USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 51
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 51
USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 51
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 51
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Mr. Pigman had six children, who were reared on the old farm in Har- mony township and attended the district school of the neighborhood. The two elder sons, John W. and Jesse B., are residents of Fayette county, Indiana; Garrett is a practicing physician of Liberty; George W. is an attor- ney, with his residence and offices at Liberty; Lurena is the wife of W. K. Kerr, of this town; and Annie is the wife of George Garrett, of Indianapolis.
MELYNE M. JOHNSON.
Of the pioneer families which have materially contributed to the pros- perity of Union county, and particularly to that of Center township, the one represented by M. M. Johnson occupies an important place. Members of the Society of Friends, they were peaceful, law-abiding citizens, industrious, just and conscientious in all their transactions, and their name and record is still untarnished.
Anselm D. Johnson, the father of our subject, was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1811, and was but a few weeks old when his father died. In consequence of this he was reared by his grandfather, Benjamin Johnson, and came with him to this locality in 1827. They settled upon a tract of land situated to the east of Liberty, the farm now owned by A. F. Burt. Benjamin Johnson, who lived to attain an advanced age, was highly respected by all who knew him. In 1833 Anselm D. Johnson married Lockey Marsh Miller, a native of New Jersey, and for about a year they resided on a farm 28
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south of Liberty. Then, coming to the homestead now in possession of our subject, he continued to dwell here until his death, at the age of sixty-three years, June 26, 1874. His wife preceded him to the better land, her death occurring October 5, 1871. They were very active inembers of the Method- ist Episcopal church. On account of his marrying outside the society, Mr. Johnson had been expelled from the Friends' church. Politically he was a Whig and Republican, and for some time he served as justice of the peace. Of the eleven children born to Anselm D. Johnson and wife four are deceased, namely: Deborah Jane, Matilda Ann, Emma R. and Martha, the last-men- tioned having died in infancy. Sarah Amanda, now living in Vermont, is the widow of Rev. S. H. Lockwood, who was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. John D. and David Melvin are merchants in Des Moines, Iowa; Arthur W. is in business in Davenport, Iowa; and Elwood T. is a resi- dent of Liberty.
M. M. Johnson was born July 20, 1836, on the farm where he may be found living to-day. For about ten years he taught in the schools of Indiana and Ohio, and for two years, 1858 and 1859, he attended Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, where his teacher in Latin was the since celebrated Professor David Swing, long one of the foremost ministers in Chicago. At the out- break of the civil war our subject enlisted for twelve months and continued at his post of duty until he was granted an honorable discharge at Washing- ton. He has given his chief attention to agriculture since the war, raising a general line of farm produce and feeding his live stock with grain, which he raises on the homestead. The farm, which he purchased after his father's death, comprises one hundred and fifty-six acres. The dwelling-house was built about 1854, and is well preserved.
There are few more active, wide-awake Republicans in this county than Mr. Johnson, who makes a point of attending the conventions of the party whenever he can and in many ways seeks to use his influence for the good of this organization, which he believes is sound in principles and methods. At the time of the national convention in which Harrison was nominated he was instrumental in securing the support of the Maine delegation for Harrison. He has acted as justice of the peace but has never been an aspirant to public office. A devoted member of the Grand Army of the Republic, he belongs to Duvall Post, No. 108, and has had the pleasure of being present at five of the National Encampments Personally he is very genial, cheerful and pleas- ¿ant in his disposition, readily making friends.
While the civil war was being waged Mr. Johnson was married, on June 26, 1862, to Miss Anna N. Smith, daughter of William Smith. She was born near College Corner and has passed her whole life in this locality. William Franklin, the eldest son of our subject and wife, is a grocer in Indianapolis.
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Mary, wife of Rev. G. W. Isham, now of Hastings, Nebraska, was with her husband in the missionary work in India for two years. Charles D., the second son, is a farmer of this county; Emma died in early childhood; John M. and Albert D. are at home; and Edgar O. is a student in the business col- lege in Indianapolis. The parents attend the Methodist Episcopal church, Mrs. Johnson being a member of the society. Parents and children are held in the highest regard by all who enjoy their acquaintance.
CHRISTIAN H. GRAVER.
