USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 56
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 56
USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 56
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume I > Part 56
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from the old home, is a farmer of Harrison township; and Joseph Enoch is employed with Emmett on the old Yaryan place.
In his political views Mr. Coddington is a Republican, and he has been quite active in support of his party. Though he was reared in the creed of the Methodist Episcopal church, he has been connected with the Christian church at Silver Creek for many years, and has been a member of the official board and a deacon for thirty-five years. His daily life has been a sincere and noble exemplification of the lofty truths in which he believes and " none name him but to praise."
JOSEPH LA FUZE.
The history of Union county would be sadly lacking if, by any inadvert- ence on the part of the compilers of said history, the name of the La Fuze family should be omitted, for they have borne a very active part in the development of the resources of this region and have always been found in the front ranks of whatever has made for progress and the advancement of civilization. The paternal grandparents of the subject of this article were Samuel and Eleanor (Harper) La Fuze, who came to this state from their former home, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1814, and settled upon a tract of land adjoining the property of Joseph La Fuze; and since that date the land in question has never left the family. It comprises some seventy- seven acres and is now owned by Ezra W., grandson of the original proprie- tor. Samuel LaFuze was a successful farmer and was active in the estab- lishment of the Silver Creek Christian church and assisted in founding schools and other useful public works during the infancy of this county. In politics he had ever been identified with the Republican party. When he was well along in years death deprived him of his faithful helpmate, and he thence- forth made his home with his children. His death occurred when he had passed the eightieth anniversary of his birth. Of his children William L., a resident of Harrison township, died, leaving one son, Usual P .; Samuel, whose home was in Brownsville, had six sons-Samuel M., Homer L., Oliver P., Danford, George and Henry; John, father of Miles La Fuze, was a citi- zen of Center township; Daniel was the next; Ezra died in early manhood, and Johnson, who died in Liberty, left one daughter.
The parents of the subject of this narrative were Daniel W. and Barbara (Immel) La Fuze. The father was born on the old homestead in Center township, Union county, the first white male child born in this county. He married a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Immel, who came to this state from Union county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. La Fuze, who was reared in Browns- ville township, this county, died in 1870, and Mr. La Fuze later married Mrs. Mary Williams, whom he survived two years, his death taking place May 17,
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1887. After his first marriage he had settled on the farm now owned by James E. Shendler, and there passed his active life. The property owned by him comprised two hundred and twenty-seven acres, and, altogether, he was blessed with material success in his business investments. A Whig and Republican until the civil war, he then became a Democratic partisan of the strongest type. He was a man of deep convictions and pronounced ideas.on all important subjects. At first a Lutheran in religion, he became converted to the faith of the Christian church, and from that time until his death he was one of the stanch members of that denomination. Few men are better versed in the Scriptures than was he, and the New Testament was at his tongue's end, for he could quote all the most important parts of it from beginning to end. His children included Emeline, who died, unmarried, at the age of twenty-one years; Elizabeth, wife of William Taylor, of Jay county, Indiana; Ezra, who, as before mentioned, lives on the original old La Fuze homestead; Mary, who become the wife of I. N. Snyder and died at the age of twenty-six years; Joseph; Irene, who was a lifelong invalid and died aged twenty-one; Huldah, wife of Henry Hermeier, of Darke county, Ohio; Florence, wife of James E. Shendler; and Samuel Daniel, an attorney- at-law in Indianapolis.
Joseph La Fuze was born June 1, 1851, in Center township, on the old homestead adjoining his present home, one mile and three-quarters northeast of Liberty. He received a thorough training in agriculture while he was a youth and remained at home until he was twenty-seven years old. February 24, 1878, he married Miss Mary Annetta Kitchel, daughter of John Kitchel, a respected farmer of Harrison township. The young couple commenced housekeeping on a farm of one hundred and two acres, and, as the years rolled by, their industry and economy brought well earned reward. In all his undertakings Mr. La Fuze was aided and encouraged by his wife, who has been a true helpmate to him. Six children grace the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. La Fuze, the two eldest, Luella and Irving S., being students in the Liberty high school, while the younger ones are Carrie, Stella, Amy and Daisy. At present Mr. La Fuze devotes about twenty acres to wheat and twenty acres to corn, and during the winter feeds about fifty head of hogs and other live stock, of which he keeps a good grade.
