USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 40
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 40
USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 40
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 40
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Reared in the parental home and educated in the elementary branches of learning in the vicinity, Isaac C. Doan then pursued the higher branches of the sciences and languages in Earlham College, at Richmond, and was in his junior year when the civil war broke out. He enlisted in Company B. Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, September 17, 1861, as a private and served for three years and twenty-two days, being discharged, near Atlanta, October 7, 1864. During the last year of his army life he was sergeant and clerk to the adjutant-general at brigade headquarters. Among the numerous battles in which he participated were Middle Creek (Kentucky), Franklin, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Buzzards' Roost, Snake Creek Gap, Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, Altoona, Pinetop Mountain, Kenesaw, New Hope Church, Chattahoochie, Peach Tree Creek, storming of Atlanta and the engagements at Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station. During the engagement at Chickamauga, on Sunday after- noon his regiment lost forty-five per cent. of their men in killed and wounded, and Mr. Doan received a slight injury to his ankle. He was very actively engaged in the famous storming of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, and participated in the whole Atlanta campaign, which included many decisive battles. For seventeen days he was on continuous duty in front of Kenesaw, and often for weeks at a time he was under almost constant fire of the enemy.
Returning home, Mr. Doan came to Richmond early in 1866, and has since been a citizen of this place. For three years he was engaged in con- tracting and building, but for thirty years he has been in the fire and life
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insurance business, and now represents twelve of the leading companies in the United States. For a quarter of a century he has acted in the capacity of a notary public, and has transacted a large amount of business for the public. In politics he has been a stanch Republican since he became a voter, and in 1894 and in 1898 he was his party's candidate for the county clerkship of this county, to which he was elected November 8, 1898. Fraternally he belongs to Sol Meredith Post, No. 55, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is past commander; Richmond Lodge, No. 196, Free and Accepted Masons; King Solomon's Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Woodward Lodge, No. 212, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Encampment No. 28 of the same order. Religiously he adheres to the Friends' faith, as has previously been stated.
The first marriage of Mr. Doan was solemnized in 1865, when Miss Matilda Macy became his bride. Their only surviving child is Mary Yeo, of St. Louis. Mr. Doan's present wife, to whom he was married in 1886, was formerly Miss Miriam Allen, of this city. Two children were born to them, of whom Marguerite C. survives.
DAVID RIEGEL.
The most enduring monument which can be erected to the memory of loved ones is not made of marble or granite, for time, alas! crumbles these away; and, precious as are the cherished memories in the hearts of friends, within a few years these associates will be sleeping in the silent churchyard. Naught endures save the written record, the page glowing with the records of the noble life and kindly deeds,-these alone hand down to generations of the future the history of the past, of the hardy pioneers whose brave patriot- ism and undaunted hearts paved the way to prosperity and civilization.
One of the manly, respected citizens of Union county was David Riegel, whose birth occurred in Brownsville township, December 31, 1838, and who, after a life filled with kindly acts and laborious enterprises, passed to his reward, April 25, 1896. He was one of the eight children of John and Mary (Gushwa) Riegel, who were early settlers in Brownsville township, and came to this section from Pennsylvania about 1818. They resided at their home- stead in Philomath thenceforward until death, the father dying when about sixty and the mother at eighty-four years of age. The latter was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church for the extremely long period of sixty-seven years. Their son John lives upon a farm in Christian county, Illinois, and Jacob is a farmer of Barton county, Kansas. A daughter, Mar- garet, married John Plankenhorn, of Wayne county, this state, and both are deceased. Susan and her husband, Moses Kidwell, are also both deceased. Sarah, widow of Jacob Plessinger, resides on the old Riegel homestead. 22
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Mary, who became the wife of Thomas Young, died in Missouri; and Lydia, widow of Henry McCashland, lives in Wayne county, this state.
