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 89
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EWIS J. HOOKE, a prominent farmer and successful man of Wash- ington township, Delaware county, Ind., was born in Rockingham coun- ty, Va., July 17, 1840, a son of Jerry and Anna (McNett) Hooke, both natives of the same place. By trade the father was a car- penter, who spent his whole life in the county of his birth, and died when Lewis J. was six years of age. Following this event, Lewis J. lived with Mr. Elijah Huffman until he was nineteen years of age, and then learned the trade of miller, being apprenticed for two years, at wages of $40 for the first year and $60 for the second year. He filled out his contract, serving the first year on Mill creek, Rockingham county, Va., and the second year in Augusta county, on Middle river. For six months he served as a soldier in the Confeder- ate army, having been pressed into the service; in 1862, went to Roanoke county, where he worked in a mill until 1864, and then removed to Logan county, Ohio. In the state of Ohio Mr. Hooke remained until 1865; engaged in the milling business, at which date, he re- turned to Roanoke county, Va., and engaged in farming for a short time, subsequently com- ing back to Logan county, Ohio, where for a brief period he continued to pursue his chosen calling. Again he returned to the state of his birth, but in a short time came back to Logan county, Ohio, and after engaging in milling for a time farmed for three years. Mr. Hooke then came to Delaware county, Ind., in 1873, and located on his present farm of eighty-three acres of well improved land in Washington
township, and as agricultural labor proved remunerative he has devoted the greater por- tion of his time to the cultivation of the soil. In addition to his labors in this direction Mr. Hooke is the solicitor for the German Baptist Mutual Insurance company.
Mr. Hooke was married June 12, 1866, to Miss Lucy A. Moomaw, born September 9, 1845, near Amsterdam, Va., daughter of Joseph and Mary (Stover) Moomaw. The following interest- ing family have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hooke: Calvin W., Joseph W., Harvey L., Effie C. and Eddie C., twins; Hugh A., Mary Esta, Clara V., and Anna F. In politics Mr. Hooke is a democrat, and is one of the leaders of that party in the township. He and his family are very prominent in the German Baptist church, of which he and his wife are members. Having risen by his own industry, Mr. Hooke is rightly considered one of the representative men of the township, and is highly . espected by all his neighbors and friends.
e SAIAH HOWARD .- The history of Washington township would be incom- plete without the sketch of Isaiah How- ard, a well known and popular farmer of this section. Mr. Howard was born De- cember 1, 1831, in Ross county, Ohio, and his days were passed under the parental roof until he reached manhood. His father, being a farmer, he toiled in the field, and when there was nothing to do on the farm he attended school, if any was in session. In other words, Mr. Howard's educational opportunities were very limited, and six months will cover the time he spent under a teacher. After his mar- riage, he rented a farm in Ross county, and remained there for twelve years, and then came to Delaware county, Ind., and located in Washington township upon a portion of his
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present farm. He bought 120 acres, all of which is now under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Howard has been a minister of the gospel for a quarter of a century, being an ac- ceptable preacher for the German Baptists. The financial reward he has received for his ministrations has been very slight, and he has always looked for a higher source of recom- pense. The wife of Mr. Howard was Sophia Moomaw, of Ross county, Ohio, born Septem- ber 5, 1835, being the daughter of Peter and Celia (Adams) Moomaw. Her father is a na- tive of New Amsterdam, Va., and her mother of Ross county, Ohio. The father came to Ross county with his parents when about four years old, and spent his life there engaged in farming, and owned a large tract of land at the time of his death. Her parents were mem- bers of the German Baptist church.
Mr. Howard is the son of John and Mar- garet (Jones) Howard, the father born in Rockingham county, Va., April 3, 1802, and the mother in Augusta county, of the same state, July 14, 1814. The father went to Ross county, Ohio, with his parents when twelve years old, and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1871. After attain- ing manhood he learned the blacksmith's trade, and worked at this, in connection with farming, all his life. In politics he was a democrat, and firm in the belief of the teachings of that party. The marriage of Isaiah and Sophia Howard resulted in the birth of nine children, namely: Alice Mary, wife of Frank White, clerk .in a dry goods store in Hartford City; Ella Jane, wife of E. E. Allen, an employe in the handle works at Huntington, Ind .; Eliza- beth, wife of J. O. Allen, bank cashier, Sum- mitville; Peter S., a farmer in Madison coun- ty, married Miss Anges Thomas; John, a stock buyer at Summitville; McCrillus, a farmer, at home; Joseph, a farmer, at home, and Ed- ward, at home. In politics Mr. Howard is a
prohibitionist, and stands squarely upon the platform of his party.
