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 85
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George W. Duke left home when a lad of sixteen, and worked by the month for three or four years, after which he went into the business of buying stock, and continued at that for twenty-five years. He was married in the year 1847 to Jane, daughter of William and Hannah Smith, her parents being of Irish and German descent, respectively. The peo- ple of Mrs. Duke all lived in Virginia, and in the year 1870 came to Henry county, Ind., and spent the remainder of their days. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Duke, are: Carl- son, a grocer; Myer, a farmer; Emeline, wife of Myer Bell; and Minerva, wife of Miles Pierce.
George W. Duke first settled upon a farm of 160 acres in Henry county, and lived there the twenty-five years he was dealing in stock. From that point he came to Delaware county, Ind., and lived near Selma for four years on a farm; then moved upon a farm west of Mun- cie, resided there four years, after which he bought the farm of 120 acres, in 1882, upon which he now lives. His children by his mar- riage to Jane Smith were ten in number,
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namely: William, hotel keeper in Danville; John, a barber in Missouri; Martha, wife of George Koons; James, a liveryman in Eaton; Morrison, a cattle dealer in Texas; Joseph, a farmer in Illinois; Scott, a farmer; George, de- ceased; Newton, a locomotive engineer, and Luther, restaurant keeper in Missouri. The mother of this large and interesting family died in Henry county in 1873 and was buried there. Mr. Duke remained there a short time and then married Sarah, daughter of Wilson and Sarah (Dixon) Wisehart, both of German ex- traction. The people of the second Mrs. Duke went from Virginia to Tennessee; lived there for several years, and then went to Henry county, Ind., where they lived upon a farm. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Duke, namely, Josie. Mr. Duke and his wife are members of the Christian church, and are very much esteemed by all who know them. Mr. Duke has given up buying and selling stock, and devotes his entire time to the management of his farm.
I SAAC G. GOODRICK is widely known throughout Union township, and the adjacent country, and is highly re- spected, being a farmer of industrious habits and correct life. He was born in Ohio, was reared on a farm, and married at the age of twenty-six to Martha, daughter of John and Asenath (Greenleaf) Murphy, her father being a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Virginia. The parents of Mrs. Goodrick came to Delaware county, Ind., first settling near Smithfield, in Liberty township, and then re- moving to Albany, where they spent the re- mainder of their days, the father dying Janu- ary 5, 1885, and the mother September 5, 1872. A fine monument marks their resting place in Bethel cemetery. The brothers and sisters of Mrs Goodrick are Samuel B., a
farmer; Maria, wife of Joseph Blakely, and a half-brother, Abram R., a farmer.
Isaac G. Goodrick first settled on a farm near Albany, where he lived two years, and then removed to the Reesling farm, near Smithfield, where he lived three years. At this time he bought eighty acres near his pres- ent farm, and lived there sixteen years; then, selling out, he bought his present farm, con- sisting of 1112 acres, where he has lived for the past eighteen years. The children by our subject's marriage are seven in number, name- ly: Thomas W., a farmer; Albert L., de- ceased; Walter A., a teacher; John N., de- ceased; Emma O., Mary M., wife of Riley Garrard, and Josie L. The parents and chil- dren are members of the Christian church, and are highly respected by all who know them. The children have received a good common school education, and are occupying worthy and useful positions in the community in which they live. Mr. Goodrick is a republi- can, and cast his first vote for Fremont.
S AMUEL J. HARTLE, was born in Miami county, Ohio, December 26, 1851, being the son of Andrew and Anna (Petersiamee) Hartle. The father was born in Pennsylvania, and his father came to Ohio when his son was but ten years old, bringing him with the family. Mrs. Anna Hartle came from Germany with her parents when she was but ten years old. They settled in Miami county, Ohio, where she, like her husband, grew to maturity. There they were married and lived until 1882, when they came to Union township, Delaware county, Ind., where they live upon a well improved farm of eighty acres. The family comprised the follow- ing brothers and sisters: Jacob, John, and Andrew, farmers; Peter, a carpenter; Samuel
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and James, farmers; Barbara, wife of Jacob Baker; Hester, wife of Mahlon Martin, Fannie, wife of Zachariah Tobias, and India, wife of Isaac Tobias. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Anna Hartle are, Adam, Henry, and Martin, farmers; Christena, the wife of C. Smith; Harriet, wife of John Hartle; and Mary, the wife of Dr. Lingen. Samuel J. Hartle has no brother, but four sisters: India, Sarah, wife of Henry McDowell; Cassie, wife of Charles Carpenter, and Mina, wife of Levi Hayworth. After Samuel J. was of age he remained on the farm until two years before he was married, and these two years his sister kept house for him. In 1875, February II, he was married to Hester, daughter of Wilson J. and Nancy Johnson. Her parents were of English descent, and lived near Cincinnati for a number of years; they moved to Champaign county, Ohio, where they bought land, and lived the remainder of their days, the father dying in 1892, and the mother in 1872, both being buried in Honey Creek cemetery in that county. The father of Mrs. Hartle had one brother, Samuel. After his marriage, Samuel J. rented his uncle's farm for four years, and then moved in with his father, and has farmed his place ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Hartle are the parents of six children, namely: Mahlon, Emma, Charles, Wesley, Martin, Willie and Onie Maud. The family are members of the German Reformed church, and are held very high in esteem by all who know them. Mr. Hartle is a democrat in politics.
