USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 7
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 7
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 7
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 7
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On the 19th of October, 1869, Dr. Thurston married Miss Ida Elliott, of Henry county, Indiana. They have had a daughter and a son, -Eveleth Mabel; and Richard Elliott, who died November 3, 1893. The family have a very pleasant and attractive home, where their hosts of friends are always royally welcome.
DAVID LYONS.
The Lyons family is one that has long been identified with Fayette county and its development. Lyons station, in this county, was named in honor of a representative of this family, and in various other ways has their impress been left here, as the following lines show.
David Lyons, whose name forms the heading of this sketch, was born in Fayette county, Indiana, March 5, 1821, son of Abraham and Parmelia (Veach) Lyons, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. Abraham Lyons was a son of Moses Lyons, a native of the Old Dominion and of German descent. From Virginia Moses Lyons emigrated to Ken- tucky at an early day, and in 1817, the year after Indiana attained to the dignity of statehood, he came hither, settling in Fayette county, where he improved a farm. Some of his children were born in Virginia and some in Indiana, their names, in order of birth, being as follows: Abraham, Betsey, Anna, George and Harrison,-all now deceased. Betsey married a Mr. Veach. Anna became Mrs. Remington and was the mother of Moses Rem- ington, who served as a member of the state legislature of Indiana.
Abraham Lyons was reared on his father's frontier farm in Fayette county and passed through all the privations and hardships incident to life on the frontier. He spent his youthful days in assisting his father in the improvement and cultivation of the farm, and remained a member of the home circle until the time of his marriage. After his marriage he settled on a portion of the homestead. A few years later he bought a few acres and a cabin, and, with this for a start, succeeded in accumulating a nice property. He afterward bought and moved to another farm, and engaged in general mer- chandising, running a country store, and when the railroad was built here the station was named in honor of him, -Lyons Station. For twenty-five years he was engaged in merchandising here. He was a man of sterling integrity, honorable and upright in all his dealings, noted for his genial, social nature and for his hospitality, and, like his honored father before him, he enjoyed the confidence and high esteem of all who knew him. He died in 1884, at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife, whose maiden name was Parmelia Veach, was a daughter of John Veach, a gunsmith by trade, but for a num- ber of years engaged in agricultural pursuits. John Veach came with his family from Kentucky to this state in 1820, and his death occurred here about ten years later. He and his family were Methodists. His children in order
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of birth were Jonathan, Ai, Philip and Parmelia. The children of Abraham and Parmelia Lyons were as follows: David, whose name introduces this sketch; Thomas, of Fayette county; George, of Flora, Indiana; Abraham, deceased; Andrew, who resides on the old homestead; Mrs. Cynthia Walker; and Mrs. Mary Zimmerman.
David Lyons spent his boyhood days in honest toil on the farm'and in attending the subscription schools of the neighborhood. He remained at home until his twenty-seventh year, when he married and then settled on land owned by his father. Soon afterward he bought a farm, which, how- ever, he subsequently sold, and in 1862 he moved to the place on which he has since lived. For many years he carried on farming operations success- fully, but for some time past has lived retired from active work, renting his farm. Like his father and grandfather, he is known as a Democrat, giving this party his support but never seeking official honors, nor has he ever filled public office.
Mr. Lyons married Miss Jane Hubbell, who was born in Fayette county, Indiana, November 14, 1820, daughter of John and Barbara (Warner) Hub- bell, who were of German extraction. John Hubbell was a son of John Hub- bell, Sr., a veteran of the Revolutionary war, and a pioneer of Ohio and Indiana, in which latter state his death occurred. The younger John Hub- bell was born in Pennsylvania. He grew to manhood and was married in Ohio, and in 1819 came to Indiana and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Fayette county, built a cabin on the same and improved his farm, and here passed the rest of his life, his death occurring in September, 1868. He was a consistent member of the New Light church. His wife's death occurred seven years before his. Their children, nine in number, are as follows: Mrs. Hannah Sutton, Mrs. Polly Dawson, Mrs. Sally Worth, Mrs. Betsey Hubbard, Mrs. Anna Johnson, Mrs. Jane Lyons, Mrs. Rebecca Remington, Leonard and John. Mr. and Mrs. David Lyons became the parents of the following named children: Indiana, Christiana and John, all of whom died in early life; Mrs. Rebecca Burk; James B,, who died at the age of thirteen years; William E., a resident of Kansas; Mary H., and Ade- line, now Mrs. Caldwell. The devoted wife and loving mother departed this life August 7, 1888. She was a consistent member of the Baptist church, as are also some of the children.
