USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 20
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 20
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 20
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 20
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On the Ist of April, 1863, Mr. Boyd was united in marriage to Miss Celia, daughter of Robert and Elvira (Addington) Cox. Her father built and operated the mill in Middleboro, and after his death Mr. Boyd and William H. Cook remodeled the mill, putting in a new process. They still operate it, selling to the local trade and to towns in this vicinity. The mill is operated by water power. Mr. Cox, in connection with his son-in-law, our subject, also carried on a general store in Middleboro for some years, the senior partner being in charge. He erected three mills, having one at Max- ville, Indiana, on White river, and one in Joe Daviess county, Illinois, near Warren, in addition to the one in Middleboro. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have been born four children: Linaes C., who was born January 18, 1864, was educated in Earlham College and is now engaged in the oil trade at Gas
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City, Indiana, being also interested in the gas wells at Gas City, this state; Robert Eldon, who was born June 8, 1866, is now a commercial traveler, living in Indianapolis; Elvira E. died in her nineteenth year; and A. Orville, who was born March 2, 1872, is now assisting his father on the home farm.
Mr. Boyd's father was a Whig in his political affiliations, and all of the sons became Republicans. Mr. Boyd keeps well informed on the issues of the day and casts his ballot for the men and measures of the party, but has never sought office for himself, preferring to devote his energies to his busi- ness interests, in which connection he is meeting with excellent success. He is a man of sound judgment, of sagacity and untiring enterprise, and his well-directed labors have brought to him a handsome competence.
WILLIAM M. YOCOM.
This gentleman is a leading and representative farmer of Fairfield town- ship, Franklin county, where he has made his home throughout life. The original American ancestor of the Yocom family was Peter Yocom, who had four sons, and one of these, Jonas Yocom, born in 1690, was the progenitor of the branch now under consideration.
John Yocom, father of our subject, was born in Berks county, Pennsyl- vania, March 26, 1808, and was one of a numerous family, having five brothers and the same number of sisters who reached years of maturity, besides several who died in childhood. But of that generation only two are now living : Mrs. Sophia Kerlin and Daniel Yocom, who are resi- dents of Pennsylvania. In 1835, John Yocom, who was reared in his native state, came with his brother Levi to Franklin county, Indiana, and for two years they were residents of the village of Fairfield, where he worked at the carpenter's and cabinet-maker's trades, while the brother followed wagon- making. At the end of that time they returned to Pennsylvania, but soon afterward made a permanent home here. Levi Yocom was killed by the running away of his team on the 11th of August, 1843.
In March, 1840, John Yocom was united in marriage to Miss Joanna Hays, who was born in Cumberland county, New Jersey, March 27, 1816, and when a child of two years was brought to Franklin county, Indiana, by her parents, William and Keziah (Garrison) Hays, who settled in Fairfield township. Not long after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Yocom located on a farm in that township where their children now reside, and there they passed the remainder of their lives, the wife and mother dying May 2, 1883, the father September 25, 1891. He was a very industrious and enterprising man, who cleared and improved a fine farm, and was also a good mechanic. It is said that he assisted in laying the rails on the first line of railroad built in the United States, this being a short line running to a coal mine in Penn-
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sylvania. Sincere and consistent Christians, he and his wife were for many years faithful members of the Methodist church and were among its most lib- eral supporters. They had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances and were held in high regard by all who knew them.
To this worthy couple were born nine children, three sons and six daugh- ters, of whom the following are still living: Mary, born December 24, 1840; Samantha Jane, born September 9, 1843; William M., February 20, 1846; Keziah C., February 5, 1856; and Lourana A., May 9, 1858. With the exception of Keziah, who is now the wife of Pierce F. Ludlow, all are living on the old homestead, a valuable farm of two hundred and fifty acres, which William M. now successfully operates, as he is a thorough and systematic agriculturist and a business man of more than ordinary ability. The family is one of prominence in the community where they reside, and all hold mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILLIAM B. FAGAN.