J AMES M. MOTSENBOCKER .- The following biography concerns one of the members of a popular and success- ful business firm of the town of Eaton, Ind., a gentleman of many talents and a fine character. Mr. Motsenbocker was born in
Marion county, Ind., December 30, 1856, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Draper) Motsen- bocker. The father was born in Crittenden county, Ky., and was left an orphan at an early age, but when eighteen years old he came to Indiana and located in Marion coun- ty, where he followed his trade of coopering until the close of the late war, and then en- gaged in farming in Boone county, following the same in connection with coopering, at Zionsville. In 1869 he removed to Grant county, and there engaged in farming until the fall of 1877, when he removed to Kentucky, where he decided to remain two years, at the end of which time he removed to Arkansas, where he and wife remained until his death, in 1881, she surviving him one year.
Samuel Motsenbocker was of a roving dis- positioc, but was a good man, and never will- ingly injured any one. The political party to which he held allegiance was the republican, and he took much interest in the affairs of the nation. Mrs. Motsenbocker was a member of the Disciples of Christ church and died in that faith. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, as follows: Surilda, the wife of Joseph Cluster, of Arkansas; James M., our subject; Elias, of this place; Mary C, of Kansas; Leander M., Delos S., and Nancy A., all three deceased, and Sylvester L., of this place.
James M. Motsenbocker was reared in Grant county until he was about sixteen years of age. For three years he worked for an uncle near Indianapolis and thus assisted his father, and later attended school in winter and worked during the summer until he had ac- quired a good common school education. He was a lad of more than ordinary intelligence and ability, and was possessed of a desire for a thorough education. For five weeks he at- tended school at Charlottesville, Ind., and upon his return to Grant county obtained a certificate, enabling him to teach school,
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which he did for six months. In the winter of 1875 he thus taught, and in the following sum- mer studied telegraphy at the business college at Indianapolis, but this term lasted only six weeks, and, having an opportunity, he taught during the following winter in Grant county and the next summer attended two terms of school at Lebanon, Ohio. The follow- ing winter, Mr. Motsenbocker taught in Ma- rion county, Ind., and when his school was out attended one term at Terre Haute, follow- ing this with one term more of teaching in Marion county, and then, to recuperate after so much intellectual labor, he returned for a time to farm labor. In the fall of 1878 he came to Delaware county and engaged in teaching until 1888, and then embarked in the hardware business until the following January, when, in company with Dr. A. L. Murray, he bought the drug store of which they are now the proprietors, and where they carry a full line of drugs, wall papers, etc .- in fact, they have the largest and most complete line in the county outside of Muncie. Mr. Motsenbocker was married in Delaware county, December 25, 1885, to Nanny A. Peterson, daughter of Eli and Sarah (Hook) Peterson, of Green county, Ohio. One child has come to bless this union, Merlin Bliss. Mrs. Motsenbocker is a member of the Methodist church, and a very estimable lady. Politically Mr. Motsen- bocker is a republican and is considered a val- uable member of the party. He is a stock- holder in the Eaton Window Glass company and was its manager for some time. He is also interested in the Mississinewa Land Improve- ment company, and is its secretary and treas- urer, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.
James M. Motsenbocker, although yet quite a young man, has shown himself to be made of sterling material, and to be worthy of the pioneer family from which he is descended.
