USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A twentieth century history of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 43
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Brought up on a farm and educated in the district schools, Calvin C. Edgington has followed agricultural pursuits throughout his active career and is seemingly proficient in the art and science of this great industry. Coming to Niles township to settle permanently, he bought, in 1892, from Elisha R. Wingate, his present farm of eighty acres, which formerly belonged to Charles Dudelson. The place was somewhat run down when he took possession of it, but through his wise judgment in the rotation of crops and the raising of clover and stock, he has added to the richness of the soil, which had become impoverished, and has now one of the most productive estates to be found in this locality, his harvests being abundant and profitable.
Mr. Edgington married, January 6, 1866, Eliza Jane Taylor, a daughter of James Taylor, who died at Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1865. Mrs. Edgington, who was a most estimable woman and a true helpmate and wise counsellor to her husband, passed to the higher life October II, 1904, aged
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sixty-three years. She was a woman of much force of character, a faithful Christian and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their marriage three children were born, namely: Mrs. Emma H. Dowden, of Cowan, this county ; Henry K., a prominent and highly respected resident of Niles township; and Mrs. Eliza B. Walburn, of this township. Mr. Edgington has one of the old wooden clocks which belonged to his grand- father Smith and it is now eighty-six years old and keeps good time, a relic of the pioneer days. He also has one of the old parchment deeds executed by President Van Buren, the seventh deed of the kind found in the county.
WILLIAM BACH. A skilful and practical farmer, systematic and thorough in his methods, William Bach, living on section 12, Niles town- ship, is a fine representative of the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of this part of Delaware county and one of its most respected residents. A son of John George Bach, he was born, February 22, 1852, in Jersey City, New Jersey, being the descendant of a Bavarian family of worth.
Born and bred in Bavaria, Germany, John George Bach remained in the fatherland a number of years after his first marriage. Becoming con- vinced, however, that on that side of the ocean it was almost impossible for a man to rise very much above the condition to which he was born, he decided to seek more favorable opportunities in the new world. He sailed, therefore, with his family, in January, 1852, for New York, arriving in that port after a tedious voyage of seventy-three days. Locating first in Jersey City, New Jersey, he carried on market gardening successfully for a few years and then moved to Seneca county, Ohio, where he carried on general farming, later to Hancock county and thence to Putnam county in 1861, and there died April 7, 1901, at the venerable age of eighty years and two months. He was a man of honest integrity, a Democrat in politics, and a member of the German Reformed church. He married first, in Bavaria, Catherine Baker, who was born and brought up in that place and died in 1868 in Putnam county, Ohio, aged forty-nine years. She bore him nine children, two of whom are dead, one having died in Germany, and one, Jacob, dying in this country. Seven are living, namely: Anna Mary, George H., William, Eva, Edward, John Thomas and D. H. By his second marriage he had one child, Ludwig B.
Receiving his early education in the public schools of Ohio, William Bach subsequently removed with the family to Seneca county, that state, where he was for a time in business as an agriculturist. On October 27, 1904, Mr. Bach purchased the farm on which he is now residing. His farm of ninety-three acres is beautifully located but one mile from Dunkirk, and its dark, rich soil is exactly suited to the raising of large crops of grain, hay and small fruits. His well furnished house, with its broad and roomy porches, is conveniently arranged, and his barn and outbuildings contain an
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ample supply of machinery, implements and appliances necessary for an up-to-date agriculturist.
Mr. Bach married, October 27, 1881, near Pennville, Jay county, Indiana, Mary L. Gaunt, who was born in that county August 2, 1864, and the birthplace of her parents, John B. and Priscilla (Dye) Gaunt, was Champaign county, Ohio, and of her maternal grandfather, Miner Dye, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Gaunt was a life-long farmer and always an active supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. He died when fifty-five years of age, and his wife, who survived him, died when sixty-two years old. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of the eight children born to them three are deceased and five are living, namely: Zilpha E., Ross B., Nathan D., Mrs. Mary L. Bach, and William A. Mr. and Mrs. Bach are the parents of four children, one deceased, Nettie May, and those living are: Elsie A., who was graduated from the Dunkirk high school with the class of 1906, is a successful teacher in Niles township; William Wallace, now taking a commercial course at the Muncie Business College; and Ina Priscilla, who graduated in the class of 1907 and is now taking a commercial course. Roe George Bach, a son of Mr. Bach's brother, John T. Bach, has lived in the family of Mr. Bach since the days of his infancy, and is now a fine, manly boy of fourteen years. A man of great intelligence and high moral principles, and a simon-pure Democrat in politics, Mr. Bach takes a genuine interest in public matters, conscientiously performing his duties as a good citizen. He was a valued member of the United Presbyterian church but is now of the Congregational church, in which he has served as steward and elder for many years, and of which Mrs. Bach is also a member. Both are good church workers and were teachers in the Sunday School.