William B. Fagan was well known throughout Wayne county. A man of genial, kindly disposition, an earnest Christian, filled with love toward God and man, it seemed a fitting thing that his friends should style him, as they did, when he was getting along in years, "Father Fagan." His life did not start out very auspiciously, but he possessed the spirit to rise above adversity, and bravely did he fight the battle. He was born near Monmouth Court House, in Monmouth county, New Jersey, November 20, 1803, and was but three years old when his parents died. A year later, the child was bound out to David Wright, with whom he lived until he reached his major- ity. Though he attended the district schools to some extent, he was largely self-educated, and not withstanding his limited advantages he finally was placed in charge of a school, which he taught successfully.
On the 16th of February, 1828, he married Catherine Reynolds, whose birth occurred eighteen years before, February 7, 1810. In the spring of 1836 the young couple, with their three children, came west, and located near Williamsburg, this county, where the father engaged in teaching, as formerly. Rheumatism then rendered him helpless for a period of five years, after which he again taught in the neighborhood until the fall of 1850. The position of toll-gate keeper then became his, and for nearly six years he was stationed on the old pike just east of Richmond, and now included within the city (Twenty-fourth street). In the spring of 1856 he removed to the gate immediately west of Richmond, on the same pike, and for twenty-one years he remained at that point. He then retired, and spent his last days in Richmond, where his death occurred August 10, 1884. He was a licensed .exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal church, and was very zealous in the
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temperance cause. For years he frequently made speeches on the subject, and at one time he traveled through this county, with the late Senator Will- iam Baxter, delivering addresses. He belonged to the old society known as the Sons of Temperance, and many a good poem on temperance emanated from his pen. His first wife, Catherine, departed this life March 8, 1854, and two years later he married Matilda Heath, who has also passed away. There were no children by the last union, but to the first marriage four sons and six daughters were born.
PATRICK MCKINLEY.
Mr. Mckinley is a man of integrity and worth, and is a highly respected citizen of Richmond, Indiana. He was born in county Armagh, Ireland, March 18, 1847. His father died when he was about two and one-half years of age, and soon afterward his mother sailed for the United States, locating in Cincinnati. Here they met Joseph H. Hanson, which acquaintanceship culminated in the marriage of that gentleman and our subject's mother, Mrs. Margaret Mckinley. The family then moved to Springfield, Clark county. Ohio, where, at the age of twelve years, Patrick was bound out to Mr. Hiers, a farmer of Van Wert county. During his stay with this man he was per- mitted to attend school two or three days in as many years! In 1862 his mother and stepfather moved to Wayne county, occupying a farm near Rich- mond. Two years later, in February, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, and served with them until the close of the war, being mustered out at Nashville. Their headquarters were at Pulaski, Alabama. After returning home he learned the trade of a carpen- ter, and followed that business, in conjunction with farming, for a few years. Later he was in the employ of the Robinson Machine Works for seven years, inost of the time as foreman of the shipping department, where he gave the inost entire satisfaction. He left them to engage in business for himself, and has since done a general line of contracting, obtaining plenty of work, which he conscientiously performs. He has been able to make some money, and, what is more essential, he has saved it, and is in easy cir-
cumstances. He is industrious and energetic and is bound to make a success of his business. He retired from the Richmond fire department in 1895, after having been a member for twenty-seven consecutive years. He was a " minute man " and belonged to the department both before and after it was organized as a paid company.
Mr. Mckinley was inarried, in 1868, to Miss Susan Rider, of Richmond, by whom he has had four children, two of whom are living: George A., employed at Gaar, Scott & Company's mammoth manufacturing plant; and Eva, who resides at home. Mr. Mckinley, like his illustrious namesake, of whom he
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is a great admirer, is also a Republican, and renders the local clubs much- valuable assistance. He is a member of the Richmond Lodge of Odd Fellows, belongs to Sol Meredith Post, G. A. R., and to the Improved Order of Red Men.
CHARLES L. LACKEY.
A native of Cambridge City, born in 1853, Charles L. Lackey is one of the five children of Sanford Lackey, who was well and favorably known throughout Wayne county and this portion of Indiana, as a merchant. One of the early residents of Cambridge City, he identified himself with numerous local enterprises, and was largely instrumental in the upbuilding and improve- ment of the town. His paternal ancestors were Pennsylvanians, and he was one of the eleven children of John Lackey, whose birth occurred about one century ago, in Lancaster county, in the Keystone state.
