USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 29
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 29
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 29
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
In August, 1877. Dr. Mills married Miss Emily Wanzer, who is a native of Dutchess county, New York, and whose early life was spent there. She received an excellent education, at the Friends' School, Providence, Rhode Island, and for several years she was engaged in teaching, at the time of her marriage being principal of the thirteenth district school of Indianapolis. The only child of Doctor and Mrs. Mills is Miss Gertrude C., who was grad- uated with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, in the class of 1897, in
775
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Earlham College. She is an accomplished, popular and attractive young lady, and shares the good will and genuine appreciation so freely bestowed upon her esteemed parents by all connected with the college, and by the citizens of Richmond in general.
HENRY H. SEAL.
It is with pleasure that we give a short history of one whose venerable locks have whitened in Franklin county, and who has seen the country trans- formed from a wild and dreary waste, inhabited principally by wild beasts and the still more savage red men, to a fertile and highly cultivated region; one whose life has been filled with incidents of the most unusual nature, as he passed from childhood to youth, and up to these the sunset years of a noble life. Such a man is he whose name heads this biography.
Henry Harrison Seal is a respected and esteemed resident of Whitcomb, Franklin county, Indiana, and is in his eighty-sixth year, having been born in Miami, Ohio, February 16, 1813. He is a son of William and Eliza (Owens) Seal and a grandson of Joseph Seal, who came from Pennsylvania and located in Ohio in 1801. Seven years later he moved to Cincinnati, and afterward to Miami. While a soldier in the war of the Revolution he received two severe wounds, one in the face and another in the hip, which occasioned him much trouble. He settled finally on Big Cedar creek, near Mount Carmel, in Springfield township, Franklin county, Indiana, where his death occurred at the extreme old age of ninety-six years.
William Seal was born in 1742, and, like his father, reached almost his century of life, dying, in 1837, at the age of ninety-five years. He married Elizabeth Owens, by whom he had six children, -Hannah, Harriet, Eliza, Henry Harrison, John and William. He owned and operated a distillery, on the banks of the Big Cedar Creek, for many years, and accumulated a good property. The family were of Quaker origin.
Henry Harrison Seal spent his youth among the wild surroundings of those pioneer days, and one incident of his early life is especially worthy of mention, as showing the conditions of that time. When he was a child of eighteen months a band of Indians visited his father's cabin on the Big Cedar. as was common in those days, and asked for whisky. Their request was denied, which greatly angered them, and in a spirit of revenge they seized the young child, our subject, and carried him off with them. Knowing the treacherous and savage disposition of the kidnappers, great anxiety was felt for the safety of the little one, and a searching party was at once put on the trail, but not until the second day was a trace of the little one discovered, when the band of Indians were overtaken at a point near Indianapolis. The stolen child was on the back of the squaw, and its captors were not inclined
776
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
to give it up, and were only persuaded to do so by the presentation of trink- ets. When the subject of this romantic incident reached the age of nineteen years he conducted a distillery, having previously become acquainted with the business, and continued in it until his inarriage.
April 15, 1837, he was married to Miss Lydia Myers, daughter of John and Harriet Myers, the former of whom died in 1840, and the latter in 1874. She was born in 1819, and was a woman of lovable disposition. Their mar- riage relations were of the happiest, and extended over a period of more than sixty-one years, when they were dissolved by her death, on May 27, 1896. Twelve children were born to them, eight of whom are living. The record of the children is as follows: Harriet, wife of Joseph Shafer; Mrs. Eliza Murphy; Ira, who married Mary Davis; Sylvester, who married Viola Mills- paugh; Martha Eldora, 'wife of Willis Stout; Jane, wife of Wesley Holden; Frank E., a physician of Mount Carmel, who married Dora Quick; James, who married Flora Schultz; and William, John, George and an infant son are all deceased. John was sheriff of this county from 1862 until 1866, and his death occurred in July, 1896. When our subject brought his bride to his new farm, in 1837, but ten acres of the land was cleared, and their home was a rude log cabin. For many years the only market for his crops was in Cin- cinnati, whither he took his produce each week, the journey being made by wagon. After living there two years be erected a barn suitable for his needs, and when he was more prosperous replaced the old log house with a brick structure, at once comfortable and tasteful. He has added to his original farm from time to time, as he was able, until he now has three hundred acres. His first vote was cast for General Jackson and he has voted the Democratic ticket ever since. He has always been prominent in the county, and from 1862 he was justice of the peace for eight years, an office in which he endeavored to temper justice with mercy, to the betterment of many a youth- ful offender. Mr. Seal is a remarkably well preserved gentleman, and his appearance belies his age.