On the 5th of June, 1861, David Riegel married Miss Mary E. Cleven- ger, who was born near Centerville, Wayne county, July 16, 1842, and sur- vives her husband. Four years after their marriage they removed from the farm near Philomath, where they had thus far dwelt, to the George Ide farm, one and a fourth miles up the river from Brownsville. This place they had purchased, and here their happy home was made for many years. The house, standing on a fine, high bluff rising from the Whitewater river, com- mands an extensive view of the valley which the river traverses, and is situ- ated on one of the most picturesque sites in that locality. The farm, a place of one hundred and seventy-two acres, is one of the most fertile and pro- ductive ones in the alluvial valley, and here Mr. Riegel raised all kinds of grain and various other crops, and became noted for the large numbers of cattle and hogs which he raised and fed. One year he sold one thousand nine hundred and sixty dollars' worth of hogs alone. In addition to this place he owned what is known as the John Black farm, opposite Yankeetown, a place of one hundred and forty-eight acres; and this he rented. He made numerous valuable improvements on his farms and kept everything in fine condition.
He was an excellent financier, and it was one of his firmest principles to keep out of debt; and after his death it was found that only one bill, of five dollars, was outstanding,-a truly remarkable and commendable thing. After he had spent many years in hard, unremitting labor, he concluded that he was entitled to take life a trifle easier, and he bought a neat home in Browns- ville. It was on the 19th of March, 1896, that he moved from the farm, and about a month later, April 25, the summons of death came to him. He had always enjoyed remarkably good health, was a fine-appearing man, with scarcely a gray hair, and until his last illness had never required the services of a physician. In religious views he was in harmony with the Methodist Episcopal church and for several years was connected with the denomina- tion. Politically he was a stanch Democrat. In 1873 he joined the Masonic order, and was widely and favorably known in the fraternity, as he frequently visited lodges in various places and for twelve years was senior warden of his home lodge. He was buried under the auspices of the Masons in Doddridge cemetery, in Wayne county. A handsome monument, the most beautiful in design and workmanship of any in the cemetery, was erected to his memory by his widow, who for thirty-five years had shared his joys and sorrows, and had proved herself a true helpmate.
Mrs. David Riegel is a daughter of Samuel and Ruth (Spahr) Cleven- ger. The father, who was born in 1810, in Ohio, came to this state when a
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lad of eleven years and from that time until his death, in 1881, at the age of seventy-one, he lived in Wayne county. His widow survived until Sep- tember, 1895, when she, too, passed to the better land, aged eighty-two years. She has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Riegel, for about eight years. She was a native of Virginia, but had been brought to Wayne county, Indiana, as early as 1814, and had witnessed all the development of that region. Her father, John Spahr, gave to each of his six children two hundred acres, and she had lived on her property all of her long life, save the last eight years. Her family were noted for longevity, three of her brothers and sisters reaching more advanced age than she.
Since the death of Mr. Riegel his widow has managed the estate with marked ability and enterprise. Not only has she made many substantial and valuable improvements on her property, but she has also bought another farm, of sixty acres, and has judiciously beautified her village home. Years ago she was so unfortunate as to lose over two thousand dollars of the money left her by her father, it being bank stock which was involved in the Coffin bank failure in Richmond, Indiana. Since she was thirteen years old she has been a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and takes great interest in its welfare. Recently she gave four hun- dred dollars to the Brownsville church,-the funds invested in real estate, and the interest on the same to go toward the pastor's salary; and in addi- tion to this she donated a new organ to the church. As she had no chil- dren of her own, she opened her heart and home to two children, caring for them until they were grown. The son, John Gear, whom she adopted when he was six years old, was killed by the cars, at Liberty, four years ago. The little girl, who became a member of the household at thirteen years of age, was Hattie Foster, now the wife of Jacob Riegel, nephew of David Riegel.
GEORGE W. STEVENSON.
