USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 38
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 38
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 38
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 38
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Mr. Williams is one of Fayette county's honored sons, his birth having
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occurred in what is now Fairview township, June 10, 1830. His parents were Charles and Lydia (Job) Williams. His paternal grandfather, Jonas Williams, was born in Cayuga county, New York, and as early as 1812 came to Fayette county, Indiana, settling near Bunker Hill, where he died in 1842, at the advanced age of ninety-five years. Being a cripple, he engaged in · shoemaking during the greater part of his life, but also gave some attention to milling. He was a consistent member of the Baptist church, and was held in high regard by all who knew him. He was the father of five chil- dren, -four sons and one daughter.
Charles Williams, father of our subject, was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1790, and came with the family to Indiana in 1812, locating on a farm eight miles northwest of Connersville. Throughout life he devoted the greater part of his time to agricultural pursuits, but as one of the first carpenters in his locality he probably built more barns than any other man in Fayette county. Being a wide-awake and energetic business man, he prospered in his undertakings, became the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres, and gave to his children sixteen thousand dollars before his death. He was a strong Whig in his political views, and took an active and commendable interest in public affairs. Upon his farm in Fair- view township he passed away in 1878, honored and respected by all who knew him. For his first wife he married a Miss Smith, by whom he had five children, who reached years of maturity, and four who died in early life. The second wife, and the mother of our subject, died January 30, 1899, at the age of nearly ninety-nine years. She was an earnest, consistent Chris- tian woman and a member of the Methodist church for nearly fifty years. She was the mother of seven children, -four sons and three daughters.
Charles R. Williams, the eldest son in this family, was reared in Fair- view township and principally educated there, for one year pursuing his studies in De Pauw University, which at that time was called Asbury Uni- versity. At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching school and success- fully followed that profession for eighteen years in Fayette and Madison counties, beginning on a salary of eighteen dollars per month and being advanced until he received seventy-five dollars, in Madison county, during the civil war. His first school was conducted on the subscription plan. For eight years he also engaged in farming in Harrison township, Fayette county, and in Madison county, and subsequently, in 1868, was elected surveyor of the former county, which position he most acceptably filled for the long period of twenty years. In 1873 he was elected county auditor and served in that office for two terms of four years each, with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the general public. Since then he has acted as deputy auditor, and has made his home in Connersville since 1875. He has
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done considerable contracting on bridge and other public work for the past fifteen years, and in his undertakings has met with well deserved success.
In 1851 Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Ellis of Fayette county, and of the eleven children born to them six are still liv- ing, three sons and three daughters. During the civil war he enlisted, in March, 1865, in Company C, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out the following August. He is now an honored member of Connersville Post, No. 126, G. A. R., and belongs to the Baptist church. His political support was first given the Whig and now the Repub- lican parties. He is a quiet, unassuming inan who has the good of his com- munity at heart, and his abilities have been exerted to make his native county rank among the best of all composing this great commonwealth. He has always been true and faithful to every trust reposed in him, so that his loy- alty is above question, being manifest in days of peace as well as in time of war.
LURTON D. DILLMAN, B. S., M. D.
One of the eminent physicians of eastern Indiana is Dr. Lurton Dunhamn Dillman, whose high standing is indicated by the fact that he is now serving as president of the Union District Medical Association. A deep interest in the science of medicine, close study of its principles and steady application to his professional duties are the elements of a most creditable and enviable success, -a success that has gained him prominence among the best repre- sentatives of the profession in the state.
The Doctor was born in Preble county, Ohio, September 18, 1850. and was one of a large family whose parents were Joseph and Julia (Crago) Dill- man. His father was of German descent and his mother of Scotch lineage. The former was born in Virginia, but located in Preble county, Ohio, in 1830, becoming one of its pioneer settlers. There he carried on farming and stock-raising on an extensive scale and his efforts were crowned with prosperity. He still lives on his farmn. His wife, a native of Preble county, passed away in 1894.
