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 44
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 44
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).
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
...
the signi
Hiram Fewlesbury
915
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
home on the land on which he first settled, to which he has added until his farm now contains 200 acres of choice land. Ile made the journey from Ohio by team, his cash capital at that time being $50, and still owed money on his land. Ile settled in a dense woods, where he built his pioncer eabin and began elearing his land of the heavy timber, and by hard work and perseverance he has made for his family a comfortable home. ITis rude log cabin has been replaced by his fine, substantial residence, which is surrounded with shade and ornamental trees. Mr. Speece is at present principally engaged in stock-raising, in which he is meeting with good success, and is elassed among the well- to-do citizens of the county.
IRAM TEWKSBURY, farmer, Chester Township, was born in Summit Coun- ty, Ohio, December 16, 1840, son of Nathaniel and Naney Tewksbury, natives of Sandwich, New Hampshire, where the family had lived for many generations. John Tewks- bury, the first of the family in this country, came to America in the Mayflower, landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620. Some twenty-five years later he left Plymouth for Sandwich, New Hampshire, which has since been the family home, for a period of nearly two and a half centuries. Nathaniel Tewksbury was married in New Hampshire to Miss Nan. cy Tewksbury, February 24, 1825, and in 1836 they first moved to Summit County, Ohio, where the parents of Mrs. Tewksbury had settled about ten years previous. In 1841 they removed by wagon and ox team to Indiana, leaving Ohio on the 15th of Febru- ary. They camped out at night, wherever they happened to be, often having to eut their way through the woods, and to ford streams
that would almost float their wagon. They arrived in Blackford County the second day of April, and lived there in a small cabin while Nathaniel came to Wells County and made a clearing, using the logs eut down to ereet his log house. In December it was ready for ocenpancy, and he brought his family to the new home. Ilis land consisted of eighty aeres that he had entered from the Government five years before leaving Ohio, and is the land upon which his son Hiram now resides. There was no road near the land; nothing but an Indian trail, which ran from the God- frey Reserve to within half a mile of his farm, afforded means of communication. The principal occupants of the surrounding country were deer, bears, wolves and other wild animals. During the first winter there was a heavy fall of snow, and the wild turkeys would come in droves clear to the house, and some ten or fifteen were caught in one day by Mr. Tewksbury in traps. When he first eame he went to Muneie for his milling, and afterward went to Camden, where there was a corn crusher. A few years later a good mill was put up on the Salamonie River. They hauled their first wheat to Fort Wayne, usually taking about a week for a trip, then received 30 to 50 cents a bushel for it. They would haul back salt at $4 or $5 a barrel. Ile came here with his household goods, an ox team, one cow, and had $1.50 in cash. Here he and his wife reared their family, and lived to see vast inroads made into the dense forests, railroads, manufactories and the ap- pearanee of the whole country changed. Nathaniel Tewksbury was not fond of hunt- ing, and preferred to take his dog and drive the deer from the field rather than shoot them. Ile was among the first to give at- tention to stock-raising, and was always in- terested in this branch of industry. lle died February 11, 1878, his wife having died
-.....
..... ...
.............
916
HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
March 17, 1877. Both are buried in Mont- pelier cemetery. Hiram was reared amid the scenes of pioneer life, and he has always lived on the old homestead. He is probably the largest individual stock-raiser in Wells County. Ile has been twice married. Ile was first married in April, 1863, to Miss Mary Jane Harris, a native of Jay County, Indiana, and daughter of David and Eliza (Caldwell) Harris. She died September 10, 1877. By this marriage were two children- John M. and Elmer. Mr. Tewksbury was married to his present wife January 22, 1880. She was formerly Miss Cecelia Nowlin, a native of Rochester, New York, and daughter of Addison and Mary (McConaghy) Nowlin. They are the parents of two children-Eva and Joy. Mr. Tewksbury owns 1,078 aeres of land in Wells, Blackford and Pulaski counties, Indiana, and Grand Traverse, Mich- igan. He was engaged in the hardware business with William and John Cloud, at Montpelier, from 1875 to 1877, and in the general mercantile business, in the firm of J. T. ITess & Co., during 1881-'82-'83. Ile has been a life-long Republican, as was his father after the organization of that party; previons to that time he was a Whig. Mr. Tewksbury was the Republican and people's candidate for recorder at the last election.
IEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM SWAUM, second son of James and Eliza- beth (Turner) Swaim, was born March 4, 1819, at Jacobstown, Burlington County, New Jersey. His grandfather, William Tur- ner, entered the Revolutionary war when but a boy, and served faithfully through the en- tire war. When young William attained the age of seven years his father died, leaving a widow and four children beside himself-
Martin, Tanton, Achsah and Hannah. After his father's death William was sent to a farm, where he remained until he was sixteen. lle was then apprenticed to learn blacksmithing until twenty-one years of age. llis educa- tional advantages were very meager, but by earnest application and zealous effort he sue- ceeded in gaining a great store of useful knowledge at odd times and after working hours. After four years spent as a laborer in the shop, he, with his brother Tanton, formed a partnership and engaged in the manufact- ure of carriages at Pemberton, New Jersey. At Wrightstown, New Jersey, December 28, 1844, he was married to llannah Toy, daugh- ter of Thomas and Rachel Toy. Five children were born to them-James, November 28, 1845; Jennie Leona, September 23, 1850; Charles Edgar, June 30, 1856; David Hatha- way, September 17, 1858, and William Thomas Toy, April 1, 1861, all of whom are living except Charles Edgar, who died when but nine months old. His son James en- listed in Company A, Thirty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, in the fall of 1861, and served his country faithfully until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment, February 4, 1866, at Brownsville, Texas, reaching home the 22d of February, the same year. In 1846 Colonel Swaim moved West and located at Troy, Ohio, where he with his brother Tanton engaged in the man- nfacture of plows. In 1857, under enthu- siasın of Western emigration, he made a trip to Kansas with a view to making it his home, but owing to the border troubles returned to Indiana and located on a farm near Ossian, Wells County, where he remained until the breaking out of the late civil war in 1861. Ile was brave, noble and kind hearted, ready to aid the needy and lift up the fallen. IIe loved his family dearly, and home was very precious to him, but when the war broke out
- ...
--¿
917
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
he felt it to be his duty to serve his country, which he did so faithfully until his death. He counseled his wife about his affairs, and when he was in the war she acted her part as a soldier's wife should while the Nation was struggling for liberty. Colonel Swaim raised a company of volunteers at Ossian, Murray and Bluffton, which was organized September 16, 1861, as Company A, Thirty- fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with him as Captain. February 16, 1862, he was pro- moted Major, and June 15 following was pro- moted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Ilis enthusiasm and patriotism drew to him a splendid company of men who enlisted be- cause they loved their country and despised traitors. Ile was with his regiment at all times ready for duty, being in the battles of New Madrid, Riddle's Point, Yazoo Pass, White River, Grand Prairie, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Raymond and Champion Hills. To give his views of the general situation while in the service, and to present some idea of his feelings, we quote from various letters which he wrote home.
To his wife:
" IIELENA, ARKANSAS, "February 24, 1862.
* " I do not think things look so dark at this time. As far as I can judge, matters look very favorable to our side. Our forces are moving steadily forward toward Vicksburg at every available point, and sooner or later it must be ours. The rebels at this time, throughout the whole South, are giving back, and our army is on the advance toward their eenter. War is always slow and must be, to be sure. The Revolutionary war lasted seven years, but I have no idea that this will last half that time, but if it does, I say figlit it out, as this is the great struggle between freedom and slavery. If we fail Liberty will take her everlasting flight from
this part of the world, and leave ns in turmoils and war that will not end in our days nor those of our children. I say fight them till death, or conquer. I am well aware that our progress is held back by traitors, both in the army and out of it, but they must give back to popular opinion, and to the force of 500,000 men with guns in their hands, determined that traitors shall not rule this country which was intended for freemen. Our cause is just, and we have the sympathy of the whole Christian world on our side, and if the Almighty ever takes. sides in war, Ile eer- tainly is on our side. With such support as this how can it be possible for us to fail? I am tired of war, and a soldier's life does not suit me, as I have often told you, and no man would return home to his family more pleased than I would if the war was honorably settled; but as an honorable man I cannot leave the service at this time, or at any other while my services are useful to my country." # * *%
To his daughter Jennie:
" RIDDLE'S POINT, April 4, 1862. * **
* "I cannot tell you how long a time it will be before I return home. I may never return. If I do not, recollect that your father was true to the eanse of freedom, and that he died in defense of your country. I never expect to return home to stay until the war is over, unless my health fails me (which I hope it will not). When you hear that the war is at an end, then look for me-and not until then." * *
To his wife:
" RIDDLE'S POINT, April 9, 1862.
