USA > Indiana > Miami County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 32
USA > Indiana > Howard County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 32
USA > Indiana > Cass County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 32
USA > Indiana > Tipton County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 32
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James W. Fairman spent the greater part of his boyhood on a farm near Monticello, White county, Indiana. About the time he reached his twen- tieth year he left home and went to Battle Ground, Tippecanoe county, where he worked for monthly wages for more than a year, and then, in 1871, came to Logansport. His first employment here was as a laborer in build- ing a spoke factory, and succeeding this he secured a place in the car department of the Pan Handle Company as helper. In 1873 he went out on the road as a brakeman, in which capacity he served three years, when his prompt, faithful service was rewarded by promotion to the position of freight conductor, and he has been a conductor ever since, with the following
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exception: In 1877 he received an injury which necessitated a change, and he was on that account placed in the position of baggageman, where he remained two years.
Mr. Fairman was married in Middletown, Indiana, in November, 1876, to Mary Armilda Ellison, daughter of Jesse Ellison, of Henry county. Mrs. Fairman died August 18, 1897, leaving two daughters, Daisy and Ida, both young ladies.
W TILLIAM S. KISTLER .- Indiana is celebrated for her fine farms, and among those who aid in sustaining this reputation at the present day is William Kistler, an enterprising, progressive agriculturist of Boone town- ship, Cass county, who owns and operates one hundred and seventy-five acres of rich land, pleasantly located about two miles south of Royal Center. This is a valuable property, owing to the well directed efforts of the owner, who has placed the fields under a high state of cultivation and made many excel- lent improvements in the buildings and other accessories of the farm. His business methods are above question, and industry and energy are his pre- dominant characteristics, so that in business circles he occupies an enviable position, having the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
Mr. Kistler is a native of Boone township, Cass county, born July 24, 1844, his parents being William B. and Mary (Randall) Kistler, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Kentucky. The grandfather, Jacob Kistler, was also born in the Keystone state and was a miller by trade. William B. Kistler became a very prominent agriculturist of Boone township and held the office of township trustee for about twenty years, discharging his duties with a promptness and fidelity that won him the highest commenda- tion of all.
Of a family of five children, William S. Kistler is the only one now liv- ing. He was born and reared on the old family homestead and his education was pursued in the district schools of the neighborhood, after which he engaged in teaching school for ten years. Farming, however, has been his principal occupation through life, and in that pursuit his efforts have been so well conducted that he has achieved a handsome success, and is now the owner of a very valuable property.
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On the 12th of March, 1867, Mr. Kistler wedded Miss Helen Fultz, a native of Hancock county, Ohio, and a daughter of Amos Fultz, who came from that county to Indiana, taking up his residence in Boone township, Cass county, in the spring of 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Kistler became the par- ents of seven children, of whom two died in infancy. Those still living are Oliver P., Dr. Frank M., Milton W., Ida and Lillian. The mother of this family was called to her final rest, September 20, 1890, at the age of forty- six years. She was a faithful member of the Baptist church and her many excellencies of character had won her many friends.
Mr. Kistler also belongs to the same church. In his political views he is a stalwart Populist, and in 1894 he was elected township trustee to serve five years, in which office he is discharging his duties with such commendable zeal as to win the approval of all parties. He belongs to Royal Center Post, No. 501, G. A. R., his right to admission thereto coming through his service in the Civil war. In February, 1865, at the age of twenty years, he loyally responded to his country's call, and became a member of Company C, One Hundred and Ffty-fifth Indiana Infantry, for one year or "until the close of the war." He received an honorable discharge at Dover, Delaware, in August, 1865. He is a man true to every principle in which he believes, earnest in support of his honest convictions, industrious and energetic in the practical affairs of life, cordial and genial among his many friends, and at all times a gentleman whom to know is to respect.