At his parental home Dr. Dillman, of this review, spent his boyhood days, and through the summer months assisted in plowing, planting and harvest- ing. When the crops were harvested in the autumn he found opportunity to attend the district schools, and manifested great aptitude in his studies. He always had a great desire to obtain a thorough education, and his ambi- tion in that direction niade possible his later school life. He also early became imbued with the idea of making the practice of medicine his life work, which determination was implanted in him by his uncle, Dr. Lurton Dunham. an eminent physician of western Ohio, for whom he was named. When eigliteen years of age our subject entered the National Normal University,
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wherein he spent a year, after which he engaged in teaching for a few years. He then returned to the university, where he pursued a three years' course, being graduated in 1874, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Three years were then spent in the study of medicine under the preceptorage of Dr. James S. Ferguson, a former partner of his uncle, and during that time he also pursued two full courses of lectures in the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in March, 1878.
Dr. Dillman entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in Brook- ville, Indiana, where he remained for four years, receiving the patronage of many of the best families of Franklin county. In 1882 he came to Conners- ville, and for seventeen years has ministered to suffering humanity in this city, his skill and pronounced ability winning him a most desirable reputation. He is a close student of the science of medicine, and keeps well informed on the progress which is continually being made along medical lines. He also shows keen discrimination in his adoption of all new theories and improve- ments which he believes will make his labors more effective. Excellent results have attended his efforts, and his practice is therefore large and lucra- tive, exceeding in volume and importance that of any medical practitioner in eastern Indiana. Although he treats all diseases, he makes a specialty of diseases of the nose, throat, ears and lungs, and certain hours each day are devoted to that department of his practice. In the year 1890 he went to New York city, where he took a course in the Polyclinic and Post-Graduate College, and has since performed some very successful operations.
In 1882 the Doctor was appointed United States pension examiner. He is an active member of the Fayette County and Union District Medical Asso- ciations, also the Indiana State Medical Society. For a number of years he was president of the first named, was for three years secretary of the Union District Medical Association and is now its honored president. He was also at one time health officer of Fayette county, and is a member and treasurer of the board of education of Connersville.
On the 13th of March, 1879, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Dill- man and Miss Flora I. Tidball, a daughter of the late Dr. David L. Tidball, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who served as surgeon of the Thirty-fifth Illinois Infan- try. Three daughters honor this union, -Amelia, Julia and Florence. The Doctor and his family belong to the Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as ruling elder. They occupy an enviable position in social circles, and are welcome guests at Connersville's best homes.
The Doctor is a man of broad culture, of scholarly attainments, of genial disposition, fine physique and pleasing personality. Kindliness beams from his eye and his friendship is greatly prized by those who are within the
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circle of close and intimate acquaintance. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and is a credit to the medical profession, in which he has attained distinguished honors.
JOSEPH MARXER.
Time was, and that not so many years ago, when our dependent poor were farmed out to the lowest bidder: that is, whoever wished entered bids for taking care of the pauper element of each county, and the lowest bidder was awarded the contract. The first record we have of such proceedings in Indiana was in May, 1813, when George Cain was allowed the sum of eight- een dollars for boarding and clothing one Abel Perry for the period of five months. This system continued by common consent, without any legal enactment on the subject, until January 30, 1824, when the legislature passed an act defining ordinary cases and conditions in which the law was to be applied. This law remained in force ten years, and in 1834 an act "to authorize an asylum for the poor of the counties of Franklin, Fayette and Union" was passed, which resulted in the establishment of buildings and grounds devoted to that purpose, located in Jackson township, Fayette county. In 1856 this joint asylum was abandoned and Franklin county pur- chased the farm of Thomas H. Stringer, near Brookville, and upon this were erected suitable buildings for a county home for the unfortunate poor. Necessary improvements have been added from time to time since then, until at this time the property is in fine condition and offers a pleasant, cheerful dwelling place, giving the inmates a comfortable, well regulated home. In order to make this home a success and at the same time meet the require- ments of the law it was necessary to place at its head a man of judgment and ability, one whose best efforts would be devoted to the interests of the institution. Such a man was found in the person of Joseph Marxer, and he was appointed superintendent of the infirmary in the spring of 1892. So successful has been his administration that he has been reappointed annually since, and a visit to the institution shows the care and forethought given to it. The grounds are neat and well kept, the buildings are well appointed and furnished, and show a scrupulous care that is highly conducive to the health of the inmates, and, indeed, it would be a difficult matter to find a better regulated or more carefully conducted institution of the kind at any place.