Mr. La Fuze belongs to the Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and is a director in the Guarantee Building and Loan Association, of Indianap- olis. For the past ten years he has been a deacon in the Christian church and has officiated also as church clerk. He has always been a stalwart Democrat, and in 1889 was honored by being elected county treasurer, the first of his party to occupy that office for a period of thirty years, and at the same election the Democrats also elected a coroner and county clerk. While
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he was in office the county commissioners came to him and urged him to use his influence in raising a deficiency of about ten thousand dollars, which was needed to complete the building of the county court-house. He acquiesced in this request and was successful in getting the necessary funds, which were placed at the disposal of the proper authorities. Twice afterward he was the choice of his party for the same position, but each time was defeated by a small majority. He maintains his earnest interest in the welfare of his party, and frequently attends conventions, etc.
JAMES H. JOHNSON.
James H. Johnson was born in Warren county, Ohio, May 25, 1829, a son of Hon. Michael H. Johnson. That prominent pioneer was born in Virginia, March 10, 1769, and during his young manhood taught school in Kentucky. Certain of the Indian tribes of the northwest, instigated by the British, refused to cease hostilities after the peace of 1783, and had not been subjected, though attempts had been made to accomplish this. General Wayne marched into the northwest in 1793, built Fort. Recovery, near Greenville, Ohio, and inaugurated a campaign which succeeded and was the means of opening a large territory to white settlement. During General Wayne's operations along the Ohio, Judge Johnson was a quartermaster sergeant in his command and his duties lay north of the river. General William Henry Harrison, later president of the United States, was then an ensign in the same service and he and Judge Johnson were thrown much together and became personal friends. They last met at Lebanon, Warren ·county, Ohio, while General Harrison was a candidate for the presidency. Judge Johnson was one of the first settlers of Deerfield, Ohio, in 1797, and and was the first storekeeper in Warren county. He removed to Hopkins- ville in 1801 and lived there until his death. He was assessor of Deerfield, northwest territory. At the organization of Warren county, in 1803, he was elected one of its first justices of the peace and filled the office twelve years. He represented the district of which Warren county was a part in the Ohio senate 1809-1819. In 1820 he was elected the first recorder of Warren county. In 1825 he went on the bench as associate judge and served in that capacity ten years. He died in his seventy-seventh year. His son and wife were named James H. and Martha Richey Johnson.
James H. Johnson, custodian of the county building at Liberty, Indiana, was reared on the home farm in Warren county, and began life as a shoe- maker at Cuba, Clinton county, Ohio. At the time of the civil war, Mr. Johnson was connected with the provost marshal's office for the sixth Ohio district, at Hillsboro, and he acted for a time also as an enrolling officer. He .came to Liberty, Indiana, in September, 1865, and for two or three years
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after his arrival was a merchant there. In 1868 he was elected justice of the peace, and he has been elected at each succeeding election since,-during a period of more than thirty years. His present commission will not expire until 1900. He has administered this important office with signal ability, and no assurance as to his tact, honesty and good judgment will be required by any one who reflects that Justice Johnson has for nearly a third of a century adjudicated the disputes of his neighbors and has been all the time and is now exceedingly popular among them. His decisions have seldom been reversed by a higher court and have many times been affirmed and complimented by learned judges. He has performed the marriage ceremony one hundred and ten times.
The county building at Liberty was erected in 1890-1891, and since then, except during one year, Justice Johnson has been its custodian. It is a fine structure, and with its furniture, clock and other appointments cost one hundred thousand dollars.
James H. and Mary (Reed) Johnson have had one son and three daugh- ters. The son, A. E. Johnson, was born at Cuba, Ohio, February 6, 1854. He has been a teacher, deputy county auditor, county auditor and clerk of the house of representatives at Indianapolis, and is now an expert accountant and a resident of that city. Martha, the eldest daughter, married James A. Driggs, of Liberty. Louisa is Mrs. William Humbert, of Springboro, Ohio. Dora E. married L. A. Druley, who is a member of the town council of Liberty, Indiana.