C HARLES LEWIS BROWN .- The man who goes forth to conquer the wilderness and open the way to civilization must possess many heroic qualities-the patient endurance that enables him day after day to bear the privation of frontier life, the constancy that enables him to perform week in and week out the arduous task of clearing and developing new land, and the fortitude to bear uncomplainingly the lack of advantages and privileges which could be secured in older settlements. All these are characteristic of the pioneer who pushes forward to the westward borders of the frontier that he may make a home for himself and family. Among those who were lead- ers in this work in northern Indiana is Charles Lewis Brown, now a resident of Deer Creek township, Miami county.
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He was born in Perry county, Kentucky, December 16, 1825, a son of Abijah and Sarah (Lewis) Brown. His father was born in Virginia in 1797. and his parents were John and Elizabeth (Adams) Brown. Shortly after Daniel Boone had made his way to the forests of Kentucky, through which no white man had ever previously strayed, John Brown left his Virginia home to become a pioneer in the new state, and in the midst of the green woods of Perry county developed a good farm. About 1839 he removed to Montgom- ery, Indiana, becoming one of the first settlers of that locality. He was a well known citizen and substantial farmer, and spent his last days in the Hoosier state. His children were: John, William, Levi, Ananias, Abijah, Daniel and Dusdy. Of this number Abijah Brown, father of our subject, was married in Kentucky, and for a time made his home in that state, reinov- ing in 1839 to the forests of Boone county, Indiana, where he secured eighty acres of land, then wild and unimproved. He converted it into rich and fer- tile fields and in 1853 removed to Howard township, Howard county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, devoting his energies to its cultivation until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty-eight years. He was a prominent and faithful member of the Methodist church and served as class-leader. His right of franchise was exercised in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Abijah Brown were the parents of ten children, namely: William, Elizabeth, Charles L., Nancy, Susannah, Mary, Samuel, Regina, Thomas and Clark.
During his early childhood Charles L. Brown was brought by his par- ents to Indiana, and for almost sixty years has been identified with the inter- ests of the state. On the 6th of October, 1846, he went to the farin of his uncle, William Hudson, in Howard township, Howard county, and on the 29th of October, 1850, was married in that county to Miss Regina Vernon Knorr, who was born March 20, 1831, in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Peter and Lydia (Coher) Knorr. Her father represented one of the old Pennsylvania-Dutch families, and was a son of John Knorr, who resided in Columbia county among its early settlers. Peter Knorr was a farmer and blacksmith, and spent his entire life in Columbia county, Penn- sylvania, where he died in the prime of life. His children were Louisa, Angelina, Regina, Aaron, Elisha, Reuben and Joseph. After the death of the father the mother married Solomon Zimmerman, a blacksmith, who removed to Mercer county, Ohio, where he died at the age of sixty years.
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He was a member of the Swedenborgian church, and by his marriage to Mrs. Knorr he had three children, -Mary F., George and Stephen.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown began their domestic life on his uncle's farm in Howard county, and then came to Miami county, locating on their present farm in October, 1851. Mr. Brown purchased a claim in Deer Creek town- ship, on which a pre-emption log cabin had been built, but no other improve- ments had been made. Now the farm is one of the best in the township. In 1883 a tasteful and commodious two-story frame residence was erected, - one of the most attractive homes in this part of the county; good barns have been built, the latest improved machinery has been secured, and all the accessories that go to make up the model farm are there found.
The home of our subject and his wife was blessed by the presence of four children, as follows: Elizabeth A., Sarah A .; Malissa J. and Miriam E. The parents are leading and influential members of the United Brethren church, contribute liberally to its support, take an active part in its work and have assisted in building ten churches of different denominations in Indiana. Since its organization Mr. Brown has always cast his ballot with the Repub- lican party and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. His life has been given to agricultural pursuits and success has crowned his efforts, mak- ing him one of the substantial farmers of the county. For sixty years he has been a witness of the growth and progress of Indiana, has aided in its devel- opment and promoted its interests. Great changes have come in that period. Roads have been made through the forests, trees have been replaced by waving fields of grain, log cabins by stately and comfortable residences, industries and commerce have been introduced and all the evidences of an advanced civilization now indicate Indiana's claim to rank among the fore- most states of our great Union.
