USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 47
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 47
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 47
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 47
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Mr. Jones married Miss Clarissa Bake, who was born in the township where she yet resides October 21, 1832, a daughter of William and Mary (Thurston) Bake, who were married and located in Bath township, where they improved a farin and spent the residue of their days. They were
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members of the Universalist church, and in his political adherency the father was a Democrat. They had twelve children: Elizabeth, wife of P. Farr; John, postmaster at Contreras, Ohio; Samuel, a stockman; Perry, who died in 1890; Jacob, who is living on the old family homestead; Henry, a farm- er; Clarissa, wife of our subject; Julia, wife of F. Morrical; Sarah, wife of P. Morrical; Catherine, wife of F. Kimble; James K., a farmer; and Phœbe, who died at the age of eighteen years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born three children: William B., who died at the age of three years; Elmer, who died at the age one year; and Laura E., wife of Ira Van Ausdall, who is operating the Jones homestead. They were married September 4, 1884, and have two interesting children: Dora E., who was born Octo- ber 2, 1885; and Mary E., born June 6, 1889. Mrs. Jones is a consistent member of the Universalist church. Mr. Jones was reared in the Baptist faith and now attends the Universalist services, but is not a member of any religious organization. His life, however, has been a most honorable and upright one, characterized by industry and energy, and his example is well worthy of emulation. He has always lived upon his present farm and widely known in Franklin county as one of its best citizens and early set- tlers.
JOSEPH ABBOTT.
When a man thoroughly enjoys and is interested in his line of employ- ment success is almost certain to come to him; and he who not only is not afraid to work, but is best contented when he is actively occupied, is the one who is undoubtedly on the highway leading to prosperity. In the experience of Joseph Abbott, of Springfield township, Franklin county, this fact is clearly seen, and it is largely to this that he owes his present goodly fortune.
He is one of the native sons of this township, born October 26, 1840, his parents being John and Eliza (Smith) Abbott. The father, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, was born in Pennsylvania, and accompanied his parents to Butler county, Ohio, when he was young. He was the only one of his parents' children who lived past infancy, and he was carefully trained for his future career as an agriculturist. He was not fond of farming, however, and when he reached his seventeenth year he went to Cincinnati and began serv- ing a five-years apprenticeship to the tailor's trade. Afterward he followed that calling successfully for about twenty years, and while a resident of the city married and had two children. His wife and little ones having died, he removed to Franklin county in 1830, bought a small farm, with a few acres cleared and a log cabin on the place, and with characteristic energy he set to work to improve and cultivate this homestead, which in time became one of the best in that locality. He raised and fed live stock, and as prosperity smiled upon him he increased the dimensions of his farm until, at his death,
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he possessed a valuable estate. He was not a politician, but was concerned in the success of the Democratic party, to which he gave his earnest support. Religiously he was identified with the Methodist church, and led a sincere, worthy Christian life. Soon after coming to this county he married again, but his wife died within a few years, and their two children, Seldon and Mahala, died unmarried after arriving at maturity. For a third wife he chose Eliza Smith, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, the only daughter of James Smith, of Pennsylvania, who late in the last century settled on the Ohio frontier in Butler county, and there pursued the blacksmith's trade, in connection with farming. His wife survived him many years, and died at the home of our subject when quite aged. Her eldest son, John D., died in Butler county, and the other sons are James, William and Joseph. John and Eliza (Smith) Abbott became the parents of four children, namely: Joseph; Elizabeth, who died when young; John D., who manages the old homestead in this township, and James, who died unmarried. The mother departed this life in 1856, and several years afterward the father married Margaret Combs. She is deceased, as is Mr. Abbott also, he having been summoned to his reward in 1884.
