in the sense of seek- ing official honors, never having had any aspi- rations in that direction. Such men are the bone and sinew of a country and their places in a community are eminently honorable and exceedingly difficult to fill. Mr. Rees has been something of a traveler. In 1859 he went to Pike's Peak and engaged in mining there, being quite successful. He had a fine claim near Mound City and made as much as
732
DELAWARE COUNTY :
$40 per day, and did not regret his venture. He is uow a stock holder in some of the gas wells in this vicinity, and occupies no unim- portant position among the substantial and well-to-do citizens of Delaware county.
EZEKIAH SHUTTLEWORTH. - Among the well known names in Perry township, Delaware county, Ind., that of Mr. Shuttleworth will always be held in kind remembrance. He passed out of life in his prime, but relatives and friends will ever cherish for him feelings of the deepest affection, and long mourn his de- parture from among them. He was born in West Virginia in 1844, a son of Joshua and Mary J. (Marrand) Shuttleworth. He was twenty-one years of age when he came here. He had been in the army, during the late war, having enlisted when a mere lad of nineteen years, and never entirely recovered his health, which the hardships of army life had shattered.
Mr. Shuttleworth was reared on the farm, and at a time when he should have been ac- quiring an education, was obliged to labor, but he was of a quick intelligence, and experience taught him many lessons, making of him a man who could well attend to all of the busi- ness affairs of his life without asking aid of any one. It is not always a college education which makes of men successful citizens in a financial point of view. One of the wise and never regretted actions of his life was his mar- riage, in 1871, to the most estimable lady who still survives him. She was Miss Elizabeth Felton, a daughter of Elijah and Elvina (Clem- mond) Felton, and from this union the following family of interesting children were born: Mar- tha, Charles, Richard, Mary, Louis, Rosa, . Alvina and Margaret. After marriage, Mr. Shuttleworth bought 180 acres of land and
engaged in farming, but later he traded this place for another of 102 acres, where he made improvements, and then exchanged again for another farm of 160 acres, each time bettering his condition financially. Had his life been spared he would no doubt have been one of the wealthiest men in the township, as he possessed good judgment and was not easily deceived in any business transaction. What he had, he earned by the exercise of thrift and hard labor. Mr. Shuttleworth died in 1891,. from disease contracted while in the army, as above stated. Since his death, his wife has most efficiently managed the affairs of the farm, showing most excellent judgment and wise discretion. Both Mr. Shuttleworth and wife were consistent and valued member of the United Brethren church, and long will be the time before his prerence will cease to be missed in the sanctuary. He was a good cit- izen, took much interest in the success of the republican party, to which he belonged, and was ever active in promoting the welfare of the community of which, for a number of years, he was such an honored and upright citizen.
ILLIAM THOMPSON .- The suc- cess that William Thompson has attained in life is due entirely to his own unaided efforts, as he was left an orphan at the tender age of five years. William Thompson was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, September 25,- 1822, son of James and Margaret (Gary) Thompson, both parents natives of Wales. Mr. Thompson, Sr., served in the war of 1812 and died at the age of fifty-two years, leaving a family of nine children, of whom William was the youngest son. At the death of his father, the young boy went to live in the family of a resident of Coshocton, with whom he remained two
783
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
years, at the end of which period he found a home with hiseldest sister. Here he remained until attaining his majority, during which time he enjoyed the advantage of twenty-seven days of school. When his twenty-first birth- day was passed, Mr. Thompson began work for a man by the name of Jacob Elliott, a farmer, agreeing to give his services for $7 a month. This agreement lasted for a year, at the end of which time his employer failed, and consequently Mr. Thompson never re- ceived a single cent for his labor. In 1843 he came to Indiana, and as he had greatly im- proved the knowledge gained in his three weeks' schooling by hard study at night, he began teaching school at Stringtown, in an old log cabin. All his school appliances were very primitive, the first writing lessons being given on the clap boards with a piece of char- coal. In spite of all the disadvantages under which both teacher and pupils labored, the instruction gained in that little school was thorough, as the young instructor put all the energy of an earnest nature into his work.