0 R. ALFRED LESLEY MURRAY. Conspicuous among the successful professional men of the town of Ea- ton, Delaware county, Ind., is Dr. A. L. Murray. Dr. Murray was bron in Henry county, Ind., February 25, 1845, a son of James and Catherine (Taylor) Murray, the former born in Pennsylvania, July 19, 1813, and the latter in Indiana, March 31, 1817. James and Catherine Murray were married in Wayne county, Ind., November 19, 1835, and immediately thereafter located in Henry coun- ty and engaged in farming. During the winter seasons Mr. Murray engaged in teaching school, which profession he followed for sev- eral years after his marriage. In 1880 he sold his farm and built a home in Blountsville, Henry county, Ind., and has since then re- sided there. Mr. and Mrs. Murray were among the early pioneers of Henry county, he buying his first forty acres of land in 1838. During his farming life, he accumulated some 200 acres and was a very prosperous and suc- cessful business man. In 1855 he was stricken with paralysis, and since that time he has not been able to do much in any active line. In early life he was a whig, but later joined the republican party. Public affairs, particularly temperance and educational matters, have in- terested him greatly, and he has always been regarded as a man of intelligence and high moral character. Mr. and Mrs. Murray reared the following family: F. W., of Henry county, where he is engaged in farming; S. T., a physician of Greentown, Howard county; Mary A., deceased; Alfred L., Helen, Viretta and Alice, all three deceased, and Laura, the wife of R. A. Johnson, of Hamil- ten township, Delaware county.
Dr. A. L. Murray was reared on the home farm and received the advantages afforded in the common schools, remaining with his par- ents until he was nineteen years old. At the
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age ot eighteen he began teaching in Delaware county, in 1863, and taught six terms, and two years later entered upon the study of medicine, under the direction of Dr. John A. Windle, of Blountsville. He continued his reading with him for eighteen months, finished his preparatory course with Dr. D. N. Kendall of the same place, subsequently passing one term in the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati, and then began his practice at Economy, Wayne county, in 1867, at which place he re- mained one year. He then returned to Blountsville, where he practiced his profession until 1873, at which time he located in Gran- ville, Delaware county, and in 1884 removed to Eaton, where he practiced until 1892, when failing health caused him to retire. In 1889 he engaged in the drug business with J. M. Motsenbocker. Dr. Murray was married December 24, 1870, to Miss Viretta Jordan, of Delaware county, where she was born Jan- uary, 30, 1849, a daughter of W. A. and America (Davidson) Jordan, of Irish and Eng- lish descent. Three children have been born to this union: Bertha, wife of C. K. Van Buskirk; Geldie, and Cora deceased. Politi- cally, the doctor is a republican. He takes great interest in public affairs and is one of the representative citizens of Delaware county.
AVID P. ORR was born in Greene county, Ohio, January 5, 1837, a son of Joseph and Mary (Hoppings) Orr, natives of Ireland and Ohio. Joseph Orr left Ireland when a lad of eleven years, and came to Monroe county, Va., where he helped his father on the farm until he grew to manhood, and then removed to Greene county, Ohio, where he worked in a woolen factory, later in a saw mill, but in the year 1840, he came to Delaware county, Ind., and bought
eighty acres of land, later becoming the pos- sessor of 176 acres. This tract was located near Selma, where he lived and died, March 28, 1881, and the mother at the home of our subject, August 26, 1886. They were laid to rest near Selma, in the Orr cemetery. In those days large families were the rule among the worthy pioneers, and Mr. and Mrs. Orr had nine children, as follows: David, James, deceased; Josephine, wife of Aaron Sholty; Ann Eliza, wife of Mordecai Whitney; Eliza- beth M., deceased; Martha, who died in Iowa, was the wife of Hugh HcHardy; Julia, wife of Zeph. Martin, and Joseph J., deceased in in- fancy.
When the civil war broke out among those who hastened to offer his country his services was our subject, who enlisted July 29, 1861, at Indianapolis in company K, Nineteenth Indi- ana volunteer infantry. From there the regi- ment was sent to Washington, D. C., where they remained until the last of April, 1862, after which he was engaged with his regiment in the battles of Lanesville, Md., Bull Run, South Mountain, Anteitam, Fredericksburg and Fitz Hugh crossing. They were taken to Belle Plains, Va., on the Potomac river, where they went into winter quarters. In the spring, operations were commenced under Gen. Hooker, who took them across the river to Chancellorsville, from there to Frederick, Md., and on to Gettysburg, after which they wintered at Mine Run. Mr. Orr re-enlisted at Culpeper, Va., as a veteran and was given a furlough of thirty days, after which the regi- ment remained at Culpeper until March 5, 1864, when they took part in the following battles: Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Weldon railroad, where he was discharged October 19, 1864. He draws a pension for his services and was one of the fortunate ones who came out of the war unhurt.
