USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A twentieth century history of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 38
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On October 3, 1891, Mr. Tulley was married in Red Key, Indiana, to Miss M. R. Hastings, a daughter of Newton Hastings, of that place. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Tulley has been brightened by the birth of three chil- dren, namely, Leonard, Dora and Raymond. Politically Mr. Tulley sustains the principles of the Independent party, and religiously he and his wife are members of the Christian church at Albany, Indiana. Fraternally Mr. Tulley is chancellor commander of Castle Hall Lodge No. 378, Knights of Pythias, and he is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, No. 12, at Albany, Indiana.
WALTER P. MCCORMICK. Standing prominent among the foremost business men of Albany is Walter P. McCormick, who as a dealer in hard- ware, furniture and undertaking goods is actively identified with its mer- cantile industries, and as a member of the common council is as far as pos- sible promoting its highest and best interests. He is a member of the firm of McCormick Brothers, which in the spring of 1907 succeeded the firm of McCormick & Sons, the latter firm locating in this city in 1900. This firm is advantageously located in the Odd Fellows' block, and in its three large store rooms carries an immense stock of goods, and also has a large tinner's room for working purposes. The original firm, the Standard Manufactur- ing Company, was for many years located at Eaton, Delaware county, and was among the largest and most prosperous manufacturers of that place. In 1900 the firm transferred its business to Albany, continuing under the same name for seven years before it was changed to its present form.
A son of R. B. McCormick, Walter P. McCormick received excellent educational advantages, and was early trained to habits of industry, honesty and thrift. His immediate ancestors were for many years residents of Ohio, removing from there to Indiana in pioneer days. As a young man he was admitted to the firm of McCormick & Sons in Eaton, Indiana, and later, in 1907, became a member of the firm of McCormick Brothers, of Albany. He married, in Delaware county, Miss Bessie M. Nixon, a woman of much cul- ture, and they have two children, namely, Robert and W. Myron. In his political views Mr. McCormick is a stanch Republican, and for the past two years has served as alderman. Socially he is an important member of the Masonic fraternity, being master of the Albany Blue Lodge No. 171, A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 361 at Albany, Indiana, and of the Encampment. He holds his state certificate as an embalmer, and he carries a fine and complete line of
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caskets. He has a two thousand dollar funeral car. His certificate number is 1035.
EDWIN R. PUGH. Prominent among the respected and honored men of Delaware township is Edwin R. Pugh, who is a noble type of the citizen soldier, equally true to his country on the battlefield or in the peaceful sur- roundings of his home, and his family and friends may well be proud of his honorable and manly record during the Civil war. A son of the late Ben- jamin Pugh, he was born May 2, 1841, at Blountsville, Henry county, In- diana, of excellent patriotic ancestry.
A native of Ohio, Benjamin Pugh was born and bred in Warren county. He subsequently settled as a tailer in Blountsville, Indiana, and there resided until his death, at the age of seventy-six years. He married Lavinia Dough- erty, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Edwin Dougherty, who rendered gallant service in the war of 1812. Eight children blessed their union, namely : William, who served during the Civil war in the One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and died at Parker City, Indiana ; Catherine; Edwin R., the subject of this sketch ; Rebecca ; Elizabeth ; Oscar, who enlisted as a boy of sixteen years in the One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was killed in Mississippi; Sarah and Jane.
Brought up in Henry and Delaware counties, Edwin R. Pugh remained with his parents until seventeen years of age, when he went to Illinois. At the breaking out of the Civil war all of the patriotic blood flowing through his veins was aroused, and on April 22, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain George Walster and Colonel C. C. Marsh. With his comrades he went first to Joliet, Illinois, thence to Alton, and from there to St. Louis, Missouri. He was subse- quently stationed for a time at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, from there being transferred to Birdpoint. With his regiment he was next sent to Cairo, Illinois, where he remained until February, 1862. He was then sent with his regiment to the front and saw service on the battlefield at Forts Henry and Donelson, and took part in the siege of Corinth, the engagement at Pittsburgh Landing and in other battles of minor importance in Tennessee, including the skirmishes at Denmark, that state, and at Britts Levee. In the fall of 1862 Mr. Pugh marched with the troops commanded by General Grant to Memphis, thence to the Mississippi river, which he crossed just be- low Vicksburg. In that state he took an active part in the battles at Magnolia Creek and Raymond's Mines, and was afterwards present at the siege of Vicksburg, and at a battle fought under the command of General John A. Logan, being also with that gallant hero at the engagement at Black River. After the surrender of Vicksburg Mr. Pugh was for two or three months stationed with his comrades at Black River bridge, going from there to Meridian. For a time he was with General Sherman, with him returning to Vicksburg, where he was given a furlough of thirty days, and returned to Springfield, Illinois, thence home. At the expiration of his furlough Mr.