Christian H. Graver is one of the enterprising young agriculturists of Wayne county, possessing the energy and determination and the sound com- mon sense of his German ancestors. He is a native of Jackson township, Wayne county, born November 23, 1872, but his father, John Graver, was born in Germany, September 17, 1828. The latter was reared by an aunt, as death deprived him of a father's fostering care when he was but three years old, and this relative brought him to the United States. Settling in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, he passed the remainder of his youth there, and ultimately decided to take up his permanent abode in Indiana. He was married, in Lancaster county, to Miss Mary Ann Illges, in June, 1858, and brought his bride to their new home in Wayne county. She died the same year, and on the 29th of January, 1860, he married Anna, daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Shank) Herr, early settlers of this county. Mr. Herr died March 12, 1875, and three years later was followed to the better land by his devoted wife. They were the parents of twelve children. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Graver, namely: ' Elizabeth H., wife of Andrew K. Zeigler; Mary E., wife of Moses E. Myers; Amanda G., deceased; Anna G., wife of Rev. C. M. Peirce, a member of the Indiana conference of the Evangelical Association; and Christian H., of this sketch. John Graver located on an eighty-acre farm in Jackson township, when he became a citi- zen of Wayne county, and in the years that followed he became noted for the success which he achieved as a general agriculturist and raiser of live stock, chiefly cattle and hogs. On the first of August, 1881, he was thrown from his wagon and received injuries which resulted in his death three days later. September 10, 1885, his widow became the wife of John Zimmerman, of the same neighborhood. He had been married previously, and had six children, namely: Sarah Henrietta, deceased; Georgiana, Mrs. John R. Rummel; William V .; Thomas; Walter J .; and Maude, deceased.
Christian H. Graver remained on the old homestead where he was born, aiding in the management of the place, and mastering the details of farming when he was a mere youth. In 1894 he became sole owner of one hundred and eighteen acres, on which stand the house and farm buildings owned by
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his father. This is a portion of the old homestead allotted to him, the only son, by the provisions of his father's will, the remainder of the four hundred acres being divided among the daughters. For the past five years, therefore, Mr. Graver has been in entire control of his farm, and has been prospered in his undertakings. Everything about the place shows that constant care and effort is made on his part to keep the buildings and fences in good repair and the land under effective cultivation. On the 23d of July, 1897, a train on the Lake Erie Railway crossing near his home struck the vehicle in which he was riding, killed the horse, and badly injured him, incapacitating him for active work for several months, and from the effects of this injury he has not yet fully recovered.
February 22, 1894, Mr. Graver married Edna F., daughter of Adam and Rachel Shaffer, of Henry county, Indiana. Her brothers and sisters are as follows: Mary Ellen, wife of Rudolph Hoover, of Wayne county; Rachel Rebecca, wife of Daniel Wantz; Susan Jane, Mrs. Horace Hoover; John Adam, who married Amanda Doerstler; Emma Alice, wife of Charles Hutchins; Melinda, who married Edmund Bertsch; Lydia, wife of Daniel Hoover; Charles, who wedded Emma Straub; Ary Etta; and Dora Elizabeth. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Graver three children have been born, namely: Elva Gertrude, Orie Otto, and Howard S. Mr. Graver and wife are mem- bers of the Evangelical Association, and he is liberal in his donations to worthy charitable and religious enterprises. He is a gentleman of excellent education, is broad-minded and patriotic, and merits the genuine regard which every one accords him.
ELWOOD O. ELLIS.
One of the most prominent representatives of the Society of Friends in Indiana is Rev. Elwood O. Ellis. A man of ripe scholarship and marked excutive ability, one whose life has been consecrated to the cause of the Master and to the uplifting of man, there is particular propriety in here directing attention to the life history of the pastor of the South Eighth Street Friends church, of Richmond. He has devoted himself without ceasing to the interests of humanity and to the furtherance of all good works. His reputation is not of restricted order, and his power and influence in his holy office have been exerted in a spirit of deepest human sympathy and tender solicitude.