* " I think from what I can learn that Island No. 10 has fallen into our hands. The next place will be Fort Pillow, about sixty miles below; when that is taken, then Memphis. I begin to think if our forces meet with good success, as they have of late,
918
HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
the war must soon end -- but one defeat on the Potomae might lengthen it for another year. There are two very important battles yet to gain-one at Richmond, and the other at Corinth, Mississippi." * * * To his wife:
" CAMP NEAR HELENA, ARKANSAS, " September 9, 1862.
* * " I must confess the war clouds look very dark; we appear to meet with defeat on every side. I think we have under-esti- mated both their strength and courage, and we have been fighting them too much as though we were afraid of hurting them. Our commanders will begin to see that they will
have to handle them without gloves. If Congress had declared a general emancipation of all the slaves, and had gone at them right, the war would have been over before this, but they delayed for fear of offending some few slave-holders in Kentucky and elsewhere." *
To his wife:
" CAMP WILMINGTON, " September 23, 1862. " I sometimes think it will have to be a war of extermination before it can be ended; it is a desperate war, and nothing but desperate means will in all probability ter- minate it. At this time nine-tentlis of the ariny are for the immediate emancipation of the slaves, believing that it is the only thing that will save the Government from ruin. It innst be done and will be, and the sooner the President and all others in command consent to it, just that much sooner will this war end." * * *
To M. Platt, New Jersey:
" CAMP, NEAR HELENA, ARKANSAS, " September 29, 1862.
* * * " We have received the Presi- dent's proclamation, and most all are highly pleased with it. It is the only thing that
will bring them to terms. The slavery ques- tion has been the whole cause of this rebellion, and nothing but the wiping out of slavery will ever settle the question permanently. Mark my words, if it is ever settled any other way, we will have the thing to settle in a few years by another war of a more bloody character than the present one." * * * To his wife:
"HELENA, ARKANSAS, February 1, 1863.
* * * "The talk is that I will have to be Colonel if he (Colonel Cameron) is pro- moted to Brigadier-General. God knows that I do not want the place-would you take it if you were in my place-with all the respon- sibilities attached to it? Sometimes I think I could fill the place with honor to my country and myself; at other times I cannot have the first idea of accepting such a posi- tion." # * *
To his wife:
" IN CAMP NEAR HELENA, ARKANSAS, "February 6, 1863. * * " We have been very busy to- day getting up a memorial to the Indiana Legislature, in which we set forth our rights as soldiers and citizens, and ask of them to do nothing to stop the vigorous prosecution of this war, but to urge it forward with all the energy of a patriotie people. We insist that no terms of peace be agreed to that will not be honorable and lasting, and if any other terms are agreed to, we give them to under- stand that we shall look upon the movers of sneh terms with seorn and contempt. The document was signed by every officer and nearly every man in the regiment. All In- diana regiments are moving in this matter. We wish onr friends to understand that we do not endorse the proceedings of Northern traitors any more than Southern rebels-of the two the Northern wretches are the worst. We think at this time we have a fair prospect
919
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
of victory and the final overthrow of that monster, slavery, which has cost us so many lives and so much trouble. Every sensible man and well wisher of his country now ad- mits that it must be destroyed to insure a lasting peace." *
To his wife:
" MILLIKEN'S BEND, April 15, 1863. * " I feel that we are in the most righteons war that ever anybody was in, and if we fall, we fall in a good cause. If we get into a fight I expect to do my duty as an officer, and have no stain upon my character nor disgrace upon you or my children. ] wish you to act the part of a soldier's wife; take things as they come and be ready for the worst." * * * * * *
At the battle of Champion Hills, Missis- sippi, May 16, 1863, whilst gallantly and bravely leading his regiment, Colonel Swaim was mortally wounded just as the shout of victory went up from the Union side. IIe died from the effects of said wound June 17, 1863, while on board a steamboat on his way home, North. IIis remains were buried at Ossian cemetery, and at the head of his grave stands a beautiful and handsome mon- ument to his memory, ereeted by the officers of his regiment as a testimonial of the high appreciation in which he was held by those who had shared the dangers of eamp, field and battle with him. llis career was hon- orable, brave and true. The following letter from Colonel Cameron, with the resolutions from the officers of the regiment, was sent to Mrs. Colonel Swaim :
"CAMP THIRTY-FOURTH INDIANA,
"NEAR VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, "July 2, 1863.