Joseph Abbott, of this sketch, received a common-school education and early mastered the details of agriculture. He resided on the old homestead for several years subsequently to his marriage, in 1862, and then purchased the farm where he is now living. Here he has made all the improvements, put- ting in a great deal of tiling, clearing some of the land, and placing all under good cultivation. He lives in a substantial two-story frame house, and has all of the barns and other farm buildings necessary for the accommodation of his live stock, farm products and machinery. In addition to this place he owns a valuable farm on the state line, about three and a half miles west of Reily, Ohio, and has other property which would command a high price if placed in the market. Formerly he bought, shipped and handled live stock extensively, but is now practically retired, as he has amassed a competency. A few years ago he removed to College Corner, where he built a house and barn and beautified a place for a home, but he soon tired of the narrow life of the town, and returned to the country and his accustomed pursuits.
In 1862 Mr. Abbott married Eleanor Van Ausdall, who was born in Butler county, in 1841. Her parents, George and Hannah Van Ausdall, were natives of Pennsylvania, and came west with their respective families, in their youth. They were married in Butler county, and began housekeep- ing in a small cabin, around which a few acres had been cleared. After a number of years had rolled away, the forest had been leveled, and a fine farm had been developed, his children grown to maturity and gone from the home, the father sold his property, and spent his last years at the home of a
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daughter, in Mount Carmel. He died about 1876, and was survived by his wife, who entered the silent land in 1884. They were faithful members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Abbott had nine brothers and sisters, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson; Mrs. Mary J. Laird; John and Margaret, who died when young; Garrett, a farmer; Joseph, of Decatur county; 'Hannah, who died in childhood; Mrs. Martha Wehr; and George W., of Rush county.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Abbott, namely: Florence J., who is the wife of Perry Appleton; George W., a farmer of this township; John E., also engaged in farming in this vicinity; Loretta, wife of C. Stinger, a farmer of this locality; Ellis S., who is assisting his father in the work of the homestead; and Clarence W., who was born October 17, 1886. Relig- iously Mr. and Mrs. Abbott and family are identified with the Methodist church.
O. P. BEARD.
A resident of Philanthropy, Ohio, a representative of a pioneer family, and closely identified with the development of Franklin county, Indiana, Mr. Beard is justly entitled to more than a passing notice in this connection. He was born in Butler county, Ohio, July 11, 1821, and reared to good, honest farm labor, and he received a common-school education. His par- ents were James and Margaret (Blue) Beard, the former of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. James Beard's father was George Beard, who came from Germany; he and his brother came to America together and became separated at the landing of the ship and never met again. George settled in Pennsylvania, where he subsequently died.
James Beard, the father of our subject, grew to manhood in the old Keystone state and then moved to Kentucky, where he remained a few years and then in 1807 moved to Butler county, Ohio, where he soon entered land, improving a good farm. In 1840 he purchased land in Indiana, where he died in 1844. Like so many of the old pioneer stock he was a man of great honor and integrity and had the respect of all about him; he became well-to-do and well known. Politically he was an old-line Whig, and in his religious belief he held to the faith of the Primitive Baptist church. His wife was the daughter of a Mr. Blue, of Virginia, where he died, as did also his good wife. Some of the family came to Indiana and followed farming pursuits. Their children were: Benjamin, David, William, Margaret (the mother of our subject), and Hannah, who married a Mr. Herrold and settled in Bourbon county, Kentucky.
The parents of our subject had the following children: William, who died single; Eliza, Mrs. T. F. Freeland; Jane, Mrs. J. Sample; John, a farmer, deceased; Jacob, who died at the age of eighty-two years; James, who died at the age of fifty-two years; and O. P., our subject, who is the
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only one of the family now living. His early career was among the hardy pioneers, and his father instructed him in the common branches of learning. After his father's death he assisted his mother in conducting the farm up to the time of his marriage in 1854, when he settled on land left him by his father, upon which some clearing had been done and a small log house erected. Here he began the struggle of life, a struggle which none of the men in the prairie regions can fully appreciate. Time went on, and by energy and industry he cleared up the place and added yet another fine farm adjoining. He bought in small tracts, and in all he now has three hundred and twelve acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has remodeled the house and built barns, and has given his special attention to farming, in which he has attained a success. In his political belief he is a stanch Democrat, but never aspired to office-holding. He was a heavy stockholder in the turnpike running by his farm and was director of the board for many years.