Justice Johnson was made an Odd Fellow at Wilmington, Ohio, and has- passed the chairs of Morton Lodge, of Liberty. He has also risen to the highest chair in the local encampment and has represented his lodge and. encampment in the grand lodge and grand encampment, and as district deputy, in which office he has served twenty years, he has organized many lodges and installed officers in the several lodges within the county limits. For eight years, in the '70s, he was a member of the council of the village of Liberty. He has in every way proven himself a public-spirited citizen and he possesses the public confidence to a remarkable extent.
FRANKLIN WILLIAMSON.
Classed among the substantial and highly respected people of Liberty township, Union county, Indiana, are found the subject of this sketch and his family. Franklin Williamson dates his birth in Fayette county, Indiana, near Lyon's Station, November 18, 1834, and is a son of Samuel and Eliza- beth (Connoway) Williamson. Mrs. Williamson was a sister of Charles. Connoway, father of Joseph W. Connoway, the attorney at Liberty, Indiana. Samuel Williamson was of Buckeye birth and came from Ohio to Indiana
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with his parents, Moses and Jane (Riggs) Williamson, their settlement being near Lyon's Station, in Fayette county, not far from the county line, where the parents spent the rest of their lives and died, her death occurring at about the age of eighty years; his when past eighty. Samuel, their only child, became the owner of a farm adjoining his father's, and at his father's death inherited the home place, all of which land is still in the family. Samuel Williamson died when a little past the age of sixty years, he being an invalid the last eleven years of his life, the result of an injury he sustained. His wife was sixty-five when she died. She was married at the age of sixteen and became the mother of thirteen children, and notwithstanding the care and responsibility incident to the rearing of so large a number she remained young- looking, and her black hair was not mixed with silver threads until a short time before her death. Of her children four sons and four daughters survived her and are living at this writing, 1898.
Franklin Williamson remained on the home farm until he was twenty- five years of age. At twenty-one he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Coffman, of Liberty, Indiana, a daughter of John and Catharine (Withe) Coffman and niece of John Withe. She was born on the Coffman farm in Liberty township, which farm is now owned by Mr. Williamson. About six years after his marriage he bought the farm on which he now lives, one hun- dred and twenty-one acres in extent, and built a part of what constitutes his present residence. This farm corners with the Coffman farm, the latter con- taining two hundred and fifteen acres, and for twenty years he has cultivated both. At this writing his son lives on the Coffman place. Mr. Williamson carries on general farming and stock-raising. For ten years he has been a breeder of short-horn cattle, in which line he has been very successful, his herd now numbering fifteen head. Also he raises hogs and sheep, making a specialty of Southdown sheep and now having a flock of twenty-five head. Besides the land above alluded to, he has the supervision of two other farms, which belong to his present wife.
After twenty years of happy married life, his first wife. Mrs. Elizabeth (Coffman) Williamson, died, leaving three children, namely: John, who has. charge of one of the farms referred to; Perry F., managing the Coffman farm; and Elizabeth C., wife of Newton Shull, of Fayette county. Decem- ber 27, 1877, Mr. Williamson married Miss Mary Martin, daughter of Israel and Lucy (Munson) Martin, the former a native of Middletown, Ohio, and the latter of New Jersey. Her parents were married in Oxford, Ohio, in 1832, and the same year settled in Harmony township, Union county, Indi- ana, where they lived and died, her death occurring July 11, 1868, at the age of fifty-five years; his, June 18, 1880, at the age of sixty-seven. Israel Martin was a farmer and stock-dealer. He started in life without any capital 31
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whatever, and by honest industry and careful management amassed a snug fortune, at his death leaving to his children four hundred and eighty acres of land and twelve thousand dollars' worth of other property. Of his six chil- dren Mary, the eldest daughter, became a teacher at the age of sixteen years and taught school for seventeen years continuously, all in Union county, four years being in the public schools of Liberty and Dunlapsville, and her career as teacher ending with her marriage. She invested in land and together she and her husband own five hundred and nineteen acres. Their union has been blessed in the birth of one son, Karl, now a school-boy six- teen years of age, and another son, Israel, who died at the age of eight years.