The whole life of Charles L. Lakey has been quietly passed in this, the place of his birth, and here he received a liberal education in the public schools. For a few years after he had arrived at maturity, various business undertakings occupied his time and attention, and in 1878 he became con- nected with the shipping interests of this locality. In 1880 he engaged in the livery business, in which enterprise he has been very successful. Follow- ing the example of his worthy father, he takes deep interest in local affairs, and in politics is a Republican.
In 1890 Mr. Lackey married Lillian, daughter of Amos and Catherine Caldwell, of Wayne county, and their union is blessed with one child, Lillian Valentine. They have a pleasant home, which, in all its appointments, gives evidence of the culture and good taste of its occupants.
WILLIAM G. STARR.
Blooming Grove's well-known and popular postmaster and general mer- chant has, through his own unaided exertions, achieved a well merited suc- cess in life. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the- individual, and is the means of bringing to man success when he has no advan - tages of wealth or influence to aid him. It illustrates in no uncertain man- ner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote to a man's character.
Mr. Starr was born in Templeville, Queen Anne county, Maryland, March 12, 1861, a son of Philemon J. and Georgiana A. (Baxter) Starr. The father, a son of Aquilla and Sarah Starr, was born in Caroline county, Maryland, May 2, 1832, and was reared on the home farm, but after attaining his major- ity he served an apprenticeship to the mercantile business, which he followed during the remainder of his life. At the age of fourteen years he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, was an active worker in its interest, and at
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one time was a licensed exhorter. On the 7th of October, 1858, he was united in marriage with Miss Georgiana A. Baxter, who was an exemplary Christian woman and a kind and indulgent mother. Five children were born of this union, of whoin two are still living, -William G. and Anna E. After the death of his wife the father removed to Iowa, but remained there only a short time, and then came to Blooming Grove, Indiana, where he engaged in mercantile business. He was again married, August 4, 1872, his second union being with Susan Parrott, by whom he had three children: Minnie May, born May 31, 1873; Charles C., born August 28, 1874; and J. Lurton, Feb- ruary 14, 1882. Two years prior to his death Mr. Starr removed to Indian- apolis, where he departed this life February 25, 1894, at the age of nearly sixty-two years. He was buried in Sims cemetery, near Fairfield, under the auspices of Everton Lodge, No. 139, I. O. O. F., of which he was an hon- ored member. He was a most worthy and esteemed citizen, a prominent and successful business man, a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and forwarded all enterprises which he believed would prove of public good.
William G. Starr attended school until sixteen years of age and thus acquired a good practical education. He began his business career by work- ing by the month on the farm, and during the winter of 1879-80 was employed in the Yankeetown gristmill. In 1882 and 1883 he worked in the Blooming Grove tile factory, and the following year purchased of T. E. Powers the store he has since conducted, that gentleman being his father's successor. The same year he was appointed postmaster, and has since filled that office.
On the 23d of April, 1885, Mr. Starr married Miss Minnie A. White, a daughter of Alexander S. and Martha (Webb) White, who are represented elsewhere in this volume. This union has been blessed with six children: Monroe, George, Edgar, Martha, Anna and Gilbert. Mr. Starr is an upright, reliable business man, who began business for himself without capital, pur- chasing his stock on credit, and he is meeting with most excellent success. Socially he is quite prominent, belonging to Fairfield Lodge, No. 98, F. & A. M .; Blooming Grove Lodge, No. 134, K. P .; Magnolia Lodge, No. 80, I. O. O. F .; and K. K. Tribe, No. 205, I. O. R. M. In politics he is a Republican, being the incumbent as trustee of Blooming Grove township, in which office he has served acceptably for more than four years.
JOSEPH YAGER.
This gentleman is one of the worthy citizens that the neighboring state of Ohio has furnished to Indiana. He was born in Bluffton, Ohio, March 12, 1848, and was a son of Joseph and Mary (Wynans) Yager, both of whom are deceased. The Yager family is of German origin. The father was a farmer
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by occupation and was a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic fraternity. In the family were eight children, namely: Clark; Susan, deceased; George; Joseph; Margaret, wife of Smith Protzenan, of Dayton, Ohio; John, a resident of Birmingham, Alabama; Alice, wife of George Clark, of Williamsburg, Indiana; and Clara, deceased.