EDWIN S. GARDNER, of Logansport, is a passenger conductor on the Pan Handle Railroad and has been a resident of this city for the past twenty-nine years. He was one of the brave boys who donned the blue in the troublous days of the early '6os, and who fought for the Union through- out the whole of the Rebellion, the first part of his service being in the navy, and he being one of the survivors of the naval battle in Hampton Roads.
Edwin Stanley Gardner is a native of New York. He was born in Cat-
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taraugus county, January 14, 1844, son of Daniel W. Gardner. The latter's native place was Woodstock Green, Vermont, whence, about 1830, he went to New York state, where he became a prosperous farmer and prominent in public affairs, filling public office with faithfulness and efficiency. He mar- ried Miss Laura Crossfield, a lady of Irish-Canadian blood, who bore him eight children, all of whom are still living. The father died in 1861 and the mother in 1868.
The Gardners trace their origin to Scotland. They have, however, long been identified with America, the first of the family having emigrated to the New World many years before the Revolution, in which war they were well represented. George Gardner, the paternal grandfather of our subject. served his country under General Washington, and afterward became a resi- dent of the first state to be admitted into the Union.
Edwin S. Gardner attended the common schools and for two terms was a student in an academy. Before he had completed his academic course the war came on, and his spirit of patriotism urged him to enlist in his coun- try's service. April 19, 1861, the day of the Baltimore riot, he enlisted in the United States Navy, aboard the receiving-ship North Carolina, upon which he remained until about the last of July of the same year, when he was transferred to the historic, ill-fated Cumberland. The Cumberland was one of the Federal squadron which was attacked in Hampton Roads on the 8th of March, 1862, by the first effective ironclad in the history of the world. This rebel engine of destruction sailed out from Norfolk harbor on that mem- orable day and made for the Cumberland, moving right under the muzzles of the latter's thirty guns, but the huge projectiles fired at her only glanced harmlessly into the water. After sending four shots into the wooden ship, the Merrimac, wishing to test her ram, steamed toward the Cumberland, struck the vessel with sufficient force to sink her iron prow into the Cumber- land's vitals, and she settled beneath the waves. At the moment the damage to the Cumberland was inflicted and the sinking of the ship was apparent the feelings of the seamen were indescribable.
Mr. Gardner was discharged from the service upon the loss of his ship, and he returned home. On the Ist of September, that same year, he en- listed in the Ninth New York Heavy Dragoons and was transferred to the Eleventh Army Corps' scouts, where he served until the close of the war. These scouts were afterward known as the Army of the Potomac scouts.
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Receiving an honorable discharge from the army in October, 1865, Mr. Gardner entered the service of the Illinois Central Railroad Company. In 1869 he came to Logansport in the employ of the Pennsylvania Company, and has since made this city his home and has continued in railroad service.
He was married in June, 1892, to Miss Della M. Kestler, and they have one child, Tokio Margarite.
Fraternally he is identified with Orient Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 66, both of Logansport.
S AMUEL FRYE, one of the highly respected pioneer farmers of Cass county, Indiana, still maintains his residence upon the farm which he entered as government land many years ago, when he came to Indiana a young man. This homestead is located three miles from Royal Center, in Boone township, and is one of the best farms in the locality. A résumé of Mr. Frye's life is herewith presented.
Samuel Frye was ushered into life on the 2d of October, 1824, in Frank- lin county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Frederick) Frye, both natives of that place, he being the third in order of birth in a family of ten children.
Andrew Frye, the grandfather of our subject, was a Virginian by birth. He Ielt the Old Dominion at an early day and established his home in Penn- sylvania, where he reared a large family, several of his sons being partici- pants in the war of 1812.