Among the citizens of Richmond to whom is vouchsafed an honored retirement from labor, as the reward of a long, active and useful business career, is George W. Stevenson, who, through an extended period, was prominently connected with the agricultural interests of Wayne county. He was born in Boston township, this county, November 29, 1821, his parents being Joseph and Sarah (Martin) Stevenson. The family is of English descent on the paternal side. The grandfather, George Stevenson, was born near Baltimore, Maryland, August 18, 1757, and was a son of Joseph and Rachel Stevenson, who also were natives of that state. He and five of his brothers served in one company in the colonial army, under General Wash- ington, and were loyal patriots who valiantly aided in the war for independ- ence. George Stevenson was reared in Maryland, and there wedded Sarah
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Cropper, January 6, 1782. The lady was born in the same state, November 24, 1763, was of Scotch descent, and was a daughter of Vincent and Hannah Cropper. In 1807 George and Sarah Stevenson came to Indiana, locating in what is now Boston township, Wayne county. The former died August 31, 1828, and the latter passed away February 20, 1830. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Vincent, Rachel, Joseph, George, Sarah, James, Levi and Thomas. All were born in Maryland and came to Indiana with their parents, the journey being made by stage.
Joseph Stevenson, the father of our subject, was the third in order of birth, and was born June 2, 1786. He was married in Wayne county, Sep- tember 12, 1811, to Sarah Martin, a daughter of Aaron and Mary Martin, who came to Wayne county in 1806. In 1812 the father entered from the government one hundred and sixty acres of land, comprising the northeast quarter of section 30, Boston township. He was an associate judge and held other positions of responsibility and trust. He was also a minister of the regular Baptist church, and one of the organizers of that denomination in Wayne county. His death occurred August 13, 1826, and he lies buried near the old Elkhorn church, of which he was one of the founders. He was a strong abolitionist, and it was his hatred of slavery that prompted his removal from Maryland. He afterward wrote a book against it, and at all times used his influence to further the principles of freedom. He continued his ministerial labors in connection with the work of the farm, and his influ- ence for good was most potent among the early pioneers of Wayne county. In public affairs he was also a leading factor, aided in the organization of the county, and was one of its first officers. He had four children: James, a minister of the Baptist church; Sarah, Samuel and Elizabeth.
In the development and improvement of the wild lands of this locality Joseph Stevenson, father of our subject, bore his part, carrying on agri- cultural pursuits in Boston township until his life's labors were ended, Novem- ber 29, 1837, at the age of fifty-one years. In those early days he also hauled produce to Cincinnati and brought back merchandise for Richmond business men. In politics he was a Whig, as was his father and his father- in-law, and in religious belief was a Baptist, taking an active part in the work of the church to which he belonged. He reared a large family, of whom two sons and three daughters are now living.
Of this number George W. Stevenson is a representative. He was reared on the old farmstead, and on entering upon his business career chose the occupation to which he devoted his energies in his youth. He became the owner of some valuable land, in Boston township, which be placed under a high state of cultivation, transforming it into rich and fertile fields. He also engaged quite extensively in stock-raising, making a specialty of cattle,
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but also raising some horses. He is an excellent judge of stock, and in both branches of his business he met with good success. He is still the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred acres, in Boston township, from which he derives a good income. At one time he engaged in merchandising in Ran- dolph county for two years and for a similar period in Boston township, but never left the old homestead until November, 1883, when he removed to No. 1314 East Main street, Richmond, where he has since resided. His energy and enterprise, capable management and honorable dealings had brought to him a comfortable competence, and therefore he put aside all business cares to rest in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
On the 14th of March, 1844, Mr. Stevenson wedded Mary A. Burk, of Boston township, a daughter of John and Margaret Burk, and he now has a family of four sons and three daughters living. One son, Joseph, owns and conducts a livery and sale stable at Nos. 14-17 South Seventh street, where he has been located since 1889. He is the sole owner and is enjoying a very liberal patronage. He also conducts a transfer business, and his enterprise and industry are bringing to him a most desirable success. Another son, James W., of Roseville, Warren county, Illinois, is superintendent of the city water works, is an expert electrician, and owns a half interest in the electric-light plant there.
