USA > Indiana > Miami County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 54
USA > Indiana > Howard County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 54
USA > Indiana > Cass County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 54
USA > Indiana > Tipton County > Biographical and genealogical history of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton counties, Indiana > Part 54
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EROME A. LARGER .- A native of the Buckeye state, Jerome A. J Larger first opened his eyes to the light of day in Miami county, that state, May 10, 1850, and is a son of John B. and Appalonia (Gaugliff) Larger. The father was a native of France and coming to America in early life was married in Ohio. For many years he was a prominent merchant of Piqua, that state, where he ranked among the most progressive business men.
Jerome A. Larger is the second in order of birth in a family of eight children and spent a portion of his youth in the public schools of Piqua, but at the early age of twelve years began railroading as a newsboy on the Colum- bus, Piqua & Indianapolis Railroad. After some service in that capacity he secured a position as brakeman, in which capacity he served until seventeen years of age, when he was made conductor and ran on both freight and pas- senger trains. Subsequently he was transferred from the road to the com- pany's yard at Bradford Junction, and when he had served as yardmaster at that point for a time he was given a similar position in Indianapolis. In 1 888, however, he determined to abandon railroading and went to the Pacific coast, devoting his energies to the purchase and shipment of fruit at Chi- cago and San Jose. He spent two years in California and after his return to
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Indiana passed a year upon his farm in Grant township, Greene county, Indiana; but on the 6th of December, 1892, he returned to the line of service which first engrossed his energies on entering business life and was appointed yardmaster of the Logansport yard, succeeding Theodore Sample. He has now been in the service of the Pan Handle road for six years, and his fidelity to duty, his thorough understanding of the requirements of the position and his capable management of the men under him have made him a most trusted and efficient employe of the corporation.
In 1896 Mr. Larger was united in marriage to Mrs. Phoebe Stevens, daughter of Richard Hartley; and little Helen Stevens, five years old, is the delight and sunshine of their home. Socially Mr. Larger is connected with the Masonic fraternity, with which he has held membership since 1879. He has taken various degrees of the order and now belongs to Ohio Chapter, Columbus Council and Mount Vernon Commandery. He is also president of the Association of Yard Masters, an organization recently formed for the mutual interest and benefit of those who have charge of yard facilities of the central western roads. He is well liked by trainmen, his popularity arising from his consideration for those who work under him, his appreciation of faithful service, his kindness and geniality.
JOHN B. REEDER .- Here we have an interesting subject of biography J in the career of a useful and representative citizen of Tipton county. He was born in Howard county, Indiana, January 5, 1853, and educated in the common schools. His parents, Joseph H. and Susanna (Lindley) Reeder, were both natives of Wayne county, this state. Jonathan Reeder, grand- father of our subject, was a native of Virginia, of German descent, a farmer, merchant and dealer in real estate, who came to Indiana at a very early day, settling first in Wayne county and later in Howard county when this section was a wilderness. He was an enterprising, public-spirited and honorable man, a Whig in his political principles and held the office of justice of the peace and minor positions. Religiously he was a strong Methodist and he died in Madison county, this state. His son, Joseph H., came to Howard county about 1848 with his parents and was married in Howard county. He also was an enterprising, wide-awake trader, dealing in live stock, in mer-
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chandise in Kokomo and also followed agricultural pursuits. He was a suc- cessful business man, well and favorably known. About 1865 he came to this county and purchased a tract of land with a small improvement upon it and later he added by purchasing other lands until he at one time owned eleven hundred acres and he became an extensive farmer. He died January 29, 1875. Politically he was a strong Democrat of the old type. After his death his widow became the wife of a Mr. Balew, who has since died, and she survives at a ripe old age. She was a daughter of John L. and Mary (McMullen) Lindley, her father a native of Wayne county, this state, and a farmer, and her mother a native of Virginia. James Lindley, father of Joseph, was a native of the Old North state and a son of Aaron Lindley, who came from England in Revolutionary times, and, being a " Tory," was killed on account of his political principles. His wife also was murdered, which event left James a complete orphan. He grew up in North Carolina and married Susanna Stout and they emigrated to Indiana during its pioneer period, first settling in Wayne county, where he was married, and he came to Howard county in 1846 and entered land near an Indian village, which is now the site of Greentown. Here he improved a farm and spent his days, dying June 18, 1850. His political principles were those of the Free-soil party and locally he was for a time a justice of the peace. As a pioneer he suffered all the privations of frontier life, but he did his share in advancing the country toward the goal of civilization.