On his father's Pennsylvania farm Samuel Frye was born and reared, remaining there until he was twenty-two. At that time his parents emigrated to Cass county, Indiana, and he accompanied them, the date of their settle- ment here being in June, 1844. Young Frye selected a location in Boone township and here entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land, paying for it at the rate of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and here he has rounded out more than half a century of his life. All the build- ings and improvements upon the farm have been placed here by him. A fair degree of prosperity has attended him throughout these years, and now in his advanced age he is comfortably situated to enjoy life.
Mrs. Frye was formerly Miss Sarah J. Benson and is a native of Penn-
SAMUEL FRYE
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sylvania, born near Pittsburg. Her parents were John and Elizabeth (Gray) Benson, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Indiana and settled in Cass county about the year 1834, being among the original settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Frye have had three children, viz .: Mary, deceased; Alexan- der, married and settled in life; and Lizzie, at home.
In his political views Mr. Frye is stanchly arrayed with the Republican party, of which he has been a supporter since its organization.
H ARRISON HARLAN, a farmer residing on section twenty-three, Center township, Howard county, was born in Fayette county, Indiana, on the 3d of August, 1842, his parents being Enoch and Mary Ann (Honeywells) Harlan, the former a native of South Carolina, and the latter of Pennsyl- vania. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Harlan, was also born in South Carolina, and became one of the pioneers of Fayette county, Indiana, locat- ing upon a farm which he made his home until his death, which occurred in his ninety-first year. He was a Democrat in politics, but all of his sons espoused the cause of the Republican party. He had eleven sons and three daughters. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Israel Honeywells, was a native of one of the New England states and was a carpenter and model-maker. He made the model that wove the first seamless sack and possessed considerable genius along that line. His death occurred in Penn- sylvania.
During his boyhood Enoch Harlan accompanied his parents on their removal from South Carolina to Indiana, and was reared in Fayette county where his father entered five quarter-sections of land from the government. There he grew to manhood, was married and located, spending his remaining days in that county. His death occurred in 1851, at the age of thirty-two years, and his wife, surviving him about two years, passed away at the same age. She was a member of the Methodist church. To them were born three children who reached years of maturity: Harrison; Judith, now deceased; and James M., of Fayette county.
Harrison Harlan was reared in the county of his nativity, and attended the subscription schools. His mother died when he was only eleven years of age and he then began to earn his own livelihood. At the age of seven- teen he began farming for himself, inheriting some property from his father's 21
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estate. He first operated the old homestead of two hundred and eighty acres, and after about eight years came into possession of eighty-one acres of that property. He afterward sold that and in 1881 came to Howard county, where he purchased ninety-eight acres of land, to which he has since added a tract of eighty acres. He has resided thereon continu- ously since and has a well developed farm, adorned with substantial build- ings, which stand in the midst of well tilled fields, divided into convenient size by fences that are always in good repair. Everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, and the owner is accounted one of the practical and progressive farmers of the community.
On the 9th of November, 1863, Mr. Harlan was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Corbin, daughter of William and Sarah Jane (Allen) Corbin. Her parents and grandparents were pioneers of Fayette county, and for sev- eral years her father conducted a sawmill in partnership with Elisha Cocke- fair. He was also a singing teacher. In his family were four daughters: Sarah F., who married John H. Stoops, but both are now deceased; Saman- tha M., who died a few days before the seventeenth anniversary of her birth; Serilda M., who died at the age of two years, just two days before her father's death; and Mary Catherine. The father of this family died in July, 1843, at the age of thirty-one years, and Mrs. Corbin afterward became the wife of Gilbert V. Thomas, who died about twenty years ago. They had "nine children: Dora; John; William; Melinda, wife. of Henry E. Edwards; Alice, wife of Charles Maze; Ada, wife of Melvin Conaway; Ross B .; Maggie, wife of Charles Newland, of Fayette county; and Harrison. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Harlan was Elijah Corbin, a native of Kentucky and of English ancestry. He was a farmer, reared a large family, and died at an advanced age. The maternal grandfather, John Allen, was also an agricult- urist and one of the pioneers of Fayette county. He was numbered among the first settlers of Connersville, aided in laying out that town, and conducted a hotel there. Later he made his home in Franklin county, where he died when past the prime of life. He was a justice of the peace for some years in Franklin county, and a very prominent citizen. His wife was Fannie Thompson, who survived him a number of years. They were both buried on the old homestead in Franklin county, where they had long conducted a hotel.
