Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 2, Part 23

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 948

USA > Indiana > Adams County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 2 > Part 23
USA > Indiana > Wells County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 2 > Part 23

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).

the village of Eagleville, but a short distance from the former. After improving this farm for several years, a part of it was sold and he removed his family to Ossian, Indiana, and engaged in mercantile trade, which he con- tinned for a period of four years, at the end of which time he returned to his farm near Eagleville, where he continued to live until his death in 1858, at the age of forty-five years. He died from an attack of " milk- sick," at the time a very common disease, but at present rare to both man and beast. John Fulton, at his death, left a widow and eight children to mourn the loss of a kind and indulgent husband and father. His widow followed him to the land of rest, six years later, at the age of forty-five years, after many years of suffering of tuberculosis. The conple had long been faithful and con- sistent members of the United Presbyterian church, he being a ruling elder in that church at Murray, Indiana. The following is a list of their children in the order of their birth and their place of residence-Milton S. Wash- burn, Woodford County, Illinois, engaged in the drug business; Martha A. Van Buskirk, Shenandoah, Page County, Iowa; John C. (subject of sketch); Mary E. Lawrence, Greensburg, Kiowa County, Kansas; Rachel A. Park, Blue Hill, Nebraska; Clarissa A. MeCay, Akron, Ohio; George E. (subject of sketeh); James C. died at the age of six years near Eagleville, Indiana, from pro- tracted debility following an attack of chicken- pox. Dr. John Calvin Fulton was born February 22, 1845, in Stark County, Ohio. Ilis career was uneventful and common to that of other boys until he arrived at the age of sixteen, when that long threatening eloud of Rebellion burst over the land and he, in October, 1861, responded to his coun . try's call, enlisting in Company G, Twelfth Indiana Volunteers, and served until the ex-

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piration of the time of enlistment of the regiment in May, 1862. He again enlisted in August, 1862, in Company G, One Hun- dred and First Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the many hard-fought battles under Rosecrans. " Pap Thomas " (as the soldiers frequently called General Thomas), and Unele Billy Sherman's " grand march to the sea " found the subject of this sketch one of Major Steele's " mounted scouts and foragers." At the close of the war Dr. J. C. Fulton returned home, and in the spring of 1866 went to Martin, Allegan County, Michigan, and engaged in selling general merchandise and in reading medicine for some years. In 1869 and 1870 he attended lectures at the Miami Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in March of the latter year he began the practice of medicine in Murray, Indiana, where he has continued to prosecute his profession ever since. In the hope that some other boy like himself, poor in this world's goods, may take courage, he states that he had but 89 in the wide world when he commenced to practice medicine. This straitened financial condition on the one hand was soon to be overcome by na- ture's ample endowment on the other, he be- ing possessed of a vigorous constitution and a buoyant heart. When his professional services were in demand he was not slow in mounting his horse or sulky and respond- ing, but under greater disadvantages to travel from that of to-day. Gravel roads are a modern convenience, the conception of which possi- bly had not gained its identity in the minds of the unborn generations to which " unknown elime" we are to-day rapidly consigning the last of the pioneers, who, in the greatness of their hearts, gave ns the " corduroy " and inud-roads. Buggies at that time were a rarity, there being but two or three in the township; at the present time, seventeen

years later, almost every young man of the age of sixteen keeps his own horse and buggy. January 11, 1872, Dr. J. C. Fulton was united in marriage to Jennie B., daughter of William and Caroline (Riddle) Ifanna, of Murray, Wells County, Indiana. Mrs. Dr. Fulton's parents were born in Ohio, the father in Wayne County, and the mother in Trumbull County. They were married in Wells County, Indiana, in 1845, where they continued to reside on their farm until re- moved by death. Mr. Hanna died April, 1873, at the age of fifty-six years; Mrs. Ilanna died March, 1876, aged fifty-eight. To Dr. John C. and Jennie B. Fulton were born four daughters-Minnie U., October 9, 1872; Mabel D., March 31, 1881; Alfie A., October 3, 1884; Jennie B. M., December 16, 1886. Since the commencement of the writing of this sketch, Dr. Fulton has been called to mourn the loss by death of this noble companion and these little daughters of that which time and wealth can never re- place, the watchful, tender care of a loving mother. Mrs. Dr. J. C. Fulton died Janu- ary 26, 1887, after a short illness of only four days duration, from acute peritonitis. In her death, society lost an ornament, but heaven gained a jewel. In connection with his practice Dr. Fulton is quite extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits. Hle is an ex-president of the Wells County Medical Society, and was the delegate from Wells County to the American Medical Association which met in Chicago in the year 1887. He is the present president of the Wells County Short-Horn Breeders Association, and makes a specialty of raising and selling thoroughbred stock. ITis sale at his farm in 1886 of fifteen head of short-horn cattle at public anetion was the first of the kind ever made in Wells County, and proved to be not only a financial success to himself but a