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At the age of twenty-four years Mr. Orr was married to Miss Rebecca Sholty, daugh- ter of Christian and Elizabeth (Musselman) Sholty, both of German extraction. They had come from Pennsylvania in 1838 and set- tled upon án eighty-acre farm, later buying twelve acres more, where Mr. Sholty now lives in comfort. The mother was laid to rest Feb- ruary 3, 1890, and was buried in Liberty township, near Selma. When Mr. and Mrs. Sholty came to this part of the country, they were members of the United Brethren church, but later united with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Orr, Sr., were mem- bers of the United Presbyterian. He was a man widely known and served as commissioner for one term. The three brothers of Mrs. Orr are all farmers-Aaron, in Indiana; William, in Kansas, and John, in Pennsylvania, and her sister Mary resides at home.
David P. Orr first settled on a farm near Selma, where he lived until 1879, when he sold this and came to Union township, near Eaton, where he purchased eighty acres of extra fine and well improved land, where he now resides. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Orr are as follows: William H., married Belle Davis and they live Eeaton; Christian W., May 9, 1893, married Miss Bertha Gra- ham; John B., Ida L., Cora, died February 1, 1885, and is buried at Eaton, and Samuel. As members of his family, Mr. Orr has two of his grandchildren, Oscar and Ethel Younts. He and family are connected with the Meth- odist Episcopal church and the whole family is one highly esteemed throughout Union township.
AVID S. RENCH. - Among the farm- ers of Union township, David S. Rench is one of the most earnest, hardworking and enterprising. He was born in Blackford county, Ind., Septem-
ber 25, 1864, the son of John and Elizabeth (Studebaker) Rench, who were both of Ger- man extraction. John Rench and his wife moved from Pennsylvania to Miami county, Ohio, and purchased eighty acres of land, and after living there several years sold out and came to Blackford county, Ind., living there until 1873. Selling out again, they came to Delaware county, Ind., and purchased forty acres, which were situated near Shideler, on which farm they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Rench had a family of ten children : Mary, wife of Elsworth Galbraith; Abraham, a farmer; David; Sarah, wife of Louis Holliday; Emma, John, a farmer; Henry, a farmer; Bertha; Hat- tie, deceased; and Joseph.
David S. Rench remained at home, assist- ing his father on the farm, until April 24, 1889, when he married Miss Sarah Haynes, the daughter of John and Catherine (Ashen- felter) Haynes, the former of English and the latter of German extraction. John Haynes was born and reared in Indiana, while his wife was born and reared in Ohio. After their marriage they settled in Union township, where they now reside. They had four children, whose names are: Sarah; William, deceased; Flora A .; and Anna P. The father of these children is a very honest, industrious, influen- tial and highly respected citizen. He served as supervisor for several terms, and is a mem- ber of the order of Red Men, and he and his wife are members of the Christian church.
Mr. and Mrs. David S. Rench have been blessed with two children, Lulie and William M. Mr. Rench resides on his grandfather's farm, which consists of 160 acres. He is an honest and hardworking man, and is highly respected in Union township. He is a faith- ful member of the Dunkard church, and Mrs. Rench of the Christian Disciples church at Eaton, and both show the sincerity of their faith in their conduct.