HORATIO N. LAND.
In the great competitive struggle of life, when each must enter the field and fight his way to the front, or else be overtaken by disaster of circumstance or place, there is ever particular interest attaching to the life of one who has turned the tide of success, has surmounted obstacles and has shown his abil- ity to cope with others in their rush for the coveted goal. Horatio Nelson Land was recognized as one of the most able business inen of Richmond. His diligence, indomitable energy and undaunted perseverance won him prosperity which numbered him among the substantial citizens of the county, and he not only advanced his individual interests but did much toward pro-
777
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
moting the general welfare by encouraging trade and commerce. His career, both public and private, was marked by the strictest integrity and faithfulness to every trust resposed in him, and his name is deeply engraven on the pages of Richmond's history.
Mr. Land was born near Cooperstown, Otsego county, New York, on the 14th of June, 1832, and was a son of John and Ann (Goodspeed) Land. The father was a native of England, born May 10, 1805, and in early life he crossed the Atlantic to America, taking up his residence in Otsego county. Subsequently he removed to Ohio, making his home near Toledo, but his last days were spent near Mineral Point, Wisconsin, where his death occurred December 1, 1870. He was a machinist by trade, and after com- ing to this country operated a cotton mill in Herkimer county, New York. At the time of his death he was devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits. His family numbered eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom Leroy, a machinist, is now living in Richmond.
Horatio N. Land spent the first twenty years of his life in the Empire state, where he acquired his education in the public schools and learned the machinist's trade. In 1852 he came to Richmond, Indiana, and was closely identified with its business interests up to the time of his death. He first entered the employ of William Sinex, a plow manufacturer, with whom he remained for a short time, and then secured a position in the extensive con- cern of Gaar, Scott & Company. He did the fine brass work, and was an expert in that line. His efficiency, promptness and reliability won him favor with his employers, and he was advanced from time to time. On the reorganization of the company, in 1870, he became one of the stock- holders, and was made a director and general superintendent, in which capacities he served most acceptably until his death, which occurred on the Ist of February, 1893. His thorough understanding of mechanical work, both in principle and detail, fitted him most admirably for the responsible duties of general superintendent, and the success of the industry was due in no small measure to his capable management and his wise direction of the operatives in the foundry. He was always considerate to his employes, just in his treatment of them, and ready to accord recognition of faithful and skillful service. He extended the field of his own labors to other lines, and at the time of his death was president of the Wayne Works, and was also president of the Masonic Building Association. He carried forward to suc- cessful completion whatever he undertook, and his resolution and perseverance were salient points in his prosperity.
On the 13th of June, 1854, Mr. Land was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Gaar, daughter of Jonas Gaar, of Richmond. They have five children : Alma is the wife of Charles P. Holton, who is connected with Gaar, Scott &
778
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Company's works; Samuel W. died in infancy; Frank B., who married Nellie Walker, is superintendent of the iron department in the foundry of Gaar, Scott & Company; Harry, who married Almira Wheelen, is assistant superin- tendent of the Wayne Works; and Charles H., who married Fannie Harris, is in the office of Gaar, Scott & Company.
