USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 37
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 37
USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 37
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 37
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Company C, Sixty-ninth Ohio, in the Army of the Cumberland, and went with Sherman on the famous march to the sea. His record as a patriot and soldier is one of which his friends may well be proud, for he was always at his post of duty, trustworthy, honorable and faithful to the least, as well as to the greatest, of the duties placed upon his shoulders. Though he partic- ipated in many of the hardest campaigns of the war and had numerous nar- row escapes, he was never wounded or forced to enter the hospital. Death put an end to his busy and useful career in 1891, when he was in his fifty- third year. His first wife, Margaret, who was a daughter of John C. Addle- man, of Whitewater, died when their son, Charles W., was an infant of seven months, and he chose Miss Susan Woolverton for his second wife. They became the parents of one child, Edgar E., who is now living in White- water. Mrs. Jordan, who survived her husband, also makes ber home in this place.
The boyhood of Professor Jordan passed uneventfully, and when he was about twenty years of age he began his career as a teacher. Desiring to further qualify himself for his chosen work he took a teacher's course in the Ridgeville Normal College, and was graduated there in the class of '92. In the meantime be had continued to teach, and had used the summer season for the perfecting of his methods and in special study at the normal. In 1891 he accepted the position of principal of the Whitewater school, and two years later he inaugurated the high-school course, which at first was limited to one year's work, and has since been increased to three years. Two years are devoted to algebra and one year to geometry work in the math- ematical department, while the course in Latin extends throughout two years. There are now about one hundred pupils enrolled and three teachers are provided. About seventy-five per cent. of the scholars come from outside the town, and though many leave school to engage in teaching or in business there are always some who complete the course. Fifteen of the graduates of this school have chosen teaching as a profession since Mr. Jordan has had charge of the school. Several have continued their studies in college, and the outlook for the future is most encouraging. Professor Jordan spares himself no work or anxiety to make the school of the highest possible standard, and his zeal is appreciated by the citizens.
In connection with his work, the Professor is a member of the Teachers' Association Reading Circle. He is the worshipful master of Whitewater Lodge, No. 159, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; is a member of the lodge of the Knights of Pythias at Fountain City, and belongs to the Sons of Veterans. An ardent Republican, he has frequently attended district and county con- ventions, and in 1896 made a number of forcible and effective campaign speeches. He was married, September 29, 1894, to Miss Bertha P. Cheno-
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weth, a daughter of William S. and Viola (Jefferies) Chenoweth, of Frank- lin township. The happy home of our subject and wife is blessed with the presence of three children, Reba E., William F. and Robert G. The parents are highly esteemed in the social circles of the town, where their friends are legion.
'JOSHUA MICHAEL SNYDER.
One of the prominent old pioneer families of Union county is that of the Snyders, well represented in Brownsville township ever since the opening decade of this century. They have ever borne their part in the upbuilding and development of this region, and have invariably been exponents of progress and liberal ideas upon all subjects.
Michael Snyder, the founder of the family in this portion of Indiana, died when well along in years, and it is a remarkable fact that all of his seven children lived to pass the eightieth anniversary of their birth. When he came to this township he entered a quarter-section of land, and as he pros- pered he kept investing in more land until he was the possessor of a large and valuable estate. He assisted each of his children to make a good start in life by giving them farms and other aid, and his own old homestead is still retained by his descendants, belonging to the subject of this sketch and now managed by the latter's eldest son, Walter Michael. The eldest son of Michael Snyder was Michael, Jr. (father of D. F. Snyder, of Liberty), who was a resident of this township until his death; the next son, David, lived for years in Dakota and died there; Moses went to Minnesota when past seventy years and died there about ten years later; Isaac always lived on the farm which his father purchased for him; Esther married George Witt, a cousin, and died at her home in Richland, Indiana; and Betsy became the wife of Mr. Harvey and is deceased.