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Pugh joined his regiment at Cairo, Illinois, and was ordered to accompany General Sherman to Atlanta, Georgia, being attached to the division com- manded by General Frank P. Blair, and took part in the many engagements during the famous march to the sea. At one of the hardest fought engage- ments the brave General McPherson lost his life. Subsequently with the remaining members of his regiment Mr. Pugh was present at the grand review in Washington, D. C., after which he received his honorable dis- charge from service, July 16, 1865, at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois.
Shortly after the close of the war Mr. Pugh settled at Parker City, In- diana, remaining there until 1893, when he removed to Desoto, Delaware county. For the past twenty years he has been prosperously employed in agricultural pursuits, and as mentioned above has cleared and improved a beautiful and valuable farm, on which he resides, contented and happy.
In Parker City, Indiana, Mr. Pugh married Carrie Beverly, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, near Fountain City, a daughter of Thomas Beverly, who married Sarah Aldre, by whom he had a family of fifteen children, two sons and thirteen daughters. Of this large family but three children survive, namely: William, the oldest son, Mrs. Elizabeth Pitts, of Hagerstown, and Mrs. Pugh. Both Mr. and Mrs. Beverly were born in North Carolina, and both died in Wayne county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Pugh are the parents of two children, namely : Mrs. Ethel Ault, of Desoto, and Harry. Politically Mr. Pugh is a decided Republican, and socially he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
EBEN L. LEWIS. Among the wideawake, energetic and prosperous business men of Albany Eben L. Lewis holds high rank, having been here successfully engaged as a dealer in real estate for the past ten years. He is widely known throughout Delaware county, and at the present time is making a specialty of selling Southern Texas lands, dealing largely in lands lying in the southwestern part of that state. A son of Abraham Lewis, he was born in Hartford City, Blackford county, Indiana, November, 22, 1868. He is of pioneer ancestry, his paternal grandfather, Job Lewis, having emi- grated from Pennsylvania, his native state, to Indiana in 1835.
Abraham Lewis spent a large part of his life at Hartford City, living there until his death in 1875. His wife survives him and is still a resident . of that place. He was a faithful member of the United Brethren church, he and his wife joining when young. They were the parents of three children.
Attending the public schools of his native city when young, Eben L. Lewis was a bright, ambitious student, and easily won a reputation for ability and intelligence. He subsequently studied pharmacy, and after leav- ing Hartford City was for several years engaged in the drug business at Kokomo, Indiana. Coming from there to Albany, Mr. Lewis was for two years connected with a mill, after which he engaged in the sale of real estate in this vicinity. From year to year he has enlarged his operations,
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and is now dealing chiefly in Texas lands, with which he is well acquainted, having traveled extensively in that state. As a man of honor and integrity, upright in all of his dealings, he lias the respect and esteem of his fellow men and as a valued citizen is held in high regard.
In Carroll county, Indiana, Mr. Lewis married Mary Dunn, a daughter of Isaac Dunn, of Kokomo, and they have one child, Esther. Mrs. Lewis is a pleasant, accomplished woman, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Lewis takes an intelligent interest in public matters and has rendered the city valuable service, having for two years been a member of the common council and a member of the Albany school board for the same length of time. Socially he is a member of lodge No. 171, A. F. & A. M., and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which is is a past grand.