In his political views Mr. Land was a Republican in early life, and cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, but afterward affiliated with the Democratic party. He was a member of Webb Lodge, F. & A. M., also belonged to the chapter and commandery, and attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, in Indiana Consistory. He was an exemplary Mason, and in his life showed forth the benevolent and fraternal features of the order. His prominence in industrial circles resulted from his own well directed efforts, and was a fitting tribute to the worth of an honest, enterpris- ing and progressive man.
DAVID L. MORGAN.
David L. Morgan, of Fugit township, Decatur county, is a representa- tive of one of the early and well known families of this part of Indiana. His father, John Morgan, was born near Penn Yan, Yates county, New York, April 26, 1801, and was a son of Thomas Morgan, a native of county Down, Ire- land, who came to America when a young inan. His brother, Torrence Mor- gan, started about the same time as passenger on another vessel, but was never heard from afterward and his fate remained unknown. Thomas Mor- gan became a resident of Yates county; New York, and when his son John was about sixteen years of age removed with his family to Indiana. This was soon after the close of the second war with England and but a short time after Indiana was admitted into the Union. The present generation have but little conception of the slow, and what would now seem tedious, methods of travel eighty or eighty-five years ago. Overland by wagon, often through a pathless forest or following a simple Indian trail or taking advantage of the current of some stream down which they would float on a flat-boat, -these were the means by which the emigrants of long ago reached their destinations in the wilds of Indiana.
The family of Thomas Morgan came from their home in the Empire state by way of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and thence on a flat-boat down the Ohio river to North Bend, Indiana, which was then the home of General William Henry Harrison. They resided on the Harrison place for a short time, but soon removed to Dearborn county, This was in the year 1817. The family consisted of Thomas Morgan, his wife and their children, namely: John, Mrs. Mary Gifford, Griswold, Mrs. Ruth Alden, Mrs. Baldredge and Hannah. All of that generation have now passed away. Thomas Morgan
779
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
did not long survive his arrival in this state, being accidentally drowned in Tanner's creek at the age of fifty years.
John Morgan, the father of our subject, attained his majority in Indi- ana, and was married, in Dearborn county, this state, when about twenty- one years of age, to Miss Clarissa Stewart, and they had six children, namely: Torrence G., Daniel, John H. and Ruth A., all deceased, and Benjamin F. and Sarah, still living. Torrence G. at his death left a son, Atwell Morgan, who is now living in Andersonville, Indiana, where he is a successful and highly respected merchant. Ruth A. married Jesse Lawson, a prosperous farmer and stock-dealer, and she died December 28, 1873. For his second wife Mr. Morgan married Hulda (Lewis) Wilson, then a widow. She was a daughter of John Lewis, who was born in Sullivan county, Tennessee, Octo- ber 17, 1793, and came to this state when a boy with his father about the time of or before the war of 1812. He took part in the Indian wars of that period and took a prominent part also in the events which form the early history of the state. The family settled on Salt creek, in Franklin county. and later John Lewis removed to Rush county, but subsequently returned to Franklin county, making his home at Andersonville until his death, which occurred April 7, 1861. He became quite noted for his successful treatment of diseases by mesmeric or magnetic influence, and possessed a good general knowledge of medicine. He was one of the noted men of his day, his house was celebrated for its hospitality and he was both widely known and highly respected. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susannah Barber, was also a native of Tennessee. They became. the parents of nine children, seven of whom were sons. Several of them are still living and are prominent citizens of the various communities in which they reside.
By his second marriage, John Morgan had four children, -Thomas G., George W., Mary Angeline and David L .; but the last named is the only one now living. The father removed from Dearborn county to Anderson- ville, Franklin county, becoming one of the pioneers of the latter place. He was also one of the early merchants there and was long a prominent citizen of that county. In 1849 he removed to the farm in Fugit township which his son David now owns, and there resided until 1874, when he returned to Andersonville, where his death occurred August 1, 1888. His wife died March 5, 1899, at the age of eighty-one years, her birth having occurred January 16, 1818.