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broad step toward the higher elevation, at least in one branch, of the art of agriculture in Wells County.

Dr. George Egbert Fulton is the seventh child of John and Sarah (Egbert) Fulton. Ile is a native of Wells County, Indiana, born in Ossian, October 8, 1855. Ifis father and mother's death, as has previously been stated in the family history, left him an orphan at the age of eight years, thus causing him to be early thrown on his own resources. The family being broken up after the mother's death, he went to reside in Illinois with an unele, where he remained working on the farm in the summer and attending school in the winter, until he attained the age of twelve-years. At this portion of his career he suddenly and without any special cause other than an intense longing for the friends and haunts of former days, returned to his former home in Indiana without asking leave of his friends. This journey being nearly 300 miles in distance, was to say the least venturesome for a boy of twelve to undertake, and without money to pay his railroad fare and who knew little comparatively of rail- roads or cities. The journey, however, was completed in two days' time, he riding part of the distance on freight cars, the rest on the rear platform of the passenger trains. The journey necessitated several important changes of roads, one being Chicago. After remaining in Indiana a short time visiting friends, he returned to Illinois and arranged with a brother-in-law to go to Iowa; the journey was made overland in emigrant wagons. Being somewhat encouraged over his former success in travel, and having an inordinate desire to see more of the world, he again set ont, this time separating himself far from kinsfolk. This tour was set out upon from Hamburg, Iowa, dating perhaps nearly two years later than the one first spoken of.

Starting out on foot, he walked, in company with a trapper, to Sioux City, Iowa, a city near the line of Dakota Territory, and dis- tant some 200 miles from the point of start- ing. At this time the country was new and unsettled and he was obliged to sleep out upon the open prairie at night, fortunately for him it was in the summer season. There being no habitation for miles around and with nought but damp prairie sod for his couch and the broad expanse of heaven's starry canopy for his covering, he would lie down night after night in quest of tired na- ture's restorative-sleep. A very limited stock of edibles, but a liberal supply of that essential beverage, water, were procured and carried in tin buckets from the towns or set- tlements passed through while covering the distance. Arriving at Sioux City, he secured a situation on a steamboat, there being regu- lar packets plying between this city and Fort Benton, Montana Territory, for the purpose of carrying Government supplies to the Indians on their reservations and to the soldiers of the regular army, which were stationed at the various forts along the Mis- souri River, through Dakota and Montana Territories. For a couple of months in each year he followed steamboating, the remainder of the time for two conseentive years he attended school in Sioux City, being very desirous of an education, and well knowing this to be a necessary foundation to success in the future. Having rare advantages of good schools in this eity, he made rapid progress, being in the high school depart- ment when he last attended this school. The several trips taken by steamboat up the Mis- souri, passing entirely through Dakota from south to north, and as far as Fort Peek, in Montana Territory, were indeed thrilling and picturesque; vast hierds of antelope, elk and buffalo roamed at large over the waste-

