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 31
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 31
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
ON. EDWIN RUTHVEN WILSON, a prominent and influential citizen of Wells County, and member of the law firin of Wilson & Todd, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, the date of his birth being January 14, 1827. His father's family came from the northern part of Ireland, and his father, John Wilson, was a soldier with Gen- eral Harrison on the frontier, and participated in the battle of Fort Meigs, on the Maumee River. 'Ilis mother, Anna B. (Geary) Wil- son, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsyl- vania, removing with her parents to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1800, where her family resided during the war of 1812. Our subject's grandfather Geary was a soldier under Wash- ington during the Revolutionary war. In the spring of 1840 Edwin R. Wilson came with his father's family to LaGrange County,
Indiana, and there he attended the common schools for a time, and subsequently was a student for three years at the Asbury Uni- versity at Greencastle, Indiana. He read law with ex-Governor Joseph A. Wright, and began the practice of his chosen profession at Bluffton in the spring of 1851. He was elected and re-elected prosecuting attorney for the circuit extending as far as the Michi- gan line, serving in that capacity nearly four years, and while so engaged prosecuted several very important criminal causes, noted among these being the case against William II. Logan for the murder of John Frybaek in Wells County, and Keifer, Madden and Romine for the murder of Dunbar in a lum- ber-yard at Fort Wayne. Mr. Wilson so well performed the duties of that office that, in 1858, he was elected circuit judge for six years, and at the expiration of his term of oflice he was appointed bank examiner for Indiana, serving as such two years. He removed to Jefferson County, Indiana, in the spring of 1867. In 1878 he was elected State Senator for four years, and at the end of his term, in 1883, he returned to Wells County, Indiana, and has since then been actively engaged in the practice of law with Jacob J. Todd under the firm name of Wil- son & Todd. Judge Wilson is a man of strict integrity, honorable in all his dealings, and has by his genial manners made many warm friends, and is well respected through- out the community in which he makes his home.
AMES STOOPS, harness-maker, at Toc- sin, was born in Waynesburgh, Greene County, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1838, son of James and Mary (Smalley) Stoops, also natives of Greene County. In
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
1839 the family removed to near Morgan- town, West Virginia, and in 1852 made a location in Adams County, this State, re- maining there until the death of the mother, which occurred in 1884. The father is still a resident of Decatur, Indiana. To them were born nine children-Rebecca, the eld- est daughter, married Simon L. Boyer, and remained in West Virginia; Margaret is the wife of G. W. Menetee; Edward married Margaret Martin; James, Jr .; Maria, de- ceased, wife of Abram Studabaker; Sarah J., wife of N. Blackburn, editor of the Decatur Democrat; William G. II., deceased; George C., who married Belle Pease, and Joseph A., who married Inez Shaffer, of Bluffton. With the exception of William, who is deceased, all married in Wells and Adams counties. At the age of sixteen our subject began to take an active interest in politics. At twenty-one he was elected constable, serving two years. In April, 1862, he received the nomination of the Democratic party of Adams County for sheriff. He deelined the nomination and enlisted as a private in Company K, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry. At the organization of the regiment Mr. Stoops was elected Second Lieutenant of his company. Illness compelled his resignation ten months later, and he returned home hoping to regain his shattered health. In 1866 he became the Democratie candidate for sheriff of Adams County, and was elected in the autumn of that year. ITis official acts were so satisfactory that he was re-elected, and at the close of his second term was ap- pointed assessor of Washington Township. He also served as deputy sheriff under David King, and later engaged in the manufacture of harness in Decatur. In 1886 he left Adams County and located in Toesin. He opened a shop and began the manufacture of harness. He was the first of his trade to
locate in the village. A destructive fire broke out and swept away two business houses with their contents, in the upper story of which was the shop of Mr. Stoops. The whole stock of all the men was swept away by this fire, and there was no insurance. He was appointed station agent of the Chieago & Atlantic Railroad soon afterward, having purchased a lot and erected a new building. Mr. and Mrs. Stoops had one son, now fore- man of the Decatur Democrat office. Mrs. Stoops died while her husband was away serv- ing his country. Mr. Stoops' second wife was formerly Victoria Sheneman. They have had two sons-one died in infaney and the other was drowned when eleven years of age. His third wife was Jennie Busby. Eleven years has Mr. Stoops served the people of Adams County in an official capacity, all of which has been done faithfully and well.