CLAUDE A. BURDICK. A man of superior business qualities, intelligent and capable, Claude A. Burdick is intimately associated with the advance- ment of those interests which so largely assist in promoting the welfare of Albany and add to its attractions as a business and residential city. He is officially connected with one of the important organizations of the place, be- ing secretary and treasurer of the Wheeler Gas & Oil Company, which fur- nishes light and fuel to the people. A son of C. A. Burdick, Sr., he was born March 17, 1879, at Smethport, McKean county, Pennsylvania, in the heart of the oil region, where his father was for thirty-five years engaged in mercantile business. He comes of honored colonial ancestry, being de- scended from an old and well known New England family. His great-great- grandfather, Hazard Burdick, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, which entitles Mr. Burdick, of this review, as well as his father and brother to be- come members of the great order in America known as the Sons and Daugh- ters of the Revolution, an honor few can claim. His brother, Ralph E. Bur- dick, is a successful business man of Smethport, Pennsylvania, holding the position of treasurer with the Hamlin Bank and Trust Company.
Growing to manhood in his native county, Claude A. Burdick received a practical common school education, and at the age of fourteen years began working in the oil fields. During the Spanish-American war he served for eight months as a member of Company B, Fourteenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, under command of Captain Bartlett. He subsequently spent some time in the oil regions of West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, there becoming familiar with the details of the oil industry. In February, 1906, Mr. Burdick came to Albany, and since making this city his home has been an important factor in advancing its business and financial enterprises. In February, 1906, when the Wheeler Gas and Oil Company was incorporated, with H. A. Wheeler as president and John R. Brown as vice president, he was made its secretary and treasurer, positions that he is filling with ability and fidelity. After its organization this company purchased the gas plants, the Cooperative Gas Light, Fuel and Petroleum Mining and Exploring Com- 20
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pany, and other gas wells in this vicinity, and has established business on a substantial foundation. It has since put in pipes and lines to all parts of the town, and partially to Delaware and Niles townships, and is giving general satisfaction to its many patrons, in the management of its plant being ably assisted by Mr. Burdick, who is experienced in all matters pertaining to the oil and gas business, and is an exceptionally good mechanic. The Wheeler Gas and Oil Company has become a fixture and one of the stable enterprises of the pretty town of Albany, as well as its contiguous territory, and is prov- ing a blessing to the citizens or patrons. Politically Mr. Burdick is identified with the Republican party, and socially he is a member of Bethel lodge, No. 731, I. O. O. F.
BENJAMIN J. ZEHNER. Occupying a prominent position among the leading agriculturists of Delaware township is Benjamin J. Zehner, who is prosperously engaged in his free and independent occupation on section 12, where he has a good farm of one hundred and one acres. His land is under a most excellent state of tillage, and he is paying considerable attention to stock interests as a general farmer, working intelligently and ably. He is in the prime of life, his birth having occurred June 5, 1867, on the homestead farm of his father, the late Daniel Zehner. His grandfather, Benjamin Zeh- ner, was a pioneer settler of this township, and soon after his arrival here built a grist mill, which he operated for many years, carrying on an extensive milling business.
Born and bred on a farm, Daniel Zehner continued a farmer during his entire life of fifty-six years, living in Delaware township. He married Sarah Bantz, by whom he had three children, namely: Orry M., of Athens, Alabama; Benjamin J., the subject of this brief biographical sketch; and Eli A., of Bloomington, Indiana. The mother died when but twenty-five years of age, leaving her little family desolate, indeed. She and her husband were both sincere and faithful members of the Lutheran church.
Left motherless when a small child, Benjamin J. Zehner was brought up in his Grandfather Zehner's family, receiving his early education in the common schools. He assisted as a boy in the labors of the farm, thus receiv- ing a training in agricultural pursuits that has since been of inestimable value to him. Starting in life on his own account, he purchased land lying in section 12 as before stated, and by dint of energy, perseverance and wise management has brought it to an excellent state of culture, it being now one of the most fertile and productive of any in the neighborhood. Among other improvements of value which he has placed upon it is a handsome two-story house, containing eight rooms, and substantial outbuildings, these, with their pleasant environments, standing to-day as a monument to his good manage- ment and fine business qualities.
