USA > Indiana > White County > A standard history of White County Indiana : an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and county, Vol. I > Part 50
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CLARA (SIMONS) CULLEN
For many years Grandmother Cullen was one of the best known women of Liberty Township. She was the daughter of George and Bar- bara Simons, and was born in Virginia, March 3, 1809. Died at her home on Cullen Creek May 24, 1899, being past ninety years of age. January 13, 1829, she married Isaac Dasher in Virginia. He died in June, 1838, and November 1, 1842, she was married to Leonard D. Bonnett. Soon after this marriage they moved to White County, locating about six miles south of Monticello. Mr. Bonnett died June 7, 1853, and October 18, 1859, she was again married to George Cullen, a prominent citizen of Liberty Township, who died September 7, 1886. Her daughter, Ann Bonnett, married George Cullen, Jr., son of her last husband. Both of these died some years ago, leaving three children, Joseph D. Cullen, of
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Monticello, and James P. Cullen and Mrs. Logan Hughes, of Liberty Township.
GEORGE H. CULLEN
George H. Cullen, a native of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, where he was born April 23, 1833, died at his home in Liberty Township, January 22, 1913. He was a son of George and Susan Allen Cullen, one of a family of nine children, and was one of the oldest residents of the township, having come there with his parents in 1852. January 16, 1862, he married Anna Bonnet, who died December 30, 1870, and to them were born three children, Joseph D., James P. and Jennie E. Cullen Hughes, wife of Logan Hughes, all of whom were present at his funeral. On January 4, 1864, Mr. Cullen enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged April 10, 1866. He was a prominent and devoted member of the Masonic fraternity and under the auspices of that institution he · was buried.
GEORGE CULLEN, SR.
George Cullen, Sr., a native of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, where he was born May 28, 1804, died at his home in Liberty Township, Sep- tember 18, 1886, after an illness of only two days. He was a cooper by trade, but in 1830 turned his attention to farming, in which he was quite successful. On November 8, 1825, he married Susan Allen and to them were born nine children, six of whom survived him. His wife died in 1844 and on May 24, 1854, he married Caroline Kingsbury, who died in 1859. His third marriage was to Clara Bonnet, October 18, 1859, who survived him. In 1852 he located in Liberty Township, where he lived and prospered until his death. For more than half a century he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, served four years as township trustee, six years as county commissioner and was generally respected. His widow died May 26, 1899, at the advanced age of ninety- one years.
DANIEL D. DALE
Daniel D. Dale was a native of White County, having been born near Burnettsville on May 13, 1836. His father, Wm. R. Dale, was the first candidate for the office of clerk on the democratic ticket, but was defeated by William Sill, a whig. To this same office Daniel D. Dale was elected in 1867, having defeated Milton M. Sill, son of the father who had defeated his father in the earlier years. July 22, 1861, Mr. Dale entered the army as a private in Company K, Twentieth Indiana Volunteers, but was elected second lieutenant when the company was organized. He served until August, 1862, when he resigned on account of injuries received in the seven days' fight before Richmond. He was county clerk eight years, secretary of the state senate in 1879, and was a leading member of the democratic party in White County. Mr. Dale was married in June, 1864, to Miss Ophelia, daughter of Isaac Reynolds,
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by whom he had four children. For a number of years prior to his death he was a leading member of the White County bar and no man has occupied a more prominent part in the local history of the county. His death occurred at Monticello on March 13, 1886.
OLIVER S. DALE
Oliver S. Dale, the first telegrapher stationed in Monticello and later prominent in local history, was born in Butler County, Ohio, July 6, 1833, and came with his parents to White County about 1849. He served as a musician in the Ninth Indiana Infantry and in 1867 and 1868 was marshal and treasurer of Monticello. Later he was a guard in the northern prison at Michigan City and for the four years following 1885 was postmaster at Monticello and then accepted a position in the Government printing office in Washington, District of Columbia, which he held until his hearing became so difficult as to disqualify him for such work, when he retired to the State Soldiers' Home at Lafayette, where he died August 11, 1911. His first wife was Kate Brown, daughter of the late Capt. John C. Brown, and at her death he married her sister Alice. He left two daughters, Mrs. Fannie Trexler of Chicago and Mrs. Mae Woods of Washington, District of Columbia, and a son, Glen, of Bloomington, Illinois. In July, 1909, Mr. Dale, while at Monticello, related the story of the first telegram received at Monticello. It was addressed to Mr. James H. McCollum and read: "Forrest opens tomor- row night. William Turner." Mr. Turner was the owner of the Day- ton, Ohio, opera house, which was opened by the great tragedian. Mr. Dale also received the telegram announcing the death of President Lincoln and in his excitement left the key open, for which he was "called on the carpet."