" MRS. SWAIM, " Dear Madam :-
"You may be assured we were most deeply pained to learn of the death of our esteemed
friend, your husband, on the 30th ult., and paused amid the clamor and noise of war to refleet upon our deep loss. Ile was a true friend, a safe counselor, a generous, noble- hearted man. The more I knew of him the more I loved him, and he has left a place among us which we cannot fill. I deeply . sympathize with you in your great loss, but I know our heavenly Father will be your friend and protector. Enelosed I send you a copy of the proceedings of a meeting of our oflieers; and the sentiment which is there expressed is endorsed by all the men. James is well and doing well as usual.
" I am truly your obedient servant, " R. A. CAMERON."
At a meeting of the officers of the Thirty- fourth Indiana, June 30, 1863, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted, expres- sive of their feelings in relation to the death Lieutenant-Colonel William Swaim, who died from the effects of a wound while command- ing the regiment in the battle of Champion Hills:
" WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God in his seemingly severe, though just providence, to remove from our midst by death, our be- loved soldier and companion in arms, Lien- tenant-Colonel Swaim;
" Resolved, That in his death the regiment has suffered the irreparable loss of a brave, efficient and faithful oflicer; the country a high-minded, unwavering patriot; the canse of liberty a mighty, nneompromising eham- pion, and society a jewel of sterling worth, whose unswerving integrity and dauntless courage stood ont boldly as an example worthy of imitation;
" Resolved, That in this atHietion we sym- pathize with the bereaved widow, orphan children and friends, and with them drop a tear of love and sorrow over a patriot's grave; " Resolved, That while we mourn his un-
.....
-
.... ...... .......
-
...
............... ......
920
.. / ......
HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
timely death, we here pledge anew our fidelity to our bleeding country, and swear eternal vengeance against the infernal dogma of secession and all its upholders;
" Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family of the deceased.
" R. A. CAMERON,
"Colonel Thirty-fourth Indiana. "I. B. Rush,
" Second Lieutenant, Acting Adjutant."
ILLIAM MelNTIRE, farmer, seetion 25, Jackson Township, is a native of Virginia, born in Frederick County, October 14, 1813, a son of Charles and Catherine (Diek) MeIntire, who were natives of the same State, and of Irish descent. The paternal grandfather of our subject eame from Ireland, and was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He was a great hunter, and followed hunting for the army, Charles MeIntire was a soldier in the war of 1812, returning from the service to his home on the day of our subjeet's birth. The parents lived in Frederick County, in their native State, until their death. They had a family of eleven children, of whom five sons and four daughters grew to maturity. The mother was a Presbyterian in her religious belief. The father being a farmer, William, our subjeet, was reared to the same avocation, which he has followed principally through life. He grew to manhood in his native county, receiving sneh educational advantages as the common schools of that early day afforded. IIe was married in 1838 to Miss Mary Fearnow, who was born April 13, 1818, in Morgan County, Virginia, her parents being natives of the same county. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. MeIntire only two are living -- Richard and Emily.
Emily married Robert A. Kilander, March 25, 1882, and they have three children- Charles Edward, Mary Olive and William Perry. Robert A. Kilander is a native of Wells County, Indiana, born in Jackson Township, March 23, 1861, a son of Perry Kilander. In 1868 Mr. MeIntire came to Indiana in company with his brother Harri- son, they buying a farm in Jackson Town- ship, Wells County, from Isaac Bonham, an old settler. Mr. MeIntire and his son-in-law subsequently purchased his brother's interest in the farm, which they still own and occupy, and are engaged in general farming. The farm now contains 170 acres of improved land, and is under good cultivation.
OIIN LEE, an early settler of Wells County, engaged in farming and stock- raising on section 25, Rock Creek Town- ship, is a native of Indiana, born in Wayne County, February 6, 1822, a son of Samnel and Ruth (Hinshaw) Lee. His father was born in Tennessee, a son of John Lee, who was a native of North Carolina and of Irish descent. The mother of our subject was also a native of Tennessee, and was a daugh- ter of William and Margaret Hinshaw, who were born in the same State. They were married in their native State, and to them were born five children, all of whom grew to maturity and were married. Only two are now living. In the fall of 1821 the parents immigrated to Wayne County, Indiana, where they settled in Perry Township. The father died in Wayne County, and the mother subsequently married Mordecai Ellis, and to this union were born two children. The mother is now deceased, her death taking place on the old homestead in Wayne County. John Lee, the subject of this sketeli, lived
-
...