He had eleven children, namely: Sarah, who became Mrs. Nordyke; Samuel; James; William; Susanna, who became Mrs. Reeder; Nancy; Martha J. ; John W; Mary E .; Hannah; and Thomas M. Joseph H. Reeder's chil- dren were: John B., the subject of this sketch; James M., who died young; Mary C., who became Mrs. Wise and is deceased; Cynthia A., now Mrs. Hollingsworth; James H., Jr., deceased; Martha M., now Mrs. Cottingham; George B., who died leaving a wife and one child; Walter S., a farmer; Min- nie, now Mrs. Snyder; Cora, now Mrs. Warnick; and Susanna L., now Mrs. Langley. The mother of these children was a sincere and exemplary Methodist.
Mr. John B. Reeder, our subject, grew to manhood in this county, where he has ever since resided. Before he was of age he was with his father in the dry-goods business in Nevada, later succeeding him, and had stores also at Windfall and Sharpsville, and was a successful manager. At length
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he closed his mercantile business and has since given his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. Purchasing a farm, in 1875 he married and settled upon it, when there was but a small frame house there. It joins the village of Nevada and comprises one hundred and twenty acres, of which he has one hundred and ten acres cleared, ditched and in a good state of cultivation, has a commodious dwelling, a large barn and other buildings, etc. Here he carries on general farming and stock-raising.
Politically he is a straight Democrat, prominent and influential, always taking an active interest in public affairs and in all public questions. As a citizen he does his duty locally, by attending the primaries, local conven- tions, etc. At Nevada he was postmaster three years, and he has also held many minor offices. In 1892 he was elected county recorder and served four years, with great credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
In matrimony he was united with Miss Martha Ricketts, who was born in Switzerland county, this state, September 6, 1856, of an honored family of early settlers, being the daughter of Garrett and Alice (Manford) Ricketts. Her father was the proprietor and operator of a sawmill, and a lumberman and machinist. He was a Republican in his politics, and died about 1875. His children were: Marion; Eliza, who married C. F. Grant; Oliver; Minerva, who became the wife of E. Lee; Julia, who became Mrs. W. Kesler, and is now deceased; Alice, who married first George Roberts, and after his death James Scars; Marcus; Martha, wife of our subject; and Belle, now Mrs. D. L. Coate.
Mr. and Mrs. Reeder's children are Flora N., Effa M., Thomas M., Charles G., Ernest C., Manly T., Altia R. and John B., Jr., deceased. All the surviving children are still at their parental home. The mother of these children died July 19, 1896, a consistent member of the Methodist church and also of the order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Reeder is a member of the Masonic order, of the order of the Eastern Star and also of the Modern Woodmen of America.
G EORGE OVERDORF .- On section 30, Cicero township, Tipton county, resides a prominent farmer, whose name appears above and who deserves special notice in the biographical work concerning the citizens of this part of the Hoosier state. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana,
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December 11, 1838. His father, also named George, was a native of Penn- sylvania, who emigrated to this state about 1834, locating in that county, whence he afterward moved to Hamilton county about 1848, where he still resides, aged eighty-five years; and his wife, also a native of the Keystone state, is living, aged about eighty-three years. They were the parents of eight children.
Mr. Overdorf, of this sketch, their second child, was ten years of age when he went to Hamilton county, this state. with his parents, and he remained with them until he was married. He wedded Miss Elizabeth Bar- ker and settled on a farm in Hamilton county, this state, where they resided until 1876, when he located upon the farm where he now resides. At that time there were no improvements on the place, and he proceeded to clear the land, and all the improvements now witnessed on the farm are the work of his own hands. He has one hundred and sixty acres, mostly reduced to cul- tivation, twenty acres being still reserved for timber. In addition to general agriculture Mr. Overdorf also raises live stock.
The children of Mr. Overdorf are: Benjamin, in the west; Albert, of Hamilton county, Indiana; Ezra, who married Daisy Jackson and resides on a part of the parental homestead; Orley, deceased at the age of twenty-four years; and Edward, at home, engaged in farming.