Mr. Thompson was married March 12, 1844, to Miss Elizabeth P. Drake, a daughter of Joel and Mary (Stewart) Drake, natives of Ohio and Virginia, both of Irish descent. Mrs. Thompson was an only child. Mr. Drake died in 1845, but his wife survived him until 1867. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson one child has been born, George O., whose birth occurred April 28, 1849. After marriage the young couple settled down on the farm where the ceremony was solem- nized, and have made it their home ever since. Religiously Mr. Thompson is connec- ted with the United Brethren church and has been the efficient superintendent of three Sun- day schools for as many successive years. Mrs. Thompson occupies a prominent place in the Methodist church. Politically Mr. Thompson is a stanch republican and is well
informed on all the leading topics of the day. He is a farmer who keeps fully abreast of the times and is a man who enjoys the respect and esteem of the entire community.
....
DWARD THORNBURG is a well- to-do farmer who was born in Guil- ford county, N. C., in 1807. He is the son of Isaac and Rebecca (Hud- son) Thornburg, both natives of the same state. The father was of Irish and the mother of Welsh descent. Isaac Thornburg came to Randolph county in 1831, bringing his family with him, and entering 320 acres of land, upon which he settled, and finally died in the year 1861. His remains are buried in the Hordshaw cemetery.
Edward Thornburg lived with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, and re- ceived no advantages of schooling whatsoever. He came to Randolph county in 1829 and worked at such employment as he could find, in order to earn a livelihood. Two years afterward, he was married to Susan Thorn- burg, daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Bales) Thornburg. This marriage proved a very fruitful one, there being thirteen children born, the names of the entire number being as fol- lows: Elizabeth J., born March 20, 1832, de- ceased; Rachel, born January 18, 1834, deceased; Margaret, born December 27, 1835; Mary, born December 12, 1837; Martha, April 11, 1840; Rebecca, July 11, 1842; Eliza- beth, August 5, 1844; Caroline, December 28, 1846; Isaac, May 20, 1848, deceased; Joseph M., October 21, 1850, deceased; John W., January 3, 1853; Sarah E., November 4, 1855, deceased; and George H., born April 13, 1859. After Mr. Thornburg married he entered 120 acres of land in a howling wilderness. This he improved, and has added to it until he now
734
DELAWARE COUNTY :
owns in all 340 acres of well cultivated land. On November 7, 1862, his wife died, and in 1863 he was married to Mrs. Lydia A. Petro, daughter of Jacob and Martha (Boyles) Nevil, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg are faith- ful members of the Christian church. He is a republican, and prior to the birth of this party he was a whig, and cast his first vote for John Quincy Adams for president. Mr. Thornburg is a worthy and good citizen, and is much respected by all who know him.
J OSEPH H. THORNBURG is a farmer of worth and influence in Perry town- ship, Delaware county, and is recog- nized as a man of energy and strong force of character. He was born in Clinton county, Ohio, April 17, 1831, being the son of Alexander and Malinda (Huskins) Thornburg. His father was a native of Ohio, and his mother of North Carolina, both being of English descent. They were the parents of two children only. Mrs. Malinda Thornburg died in 1834, and in 1836 Alexander Thorn- burg married a second time, his wife being Angeline Sullivan, by whom he had five chil- dren. The father was a farmer, and a very successful one, owning 300 acres of land at the time of his death, having previously divided a large part of his property among his children. This worthy man died in 1883, and was buried in the Union cemetery.
Joseph H. Thornburg was reared on his father's farm, and received a very limited edu- cation, the schools of that time holding very short terms, and being far apart. Beside, the farm work was so hard that it was pretty diffi- cult to get away from it. He was married, in 1854, to Hannah Cunningham, daughter of Samuel C., and she bore him four children,
namely: Francis M., William A., Elnora, and Sarah H. The mother of these children died in 1862, and in the following year he took Paulina Swearinger for his second wife, who bore him two children, namely: Emma, wife Eli Yockey, living at Muncie; and Irwin V. The second wife died, and in 1870 he married his third wife, Sarah W. Benbow, daughter of Edward and Susannah Benbow, by whom he had two children, namely: Jane, wife of Will- iam Knox; and Charles. The third wife died, leaving him a widower for the third time, and in 1872 he married his present wife, Sarah Thornburg, daughter of John and Eliza (Evans) Craig, her parents being natives of Ohio, and of English descent. There were three children by this marriage, Elnora, Sarah, and Burtice. As will be seen, Mr. Thornburg has lost several wives, and other misfortunes have befallen him, but he has courageously met them, and has the satisfaction of knowing that he has done his duty, and has now arrived at a point where he can take life easily. Mr. Thornburg owns 360 acres of fine land in Perry township, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He and his wife are devoted members of the Christian church. Mr. Thornburg is a member of the republican party, and supports its nomi- nees with much earnestness.
