USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A twentieth century history of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 29
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During his boyhood days William Crow assisted his father in clearing the home farm and placing it under cultivation, and in the early days here he shot many a wild turkey. On the 11th of August, 1862, he enlisted at Muncie for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company B, Eighty-fourth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Going to Richmond, Indiana, they drilled for some time, and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr.
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Crow was with his regiment in all its battles and skirmishes except that of Chickamauga, when he was ill. He participated in the following engage- ments : Buzzard's Roost, Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, Pumpkinvine creek, Pine mountain, Kenesaw mountain, Neal Dow church, Peach Tree creek, in front of Atlanta, Sholes creek, Lovejoy Station, Franklin and Nashville. Thus with a long, arduous and faithful military record he was discharged from the service on the 25th of June, 1865, at Camp Harker, Nashville, Tennessee. Returning thence to his home in Union townhsip, Delaware county, he started to make him a home in the wilderness, first building a log cabin and clearing the timber from the land. With the passing years his fields were placed under an excellent state of cultivation, and in 1897 he erected a pleasant and commodious resi- dence, where he is now living retired from the active work of the farm, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He is a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank at Eaton, Indiana, and on his farm is a gas well which furnishes fuel and light for his home.
On the 25th of January, 1868, Mr. Crow was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Beath, who was born in Blackford county, Indiana. Janu- ary 25, 1846, a daughter of John and Annie ( Christian) Beath, early pio- neers of Delaware county. Five children were born to bless this union, of whom three are now living, George M., Harris L. and Carrie C. In 1869 Mrs. Crow united with the Presbyterian church of New Cumberland. and led a most humble, earnest and sincere Christian life to the time of her death, which occurred on the 8th of July, 1876. She was a most exemplary neighbor, indulgent mother, loving and devoted wife, striving to fulfill all her duties to the best of her ability. Her funeral services were conducted in the beautiful grove in the front of her residence. It was an impressive sight to witness those funeral ceremonies in a beautiful grove not more than fifty yards from the door of her home, under the same trees where she had sat and held sweet communion with her husband in her bridal days, and where at subsequent periods she had witnessed with a mother's fondness her little ones at play. It was in this grove where her husband and children, friends and neighbors, took their last look and bid their last farewell to her, who was beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Crow married Mrs. Martha Carmon, nee Geyer, April 4, 1877. She was born in Union township, Dela- ware county, September 8, 1851, the daughter of Abel and Sarah (Flum- mer) Geyer, early settlers of this locality. They departed this life when their daughter Martha was married. Mr. Crow is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations, and he is a worthy member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He has given his aid in many ways to the upbuilding and growth of the community, and the course that he has followed in political, business, social and home circles commends him to the high esteem of all.
EMIL BAUR. The name of Emil Baur is becoming deeply engraved on the pages of the industrial history of Eaton and Delaware counties, for
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through many years he has been an important factor in its financial in- terests. His birth occurred in Toune, Switzerland, January 20, 1861, a son of Abraham and Anna (Streit) Banr. They were born and married in that country, and became the parents of seven sons and two daughters, of whom Emil was the fifth child in order of birth. Mr. Baur, the father, was engaged in business in the city of Berne, Switzerland, and he also graduated in law from the University of Berne. Coming to this country in 1872, he located in Toledo, Ohio, where his death occurred at the age of fifty- four years, and there his widow yet resides.