O. I. REASONER, M. D.
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0 SMER IRWIN REASONER, M. D., is a descendant of an old and highly respectable family, which settled in Blackford county, Ind., at an early period in the history of that part of the state. His grandparents, Peter and Rhoda (Fry) Reasoner were natives respectively of Penn- sylvania and Virginia. The great-grandfather, Benjamin Reasoner, was born April 27, 1770, the son of Peter Reasoner, who left Germany for France in early manhood, and in 1770, during a religious persecution emigrated to America, locating in Pennsylvania, having married Sallie Spears in France. Then, in 1805, he located in Muskingum county, Ohio, where they lived and died quite aged. Peter and Rhoda Reasoner, grandparents of Osmer I., were married in Ohio, and in 1832, with their family, then consisting of two children, set out by a team for Indiana, which they reached after a long and tedious journey, locating in what is now Licking township, in the county of Blackford. It was here, in an almost un- broken forest, that this hardy pioneer began to lay the foundation of a home, and all the vicissitudes and hardships incident to those early times were experienced by him in full measure. He was a true type of the settler of sixty years ago, a successful hunter, an energetic, hard working farmer, and most estimable christian gentleman of the Presby- terian faith, as his ancestors were before him. He died on the farm where he settled in Octo- ber, 1868. The following are the names of the children born to Peter and Rhoda Reason- er: Levina S., Washington F., Mary E., Noah H., Calista Ann., John B., Almira C., and Jacob M. Washington F. Reasoner, father of the gentleman whose name introduces this men- tion, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, July 27, 1830, was reared amid the scenes of pioneer times, and, on arriving at a suitable age, his ax was swung in unison with that of his
father's in the work of clearing the farm. He was united in marriage, October 15, 1850, to Rachael Slater, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, June 26, 1829. Mrs. Reasoner accompanied her parents, Jacob and Sarah (Alban) Slater, to Indiana in the year 1836, settling in Blackford county. Her father died in September, 1839, and the mother departed this life in July, 1840. W. F. and Rachael Reasoner are the parents of the following chil- dren: Mary K., deceased; Harriet Samantha, deceased; Ethan Thomas, a prominent attor- ney of Peru, Ind .; Osmer Irwin, the subject of this sketch; Rhoda Ann, wife of Lewis D. Mc- Vicker; Riley R .; Allie Maria; and Orval Mad- ison. Mr. Reasoner is one of the substantial agriculturists of Blackford county and has been residing upon his present beautiful farm since the year 1860. During his long period of residence in the county of Blackford, embrac- ing a period of over sixty years, he has wit- nessed many important changes, and by his upright character and conduct has gained the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.
Dr. Osmer I. Reasoner, the immediate subject of this mention, was born November 20, 1852, in Grant county, Ind. His youth- ful years were spent on the farm of his father, and at the age of nineteen he entered the academy of Wabash college, Crawfordsville, Ind., for a period of two years. Having de- cided to enter the medical profession, he began the study of the same shortly after fin- ishing his literary education with Dr. Reason- er at the town New Cumberland, Grant county, under whose instructions he continued three years, and then entered upon a course in the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati. Sub- sequently, he became a student of the Ken- tucky school of Medicine, Louisville, graduating from the same upon the 29th of June, 1876, after which he began the practice of his pro- fession at the town of Wheeling, Delaware
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county, where he remained for a limited period. In April, 1878, he removed to his present location, the town of Shideler, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice, which embraces a large area through- out the northern part of Delaware county and southern part of Blackford county.
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Dr. Reasoner began the practice at the town of Shideler under circumstances not the most encouraging-the sum total of his earthly wealth at the time consisting of but seven dol- lars in money, and for several years his life was full of struggle against adverse conditions. With an energy born of a determination to succeed, he overcame the obstacles by which his pathway was beset, and his ability in his profession won for him a lucrative business. During the period of his residence in Union township his practice, as already noted, has taken a very wide range, and he now ranks among the most successful physicians of Dela- ware county, and the town of Shideler largely owes its growth and development to the inter- est the doctor has taken in its welfare, he having done more for the town than any other citizen. In addition to his success in his chosen calling, Dr. Reasoner possesses good business tact, and his careful judgment pertaining to matters financial, has enabled him to accumulate a comfortable competence of worldly wealth. The doctor is a leading horticulturist of Del- aware county, growing all kinds of small fruits in abundance. He is a member of the Delaware county Horticultural soci - ety. Politically a republican, he takes an active interest in public affairs, but is not known as an aspirant for the honors or emolu- ments of office. . Religiously he is a Presbyter- ian, but he affiliates with the Methodist church -which church organization he organized, and became its first member. He is active in behalf of all religious movements, and for a period of several years served as president of
the Delaware county Sunday School union. He has also filled various official positions in the local congregation to which he belongs, including that of class leader, the duties of which he discharged for a period of eight years.
Dr. Reasoner was married September 28, 1876, to Miss Luella Wood of Delaware county, daughter of Samuel and Harriet (An- derson) Wood, both natives of Clermont county, Ohio. Samuel Wood grew to man- hood in his native county and there married Miss Anderson, in 1854. He followed the carpenter's trade. He immigrated to Indiana in 1866, locating in Union township, where he lived a farmer's life and was one of the pro- gressive men. He died in 1875, having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Wood, his widow, is now a resident of Shideler, and is a worthy member of the Ger- man Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Wood were parents of seven children-four sons and three daughters, and Mrs. Reasoner is the second in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Reas- oner are parents of six children, viz: Birch W., born September 16, 1877; Selina M., born February 13, 1879; Claude B., born June 17, 1880; Homer A., born December 11, 1881, deceased February 19, 1883; Herbert W., born February 17, 1883, and Frank A., born October 12, 1885.
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