ENRY HYER is a man in the full vigor of strength, and a representa- tive farmer of Washington township, who has accumulated a good prop- erty by the labor of his own hands. Mr. Hyer was born in Ross county, Ohio, Novem- ber 10, 1837, and lived with his parents until twenty-one years old. At the age of seven- teen he went with his parents to Greenfield, Ohio, and there attended school ten months, working upon the farm for the remainder of the time until April, 1861, when he enlisted in company C, Twenty-second regiment Ohio volunteers, for three months. He served abont five months, and then returned home and worked upon his father's farm. He was married August 19, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth Ellen Winengar, born August 27, 1839, in Highland county, Ohio, and died December 8, 1873. She was the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Johnson) Winengar, both na- tives of North Carolina. Her father emi- grated with his parents to Virginia when but a boy, remained there a few years and went with his parents to Highland county, Ohio, and in 1866, with his wife, removed to Marion county, Iowa. After farming there for ten years, he moved to Nebraska, located on a farm and died a few days later. Some time during the year 1864 Mr. Hyer entered the lumber trade, and followed it for two years, at the end of which time he went to Johnson county, Mo., with his wife. There he engaged in farming and stock raising, which he fol- lowed until the spring of 1877, when he moved to Madison county, Ind., and engaged in the lumber business. At the latter place he remained two years, and then moved to a
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point near New Cumberland, and carried on the lumber trade there for three years. He then bought the farm on which he now lives, consisting of 160 acres, which was then in a primitive state. He went to work with a will, and the result is that the land is almost en- tirely under cultivation. During this time he continued to follow the lumber trade for several years, and met with encouraging success in the same. He served for a term as road sup- erintendent, at a time when this official had charge of all the roads in the township. He now holds the office of township trustee, to which he was elected by the republican party, of which he is an active and influential mem- ber. By his marriage, previously noted, Mr. Hyer is the father of five children, namely: James Orlin, Charles Henry, Lizzie Maude, Evelyn, and Orland; the first and last deceased. Mr. Hyer's second marriage was consummated in October, 1881, with Mary P, Moore, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, Novem- ber 8, 1850, she being the daugliter of Jesse and Mary (Ferron) Moore. Her parents are natives of the same county and state. When she was but one week old she lost her mother, and her father passed away in 1889. The latter owned a farm of 120 acres in the county in which he was born. By his last marriage Henry Hyer is the father of two children, namely: Henry Clyde, and Edith Pearle.
John and Elizabeth (Strayley) Hyer, par- ents of Henry, were natives of Ross county, Ohio. The father lived in that county until fifty years of age, and then moved to Greenfield, with the object of giving his children an education. There he re- mained four years, during which time he conducted a hotel. He then moved back to his farm in Ross county, which consisted of twenty-two acres, staid there a few years and then moved to Henry county, Ind., purchasing 120 acres, where he lived until his death.
Henry Hyer and wife are active and upright members of the Methodist church.
A MOS F. JANNEY is a highly respect- ed citizen of Washington township, who has lived a successful life, and by industry and strict attention to his own affairs has become one of the leading farmers of the community in which he resides. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, May 5, 1837, being the son of Joseph and Sarah (Hayden) Janney, the father a native of Stark county, born December 21, 1811, and the mother born in Westmoreland county, Pa., March 1, 1812. The father came to Dela- ware county, Ind., in 1837 and located in the township of Washington upon a farm. Up to the time of settling in Indiana he operated a grist mill, but on becoming a resident of the Hoosier state he gave histime unreservedly to farming, at which he was most successful. He occumulated ample means and was able to give to each of his seven children an eighty- acre tract of land. He was an active member of the republican party, and always took an interest in the great political questions of the day. He and his wife were members of the Christian church.
Amos F. Janney lived upon the farm with his parents until he was twenty years old, working upon the place during the summer and attending school during the winter season. He began life for himself by taking charge of the home farm for a year, and working it upon shares, and at the expiration of that time, bought a farm of eighty acres in Washington township, upon which he continued to live until within a comparatively recent date, when he removed to the village of Gaston, where he is spending his years in retirement from active business. Mr. Janney owns a farm of 150
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acres, in a fine state of cultivation, and also has a valuable property in Gaston. Mr. Jan- ney was married March 12, 1857, to Miss Bar- bara J. Roberts, who was born November 16, 1835, the daughter of Vincent and Dorcas Roberts, natives of Dearborn county, Ind. Mr. Roberts became a resident of Delaware county in 1854, locating upon a farm in Washington township. He was a minister of the Christian church, and he and his wife died a number of years ago, firm believers in the faith of that body. Mr. Roberts was a very intelligent and successful farmer.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Janney re- sulted in the following offspring: Dorcas, wife of Volney Reeves; Vincent R., married to Jane Woodring; John W., married to Anna Myers; Alice A., wife of Nathan Brown, of Madison county, and Jacob, married to Della Dunlap. Mrs. Janney died November 10, 1881, and her remains rest in the Perry ceme- tery, Washinton township, she dying, as she had lived, unshaken in her faith in the Christian church.