Simon, one of the sons of Michael Snyder and the father of the subject of this notice, was a native of Virginia, but came to this state in 1812, and, having received a share of his father's property, built a substantial brick house in 1835, the bricks therefor being manufactured and burned on the farm. There he continued to dwell as long as he lived, and, following his father's example, he provided liberally for each one of his children, helping them to buy farms. When he was about twenty-five years old he married Sally Witt, whose death occurred several years prior to his own. He was an active member of the Richland Christian church, and when it declined materially he transferred his membership to the church at Liberty, and was a trustee and officer of the same for many years. All local enterprises were supported by him, and he it was who donated the money for the erection of the pretty chapel at Richland cemetery. Moreover, he personally looked
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after the fences and repairs of the same surrounding the cemetery, and thus, in varied ways, he manifested his active interest in whatever was calculated to benefit the community. In politics he was a Democrat of the old Jackson school.
Joshua Michael Snyder, whose name heads this sketch, was born in the old brick house above mentioned, March 27, 1841, and with his seven brothers and sisters passed many happy years under its sheltering roof. The four older ones are deceased, namely: John, who removed to Illinois and died at the age of sixty years; Jemima, whose death occurred when she was about eighteen; Mary, who is survived by her late husband, Spencer Stevens, of Liberty; and Martha, who was the wife of S. C. Stevens. Isaac is a resi- dent of Clifton, Benjamin of Brownville township, and Andrew is now in Liberty.
When he reached his majority J. M. Snyder married Miss Rachel Patter- son and settled upon the farm which he has since owned and operated in Brownsville township. The place comprises one hundred acres, devoted to the raising of a general line of crops commonly grown in this section. The place is fertile and productive and is considered one of the most valuable farms in the county, the owner taking just pride in keeping everything in fine order and good repair about the premises. Like his father, he votes the Democratic ticket, but, in the main, keeps out of politics. He has four manly, enterprising sons, namely: Walter Michael, previously alluded to; Simon, of Clifton; Paul, whose home is in the old brick house which is such a landmark in the township; and Clifford is at home and gives valuable assist- ance to his father in the management of the farm.
R. R. HOPKINS, M. D.
For the past twelve years this representative member of the medical profession of Wayne county has made his home in Richmond, where he enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice. He is a lineal descendant of the renowned Stephen Hopkins, who was one of the most ardent patriots at the time of the Revolutionary war, and one of the brave and honored men who affixed their signatures to that momentous document, the Declaration of Independence. From that time to the present the family have been noted for distinguished patriotism and for representatives who have taken important places in the annals of their state and community.
The Hopkins family originated in England, but from early colonial days ยท has been well represented in this country. The paternal grandfather of the Doctor was Captain Elihu Hopkins, a native of Kentucky and a pioneer of Miami county, Ohio. He was a farmer and a man of much more than average intelligence and learning. Becoming a local minister in the Methodist Epis-
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copal church, he did effective service in the spreading of Christianity, and few men of the neighborhood wielded a wider or more beneficent influence. During some of the Indian outbreaks on the then western frontier he fought in the militia and there won his title of captain. In politics an ardent Whig, he did much for the party, and in every department of human activity at that time he made his influence felt.
Rev. E. H. Hopkins, the father of our subject, was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1807, and received his education in the primitive log school- house of the period. Not content with such meager opportunities, however, he studied by himself, and up to the time of his death was a great reader and profound student. In his young manhood he had read law with the distinguished lawyer and statesman, Henry Clay, then of Lexington, Ken- tucky, and was admitted to the bar under his patronage. Then, for four- teen years, he practiced law in Shelby and Miami counties, and was very successful. In the meantime he began theological studies and started upon his long and successful ministry in the Methodist Episcopal church, continu- ing to be thus occupied until his career was terminated by death, August 2, 1880. During all this time he was a member of the Central Ohio confer- ence, and was placed on the superannuated list just a few years prior to his demise. In personal appearance he was a man of impressive bearing, tall, being fully six feet seven inches in height and well proportioned. A fluent, logical speaker and an alert thinker, he won from the start the attention of those whom he addressed, and carried them along to his point of view by the earnestness and strength of his arguments. He was very well known throughout Ohio and was president of a local ministerial union for some time. A strong Whig, abolitionist and Republican, he voted for Henry Clay, John C. Fremont and Abraham Lincoln, stumping the state in the interest of our martyr president. From principle he was bitterly opposed to slavery and was very active in the "underground-railroad" system. In short, he was a man of broad mind and of active sympathy wherever humanity was concerned, and he was surely found in the van of progress, whatever the cause.