Mr. Emil Baur was twelve years of age when with his parents he left his native land of Switzerland for the United States, and the educational training, which he had there begun, was completed in the city of Toledo. He there also became interested in the manufacture of window glass, and in 1891 he removed to Dunkirk, Indiana, where he became secretary and treasurer of the Gem Window Glass Company, and continued his residence in that city for two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Eaton, Delaware county, and took charge of the Eaton Window Glass Company, the business of which at that time had become greatly depreciated, but under his successful management it soon rose to its former high standard, and he continued in charge for about three years. In company with Joel Hamilton, Mr. Baur then organized the Eaton Manufacturing Company, taking in the old Fort Manufacturing Company, and later Mr. Baur pur- chased his partner's interest and continued the business alone under the name of the Baur Window Glass Factory, for about eight years, in the meantime organizing the Standard Wash Board Company, the business of which had formerly been operated by the McCormick Brothers as a stock company. Mr. Baur became president and treasurer of the organization, and furnished the means with which to build up the business. He erected a thirty-blower furnace and tank house, the latter having been purchased from ex-Governor Foster of Ohio, and moved from Fostoria, that state, to Eaton, and this was one of the very few houses of its kind in this country at that time. Mr. Baur is also interested in the hardware business in Toledo, Ohio, and has an interest in a glass plant at Morgantown, West Virginia. His energetic nature, strong determination, sagacity and capable management have won him a leading place in the industrial interests of Delaware county, and his business methods have ever been in strict conformity with the ethics of com- mercial life. ' His political views are in accordance with the principles of the Republican party, and he has fraternal relations with the Knights of Pythias.
PETER R. SHAFFER. Wheeling, Indiana, numbers Mr. Peter R. Shaffer among its well-known and honored residents. He was born in Miami county, Ohio, October 15, 1832, and in that county his father, John Shaffer, also had his nativity, born on the same farm as his son, and there he spent the remainder of his life and died in 1890. He was a son of one of the early pioneers of Miami county, Samuel Shaffer, who was born in Berks county,
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Pennsylvania. of German parentage, and moved to Miami county, Ohio, at a very early day in the commonwealth's history. He burned the brick and gave them to the German Lutheran congregation for the erection of their church, and he also gave two acres of his land for church and burial pur- poses. He was the owner of four hundred and eighty acres, and he lived during the days of the log cabin epoch.
During a very early day his son, John Shaffer, came with others to Indiana and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land ten miles north of Bluffton, but he later returned to Ohio, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1890. He was a prominent man in Miami county, hold- ing many of its leading offices, and was a member of the German Reformed church. He affiliated politically with the Whigs until the dissolution of the party in 1856, and afterward voted with the Republicans. Mrs. Shaffer bore the maiden name of Nancy Reed, and was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and in Miami county of that state she died in 1884. To this union were born four sons and two daughters, namely: Peter R., of this review ; Da- vid, who married Sallie Swain and is living on the old homestead in Miami county ; Isaac, who married Kate Kniseley and also resides in Miami county ; Martha, the widow of Aaron Kniseley, and a resident of Ohio; and two who are deceased.
Peter R. Shaffer came to Indiana soon after the war, in 1866, first pur- chasing land in Washington township, Delaware county, but later located in Wheeling and began working at his trades of blacksmithing, carpentering and wagon-making, having thus continued up to the present time. He is a natural mechanic, and has achieved success in his various callings.
On the 12th of June. 1859, Mr. Shaffer was united in marriage to Miss Angeline McFadden, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, April I, 1834, and died on the 16th of July, 1907. She was the daughter of Samuel and Maria ( Hatcher ) McFadden. The mother died at the age of twenty- four years, but the father lived to the advanced age of eighty-three years. He was born in Pennsylvania, but in an early day located in Miami county, Ohio. where he became quite a large landholder, having cleared one hun- dred and sixty acres of timber land. During the early '3os he came to Grant county, Indiana, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of timber land, but later returned to Ohio and ended his days in that commonwealth. He was a member of the German Reformed church. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer only three are now living: Florence, the wife of Charles Coton; Elmer, who married Annie Shaffer and resides near Shideler ; and Arthur R., who married Rena Hoppins. He also has eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren living, he having lived to see seven generations of his family. Mr. Shaffer is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations, and is a member of the Presbyterian church.
