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 38

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 38
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 38

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).

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since followed agricultural pursuits. To his original purchase of forty aeres of partially improved land he has since added until his farin now contains 249 acres all well improved and under fine cultivation. In his political views Mr. Roberts is a Democrat.

EORGE E. HARROLD, an enterpris- ing farmer of Chester Township, was born in Forsyth County, North Caro- lina, March 31, 1837, a son of Ithamer and Ruth (Clampitt) Harrold. His parents were born, reared and married in the State of North Carolina, remaining in that State until 1852, when they started with the family by team for Indiana, and after a journey of six weeks arrived in Wells County, where they settled in Jackson Township. The father lived in Wells County until his death, which occurred June 29, 1882. Ilis widow still survives, and is making her home with her son, Dr. John R. Harrold, in Blackford County. George E. Harrold, our- subject, was fifteen years of age when he accompanied his par- ents to Wells County, and with the exception of about four years has since been a resident of the county. Ile was united in marriage November 6, 1858, to Miss Sallie Minnich, a native of Clarke County, Ohio, and a dangh- ter of Jacob and Christina (Ebersole) Min- nich. Her parents removed from Ohio to Indiana in 1842, being among the early set- tlers of the county, where the mother died about 1858. The father is still living in Jackson Township. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Harrold three are living- Isaac R., in Blackford County; Alfred R. and James R. Belle and two infants un- named are deceased. Mrs. Harrold died February 13, 1870, and November 5, 1870, Mr. Harrold married Miss Mary M. Min-

nieh, who was also born in Wabash County, Indiana. To this mion have been born eleven children, of whom six are living- Rosetta, Charly, Oscar, Eva, Della and Ida. Those deceased are-Delmar, May, Arlow, Arlie and Lula. In 1863 Mr. Harrold bought forty acres of land in Chester Township, and after elearing most of this tract, sold it in the spring of 1866 and went to Missouri. He returned to Wells County the same year and bought eighteen aeres of land in Jackson Township, most of this land being eleared. Three years later he sold his land in Jackson Township, buying forty aeres of his present farm, but for the three years following lived in Huntington County. When he bought his farm in Chester Township but little improve- ment had been made on the place, only fifteen aeres having been eleared. Ilis home farm now contains sixty acres, all but five acres cleared, the result of his own labors. In polities Mr. Harrold is a Republican, having voted that tieket since the organization of that party. Ile is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Warren Lodge, No. 246, A. F. & A. M.

ALBERT OPPENHEIM, agent for the American Express Company and oper- ator in charge of the Western Union Telegraph office at Bluffton, is a native of that eity, born October 8, 1855, a son of Sigmund and Mary J. (Niblick) Oppenheim. Ilis father being a merchant his youth when not in school was spent in the store. When fifteen years old he began to learn the print- er's trade in the office of the Bluffton Ban- ner, at which he worked three years, when he began to take instructions in telegraphy in the railway telegraph office of the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Company, at

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Bluffton, and since May, 1852, has been local manager of the Western Union office. From 1881 till 1885 he was associated with his father in the manufacture of cigars, and in 1587 was appointed agent for the American Express Company. Mr. Oppenheim was married in 1876 to Miss Alice O. Davis, a daughter of Jared and Elizabeth Davis, of Cincinnati. They have two children -- Blanche and Ethel. Mrs. Oppenheim is a member of the Universalist church. Mr. Oppenheim is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, lodge and chapter, and the Knights of Pythias and Knights of Honor.

FRAMES REUBEN BENNETT, grocer, of Bluffton, Indiana, was born in Gallatin County, Kentucky, December 13, 1836. llis parents, Abner and Lettitia (Gill) Ben- nett, were natives of Bracken County, Keu- tucky, of Scotch descent. In 1835 they moved to Gallatin County, and from there in 1849 moved to Indiana, settling first in Huntington, Huntington County, and re- moving thence in April, 1851, to Jackson Township, Wells County. At that time the country was very sparsely settled, being dotted here and there with a log cabin, where the sturdy woodman's ax could be heard in all directions opening up the then dense forests. In 1853 they sold out and removed to a farm on the Salamonie River in the same township, on which farm they lived until 1873, when the parents of James R. moved to Bluffton, where the father died September 8 of the same year, aged sixty- three years. The mother still lives, at the age of seventy-three years. They were the parents of five children-James R., William F., who died aged six years; Columbus A. was killed September 23, 1863, at the battle