JOHN BOWMAN.
The banking institutions of a county or town indicate in a large degree the prosperity, thrift and business standing of the merchants and citizens of the locality, and when properly managed reflect credit upon the place. Wayne county is especially fortunate in the character of its banks and finan-
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ciers, among the latter being numbered John Bowman, the popular cashier of the Commercial Bank, of Hagerstown.
Benjamin Bowman, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and four of his sons, including David, the father of our subject, were ministers of the German Baptist denomination. The family is of German origin, and for several generations has been represented in Pennsylvania, being noted for sterling qualities that have commanded the respect of every- body. David Bowman, born in Montgomery county, Ohio, March 26, 1812, removed with his parents, Benjamin and Elizabeth Bowman, to Indiana, when he was about five years of age. They located on a tract of govern- ment land, just north of Cambridge City, Wayne county, and a few years later the father removed to Delaware county, Indiana, where he resided until his death. He had numerous sons and daughters, of whom all but one lived to attain the ripe age of four-score years or more.
David Bowman was a man of much more than ordinary ability, and, considering his limited advantages for the acquisition of an education, his scholarship was truly remarkable. For several years he was successfully engaged in teaching in Wayne and Henry counties, and for fifteen years he served as a justice of the peace. At the same time he conducted a farm in Jefferson township, and ministered to the needs of the church with which he was identified. Politically he was a Whig and Republican, but would never accept an elective office. He was noted for the absolute uprightness and justness of his character, and he was not only looked up to and consulted by all his neighbors, but was called upon to settle a number of estates. His death occurred at his home near Hagerstown, in February, 1893. He is survived by his wife, who was born in North Carolina, in 1814, and who was Miss Ruth Bell in her girlhood. Her father, Thomas Bell, a native of the same state, removed to the vicinity of New Albany, Indiana, at an early day, and later settled in Wayne county, where his death took place many years ago. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowman eight lived to mature years, and six survive at this writing. Benjamin, who is a resident of Hagerstown, served in the war of the Rebellion in the Fifty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and for a number of years has been an invalid, as the result of his arduous army experiences. Ithamar is a citizen of Jasper county, Missouri. Nancy is the wife of Rev. Lewis Teeter, of Hagerstown. Sanford, a teacher by profession, lives in Marion, Indiana. Mary A. is the wife of Hugh Allen, of Hagerstown, Elizabeth and Nehemiah died after having arrived at maturity.
John Bowman, of this sketch, was born in Liberty township, Henry county, Indiana, August 2, 1841. His birthplace was but two miles west of Hagerstown, and in this immediate vicinity his entire life has been spent.
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He worked on the old homestead until he reached his majority, attending school during the winter season. Later he was a student in the high schools of Dublin and Hagerstown, and having obtained a certificate he then engaged in teaching in the local schools for ten successive winter terms. In 1876 he embarked in the grocery business in Hagerstown, and for three years was thus occupied. Since 188 1 he has been the cashier of the Commercial Bank of Hagerstown, and has been largely instrumental in the maintenance of its high reputation for careful and systematic transaction of all business entrusted to its keeping.
On the 10th of September, 1862, the marriage of Mr. Bowman and Miss Martha A. Mason was celebrated at the home of the bride's parents, Jacob and Louisa (Guinn) Mason, pioneers of this county. Mr. Mason is prominent in Jefferson township, of which locality he was trustee for six years, and from 1880 to 1889 he served the people of Wayne county most acceptably as a commissioner. The only child of our subject and wife is Edward, born August 30, 1863, and at present a trusted employe of the Panhandle Rail- road, at Anderson, Indiana. On Thanksgiving day, 1885, Edward Bowman was united in marriage to Addie Mathews, daughter of Hannibal and Olive (Perry) Mathews, who are old residents of Hagerstown. To this union two children have been born, Edith and Rush, both bright and promising chil- dren.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are consistent members of the Christian church, and have scores of warm friends in this section.