Or. May 25, 1899, Mr. Zehner married Amy E. De Haven, their mar- riage being celebrated on the old De Haven homestead. Her father, Abijah De Haven, was born and bred in Virginia, but when a young man came to
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Delaware county in search of fortune, and here married Martha C. Strong, a daughter of John W. Strong, of whom further ancestral history may be found elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of George R. Strong. Mr. and Mrs. De Haven reared four children, namely: John W., living on the parental homestead : Frank L., of this township; Amy E., wife of Mr. Zehner ; and Jesse O., of this township. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Zehner, namely: Frances F., Martha W. and a son that died in infancy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Zehner are highly esteemed and respected members of the society which surrounds them and enjoy the confidence and regard of all who know them. As an enterprising and pro- gressive farmer Mr. Zehner has no superior in this part of the state. Mrs. Zehner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their pretty home- stead is known as "The Catalpa Avenue Farm."
DAVID MICHAEL. Prominent among the representative agriculturists of Delaware township is David Michael, proprietor of Oakland Farm, which is finely located on section 15, two and one-half miles from Albany. He is a man of energy, enterprise and good business capacity, and has ever been a useful member of the community, ably assisting in developing and promoting its best interests. A son of Adam Michael, he was born August 12, 1847, in Clark county, Ohio. He comes of loyal and patriotic stock, his Grand- father Michael, a native of Pennsylvania, having fought under General Wil- liam H. Harrison in the war of 1812.
Born and brought up in Ohio, Adam Michael early turned his attention to farming pursuits, in 1851 taking up land in Delaware county, Indiana, whither he had moved with his family. By dint of persevering labor he cleared a large tract of wild land and improved the comfortable homestead on which he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of fifty-six years. He was twice married. By his second wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Over, he had six children, two of whom are now living, namely : David. with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned, and Emma, wife of Joseph Zehner, of Albany. By his first marriage he had two children, one of whom, George Michael, of Niles township, served as a soldier in the Civil war. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
But four years of age when he came with his parents to Delaware town- ship, David Michael was here bred and educated. In his boyhood days fine school buildings, spacious church edifices, costly residences and substantial barns were things unknown in this locality. Neither telegraph nor telephone lines spanned these broad acres, nor were the luxurious railway trains of this day known. In strange contrast to the well-equipped school buildings of today was the rude log cabin, with its slab seats and desks, in which he ob- tained the rudiments of his education, and in which his half-brother, William Michael, for a time wielded the birch. On the paternal homestead while yet a boy Mr. Michael obtained a practical insight into the mysteries of agri- culture, and has since made this his principal occupation. Profiting by his
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father's knowledge and experience, he has been very successful as a general farmer, his estate, known far and wide as "The Oakland Farm," having its one hundred and eighty acres of choice land under excellent cultivation and management. It is amply supplied with the best machinery for carrying on his work after the latest approved modern methods, while his residence is comfortable and conveniently arranged, the place being one of the most at- tractive in the community. On this farm there have been about twenty oil wells, mostly in operation at present.
Mr. Michael married, October 31, 1878, Catherine Zehner, a daughter of Benjamin and Hester (Hoppis) Zehner, pioneer settlers of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Michael are the parents of three children, namely: Samuel Wilbur, of Delaware township, who married Miss Nellie Simmons; Hester, living at home, and Joseph W., who married Miss Hazel Bartlett and owns and occupies a farm near his old home. In his political views Mr. Michael is independent, using his own best judgment in casting his ballot. Religiously he belongs to the Christian church of Albany and Mrs. Michael is a member of the Lutheran church.
GEORGE SEWARD SHELLER. Delaware township is a rich and fertile agricultural center and among the enterprising and self-reliant men who are ably conducting its farming interests is George Seward Sheller, owning and occupying a good homestead on section 20. He was born in Delaware town- ship this county, September 5, 1854, a son of Adam Sheller, a pioneer settler of that place.