MILES L. HOOVER. During a number of years Mr. Miles L. Hoover has been classed among the prominent and influential citizens of Wheeling,
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where he is well known as a merchant. He was born in Henry county, Indiana, February 20, 1859, and is of Pennsylvania German descent. His father, William W. Hoover, was born in Blair county, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1835, and was reared as a farmer's son. Coming to Indiana in an early day, he located in Washington township, Delaware county, where he pur- chased eighty acres of timber land, and his name is enrolled among the honored early pioneers of this community. Building him a little log house, he took up his abode therein and began the arduous task of clearing his land and placing it under cultivation, but gradually his well directed efforts were attended with success. Later on he returned to Ohio and Pennsyl- vania, but again making his way to Washington township, he was married on the 3d of June, 1858, in Hagerstown, Henry county, Indiana, to Cath- erine Hoover, who was also born in Blair county, Pennsylvania, September 2, 1834, and they became the parents of six children : Miles L., the subject of this review ; Estella, the widow of David Hoover; George W., who mar- ried Maud E. Hyer ; Alvin B., who married Margaret Barrett; Alta M., the wife of Denton Tomlinson; and Benton, who died in infancy. Mrs. Hoover came to Indiana with her parents when but six years of age, and with her husband she now lives in Matthews, Indiana, they having retired from their farm in 1904. For one term Mr. Hoover served as the assessor of his township. He is one of the most prominent members of the Odd Fel- lows fraternity in the state of Indiana, affiliating with Lodge No. 325, Wheeling Encampment No. 125, Whceling, Indiana, and is a past noble grand of his order. He also holds membership relations with the Grand Lodge of Indiana and with the Grand Encampment of the state. During the long period of twenty-five years he has been enrolled as an Odd Fellow, and he now wears a veteran's jewel. Mr. Hoover is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, of the Progressive German Baptist church and of the Republican party.
Miles L. Hoover received his educational training in the public schools of Delaware county, in the Lebanon, Ohio, National Normal University, and in the Danville Central Normal College of Danville, Indiana. He remained at home with his father until eighteen years of age, when he began teaching' school in Jefferson township, Grant county, Indiana, entering upon the profession in the fall of 1877, and for three years he also taught in Wash- ington township, Delaware county. In 1881 he began teaching in New Cumberland, now known as Matthews, and after serving as principal there for three years he came to Wheeling in the spring of 1884 and entered the employ of J. H. Carter, with whom he remained for one year. For about four years thereafter he was associated with his former employer in business, and with his brother George he then bought Mr. Carter's interest, the firm being known as Hoover Brothers until 1893, when Mr. Hoover of this review purchased his brother's interest and has since been alone in business. In 1885 he received his commission as postmaster of Wheeling, and he has ever since filled this important office with the exception of four years during
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President Cleveland's first administration. During a number of years he was also a member of the Republican Central Committee, he being a stanch supporter of the principles of that party. In fraternal relations he too has attained distinction in the ranks of the Odd Fellows order, affiliating with the Wheeling Lodge and Encampment, and is also a member of the Grand Encampment of Indiana. He holds membership relations also with Sioux Tribe of the order of Red Men in Gaston.
Mr. Hoover married Melissa Richards August 24, 1882. She was born at Palo, Iowa, October 31, 1858, and died on the 18th of February, 1893. She was the daughter of Daniel and Sarah A. (Lewis) Richards, who were born in Ohio but came to Indiana in an early day in its history. They only lived here for a short time, however, and then removed to Linn county, Iowa, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Two children were born of this union, Mabel E. and Dan W. The daughter is a stenographer in Val- paraiso, Indiana, and the son is employed as a clerk in the treasurer's office in Muncie. Mr. Hoover married secondly, March 27, 1894, Miss Carrie A. Miller, who was born in Gilman, Indiana, March 27, 1871, the daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Milhollin) Miller. The father, who was born in Vir- ginia, died in 1883, when forty-four years of age, and the mother born in Grant county, Iowa, died in 1880, aged forty-one years, both passing away in Gilman, Indiana. Of their four children two are now living: Carrie, the wife of Mr. Hoover, and Edward, who married Ida Lewis, and is living in Delaware county, Indiana, near Stockport. Mr. Miller came to Indiana with his parents during his childhood days, and he spent the remainder of his life in Madison county, engaged in agricultural pursuits, At the time of his death he was the owner of three hundred acres of rich and fertile land, and was one of the prominent and successful business men of the county, honored and revered by all who knew him. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations.