of Chickamanga while serving in the defense of his country; Sarah N., wife of Moses 1. Spake, of Bluffton, Indiana, and one that died in infancy. The mother is a prominent member of the Baptist church at Bluffton, as was also the father. James R. Bennett left his father's farm April 1, 1857, and engaged as a elerk in a general store at Warren, Huntington County, Indiana, some four years, and on April 1, 1861, was married to Judith A. Brower, of Preble County, Ohio, a daughter of Christopher and Mary C. (Bloomfield) Brower. After his marriage he removed back to his father's farm and had charge of that until 1871. From 1861 to 1870 he served as constable about three years, and trustee of his township three and a half years, and in 1870 he was elected recorder of Wells County, and re-elected in 1874 and served until November 1, 1879. From 1879 till 1883 he was engaged in looking after his farm, at which time he engaged in the gro- eery business at Bluffton, where he has met with gratifying success. Mr. Bennett is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined King Lodge, No. 246, at Warren, In- diana, in 1859, and is now a member of both lodge and chapter at Bluffton, and has served his lodge twice as master. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are the parents of two sons-Howard A. and Dora C., the former aged twenty-four years, and the latter aged twenty-two years. lloward A. is bookkeeper for W. B. Nim- mons, of Bluffton, Indiana, and Dora C. is a traveling salesman for Moore Bros., whole- sale grocers, of Lima, Ohio.

ANDREW R. VAN EMONS, of Harri- son Township, was born on the farm where he now resides, on seetion 9, January 16, 1848, the youngest child of

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James Van Emons. lle received a common- school education, and remained on the farm with his parents until their death, then sue- ceeded them in the homestead. June 5, 1874, he was married to Miss E. Marilla, a daugh- ter of Bowen Ilale, and they have six chil- dren-Milford, Bowen, Charles, Harriet, Clara and Ilomer. Mr. Van Emons has a fine farm of 160 acres, situated one and a half miles south of Bluffton. Ile ereeted a nice brick residence in 1852. In polities he is a Republican.

SAAC FISIIBAUGII, an active and pub- lie-spirited citizen of Rock Creek Town- ship, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, the date of his birth being February 1, 1835, a son of Mordecai and Isabel (Mc- Donald) Fishbangh. The father was a native of Maryland and of German descent, re- moving from his native State to Ohio in the year 1812. The mother was a daughter of Alexander MeDonald, who left his native country, Ireland, for America, and settled in Pennsylvania, where she was born. Isaac Fishbaugh, the subject of this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has made the principal avocation of his life, and in his youth received a common-school educa- tion by attending the schools of his neigh- borhood. Ile lived with his parents until his marriage, March 24, 1860, to Miss Lucinda E. Decker, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Decker. Mrs. Fishbaugh was born in Jay County, Indiana, but when an infant was taken to Ohio, in which State she was reared. Mr. and Mrs. Fishbaugh are the parents of five children-Leonidas, Rufus II., Charles S., Francis B. and Madella. Mr. Fishbaugh continued to reside on the old

homestead of his father until he removed to Wells County, Indiana, in the spring of 1871, when he settled on his present farm on seetion 20, Rock Creek Township. He then purchased 200 aeres of land which was par- tially improved, and by hard work and per- severing energy he has added to his original purchase until he now has 480 acres of choice land which he has improved and brought under fine cultivation. He has been very successful in his chosen avocation, and from a small beginning he has become one of the well-to-do citizens of his township, and has surrounded his wife and family with all the necessary comforts of life. In politics Mr. Fishbaugh is a Democrat. In 1876 he was elected township trustee, serving as such four years. He has served as county commis- sioner three years, having been elected to that office in the fall of 1883. IIe has also held other local offices, in all of which he has given satisfaction. Ile and his family are active and consistent members of the German Reformed church.