AFAYETTE WHITNEY .- The gen- tleman whose name introduces this sketch is one of the excellent farmers and business men of Perry township, Delaware county, Ind., and was born in Wash- ington county, Ohio, April 21, 1827, a son of Thomas and Hannah (Preston) Whitney, the former a native of Vermont, of Scotch descent, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of German lineage. They married in Washing- ton county, Ohio, and reared a family of eight
735
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
children, namely: Lafayette, Mordecai, Nancy, Phineas, Artimesia, William, David and Frank- lin, the last three deceased. These three were soldiers in the late war and died while in the heroic performance of duty-William losing his life at Winchester, Va., David dying in Salisbury prison, and Franklin being killed in the battle of the Wilderness.
In 1831, Thomas Whitney brought his fam- ily to Delaware county, Ind., and entered eighty acres of land in Liberty township and lived thereon for eight years, then sold it and bought 240 acres, which he improved and lived upon until his death, which occurred July 4, 1881, his wife having preceded him to the grave November 27, 1870. According to his wish, their remains were interred in the door- yard at the old home.
Lafayette Whitney was reared on his father's farm and received practically no education while at home. After he became of age he learned the carpenter trade under the super- vision of his uncle, Louis Smith, and after learning proficient in the same, worked with him for two years, at the end of which time he began taking contracts and continued work- ing at this trade for about twelve years. Mr. Whitney was married, April 21, 1858, to Miss Mary M. Snyder, a daughter of Jesse and Catherine (McGlaughlin) Snyder, the former of German descent and the latter of Irish, and both natives of Virginia, who came to Dela- ware county in 1848. - Mrs. Whitney was born April 5, 1841, and was one of a family of eleven children. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and his death occurred in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney became the parents of five children, namely: Minerva A., born Jan- uary 12, 1859, the wife of Dr. William A. Spurgeon, of Muncie; Nancy E., born January 18, 1860, the wife of William Compton, of Muncie; John L., born January 3, 1861, mar- ried Clara B. Lindville, and follows farming;
Laura J., born May 8, 1862, the wife of Mala- chi Swift, and resident of Smithfield; and Nel- lie B., born August 22, 1865, the wife of William E. Martin, a resident and prominent farmer of Mount Pleasant township.
After his marriage Mr. Whitney bought eighty acres of land in Centre township, and remained thereon nearly a year, and in con- nection with agricultural pursuits also carried on the harness making trade, and one set of harness which came from his hands was sold to the government and was used in the Indian war in Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are devoted members of the Christian church, and have had the pleasure of seeing four of their children unite with the same denomina- tion. Socially, Mr. Whitney is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Whitney lodge No. 228, at New Burlington. In his politics he is a republican, and is one of the most respected citizens of the county.
ENRY WILL, a worthy citizen of Perry township, living at New Bur- lington, is a native of Germany, born in 1814, and is the son of George H. Will. When a young man he came with his two brothers to this country, and settled in Indiana. His first work was done under his brother Thomas, as an apprentice, in a cooper shop, where he remained about two years, and then went to Smithfield and bought a grist mill. This he occupied for a number of years, when he traded it for a farm in Perry town- ship, where he now owns 244 acres of fine land. He received a very superior education in the old country, and is a man of fine intelli- gence, and has made his home with his nephew, John Will, since 1879. John was born in Wayne county, Ind., December 27, 1849, and is the son of Thomas and Margaret
736
DELAWARE COUNTY :
(Singer) Will, both natives of Germany. Thomas Will, father of John Will, immigrated to America in 1838, was a cooper, and follow- ed this trade in this country. After living in America five years, Thomas returned to Ger- many for the girl he left behind him in 1845, and after their marriage he returned to Indi- ana, where he resumed his old trade. By this marriage he is the father of ten children, namely: Henry; an infant, deceased; John, George, Thomas, Mary, Daniel, Samuel, de- ceased; Adam; and Loua, deceased. Thomas Will, the father of these children, died Feb- ruary 17, 1865, and his wife followed him ten years later. His son John is taking care of Henry Will, the subject of our sketch. John began working for himself at the age of fifteen, and was married September 30, 1869, to Mary Keesling, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Keesling. By this marriage he is the father of three children, namely: Carrie L., wife of Dr. Bell; Burton E. and Martha E. M. John Will and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
BRAHAM YOCKEY. One of the successful farmers who have shown of what Indiana soil is capable is Abra- ham Yockey. He is located in Perry township, Delaware county, and was born in Starke county, Ohio, August 10, 1820, the son of Peter and Christina (Hoover) Yockey, both natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. In 1840 Peter Yockey came to Delaware coun- ty with his parents. He learned the trade of
carpenter and followed that occupation until his marriage. He was the father of nine children, two of whom are yet living, Levi and Abraham. In 1852, Mr. Yockey, Sr., died and thirteen years later his wife followed, in 1865. The former was interred in Ran- dolph county, and the latter in Allen county.