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ful traet, stretehing ont before the eye; again, in some places, erag and peak and dale and precipice, coupled with a personal view of various tribes of Indians, minnbering in some instances thousands, and arrayed in their war paint, making the seene wild and frightful by their uneivilized demonstrations; taken as a whole these all combine to make a pie- ture far surpassing in its effects that which the most accomplished wielder of the pen or brush could possibly portray. At that time the Indians being hostile the boats were sup- plied with arms by the Goverment for pro- teetion. In August, 1872, he went to St. Lonis as an employe on the steamboat E. IT. Durphey; remaining in the city a short time he secured a position on the passenger and freight steamer Glencoe, and passed down the Mississippi to New Orleans. Not satis- fied with the future prospects offered in the life of a steamboatman, and thinking there might be something better in store for him, he quit the boat and east his lot in the great city of New Orleans. After persistent effort he secured a position in the St. Charles hotel, the most commodious- and famous hotel in the South. Ilis faithfulness to the duties as- signed him was rewarded by successive pro- motions, from that of a messenger boy until he became one of the chief clerks in the office. During his stay in New Orleans the South was visited by the yellow fever seourge, and also there veeurred the " MeEnery-Kellogg riots," over the gubernatorial contest. After residing in the city of New Orleans for nearly three years he left for his old home in Wells County, arriving home in June, 1875, after an absence of eleven years, and having been in ten States and two of the Ter- ritories, and being but nineteen years of age. Soon after his return he began the study of medieine with his brother, Dr. J. C. Fulton, of Murray, and after taking three courses of

lectures at the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, he graduated at that insti- tution in the spring of 1878. Immediately after graduation Dr. Fulton commenced the practice of medicine in Murray, where he continued in his profession in this place for four years, and in 1832 located in Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana, where he still con- tinnes his ehosen profession. Dr. G. E. Ful- ton was married September 25, 1881, to Mary, daughter of William and Mary (Kirk- patrick) Mossy, of Wells County, Indiana. Mrs. Dr. Fulton's parents were born in Ire- land and immigrated to this country in their youth, in 1840. They were married in Ma- honing County, Ohio, in 1844, and came to Indiana the same year, settling in the midst of a dense forest, in Rock Creek Township, Wells County. With untiring energy they toiled, clearing away the timber and eulti- vating the lands, and in time supplanting the log cabin and barn with substantial mod- ern structures, until they possess one of the best tracts of improved land in Wells Connty. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mossy were born six children -John K., yet living; William M died at the age of five years; Mary, wife of Dr. G. E. Fulton; two died in infancy; Donaldson, the youngest, was killed on the Toledo & Wabash Railroad, near Defiance, Ohio, while acting in the em- ploy of the road as brakesman; he was struck by the engine of a rapidly-moving passenger train and died in a few hours from injuries thus received. Ile was killed in 1880 at the age of twenty-four years. As age and failing health came on, Mr. and Mrs. Mossy retired from the farm and moved to Bluffton, where they remained until removed by death. Mr. Mossy died in 1880, at the age of sixty-two years, and Mrs. Mossy in 1884, at the age of seventy years. Mrs. Mossy was a most de- voted Christian, being from childhood a

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member of the Presbyterian church. She was able before the deeline of old age to re- peat from memory all the Psalins, and also chapter after chapter of other portions of Holy Writ. Dr. and Mrs. Fulton have two children-Anna, born December 24, 1882, and June M., born June 30, 1886. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church, of Bluffton, of which he is an elder. He is also a member of Bluffton Lodge, K. of P. Politieally Dr. G. E. Fulton affiliates with the Democratic party. In 1876 he made a tour through the East, some of the more noted places visited being Niagara Falls, Washington City, Philadelphia, and the Cen- tennial Exposition at the latter place.

TILLIAM C. ZION, of Zanesville, was born in Madison County, Indiana, February 10, 1845, son of Jolm P. and Nancy (Crismore) Zion, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Pennsyl- vania. They were married in Rush County, Indiana, and their children, seven in number, have all been born in this State-Jacob S., William C., George W., Thomas J. and John II .; two are deceased. Jacob married Susan Sonner; George married Rebecca Bell; Thomas J. married Mary Ellsworth; John IF. married Ida Hindman, and William C. married Mary C. Wagner Angust 14, 1573, Rev. William Curtis, a Baptist elergyman, performing the marriage ceremony. Mrs. Zion's parents were Martin and Catherine (Welbaum) Wagner, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who removed from that State to Allen County in 1841. Eight children were born in that county-Rachel A., Mary B., Jacob M., Phoebe E., Rebecca I., Joseph B., Abra- ham L. and William D. The father was a soldier during the late war, being a member

