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 50
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 50
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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
Hugh, and one died in infancy. Ella wedded Dr. Ilamilton Emanuel, of Dakota; Lizzie married Ezra P. Johnson, and resides on the homestead; HIngh is completing his studies at Crawfordsville, Indiana, and will graduate in medicine. The doctor accumulated a large property, and leaves to his widow and children a competeney. He died August 16, 1883, aged sixty-six years. lle left a record which his children may always refer to with pride. He was one of the first physicians in the northern part of the county.
ILLIAM C. JOHNSON, farmer and stoek-raiser, Nottingham Township, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, December 7, 1850, son of Robert and Naney (Buckley) Johnson, the former a native of Greenbrier County, Virginia, and the latter of Jackson County, Ohio. When Robert was two years of age his parents re- moved to Jackson County, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood, where he was mar- ried, and where he and his wife now reside.
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William was next to the youngest of six children. Ile was reared to farm life in Jackson County, and made that county his home until his twenty-fourth year, when he eame to this county and located on a farm of 153 acres he had previously purchased. Of this land only fourteen aeres were cleared and no ditching or draining had been done. Since Mr. Johnson came the timber has gradually disappeared until he has ninety-five aeres cleared, and he has spent $700 on tile draining, and the land that was entirely unfit for cultivation, is now dry and productive. He was married September 14, 1876, to Miss Charity J. Shigley, who was born in Not- tingham Township, daughter of John and and Maria (Reed) Shigley, the former a native of Greene County, Ohio, and the latter of Ross County, same State. They were early settlers of this county, the father having come here with his parents when a young boy. The mother died in 1876, and the father is still a resident of this township. After the death of his wife he married Mrs. Mary Rose, nec Gottschalk. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of five children-John R., Lulu Viola, Mollie Elizabeth, Melvin Monroe and IIngh M. R. O. Mr. Johnson was reared a Democrat, but is now independent in politics.
ENRY C. McCULLICK, farmer, Ches- ter Township, was born in Tyler County, West Virginia, October 11, 1828, a son of Henry and Martha (Twibell) MeCullick, who were natives of Maryland. They re- moved from Maryland to Virginia with their respective parents and were married in the latter State. In 1830 they removed with their family by team to Athens County, Ohio, remaining in that county until October 1, 1835, when they started for Wells County,
Indiana. A road had been made as far as Muncie, Indiana, but from there they had to eut their own road. On coming to the county the family remained with Thomas Blunt, while the father and his son John came to their future home, and the latter entered forty aeres of land. In February, 1836, the family removed to their new home, which was then oeenpied by Indians. Henry MeCul- liek had been reared from boyhood among Indians in the States of Kentucky, Virginia and Ohio, and had followed hunting from the time he was able to carry a rifle, becoming an expert marksman, and in Virginia, the home of the hunters, he had accomplished feats that few could imitate. In that State on one occasion he shot seven panthers, one after another as fast as he could load his gun. After clearing a little of his land Mr. Me- Culliek built a rude log cabin, with puncheon floor and elapboard roof, to which his family removed the following May. Game of all kinds was abundant, and the prodnet of the ritle was the principal support of the family in those days, and it is an un- doubted faet that Mr. MeCulliek shot more deer and other game than any man in Wells County. When he came here there was but one settler in Warren. Mnneie was their nearest milling place. He continued to re- side in Chester Township until his death, October 10, 1863, his wife having died in 1847. Both are buried in the Twibell graveyard in Blackford County. 1Ienry C. McCullick, the subject of this sketch, passed his youth amid pioneer scenes, and was early in life inured to hard work, helping to clear the home farm from the wilderness. He was no hunter, but devoted his time to agricultural pursuits, although he would go coon hunting at night sometimes after his day's.work was done. lle was married in November, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth Anderson, a native of
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Washington County, Ohio, and daughter of Samuel Anderson, who came with his family to Wells County in 1849. To this union were born seven children-Nun, living in Warren; Lot; Isaac N .; William A .; Lucy, wife of William Alexander; Jasper, deceased; and Sarah Jane, deceased, wife of Tilton Jones. Mrs. McCullick died March 27, 1876, and August 19, 1876, Mr. McCullick married Mrs. Mandana MeIntyre, by whom he had one daughter-Emma. Mrs. McCul- lick was a daughter of Robert D. and Esther (Martin) Hadway, they being natives of Jackson County, Ohio. They removed to Wells County, Indiana, in 1843, where both died in 1851, the father dying September 14, and the mother September 21. Mrs. MeCulliek was first married to Thomas Me- Intyre, who died in 1876, leaving two chil- dren-Isaac, and Amanda, who is now the wife of Nun MeCulliek. Mr. McCulliek has experienced many of the hardships and priva- tions, as well as the pleasures, incident to pioneer life, and has seen the surrounding country transformed from a state of nature into its present prosperous condition. Ile is the oldest resident of Wells County, having made his home here more than half a century ago. Ile is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, and takes an active interest in any- thing which has for its object the advance- ment of his township or county. In polities he affiliates with the Greenback party.