A native of Ohio, Adam Sheller was born and reared in Clark county, and there learned the rudiments of farming as carried on in those early days. Soon after taking upon himself the cares and responsibilities of a married man he migrated westward, coming to Delaware county in search of land that he could afford to buy. Taking up a tract of land that was still in its virgin wildness, he erected a small log cabin, and at once began the improv- ing of a homestead. He was an earnest and honest tiller of the soil, and by dint of persevering labor succeeded in making his one hundred and sixty acres of land one of the best farming estates in the locality. He acquired an assured position among the foremost farmers of the community, living there an honored and respected citizen until his death at a venerable age. He married, when but nineteen years old, Mary Pittenger, who was born in Pennsylvania but was reared and educated in Ohio. Of their union ten chil- dren were born, namely : Mrs. Barbara Lake, of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Jacob H., who was killed by a railroad accident in 1907, at the age of sixty- three years, leaving a widow and three children ; Elizabeth, deceased ; John B., of Dunkirk, Indiana; George Seward, the subject of this sketch; Mary Nancy, Harriett, Henry M. and Isaiah, all deceased; and Ner P., a resi -: dent of the old homestead in Delaware township, who married Miss Margaret Boyd, and they have two children living and one dead. The parents were both good, Christian people, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal church,
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contributing generously towards the support of public worship, and the father was for many years an officer of the church, serving as trustee and steward.
Reared on the home farm, George Seward Sheller attended the district school as a boy, and as soon as old enough began to assist his father in the management of the homestead, working with true pioneer courage. Starting in life for himself he continued his agricultural pursuits, and nearly a quar- ter of a century ago purchased the land on which he now resides. The soil was rich, yielding readily to cultivation, and under the judicious manage- ment of Mr. Sheller has become one of the most productive farms in the township. Maple Grove, as he has named his estate, is well improved and is furnished with a substantial set of farm buildings and plenty of machinery of the most approved kinds for carrying on agricultural work.
At Granville, Delaware county, September 27, 1883, Mr. Sheller mar- ried Harriet Crooks, who was born in that town January 16, 1863, a daugh- ter of Calvin Crooks. Mr. Crooks moved from Huntington county, Indiana, to this county, becoming a pioneer of Niles township. His wife, whose maiden name was Harriett Becker, was born in New York state, and died in Indiana, at the early age of twenty-seven years, leaving two children, George M., who died when forty-five years old, and Mrs. Sheller. Mr. and Mrs. Sheller are the parents of ten children, namely: Mary E., wife of Ira Madill, of this township; Glen, Adam, Gertrude, Rose, Paul, Robert, Lettie, Arthur and Calvin. Politically Mr. Sheller supports the principles of the Democratic party by voice and vote. Religiously Mrs. Sheller is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
JOHN W. MARSH. Prominent among the representative agriculturists of Delaware township is Jolin W. Marsh, who is busily engaged in the prose- cution of his independent calling on one of the most valuable and attractive estates in this part of the county, the farm being widely known as "The Maples." He is a son of the late Charles Marsh, and a grandson of one John Marsh, who was born in old Virginia, of Irish ancestry, and died in Indiana at the age of seventy-eight years.
A native of Virginia, Charles Marsh was born February 25, 1819. At the age of seventeen years he migrated with his parents to Ohio, locating in Greene county, where he assisted in the pioneer labors of clearing and im- proving a farm. Following in the footsteps of his ancestors, he selected agriculture as the occupation to which he should devote his energies, and for a few years was employed in tilling the soil in Ohio. In 1866 he came with his family to Delaware township, purchased a tract of land and began life in this state in the small log cabin which stood upon the estate. Industrious. energetic and farsighted, he labored untiringly, and in his agricultural labors met with eminent success. He made valuable improvements and was amply repaid by fortune for all the trials and privations that he endured in his early days. In 1876 he erected a large and commodious frame house, and in course of time had a fine set of farm buildings on his place, which was named "The
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Maples." The home farm consists of one hundred and ten acres of grain, pasture and wood land, and in addition to other improvements has a fine bearing orchard. In the care of this homestead he took great pleasure and delight, living upon it until his death, which occurred April 11, 1904, at the venerable age of eighty-five years. He was everywhere respected as a man of sterling worth and honesty, and as a citizen occupied a place of influence. He was a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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