USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 31
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 31
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
DANIEL T. HARVEY.
The Harvey family is one of the oldest in Union county and has been noted from the beginning of this century for the sterling traits that are so. characteristic of the subject of this sketch, constituting him a fitting repre- sentative of the name. He was born on a farm adjoining the one which he owns and cultivates to-day, the date of the event being June 19, 1846. His whole life has been spent in Brownsville township, and everything tending to advance the best interests of this region has received his earnest support and attention. In all his views he is liberal and broad-minded, striving to settle all difficult questions in an unbiased, logical manner, and weighing in an impartial way for himself all evidence presented. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Universalist church at Pleasant Hill, and are gener- ous in their contributions to the poor and needy.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Francis Harvey, who came in early days to dwell in this township, thus being one of the first to perma- nently locate in this vicinity. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Snyder, and their son Michael, father of Daniel T. Harvey, was born in this township in 1819, and died in 1881. He chose for his wife Mary Miller, daughter of Henry Miller, one of the early pioneers of this township, and formerly a Pennsylvanian. Mary Miller had but one sister, Rosanna, and she became the wife of Moses, a brother of Michael Harvey. This couple had no children and both are deceased, but for many years Michael and Moses Harvey lived on adjoining farms, portions of the original Harvey estate. Henry Miller lived to be over eighty years old, and was survived several years by his wife, whose maiden name was Anna Spitznagle. The first home of Michael Harvey and wife after their marriage was situated west of Browns- ville, and later they purchased a tract of two hundred acres near Liberty. Their last homestead was a beautiful farm of three hundred acres, finely improved, and about one and a half miles west of Liberty on the Brownsville 17
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road. Mr. Harvey did a large business for years in cattle and live stock, and was a very successful financier. His widow survived his death about a dozen years. He was a Democrat and was not desirous of obtaining public office, preferring to attend strictly to his own affairs. All of his children attaining majority are living (1899) and are named respectively James Monroe, Daniel T., George H., Lavina A. and Ida May.
Daniel T. Harvey has always been an agriculturist from his youth up and has made a success of his enterprises in this line. He remained on the old homestead until he arrived at his majority, when he concluded that he would start in independent life. In time he was enabled to purchase his grandfather's farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres, and later he also bought the eighty-acre place where he now makes his home. About seven years ago he built his present commodious, modern house, near the Clifton pike, and has otherwise greatly improved his place. A few years ago he sold the old farm which his grandfather had owned and invested the proceeds in various enterprises, chiefly, however, in making changes upon his home place. In his political creed he adheres to the tenets of his father, voting for Demo- cratic nominees.
. November 4, 1869, Mr. Harvey married Miss Lovis Adney, daughter of Daniel and Susan Adney, of English origin. Her father has passed to his reward, but her mother is still living, now in her eighty-seventh year, her home being with her daughter, Mrs. Harvey. The Adney family was one of the first to make a permanent settlement near the town of Liberty. Though Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have not been blessed with children of their own, they have reared a boy from his early childhood and now have living with them a niece, Emma Simms, fifteen years old, she having been a member of the family for the past three years. Both he and his wife have hosts of sincere friends and well-wishers in this neighborhood, and with one accord they speak in the highest terms of the Harvey household.
JOSEPH FINNEY.
Joseph Finney, who was one of the extensive and wealthy agriculturists of Wayne county, was born in West Milton, Miami county, Ohio, December II, 1815, and died in Fountain City, July 16, 1898. His parents, Robert and Hannah (Hickman) Finney, were natives of Grayson county, North Carolina, the former of English, and the latter of English and Irish descent. The father served in the war of 1812, on the frontier of Indiana territory, being then a resident of Kentucky. In 1814 he took up his residence in Miami county, Ohio, and there reared a family of four daughters and two sons, Joseph being the fifth in order of birth. The parents spent their remaining days in Miami county.