OIIN MINNICH, a son of Jacob and Christiana (Ebersole) Minnich, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, the date of his birth being November 11, 1835. Hle was but six years old when brought by his parents to Wells County, but old enough to form a elear idea of the events of those pioneer days.
Within a week after coming here his father was taken siek, and through all that long, hard winter was unable to do work of any kind, and all that time until the Ith of March their horses stood in the deep suow hitched to the wagon, when they raised a round-log stable. About the end of March, 1842, the father was able to cominence work, and during that season took part in twenty-one log-rollings and raisings, assisting new-comers to make a home in the wilderness. He brought with him two barrels of flour from Ohio, and this was all they had until they raised their own wheat some eighteen months later. There was only one road in his neighborhood at that time leading to Huntington, and this was by no means plainly marked, and led off into all directions through the woods, and was often in an almost impassable condition. Mr. Min- nich taught his son JJohn to drive team when but seven years old, and he hauled the first corn his father raised to Huntington. There was no school in his neighborhood until the sceond winter, and this was, the first school our subjeet attended. The school was held in a pole shanty, about forty rods from the present Baptist church. The window was covered with greased paper, and when one of the boys would throw a snow-ball through it the next problem would be where to get another newspaper, as only two men in the entire neighborhood took newspapers at that time. The furniture consisted of a long plank under the above-mentioned window, which was supported by two pegs driven into the wall, and this was used as a writing desk, while the seats consisted of logs split in two and set up on pegs. The fire-place was op- posite the window, and was built entirely of sticks and inud, and the back-logs burned in it were carried in with handspikes by the four largest boys. John Minnich was reared ! amid such pioneer seenes, and was early in
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lite inured to hard work, assisting his father to clear and improve the farm. He was married November 6, 1857, to Miss Mary Huffinan, a daughter of John and Susan (Myers) Huffman, she being a native of Clarke County, Ohio. To this union were born four children-Lewis, Jacob, Oliver and one who died in infancy. Beside their own children, they have provided homes for three others-Jacob Wolfgang, whom they reared from ten years of age; Rachel Bradfield, who is now the wife of William Honeycult, and Daisy Neff, aged twelve years, who is now living with them. Mr. Minnich lived on the home farm of his parents until about two years after his marriage, when in 1859 he removed to eighty acres of land on section 12, Jackson Township, which he had bought in February, 1858. This land was heavily covered with timber, not a tree having been ent. The first work done here he and his father made 2,200 pounds of maple sugar. In 1858 he cleared twenty acres of his land, and that winter put up a round-pole house and stable and had a well dug, and the fol- lowing spring located on the place. That season he cleared, fenced and planted in corn six acres, and from this start he has made one of the best farms in his neighborhood. IIis farm now consists of 160 acres, 116 acres of which is eleared and under fine cultiva- tion, the surroundings showing the owner to be a thorough, practical farmer. He erected his present handsome, substantial residence in the spring of 1874, he having followed carpentering for six years previous. In his political views he is a Democrat, but some- times votes independent of party ties. Though not an office seeker, he has served as super- visor for two terms, to the satisfaction of his constituents. He has been a member of the German Baptist church at Sugar Grove for thirty years, being one of the first members,
and was trustee and treasurer at the time of the erection of the church building. He has been a deacon in the church for twenty years.