of Company C. Seventy-fourth Indiana In- fantry. He participated in the battle of Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, the siege of Atlanta, and was with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea. Ile was twice wounded during the service. At the close of the war he re- turned home, and he and his good wife are still living in Allen County. The Zion family eame to Wells County October 20, 1863, pur- chasing the farm where the parents now re- side. The father was born in 1818, and the mother in 1823. William C. was well edu- cated, but his life has been spent on the farm. After his marriage he settled upon the farm where he now resides, which was purchased in 1870, and had only a small elearing and no house. The next spring he erected a nice farm-house. All the improvements have been made by himself, and he now has a fine farm of 120 acres, well stocked and con- veniently arranged. Their children are-Ida E., Jason C. and Franklin A. In 1884 Mr. Zion was elected township trustee by the Democratic party, and in 1886 he was re- elected. The Needmore school-house and the Zanesville school building have been erected since he has held the office, and the new iron bridge between sections 12 and 13 has been built, also two frame bridges across Flat and Davis creeks.

&SBURY DUGLAY, senior member of the law firm of Duglay & Silver, of Bluffton, is a native of Allen County, Indiana, born on a farm near Churubusco, January 10, 1859, a son of Joseph S. and Margaret (Avis) Duglay, the father a native of France, and the mother born at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, of German parentage. Our subject was reared on the home farm in

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Allen County, and at the age of fifteen years his father allowed him to do for himself, when he began teaching school. He received the rudiments of an education in the district schools and at a select school at Churubusco. In 1875 he entered Fort Wayne College at Fort Wayne, Indiana, from which institution he graduated in the class of 1579, he having defrayed his college expenses by teaching in the schools of Allen, Whitley and Noble counties, Indiana, during the winter terms. In 1850 he began the study of law in the law office of Robertson & Harper at Fort Wayne, where he remained as a student one year, when he entered the law department of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, and gradnated in 1852. In April of that year he came to Bluffton, Wells County, In- diana, and began the practice of law with J. J. Todd, under the firm name of Todd & Duglay. In April, 1885, he retired from the firm and became associated with Winfield S. Silver, when the present law firm of Duglay & Silver was formed. Mr. Duglay was mar- ried at Bluffton August 21, 1883, to Miss Julia Lusk, a daughter of Mrs. Mary Frees, of Bluffton. She was born in Wells County, Indiana, reared and educated in the schools of Bluffton, and before her marriage taught in the schools of Wells County. Mr. and Mrs. Duglay are the parents of one son, named Hugh. In politics Mr. Duglay affili- ates with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a steward. Joseph S. Duglay, the father of our subjeet, immigrated to America when eighteen years of age, and first located in the State of New York. He removed to Indiana in 1840, locating in La Grange, where he was mar- ried. He remained at La Grange until 1848, when he removed to Allen County, where he worked at his trade, that of a blacksmith,

until 1868. In 1858 he purchased a farm in Allen County, in the vicinity of Churubusco, where he followed farming until his death in April, 1852, at the age of sixty-six years, he having been killed by being thrown from his Iniggy. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for many years a licensed local preacher. The mother of our subject was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She died in Allen County in February, 1879, at the age of fifty-six years. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, four of whom are living and are resi- dents of Indiana.

LABRIEL MARKLEY, deceased, one of the early settlers of Wells County, was born in Maryland, Jannary 11, 1814, a son of Jonathan Markley, also a native of Maryland. When he was three years old his parents removed to Pennsylvania, thenee to Madison County, Ohio, where he resided upon his father's farm until 1836. During that year he was married to Miss Hannah, daughter of Solomon Tuttle, who was born in Athens County, Ohio, March 30, 1818. One year after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mark- Jey immigrated to Wells County, this State, which was then a dense wilderness. Here he entered seventy-two acres of land from the Government on section 18, Harrison Township, on the Wabash River. There were then only four white families in that part of the county. He erected a cabin and began to clear and improve a farm. By in- dustry and good management, he added to his original purchase from time to time, until he owned a landed estate of eleven hundred aeres, most of which was in a state of eulti- vation. Mr. and Mrs. Markley passed through all the usual hardships of pioneer life. When

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he first arrived here his property consisted of a horse and a cow; the latter died soon after reaching here. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom eight survive -- Jonathan, Naney A., wife of Daniel Shoe- maker, John W., Henry C., Oliver P., Mary A., now the wife of William A. Markley, Isabel, now Mrs. William Prelliman, and Daniel F. Both parents were active mem- bers of the Christian church. Mr. Markley died June 12, 1573, and his wife, March 30, 1883.