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Joseph Finney was reared in his native town, and at an early day entered upon his business career, his wages going for the support of the family. His school privileges were quite limited, but he was ambitious to learn, and made the most of his opportunities in leisure hours. Thus he qualified himself for teaching, which profession he followed for fifteen years, meeting with good success in the undertaking. He also engaged in keeping books and making collections for the merchants of Milton, and later followed mer- chandising in Gettysburg, Ohio, for a time. Subsequently, however, he engaged in farming in Miami county, about four miles south of Peru, and engaged in its cultivation for twelve years, when he came to Wayne county, making his home in Wayne township for eight years, when he removed to New Garden township. In 1884 he retired from agricultural pursuits and took up his residence in Fountain City, but still continued to manage his farming property, which had become quite extensive. From time to time, as his financial resources had increased, he had added to his land. His home farm was located south of Fountain City, and he owned what is known as the Tommy Brown farm a mile and a quarter northeast of town. These he rented, deriving therefrom a good income. He also had a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Jay county, Indiana, and in 1893 he purchased his father's old farm in Miami county, Ohio, of which he had inherited eighty acres, -the old homestead on which his boyhood days had been spent and which is now in possession of his family. He also had considerable money out at interest, and in all his business transactions manifested keen discrimination, great energy and strict integrity. These qualities insured him prosperity, and although he started out in life for him- self empty-handed when a youth, at the time of his death he was accounted of the wealthy men of Wayne county.
Mr. Finney was twice married. On the Ist of November, 1855, he wed- . ded Margaret Ann, daughter of James and Margaret Reed, of Miami county, Indiana. She died April 18, 1863, after which Mr. Finney came to Wayne county, his sister acting as his housekeeper until his second marriage. It was on the 26th of August, 1869, that he married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaiah and Elizabeth (Elleman) Pemberton, of Miami county, Ohio, by whom he had one child, Margaret. The children of the first marriage are Ginevra, who became the wife of Charles Clark, and died in her twenty-third year, leaving a son, George R .; Eldridge, who is now an inmate of an insane asy- lum; Mrs. Almeda Trueblood, of Richmond, who has three children, -Virgil, Laura B. and Herschel J. Trueblood. Margaret, the daughter of the second marriage, is with her mother.
Mr. Finney was in poor health during the last five years of his life, but continued in the active management of his property and business interests until
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two years prior to his death, when Benjamin B. Myrick was appointed guardian. His daughter Margaret had been his able assistant in business during the five years prior to his death, having attended to the farms and detail of business. She familiarized herself with everything in this connection and was in close touch with her father's financial affairs, he placing the utmost confidence in her ability and judgment.
Mr. Finney cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, and when the Republican party was formed he joined its ranks and cast his last ballot for William Mckinley. He had been a stanch opponent of slavery in ante-bellum days, and when many abolitionists were threatened with death by the Knights of the Golden Circle he challenged them to come on, asserting that he was prepared for them. At all times he stood fearlessly in defence of what he believed to be right, and neither fear nor favor could swerve him from such a course. He was thoroughly versed in the Bible, and attended the services of the Methodist Episcopal church, but was not a mem- ber. He also kept well informed on the issues of the day and did not regard lightly his duties of citizenship and his obligations to his fellow men. He was honorable in his dealings, straightforward in all life's relations, and com- manded uniform respect throughout his adopted county.
DANIEL EIKENBERRY.
This successful farmer and respected citizen, Daniel Eikenberry, of Center township, Union county, Indiana, Cottage Grove his postoffice address, was born on a farm ad joining the one on which he now lives, April 8, 1840, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Kingery) Eikenberry. His par- ents were both natives of the Old Dominion, who came west in early life, settling with their parents in Preble county, Ohio. The paternal grand- father of our subject was Peter Eikenberry. Mrs. Eikenberry was a girl of eight years when her family, the Kingerys, moved to Ohio. In Preble county the parents of Daniel passed from childhood to manhood and womanhood, respectively, and there they were married. Later they came over to Indiana and settled on a farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Union county. The father was born August 1, 1792, and died December 27, 1870. The mother, born May 12, 1795, died January 6, 1885, and the date of their marriage was September 30, 1814. In their family were thirteen children, of whom four died when young, and of the others all except one reared families. Abraham was killed in the battle of Chickamauga while serving as a private in an Iowa regiment. John and Daniel are the only ones now living. The former is a stock dealer residing at Russiaville, Howard county, Indiana. Martin and Peter spent their lives and died near the old home. Henry owned and occupied what is now known as the Henry Witter farm.