In his early life Mr. Stevenson gave his political support to the Whig party, and on its dissolution became a stanch Republican. Since that time he has been unwavering in his support of Republican principles and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He has filled most of the township offices, -was township trustee of Boston town- ship for six or seven years, and was justice of the peace for one term of four years. He has ever discharged his duties in a prompt and faithful manner, thus winning the commendation of all concerned. He is now a trustee of the First Methodist Episcopal church in Richmond, and for nearly half a century has been connected with that denomination. He labors earnestly for its advancement and exemplifies in his life its teachings. His reputation in business has ever been unassailable and in all the walks of life he is found true to duty and to the trust reposed in him.
BENJAMIN HILL.
Benjamin Hill, the subject of this sketch, was born in Dearborn, now Wayne, county, Indiana, September 23, 1809. His parents were natives of Randolph county, North Carolina. His father, Benjamin Hill, Sr., was born June 22, 1770, and was of English descent. In early manhood he married Mary Jessnp. Their children were John, who died in Rush county, Indiana; Sarah, wife of Jehosaphat Morris; Jacob, who died in Henry
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county, Indiana; William, who died in Rush county; Joseph, who died in Boone county, Indiana, at the age of eighty years; and Mary, who was the wife of Richard Haworth, and died in Kansas.
In 1802 Benjamin Hill, Sr., removed with his family to Carroll county, Virginia, and in the autumn of 1806 became one of the honored pioneers of Indiana, locating in the midst of the unbroken forest, about three miles east of the present city of Richmond. There the family suffered all the hard- ships and privations incident to frontier life, and also bore a prominent and active part in the work of development and progress. Not long after their arrival in Wayne county the wife of Benjamin Hill died, and he afterward married Martha Cox, who was born November 28, 1779, and came to Indiana in 1807 with her mother and two sisters. One sister, Jane Cox, married John Harvey and lived near Centerville. The other sister, Mary Cox, became the wife of John Small. The mother resided with her daughter Martha until her death. The children of Benjamin and Martha Hill were Benjamin, our subject; Harmon, who lived near Richmond, and died at the age of sixty-seven years; Rebecca, who became the wife of Thomas Newby, and died in early womanhood; Ezra, who lived in Wayne township, Wayne county, and died at the age of seventy-five years; and Enos, who is the only surviving member of the family, his home being near Richmond. For many years in the pioneer epoch in the history of Wayne county Benjamin Hill, Sr., was extensively engaged in farming, and also built the flour and saw mill east of Richmond, long known as Hill's Mills. He was a life-long orthodox Quaker, and died February 9, 1829, in his fifty-ninth year; while' his wife, Martha Hill, passed away January 25, 1867, in the eighty-eighth year of her age.
Benjamin Hill, our subject, during the greater part of his life carried on agricultural pursuits. He married Sarah Hoover, daughter of David Hoover, and soon afterward removed to a fine farm, three miles east of Richmond, where he resided for almost half a century, conducting his busi- ness affairs with such energy and judgment that he won a handsome com- petence. In connection with his brothers he carried on the mill built by their father until in 1839 he located on the homestead farm, the greater part of which he cleared of the native forest trees. He first owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, but added to his possessions until within the boundaries of his farm were comprised two hundred and thirty acres. He also acquired other valuable real estate. He was for a time connected with his brother Ezra in the ownership and operation of a large flouring-mill north of Richmond. A very energetic, enterprising and honorable business man, he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook, and his labors were crowned with prosperity. He gave his political support
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to the Republican party from its organization until 1872, when he cast his ballot for Horace Greeley, and later advocated Democratic principles. He always kept well informed on the issues of the day, and could give a good reason for his political faith. He was a member of the Masonic order from early manhood. was a Knight Templar, a member of Richmond Commandery, No. 8, and several years previous to his death he became a Scottish-rite Mason. He continued to live on the homestead until in August, 1888, he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, on a visit to a son and daughter residing there, and after a few days' sickness died, September 12, 1888. His remains were brought home and buried in the Hoover cemetery by the side of his wife, who had died August 1, 1885.