Mr. Beard married Miss Susan Winn, of an honored pioneer family, of Butler county, Ohio, where she was born, November 10, 1836, the daughter of Warner and Rachael (Evans) Winn, both natives of Virginia, the father being a farmer by occupation. He died in 1882, and his good wife and companion in 1884. He was seventy-four years of age and she was seventy- six at the time of death. They were members of the Christian church. Their children were: Ruben, of Whitewater township; George, a retired farmer at Harrison; Susan, wife of our subject; Margaret, Mrs. Henry Dawson; Rebecca, Mrs. O. Walling; Sarah, Mrs. A. Jones; and Nancy, Mrs. William Jones. All are living except Margaret.
By the marriage union of our subject and his wife, two children bless the home .circle: Margaret J., wife of Peter T. Heard, a farmer of this township; and Rachael, wife of Scott Heard, a farmer of Union county. Mrs. Beard is an acceptable member of the Presbyterian church. It is a pleasing task for the biographer to trace the history of families so well and favorably connected in all the various phases of life.
HERMAN TRICHLER.
Probably Brookville has no more thoroughly public-spirited citizen, no one more actively interested in its improvement and prosperity, than is the gentleman whose name begins this sketch of his career. As a business man he has been eminently successful, and in social circles he is highly esteemed.
A native of Blooming Grove township, Franklin county, Mr. Trichler was born December 18, 1846. His parents, Joseph and Barbara (Petri) Trichler, were born, reared and married in Weisbaden, Germany, whence they emigrated to America in 1837. The father, who had been a prosperous
Sterman Frichter
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merchant in his native land turned his attention to agriculture after his arrival in this country. He died in 1852, at the age of fifty-two years; and his wife, who survived him thirty years, was three-score and ten years old when she received the summons to the better land. They reared six children. of whom Mrs. Margaret Brichler and Albert are residents of Kansas; Mrs. Lena M. Blacklidge lives at Metamora, Indiana; Mrs. Anna Holton, in Plain- field, Indiana; and John, in Laurel township, Franklin county.
Leaving the shelter of the parental roof when fifteen years of age, Her- man Trichler came to Brookville and commenced his business life as a clerk. During the seven years which he devoted to this line of work, he thoroughly mastered the chief principles of business, and in 1869 he entered into part- nership with Frank Scobey, under the firm name of Trichler & Scobey, and for eighteen months conducted a store in this place. Then, selling out to Elbert Shirk, now a banker of Tipton, Indiana, he turned his attention to the management of a boot and shoe business for the succeeding five years. Again disposing of his interest, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and embarked in business as a traveling salesman, pursuing this calling for eighteen years. He represented the well known firms of Voorheis, Miller & Rupel and H. Geiershofer & Company, and was exceedingly successful in selling their goods and introducing them to the public. After an interval of justly earned rest Mr. Trichler again embarked in business in this town, in October, 1898, and carries a large and well selected stock of staple and fancy groceries, queensware and other lines. From time to time he has invested in real estate in Brookville and elsewhere, and is the owner of the best business block in the place, it being situated on the main street.
Since arriving at his majority, Mr. Trichler has given much attention to political matters, and for twenty-two years he has made a point of attending the state conventions of the Democratic party, usually being sent as a dele- gate. As such he went from this district to the national convention which nominated Cleveland in 1888. For two terms he served as a member of the . city council, and at present is acting in that capacity, and for a short time he was a member of the school board. Socially he belongs to Harmony Lodge, No. 11, Free & Accepted Masons, being its treasurer, as he has been, for a number of years. The deep interest which he takes in the welfare of this community was the cause of his becoming prominently identified with the organization of the Scotus-Gaul Picti, a semi-secret society, having for its main object the improvement of Brookville, and its increased value as a place of residence and business enterprise. By his marriage to Miss Mary T. Sheperd, of this place, in 1869, he has one daughter, Mary Rupel, who has been afforded excellent educational advantages and is an accomplished young lady.
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WEBSTER CHANDLEE.