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Of the daughters, Lydia married Martin Witter and was the mother of Joseph Witter. Mary married George Keeler, of Cottage Grove.
Daniel Eikenberry remained at the parental home until he was twenty- three years of age, when he married and settled on a rented farm. Some time later he moved to the farm he has since owned and occupied, eighty acres of fine land, which by his industry and good management has been brought under a high state of·cultivation. The buildings, all substantial and convenient, have been erected by him. He has devoted his energies to gen- eral farming and stock-raising and makes a practice of feeding his own grain.
Mr. Eikenberry was married February 25; 1864, to Miss Isabel Toler, daughter of Bird and Elizabeth Toler, who was born on the farm where her brother, Elijah Toler, now lives, in Union county. After almost thirty years of married life their happy union was severed by her death, which occurred Jan- uary 15, 1894. To them were born eleven children, namely: William, who died at the age of five years; Henry, residing on the home farm; Lizzie, who died at the age of two years; Mary, who died in infancy; Emma, wife of George Ball; May, wife of Robert Hass; Riley, on the home farm; Addie, at home; and Anna, Laura and Orie, also at home.
Mr. Eikenberry and his family are identified with the German Baptist church, being a member of the Four-Mile congregation.
TIMOTHY THISTLETHWAITE.
Since he came to Richmond about seventy years ago, the gentleman of whom this sketch is penned has been a witness of very important changes in this vicinity, and his reminiscences of the early days here are most interest- ing and entertaining to a listener. Generous and big-hearted, jovial and kindly in disposition, he has never lacked for friends, and many of them will peruse his life record, as written here, with deep interest.
He is of English descent, his father, William Thistlethwaite, having been born near the city of Leeds, April 3, 1792, and until 1819 he worked at whatever he could find to do, whereby he might earn an honest livelihood. In the year mentioned, he determined to come to America, where he believed he might succeed. Landing in Philadelphia, he proceeded to Wilmington, Delaware, and, as he had but twenty-five cents left, he was glad to take a position in the Brandywine flouring-mills, where, however, he remained but a short time. His next step was to rent a farm, near Wilming- ton, where he lived for eight years, then removing to a farm in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on which place the battle of Chadd's Ford had been fought. In 1828 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was engaged in the butcher's business for a few months, and the following year he came to Rich- mond. Here he purchased the Baxter farm (at one time owned by Senator
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William Baxter), now partly included within the western portion of Rich- mond, but at the end of five years he sold that place, and bought the one now owned by the state of Indiana, and occupied by the East Haven Insane Asylum. This place, comprising two hundred and forty acres, is one of the most fertile and beautiful farms in the county. In 1855 Mr. Thistlethwaite retired, having amassed a goodly fortune by his energy, perseverance and industry. Considering the many disadvantages under which he had commenced life in a strange country, without a dollar, and with little education to aid him, the success which he wrought for himself was remarkable. He was a faithful member of the Society of Friends, belonging to the North A street meeting. The active principles of the Friends-harmony and loving helpfulness toward mankind-were daily exemplified in his life, and all who knew him loved and revered him. He married Elizabeth Wetherald, and of their eight chil- dren, Eleanor, of Richmond, never married; John, deceased, was a success- ful farmer of Hamilton county, Indiana; George is a retired farmer of Boone county, Indiana; Mary (deceased) became the wife of Thomas Birdsall, and their son, William, is the president of Swarthmore College, near Philadelphia; Thomas and William have passed to the silent land; and Henry is a farmer of Hamilton county, Indiana. The father of these children departed this life August 12, 1871, mourned by all who had known him.