To Mr. and Mrs. Harlan were born six children: Mary E., wife of J.
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C. Jackson, by whom she has three children-Lena, Grace M. and Russell H .; Katie Maud, who died at the age of eight months; William E., who is yard and baggage master of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, in Kokomo, and married Belle D. Corbin, by whom he has two sons: Russell B. and Howard Harrison; John E., Charles M. and Sarah F. are at home.
In his political views Mr. Harlan is a Republican, and during the Civil war he served for a few days with the troops who went forth to repulse Morgan in his raid of the north. He is a genial, social gentleman, who looks upon the bright side of life, and his uniform courtesy and kindness have made him popular with all. He and his estimable wife are widely known and their circle of friends is extensive.
JAMES P. HENDERSON .- The character of a town or community J depends almost wholly upon the standing of its business men,-their reliability, push and enterprise, integrity, and fidelity to contracts and agree- ments, being, in most instances, a measure of the prosperity and growth of the place. Logansport is especially fortunate in her citizens and men of business, and among them no one is held in higher respect than is the gentle- man whose name stands at the beginning of this article. He is a member of the firm of J. W. Henderson & Sons, one of the old and well-known business houses of this place.
The birth of James P. Henderson occurred in the pretty little town of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, November 24, 1844. His parents, Joseph and S. A. Hen- derson, removed with their family to Cincinnati when James was about a year old, and in that city he was reared to manhood. He obtained a lib- eral education in the common schools of the period, and, being an apt pupil, made good progress in his studies. When he was a youth of fifteen years he entered a furniture establishment and learned the turner's trade and cab- inet-making, as it was formerly exclusively termed. Since that time he has devoted his whole attention and energies to this craft, and has made a dis- tinct success in the vocation of his choice.
At the commencement of the war, James P. Henderson, then in his eighteenth year, accompanied his father to Logansport, and started a furni- ture factory. Under the wise management of the senior Henderson th.
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business soon assumed large and promising proportions, and in 1866 the present firm of J. W. Henderson & Sons was organized. Up to that time our subject had been merely an employe, but had taken such an earnest interest in the success of the enterprise that his father was glad to have him become a partner and sharer in the now large profits of the business. For several years he has had charge of the actual management of the factory, from which are sold all grades of fine furniture to both the wholesale and retail trades. Our subject thoroughly understands the needs and wishes of the public in the matter of furniture, and may well be proud of the produc- tions of his factory. His trade is widespread, orders being constantly received from various middle states.
During his long residence in this city Mr. Henderson has gained the good will and esteem of all with whom his business or social duties have brought him into contact. He has always taken pride in the city of his adoption and has used his influence in favor of local improvements. For some years he has been a valued member of the Broadway Methodist Epis- copal church, contributing liberally to its support. In his political attitude he is a stanch and true Republican. Fraternally he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
In 1869 Mr. Henderson married Miss Maria E. Haney, daughter of W. W. Haney, then of this city, but since deceased. Mrs. Henderson was sum- moned to the better land in 1870, leaving a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who treasure her memory and often speak of her in loving remembrance.
W ILLIAM SIMS .- From the land of hills and heather came the original American ancestors of our subject. The grandfather, William Sims, served this country as a soldier in the war of 1812, and made his home in Maryland, where he spent his entire life and reared his three children -- Francis, Robert and William. The first named was the father of our sub- ject, and was born in Maryland in 1805. He made farming his life work and in early manhood chose as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey Miss Sallie Turk, a native of Pennsylvania and of Irish descent. The children born of this marriage were William, Robert, John, Eveline, Nancy and
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