JACOB VANDERSAUL KENAGY, of the milling firm of J. V. Kenagy & Brother, proprietors of the Bluffton Hydraulic and Steam Flouring Mills, is a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born near Dalton, September 2, 1835. ITis father being a farmer, he was reared to the same avoca- tion, receiving his edneation at the common schools of his neighborhood, and at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where he spent two years. At the age of eighteen years he came to Wells County, his parents having preceded him while he was attend- ing college at Delaware, Ohio. On his arrival he was employed as elerk in the store of John Studabaker, of Bluffton, where he remained one year. He was then engaged in working on his father's farm and in teaching school until April 19, 1861, when, on the first call for men by President Lincoln,
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he enlisted in the Union army as a private to serve three months. He was assigned to Company G, Twelfth Indiana Infantry, and was on duty at Washington, D. C. At the expiration of his term of service, by request of Governor Morton, his term was extended nine months, and after being in the service one year he was discharged at Washington in May, 1862. Ile then returned to Bluffton, and the following July re-enlisted as a private in the three years' service, in Company K, Seventy-fifth Indiana Infantry, and was dis- charged at Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the elose of the war by general order of the War Department at. Washington, D. C. When his company was organized he was chosen First Sergeant and served as such until 1863, when he was detailed as Hospital Steward at Louisville, Kentucky, in which capacity he served during the winter of 1863-64, when being relieved he returned to his company and regiment and again acted as First Ser- geant until the latter part of 1864, when he was detailed as clerk of the Medical Director of the Post at Chattanooga, serving as such until receiving his discharge. After the war he returned to Bluffton, and until July, 1866, he was employed as bookkeeper and an assist- ant in the hardware store of his father and M. II. Gettel. October 17, 1866, he was married to Margaret Ann Johnston, of Wells County, who died at Woodhull, Illinois, August 4, 1870, leaving a daughter named Kittie. Mrs. Kenagy, at the time of her death, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Woodhull. Mr. Kenagy removed to Woodhull, Illinois, in 1866, where he was engaged in dealing in hardware and farm implements, being associated with his father and Mr. Gettel, the firm name being Gettel & Kenagy, the store at Woodhull being a branch of the main business at Bluffton. In 1871, his father having died, he discontinued
the business at Woodhull and returned to Bluffton, where he eontinned in the hardware business under the firm name of Gettel & Keungy. In 1872 they enlarged their busi- ness, adding produce, grain and farm imple- ments, and also purchased a flour mill at Bluffton. On the death of Mr. Gettel in 1874 the firm of Gettel & Kenagy was changed to J. V. Kenagy & Brothers, Joshua and John W. Kenagy becoming associated with our subject. They discontinued their hardware business in 1875, and in 1878 John W. Kenagy retired from the firm, when the firm was changed to J. V. Kenagy & Broth- er. J. V. Kenagy and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bluff- ton, and he has been the leader of Class No. 1 since 1872. Ile is a member of Bluffton Lodge, No. 1838, K. of H., in which he has served two years as chaplain. Ile is a com- rade of Lew Dailey Post, No. 33, G. A. R., and is at present chaplain of the post.
EORGE BRICKLEY, deceased, was a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and when a young man removed to Trum- bull County, Ohio, where he made his home for many years. He was married in Trum- bull County, to Miss Belinda Wolfeale, a native of that county. To them were born ten children, all of whom came with them to Wells County, Indiana, in 1851. Their eldest daughter, Mary, is the wife of Abram Woodward and now lives in Ossian, Wells County; Peter is a prosperous farmer of Lancaster Township; Alfred resides in Rock Creek Township; Elizabeth married Harrison Taylor, and both died in Rock Creek Town- ship; Mrs. Nancy Jane Ogden resides in Bluffton; John died in early manhood; Lewis is a prominent business man of Bluffton;
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Wesley resides at Markle, in Huntington County; Mrs. Isabella Zink lives in Union Township,and Mrs. Laura Allen lives at Markle. On coming to Wells County with his family Mr. Briekley. located on section 1, Rock Creek Township, where he improved a farm on which he resided about fifteen years. Hle theu sold his homestead and bought land near Markle, Huntington County, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1878 at the age of sixty-seven years. His widow still survives, and is making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Allen, at Markle.