ENJAMIN F. TAYLOR was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, October 2, 555 1812, son of Ebenezer and Margaret (Foster) Taylor, of Irish ancestry. The father was born in New Jersey, and was a son of Thomas and Ruth (Spragne) Taylor; the latter was probably born in New Jer- sey. The family eame to Ohio about 1755, settling in what is now Jefferson County, where the parents both remained until their death. Their children were-Ebenezer, John, Henry, Cornelius, Rannel, Iliram, William, Ann, Ruth and Jane. Of these children, Ebe- nezer, the oldest, was the father of our sub- ject. All the brothers and sisters lived, married and died in Ohio, except Cornelius,

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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.

who is now a resident of Bartholomew County, Indiana. The children of Ebenezer and his wife were-Benjamin, our subjeet, Hannah, Ann, Thomas, Ebenezer, Henry, Andrew, James, Ruth, Richard, Zebra and Margaret J. The father of Mrs. Taylor, Benjamin Foster, was a resident of West Virginia, near Wellsburg, when his daughter married Mr. Taylor. He was of German de- scent, and his wife, Hannah Peiree, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. They had several children-Andrew, Aaron, Samuel, Benjamin, Margaret, Hannah and Elizabeth. This family all came to Ohio except Samuel. About 1816 the parents of our subjeet moved to Coshocton County, Ohio, settling on a quarter section of land given by Benjamin Foster to his daughter, Mrs. Taylor. They settled in the dense woods, and were among the early pioneers of that country. Mr. Taylor frequently, when a boy, drove the deer and wild turkey out of his father's door- yard. Those were the good old times when neighbors were neighborly, and when men would go eight and ten miles through the pathless woods to assist in a cabin-raising or a log-rolling. The principal musie was the ring of the sturdy pioneer's ax. Children were roeked to sleep in sugar troughs, and snugly tneked between soft woolen blankets, could almost see the twinkling stars as they peered through the erevices of the logs that formed the walls of their cabin home. Their ears were filled with the mournful eries of the eatamounts that often came near the cabins at night. As the settlements became more numerous, the game became scarce, and by the time our subject was grown to matu- rity seareely anything was left but deer. Benjamin was not a hunter, but was "death " to the squirrels, which were so plentiful it was with difficulty the corn was protected until it was sprouted. In fact, the main

business of the children was to watch the fields in the spring time to keep the squir- rels from digging up the newly planted corn. When Benjamin was eighteen years of age he was apprenticed to learn the car- penter's and cabinet-maker's trade. By this was meant to hew logs and make the material ready, taking it from the stump. He was quite a contractor and buildler, and for sev- eral years worked at the trade in Ohio. October 13, 1836, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Campbell, daughter of James and Ilannah (Ogan) Campbell, who were then living in Coshocton County. James Campbell was born near Dublin, Ire- land, and when sixteen years of age emi- grated alone to America. Ile was first married to Mary Rodgers, and they had four children-William, Evan, Sally and Eliza- beth. He was one of the heroes of the war of 1812, serving under the command of Gen- eral Anthony Wayne. He helped to build Fort Deposit and Fort Recovery, and was Sergeant of his company. He had a fine education and was an excellent penman, a teacher, and a weaver of linen in Ireland. Ilis parents were William and Naney Camp- bell. After his return from the war of 1812 his wife died, and he afterward married Han- nah Ogan, daughter of Peter and Phamia (Biven) Ogan. Her mother was a Bonsler, and the family were natives of New Jersey, and were Quakers. They lived in that country during the war of the Revolution, but would not carry arms. Three children were born to James Campbell and his second wife-Pha- mia, Peter and Nancy, the latter being the wife of our subjeet. She was born in Bel- mont County, Ohio, September 12, 1815, and was past twenty-one years of age when mar- ried. Their children numbered thirteen -- Ilannah J., wife of John McCorkle; Ebene- zer, who was a brave soldier during the late

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war, and lost his health and his life during his term of service, being a member of Com- pany A, Thirtieth Indiana Infantry; Henry C., also deceased; William 11., who enlisted in August, 1562, in Company G, One Hun- dred and First Indiana Infantry, passed through the entire war, is now the husband of Mary Donnelly and resides in Pike County, Ohio; Mary A. became the wife of Freeman Taylor, a carriage manufacturer in Trumbull County, Ohio; Cornelius married Mary Ash- burn, and is a resident of Jefferson Township; Elizabeth is the wife of David Inss, who re- sides on Mr. Taylor's farm. In 1853 the family settled in Jefferson Township, this county, where Mr. Taylor had entered a quarter-section of land on the Indian Re- serve. llis patent bears the signature of President Zachary Taylor, and the ownership has never been changed. Six years after coming here he was elected justice of the peace of the township, and was re-elected when his term expired. He positively de- elined to hold the position louger, though strongly urged to do so. Politically he has been a Republican and was one of the found- ers of that party in the county, but he is now a strong Prohibitionist. The old log cabin that first sheltered the family in this county has long since been replaced by a modern one, and the land has been placed in a good state of cultivation. Their children have married well, and most of them live near. They have held seventeen grandehil- dren in their arms, and have passed their fif- tieth wedding anniversary. They are perhaps the oldest married couple in the county, and still do their own work. Mr. Taylor was made a Master Mason at West Bedford, Ohio, in 1846, and took the exalted degree of Royal Arch Mason at Zanesville, Ohio. He was created a Knight Templar in that eity. lle is one of the members of the Coshocton