THEODORE J. DAVIS
Theodore J. Davis, a pioneer of Jackson Township, and known to everyone in that locality, died March 19, 1912, after an illness of sev- eral weeks. Some time during the early '50s he located on a farm six miles north of Idaville and when the railroad was being built through the town he walked back and forth each day and put in a full day's work on the road. He was twice elected county commissioner on the democratic ticket and left a record as a faithful, honest official. He was born January 20, 1829, in Hamilton County, Ohio. In 1848 he was married to Patty Jay, who lived but a few years, and after her death he married Sallie Smith, and to them were born eight children. He was a kindly, genial and charitably disposed man, who filled his station in life to the best of his ability and left, at his death, an honorable name.
AMASIAH DAVISSON
For many years Amasiah Davisson was a farmer and extensive land owner in Big Creek Township. Later he moved to Monticello and
·
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erected a commodious residence on the northeast corner of Main and Ohio streets. He was born in Preble County, Ohio, May 22, 1832. In 1852 he was married to Sarah A. House and located in White County in 1854. He died suddenly from apoplexy, May 22, 1901, on the sixty- ninth anniversary of his birth, leaving a widow and four children: Anderson, Simeon and Charles, and Mrs. Thomas Dellinger.
SARAH DEBRA
Sarah Debra was the oldest person who ever lived in White County. She was born in Newberry County, South Carolina, January 28, 1811, and was one of a family of ten children. When eight years old she removed with her parents to Columbus, Tennessee, and in 1830 to Miami County, Ohio. In 1832 she married Jacob Debra and to them was born one daughter, Elizabeth, and two sons, Samuel and David. In 1840 they came to White County and the husband entered 200 acres of land near the Lowe Bridge, and here they lived in a log hut while building a more substantial log house. This was her home until the death of her husband in 1861. Her son David died in the army in 1861 and the other son died at Oxford, Indiana.
After the death of her husband in 1861, Mrs. Debra bought the farm in Liberty Township upon which her grandson, Ezra Sluyter, now resides. She made her home with Mrs. Hiram Sluyter, her daughter, until the latter's death in 1902. Subsequently, until her death at the home of her grandson, Marion Sluyter, on February 14, 1912, she resided with her various grandchildren. At the time of her decease, Mrs. Debra's age was 101 years and 17 days. Her remains were interred in what is known as the Clark Cemetery.
DAVID DELLINGER
One of the strong characters of White County for near a half cen- tury was David Dellinger, of West Point Township, where he located in . March, 1855. He was a successful farmer and stock raiser, warm and hearty in his friendships and dispensed the proverbial hospitality of the pioneer to rich and poor alike. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, October 1, 1814. Married January 1, 1840, to Barbara A. Warner, who died in June, 1872. He died January 20, 1902, at the home of his son- in-law, John Davisson, in Wolcott, in his eighty-eighth year. He left surviving five children, Mrs. Daniel Irons, Mrs. John Davisson, Lewis, Thomas and David Dellinger.
DR. ROBERT M. DELZELL
· Few persons ever attain to a warmer place in the hearts of the entire community than was attained by Doctor Delzell in his thirty-five years' practice of his profession in Reynolds. He was accidentally killed, May 28, 1905, during a severe wind storm. He was an active G. A. R. Vol. 1-29
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man, and with a young man named Clyde Keller he had gone to the Bunnell Cemetery to place markers on the soldiers' graves preparatory to the observance of Decoration day. On their return, about 5 o'clock in the evening, they were caught in a severe storm, a limb of a tree was blown down on their buggy, striking the physician across his shoulders and breaking his neck. Death was instantaneous. Robert M. Delzell was born in Blount County, Tennessee, November 8, 1843. He came to Indi- ana in the early '60s, and in 1864 enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-second Indiana Volunteers, and was mustered out at India- napolis, July 14, 1865. In 1866 he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. William S. Haymond, in Monticello, and in 1869 began the practice in Reynolds. December 30, 1869, he was married to Mary E. Bristow, and to them were born two daughters, Anna L. Delzell,-who resides in California, and Mary E., now Mrs. Robert Smith, residing in Chicago. Mrs. Delzell died in August, 1897, and on May 11, 1899, he was again married to Miss Gertrude B. Carr, who survived him.