Mr. Janney married again April 3, 1882, his wife being Mrs. Cynthia (Wear) Love, widow of Joseph Love and the daughter of James and Eliza Wear; she was born March 4, 1848. Mr. Love was born in Ohio and came to Dearborn county, Ind., when a boy with his parents; Mrs. Love being a native of Dearborn county, Ind. After the marriage of her parents they came to this county and lo- cated in Harrison township, in which they lived the remainder of their days upon a farm, the father making his business very successful. Both have been dead a number of years and their remains lie in the Nottingham cemetery, Harrison township.
Mr. Janney has three children by his sec- ond marriage, namely: Emerson, Lillian and Everett, the last-named dead. Before giving any of his land to his children, Mr Janney
owned 270 acres. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian church and are held in high estimation by all their neighbors and friends.
ENRY A. JONES is one of the lead- ing men of Washington township, and one who is always ready to do all in his power to advance the inter- ests of his community. He was born August 6, 1828, in Adams county, Pa., being the son of Jacob and Mary Ann (Neely) Jones, both of Welsh extraction. Jacob Jones was born January 6, 1806, in Cumberland county, Pa., and Mrs. Jones is a native of Adams county, same state. Mr. Jones emigrated to Ohio in 1832, lived in Miami county, upon a farm, for six years, then farmed in Clarke county for three years, after which he came to Delaware county, Ind., in 1841, and located in Wash- ington township, on 120 acres of land. This land was covered with heavy timber, but he lived to see it under a high degree of cultiva- tion, and finally died January 5, 1891. His wife died in Pennsylvania when Henry A. was a mere boy. She was a member of the Epis- copal church, as also was her husband; the latter was a strong republican, and always supported his party ticket. In 1837 he mar- ried Maria Packer, who died in 1853. He filled the offices of justice of the peace, and township trustee, and was very prominent in the affairs of the county.
Henry A. Jones lived with his parents un- til he was of age, and then learned the car- penter's trade, but worked at home most of the time until he reached the age of twenty- four, but carpentering engaged his attention for some time after his marriage. When this latter important event occurred he owned ninty-one acres of land in the township named, and lived upon it until 1883. The
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farm was located in section 18, and consisted of 165 acres. In the year named he sold this tract, and bought his present farm near Gas- ton, which consists of 164 acres. He also owns four lots in the town of Gaston, where he has built one of the finest residences in the town, in which he and his wife expect to spend the remainder of their days. Mr. Jones en- gaged in the mercantile business for a short time a few years ago, but was burned out and sustained a loss of $3,000.
Mr. Jones was married June 24, 1853, to Miss Mary Reasoner, born January 4, 1833; being a daughter of Peter and Rhoda (Fry) Reasoner. See sketch of Dr. O. I. Reasoner, Union township. By his marriage Mr. Jones is the father of the following children: Frances A., wife of Allen Oxley; Julia Ann, wife of Henry Higdon; John and Jennie, twins, Jennie being the wife of B. A. Brown; Rhoda C., wife of John Watson; Mary E., wife of Milton Gwinup; Effie M., wife of Frank Woodring. Mr. Jones and his wife are members of the Methodist church, and are much esteemed in that body. He is a strong republican, and always votes for the candidates of that party.
J W. McKINLEY, of the mercantile firm of Rowlett & Mckinley, Gaston, was born in Delaware county, Ind., Sep- tember 22, 1864, the son of B. H. and Arah Mckinley. B. H. McKinley was a na- tive of Ohio and married in Delaware county, Ind., in 1850, Arah Bryan a native of Virginia, who bore her husband nine children, as fol- lows: Nancy, deceased; William, a citizen of Delaware county; John W., whose name in- troduces this mention; James A., Samuel, Thomas, Mary A., George M., and Robert. Mr. and Mrs. McKinley are both living at this time. They are members of the Methodist
church, and Mr. Kinley is a democrat in poli- tics; he belongs to the I. O. O. F., No. 425, and the Improved Order of Red Men.