One of the prominent and representative citizens of Richmond is Webster Chandlee, who has dwelt here nearly all of his lifetime. His interest in the welfare and prosperity of the place is genuine and unchanging, and though, in the course of his extended travels he has visited many a flourishing, beautiful town and city, the attractions of this, the home of his youthful days, are paramount to all others.
The Chandlees were originally of Scotch-Irish stock, but from early colonial days they were represented in the annals of Virginia. Many of the family were of a strongly mechanical turn of mind, and the records show that there were several expert manufacturers of clocks and instruments among them. Benjamin Chandlee, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Winchester, Virginia, where he remained until in middle life, when he removed with his family to Springboro, Warren county. That was about 1818, and, after residing in the Buckeye state a few years, he took up his residence in Camden, Indiana, where he died in 1842. He was a tanner by trade, and carried on an extensive business, for that day, both in Ohio and in Indiana. He also kept a general store, and furnished supplies to the surrounding country people.
John Goldsmith Chandlee, the father of our subject, was born in Win- chester, Virginia, in 1815, and when he was old enough he commenced learning the tanner's trade with his father, assisting also in the mercantile business. After the death of the elder man, the son continued in the same lines of enterprise until 1855, when he came to Richmond. Here he was. foreman for the firm of Vanneman, Reed & Company, pork-packers, for a quarter of a century, being trusted and relied upon by his employers. In 1840 he married Esther Pitman, a native of Ohio and of English descent, her ancestors having located in New Jersey at an early day. Mr. Chandlee died in June, 1893, and his widow is now making her home with her son, our subject. Their eldest-born, Morris J., was one of the brave heroes of the. civil war whose life was a sacrifice to his country, his death occurring at Little Rock. Arkansas, where he was at the post of duty. Elias M., the
second son, is now a resident of Richmond. Florence, the only daughter, at present living at the home of our subject, is an artist of notable talent. She has studied in several of the studios of eminent painters and sculptors in Phil- adelphia, and in the Art Museum of New York city, having the best of teach- ers, and has herself taught in the Quaker City. Many of her paintings have received favorable mention by competent critics, and her genius is undoubted.
Born in Camden, Jay county, in October, 1852, Webster Chandlee was. but three years old when he was brought to Richmond. His education was.
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obtained in the public schools of this place, and at seventeen he was initiated into commercial life by his acceptance of a position as a clerk in a grocery. He was thus employed for three years, when, feeling the desirability of fur- ther mental training, he matriculated in the Friends Academy, where he completed the three-years course. He immediately took a position as a bookkeeper for the firm of S. Horney & Company, plow manufacturers, who. were later succeeded by Elwood, Patterson & Company. In October, 1882, Mr. Chandlee resigned, in order to enter the employ of the Gamewell Fire Alarm Company, of New York city. He has continued with this concern ever since, and is a stockholder in the company, which manufactures ninety- eight per cent of the fire and police alarms (and their accompanying fixtures). used in the United States. Mr. Chandlee acts as a salesman and expert, having control of the territory included within the states of Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and the western part of Pennsylvania, over one hundred sys- tems being in operation. He is an enterprising business man, thoroughly posted in all the details of his work, and is considered one of the most valu- able salesman employed by the company.
Socially Mr. Chandlee is very popular, and in the fraternities he is identified with Richmond Lodge, No. 196, Free & Accepted Masons; King Solomon's Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Richmond Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar; Valley of Indianapolis Consistory, and Murat Temple, of Indianapolis. Politically he uses his franchise on behalf of the nominees of the Republican party.
A few years age Mr. Chandlee erected a handsome, commodious resi- dence on National avenue. The home is furnished in excellent taste, reflect- ing credit upon the cultured inmates, who take part in the social gatherings- of Earlham College and neighborhood. The marriage of Mr. Chandlee and Miss Emily W. Jackson was celebrated October 19, 1876. They have an interesting family, a son and five daughters, who in order of birth are named as follows: Edith A., Lillian R., Benjamin G., Edna M., Eleanor I., and Ruth M. Mr. Chandlee is very domestic and fond of his family, with whom he spends as much time as he can spare from his business.
JOSEPH J. LEE.