Timothy Thistlethwaite was born near Wilmington, Delaware, September 16, 1821, and was consequently about eight years old when his father located in the neighborhood of Richmond. The lad attended the Richmond public schools for some years and remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-five years of age. He then engaged in the task of building a sawmill on the west fork of White Water river (not far from this city), at a point known as Thistlethwaite's Pond. This mill he operated for some five years. In 1854, in company with J. C. Ratliff and Miles J. Shinn, he built a paper mill in Richmond, and for a period of about five years was engaged in the manufacture of paper, under the style of the Hoosier Paper Mann- facturing Company. His next enterprise was the running of a flouring-mill in this city in partnership with Thomas Birdsall, which occupied his time for four years. Next he purchased a farm in the western part of Richmond, and in addition to cultivating the place manufactured brick until 1890, since which time he has given his sole attention to the management of his home- stead. As a business man he has been noted for bringing to bear an energy and perseverance in an undertaking until it had been carried to a point of assured success, and strict integrity and justice have characterized all his actions. In his political opinions he places principle above party. Relig- iously, he follows in the footsteps of his ancestors, and is a valued member of the Friends' meeting.
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On the 3d of January, 1849, Mr. Thistlethwaite married Sarah Ratliff, a daughter of Cornelius and Mary Ratliff, and their three children are William C., Edward H. and Mary E. The elder son is engaged in the brick manu- facturing business in this city, and the younger son also makes his home here. The first mentioned married Miss Clarinda Hoggatt, and the latter wedded Miss Bertha L. Hoffman. Mary E. is the wife of Charles S. Ows- ley, an attorney-at-law in Kansas City, Missouri. Her higher education was obtained in Wilmington College, Ohio, and, possessing unusual artistic abil- ity, she has executed a number of very fine paintings of both portrait and landscape subjects. January 3, 1899, Mr. and Mrs. Thistlethwaite celebrated their golden wedding, having been married fifty years.
EDWIN HADLEY.
Dr. Edwin Hadley, son of Jonathan Hadley and Olive nee Mendenhall, his wife, was born May 16, 1826, and died October 12, 1891. He was a lineal descendant of Simon, the scribe who came over from England in 1680, and settled in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. On his mother's side of the house he was connected with the great Mendenhall and Harlan families. He was a nephew of Hiram Mendenhall, the pioneer abolitionist who presented the petition to Henry Clay, asking him to free his slaves, in spite of the threats of the mob. Clay's bitter speech in reply lost him the presidency, upon which his heart was set.
Dr. Edwin Hadley was married in 1854, to Jemima Doan, by whom he had ten children, six of whom survive him: Eliza D. married William Men- denhall; Edwin Clarence married Emma Hill; Turner W., Horace G. and Jessie C., all of whom reside at Richmond, Indiana; also Anna M., who married Willard Read, and settled at Seattle, Washington.
Dr. Edwin Hadley died in 1886, at the age of sixty-five years. As a physician he graduated, in 1856, at Cleveland, Ohio, bearing the honors of his class. He took a second course at Cincinnati, Ohio, and then entered regularly upon his professional duties, which he followed for thirty years, loved and honored by all who knew him. He received an honorary appoint- ment as surgeon during the civil war; was an honorary member of the Ohio State Medical Society; a member of the Indiana State Medical Society, where he served as president and was appointed a delegate to the national conven- tion held at Philadelphia in June, 1876. He was depended upon in his papers and his discussions for the clear, analytic powers of his mind; but his chiefest post of duty was the bedside of his patients, whom he served with unswerving devotion. After a lingering sickness, borne with Christian resig- nation, he died at his home surrounded by his loved ones and ministered unto by his many friends, who repaid their debts to him in the same spirit of
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loving sacrifice that he had exhibited toward them. President Joseph Moor, President J. J. Mills and Dr. Dougan Clark offered loving tributes to the deceased at the funeral services. The burden of the discourse was " Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."
HERBERT S. VOORHEES.