ASHER PEARCE.
To the heroes who fought and suffered, giving several of the best years of their early manhood to the preservation of the country under whose flag they were born, universal tribute of gratitude is given, and it is well that their patriotic service should find mention in the annals of their state and nation. Those who are enjoying the peace and prosperity which have come as the direct result of that long and dreadful struggle between the north and south cannot have too often impressed upon their minds the great price which it cost.
One of the highly respected citizens of Williamsburg, Wayne county, is Asher Pearce, one of the boys who wore the blue, and whose war record is given below. He is the namesake of his grandfather, Asher Pearce, who was born in New Jersey, September 25, 1768. For several generations, it seems, the Pearces dwelt in that state, and many of them were seafaring men. Two of the sons of Asher Pierce were lost at sea, and of his once numerous family only one daughter, Elizabeth, survives, her home being in New Jersey, as of yore. Her mother, the wife of Asher Pearce, bore the maiden name of Mary
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Ellison, and she was born December 20, 1771. The father of the subject of this article was Herbert C. Pearce, whose birth occurred in the town of Manasquan, New Jersey, September 28, 1800. When arrived at man's estate he married Margaret Wooley, and in 1837 he came to Wayne county, accompanied by the members of his household and settled upon land in the northwest part of Green township. In 1846 they removed to Williamsburg, where the devoted wife and mother was called to her reward in 1850. For a score of years the father was engaged in merchandising, retiring in the winter of 1866-7. It was his great misfortune to lose his eyesight when he was seventy-six years of age, and for twenty years, or until his death, he was totally blind. His life came to a close August 16, 1896, when he was within twelve days of being ninety-six years old. One of the most worthy and genuinely esteemed citizens of this county, he left the priceless heritage of an unblemished name and record to his children and posterity. He was firm in his convictions of right and duty and never wavered when he had made up his mind to a course of action. Both he and his wife were life-long members of the United Brethren church, and were among the first connected with that denomination in this section of the county.
Of the eight children born to Herbert C. Pearce and wife all but one lived to maturity: Lewis, born March 23, 1828, went to California in 1850, where he continued to make his home until his death in 1896; Lydia, born May 1, 1830, is the wife of Enoch Bunnell; Mary, born October 23, 1832, married William P. Campbell, and is a resident of Fountain City, Wayne county; James L., born December 7, 1834, is a citizen of Williamsburg; Caroline, born January 27, 1837, became the wife of Thomas Campbell, and lives in this town also; William H., born August 29, 1844, was one of the brave soldier boys who gave up their lives for their country, having enlisted as a member of Company E, Sixty-ninth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and his death occurring at Memphis, Tennessee, in 1863, when he was less than twenty years of age.
Asher Pearce was born on the old homestead previously mentioned, the date of his birth being July 3, 1840. He was about six years of age when he accompanied the family in its removal to Williamsburg, which place has since been his home. His education was obtained in the village school, and the principles of trade were mastered by him at an early age in his father's store. The outbreak of the war drove all thought of business from his mind and on the 18th of October, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company D, Fifty-seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry. As is well known, this regiment participated in many of the important and decisive campaigns and battles of the war, and won distinction for brilliant action upon many a southern battle-field. One of the hardest-fought engagements in which the
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young soldier took part was that of Stone River, December 31, 1862, after which he was in the battle of Missionary Ridge and most of those of the Atlanta campaign, under the leadership of General Sherman. After the evacuation of Atlanta the gallant Fifty-seventh was detached from the main army and sent to reinforce General Thomas, while their late comrades pro- ceeded on their memorable march with Sherman to the sea. General Thomas and his troops had a no less important campaign in the vicinity of Nashville, as the Confederate army under General Hood was fearfully cut to pieces. The war was terminated soon afterward, but the work of the Fifty- seventh was not yet finished, as they were a part of the army which it was deemed necessary to maintain at that time in Texas. Sent there under com- mand of Stanley, they were held ready to check any aggressive movement which might be made by Maximilian, then leading a strong military party in Mexico and marching toward the border. The defeat of his forces, and his subsequent sentence to death, meant the restoration of the former state of affairs in the southern republic, and the Fifty-seventh was mustered out of the service December 14, 1865. Mr. Pearce's term of service thus extended over four years, and though he had numerous narrow escapes he received but one serious wound. At the battle of Missionary Ridge he was struck by a minie ball, which penetrated his left arm near the shoulder and entered his body not far from his heart. The ball was extracted by a surgeon and Mr. Pearce keeps it as a memento of the famous battle above the clouds. Though he continued in his place of duty to the end of the war he has never fully recovered from the shot which so nearly proved fatal. After his return home he resumed his former occupation as a merchant and conducted a large and paying business for many years. He is practically retired now, having accumulated a competency. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and fra- ternally he is a Mason, having attained the master's degree.