ACHARIAII T. FETTERS, farmer, Harrison Township, was born in Fair. field County, Ohio, May 8, 1847, the third son and sixth child of Thomas and Sarah (Bright) Fetters, natives of the same county. The father was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Fetters. Our subject was reared to farm life and attended the common schools until he was sixteen years of age, then began working out by the month, which he con- tinned until he 'was twenty-five years old. In 1863 he went to Tama County, Iowa, where he remained six months, thence to Shelby County, Illinois, remaining several months, then returned to his native county. In 1866 he drove a team to Independence, Missouri, where he remained a little over one year, thence to Leavenworth, Kansas, for a short time, then back to his home in Ohio. Ile started for California, but being unable to go through, went to Hancock County, Ohio, where he was married August 5, 1874, to Miss Catherine Ramsey, daughter of and Louisa Ramsey, the former a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, of Irish descent, and the latter a native of Canada. Six weeks later they arrived in Wells County and settled upon land his father had entered from the Government in 1844. Ile immedi- ately began clearing and improving the land, and now has forty-seven aeres cleared and underdrained. It is conceded to be one of the best farms in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Fetters have had four children-Will- iam A., born June 30, 1875; Benjamin F., born November 16, 1878; Charles De Forest,
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born Angust 6, 1850, and died September 26, 18\1, and Sarah J., born August 16, 1882. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Fetters is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, Lodge 114, at Bluffton, and of the Bluffton Encampment, 141. Politically he is a Republican. Ilis farm contains eighty acres of land and it is well enttivated.
ILLIAM J. MCAFEE, of Bluffton, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 3, 1841, a son of James and Rachel (Dinsmore) MeAfee, natives of Coun- ty Antrim, Ireland, where they were reared and married, and in 1836 came to the United States and settled in Wayne County, Ohio, where they engaged in farming. The parents of James MeAfee accompanied him to the United States, and both died in Ohio. To James and Rachel MeAfec were born two sons-Samuel J. and William J. Mrs. Mc- Afee died in 1842, and the father afterward married Eliza Cherry, and to them were born two daughters-Matilda J., wife of James Earl, and Maria. October 3, 1853, the father came to Wells County, Indiana, and bought eighty-three and a half acres of land in Lancaster Township, where he passed the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1862, at the age of fifty-two years. The subject of onr sketch, William MeAfec, was twelve years of age when his father moved to Wells County, and here he was reared and edu- cated. Ile remained on the farm with his father until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, and July 12, 1861, en- listed in the defense of his country, being the first man to enlist in the three years' service from Wells County. Ile was assigned to Company I, Twenty-second Indiana In-
fantry, and saw active service the greater part of the time of his enlistment, participat- ing in many of the most noted battles of the war. He was with Fremont on the frontier, and at the battles of Glasgow and Warrens- burg, Missouri, was at Pea Ridge, Corinth, Bay Springs, Perryville, Stone River, Iloover's Gap, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Rome, Rocky Face Ridge, Big Shanty, New Ilope Church, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain, Dallas, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, with Sherman to the sea, and at Averasboro and Bentonville. Ile participated in the grand review at Washington, and was honorably discharged August 5, 1865. Ile was wounded twice, in the head at Mission Ridge, and in the foot at Kenesaw Mountain. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Wells County, and engaged in farming on the old homestead, his father having died while he was in the army. In 1867 he bought eighty aeres of land in Jefferson Township, and built a house, and cleared twenty-five aeres. In 1870 he sold his farm and went to Osage, Kansas, where he lived three years; then re- turned to Wells County, and bought eighty acres of improved land in Lancaster Town- ship. In 1882 he bought 160 acres on sec- tion 17, Harrison Township, which is one of the best farms in the county. Ile lived on this farm three years, and in March, 1885, rented it and moved to Bluffton. For a year and a half he was engaged in the farm-imple- ment business, and in the fall of 1886 be- came associated with George II. Maddox in the livery business. Mr. MeAfee was married September 27, 1867, to Mary E. Taylor, a daughter of Levi and Keziah (Calahan) Tay- lor, who came from Trumbull County, Ohio, to Wells County, in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. MeAfee have five children-Orpha, Harry
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L., James T., Ellsworth and Ella. In poli- ties Mr. MeAfee is a Republican, and is chairman of the Wells County Republican Central Committee. Hle is a member of Lew. Dailey Post, No. 33, Bluffton.