Their children were: First, David H., who married Gertrude Tullidge, in early manhood taught school and later was bookkeeper for his father and uncle for a number of years. In 1873 he was admitted to the bar in Rich- mond, and afterward was elected justice of the peace, which office he accept- ably filled for ten years. He was a man of great information and sound judgment, and consequently was qualified for almost any position in life. In 1887 he removed to a farm in Preble county, Ohio, where he died Sep- tember 2, 1896, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. He had been a Mason for many years and was a Knight Templar, a member of Richmond Com- mandery, No. 8, at the time of his death. His widow and four children- Marguerite, Benjamin T., Rudolph and Alice-reside in Richmond. The second child of our subject, Martha E., is the widow of Mordecai Perry and lives in Richmond. Albert G., the third, married Lydia Moore, of Wayne township, and resides on a fine farm three miles east of Richmond; they have two children-Fred R., of New York city, and Sarah D., a student at Earlham College. Henry L., the fourth, married Cora Garwood, of Wayne township, and is a real-estate and insurance agent of Minneapolis, Minne sota; they have one son, Eugene G. Anna C., the fifth, is a widow, resid- ing in Richmond; she has two sons-George W. and Paul E. Fisher. George W., the sixth, married Mary Scheid, of Preble county, Ohio, and lives on the old homestead; they have two children-Myron W. and Cath- erine Esther.
ALBERT DAVIS.
This well known attorney-at-law of Liberty, Union county, is a worthy representative of two old and honored families of Franklin county, Indiana. The Davís family were originally natives of Scotland, and prior to 1720 some of the name, ancestors of our subject, settled in the United States. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Davis, was a native of Pennsylvania, and from that state removed to Butler county, Ohio, about 1814, making the trip as far as Cincinnati on a flat-boat. One of his children, born in 1809, is still
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living. About 1835 he removed with his family to Franklin county, Indiana, and there made his abode during the remainder of his life, his death occur- ring when he was nearly four-score years old. He was a well-to-do farmer and owned considerable property.
Lewis Davis, father of Albert Davis, was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1819, and grew up in the wilds of Franklin county, this state. Here he married Mary A., daughter of Timothy and Hannah Craft, whose settlement in the town of Bath, Franklin county, dated back to 1827 or 1828. They were Quakers, thrifty and prosperous, as the people of that sect usually are. Mr. Craft, a man of wide information for his day, died when he was past eighty years of age. Mrs. Mary A. Davis was born in Pennsylvania and came to this state when she was a child. Soon after their marriage she and her husband came to Union county and lived upon a farm near Billingsville up to 1872, when they removed to Liberty. Here Mr. Davis embarked in a new enterprise. He purchased a ten-acre tract of beautiful, rolling prairie and laid out the ground as a cemetery. He beautified the spot with plants and trees, winding drives and walks, and expended over ten thousand dollars in carrying out his plans. This burial ground, known as the West Point cem- etery, has been favored by the citizens of this locality, and for the past twenty-three years has been chosen by the majority of the inhabitants of the town as a place in which to lay away their dead. Mr. Davis was thoroughly interested in his enterprise and for years was his own superintendent, attend- ing to everything about the grounds. It has passed into the possession of his son Albert since his death. In addition to the cemetery he owned con- siderable real estate in the town and neighborhood. Active as a Republican, he attended conventions of the party and was especially interested in politics during the troublous war times. For three years he served in the capacity of county commissioner. He died October 12, 1885, honored and respected by all who knew him, and is survived by his widow, now a well preserved lady of seventy-six years. She is, as was her husband, a Universalist in religious views, and were identified with the liberal church.
Albert Davis, born in Bath, Franklin county, February 13, 1849, remained on a farm until he attained his majority. Always fond of his books, he resolved that come what might he would have an excellent educa- tion. After leaving the common schools he took a two-year course in Brookville College and subsequently pursued a scientific course in the Indiana State University at Bloomington, graduating there with the degree of Bache- lor of Science in the class of 1875. He then entered upon the study of law and was graduated in the class of the Centennial year in the State Univer- sity. While in college he was identified with the Phi Kappa Psi Society and has since been a member of the Alumni Association. After he had been
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