HOMAS W. QUACKENBUSHI, of Ossian, was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York, June 11, 1817, a son of William W. and Mary (Allen) Quackenbush, who were the parents of eight children, of whom Thomas W. was the eldest. The family removed to Orleans County, thence to Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1837. In that county, Anne 18, our sub- ject was married to Phoebe Hudson, daughter of William 11. Hudson. Eight years later, and after the birth of four children and the death of two, Thomas, with his family, con- sisting of wife and two children, Mary J. and Rachel, came to Wells County in company with Joseph Gorrell, John Glass and James Barkley. All made a location in this county September 18, 1845. John Glass married Margaret Hatfield. The ground was covered with snow before Mr. Quackenbush had his cabin ready for occupancy. The family moved in before the doors were made. Blankets shut out the biting wind, but eould not drown the mournful howl of the hungry wolves that prowled about the forests, yet feared to make an attack upon either man or beast. Mr. Quackenbash purchased sixty aeres of land of James Glass, on credit, and

began its improvement without money, and no aid except his strong arm and trusty ax. After clearing twenty acres he sold the sixty- aere tract and entered eighty aeres upon the reserve, which he had earned enough money to pay for. Another log cabin was built, and Thomas made a second beginning in the way of starting a home in Wells County. This time there was a double ineentive, for his land was paid for, and he had a patent from the Government, bearing the signature of President Zachary Taylor. Day by day the stroke of the pioneer's ax was heard until he had a score of aeres cleared. Later, he exchanged this land for an interest in a saw- mill in Van Wert County, Ohio, but after remaining there two years, sold out and returned to Wells County, where he pur- chased another tract of land. Other pur- chases were made and exchanges followed, until Mr. Quackenbush found himself a resident of Milford, Kosciusko County, where he remained in business five years to a day. Ilis property was then disposed of and he returned to this county, where a permanent location was made at Ossian, in 1880. The same month he purchased a stock of groceries, and for two years condueted a bakery, con- fectionery and grocery store. Ifis new store building was completed in 1882, since which time his goods have occupied the new store. Mr. and Mrs. Quackenbush have had eight children, five of whom are deceased-Mary J. is the wife of Joseph Hurry; Rachel married George Cox; Emeline became the wife of John Mossy, and Clark married Mary M. Green. He has fifteen grandchildren. Mrs. Quackenbush died in September, 1864. For a second wife, our subjeet married Mrs. Mary A. Ormsby, of this county, whose husband, Joseph Ormsby, was a brother to the present county clerk, J. Il. Orinsby. One child was born to this union, which died in

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infancy. Mr. Quackenbush served as con- stable fourteen years. Ile commenced lite with no fortune except a strong arm and a wealth of innsele, but by energy, frugality and honesty has seenred a competeney for his old age, besides rearing and educating his large family of children.

B RANSON WEAVER, residing on see- tion 30, Lancaster Township, was born in Wayne County, Indiana, October 15, 1837, a son of Lewis and Mary (Howell) Weaver. He was reared to agricultural pur- suits and has made farming and teaching the avocation of his life. Ile was united in marriage April 2, 1863, to Catharine Miller, who was born September 9, 1842, the young- est daughter of the pioneer Henry Miller. Five children have been born to this union- Lizzie M., born December 30, 1863, married James W. Quick, and they are now living on the old Weaver homestead; John, living with his parents, was born June 3, 1866; William was born Angust 12, 1870, and died February 13, 1874; Hattie M., born June 11, 1873, and Mand, born February 23, 1881. Mr. Weaver settled on his present farm shortly after his marriage, and since that time has made almost all the improvements. He has been prosperous in his farming operations, and by his good management has accumulated 350 acres of land, the homestead consisting of seventy-five acres. Ilis land when he purchased it was partly covered with timber. lle has on his land over six miles of tile drainage, and all the improvements are first- class, with good buildings for his stock and grain, the entire surroundings of his place proving him to be a thorough practical farmer, he having the largest herd of recorded short-horns in the county. Mr. Weaver en- 44

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Author: Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 948

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 948