Mr. Williamson is a Democrat and has always taken an intelligent interest in political matters, but is not a party worker. Mrs. Williamson is identified with the Presbyterian church at Liberty, is active and enthusiastic in church work, and naturally is still interested in educational matters.
JOSEPH D. SPAHR.
No citizen of Abington township, Wayne county, is more widely known or more generally beloved and highly regarded than is he of whom this sketch is penned. Of a sterling pioneer family, of sturdy German ancestry, he and his relatives have been very prominent in the development, organization and maintenance of this county, always being safely counted upon to indorse and support to the extent of their ability every good work, movement and enter- prise. In this connection the following may be quoted from the autobi- ography of the Rev. Jacob Young: "At this time (1808) the Spahr family were very numerous and very respectable. They were blessed with plenty of this world's goods, and it appeared to be their joy to support the church."
Philip Spahr, the paternal grandfather of our subject, lived for many years, and finally died, near Wheeling, West Virginia, at the extreme age of one hundred and five years. His son John, the father of Joseph D. Spahr, was born, about 1774, at Short Creek, near Wheeling, West Virginia. When he was about thirty-five years of age he removed to Abington township, Wayne county, Indiana, and in 1812 entered a tract of land, as also did his two companions on this momentous trip, David Jenkins and John Doddridge. ·He commenced the arduous task of improving his property in the wilderness, and continued to live thereon until his death, in 1833, he having contracted the low fever which was then so prevalent in this section. He had married Margaret Spievy Russell, who survived him and reared their two children. The daughter, Nancy, is yet living, her home being in Centerville. She is the wife of Isaac Jenkins, who, born in 1814, is the oldest surviving repre- sentative of his native township.
The birth of Joseph D. Spahr occurred in Abington township, Wayne
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county, May 26, 1831. He had but limited educational advantages, and grew to manhood under the judicious training of his mother. When he reached his majority he assumed the management of the homestead, which he still owns and carries on, now one of the finest and most valuable places in this locality. Numerous substantial improvements have been instituted by the progressive owner, and the house and farm buildings are especially worthy of mention, as not often does the traveler behold more convenient, handsome, well-kept structures in the country. A generous hospitality has ever been extended to every one by Mr. Spahr and his family, and many a stranger and friend looks back with great pleasure to happy hours spent in this charming home. Mr. Spahr is truly one of " nature's noblemen," as he was fittingly characterized by one of his old friends and neighbors recently, and few lives have been more exemplary from the beginning to the end than his has been. One of the first things which the early settlers of this region concerned themselves with, after providing a rude log-cabin shelter for their families, was the erection of a house of worship. Of this number were the Spahrs, who aided in building the Doddridge chapel, in which the Methodist denomination has held sway for three generations. From his youth a devoted member of the congregation which assembles there, Mr. Spahr is justly con- sidered one of its most efficient workers.
In 1853 the marriage of our subject and Miss Matilda Burgess took place near Centerville, Wayne county. Her parents, Richard and Susan Burgess, were originally of Madison county, Virginia. Her father departed this life about forty years ago, but her mother survived until the 12th of November, 1898, when she died at the home of Mr. Spahr, having reached the advanced age of ninety-four years. The eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Spahr, Mary, is the wife of Mordecai Doddridge, of Centerville. The other children are named as follows: Isaac J., John R., Gertrude, Alice, Joseph H. and Flor- ence. They have received excellent advantages, and are children of whom their parents have just reason to be proud. Mrs. Matilda Spahr departed this life in March, 1881, and in May, 1883, Mr. Spahr married Miss Mattie Burgess, a sister of his former wife, and she died in May, 1892.
EDWIN W. HIGH.
The law has ever attracted to its ranks a certain class of men gifted with keen perceptions and logical minds, men who, by nature or training or both, are peculiarly fitted to deal with the problems which arise among their fellows. In reviewing the prominent members of the Franklin county bar, the name of Edwin W. High takes precedence of many of his professional brethren, and we are pleased to present to his numerous friends and acquaint- ances this sketch of his useful life.