Joseph Marxer was born in Bavaria, Germany, and is the only repre- sentative of the family in America. He came to New York in 1853 and vis- ited New Orleans, Cincinnati, and Harrison, Ohio, before locating in Brook- ville, in 1858. During that time he secured employment at whatever offered,
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teaming, working on a farm, in silk mill, etc. He is the eldest in a family of four children, viz .: Joseph, John, Joaquin and Phronia, whose father, Leon- ard Marxer, was a farmer and lived and died in Germany.
December 18, 1860, Mr. Marxer was married and established himself permanently in Brookville. The lady of his choice was Frances Elizabeth Weekly, a daughter of Andrew and Mary Ann (Fager) Weekly, and one of five children, viz. : Frances, Magdalena, Thomas, Cornelius and Carrie. Andrew Weekly and wife were natives of Baden, Germany, but came to this country in 1836, and located in Dearborn county, Indiana, where he has since been engaged in farming. His father was Cornelius Weekly, who reared a family of ten children and lived to the ripe age of eighty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Marxer became the parents of seven children, -Lewis J., Carl (deceased), Charles (deceased), John, Mary A., Catherine and Anna L. John married Miss Millie Hurnie and they have had three children, -Marie (deceased), Harry and Hildah. Mr. Marxer is a Democrat in political affil- iations, and the family are members of the Catholic church.
WILLIAM H. MUIR.
This worthy citizen and enterprising merchant of Wynn and Palestine, Franklin county, is one of the native sons of the Hoosier state, his birth hav- ing occurred in Ripley county, January 8, 1860. He is a self-made and self- educated man, having relied upon his inherent talents from an early age, and having won success by persistent industry.
The great-grandfather of the above named gentleman, in the paternal line, was born in England, but his son, the next in the line of descent, was born in America. Our subject's parents, Joseph and Martha J. (Mullen) Muir, were both natives of Ripley county, Indiana, were their respective parents were pioneers. The former had one brother, Jackson, and two sisters, Martha and Julia. He remained under the parental roof until he was of age, and after his marriage he engaged in farming until the death of his wife, in 1861. As soon as he could place his children in good homes, he enlisted in the Union army, was detailed as wagon-master, and was placed in charge of a large train of wagons containing supplies for the troops. He served faithfully for three years; and was twice taken prisoner, but was treated well and soon exchanged. After receiving an honorable discharge he resumed his interrupted agricultural · labors, brought his children home, and in 1866 married Elizabeth Jobe, of Ripley county. He continued to carry on his farm for a number of years, but in 1892 sold the place and removed to a tract of land adjoining Moore City, Oklahoma. There he has made substan- tial improvements, and is on the high road to fortune.
He has always been a Democrat, but has never sought nor held public
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office. His first wife, the mother of our subject, was a daughter of John Mullen, of Pennsylvania. He settled in Ripley county at an early day, and improved the homestead where he passed the remainder of his life. His children were eleven in number, namely: Thomas, Homer, Smith, James, William, Nancy, Margaret, Anna, Jennie, Catherine and Sarah J. The chil- dren of Joseph and Sarah J. Muir were: Mary, Mrs. Joseph Huntington; John, a farmer of Ripley county; Hiram, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Harvey, of Oklahoma; Mrs. Sarah Buckingham; and William H. The children of Joseph and Elizabeth Muir were: Ella, deceased; Alexander, of Ripley county; Emma, who died when young; Anna Belle, who is married and lives in Oklahoma; and Joseph T., who is with his parents in the west.