GEORGE W. NIXON, one of the boys in blue during the Civil war, has for many years been a prominent agriculturist of Delaware county. He was born in its township of Washington June 16, 1843, a son of Samuel and Catherine (Husher) Nixon, the former born in Virginia April 25, 1786, and died September 12, 1849, while the latter was born in Ohio July 30, 1799, and died September 15, 1848. They were married in Ohio, and became the parents of five sons : Benjamin, who was born on the 23d of September, 1823, and died in 1879; Jesse, born March 1, 1825, died October 9, 1894; John, born April 25, 1828, died September 15, 1894; Samuel, born July 19, 1831, died in 1854; and George W., whose name introduces this review. It was at a very early day in its history that Mr. Samuel Nixon, the father, took up his abode in Ohio, living for some years in Perry county, and in 1836 came to Washington township, Delaware county, Indiana, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government. The country was a wilderness at that time, he having had to clear a sufficient
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space from the dense timber to build his little log cabin, and it was in this primitive structure that the son George was born in 1843. In time this rude structure gave place to a modern residence, and later Mr. Nixon secured eighty acres of land in Grant county, Indiana, where he kept a tavern for many years, and spent the remainder of his life there. His political support was given to the Whig party.
George W. Nixon spent the days of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, and on the Ist of August, 1863, he answered the call to arms and enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana Volun- teer Regiment, for six months' service, his discharge taking place on the Ist of March, 1864, at Indianapolis. On the 25th of October, following, he entered the service for one year or during the war in the Twenty-fifth Indiana Battery, Light Artillery, from which he was discharged on the 20th of July, 1865. During his military career he was in all the skirmishes and battles in which his battery participated, principally in Kentucky and Tennessee, and included Walker's Ford and Nashville. At the latter engage- ment, on the 14th of December, 1864, in Thomas' division, he was under fire for twenty-one days, during which time the harness was never off the horses or the knapsacks off the men. They went into camp at Huntsville, Ala- bama, on January 6, 1865, and did detached duty until their discharge.
With an honorable military record Mr. Nixon returned to his home on the 26th of April, 1866, but a short time afterward went to Atchison, Kan- sas, where he secured an outfit and crossed the plains, seventy-two days hav- ing been spent on the road, and his destination was Virginia City, Montana, where he was engaged in mining until the spring of 1867. Going thence to Salmon City, Idaho, he later returned to Deer Lodge, Montana, from whence he went to Cable City, that state, where he spent the winter of 1868. From that time until the following September he was engaged in mining about seven miles from Butte City, going at the close of that period to Oregon, where he spent the winter of 1868-9. In 1870 he went overland to Port- land, that state, where he took ship for British Columbia, and arriving at the mouth of the Fraser river, went to New Westminster in the spring of 1871, thence up the river one hundred and fifty miles to the Cariboo country, where he was engaged in farming during the summer of 1872. In 1877 Mr. Nixon was on the head waters of the Nation river, from whence he returned in the spring of 1878 to the Cariboo country, and in the following spring bought a pack train and went overland along the Fraser river one hundred and fifty miles to Dense lake, British Columbia, wintering at Steamboat Landing. In the spring of 1881 he began mining in the Deuse lake country, but in 1882 came down into Alaska, there remaining until in September, 1884, when he left for home and arrived here on the 29th of October, fol- lowing. From that time forward Mr. Nixon has been engaged in agricul- tural pursuits in Delaware county, farming for a time with his brother Jesse, but since the latter's death he has been alone in the business.
On the 23d of December, 1886, Mr. Nixon was united in marriage to
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Miss Mary E. Keller, who was born in Union township, Delaware county, Indiana, July 21, 1854, the daughter of Phillip and Sarah (Smith) Keller, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Ireland, born February 8, 1822, but both died in Wheeling township, Delaware county, the father on the 9th of June, 1871, and the mother on the 20th of March, 1899. They were married in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. and became the parents of ten chil- dren, of whom six are now living: Julia. Mary, William, Jesse, Emma and Bell. The father came from his German home to the United States on a sailing vessel, and locating in Union township, Delaware county, in 1849, spent the remainder of his life there as a farmer. He was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a Whig in his political affilia- tions. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nixon: Frank Wade, Ada M. and Jesse E. Mr. Nixon gives his political support to the Republican party, and he holds pleasant relations with his old army comrades of the blue by his membership in Grand Army Post No. 565.