His first marriage was to Sarah Brower, mother of Dr. R. R., of this article; Dr. D. O. Hopkins, of Burlington City, Kansas; Mrs. Mary J. Kemp, Fletcher, Ohio; and W. H. and Andrew, both deceased. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Hopkins married Emily Myres, the date of the ceremony being September 29, 1847. The three children born to them have all passed away, as well as the mother. December 28, 1876, occurred the third mar- riage of our subject's father, the lady of his choice being Margaret L. Rausch.
The birth of Dr. R. R. Hopkins took place near Troy, Miami county, Ohio, March 24, 1844. He received a liberal education, and in 1862 was
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graduated in the classical department of the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. Soon afterward he entered upon the study of medicine under the direction of his elder brother, and subsequently was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, being a member of the class of 1868. Later he took a special course of lectures on chronic diseases, his instructor being Professor Telle- ferro, a noted French specialist; and at another time he pursued a course of study on diseases of the mind, the lectures on the subject being delivered by Dr. J. A. Thacker, both of the college in which our subject had graduated. In 1870 Dr. Hopkins located in the town of Addison, Ohio, and remained there for seven years, after which he went to Sidney, Ohio, and practiced there for five years. While there he was appointed division surgeon of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad (now the Big Four), which position he held for nearly five years, when he resigned on account of poor health. At the end of that period he went to Cincinnati, and five years later he opened an office in Richmond and settled permanently here. A man of deep research and study, he has given much time to his special branches and for four years was on the staff of the Cincinnati Medical News, contribu- ting many valuable articles on subjects of hygiene, sanitation, etc. In all matters, political and otherwise, he is liberal and broad-minded, reserving his right to vote as he deems best, regardless of party lines, but, in the main, he favors the Republican party. He has belonged to several county and local medical societies and is a member of the blue lodge of the Masonic fraternity.
September 15, 1870, Dr. Hopkins was married to Miss Dacie Leapley, daughter of Jacob and Louise Leapley, of Sidney, Ohio. Their only daugh- ter, Grace H., married Philip Ramp, of Richmond, and they have a little son, Leland Hopkins Ramp. Robert Galen, the only son of the Doctor, is a youth of fifteen years, a student in the Richmond schools. Philip Ramp is a passenger conductor in the employ of the Panhandle Railroad, and his home is at No. 200 South B street.
JOHN OSBORN.
One of the wealthy and influential citizens of Liberty township, Union county, is John Osborn, whose birth occurred in this county sixty-odd years ago. He has always been actively connected with everything which has tended to promote the development of this region, and has been confidently counted upon at all times to endorse progressive measures and to uphold the law and right and justice.
The Osborns are old and honored residents of this county, coming here as early as 1812. The father of our subject was Levi Osborn, who accom-
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panied his mother, Rachel Osborn, to this section of Indiana, from their for- mer home near Georgetown, Kentucky. The father of Levi Osborn had died prior to the birth of Levi, leaving a large family. The Osborns settled in Quakertown, Harmony township, and there the mother dwelt until her death at the advanced age of over ninety years. Of her sons, Larkin, Ben- nett, Aaron and Levi all married and reared families in this county, and lived to reach three-score and ten years. Bennett died in Harmony township, and one of his sons, Bennett, is a citizen of Dunlapsville. Larkin removed to Rush county and died there, and none of his children remain in this locality. Aaron lived and died in Franklin county. Levi married Rebecca West, who came to this state from New Jersey, and whose father, Thomas West, was a prominent farmer of Liberty township. When the subject of this narrative was a lad of ten or twelve years the family removed to Franklin county and located in the vicinity of Blooming Grove. There the father died when eighty-two years of age, and his son George is his successor on the home- stead. Mrs. Rebecca Osborn departed this life when she was seventy-eight years of age. Both were members of the Methodist church and were loved and respected for their many noble qualities. In his political opinions Mr. Osborn was a Jacksonian Democrat. The eight children born to this worthy couple were named as follows: Adeline, Elizabeth, Mary Jane, Almira, Louisa, Serilda, George and John. All married and with the exception of Almira and Mary Jane they are all living.