Mr. Overdorf, in his politics, has been a Democrat "from his infancy ."
Mrs. Overdorf was born and reared in Hamilton county, this state, the daughter of Wilson and Lilla Barker, the former a native of England and the latter of Germany.
JOHN D. ROBARDS, a prosperous and highly respected citizen following J agricultural pursuits in Clay township, Howard county, was born in John- son county, this state, April 30, 1848, was reared on a farm and educated at the common school. His father, Thomas Robards, was a native of Kentucky and when grown, in the year 1823, emigrated to Indiana, settling first in Bartholomew county. His death occurred in 1866. He was a successful agriculturist, a prominent and useful citizen and a Democrat in politics, but never aspired to public position. He was married in Mercer county, Ken- tucky, first to Nancy Combs, and had three children-Zerelda, Landow and Alex. His second marriage was with Miss. Polly A. Bowles, a native
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of North Carolina. He finally departed this life in 1864, in Johnson county. From his second marriage are the following children: Mrs. Arthusa Doty; Francis and Esther, deceased; Mrs. Betsey Hamaker, deceased; Mrs. Jane Isaacs, deceased; Jesse, deceased; Joe, a farmer; John D., whose name heads this sketch; Taylor and Matilda A., deceased. Thus all are deceased excepting four, Zerelda, Joe, Arthusa, and the subject of this sketch.
After the death of their parents the other members of the family remained upon the homestead; and John D. was sixteen years of age when he bravely struck out upon the ocean of practical life to sink or swim. Rent- ing a farm, he followed agricultural pursuits. At the age of sixteen years he entered the army fighting for the Union and the government, joining the Twenty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Joining his regiment at Donald- sonville, Louisiana, he served until the close of the war, seeing hard service, suffering from sickness, etc. He was finally mustered out at Indianapolis, where he received an honorable discharge, in October, 1865, half a year after the virtual close of the war. He was never wounded or captured.
Returning to Johnson county, this state, he continued to rent land and follow farming pursuits. In 1867 he was married, and in 1869 came to How- ard county, rented and afterward purchased eighty acres of land in Tipton county, which he subsequently sold and bought the place where he now lives, five miles northwest of Kokomo. At the time of his purchase there were upon the place a log cabin and a small improvement. To these he has since added other improvements and purchased more land, so that he is now the possessor of two hundred and eighty acres, of which two hundred and ten are cleared, ditched and tiled, and the land is in a good state of cultivation. The buildings he has remodeled, and the premises generally are so changed and improved that scarcely an original feature remains. He follows "diver- sified " farming, raises live stock, and also buys and ships the same.
Politically he is a strong Democrat, taking an active interest in all pub- lic affairs. At one time, although in a strong Republican township, he was elected trustee, and he served to the satisfaction of all parties. This was one demonstration of the confidence reposed in his business and moral character by his fellow citizens. He is a member of Post No. 30, Grand Army of the Republic, at Kokomo.
In matrimony he was united with Miss Sarah E. Dermit, a lady of in- telligence and of an honored family, a daughter of George Dermit, a farmer 35
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of Ripley, this state. He is deceased, but his wife survives. Their only child is the wife of Mr. Robards. The children by this marriage are: Katie, single; Elizabeth, the wife of Roy Miller, an agriculturist; Lulu, Pearl and Ruth, at home.
A MBROSE TURNER .- One of the most substantial farmers and respected citizens of Liberty township, Howard county, and one of the largest land owners is Mr. Ambrose Turner, who was born in Jefferson county, east Tennessee, August 15, 1824. His father, John Turner, was of English ancestry, a farmer by occupation, who married Celia Cates, whose ancestry were German. Their children were William Henry, Richard, Ephraim, Jesse, Ambrose, John, Perry, Radford, James, Mary, Richard (2d), Amanda and Rebecca. About 1834 John Turner emigrated with his family to Wayne county, Indiana, and lived there fifteen years, and then, about 1849, came to Howard county and entered land in Jackson township north of Greentown, which he cleared and cultivated, and where he made his home for the remainder of his life, dying at the age of fifty-five years. He was an industrious and upright man and useful citizen, a Democrat in his political principles, and was a soldier in the war of 1812.