Twenty-four years ago, in 1875, Mr. Pearce married Miss Naomi E. Campbell, a daughter of William Campbell and a native of Green township, Wayne county. The only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pearce is Beryl, wife of Grant Watkins, of Green township. The only son, Omar, is still with his parents. Both were given an excellent education and are well qualified to take representative positions in society, as their parents have done.
CHARLES MARVEL, M. D.
The Marvels came to America from England in early colonial days, and from that time until the present have been represented in the annals of the state of Delaware. The founder of the family on this continent possessed extensive tracts of land in Delaware, holding patents to the same, and these interesting documents are now in the hands of the subject of this narrative.
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
The old Marvel estate mentioned has been owned by several generations, and the records show that the Doctor, his father, grandfather and great-grand- father were all born there. His ancestors were thrifty and highly prosperous agriculturists, devoted to their country and to whatever they believed was conducive to the welfare of the public. Many of them have occupied offi- cial positions of more or less importance, meeting their responsibilities in a manner which commanded the praise of all concerned.
Philip Marvel, son of Robert Marvel and the great-grandfather of the Doctor, as stated above, was born on the old homestead, five miles south of Georgetown, and there his entire life was passed. He was a stanch and active Democrat, as was also his son, Josiah, the next in the line of descent. The latter, who died at the age of eighty-two years, in 1862, had been a life-long resident on the old family estate. His first marriage was to a Miss Doffin, of Maryland, while his second wife was Lovey Tindall. The parents of the Doctor were Josiah Philips and Harriet Ann (Pepper) Marvel. The father, who was born in 1825, and died in 1897, was a thrifty, progressive farmer, respected and loved by all who knew him. In the local Democracy he was a leader, and his party friends elected him to the office of county treasurer in 1867 and to the office of sheriff in 1871, in which latter position he served acceptably for two years. From 1892 until his death he acted in the capacity of prothonotary. "Of the thirteen children born to himself and wife two of the sons are attorneys-at-law, one is a physician, one is a farmer and the remaining son is now attending college. David Thomas has been county attorney, clerk of the legislature, secretary of state during the term of Governor Reynolds and afterward associate judge of the supreme court of the state.
Dr. Charles Marvel was born at the homestead of his forefathers March 28, 1864. He is largely self-educated, though he completed his studies in the higher branches at St. John's Preparatory School, near Wilmington, Delaware, and later attended the Conference Academy at Dover. When about eighteen years of age he began teaching school, and for the four years following was thus employed. During President Cleveland's first administra- tion he was appointed and served for almost two years as superintendent of the Fort Peck Indian Agency, in Montana, then resigning, in order to devote his whole time and attention to the study of medicine. His preceptor was Dr. Charles Henry Richards, of Georgetown, Delaware, until ISS8, when he matriculated in the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia. Subsequently to his graduation, in 1891, he opened an office in Atlantic City, and two years later he removed to Philadelphia, where he resided about eighteen months. In September, 1884, he came to Richmond, where he is building up a large and remunerative practice, and has won the good will and genuine
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regard of his brother physicians. He belongs to the County, State and American Medical Associations, and at one time was the president of the county organization. Since 1896 he has been the local surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He holds membership in the Society of Friends.
The marriage of Dr. Marvel and Mary Amy, daughter of Ben and Eliz- abeth (Barker) Johnson was celebrated in this city October 18, 1893. The pleasant home of the young couple is blessed with the presence of their little son, Josiah Philips, and daughter, Elizabeth Johnson.