chapter, and after coming to Indiana was in- strumental in forming Ossian Lodge, No. 297, A. F. & A. M., of which he was a char- ter member and the first J. W. He was also a charter member of Bluffton Chapter, No. 95, R. A. M., and a member of Fort Wayne Commandery, No. 4, K. T.

ENRY MOSSBURG, of Liberty Town- ship, was born in Henry County, Indi- ana, September 16, 1821, the third son and sixth ehild of Rev. Heury and Jane (Tharl- kill) Mossburg. The father was born in 1797, and was reared in Maryland. When he was a young man he went to Virginia in pursuit of work, and later went to Ohio with the Tharl- kill family, who located in Chillicothe, Ross County. Mrs. Mossburg was a native of Virginia and of French ancestry. They re- moved to Delaware County, Indiana, in 1827, where the father purchased twenty aeres of land, which he afterward sold and entered eighty aeres from the Government. This land he partially improved, then sold it and entered eighty acres more, upon which he resided until 1837, when he came to Wells County. There were but two families in Liberty Township when he settled there. November 2, 1838, he died, and was the first white man buried in that township. He lost his health while serving in the war of 1812. When he felt that the end was near, he selected the spot he wished for his last rest- ing place. IIe had officiated as minister in the Christian church for many years. Ilis wife survived him until 1872, and died at an advanced age. Of their nine children four are still living-Daniel, Henry, James T. and Esther L. Our subjeet was seventeen years of age when his father died. He remained with his mother until his marriage, after

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which time his mother lived with him. She is buried in the Mossburg cemetery. Henry was married August 2, 1845, to Miss Rebecca Scotton, daughter of John and Dinah Scotton, who came from England to this country when Mrs. Mossburg was a child. To this union three children were born, only one surviving -- Isaac. Mrs. Mossburg died April 19, 1851, at the age of twenty-nine years. May 2, 1852, Mr. Mossburg was married to Mary E. Wixlie, whose first husband was Leander Wiley. She was a daughter of James and Harriet Ware, who came from Kentucky to Wells County in 1847. Mr. Mossburg has resided upon one farin for a period of fifty years. He has added to his estate from time to time until he had 400 acres of land, 298 acres having been entered from the Govern- ment. Ile has divided with his children and now has 153 acres of improved land in a good state of cultivation. By his last marriage ten children were born, nine of whom are living-Harriet A., Lafayette, Ellen M., William, Jane, Armintha, Eddie, Lizzie and Walter. Milton died at the age of three years. The parents are members of the Christian church, and in politics Mr. Mossburg is a Republican.

AMES K. HEDGES, farmer and manu- facturer of tile, Harrison Township, was born in that township, October 25, 1849, a son of Robert Iledges. Ilis early life was spent on the farm and in attending the com- mon schools. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority. He was mar- ried February 22, 1872, to Miss Eunice A1. Nell', daughter of Levi and Rebecca (Good- speed) Nefl. Her father was a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and a son of John Neff. IIe was married in Athens County in

1849, removed to this county and settled in Harrison Township, where he passed the re- mainder of his days. They were the parents of six children-William W. (deceased), Eunice A., Charles E. (deceased), John N., Mary E. and Thankful C. (deceased). The mother died May 13, 1875, and the father October 29, 1854. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics he was a Republican. After his marriage, our subject remained upon his father's farm for about two years, then rented until he purchased his present farin on section 29, in 1880, consisting of thirty-six aeres of improved land. In 1884 he engaged in the manufacture of tile, which proved a successful enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Hedges are the parents of seven children-Charles F., Alice M., Robert L., Nathan C., James E., Arthur C. and Harry. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and politi- cally he affiliates with the Democratic party.