EWIS A. BRICKLEY, senior member of the hardware firm of L. A. Brickley & Sons, of Bluffton, was born near Warren, in Trumbull County, Ohio, April 29, 1842, a son of George and Belinda (Wolfcale) Brickley, the father being of German ancestry and the latter of English descent. The father is now deceased. L. A. Briekley, our subjeet, was brought by his parents to Wells County, Indiana, - in June, 1831. lle was reared to the avocation of a farmer, remain- ing on the home farm till he grew to man- hood. Ile was united in marriage July 28, 1864, to Miss Catherine Lesh, a daughter of John and Harriet (MeAfee) Lesh. She died at Bluffton, March 27, 1879, leaving five children-George Mervin, Thomas Jefferson, Cora A., Peter Francis and Jennie Etta. At her death Mrs. Briekley was a member of the Rock Creek Lutheran Church. Mr. Brickley was again married January 4, 1881, to Miss Flora A. Stonebrook, of Bluffton. Mr. Brick- ley was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting as a private in 1864, in Company D, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry. Ile was engaged in the two days' fight in front of Nashville and also participated in several
skirmishes. May 21, 1865, he was discharged for disability caused by a wound received in front of Nashville, December 16, 1864. After his discharge he returned to Wells County, where he was engaged in farming in Rock Creek Township until 1876. He then removed to Bluffton and became associated with Samuel Lesh in the hardware business, under the firm name of Lesh & Briekley. In 1SS3 John E. Beil succeeded Mr. Lesh, when the firin name was changed to Brickley & Beil. In November, 1885, Mr. Beil was succeeded by Mr. Brickley's sons, George M. and Thomas J., when the present firm of 1. 1. Brickley & Sons was formed. Mr. Brickley is a member of the Lutheran and his wife a member of the Baptist church.
WILLIAM CLARK, general farmer, Chester Township, and one of the carly settlers of Wells County, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 16, 1832, a son of William and Christina (Cook) Clark, natives of Pennsylvania, the father of Irish and the mother of Duteh descent. They were married in their native State, and subsequently removed to Wayne County, where they made their home until about the year 1838. They then started for Indiana by teams, locating in Fayette County, where they remained one year, coming thence to Wells County, settling in Chester Township, where the father had entered 129 acres of land the year previous. The land was en- tirely nnimproved, and heavily covered with timber, he being obliged to clear a space to build his log cabin, into which the family removed the following February. This house is still standing on the land now owned and veenpied by our subjeet, and is probably the oldest house in the county. Wild animals
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roamed the country, and the howling of the wolves around the pioneer's cabin was an ahnost nightly occurrence. Mr. Clark did much toward improving his land, but did not live to enjoy it, his death occurring in 1849. His widow survived him a number of years, dying about the year 1573. William Clark, the subject of this sketch, was a lad of seven years when brought by his parents to Wells County, and here he was reared, passing through all the incidents of pioneer life. IIe was early in life inured to hard work, helping his father clear and improve his land, but the lessons of persevering industry learned in those days have been of lasting benefit to him. Ile has always lived on the land where his father first settled in Wells County, and has witnessed the wilderness change into well cultivated fields and prosperous towns and villages. He was united in marriage No- vember 24, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Twibell, a daughter of David and Margaret Twibell, and of the five children born to this union three are living-Amanda Ellen, wife of Percival Johnson; Allison married Mattie Angeline Shreve, and Martha Jane. Emer- son and Margaret Emeline are deceased. Mrs. Clark died February 5, 1872, and June 16, 1874, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Eliza- beth Limerick, a native of Sandy Township, Stark County, Ohio, and daughter of Com- modore C. and Harriet (Yahne) Limerick, her mother being a native of Ohio. Her parents removed from Ohio to Huntington County, Indiana, thence to Wells County, where the father died March 30, 1876. The mother is still living in Chester Township. Mrs. Clark is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church. In his political views Mr. Clark is a Democrat. He is a publie spirited eitizen, and has served his township as supervisor. He is a member of Five Points Grange, No. 522, Patrons of Ilus-
bandry, and has held the office of gate-keeper of his grange several times. Ile is a mem- ber of Wells County Pomona Grange.