MOSES SCHMUCK.
Moses Schmuck, of Hagerstown, has been a witness of much of the development of Wayne county. He was born in York county, Pennsyl- vania, September 15, 1820, and passed seventeen years of his life in that state. In 1837 the family, comprising the parents, Jacob and Catherine Schmuck, their six sons and five daughters, came to Wayne county. Locat- ing near Cambridge City, they occupied a cabin and passed the winter as well as they could, and the following year they removed to Jackson- burg, in Jackson township. Subsequently they made their home in Ran- dolph county for about eighteen years. The wife and mother departed this life in 1870, and three years later the father died at the home of our sub- ject, with whom he passed his last years. Only four of their children are now living, and of these Aaron, eighty-eight years of age, is the eldest. He lives at the German Baptist Home in Henry county, while Cornelius is a resident of Huntington county; and Eli dwells near Fairmount, Grant county. The only daughter, Christina, widow of William Moore, lives with her son in Randolph county.
Since he was old enough to handle a plow, and the various implements necessary in farming, Moses Schmuck has been interested in agriculture, and during his prime he was very successful in the management of his country homesteads. He has been the owner of farms in Jefferson township and in Henry county. After a life filled with industry and hard labor, he is now practically retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil.
In all his undertakings, Mr. Schmuck found a true helpmate in the wife of his youth. She was Catherine Dilling prior to their marriage, June 18, 1845, a daughter of Jacob Dilling, born July 28, 1823. She died November 15, 1890, and about a year later Mr. Schmuck married Mrs. Elizabeth Schmuck, the widow of his brother Jacob. She is a native of North Carolina, her birth having occurred in Guilford county, April 18, 1827. With her father, James Turner, she came to southern Indiana in 1832, and a few years later he set- tled on a farm in Jefferson township. For five years he lived at the Amos
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Kauffman homestead, and for a similar length of time he carried on the Mason farm. The last years of Mr. and Mrs. Turner were spent in Grant county, Indiana. Of their fifteen children several died when young and nine are still living. It was in 1846 that Elizabeth Turner married Jacob Schmuck, who was summoned to the silent land October 22, 1890.
Four children were born to Moses and Catherine (Dilling) Schmuck, namely: Susanna, whose birth occurred December 5, 1851; Jacob, who was born October 23, 1854, and died in infancy; Eli, born November 24, 1860, and now living in the vicinity of North Manchester, Indiana; and Alma, born October 5, 1863. Susanna, the eldest child, is the wife of Hiram Rhinehart; and Alma, who was the wife of Charles Hutchins, died in 1898.
Mr. and Mrs. Schmuck have spent the greater portion of their useful, happy lives in Wayne county, have watched its development from a wilder- ness to a thriving, prosperous country, and have done their share toward this grand result of the labors of man. They are earnest, active members of the German Baptist church and are loved and esteemed by all.
JOHN W. BROCKMAN.
On the roster of Franklin county officials appears the name of this gen- tleman, who is now capably serving as county treasurer and who is connected with the business interests of Brookville as proprietor of one of its leading livery stables. He was born in Oldenburg, Indiana, July 28, 1861, and is a son of Frederick Brockman, a native of Germany, who came to this country when eighteen years of age and for twenty years made his home in Cincin- nati. He then removed to Franklin county, locating at Oldenburg, where he passed the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1883, when he had attained the age of sixty-four years. By occupation he was a farmer. He married Catherine Kunnen, who also was born in the Fatherland and died in Oldenburg, when about sixty years of age. By their union were born seven children, of whom three are living.
In the usual manner of farmer lads of the period Mr. Brockman, of this review, spent the days of his boyhood and youth, pursuing his education in the common schools, aiding in the labors of the fields and indulging in the sports in which boys of the period delighted. Having acquired his prelim- inary education in the schools of Oldenburg, he spent two years as a student im St. Mary's College, in Dayton, Ohio, after which he returned to Franklin county. He began farming on his own account in Ray township, and still owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land there, the place being well improved with all the conveniences and accessories of the model farm.
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