ATHAN LANCASTER, farmer, Ches- ter Township, was born in Grant Con- ty, Indiana, October 25, 1836, son of John and Ruth (Shields) Lancaster. His father was born near Lebanon, Warren Coun- ty, Ohio, and of English-Seoteh ancestry, the Lancaster family being direet descendants of the Lancasters of England. The mother was born in Virginia, of Irish ancestry. Nathan was only a year old when his parents removed to Chester Township, and here they have resided ever since. At that time not a blow had ever been struck on the place, and the father made his own clearing and built his own log cabin. Deer were plenty, and Nathan well remembers when six or seven deer came into the fields in a drove. Ile was married in this county, December 18,

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1862, to Miss Mary Starr, born in Chester Township, and a daughter of Benjamin and Matilda (Popijoy) Starr, natives of Ohio, the father of llocking County and the mother of Fayette County. Her grandfather settled on Six-mile Creek, Wells County, in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Laneaster have had seven children, of whom two, Matilda Ellen and an infant unnamed, are deceased. Those living are-Louis Grant, Harvey B., Louisa Jane, John Edward and Orley Lionel. Mr. Lancaster's brother John was a soldier in the late civil war, being a member of the Seventy- fifth Indiana Infantry, and died from disease contracted while in the service. lle was in the last stage of his disease when brought home. Politically Mr. Lancaster affiliates with the Republican party, and religiously he is a member of the Christian church. IIe owns 240 acres of land, 100 aeres being eleared.

T FILLIAM II. MILLER, an enterpris- ing and publie-spirited citizen of Wells County, and justice of the peace of Chester Township, is a native of In- diana, born in Henry County, April 7, 1852, a son of John and Rachel (Rodgers) Miller. John Miller was a native of Boone County, Kentucky, and when a boy three years old was brought by his parents to Henry County, Indiana. May 29, 1852, he came to Wells County and purchased 160 acres of wild land on section 14, on which he located. Game was very plentiful, especially deer, wild tur- keys and squirrels, when he first settled in the county, but he did not follow hunting except for fur animals, of which he hunted and trapped a considerable number. IIe made his home in Wells County until 1880, when he removed to Reno County, Kansas,

remaining there until his death in June, 1885. llis widow still survives, and is making her home on the farm near William II. in Chester Township. William Il. Miller was but seven weeks old when he was brought by his parents to Wells County, and here he has sinee lived with the exception of about three years, from 1880 until 1883, spent in Wexford County, Michigan. Ile was reared to the avocation of a farmer, his youth being spent in assist- îng on his father's farm and in attending the schools of Chester Township. November 1, 1875, he was married to Miss Amanda M. Miller, a native of Wells County, Indiana, a daughter of Ilenry G. and Francina ( Morris) Miller, natives of Germany and Ohio respect- ively. Five of the six children born to this union are living-William II., George E., Laura Ellen, Ida Elsie and Lewis Eliner. Helen Viola is deceased. Since 1878 Mr. Miller, in connection with his farming pur- suits, has followed blacksmithing and ear- pentering. Ilis farm consists of his interests as an heir in 145 aeres of land which is mostly all improved. When the family first settled in the county settlers were few, and many were the hardships and privations endured by these pioneers. The road which runs past the home farin was then nothing but a trail through the woods, and the improvement of Chester Township had hardly eommeneed. When they could not go to mill, they would have to grate corn on an iron grater late into the night to get enough eorn meal for the next day, or they would sometimes pound the corn in a mortar. Wheat was a great rarity in those days. For two or three years after coming to the county the father, John Miller, made a living by hunting minks and selling their skins. When John Miller first settled in this county he had a hard time to make a living. The foxes would catel and carry off the pigs, and opossum would visit the hen

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roost. The howling of the wolves made the night hideous; so bold did they become that they would come near the house and fight the dog, and often when Mr. Miller would go out hunting for raccoon, the howling of the wolves would drive the dog back and he would be obliged to return. One hard winter when feed was scarce, he had to take his ax and cut down the elin trees for the cattle to browse upon to keep them from perishing. Their meat consisted principally of turkey and squirrel, and when the old gun got ont of fix they had to do without even that. In polities Mr. Miller affiliates with the Democratic party, but in local elections votes independent of party ties. In the spring of 1884 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he has since filled with credit to himself and sat- isfaction to his constituents. He is a mem- ber of the old school Baptist church, and Mrs. Miller is a member of the Christian church.

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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