During his active business career John Morgan was one of the best known citizens of his section of Indiana. His greatest acquaintance prob- ably came through his work as a local preacher of the United Brethren church, in which capacity he served for sixty years. It has been said of him that he preached more funeral sermons and united more couples in marriage
780
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
during his long career as a minister than any other preacher of his time in Indiana. He was ever active in promoting the moral and religious growth of the community in which he lived and his influence was widely felt on the side of right. He was a strong advocate of temperance and organized a Washington society at Andersonville in the early days of that order. He also organized the United Brethren church at Andersonville and likewise formed a class at his home in Fugit township. He was a remarkably useful 'man in the community in various ways, was actively connected with civil affairs, was justice of the peace for many years and did a great amount of writing in the way of making deeds and drawing up other legal documents. He was an honorable and esteemed citizen, and his long life was rich in service to his God and to his fellow men. His surviving children in 1899 are Rev. Benjamin Morgan, of Ben Davis, Marion county, Indiana, a retired Methodist minister; Mrs. Sarah Smith, who is also living at that place; and David L.
The last named was born at Andersonville, Franklin county, Indiana, June 24, 1848, and was but little more than a year old when the family removed to the place where he now resides. Here he has made his home through the long period of fifty years, and the place is endeared to him through the associations of his boyhood as well as those of mature years. Mr. Morgan has been twice married. His first wife bore the maiden name of Nancy A. Evans and was born in Franklin county, as were her parents. Her grandparents, however, were natives of Virginia and became pioneer set- tlers of Franklin county. Mrs. Morgan died October 16, 1887, and Mr. Morgan has since wedded Minerva L. Mullin, a daughter of Daniel Mullin. She was a native of Marion county, Indiana, while her father was born in Ohio, and her mother, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Crone, was born in Virginia. By his first marriage Mr. Morgan has three sons: John A., David and Cassius. A daughter, Ada, died September 27, 1893, at the age of nineteen years, and another daughter, Grace, passed away June 22, 1889, at the age of thirteen years. Three children have been born of the second marriage: Frank L., born April 23, 1890; Belva May, born June 25, 1891; and Cora Myrtle, born October 1, 1895.
Mr. Morgan is both widely and favorably known in the community in which he has so long made his home, and is accounted a valued citizen. He owns and occupies the old homestead and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place well indicates his careful supervision. Diligence and determina- tion are among his most marked characteristics and have contributed in a large degree to his success. Since 1886 he has devoted much time and attention to the prosecution of pension claims, and has been remarkably suc- cessful in that line of work. In his political affiliations he is a Republican,
781
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
but has never been an aspirant for public office, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests, in which he has met with creditable success.
GEORGE B. BUCKINGHAM, M. D.
One of the successful physicians and a prominent resident of Brookville, Indiana, is Dr. George B. Buckingham. He has much natural ability, but is, withal, a close student, and believes thoroughly in the maxim that " there is no excellence without labor." His devotion to the duties of his profession, therefore, combined with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of the science of medicine and surgery, has made him a most successful and able practitioner, whose prominence is well deserved.
The Doctor is a native of Franklin county, born five miles east of Brookville, October 18, 1852, and is a son of Levi W. and Margaret J. (Black) Buckingham. The father was born in Washington county, Penn- sylvania, and in Uniontown, that state, he learned the wheelwright's trade. Coming west to Indiana at the age of twenty years, he first settled on the Little Miami, near Camp Dennison, but in 1849 took up his residence upon a farm five miles east of Brookville, which at that time was only partially improved, two acres having been cleared, but no buildings erected thereon. He died in 1894, at the age of sixty-eight years. During the civil war he enlisted in Company H, Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was made second lieutenant upon the organization of the company. He was one of the prominent and influential men of his community and was highly respected by all who knew him.