WILLIAM DELZELL
William Delzell, one of Idaville's most respected residents, was born near Greencastle, Indiana, January 29, 1832, and died at his home in Idaville, Sunday night, August 8, 1915. At a very early age he came with his parents, James and Elizabeth Delzell, and settled on Rattle- snake Creek about four miles southeast of Monticello, in Carroll County. In 1854 he was united in marriage to Miss Rosannah Carson and to them were born eight children, three of whom with the mother preceded him in death. At an early age he joined the Seceder Church, but in 1866 he united with the United Presbyterian Church of Idaville, and in 1873 was elected elder. He served as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, in the Civil war and was a man of high ideals, a good neighbor and a true Christian. His wife died August 2, 1900. Mr. Delzell was survived by one daughter, Mrs. Melissa Million, of Burnettsville, and four sons, Charles, James Hamilton and Frank, of Idaville, and William, of Iowa, also four grand- children and three great-grandchildren.
LEVI C. DEVELIN
Levi C. Develin, born in Cambridge City, Indiana, August 6, 1835, died at his home in Burnettsville, February 6, 1906. He early engaged in railroading, and on May 8, 1864, lost both feet in the Panhandle yards at Logansport. He then learned telegraphy and in 1865 was appointed agent at Burnettsville, which position he held until 1905, forty years, when he was placed on the pension retired list.
ELIHU B. DIBELL
Elihu B. Dibell, who died at his home in Wolcott in March, 1912, was at the time of his decease the oldest banker in point of continuous
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service in White County. He had been prominent in the business affairs of that place since 1885. He was a leading member of the Christian Church and was buried in Meadow Lake Cemetery.
THOMAS E. DONNELLY
Thomas E. Donnelly, who died one mile east of Reynolds on Tues- day, April 14, 1914, in his seventy-second year, was a veteran of the Civil war, in which he served in the same regiment with his father. On his being discharged from the army he entered the employ of the Cham- pion Reaper Company as traveling agent and later served as deputy war- den of the Northern Indiana State Prison, at Michigan City, under wardens French and Murdock. After this service he bought a large farm east of Norway, but later moved to Monticello, then to Idaville, thence to his home, where he died. He was a member of the G. A. R. and under the auspices of that organization he was interred in the old cemetery in Monticello.
DAVID S. DROKE
David S. Droke, who for more than sixty years had resided near Idaville, died September 26, 1912, in San Jose, California, and his remains were brought to Idaville for interment. He came to Jackson Township in 1849 from Tennessee and two years before his death went to California on account of his health. He had passed his eighty-third birthday and was a consistent member of the United Presbyterian Church at Idaville, in which body he was elected an elder in 1892. He was twice married, but left no surviving children.
JEREMIAH DUNHAM
Jeremiah Dunham, born in Logansport, January 16, 1840, located in Reynolds in 1865. He had taught school a few years prior to that time and then took up the study of law in the office of Robert W. Sill; was admitted to the bar in 1868; taught the Reynolds School for three years succeeding 1869. About this time he began the publication of a paper in Reynolds called the Banner. This suspended in 1872, and dur- ing the remainder of his life he conducted a small store, repair shop and notary office. On September 4, 1879, he was married to Mrs. Mary B. Arrick, who with three daughters, survived him. For many years prior to his death he had been in poor health, and being a hopeless cripple, he finally concluded to end the struggle, which he did, March 8, 1906, by shooting himself through the head with a target rifle, dying a few min- utes later.
GEORGE W. DYER
George W. Dyer was born in Virginia, July 14, 1831. His father, Zebulon Dyer, came to Indiana in an early day and located on the hill
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overlooking the river at Sheetz's Mill, an important point in pioneer days. This neighborhood is now more popularly known as "Oakdale," and the house which the elder Dyer built in the early days is still stand- ing. Here the subject of this sketch lived until he bought a farm about three miles east of Brookston, where he died August 15, 1906. In 1866 he was married to Miss Elnora VanScoy, who, with five children, sur- vived him. These were Grant G., of Tippecanoe County; Eliza, now Mrs. Edward Conway; Robert, of Prairie Township, and Grace.