William H. Muir was deprived of a mother's loving care when he was about a year old, and during the civil war he lived with his grandfather. Later the lad returned to his father's house and remained there until he reached his majority. In order to obtain a start in independent life he worked as a farm hand for several years, and in 1885 went to Ford county, Kansas, where he pre-empted a quarter-section of land, built a sod cabin, as is the custom there, and made some improvements. At the end of eight months he sold his property and, returning to his native county, engaged in teaming. In 1886 he came to Wynn and entered the employ of Joseph Jackson, the owner of the general store here, hauling logs, delivering goods, and doing whatever was required of him. In 1889 he purchased the store of his late employer, and at the same time became the postmaster. He runs a wagon throughout the adjacent country, furnishing supplies to the farmers, and also carries on a small farm. He has met with the success which he richly deserves, and has won in this locality an enviable reputation for square dealing. For two years he has been the superintendent of the free gravel road, and in politics he is a Democrat.
In 1890, Mr. Muir married Minnie Minor, who was born in Ohio, in 1871, next to the youngest child of Daniel and Sarah (Little) Minor. The father died in Ohio, June 13, 1882, and his widow removed with her children to this county, hoping to better their prospects. She located upon a farm and still resides there, loved and respected by all who know her. Mr. Minor was a farmer, and possessed qualities of mind and heart which won to him the high regard of his neighbors and associates. Mrs. Minor is a con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, belonging to Center chapel. Her only son, Amos, is living in Kansas, and her other daughters are: Mrs. Myra Baughman, Mrs. Mary Seal, Mrs. Clara Merrill, Mrs. Addie Portteus, and Nora, who is unmarried.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Muir has been blessed with three chil-
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dren, namely: Joseph, born August 8, 1891; May, June 3, 1893; and Ester, November 21, 1897. Mrs. Muir is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a faithful helpmate and a loving wife and mother.
ROBERT WATT.
The deserved reward of a well-spent life is an honorable retirement from business, in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. To-day, after a useful and beneficial career, Mr. Watt is quietly living upon his farm in Washington township, Wayne county, surrounded by the comfort that ear- nest labor has brought him.
Mr. Watt was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1821, and is the son of William and Rhoda (Seaton) Watt, also natives of that state, the former born December 6, 1796, the latter February 12, 1793. His paternal grandparents were Robert and Charlotte (Rowe) Watt, natives of Ireland and Germany, respectively, who were married in Pennsylvania. While residing there the grandfather entered the United States service as a private during the war of 1812. He was a hatter by trade, and after joining his son in Indiana, about 1826, he followed that occupation for a few years in Brownsville. He died near that place and was buried there. His chil- dren were Eleanor; Mrs. Sarah Seiner; William; and Mrs. Margaret Stowey.
William Watt, the father of our subject, also learned the hatter's trade at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and in 1822 came to Brownsville, Union county, Indiana, where he worked at the same until 1833. He then pur- chased a partially improved farm, on which he made his home until his death, which occurred February 17, 1879. He was a strong and influential Jackson Democrat and took a very prominent part in public affairs, serving as county commissioner of Union county three terms, a member of the lower house of the state legislature from 1831 until 1844, and a member of the senate for two terms. He was also a delegate to the Indianapolis conven- tion when the state constitution was revised in 1850; served with the rank of major in the state militia in early days; and his public and private life were alike above reproach, for he was ever found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him. He was a man of good business ability, and in all the relations of life was upright and honorable. His wife, who died in October, 1868, united with the Methodist church when only six years old, and after coming to Indiana she served as class-leader and devoted considerable time to church work. Their home was the stopping place of the pioneer min- isters, and they contributed liberally to the support of the church. This worthy couple were the parents of ten children, namely: William S., deceased; Eleanor, wife of J. Elliott; Robert, our subject; James, a resident of Indianapolis; Mrs. Charlotte Warman; Norval; L. C. and Samuel J.,
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both deceased; Ira G., who lives on the old homestead; Sarah A., deceased wife of William Bunnell; and Margaret R., wife of L. Cully.