John Osborn was born in Harmony township, Union county, January 27, 1831, and passed his early boyhood here. Then, until he arrived at his majority, he made his home under the parental roof in Franklin county. The most important step taken by him in his young manhood was his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Neptune, of Franklin county, September 28, 1854. She, too, was a native of this county. She proved a most faithful helpmate, aiding her husband in all his enterprises and giving her womanly support and sym- pathy to him in times of depression and discouragement. At last, after forty- three years of happy companionship, the devoted wife received the summons to the better land, dying March 20, 1897. Their three children are living, - Albert and George, residents of this neighborhood, and Laura at home, her father's main comfort and his cheerful, helpful housekeeper.
In his various undertakings Mr. Osborn has been very fortunate for the most part. He owns good farms in Franklin and Fayette counties, in 1863 bought a fine homestead in this township of Albert Collins, and in 1871 pur- chased the old Abney place, which is situated in the rich bottom land of the Whitewater river. The last-mentioned farm, a place of one hundred and eighty-five acres, is used for the raising of corn and wheat and other crops suitable to this section, and, in addition, the proprietor keeps a good grade
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of cattle and hogs. He rents some of his land and derives a good income from this source. By sturdy, industrious toil he has won a comfortable for- tune and needs have no fear for his future competence. While he has attended strictly to business and to the discharge of all of his duties as a hus- band and father, he has not neglected the remoter obligations resting upon him as a citizen. He has voted the Democratic ticket for years, but has not taken an active part in politics. Reared in the faith of the Methodist Epis- copal church, he has followed the broad principles of Christianity, and, though not a member of the local church, he attends its services and contributes of his means to the support of the congregation.
JOHN C. WHITRIDGE.
Rising above the heads of the mass are many men of sterling worth and value, who by sheer perseverance and determination, accompanied by unflag- ging effort, have risen from the ranks of the commonplace to eminence, and to occupy positions of respect and trust; but the brilliant qualities of mind and brain which mark the great lawyer are to a certain extent God-given. It was to his close application and indomitable energy that John C. Whit- ridge owed his success in life, as well as to his keen and brilliant mind. Endowed by nature with strong mentality, he made it his aim to thoroughly master all the principles and intricate problems that are involved in juris- prudence, and in the realm of civil law attained distinctive precedence at the bar of Wayne county. But he was honored not alone for his achieve- ments in professional life; his sterling characteristics and his genuine worth as a citizen, friend, husband and father also won for him the highest esteem, and in this section of Indiana he was both widely and favorably known.
A native of Ohio, he was born in New Paris, Preble county, on the Ist of November, 1837, and was a son of Dr. John and Rachel (Evans) Whit- ridge. The father was a native of Vermont, and the mother was born near Lebanon, Ohio, but soon after their marriage they located in New Paris, where their remaining days were passed. The father was a graduate of a medical college, and for some years successfully practiced his profession in Preble county.
When only nine years of age the subject of this sketch suffered an almost unparalleled bereavement-his father, mother, one brother and two uncles all dying within a week, and three children were thus orphaned. For a short time John C. Whitridge remained in Lebanon, and then with his brother and sister went to live in the home of his guardian, James Sampson. Shortly afterward Mr. Sampson was elected to the office of sheriff of Preble county and removed to Eaton, Ohio, where our subject spent much of his youth. He attended the public schools there, and when about eighteen years of age
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entered Farmers' College, at College Hill, where he remained for nearly two years. At the same time Benjamin Harrison, afterward president of the United States, was a student in that institution. Subsequently Mr. Whit- ridge matriculated in Brown University, at Providence, Rhode Island, where he continued for a year.