To the common schools of his home neighborhood Joseph Yager is indebted for the educational privileges which he received. Early in life he began the business of clearing the stumps from land and thus rendering it fit for cultivation. He was thus engaged at the time of the civil war, but putting aside all business and personal consideration he entered his country's service in Company H and was transferred to Company C, Eighth Ohio Cavalry, and valiantly followed the stars and stripes. After his return to the north he engaged in the sale of dynamite and in blasting rocks and stumps over various parts of Indiana and Ohio. In 1892 he took charge of Earlham cemetery and has since acted as sexton, planning and overseeing all improvements. Since taking charge he has done much grading, built an office and fence, and otherwise greatly beautified the silent city.
In 1873 Mr. Yager was united in marriage to Miss Clara, daughter of John and Mary Brasher, now deceased, who lived at Green's Fork, Wayne county, Indiana. Their children are: William, Pearl, Thomas and Harold. Socially Mr. Yager is connected with the Order of Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men. He has led an active, busy and useful life. and possesses many sterling traits of character.
M. L. YOUNG.
M. L. Young, who for a score or more years has been numbered among the progressive business men of Cambridge City, has always taken an aggressive and public-spirited part in all movements tending toward the improvement of the town.
The parents of our subject, Hezekiah and Melinda (Castle) Young, were natives of Maryland, where their entire lives were spent. M. L. Young was born April 25, 1849, in Middletown, Maryland, and in his boyhood attended the public schools of Middletown and Baltimore. He was an apt student, and subsequently to his leaving school he engaged in teaching in Henry county, Indiana, in which endeavor he met with gratifying success. After he had been thus employed for several terms he turned his attention to other lines of business. Since 1875 he has been identified with the interests of Wayne county, and since 1880 he has conducted a sample room, of which he is the owner and proprietor. He thoroughly understands the business, and, earnestly striving to meet the wishes of his patrons, justly deserves the favor which is accorded him by the public. His bar is stocked with the
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choicest wines and liquors and has the patronage of the better class in the city.
In a political point of view Mr. Young is in favor of the Republican party platform, using his ballot on behalf of the nominees of that organiza- tion. In 1888 he was elected to the council of Cambridge City, and at each successive election he has been continued in office. He is a member of Osage Tribe, No. 93, Improved Order of Red Men. In 1887 Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Wissler, and two children, Estella and Charles O., have blessed their union. Mrs. Young, a well educated, cult- ured lady, is a daughter of Daniel Wissler, a well known citizen of this place.
WILLIAM M. HUNT.
William M. Hunt, of Green township, comes of a family who have been intimately associated with the history of Wayne county for almost a century, during which time the unbroken forests have given place to fertile farms, with multitudes of happy homes and flourishing villages. In this great work of progress the Hunts have borne an important part, and at all times they have been relied upon to do everything in their power for the permanent good of the community.
Charles Hunt, great-grandfather of William M., was a native of the colony of New Jersey, born in 1742. When he arrived at manhood he mar- ried Francina Smith and removed to Rowan county, North Carolina. They had nine sons and five daughters, namely: Jonathan, James, Mary, Timothy, Rebecca, George, John, Sarah, Smith, William, Nancy, Catherine, Charles and Stephen Gano. Rebecca and Mary married and removed to Kentucky, and the others with their father, Charles Hunt, located in what is now Wayne county, Indiana, and their descendants are doubtless to be found in all parts of the union. Timothy Hunt, the grandfather of our subject, married Isabel Dewey, and in 1805 emigrated from North Carolina to Ohio, and the follow- ing year came to the wilderness of Indiana. Entering land in what later was known as Abington township, Wayne county, he inade a home on the then western border of civilization, and passed the rest of his life in that locality. The only survivor of his household is Charles Hunt, who still resides on the old home place where he was born, in Abington township. There were two other sons, Andrew and Levi, and the only daughter, Eliza, became the wife of Samuel Fouts, and removed to Adams county, Indiana. Charles Hunt has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, as were his ancestors, and has improved and cultivated his farm successfully. His companion and helpmate along life's journey was formerly Miss Lucinda Jarvis, her parents being Ben- jamin and Sarah Jarvis, pioneers of Boston township, Wayne county, where the birth of Mrs. Hunt took place. The marriage of Charles Hunt and wife
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was blessed with three sons, Benjamin, Frank T. and William M. Frank, who was born February 27, 1837, died February 16, 1862, unmarried. Ben- jamin, whose death occurred in 1890, left seven children, five of whom are sons.