Abraham Yockey was reared on the home farm until he was seventeen years of age, at which time he started out to take care of him- self, working in a general way at anything which offered proper remuneration. For about seventeen months he worked in a saw mill and a year in a distillery. In 1849 he was married to Eliza Hoover, daughter of Eli and Nancy (Rockenfield) Hoover, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Yockey reared a family of four chil- dren, as follows: Mark, born September 19, 1852, married Martha Bowers; David, born November 17, 1854, married Estella Ross; Nella A., born April 7, 1857, the wife of Andrew Blount; Eli, born November 15, 1858, married Emma Thornburg. After marriage Abraham Yockey engaged in farming, renting land for that purpose for five or six years. He then bought thirty acres of land, and after improving it in some degree sold it and bought forty acres, adding since until he has 140 acres in all. He has built a fine house with all modern improvements, and has the best of modern tools with which to carry on success- ful farming. He and wife are members of the Christian church, in which they are held in high esteem. Politically Mr. Yockey is a re- publican, and one of the best and most relia- ble residents of the county.
A S. Anda
ยท1
1
Mary S. Andes
SALEM TOWNSHIP.
R ICHARD A. ANDES, one of the prominent residents of Salem town- ship, Delaware county, was born in Rockingham county, Va., November 22, 1838, being a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Jones) Andes, both natives of Virginia, who could trace their lineage back to German and English ancestors. By trade, Adam Andes was a blacksmith, and until hisdeath, in 1845, he followed that occupation. Mrs. Andes died two years prior to the above date.
Richard A. Andes remained at the old home until 1858, when he started out in life for himself, first locating in Tennessee, where he remained until 1862, working on a farm and carpentering. His educational advan- tages having been somewhat limited, he was obliged to depend upon the labor of his hands. The winter of 1862 was spent in Ohio visiting with friends, but in the spring of 1863 he came to Delaware county, Ind., and later went to Indianapolis, where he began working at the carpenter trade, having become pro- ficient in the same, while living in Tennessee. For twelve years he remained in that city, where he labored industriously, taking large contracts and succeeding well in his chosen occupation. Mr. Andes was married, in 1865, to Miss Sarah Rubush, and one little daughter was born of this union. In 1867 the young wife died, and in 1875 Mr. Andes married Mrs. Mary S. Bowers, the daughter of Edward and Anna (Thompson) Sharp, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Virginia,
and respectively of German and English ex- traction. Mrs. Andes is a sister of William Sharp, whose sketch will be found on another page.
Mr. and Mrs. Sharp emigrated to Henry county, Ind., in 1832, coming to Delaware county, where Mr. Sharp became one of the most successful farmers, and owned one of the largest and best farms of the county, which he made by his own exertions. He was honored and respected by all with whom he came in contact. He was born in 1801, and died in 1854, his wife following him to the grave in 1878. Both were buried in the Sharp ceme- tery, where a large monument marks their last resting place. Mrs. Andes was one of thirteen children; was born in 1831, and lived with her parents until her marriage to Noah Bowers, who was also one of Delaware county's suc- cessful men. They were married just twenty years when he died, leaving her and three children. In 1875 she married Richard A. Andes, making him an excellent and capable wife. All of her family have been members of the Christian church, and her ancestors lie buried together in one sacred spot. Mrs. Andes is a consistent member of the same church, in which she is much esteemed, and Mr. Andes is as highly regarded in the Metho- dist church, of which he is a member. Politi- cally Mr. Andes is a republican, and takes much interest in the progress of public affairs, although he never had any ambition to serve as a public officer.
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.