Rev. Elwood O. Ellis was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 19th of April, 1857, and is a son of James and Louisa (Moon) Ellis. The family is of Welch descent, and was founded in America by Mordecai Ellis, who was born in Wales and came to the United States, in 1682, as a member of a colony organized by William Penn. He was married in his native land to
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Jane Hughes, who also was born in Wales, and with his family he crossed the Atlantic, as stated above. Locating in Philadelphia, he there reared his three sons, Mordecai, Enos and Thomas, from whom are descended all the representatives of the name in this country. Mordecai Ellis, Jr., was born in Philadelphia, and when twelve years of age began learning the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for many years. He was the owner of a set of volumes known as William Penn's Complete Works, which are now in the possession of our subject. From Pennsylvania he removed to Tennessee, where his son, Robert Ellis, the grandfather of Rev. Elwood O. Ellis, was born and reared. Robert Ellis removed to Clinton county, Ohio, and thence to Grant county, Indiana, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1873, when he had reached the age of eighty years. By occupa- tion he was a carpenter and builder, and took many contracts for the erection of houses and other buildings. Like his ancestors, he was a faithful member of the Society of Friends. He married Anna Hockett and to them . were born nine children, of whom James M. Ellis was the eldest son and third child. He was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 26th of November, 1823, and died at Fairmount, Indiana, December 25, 1896. He removed from the place of his nativity to Fairmount on the 20th of March, 1871, and there continued his residence until called to the home beyond. He carried on agricultural pursuits in Ohio, but after coming to Indiana operated a sawmill and conducted a lumber business, enjoying a very liberal patronage and winning a handsome profit. During the last seven years of his life, however, he was incapacited from active business by paralysis. Of the Friends church he was a zealous and faithful member, and to his family he left an untarnished name. His wife, who was born in 1825, passed away in 1891. They were parents of four sons and four daughters, namely: Edwin C., who was a teacher and a minister of the Friends meeting, but is now deceased; Daniel, who died in infancy; Mrs. Rachel A. Nolber, of Fairmount, Indiana; Elwood O .; Sarah L., wife of William A. Jones, of West Milton, Ohio; Robert and Walter J., who are residents of Jonesboro, Indiana; and Mrs. Myrtle Winslow, of Fairmount, Indiana.
Rev. Elwood O. Ellis acquired a high-school and academic education, pursuing his studies in Martinsville and West Elkton, Ohio. He began teaching in the public schools of Grant county, Indiana, in 1875, and fol- lowed that profession with marked success for twenty-three consecutive years, during which titne he served for four years, from 1887 until 1891, as super- intendent of the county schools. For two years prior to his service in that office, and for seven years subsequent thereto, he was principal of the Fair- mount Academy. . His ability made his work most satisfactory, and for many years he sustained the reputation of being one of the most successful educators
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in this part of the state. While serving as county superintendent he introduced the plan of holding graduating exercises in various townships, with the inci- dental provision that the pupil who won first honors in one township should compete with others who had won first honors in other townships of the county, a prize being given to the most successful contestant. This stim- ulated the pupils to do the best possible work, and the plan has since been followed with decided success. He was largely instrumental in founding Fairmount Academy and placing it on a substantial basis. He dedicated three new and handsome school buildings, and in many other ways has been prominently connected with the educational interests of this section of the state. He served for six years as trustee of White's Indiana Manual Labor Institute, severing his connection therewith in 1895.
In 1881 Mr. Ellis was recorded a minister of the Friends church, and since that time has been engaged in pastoral work, being connected with churches in Marion and Fairmount, Indiana, up to the time of his removal to Richmond, in July, 1898, when he was made pastor of the South Eighth Street Friends church. Soon after his arrival here he was appointed a trustee of Earlham College, and in 1891 he was appointed clerk of the Indiana yearly meeting, the largest in the world. He is now its presiding officer, and as such has been largely instrumental in promoting its work and growth. For five years he has been vice-president of the State Christian Endeavor Union, but recently, at his own request, has been released from this office. For five years he was president of the Indiana Yearly Meeting Union of the Christian Endeavor; in 1897 was a member of the Friends National Conference and was one of those chosen to address the assembled multitude on that occasion. His address was one of the most forcible, earnest and eloquent delivered at that meeting, which was held at Indianap- olis, in October, 1897, and added to his fame, which extends throughout the entire country among the people of his denomination. He has also been prominently identified with the State Teachers' Association, was once its vice-president, and has done considerable work as instructor in teachers' institutes. He has served for the past five years and is now vice-president of the Friends' Quinquennial Educational Conference, and in the years 1897 and 1898 occupied a place on the programme at the Biblical institutes held at Earlham College. In his political views he was formerly a Republican, but now votes independently of party ties.