William M. Hunt was born in Abington township, Wayne county, July 30, 1840, on the same farm where his father's birth had occurred, in 1813, and his grandfather had located in 1806. He was reared to a thorough and practical knowledge of farming and in his boyhood attended not only the district schools but the college at Centerville, Wayne county. On the 9th of February, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty- fourth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and upon the organization of the company was made first sergeant. June 13, 1865, he was promoted to the second lieutenancy, in which position he continued to serve until his discharge, August 31, following. His regiment was included in Hovey's famous brigade, and participated in General Sherman's Atlanta campaign, --- Peach Tree Creek, Resaca, and other noted battles. The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth was detached and sent to the reinforcement of General Thomas, who was operating against the rebel forces in the vicinity of Nash- ville, and, as every one knows. the campaign resulted in the success of the Union troops and the destruction of Hood's command. Then ordered to join General Sherman on the Atlantic coast, our subject and his regiment carried out that program, going by way of Washington to the south, and subsequently taking part in the battle of Goldsboro, North Carolina. They were mustered out of the army at Greensboro, North Carolina, and, return- ing to Indianapolis, were honorably discharged.
The autumn of 1865 found Mr. Hunt at his old home in Abington town- ship, resuming his accustomed occupations. He was married September 25, 1866, to Miss Josephine S. Lewis, daughter of Joseph and Patsy (Boyd) Lewis, pioneers of this county. The father was born in North Carolina, February 6, 1794, a son of John and Sarah Lewis, and the mother, who was a daughter of Samuel K. and Isabella Boyd, was born in Kentucky, Noveni- ber 27, 1800. This worthy couple, Joseph and Patsy (Boyd) Lewis, came to this state at an early day and settled upon the farm now owned by Mrs. Hunt, and here they dwelt until death. They were not long separated, for Mr. Lewis passed away March 4, 1882, and his wife died upon the 22d of Octo- ber following.
Mrs. Josephine S. Hunt was born upon the old homestead where her whole life was passed, September 10, 1840, and was summoned to the silent land December 22, 1893. Three children were born to our subject and his wife, namely: Lorinda M., October 9, 1867; Frank J., March 25, 1869; Martha L., September 19, 1875. The two daughters are deceased, the elder
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one having passed away February 2, 1879, and the younger died on the 15th of December, 1893. Mr. Hunt thus was bereaved of his wife and daughter within the short space of one week. The son was married April 26, 1893, to Miss Meda Johnson, and they have one daughter, Josephine, born Decem- ber 14, 1894. On the 5th of July, 1898, William M. Hunt married Mrs. Anna Ballard, widow of W. A. Ballard, and daughter of John A. and Eme- line (Irwin) Hamilton. Mrs. Hunt is a native of Greenville, Ohio, her birth having occurred during the progress of the civil war, on the 12th of May, 1863.
Fraternally Mr. Hunt is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is identified with the Masonic order. He is a faithful member of the Baptist church, and is actively interested in all religious, educational or progressive enterprises which in his estimation tend toward the advance- ment and happiness of the public. In his political belief he is a Republican. He enjoys the respect of the community in which he is so well known, and is fully entitled to the high esteem in which lie is held by his neighbors and acquaintances.
LINVILLE FERGUSON.
Probably no one has borne a more active part in the development of Wayne county than Linville Ferguson, an honored resident of Washington township for about eighty-three years. He has been a witness of the vast changes which have been brought to pass in this region, whereby the forest and dense wilderness has been leveled, giving place to beautiful farm lands, with multitudes of prosperous homes and thriving towns. In numerous ways he has proved himself to be an enterprising, public-spirited citizen, ever anxious to promote the good of the majority and to maintain all insti- tutions which have made our country what it is to-day.
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