Ambrose Turner was so unfortunate in his youth as to receive scarcely any schooling, but his native good sense has superseded most of what was taught in the schools of the pioneer period above reading and simple arithmetic. His youth was devoted to constant manual labor on a pioneer farm, remain- ing in Wayne county after his father had moved to Howard county. On quitting the monotonous work of the farm he went to Fountain City and engaged in the livery business there for two years, and then in the same business at Richmond for four years. Next he engaged in buying horses and driving them to Chicago, making some money in the business. Then he moved to Delaware county, this state, where he followed the livery business again for a year, and this station he exchanged in 1859 for land in Liberty and Jackson townships, in Howard county, -forty acres in each township,- on which tracts but very little clearing had been done. Shortly afterward he exchanged his land at Sycamore for a piece of forty acres across the road and this he cleared and reduced to cultivation, prospering by perseverance and good management. He traded in cattle and horses, making money, which
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enabled him to add to his landed possessions. He now owns three hundred and four acres of fine farming land, besides a pleasant residence and two lots in Greentown, and thus he is well circumstanced in life.
He was first married in Richmond, Indiana, about 1855, to Mrs. Mary Hunt, a widow, who was a native of Lebanon, Ohio. This wife died in the year 1891, leaving no children by this marriage, but by a former union she had nine children. She was a faithful member of the Friends' church and a woman of many virtues. February 22, 1894, in Union township, Howard county, Mr. Turner was united in marriage with Mrs. Angeline David, a widow, who was born March 12, 1846, at Frederick, Henry county, this state, the daughter of John E. and Harriet (Scott) Carr. Mr. Carr moved to Howard county about 1858 and settled upon a quarter- section of land in Union township, and besides farming he also followed the milling business at Jerome, same county. He died at the age of fifty-two years. His wife had died in Henry county, leaving five children, - Mary, Alcestis, Adeline, Angeline and Josephina. For his second wife Mr. Carr married Sarah Aldredge, and by that marriage was the father of Harriet A., Rhoda A. and Theodosia. Mrs. Turner was first married to George W. David, a farmer, of Union township, and their children were Edward E., Jacob G., John W., Theodore E., Iva A. and George W. Mr. David de- parted this life at the age of about forty-three years.
After his marriage Mr. Turner settled upon his present farm, where he is enjoying a comfortable home, all the product of his own industry and good management. He is a member of the Society of Friends, while his wife be- longs to the Christian church.
Mr. Turner is entirely a self-made man financially and in mental disci- pline, a good business manager, well informed on the subjects of the day, and withal a good story teller. One of his stories seems to account, at least in part, for his being a life-long Republican. He says that when a boy he and two of his brothers stole away from home, then in Wayne county, this state, and attended an educated-pig show at Williamsburg, where the exhibitor laid before the "'cute" little animal cards with pictures and letters on them, and on this occasion his first question to the pig was, " Who is the president of the United States?" and the pig with his mouth picked up a card which gave the true answer. The manager then asked, " Who is the most talked of for the next president of the United States?" and the smart little quadruped
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF
took up a card which gave the true answer to that question also. Next the showman asked the pig, "What would you rather do, - be killed or be a Democrat ? " and the pig selected the card reading, "I'd rather be dead !" Ever since then Mr. Turner and his brothers have been stanch Republicans.
JOHN N. BENNETT .- The subject of this brief sketch, prominently identified with the settlement, growth and development of Tipton coun- ty, was born in North Carolina, October 19, 1844, brought up on a farm and educated at the common schools. His parents, Major and Malinda C. (Hagey) Bennett, were also natives of the Old North state and of English an- cestry. The maternal grandfather Hagey was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died in North Carolina. Major Bennett, although brought up in North Carolina, was so opposed to slavery that after his marriage he emi- grated, in 1845, to Indiana, locating in Morgan county, where he cultivated a rented farm until the land in the " new purchase " came into market, and here he entered forty acres of land. and in 1853 moved upon it with his fam- ily. Soon afterward he bought another forty acres, built a cabin upon it and settled there and commenced to clear and improve the place. These were the days when wild game was plentiful and tempted every resident to become a "Nimrod." Deer, bears, wolves, wild hogs and turkeys were all plenti- ful, and every frontier family was never in want of fresh meat. Mr. Bennett was a skilled marksman and always kept his family well supplied. He con- tinued to improve his land and increase its area until he had five hundred acres. Although he had never had any school education he was naturally shrewd and a good financier, and enterprising and honorable in all his deal- ings. He attended school, however, after the age of forty years, with his children, and learned to read. He died about 1890; and his wife survives, making her residence at the old homestead, and has reached the age of seventy-eight years. She is a "Separate" Baptist, as was her husband. Their children were Elizabeth, William, John N. (our subject), Eliza A., Mary A., Columbus, Sarah E., Franklin, Anna and Agnes.