WILLIAM H. RICHEY. Noteworthy among the many prosperous and able agriculturists of Niles township is William H. Richey, whose well improved and judiciously cultivated estate of fifty acres, situated on section 23, is one of the model farms of the vicinity. He is held in high respect as a man of sterling character and in all of his transactions pays due regard to honor and veracity, his word being as acceptable as his bond. A native of Delaware township, he was born January 18, 1857, a son of Alfred Richey and a grandson of Judge John Richey, one of the pioneer judges of this county. Judge Richey was of Irish ancestry, his father having been born in Ireland. Coming as a pioneer to Delaware county, he became promi- nent in public affairs, holding offices of trust and serving as judge for many years, a capacity in which his rulings were invariably wise, just and satisfactory to those concerned. He was a man of fine physique and com- manding presence, and was recognized as a leader among the people. He spent his last years in Granville, dying beloved and respected by all.
Coming when young to Delaware county, Alfred Richey here grew to a stalwart manhood, and was for many years successfully employed in
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cultivating the soil, owning and occupying a good homestead property. He was a man of honor and integrity, and his death, which occurred when he was but forty-nine years old, was a cause of general regret. In politics he was a Republican and upheld the principles of his party by voice and vote. He married Malinda Brammer, a daughter of Edmund Brammer, a pioneer settler of this county. She died at the age of fifty-three years. She was a woman widely esteemed for her many virtues and was a faithful member of the Baptist church. Five children, all sons, were born to them, namely : John E., a successful carpenter and contractor living in Albany ; Andrew, who died when nineteen years old; William H., the special subject of this sketch; Willis, of Tipton, Indiana; and Stephen Reeder, deceased. Stephen Reeder Richey was a young man of more than ordinary ability and for some time was employed in the United States signal service, being first stationed at Pierre, South Dakota. He was subsequently promoted and transferred to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where his death occurred when he was but twenty-two years of age. He was a bright, keen-witted young man, with the jovial and kindly disposition of his grandfather, and like him made friends wherever he went.
Educated in the common schools and reared by his parents in the paths of industry and integrity, William H. Richey grew up on the home farm, there in early life commencing his agricultural career. In his operations he has been eminently successful, the farm which he now owns and occu- pies bearing visible evidence of the thrift and enterprise which first established it and by which it has since been carried on.
Mr. Richey married first, in 1882, Margaret A. Stansbury, a daughter of George L. Stansbury, who came to this county from Pennsylvania, his birthplace. Mr. Stansbury was a well known farmer of this vicinity, and two of his sons, Smith and Jethro, served in the Civil war. Mrs. Margaret Richey died July 27, 1905, her death being a sad bereavement to her family. Four children were born of their union, namely: Ethel, wife of Walter Black, of Niles township, has two children, Paul and Leland Stanford ; Willard, who died at the age of seventeen months; Willis, of Los Angeles, California ; and Mary Ivolue. Mr. Richey married second, in March, 1907, Ida Wise, a daughter of John Wise, a well known citizen of Dunkirk. Politically Mr. Richey is a champion of the principles of the Republican party, and religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
CHARLES CLARK. Conspicuous among the native born citizens of Niles township noted for their worth and prosperity is Charles Clark, who is successfully employed on the homestead where he was born, his birth occurring October 6, 1873. Active and progressive, he labors intelligently, and in the care of his estate, known as Pleasant Hill Farm, he is meeting with ample reward, the fertile soil responding generously to his wise treat- ment. He is a son of Lewis B. Clark, now living in Dunkirk, and a grand-
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son of the late Samuel Clark, who redeemed this homestead from the wilderness.