LEXANDER DELONG, one of the old pioneers of Wells County, was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, April 17, 1809, and died at his home in Lancaster Township, April 25, 1881. He was married near Fletcher, in Miami County, Ohio, in 1832, to Miss Elizabeth Beers, a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, a daughter of Peter and Mary (Shanks) Beers, who were among the earliest settlers of that county. They began housekeeping in Miami County, where three children, named Asa, Solomon and George, were born to them. In the fall of 1847 Mr. DeLong came with his wife and children from Miami to Wells County, set- tling on a heavily timbered farm on seetion 34, Laneaster Township. Here he erected a log cabin the same fall, felled the trees and prepared the land for crops for the following year. The first patch cleared was three aeres which he planted in fruit trees in the spring of the next year, and year by year the improvements were more manifest until he had his farm under thorough cultivation, which is now in possession of his son Solo- mon. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. DeLong after coming to Wells County -Joseph, a book dealer of Bluffton, and Mary A., deceased wife of Charles Cole. The father lived on the old homestead until his death, and reared his family to honorable and respectable status in life, and earned the respect and esteem of the entire community. Ile came to the county in limited circum- stances, having only enough money to enter 160 acres of land, which cost him $200. The original patent bore the signature of Presi-
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
dent Martin Van Buren, and was dated August 5, 1837. The widow still resides on the home farm. Mr. DeLong was a member of the Baptist church during the latter years of his life. All the children living are married except Solomon, who has charge of the home farm, and the fine appearance of the buildings, stock, and ground show him to be a systematic and successful farmer. In poli- ties, like his father, he has always affiliated with the Republican party. Solomon DeLong was one of the loyal men of Wells County who left the peaceful pursuits of farm life to defend his eonntry. Ile enlisted in August, 1862, in the One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry, under Captain Peter Studabaker, and his regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. DeLong was as- signed to duty in the Pioneer Corps, and did faithful and meritorious service until the close of the war. Ilis brother George was also a gallant and faithful soldier, serving three years in the Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry.
ONATIIAN MICHAEL, hotel-keeper, at Zanesville, was born in Germany, in the village of Sults-am-Neckar. The village was noted for its salt manufactories. The village derived its name from the Neckar River which passed through it. Jonathan was born November 16, 1832, son of John G. and Mary (Smith) Michael, natives of Germany. John G. was born in Sults and his wife in Rosenfeldt, nine miles distant. Mr. Michael possesses an interesting photo- graph of his native village. There were three children born before their immigration to America-John C., Gotleip and Jona- than, the latter at that time being eighteen months old. The family located at Shep-
herdstown, Jefferson County, West Virginia, in 1834. John G. was a eloth shearer by trade, and at once engaged with George Priec at his factory at Shepherdstown. When Jonathan was eleven years old his parents re- moved to Williamsport, Washington County, Maryland, where the father engaged as cook on the "company's boat," running on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, remaining several years in their employ. Afterward the parents removed to Clear Spring, Mary- land, where the mother was accidentally drowned in a spring on their own premises. Seven of their children were born in Amer- ica-Mary V. and Henry HI. were born in Shepherdstown, Virginia, and both are resi- dents of Canton, Illinois; Mary married Jo- seph Irely, a mechanic, and Henry, also a mechanic, married Mary McQuade, of Can- ton. George W., William II. and Catherine M. were born in Williamsport, and are buried there. After the death of his wife, John G. married Catherine Lindamon. They were engaged in business at Clear Spring until 1863, and then their son Jonathan, our sub- jeet, brought them to the town where he had become a prosperous man, and where the father died in his seventy-seventh year. The mother is living at Zanesville, aged sixty-four years. Jonathan learned the shoemaker's trade in Clear Spring, with Darlington & Turnbolt. Ile was only twenty-two years of age when he came West to seek his own fortune. Jonathan heard of the new town while stopping at Fort Wayne, and having an opportunity to work at his trade with William P. Wilson, arrived in the spring of 1854, with $5 cash in his pocket. Three months later he began business for himself, and ever since that time has been actively engaged in business in the village. IIe was prosperous from the beginning, and after a lapse of thirty years Mr. Michael finds himself rich in the