Mr. John N. Bennett has spent all his life as a farmer. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry, which was attached to the Army of the Cumberland,
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and Mr. Bennett served nine months, when he was honorably discharged at Indianapolis. Returning home he resumed agricultural pursuits. In 1866 he was married and settled upon his father's land, occupying a cabin, and lived there three years. Then he purchased forty acres, where he now lives. At the time of the purchase there was on the place a small slab house. To this tract he has since added by purchase one hundred and sixty acres, at a little distance, where there was a small clearing, of which he has since cleared one hundred and thirty acres, ditching and tiling it and placing it in a good state of cultivation, besides erecting upon the premises a commodious frame house, a large barn, etc., and planting an orchard. Besides devoting his attention to agriculture Mr. Bennett has also run a thresher for many years. In both branches of business he has been successful.
Politically he is a Republican, but seeks no public position.
In matrimony he was united with Miss Eliza A. Mow, of Fulton county, this state, born January 8, 1843, a daughter of John A. and Margaret (Mar- tin) Mow. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and a farmer and her mother is a native of Ohio, of German descent. They finally moved to Mar- shall county, Indiana, where they both died. Mr. and Mrs. Mow's children are : Anna, Betsey, Jonathan, Rebecca, Martha, Mary, Hannah, Catharine, John A., Eliza A. (wife of our subject) ; and the children of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are : Edwin M., Dora E., William E., Malinda E., Catharine V., Jennie M. and Everett N.
The parents are intelligent and zealous members of the "Separate " Baptist church.
JOHN H. SIMPSON, M. D., of Logansport, is a retired farmer and one J of the early settlers and physicians of Cass county, Indiana. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, February 1, 1818, and is of Scotch descent. His father, James Simpson, was a native of New Jersey, born near Black Horse, in 1788; while his grandfather, John Simpson, was a gentleman of of Scotch birth. James Simpson left New Jersey after the war of 1812. in which he served a short time, and came west, making settlement in Preble county, Ohio, where he brought under cultivation a fine tract of land and where he successfully carried on farming operations for a number of years. He married Rachel Mills, who shared the joys and sorrows of life with him
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF
until her death, which event occurred in 1845, thirty-three years prior to his own death. Their children were named as follows: Amanda, deceased wife of William R. Smith; Sarah Ann, deceased wife of Daniel Stock; Deborah A .; John H., whose name graces this review; Mary, who married Charles Ferguson, and is deceased; Alexander, a resident of western Kansas; Henry, also in Kansas; and Lavina, a widow residing in Hancock county, Indiana.
John H. Simpson grew to manhood on his father's farm and in early life decided to fit himself for the medical profession. Entering the office of Dr. Osborne, of Cincinnati, Ohio, he spent four years under the instructions of that gentleman and was in medical college in that city two years, com- pleting the course and graduating.
On the completion of his medical studies, Dr. Simpson decided to locate in Indiana, and accordingly joined his father here, the latter having, about 1836, moved over into Indiana and entered a tract of land in Cass county. On a portion of this land the young doctor settled and began its improve- ment, and during the early years of his residence conducted a general practice among the pioneer settlers. Later he drifted from the regular practice and became absorbed in the treatment of cancers, a specialty he has never abandoned. With the exception of four years, spent in Benton county, Indiana, where he was interested in a grocery business at Fowler, Dr. Simpson has resided continuously in Cass county since he settled here in 1840. Until recently he has spent most of his time in conducting his farming interests, he having developed one of the finest and best farms in Clay town- ship. Advanced age, however, demanded the release of business cares and he is now living retired in Logansport.
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