J. W. Mckinley was reared on the home farm, received his early education in the com- mon schools, and prepared himself for the teacher's profession by taking a course in the Normal school at Danville, this state. He taught successfully for six years in the schools of Delaware county, and earned the reputation of a competent and painstaking instructor. He abandoned the profession in 1892, and in part- nership with E. M. Rowlett, under the firm name of Rowlett & McKinley, engaged in the mercantile business at the town of Gaston, where he has a large and constantly increas- ing trade. Mr. Mckinley was married Febru- ary 22, 1890, in Muncie, to Miss Ethel Trow- bridge, who was born in Delaware county, January 28, 1866, the daughter of Dr. D. L. Trowbridge of Muncie. One child has glad- dened the home of Mr. and Mrs. McKinley, namely, Fred W. Mr. Mckinley wields an influence for the democratic party, and is a member I. O. O. F., belonging to lodge No. 425. He is still a a young man, but is recog- nized by his fellow citizens as one of the wide awake and enterprising residents of the town where he lives. He possesses good business qualifications and has before him a future of much usefulness.
ASHINGTON MAYNARD is a na- tive of the Buckeye state, and a well known citizen of Washington township, this county. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, June 21, 1837, being the son of Benjamin and Letha (Tracy) Maynard, both natives of Virginia. The father removed to Tuscarawas county when a young man, farming there, and re-
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mained there until 1841, when, with his fam- ily, he came to Washington township and bought eighty acres of land in section 27. Later he purchased eighty acres, where he re- mained until his death, which occurred in Au- gust, 1883. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church. Benjamin Maynard was a republican, and gave his hearty support to that party.
Washington Maynard came here with his parents, and remained with them until the age of twenty-four; receiving a good common school education as he grew up. At the age named he owned forty acres of land in Harri- son township, which he sold, and bought the same amount in section 29, in Washington township. Here he lived until 1868, and then moved to New Corner, and engaged in mer- cantile business for fourteen months, at the expiration of which time he sold out and moved back to the farm. Here he remained until 1891, and then again moved to New Corner, where he now lives, and is a notary; having been a justice of the peace for twelve years, he is very familiar with all kinds of legal forms.
Mr. Maynard was married September 24, 1860, to Martha J. Thompson, daughter of David and Melinda (Davis) Thompson. She was born . January 10, 1842, in Delaware county. Her father was born October 27, 1817, and her mother May 13, 1820, in Butler county, Ohio, and came to this county in 1840, where Mr. Thompson engaged in farming up to 1872. In this year he removed his family to Muncie, where he now lives a quiet retired life. He and his wife are members of the Church of God. In politics he is a prohibi- tionist, and is very earnest in his support of that party. Mr. Maynard is the father of the following children: Mary Alice, George Thomas, and Munroe, deceased, John and Sherman. He and wife are members of the
Methodist church, both identifying themselves with the church in early life. Mr. Maynard is a trustee in the church, and superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics he is a prohi- bitionist, and firmly believes that party is necessary to the salvation of the country.
A DAM H. MILLER, a prominent farmer of Washington township, of which he is a native, was born March 9, 1839. He lived with his parents until he was of age, spending his boyhood on the farm, and received but little education, the district schools of those times being anything but what they now are. Added to this, the farmers could ill afford to spare their boys from the hard work that was necessary in the clear- ing of the land and putting it in shape for cul- tivation, accordingly the schools were slimly attended. When Mr. Miller arrived at his majority, he farmed rented land until he was married, and then built upon forty acres of his present farm. His marriage took place Jan- uary 20, 1861, his bride being Sarah Jane Hayden, born July 12, 1841, in Sparta, Morrow county, Ohio. She is the daughter of Zachariah and Martha Ann (Bathal) Hayden. Jane Hayden was left motherless when six years of age, after which she made her home with her grandmother until thirteen years old, from which time she lived among neighbors until her marriage. After the death of her mother her father went to San Diego, Cal., where he slill lives and where he has accumu- lated quite a comfortable fortune. Mrs. Miller died at New Corner, Ind., October 19, 1892, a faithful member of the Methodist church. She had been reared a member of the Chris- tian church, but after her marriage united with the Methodist body. During her illness, which was protracted, she bore her affliction with remarkable resignation and with christian
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fortitude, attesting by word and action her supreme faith in a higher sustaining power than earth affords. No complaint ever came from her lips, and during her illness she con- tinued to testify to the sustaining grace of the gospel of the Son of God. This good woman left seven children, with her husband, to mourn her irreparable loss. All the relations of life were sustained by her with a grace that challenged the admiration of all, being the best of wives and mothers and the kindest of neighbors. To know her was to be benefited by the good words that constantly fell from her lips and by the brightness of her example. The following are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs Miller: Levi Franklin; Rhuanna C., wife of Oscar Needler; Martha Ann, wife of Charley Hyer; Isaac Newton; Effiie Estella, wife of Walter Morris; Pearl Permelia and Harry Irwin.