Coming from thrifty Scotch-Irish ancestry, Samuel Clark was born and bred in old Virginia. When a young man, impelled by the restive American spirit that led so many to seek new locations in the wild lands of the then far west, he came to Delaware county in pioneer times and here took up land from the government. He built a log cabin of the typical pioneer style, and having cleared a sufficient space sowed his first crop. Wild animals of all kinds were numerous and destructive, bears, deer, wolves, foxes and smaller game making frequent visits to the clearing, and the growing grain had to be guarded to prevent the deer from destroying it, while the young stock had to be sheltered at night to keep them from the howling wolves. Wild turkey and other game filled the family larder to a great extent. He labored with pioneer grit and energy, and ere many years had passed had his land in a productive condition, improving a goodly portion of it. On this homestead his children were born, and here he spent the remainder of his life, an honored and respected citizen of the place.
Lewis B. Clark was born on this homestead and as soon as old enough was called upon to do his full share in improving it. He succeeded to its ownership and was here profitably engaged in farming for many years, readily obtaining recognition as one of the most skillful and successful agriculturists of the locality. Giving up active life, he removed to Dunkirk, where he is now living retired from business cares and responsibilities. He married Mandy J. Leedum, who was born in Blackford county, the descend- ant of a pioneer family of that place, and into their home five children were born, namely: Bertha, wife of John Wright, formerly of Dunkirk but now of West Virginia; Charles, the special subject of this sketch; Della, wife of Charles Jones, of Dunkirk; Marion, of Dunkirk; and Orville W., of Dunkirk. The father is a Democrat in politics, and the mother is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Early taught to work, Charles Clark became familiar with agricultural labors when young, and while thus engaged in outdoor employments grew to a vigorous manhood, developing strength and muscle. He had for a while a desire to try mechanical work and learned the glass blowers' trade, which he followed for twelve years. Returning then to the old homestead, he resumed the work to which he was bred, and is now one of the foremost farmers of this vicinity, Pleasant Hill Farm, with its many improvements and appointments, constituting one of the most valuable estates in the community.
On July 1, 1893, Mr. Clark married Essie B. Bartlett, who was born on the old Bartlett homestead, near Albany, a daughter of the late William T. Bartlett. Her grandfather, Elisha Bartlett, was born in Greene county, Ohio, a son of John Bartlett. When a young man he emigrated to Dela- ware county, coming here when the country was comparatively new. Selecting a tract of wild land near Albany, he cleared an opening in the
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primeval woods, erected a. small log cabin for his first dwelling, and for many years afterwards was one of the most earnest and active citizens of the place, being one of the foremost in advancing its growth. He made frequent investments in land adjoining his homestead, acquiring title to seven hundred acres, on which he engaged in farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. He married Dorothy Bales and of the ten children born of their union six are living, namely: James A., Reuben, John, Calvin, Mrs. Flora Cline, and Mrs. Lizzie Martin. William T. Bartlett, who died while in the prime of life, in Albany, was an able business man and a very popular and highly respected citizen. He did much to advance the interests of the place in which he resided, among other things erecting the Bartlett Hotel block. He married Dorothea Bates, by whom he had four children, namely : O. L., of Mound City, Illinois ; Mrs. Wilda F. House- man, of Dunkirk; Mrs. Essie B. Clark, wife of Charles Clark; and Mrs. Bessie Barnes, of Dunkirk, who are twins. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have two children, namely : Herschel Roy, now, 1907, fourteen years old; and Mary Marcella, eight years old. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are genial and agreeable people and enjoy to the utmost the esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
JOHN C. WILLIAMS. An industrious and well-to-do agriculturist of Niles township, John C. Williams has a small but well improved farm on section 28, and is there busily employed in the prosecution of that independ- ent calling upon which the wealth and the prosperity of our nation so largely rests. The descendant of an early pioneer family of this county, he was born in Hamilton township, near Eaton, July 18, 1854, a son of the late Enoch M. Williams and grandson of Thomas Williams.