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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enjoyment of his family and the esteem of his friends. In 1856 he purchased the tan- nery that was owned and operated by W. P. Wilson, which he eondueted more than a quarter of a century and at the same time carried on an extensive boot and shoe man- nfactory. During the war he employed sev- eral hands, but never introduced machinery into the business. The tannery produeed about 2,000 hides and skins per annum, and the products over what he used in his shoe- shop were sent to Johnson, Eaton & Co., Boston, Massachusetts. In 1864 Mr. Michael purchased the Nelson Jarvis farm, one mile sonth of Zanesville, which he still owns, and has sinee made other additions to the original purchase. Ile also purchased the Enoch Sink and F. M. Wilson farms one- fourth of a mile south of Zanesville, and he now owns 220 aeres of valuable land. January 29, 1855, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Kline, only daughter of Jonas Kline, Joseph Beaty, J. P., performing the ceremony. Iler parents are deceased. In 1861 Mr. Michael purchased the hotel property and has con- dneted it ever since. The Zanesville House is celebrated for its neatness and the elabo- rate menu which greets the weary traveler. Their children are-John Barrett, named in honor of the president of St. James College, Maryland, Amanda V., Juniata, Arbelan M., Almissa Il. and Sarah J. The death of Mrs. Michael oeenrred October 1, 1865. She was a loving mother and one of the best of wives. She was born in Tusearawas County, Ohio, October 5, 1833. Mr. Michael has never married again. John B. is now engaged in the mercantile and drug business at Zanes- ville. lle married Laura Wilkinson, who is of English ancestry. They have two chil- dren-Talinage V. and Lulu P. He is post- master at Zanesville. Amanda is the wife of D. W. Simmers, a farmer of Allen County.
They have five sons- Jonathan U., Daniel D., Charles W., Jewell and Roseoe T. Arbe- lan is the wife of Elve C. Kelsey, a dealer in meats in Zanesville; their children arc- Dessie E. and Glendale. Besides rearing his own children he has practically reared three nephews, Jonathan A., William II. and Har- vey B. Michael. They are sons of his brother Christopher, who married Mary A. Beaver. They have had six children, the three men- tioned and Annie, Alido and Agnes.
EWIS HUFFMAN, one of the prosper- ous agriculturists of Jackson Township, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, the date of his birth being June 6, 1844. When two years of age he was taken by his parents, John and Susannah (Myers) Huffman, to Huntington County, Indiana, and there he grew to manhood, being reared to the avoca- tion of a farmer, which he has made his life- work. Jannary 4, 1868, he was married to Miss Miami Monnsey, a native of Wells County, Indiana, born in Liberty Township, a daughter of John and Caroline (Stratton) Monnsey. Her mother died when she was a child of ten years, and her father died April 30, 1886. They were among the early set- tlers of Wells County, and Mr. Monnsey saw the transformation of the county from a wilderness into its present condition. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Inffinan-David P., John Scott, Franklin C. and one who died in infancy. David P., their eldest son, was edneated in the schools of his township and at Bluffton, and when only thirteen years old passed the necessary examination and received a teacher's certifi- cate. Mr. IInffman lived with his mother in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, nn- til one year after his marriage, when he re-
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moved to Jackson Township, Wells County, settling there in January, 1869, on a tract of eighty acres which he had bought. His land when he settled on it was covered with a heavy growth of timber except the small space he had cleared on which he erceted the hewed-log cabin, which is still standing. Ile resided in this cabin until 1881, when he erected his present residence, which was built with a view to comfort and convenience. Ile has added to his original purchase until his home farm now consists of 117 acres, all with the exception of about eighteen aeres being cleared and improved, the result of years of toil and persevering energy. In politics Mr. Huthiman is identified with the Demo- cratie party. Ile and his wife are members of the German Baptist church, and he is a dea- con in the church of that denomination at Sugar Grove.
UTHER B. SIMMONS, attorney at law, was born in Nottingham Township, this county, in 1860, son of Hiram L. Simmons, of Nottingham Township. After completing a course of study at the Methodist Episcopal college at Fort Wayne he studied law in the office of E. C. Vaughn, at Bluffton, and was admitted to the bar in 1883, since which time he has been practicing law here, excepting the three winters he has taught school in his native township. Ilis office at present is with Mr. Vanghn.
ETH DOUGLAS BEAVERS, M. D., of Toesin, was born in Ilocking County, Ohio, and came with his parents, Sam- uel D. and Lydia (Weldy) Beavers, to Adams County, Indiana, in 1863. He received his
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