JAMES EVANS
At one time-during and in the years succeeding the war-James Evans, a well known hotelkeeper and auctioneer, resided in Reynolds and afterward in Monticello. Later, after the death of his wife, he made his home with his sister, near Bement, Illinois. Here he devoted his later years to a close study of the Bible, under the strain of which his mind gave way, and he died in the State Hospital for the Insane at Kankakee, Illinois, January 22, 1898, age seventy-three years.
MRS. MARY FAILING
Mrs. Mary Failing, daughter of Rowland and Nancy Hughes, was at the time of her death probably the oldest continuous resident of Mon- ticello. She was born in Green County, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1834, and came with her parents the next year. February 22, 1854, she was married to Peter R. Failing. To them were born five children, three of whom, Florine, Jennie and Nellie, are still living, the first being Mrs. Frank P. Berkey of Monticello. Besides these she left sur- viving two sisters, Mrs. Jeptha Crouch of Lafayette and Mrs. John I. Purcupile. She died December 29, 1907.
PETER R. FAILING
For many years Peter R. Failing was one of the best known men in Monticello. Being a son-in-law of Rowland Hughes, some years of his early life were spent in the latter's store. Prior to that time he had been a track master on the New York Central Road and later on other roads. He came to White County in 1853 and superintended the grading of the railroad between Logansport and Reynolds. On Febru- ary 24, 1854, he was married to Mary Hughes. To them were born three daughters, Florine, Jennie and Nellie, all of whom are yet living. He was born November 19, 1820, in Wayne County, New York; died in Monticello, December 15, 1899, from paralysis.
DAVID L. FISHER
David L. Fisher was born in Carroll County, Indiana, on the 14th day of October, 1839. Both his parents were of old English descent and
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married in Ohio in 1824 and soon after removed to Carroll County, where the subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and learned the miller's trade. His father was a German Baptist preacher and died February 5, 1871, at the age of sixty-seven. For a few years prior to 1861 he conducted an old-fashioned grist mill near Camden in Carroll County. From there he moved to Cass County and in 1862 came to White County, where he lived for two years, when he returned to Cass County, but not being satisfied with this change, in 1866 he returned to White County and purchased a home about a mile west of Burnettsville. Later he engaged in the farm implement business with the late James M. Love. He was married June 12, 1859, to Miss Nancy Murray, and to this union was born five children. Mr. Fisher served for a time as county commissioner, in which office he left an enviable record. He was a republican in politics and an active member of the German Baptist Church. He died at his home about two miles west of Burnettsville, July 11, 1902.
ROBISON FLEEGER
An old and well known resident of Princeton Township, White County, Robison Fleeger was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, December 7, 1829. He was married to Isabella Logue, a native of Canada, October 14, 1851. They located in Princeton Township in 1854, where they resided until 1881, when they removed to Reynolds, where he died November 21, 1906. He left a widow and three children -two sons and one daughter, the latter being now Mrs. John S. Griss- mer, of Honey Creek Township.
WILLIAM N. FORBIS
Though not an early settler, William N. Forbis was for nearly twenty years closely identified with Monticello and her material growth. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 14, 1839, and came to Monticello March 1, 1889, purchasing the farm on the Norway hill north of Mon- ticello, where he made his home, and where his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Rinker, still reside. Some years later he built the Forbis Hotel on the northeast corner of Main and Harrison streets in Monticello, and though he did not run it himself he took much interest in its success under other management. He died March 7, 1908, leaving a widow, two sons and three daughters.
WILLIAM F. FORD
For many years prior to his death in Monon on March 5, 1893, few men in White County were better known than "Uncle Billy" Ford. He was born in England, but the date of his birth is not known. On June 6, 1846, he enlisted from Jackson Township and served with honor in the war with Mexico. He was a natural-born soldier and seems to have enjoyed a really good fight. In the battle of Cerro Gordo he received
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a saber cut in his left thigh, a lance thrust through one wrist, a pistol ball through the other wrist, a bayonet wound under the chin and his right leg was cut off by a cannon ball. For several days he had but little care, but finally pulled through and lived to receive a veteran's bronze medal, which he highly prized. By trade he was a tailor, but for many years prior to his death he was bailiff in the White Circuit Court, where his familiar figure was well known. He left at his death a widow, six sons and one daughter.