Thomas Williams was born, brought up and married in Ohio. He came to Delaware county at a very early period of its settlement, and here reared his large family of children, which included ten sons, a family of which any father might well be proud. In common with the other pio- neers of that day, he performed no inconsiderable part in helping to develop the agricultural resources of this part of the country, and in addition to farming worked at his trade of gunsmith. Indians still inhabited the woods, and wild turkey, deer and other game were abundant. He was a famous hunter, and made his own guns, having some for the killing of large game and others used in hunting small game. There were then no markets in this vicinity, and the family lived largely on the products of the farm and the chase. Fearless and daring, he was never afraid to attack any wild beast, bears, wolves and wildcats falling before his sure aim. The guns and rifles of his manufacture were famous in this locality, and to each of his sons he gave a gun or rifle, and these are highly prized by his descend- ants.
Born in Ohio, Enoch M. Williams came with the family to Delaware county, and here grew to manhood, spending within its precincts his brief
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life of forty-one years. He served for a while in the Civil war, belonging to the Eighty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He afterwards settled as a farmer in Hamilton township, where he resided until his death. He married, first, Mary Kelley, who was born in Blackford county, Indiana, where her parents settled when coming here from their Pennsylvania home. She died in early womanhood, having borne him two children, of whom John C., the subject of this sketch, is the only one living. He married, sec- ond, a Miss Haynes, daughter of Daniel Haynes, of Blackford county, and of that union three children were born, namely: Mrs. Fanny Rogers, George and Charles.
As a boy John C. Williams attended the district school, gleaning his early education during its short terms, and as early as practicable was ini- tiated into the mysteries of farming. Taking up this as a permanent occu- pation, he located first near Muncie, afterwards living in Sharon for four years. About 1890 he came to Niles township, purchased his present farm of thirty-seven acres, and, acting on the principle that a small farm well managed was much better than an extensive estate, he has since been here prosperously employed in his chosen calling, reaping both pleasure and profit from his labors.
On December 17, 1881, Mr. Williams married Sarah A. Saunders, who was born in Muncie, a daughter of Joseph Saunders. Mr. Saunders was a son of George Saunders, who settled in Ohio in 1832, and there spent the remainder of his life as a farmer, clearing and improving a homestead from the wild land that he took up from the government. He was born on the Ohio homestead, and, following the march of civilization westward, came to Indiana in pioneer times, settling near Muncie, and there resided until his death, at the age of seventy-one years. He married Mary Wilson, a native of Ohio, and they became the parents of eleven children, and ten grew to years of maturity, namely: William, of Portland, Indiana, served as a soldier in the Civil war; Moses, a soldier in the Civil war, died while at home on a furlough; Thomas; George; Sarah A., wife of Mr. Wil- liams; John; Nancy; Joseph; Theodore; and Elmer. The mother died March 10, 1907, aged eighty-four years, leaving nine children, thirty-one grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have three children, one of whom, Lossie H., died when but eighteen months old, while two are living, namely: Linnie May, wife of Oscar Siler, of this township, and Mary L. Politically Mr. Williams is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and fraternally he is a member of Tribe No. 74, I. O. R. M., of Eaton.
SCOTT S. DUKE. Especially deserving of notice in this volume is Scott S. Duke, an energetic, successful agriculturist of Niles township. He has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, well improved and under a good state of cultivation, with ample and substantial buildings, which, with their tasteful surroundings, indicate the thrift, industry and
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keen judgment of the owner. A native of Indiana, he was born January 14, 1861, at Goose Creek, near Greencastle, Henry county, a son of George Washington Duke. His paternal grandfather, James Duke, was born and brought up in North Carolina, where for many years he was a slave over- seer and manager of a large plantation. Coming to Indiana at an early day, he located in Henry county when the settlements were few and far between, bravely daring all the hardships and privations incidental to life in an undeveloped country. He was a famous trapper and hunter, expert in the use of gun and rifle, many a wild turkey and goose, which furnished food for the family, falling before his quick and sure aim. He and his wife brought up a large family of children, many of them being sons who grew to a stalwart manhood.