In 1878 Mr. Ellis was united in marriage to Miss Ida Hussey, a daughter of Rev. Rameth and Elizabeth Hussey, of Jonesboro, Indiana, and they have three children: Arthur W. and Dora M., who are now students in the high school of Richmond; and Cressie, who also is in the public schools. Their home life is ideal, and the family are held in the highest regard
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throughout the community. Mr. Ellis has devoted his entire life to the advancement of educational and moral interests among his fellow men, and there has not been denied the full harvest nor the aftermath whose garnering shall bring the sure reward in the words of commendation, " Well done, good and faithful servant."
ZADOCK A. NYE.
One of the oldest inhabitants of Wayne county is Zadock Allen Nye, of Richmond, born October 28, 1805; he is therefore now in his ninety-fourth year, and for forty-three years he has dwelt in this town, where he is very well known and most highly esteemed. He has seen this state developed from a wilderness and has himself aided in its progress and civilization. He well remembers how the Hoosier state appeared in the last days of the war of 1812, and year by year since then has watched with deep interest the results of man's labor and enterprise, as he gradually transformed the dense forests and uninhabited swamps into thrifty, fertile homesteads and flourishing set- tlements and cities.
The first nine years in the eventful life of Mr. Nye were spent in his native town, Barnstable, Cape Cod peninsula, Massachusetts. He is of Eng- lish descent along both lines, and his maternal great-grandfather was one Hercules Hudges, born in the British isles. In his boyhood he left England and never returned, but settling in Boston he married there the Widow Hinkley and reared a large family. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. One of his children was Lemuel Hudges, who became a resident of Cape Cod, and in that locality the mother of our subject was born. She became the wife of Joshua Nye, whose birth had occurred at the town of Sandwich, Cape Cod, and four children were born to them in Massachusetts. August 26, 1814, the family set out on a journey westward, and were two months on the way ere they arrived at Cincinnati. They went overland as far as Raubstown, Pennsylvania (near Pittsburg), and there embarked on a boat which proceeded down the Monongahela and Ohio rivers. The journey was saddened by the death of little Ezra, an infant of four years, who died before they reached Cincinnati. The other children were Zadock, Mary Ann, and Joshua,-the latter now of Chicago and ninety-one years of age. In November the little family landed in Wayne county, Indiana, but in the fol- lowing March they removed to Dearborn county, and somewhat later they settled in Franklin county. There the father died April 7, 1840, aged sixty- three years. The wife and mother survived until 1865, when she, too, passed to the silent land, being then eighty years of age. The father was a carpen- ter by trade, but in the main followed farming. Religiously, he was a mem- ber of the Universalist church, and in politics was a Whig.
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In his youth Zadock Allen Nye learned the blacksmith's trade and for twenty years he was proprietor of a store at New Trenton, Franklin county, Indiana. In 1855 he came to this county, and for thirteen years resided in Richmond proper. During this period he was not engaged in business, as he had had both legs broken in a railroad accident, and was unfitted for active work for a number of years. In the autumn of 1867 he came to his present home in West Richmond, near Earlham College, and for the succeeding fifteen years was superintendent of the Richmond and Boston turnpike, resigning his position in 1882. He was a stockholder and director in that concern for many years and was of material assistance in making a success of the enterprise. He owns a pleasant home and three and a half acres of land, besides other real-estate in Richmond and in Randolph county, Iridiana. Among his possessions here is the building occupied by the blackboard manufacturing company and the one used as a tobacco factory, both being situated on North East street. Originally a Whig, he became affiliated with the Republican party in 1856, and has since been an ardent defender of its principles.
The first marriage of Mr. Nye was solemnized seventy years ago, his bride being Kitty Hinkson, by whom he had two children: Mrs. Julia Case, who died in January, 1895; and Eliza, whose death occurred in childhood. February 14, 1836, Mr. Nye married Rebecca Wildridge, of Franklin county, and of the eight children born to them but two survive, namely: Ezra, a farmer of Randolph county, Indiana; and Ralph W., of Richmond. The latter was engaged in the queensware trade here for several years.