Dr. Buckingham acquired his literary education in the common schools, spent his boyhood and youth upon the home farm, and at the age of seven- teen commenced teaching school, following that profession for five years in Franklin county. He then entered the Ohio Medical College, where he took a course of lectures during the winter of 1876-7, and the following spring attended the Kentucky School of Medicine for one term. After being engaged in practice with Dr. Wallace, at Springfield, Franklin county, for two years, he again entered the latter institution, from which he was graduated in 1879. He continued at Springfield for two years longer and then came to. Brookville, in 1882, where his skill and ability soon won for him the liberal patronage he now enjoys. He is engaged in general practice, but makes a specialty of the diseases peculiar to women. He is a member of the State Medical Society and was also an active member of the County Medical Association as long as it existed. For two terms he served as county cor- oner and was appointed United States pension examiner, under Cleveland's. administration, but resigned the position. Socially he is a prominent mem-
==-=
782
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ber of the Masonic lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias, all of Brookville, and is past chancellor of the last named.
HENRY CLAY MEREDITH.
In the death of Henry Clay Meredith not only Wayne county, but also Indiana, lost one of its most valued citizens. Few men of his age have done more for the advancement of the agricultural interests of the state than he. The prairie states of the Mississippi valley owe their prosperity in a very large measure to the development of their rich lands, and one who has promoted the farming interests has therefore benefited his fellow men. Throughout his business career Mr. Meredith studied agricultural questions from all standpoints, and his practical conclusions were given to the world in many valuable contributions to the press. He was the proprietor of Oak- land Farm, one of the finest country seats in Wayne county, and in its man- agement displayed marked business ability and executive force. Born in Cambridge City, July 17, 1844, almost his entire life was here passed. His father was General Solomon Meredith, a native of North Carolina, who rendered to his country distinguished service during and after the civil war.
Henry C. Meredith spent his youth on his father's farm and thus gained a practical knowledge of the business pursuits which were afterward to claim his attention. He was a student in the State University when the south was attempting to overthrow the Union, but during the months of vacation he served as a member of his father's staff. He also rendered valued service when General Morgan brought his rebel forces into Indiana in 1864. He was graduated in the university in the class of 1866, and then went to Helena, Montana, where his father was on duty as surveyor general. He served as his deputy and was frequently in service with different field parties. In 1867 Mr. Meredith returned to his native town and purchased the Cambridge City Tribune, devoting his energies to journalistic work until 1873, when he sold the paper and joined General Meredith in the business of breeding registered stock. They were very successful in this enterprise, and in it our subject continued until his life's labors were ended. With the exception of the intervals mentioned his entire life was spent on Oakland Farm. The many sales of registered short-horn cattle which he held attracted people from various sections of the United States and he became widely known as a stockman, building up a large and profitable business, which is still carried on by his widow. He gave a hearty support to every movement tending to advance the agricultural interests of the state and was renowned throughout the west as a writer for the agricultural press. His opinions were received as authority on nearly all inatters connected with farming and stock-raising, and at the time of his death he was serving as
783
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
president of the Indiana State Board of Agriculture, having been elected a member for the third time in January, 1882.
On the 28th of April, 1870, Mr. Meredith was united in marriage to Miss Virginia, daughter of Austin B. and Hannah (Petty) Claypool, of Con- nersville, Fayette county, Indiana. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Meredith was ever noted for its hospitality, and around Oakland Farm still cluster pleasant memories of delightful hours, which their friends spent in the pres- ence of their cordial host. Mr. Meredith died July 5, 1882, in his thirty- eighth year, -scarcely in his prime and with the plans and ambitions of his life unrealized. He was a man of friendly and cordial disposition and his advice and counsel were often sought and freely given, for his judgment was known to be reliable. As a citizen he was progressive and loyal to all measures which he believed would prove of public benefit. In politics he was a stanch Republican and at the time of his death was serving as a mem- ber of the state legislature, having run far ahead of his ticket at the election which gave him a seat in that body.
Mr. Meredith's moral convictions were strong and deep, his untiring energy and his sense of honor in even the most difficult experiences won for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he was associated in busi- ness or socially. His power of making and retaining friends forcefully illus- trates the sincerity of his character and the loyalty of his nature.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.