George Washington Duke was born in North Carolina, but was brought up and educated in Henry county, Indiana. He followed the occu- pation of his ancestors, becoming a successful tiller of the soil, and remained thus employed until his death in 1894, at the age of seventy-four years. He was a man of genuine worth, well respected by all who knew him, and took an intelligent interest in public matters, supporting the principles of the Republican party. He married Jane Smith, a daughter of William Smith, of Henry county, for his first wife, and they reared a large family of children, as follows: William; John; Martha M., wife of G. A. Kooz, of Newcastle, Indiana; Joseph; Marion M .; James; Scott S., the subject of this sketch; George, deceased; Newton; and Luther. The mother died when her son Scott was eleven years old. Mr. Duke subsequently married again, and by his second wife had one child, Mrs. Josie Lefever, of Eaton, Indiana.
Born and bred as a farmer's son, Scott S. Duke has been faithful to the lessons taught him in his youthful days, and since taking possession of his present farm has managed it with as much pleasure as profit. In addition to tilling the land he makes a specialty of raising stock of a good grade, at the present time having about a hundred head of swine on his place. He has a thorough knowledge of the various branches of agri- culture, learning readily by observation and experience, and is meeting with most satisfactory returns in his farming operations.
On November 7, 1897, in Union township, Mr. Duke married Ida May Collins, who was born and educated in Delaware county, a daughter of George W. and Susan (Chipman) Collins. Mrs. Susan Collins died when Ida May, their only child, was an infant. Mr. Collins subsequently married Louisa Kiplinger, and of their children one is living, Mrs. Bessie G. Waller, of Union township. Mr. Collins is a farmer and during the Civil war served as a soldier. He is a Republican in his political views and is a member of Eaton Post, G. A. R. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Duke, namely: Walter Scott, born September 6, 1899; and Cloyd Everett and Lloyd Eugene, twins, born November 15, 1901. But one of the twins is living, Lloyd Eugene having died at the age of
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eight months. Mr. Duke is an active supporter of all projects calculated to advance the welfare and the prosperity of the community in which he resides, being liberal and public-spirited. He is a stanch Republican in politics, ever supporting the principles of his party, and is a member of Eaton Camp, No. 5716, M. W. A. Mrs. Duke is a member and one of the officials of the Royal Neighbors, No. 3505.
MILO BRYAN. Establishing himself in Niles township upwards of forty years ago, Milo Bryan has since been actively associated with the development and growth of its agricultural interests. Industrious and thrifty, possessing sound judgment, he has succeeded in building up a fine farming estate, which, with its valuable improvements and appointments, bears visible evidence of the success and prosperity of the owner. He was born December 7, 1833, in Ross county, Ohio, a son of Zephaniah Bryan. He comes of early and honored stock, being descended from the same emigrant ancestor as William Jennings Bryan, of national fame. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Bryan, was born in Pennsylvania, but soon after the close of the War of 1812, in which he actively participated, located in Ohio, taking up government land.
A native of Ohio, Zephaniah Bryan spent his earlier years in Ross county, subsequently moving to Fayette county, where he spent the remainder of his life. He married Matilda Waugh, a daughter of Joseph Waugh, who served in the Revolutionary army under General Washington. He lived to the age of seventy-six years and was survived by his wife, who died at the venerable age of eighty-six years. Both were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They reared a large family of children, namely: Zephaniah, of Fayette county, Ohio; Milo, the special subject of this sketch; Mary, who died at the age of five years; Wesley ; Josiah, who was a veteran of the Civil war and died while in service in Indiana ; Fletcher, of Muncie; and Mrs. Almira B. Smith, of Washington Court House, Ohio.
Brought up on a farm, Milo Bryan received such educational advan- tages as were afforded by the pioneer schools of his native county. On the home farm he grew to a stalwart manhood, being endowed with much strength and vigor, and inheriting from his parents those characteristics of industry, frugality and stability that have been such important aids to him in overcoming the various obstacles that he has met while treading the pathway to success. In 1866, desirous of enlarging his opportunities as a farmer, Mr. Bryan came to Delaware county, locating in Niles township. Purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land that was still in its original wildness, he at once began to clear and improve it. He has labored untiringly, and by force of will and purpose has built up a home- stead of which he and his descendants may well be proud. The farm buildings are substantial and comfortable, while the various modern improvements of the day have been introduced for the prosecution of
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