· During his infancy the subject of this sketch was brought by his parents to Indiana, and he was educated at Brownsville, pursuing his studies in an old log school-house with a dirt floor and puncheon benches for seats, while greased paper, pasted over an opening made by a log being cut out, served as a window. When he was twelve years old he removed with the family to the farm, and he bore his part in its improvement and cultivation until he attained his majority. He then engaged in farming and teaming, and also in freighting from Cincinnati to different points in Indiana. In 1843 he and his brother, William S., then a merchant of Richmond, Indiana, bought fifty head of horses, which they drove to Baltimore, Maryland, and then returned by railroad to Harper's Ferry, by stage to Uniontown and Brownsville, Penn- sylvania, where they visited relatives; by boat to Pittsburg, and then made a short visit to relatives in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Returning to Pittsburg, they took a boat there for Cincinnati, and the remainder of the journey to Brownsville, Indiana, was made by stage and hack.
He remained at home until the fall of 1843 and then went to Richmond, where he engaged in clerking in his brother's store and also in horse-trading. The following year he opened a store of his own in Waterloo, where he did a large and prosperous business until 1858 and also served as postmaster for a number of years. He traded and dealt in all sorts of commodities at the same time, but always made a specialty of horses, and has handled some very fine and fast ones. After his marriage in June, 1847, Mr. Watt com- menced to improve a heavily timbered farm which he owned in Wayne county, and after erecting a house and barn thereon his family located there, in 1848. After disposing of his store, in 1858, he gave more attention to his farming operations. In 1857 he and his brother built a large livery and sale stable in Richmond, which they conducted for ten years, then rented for a time and finally sold in 1874. In 1861, when the government was in need of cavalry and artillery horses, he engaged in buying the same, purchasing the first five hundred that the government secured in this state. He made considerable money in this way and continued in the business all through the war. Later he engaged in farming and trading in horses and hogs, which he shipped to Cincinnati, but since 1887 has practically lived retired upon his fine farm, only looking after his colts, calves and pigs.
June 20, 1847, Mr. Watt married Miss Silvira Hurst, who was born in Wayne county, October 29, 1824, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Mar- shall) Hurst, natives of Maryland and honored pioneers of the county. Her paternal grandparents, Jacob and Mary Hurst, were also born in Maryland, of Irish ancestry. Mrs. Watt's father was born in 1781, and in 1802, accom-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
panied by his wife and brother Benedict, he started for the west. Having only one horse, his wife rode and he walked. They stopped first at Hamilton, Ohio, where their first two children were born, -one in 1804, the other in 1806. While there the father labored and saved money, and on coming to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1807, he entered eighty acres of land and opened up a farm. He was always a hard worker, and in connection with general farming soon became interested in raising and feeding hogs. Later he began dealing in that class of stock, which he would drive to Cincinnati, and as he met with marked success in all his undertakings he added to his landed possessions from time to time until he owned over two thousand acres. He reared eleven children and gave to each a good farm. He was enterpris- ing and public-spirited, and always did all in his power to enhance the pleasure of his family. He would buy any new article brought into the country to adorn his home, and was the first in locality to own a cook stove and ingrain carpet. He died in May, 1838, at the age of fifty-seven, and his wife passed away November 5, 1850.
They had twelve children, whose names and dates of birth were as follows: Cynthia, December 8, 1804; Benedict, December 11, 1806, Bennett, born December 8, 1808; Sanford, April 5, 1811; Belinda, December 7, 1812; John M., February 13, 1814; Isaac, February 5. 1817; Anna, April 11, 1819; Dickson, December 7, 1821; Elijah and Silvira, October 29, 1824; and Mary E., July 12, 1827. Anna died young, but all the others grew up. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Watt, Clara J. is at home; Laura E., born November 28, 1850, died young; William J., born March 8, 1852, died February 12, 1889, leaving three children; George S., born September 12, 1854, manages the old home- stead; and Robert, born December 24, 1858, died March 20, 1895. The last named always lived on the old homestead, where his wife and daughter yet find a pleasant home. The former was in her maidenhood Miss Ella Hamil- ton, a daughter of Frank Hamilton and a grandaughter of Captain James Hamilton, a pioneer of Indiana.
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