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In tracing his family ancestry, it is found that for several generations the Highs were residents of Pennsylvania and originally came from Germany. His parents were John and Emeline (Banes) High, the latter also of an old Pennsylvania family. In 1852 they with their three children came to Frank- lin county, and since that time the Highs have been associated with the welfare of this locality. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, was born in 1816, and departed this life in 1893. The mother, whose birth took place in March, 1811, is yet living, a resident of Metamora, and is one of the oldest citizens of this county. Of her three sons two have entered the silent land, Albert, having died many years ago, and Jenks in May, 1898, when in his fifty-sixth year. The latter enlisted during the war of the Rebel- lion in Company C, Sixty-eighth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and at the expiration of the regiment's term of service he was transferred to the Forty-fourth Indiana, in whose ranks he continued until the close of the war. At one time he received a sunstroke while in the army, and never fully recovered from the effects of the attack.
The birth of Edwin W. High occurred at Doylestown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1841, and thus he was about eleven years of age when he came to Indiana. His boyhood was passed on his father's farm, and his early education was such as the district schools afforded. Having just attained his majority in the second year of the civil war, he determined to devote his young manhood to the service of his country, and in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Sixty-eighth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Soon afterward he was made first sergeant of his company, and on January 1, 1864, was commissioned an adjutant of his regiment. As its quota was not filled, however, he was detailed to serve as a clerk, and assigned as chief clerk at the post at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Later the war department made him general order clerk under Major General Stedman, and in that capacity he continued to act until the close of the war. Return- ing home, he soon afterward entered the internal revenue service as a gauger and deputy assessor, and in 1867 he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was employed in the quartermaster's department and in the disbursing office of the Freedmen's bureau. Subsequently he was at the head of the registry department of the Louisville postoffice. While a resident of Louisville, Mr. High pursued the study of law under the preceptorship of the Hon. James Speed, an eminent member of the local bar, and attorney general of the United States in 1864. Upon leaving Louisville, Mr. High resided in White- side county, Illinois, for a brief period, and in 1877 returned to Metamora, Franklin county, Indiana, and engaged in the practice of law, meeting with the success which he has justly deserved. He is recognized as a man of exceptional attainments and mental culture, and much of his leisure is spent
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in his fine library, which comprises not only a great variety of books relating to his profession, but also works covering all of the leading subjects of human interest and activity.
On the 8th of November, 1871, Mr. High was united in marriage with Miss Mary Banes, a daughter of Jonathan Banes, of Metamora. After nearly a score of years had been spent in happy companionship, Mr. High was bereft of his wife, who passed away September 7, 1890.
Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery. In politics he is a Republican and advocates the principles of that party. He has never sought political office for himself, but is always ready to assist his party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a contributor to all worthy local enter- prises.
JAMES W. HENRY, M. D.
This honored veteran of the civil war, now a practicing physician of Richmond, may be justly termed a self-made man, for from his early years he has been obliged to make his own way in the world, and bravely and vic- toriously has he met adversity. Born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1840, he was orphaned ere he learned a parent's love. He managed to gain an excellent education, as, after completing the common-school curric- ulum, he entered Ewington Academy, at Ewington, Gallia county, Ohio, and subsequently was a student at the Westerman Academy, in the same county, for a period.
Having finished his English education Dr. Henry was occupied in teach- ing school for about a year, and then, for a similar length of time, he was in the dry-goods business. When the war of the Rebellion broke out he was too young to be received in the army, but on the 31st of August, 1862, he enlisted at Gallipolis, Ohio, in Company L, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cav- alry, and served until the close of the war, or just three years, his honorable discharge being dated August 31, 1865. The greater part of his service was in the Army of the Tennessee, his regiment being in the Twenty-third Army Corps. Besides participating in numerous skirmishes of more or less impor- tance, he was actively engaged in the decisive battles of Crab Orchard, Frankfort, Somerset and Danville, all of which were fought in Kentucky. He won the praise of his superior officers for his promptness, bravery and strict fidelity to duty, and was respected and well liked by his comrades.
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