JOHN W. MCCREERY. Numbered among the native sons of Harrison township, Delaware county, is John W. McCreery, who was born on the 25th of June, 1862, to Thomas and Catherine ( Brown) McCreery. When he had reached the age of nineteen years he began farming for himself on eighty acres of timber land which his father had given him, and with the passing years he cleared and improved his place and in 1889 built thereon a residence. This was destroyed by fire on the 5th of March, 1904, and he then erected his present residence, the finest home in Harrison township. He is now the owner of an estate of two hundred and thirty-five acres, his land being as rich and well improved as any in the township, and there he is extensively engaged in the breeding of high grade cattle, hogs and horses in addition to his general farming.
On the 20th of November, 1880, Mr. McCreery was united in marriage to Martha A. Woodring, who was born in Washington township, Delaware county, Indiana, December 22, 1861, a daughter of Ezra and Lydia ( Miller) Woodring, both of whom were born in Ohio, the father on the 7th of Sep- tember, 1831, and the mother on the 21st of May, 1831. During his child- hood days Ezra Woodring came with his parents to Delaware county, and the remainder. of his life was spent within its borders. He followed both farming and carpentering, and was an important factor in the early days in the erecting of the homes of this community. He saw the country trans- formed from a wilderness to its present high state of cultivation, and assisted many of the early settlers to erect their log cabins. His first residence was a log cabin, but later he erected a frame house in Gaston, and subsequently removed to Muncie, where he spent the remainder of his life and died Feb- ruary 8, 1905. During the Civil war, on the 13th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Eighty-fourth Regiment of Volunteers, and was dis- charged on account of disability May 31. 1864. With his regiment he par- ticipated in the battles of Chickamauga. Buzzard's Roost, Tunnel Hill,
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Rocky Ford, Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, Pumpkin Vine creek. Pine moun- tain, Kenesaw mountain and many skirmishes. He aided in the hanging of two spies in the army. He gave his political support to the Republican party, and was a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. Mrs. Woodring died on the 27th of November, 1882. They were married April 14, 1853, near Gaston, Indiana, and had eight children, six now living, namely: Mary S., the wife of William W. Brown, of Muncie ; John C., who married Emma Jackson ; Martha A., the wife of Mr. McCreery; Nettie, the wife of L. H. LaRue; Delpha Jane, the wife of Vincent Janney; and Levi, who married Artie Maynard. Mr. Woodring was a second time married, April 11, 1883, Hattie E. Heavenridge becoming his wife, and their three children are all living, as is also Mrs. Woodring, who resides in Muncie.
Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McCreery: Clayton I., who married Osie Chalfant; Harry D., Fay N., Thomas H., Docia, Mar- garet, Watt and Hugh P. Mr. McCreery has membership relations with New Corner Lodge, No. 425, I. O. O. F., serving as vice grand at the pres- ent time. He votes with the Republican party.
CHARLES W. RECTOR. The Rector family is one of the old and historic ones of Delaware county, well represented here since the early days of its history, and one of its prominent representatives in Harrison township is Charles W. Rector, who was born in the township of Perry September 9, 1847, a son of Arthur and Mary (Cary) Rector. He was a student in the first school house erected in Perry township, later attending a special school in Selma, and as a boy he worked on the farm with his father. On attain- ing the age of nineteen years he began teaching school, continuing in the profession for twelve years, and soon after his marriage he began farming for himself on forty acres of land, going in debt for the property, which in time he cleared from its dense growth of timber, and in the log house which stood upon the land he and his young wife continued their residence until they erected their present commodious dwelling in 1886. He has added to his landed possessions from time to time and in addition to his general farming has been extensively engaged in the stock business, for a number of years being associated with W. L. Milhollin. They were the largest stock dealers in this section of the state, buying and shipping to the Buffalo, New York and Cleveland, Ohio, markets.
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