Professor Herbert S. Voorhees, superintendent of the public schools of Brookville, Franklin county, Indiana, is prominently before the people as an instructor whose ability is rapidly forcing him to the front in educational cir- cles. He was born August 31, 1859, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a son of Richard and Nancy (Pitman) Voorhees. His father was a native of Reading, Ohio, and spent his entire life within sight of the place on which he was born. He was an unassuming man, temperate in his habits, of upright, honorable, character and generous to a fault. He was a carpenter by trade and a farmer by occupation, combining both vocations when occasion demanded. Mrs. Voorhees is still living. Three children were born to Richard Voorhees and wife, and to these children it has been the laudable aim of both parents to give the best possible education. Our subject was the eldest of the trio; next came Louise, who passed through the Wyoming high school, attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and is now engaged in teaching in the schools here. Mayme, the younger daughter, is a graduate of the Hartwell (Ohio) high school, studied stenography in Cincinnati, and now has a good position in that city.
Professor Voorhees' boyhood was spent on a farm, the years from five to fourteen, in Rush county, Indiana, where he was an attendant of the pub- -lic schools. At the age of fourteen he had finished the high-school course at Cincinnati. In 1881 he matriculated at the Belmont College, graduating three years later, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. The two years immediately succeeding this were spent in teaching physics and chemistry in that institution, from which he received the degree of Master of Science, and later the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him. He nowaccepted a position as bookkeeper with the Walnut Hills Coal Company, of Cincinnati, where he remained one year, and then accepted a more lucrative position with the Lockwood Lumber Company. He was here as bookkeeper for sev- eral months and connected with the Stearns & Foster Company for two years. In January, 1892, he came to Brookville. Indiana, and has since been prin- cipal of the high school at this place. The methods employed by him in teaching have placed the Brookville high school on a much higher plane than it formerly occupied, and the efficiency of his work being seen and appre- ciated by the board of education he has been elected to the office of superin- tendent for the coming year, to succeed Noble Harter.
Harbart & Voorhees
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A man of deep learning and strong force of character, he has not been slow to improve himself through the advantages afforded by a close personal contact with such men as Professor A. G. Weatherby and Professor P. V. N. Meyer, the former professor in geology and the latter in history in the Cin- cinnati University. He has developed an unusual degree of proficiency in geological research, a study in which he has taken great pleasure. He is a member of the Anthropological Club and has been secretary of the organiza- tion for several years. May 31, 1899, was solemnized the marriage of Pro- fessor Voorhees and Miss Sarah Bracken, of Brookville, Indiana.
WILLIAM H. BRADBURY.
A native of Wayne county, and for thirty-six years a resident of Rich- mond, William Hervey Bradbury enjoys an enviable position, having by honorable and correct business methods gained the confidence of his fellow townspeople.
He was born in Jacksonburg on October 23, 1825. He belongs to a pioneer family, his ancestors having come to Wayne county in the early part of the present century. His grandfather, David Bradbury, was born near Elizabethtown, New Jersey. After the war of the Revolution, in which he he took part in some capacity, while yet a youth, he married Susanna Craig, of his native town. This occurred in 1782. He engaged in farming a few years in each of the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Kentucky, locat- ing in Warren county, Ohio, in 1797, and removing to Butler county, Ohio, in 1804, where he lived a number of years, finally coming to Wayne county, Indiana, where he died on his farm near Green's Fork, in 1824.
Abner Marshal Bradbury, the fourth son of David and Susanna, was born in 1798 on his father's Warren county farm, on which the Shaker town, Union Village, was afterward located. His youth was spent on the Butler county farm. He attended school in a log school-house, one and a half miles distant, where a three-months term was held each winter. In 1815 his father bought a quarter-section of land on Morgan's creek in this county, on which he constructed a fulling mill, with the purpose of establishing some of his sons. Here for three years Abner worked with two of his brothers dur- ing the fulling season, returning to his home each spring for the summer's work.
This land and mill, together with the other possessions of the father in Ohio, were sold in 1818, and an effort was made to settle the family on a large tract of land near Terre Haute. This proved a most unfortunate vent- ure. After enduring many hardships and the loss of mother, two sisters and one sister-in-law, the family abandoned the enterprise and returned, much impoverished, to Butler county, Ohio, and Wayne county, Indiana.
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