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
921
with his mother until his marriage, being reared on the farm in Wayne County, and receiving his education in the subscription schools of his neighborhood. Ile was united in marriage December 15, 1841, to Miss Esther Ruth, a native of North Carolina, but was brought by her parents, Jeremiah and Fanny (Minburn) Ruth, to Wayne County, Indiana, when a child. To this union were born four children-Mary R. (deceased), Isaae R., Simon (deceased), and James A. After his marriage Mr. Lee settled on a farm in Randolph County, he having purchased a traet of heavily-covered timber land there, and there he cleared forty-five acres. Ilis wife died June 8, 1850, and April 13, 1851, he was again married to Miss Sophia Gallian, who was born in Tennessee, a daughter of Thomas and Tabitha ( Warren) Gallian, who came to Wayne County, Indiana, in an early day. Mr. Lee was a second time bereaved by the death of his wife, which occurred May 14, 1865. By his second marriage he had four children-Ilannah E., wife of B. Ilall, of Wells County; Elizabeth V .; Rachel O., wife of M. J. Park, of Rock Creek Township, Wells County, and Nancy J. In the fall of 1853 Mr. Lee sold his farm in Randolph County, when he came to Wells County and purchased 160 acres of wild land heavily covered with timber, located on sec- tion 25, Rock Creek Township, where he has since made his home, a period of thirty-four years, and by persevering industry and toil he soon had his land cleared and under fine cultivation, and it is now one of the best farms in his neighborhood. He is numbered among the self-made men of the county, having by his own efforts acquired his pres- ent fine property, and by his honorable deal- ings and striet integrity he has gained the respect of the entire community. In relig- jous faith he is a Quaker, and worships at the
Christian elmreh of Bluffton. In politics he was formerly an old line Whig, but on the organization of the Republican party he voted that ticket until 1886, when he cast his suffrage with the Prohibition party.
LBERT FALK, deceased, was born in Prussia, Germany, in the year 1806, a son of Johannas Falk. He was reared in his native country to the avocation of a weaver, remaining with his parents until he came to America. He left his native conn- try in the spring of 1834, and after a voy- age of fifty-two days landed at Baltimore, Maryland. He went directly to Richinond County, Ohio, and purchased eighty acres of land and engaged in farming. He was mar- ried in the fall of 1834 to Miss Catherine Pfaff, who was a native of the same place as our subject, coming to America in 1834. In 1849 they left Richland County for Indiana, where Mr. Falk purchased 160 acres of heavily timbered land in Wells County, of which only a few aeres were partially im- provedl. Shortly afterward he bought 100 aeres, and later bought fifty aeres more in the same township. Ile cleared and im- proved his land, and here he followed farming until his death, and by hard work, frugal- ity and persevering energy he acenmulated a large property, and by his fair and hon- orable dealings he gained the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He died April 28, 1879. Ilis wife died March 6, 1858. They were the parents of nine chil- dren-Jacob, Joseph, Catherine (wife of John Davis), Susan (died, aged twenty-four years), Mary (wife of John M. Campbell, of Sedg- wick County, Kansas), John, William (living in Kansas), Peter and Henry. Their oldest son, Jacob Falk, who is one of the enterpris-
...
922
.........
... - -
HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
ing and progressive farmers of Rock Creek Township, is a native of Richland County, Ohio, the date of his birth being June 26, 1835. Ile lived on the home farm in Rich- land County until fourteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Wells County, Indiana. He lived with his parents until his marriage, in March, 1862, to Miss Rachel Jones, who was born in Rock Creek Town- ship, Wells County, her father, Misheek Jones, being also born in the State of Indiana. Eight children have been born to this union, of whom one son, Isaac, died at the age of fourteen years. Those living are-Mary, wife of Edward Brown, of Fort Wayne; Eli, Jonathan, William, Clara, Jacob and Benja- min. In 1857 Jacob Falk purchased eighty acres of unimproved land on section 26, Rock Creek Township, which he began clear- ing and making improvements on the place. After his marriage he settled on his land where he has since made his home, where he has 110 acres of highly cultivated land, and his improvements are among the best in the county. In his political views he affil- iates with the Democratic party.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.