Mr. Miller is the son of Levi and Rhuhanna (Summers) Miller, the father born in Ohio, in 1801, of Irish descent, and the mother in Vir- ginia. The latter went from Ohio to Henry county, Ind., with her husband, in 1836, where they remained for a short time and then came to Delaware county, Ind., where Levi Miller entered a tract of eighty acres in Wash- ington township, the first home in the new country having been a log dwelling of the most primitive pattern. At the time of his decease Levi Miller owned 420 acres of land, 150 of which were cleared. He died in 1871 and his wife in 1878. Both were members of the Methodist church, and in politics Mr. Miller was a democrat. Adam H. Miller has one of the finest farms in the county, consist- ing of 159 acres; the residence, barn and out- houses all being in keeping with a first class rural home, and showing the thrift and good management of the owner. In religion he is a member of the Methodist church, and in politics he is a prohibitionist.
a ALVIN F. MOOMAW, farmer of Washington township, this county. Calvin F. Moomaw stands prominent as a careful and hard working man. He was born October 13, 1841, in Botetourt county, Va., being the son of Joseph and Mary (Stover) Moomaw, his parents, natives of the same county and state. Joseph Moomaw is yet living there, and is a very successful farmer.
Calvin F. Moomaw lived with his parents until he was of age, going to school during the winter, and working on the farm in the summer time as he grew to manhood, and in this way acquired a fair knowledge of books, and be- came a very good farmer. For a short time after reaching his majority he worked for his father, and then, about 1865, went to Ross county, Ohio, worked on a farm for a while, after which he spent a couple of months at South Bend, Ind., returned to Ross county, and then went back to Virginia. In the follow- ing year, 1866, he went back to Ross county and remained one season upon a rented farm, then came to Delaware county, Ind., and rented a farm in Washinton township, remain- ing on the same for two years. Then he bought 100 acres in Harrison township, farm- ed this place for eight years, at the end of which time he bought the farm upon which he now lives in Washington township, consisting of ninety acres of well improved land. This property came to Mr. Moomaw through his own industry.
Mr. Moomaw was married in February, 1866, to Miss Sarah Moomaw, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, February 5, 1848, be- ing the daughter of Peter and Celia (Adams) Moomaw, natives of Botetourt county, Va. Peter Moomaw was born May 24, 1806, and his wife in the month of June, 1810. . He was a farmer, and followed that occupation all his life.
Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Moomaw are the
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parents of the following children: Lewis, mar- ried to Jennie Keppler; Alice, at home; Lena Belle, at home; Ella Jane, deceased; and David O., deceased; Jessie, Howard, Ray, and Lily Myrtle, the last four also at home. Mr. Moomaw and wife are worthy members of the German Baptist church. In politics Mr. Moomaw is a democrat, and always supports the candidates of that party.
AVID O. MUNSEY, M. D., a popu- lar physician and surgeon of Gaston, is a native of Russell county, Va., and dates his birth from the 7th day of July, 1845. His parents, Skidmore and Rebecca (Ewing) Munsey, were both born in Virginia, in which state they were married in the year 1842. Dr. Munsey was nine years of age when his parents came to Delaware county, Ind., and he fiest lived about three miles from Muncie, in Hamilton township. where his father purchased a farm. He received his ed- ucation in the common schools and the schools of Muncie, and, in early manhood, began teaching, which profession he followed for two years. In the meantime he decided to enter the medical profession and to prepare for the same began reading in the office of Dr. Kem- per, under whose able instruction he continued for two years, and then attended a course of lectures in the Ohio Medical college, Cincin- nati, from whice he graduated in 1878. Forti- fied with a knowledge of the healing art, he began the practice of the same in the town of Parker, Randolph county; thence, one year later, he moved to Power's Station, Jay coun- ty, where he remained until 1870, at which time he moved to New Corner, Delaware county, now the village of Gaston, where he has since carried on a lucrative professional business. In his chosen profession Dr. Mun-
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