In January, 1858, he came to Richmond, Indiana, where he pursued the study of law in the office and under the direction of General William Ben- ton, and was admitted to the bar in the Wayne circuit court, in December of the same year. He then began practice, forming a partnership with Gideon McNutt, but the connection continued for only a short time, Mr. Whitridge being elected prosecuting attorney in 1860, for a term of two years. In 1862 he was re-elected, and discharged the duties of the position in a most prompt and able manner. He then resumed the private prac- tice of law, making a specialty of civil jurisprudence. To an understanding of uncommon acuteness and vigor he added a thorough and conscientious preparatory training, while in his practice he exemplified all the higher ele- ments of the truly great lawyer. He was constantly inspired by an innate, inflexible love of justice and a delicate sense of personal honor, which con- trolled him in all his personal relations. His fidelity to the interests of his clients was proverbial, yet he never forgot that he owed a still higher alle- giance to the majesty of the law.
In his political views Mr. Whitridge was a Republican, and was deeply interested in the questions of the day, yet never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of public office. However, he did all in his power to promote the growth and success of his party, and occasionally addressed audiences on the campaign issues. Of the Methodist Episcopal church he was a prominent and consistent member for twenty-five years, and was a teacher in the Sun- day-school for twenty years. One who knew him well said: " He honestly believed the truth of the Bible and embraced with his whole soul the doc- trine of the atonement. He was punctual in his attendance at church and Sunday-school, and did all that could be expected of him to promote the interests of religion." He held various church offices and was a member of the official board.
His domestic relations were exceptionally pleasant, and his interest centered in his home. He was married October 22, 1861, to Miss Mary Skinner, a daughter of John C. and Hannah (Foster) Skinner, of Lebanon, Ohio. They became the parents of five children: Mary, now deceased; Lucy, wife of John Howard, of Richmond; Esther F., at home; John Clifford, who is connected with the Railroad Gazette; and Bertha, who completes the family.
Mr. Whitridge died March 10, 1888, and not only to the family but to.
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many friends throughout the community did the loss come with telling force. The bar of Wayne county held a meeting in which to take action on the sad event, and the report of its committee spoke in the highest terms of Mr. Whitridge, while various members of the profession endorsed the report and added their tributes of praise to the member whom they mourned. At this meeting the following words were spoken: "In the profession he was thorough in his knowledge of law, and while he always modestly shunned notoriety, he was an able practitioner, careful of the interests of his clients, which he justly strove to protect. He had a large and lucrative practice and enjoyed the confidence of the business community. The bar has lost an honorable, conscientious and able member. In all the relations of life he has been a conscientious and exemplary man, unostentatious and even modest and retiring in the discharge of his duties, but never shirking any responsi- bility. He is justly entitled to be ever remembered as a real Christian gentleman." He commanded the regard of all by his upright life, and to his family he left the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
JAMES P. DOUGHERTY.
One of the practical, progressive and enterprising farmers of Wayne county is James Purnell Dougherty, who resides in Harrison township. On the farm which is now his home, in a house still standing near his present residence, he was born, August 3. 1837, his parents being Zadok and Mary (Williards) Dougherty. The father was born in Delaware in 1790, and was of Irish and English descent. He served for one year in the war of 1812, and in 1818 removed to Indiana, working as a wheelwright in Jacksonburg, Harrison township, until 1826, when he purchased a farm west of the village -the land now owned by our subject. Here he carried on agricultural pur- suits until his death, which occurred November 20, 1853. His wife, who. was born December 24, 1804, died March 1I, 1894. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are still living: Zerelda, widow of Levi Hood ; John S., James P. and William H. Those deceased are Anna Maria, Elizabeth and Eliza.
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