WILLIAM NEWBY TRUEBLOOD, A. B.
Two hundred years ago the Trueblood family was founded in the United States by two brothers, John and Amos Trueblood, whose father, John, spent his entire life in England. The brothers settled in what is now known as Guilford county, North Carolina, and their descendants have located in every part of the Union. They are of sturdy and highly respectable stock; for the most part are tillers of the soil, and, as far as known, are adherents of the Republican party, formerly being Abolitionists and Whigs. In their religious faith they have been loyal exponents of the doctrines of the Society of Friends, exemplifying its grand precepts in their daily lives.
Amos Trueblood was the great-great-grandfather of Professor Trueblood. He died in North Carolina, as did likewise his son Caleb, the next in the line of descent. William, son of Caleb, and grandfather of our subject, was born near New Garden, Guilford county, North Carolina, and came to Washing- ton county, Indiana, in 1810. Remaining there for forty years, he then took up his residence in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where his death took place in 1868,
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when he was about ninety years of age. Following in the footsteps of his ancestors, he was a farmer, and a devoted member of the Friends society.
The parents of W. N. Trueblood were Elias and Elizabeth (Kelley) Trueblood. The father was born in Washington county, Indiana, in 1816, and died in 1861, in Parke county, thus having spent his whole life in the two counties, his attention given to farming. His wife was a daughter of Joshua Kelley, who was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, and at an early date located in Washington county, Indiana, where he engaged in farming. In his religious belief he was a Presbyterian. Of the five children born to Elias Trueblood and wife, only the eldest, Levi, is deceased. Joshua, now a retired citizen of Topeka, Kansas, was formerly engaged in the flour and feed business. Mrs. Martha Overman, the only daughter, lives in the western part of Kansas. Jesse D., a graduate of the literary and law departments of the Indiana State University, successfully practiced his profession of law till appointed government agent of pensions for the district of Tennessee, which position he held for about four years. His present home is in Danville, Illinois.
The birth of Professor William N. Trueblood 'occurred at the home of his parents, near Rockville, Parke county, Indiana, March 22, 1846. He received his literary training in Bloomingdale Academy, in his native county, and in Earlham College. Prior to entering the last named institution he had taught in the public schools and had been first assistant to the principal of Bloomingdale Academy, two years having been thus occupied. In 1873 he was graduated in Earlham, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and during the winter following he pursued a special course in rhetoric and elocution, under Professor G. W. Hoss, of the Indiana State University. In 1875 he accepted the chair of English literature in Earlham College, and, with the exception of the four years, from 1879 to 1882, inclusive, he has occupied this position. During the period specified, he was the principal of the Montezuma schools for one year, filled a similar position in Coloma, and in 1882 was the teacher of mathematics and the sciences in the high school of Richmond, Indiana. In connection with his profession he has been for a number of years a lecturer before institutes and other bodies, chiefly on subjects con- nected with literature, in which he stands among the foremost educators of the state. He has been a life-long student of political economy and is ·considered particularly well informed on the subject. He is a Republican in national affairs, while in local matters he is independent. He belongs to the Society of Friends, taking deep interest in its more liberal tendencies.
On the 8th of August, 1878, Professor Trueblood married Miss Ruth Emma Stubbs, of Richmond. They have five children, -Wilford, Inez, Howard, Ralph and Charles, all of whom except Charles are now in college.
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JOHN W. BECK.
For over half a century John W. Beck, Sr., was a prominent figure in the annals of Union county and aided materially in its development. By a life of uprightness, industry and square dealing, -a life devoted to the sup- port of whatever was good and true, -he won the admiration and genuine regard of a large circle of acquaintances, who sincerely mourned his loss when, upon the Ist of August, 1887, he was called upon to lay aside the bur- dens, joys and sorrows which had fallen to his share, as to all, in the journey of life. The birth of John W. Beck, Sr., occurred December 19, 1809, in Stokes county, North Carolina, and when he was about three years old his parents removed to Hamilton county, Ohio. Soon afterward they came to this state, settling in Liberty township, Union county. Here the mother died, and subsequently the father went to Boone county, this state, where his death occurred.
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