PETER FOX
A history of Monticello for the thirty years succeeding the war would .
not be complete without mention of Peter Fox, for many years senior member of the well known firm of Fox & Karp. They were retail liquor dealers in the days when that business was not regarded as it is now in Monticello, and their contributions to the material growth of the town testify that they were much above the average of those engaged in that line of business. Mr. Fox was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 10, 1841, and came to America when a boy, locating in Pennsylvania. Here he joined the Second Artillery, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and soon after the war located in Monticello, where he worked at his trade of carpenter and contractor, but soon after engaged in the saloon business, in which he continued until his death, January 4, 1898.
MAHLON FRASER
Mahlon Fraser was one of the first white children born in White County. He was born a short distance below the present site of Monti- cello, May 14, 1833. With the exception of four years, spent in Kansas, he was a resident of Monticello and vicinity all his life. Died at his home on West Washington Street, September 2, 1899. He was married to Etta G. Davis in 1858. To them were born eight children, all of whom preceded him in death, except one son, Morton Fraser, who still lives in Monticello.
MAXIMILLA FRASER
Maximilla Fraser lived in Monticello over sixty years. She was born in Champaign County, Ohio, February 1, 1821, and when she was but a child her parents brought her to White County, making the journey with an ox team. She united with the Methodist Episcopal Church about 1864, in which communion she lived until her death. She spent the last fifteen years of her life a cripple and died at the home of her son, Mahlon Fraser, in Monticello, on February 11, 1894. Many of her relatives and descendants yet live in White County.
GEORGE W. FRIDAY
George W. Friday, a former well known business man of Idaville, was born at Canton, Ohio, February 22, 1841, where he acquired a
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good business education. For many years he was the principal grain dealer at Idaville, giving this business over to his son, Fred, in 1906. He was for many years an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and lived a devoted Christian life. On April 3, 1866, he was married to Margaret Woods, who, with four children, survived him. His death occurred at Idaville, May 25, 1909.
GEORGE M. GAY
George M. Gay was born in Miami County, Ohio, March 4, 1835, and when twelve years old came with his parents to Indiana and enlisted in the army in 1861, in which he served until the close of the war. He died at his home east of Monon, April 29, 1912, leaving surviving a sis- ter, a nephew and a large circle of friends to mourn his departure. He was buried in the Chapel Cemetery.
ROBERT P. GIBSON
One of the earliest settlers in White County, Robert P. Gibson, died at his home in Burnettsville, March 27, 1905, at the age of ninety-three years. He located in Jackson Township while yet a boy and was prob- ably the oldest citizen of the county at the time of his death, having seen it grow from a wilderness inhabited by Indians to its present ad- vanced state. He was a man of more than ordinary attainments, was held in the highest esteem and retained his mental vigor to the last. His life having been so closely identified with the county's history from the beginning, he was full of reminiscences of early days, and an hour spent with him was indeed a treat. It is to be regretted that a more complete account of his life can not be given here. He left two sons, Nathan C. and William, and five daughters, Mrs. Marian Gates, of Zion City, Illi- nois, Mrs. John Gorman, of near Burnettsville, Mrs. Maurice Boehnie and Mrs. R. Hill, of Lake Cicott, and Mrs. Belle Jump, of Burnettsville.
ROBERT GINN
Robert Ginn, one of the early settlers of Jackson Township, was born in Kentucky in February, 1811, and when three years old his parents removed to the vicinity of Xenia, Ohio. Here on March 6, 1834, he married Elizabeth R. McClellan to whom were born twelve children. In 1848 he brought his family to White County and settled on a farm two miles northeast of Idaville, where he lived until a short time prior to his death, when, having lost his wife, he went to Idaville, where he resided with his son, John, until his death on September 12, 1894. He was a charter member of the United Presbyterian Church at Idaville, in which church he held the office of elder for many years. His name and that of the Ginn family is one of the most honored in the history of White County.
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ROBERT N. GINN
Robert N. Ginn was born in Union County, Ohio, December 19, 1844, and died at his home near Sitka, on his birthday, December 19, 1893, aged forty-nine years. At the age of four years he came with his parents to White County and located on a farm in Jackson Township, two miles northeast of Idaville, where he lived the greater part of his life. On December 16, 1875, he married Miss Clara V. Warden. In November, 1886, he became a member of the Church of God at Sitka in which belief he died. He died as he lived, a quiet, honest, Christian man.
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