Throughout life this gentleman has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Franklin county, and he is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family that has borne a very active part in the growth and development of this section of the state. He was born March 13, 1823, on a part of the old homestead, in Bath township, where he still resides, and was educated in the subscription and public schools of those early days, then conducted in a small log school-house.
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Abram Lee, father of our subject, was born in Maryland, December 15 .. 1778, and was the seventh son in a family of nine children. When only four years old he was taken by his parents to Bryant's Station, Kentucky, where he grew to manhood and received his education. There he began the study of civil engineering and practice of surveying, under the tutorship of the celebrated Israel Ludlow. He took part in the Indian war under Gen- eral William Henry Harrison, his captain being his brother Samuel. About 1800, with a small colony, Mr. Lee crossed the Ohio river at North Bend and soon afterward became a squatter at the mouth of Dry Fork, near the present site of New Haven, Ohio. There he was united in marriage with Miss Eunice Atherton, who was born at Bryant's Station, Kentucky, April 8, 1782. Her father, Aaron Atherton, a farmer of Kentucky, participated in many Indian raids in that state, and was also present at St. Clair's defeat, when in battle in Darke county, Ohio, with the noted chief, Little Turtle. He and his family were with the little colony that crossed the Ohio river and settled on Dry Fork, in Hamilton county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days, engaged in farming. He was a very brave man and was highly respected and honored by all who knew him. His children were: Aaron, who remained in Kentucky, becoming a large slave-owner and prominent farmer of that state; Robert and Renyon, who died in Illinois; Stout, who died in Indiana; and another son, who died in Illinois; Mrs. Rebecca Shaw; Mrs. Nancy White, Mrs. Jerusha Devonshire; and Eunice, mother of our subject. The entire family held membership in the Primitive Baptist church.
About the time of his marriage Abram Lee built a cabin for himself and wife on a tributary of Dry Fork, known as Lee's creek, so named in his honor, as he was the first settler on its banks. In 1807 he entered the south- east quarter of section 36, Bath township, Franklin county. Indiana, and the following year located there, making it his permanent home. He was one of the leading men in the little community and was well and favorably known throughout the county. He was a public surveyor long before the office of county surveyor was established by law, as the frequent recurrence of his name upon public records shows. He was also one of the early justices of the peace and held that office for several years. He was interested in several schemes for the betterment of his neighborhood, some of which have gone down in history. He was an active member of the Indian Creek Baptist church in Ohio and one of the principal supporters of religion in his own and adjoining settlements. He was one of the sturdy pioneers, whose influ- ence was always found on the side of right and order, and he was a charita- ble Christian gentleman. While on his way to church he was thrown from his horse and so badly injured that he died five days later, on the 29th of April, 1858, at the home of a neighbor, James Harter, in Ohio. In his fam-
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ily were the following children: Nancy, born in 1802, died in infancy; Aaron, born in 1806, was drowned in the east fork of White river; Margaret, born June 4, 1810, married a Mr. Thurston, was the mother of Rev. Abra- ham Thurston, and died in 1864; William, born in 1812, died in 1857; Rhoda, born May 4, 1816, married à Mr. Billings and died in Coffey county, Kansas, in December, 1872; Saul M. was born February 17, 1819; John R. was born February 10, 1821; Joseph J., our subject, is the next in order of birth; and Abraham S. was born June 9, 1825.
Until his marriage the subject of this sketch lived at home, aiding his father in the work of the farm. He then erected a house upon another por- tion of the place and resided there for fourteen years, when the father divided his property among his three children. Our subject received his share and later purchased the shares of the others, so that he is now the owner of nearly all of the old homestead, upon which he has successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout life. About the time of the division of the land the old home was destroyed by fire, and the parents then lived with our subject until called to their final rest. Their remains were interred in the cemetery adjoining the Indian Creek church, of which they had been mem- bers for many years and assisted in organizing in 1812. Our subject and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church, and in politics he was first a Whig and is now a stalwart Republican. He is a man of the strictest integ- rity and honor, and his career has ever been such as to commend him to the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact either in business or social life.
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