JEORGE E. GARDINER. - George Gardiner, grandparent of the subject of this sketch, married Elizabeth White, and emigrated from Ireland to America in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and lived many years in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. From thence he moved to Wayne County, Ohio. To them were born four sons and four daughters. James Gar- diner, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn- sylvania, June 5, 1800, and on October 9, 1827, married Jane MeCaughey, daughter of Joseph and Jennetta MeCaughey. They were blessed with eight children, namely- Elizabeth, Jennetta, Margaret, George, Sarah, Joseph, Samuel and Wilson, all of whom grew to be men and women. The only sur- vivors at the present time are Elizabeth, George and Samuel, George E. Gardiner, the subject of this sketch, was born April 4, 1835, in Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1849 immigrated with his parents to Wells County, Indiana. His parents were poor, bnt honest and industrions. Soon after moving to Wells County the father, James Gardiner, was seriously wounded at a wolf hunt, and as a result was disabled from performing manual labor during the remainder of his life. As George was the eldest son, the task of for- nishing the necessaries of life fell heavily upon him. The searcity of provisions and money ineident to the new and unimproved condition of the country presented diffienl- ties which were almost insurmountable, and
yet, by united effort and great care, they went through them all. George continued to aid his parents and contribute to their support until he was married. When the war of the Rebellion broke ont, George, with his two oldest brothers, Joseph and Samuel, imme- diately responded to their country's eall for troops. The fourth brother, Wilson, was too young to enlist at that time, but went two years later. Joseph and Wilson both fell in battle, in June, 1864, near Dalton, Georgia. Samuel received a wound, and from the efleets of exposure still suffers from paralysis, which renders him entirely unfit for any duty, but he has the warm sympathy of all around him. George E. enlisted in August, 1861, in Company E, Thirtieth Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, commanded by S. S. Bass, of Fort Wayne, who was killed at the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee. Ile participated in skirmishes, marches and engagements in Kentucky and Tennessee, taking part in the battle of Shiloh, followed closely by skir- mishes and the capture of Corinth. From thenee he went to Iuka, Florence, Decatur, Huntsville, Stevenson and Battle Creek, Ala- bama. At the latter place he was prostrated with fever, removed to Nashville and placed in a hospital. IIe was soon discharged, on account of disabilities received from exposure and forced marches. He remained at home for a time, but after being restored to health he re-enlisted, this time in Company A, For- ty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the engagements in and around Mobile, Alabama. He was mustered out October 26, 1865, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. On arriving home after the war he engaged in teaching school. In 1865 he bought a tract of land in the woods of Wells County, and toiled industriously at improving his farm until December, 1870, at which time he was appointed deputy treasurer of the county.
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lle remained in the treasurer's office until November, 1875, when he was elected county auditor. During the four years he served in this office he enjoyed the approbation of all parties. Ile retired from the office at the expiration of the term greatly broken down in health, but with the good wishes of all who knew him. lle is now serving his third term as a member of the city school board, and the present prosperity of the schools is largely due to his wise counsels and untiring efforts. He was reared in the United Pres- byterian church, but is now a leading mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, and a ruling elder in the same. He took a very active part in the building of the new and beautiful church edifice, giving alnost his entire time to the superintendency of its construction, and contributing liberally from his means. Politically he is a staunch Democrat. Al- though reared a Republican, and having voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, yet in 1862, while in the army, he became a Dem- ocrat, and has ever since been one of the strongest advocates of his party's principles. Ile is a prominent member of the Masonie fraternity, being a Knight Templar. He is also a member of Lew. Daily Post, No. 33, G. A. R. Ile was married September 24, 1863, to Mattie E. Ogden, from which union a son, John R., was born, who is now a prom- ising young man of sixteen years. Ilis beloved wife, Mattie, dying September 26, 1885, he was afterward married to Mrs. M. C. Thomas, who is his present wife. Mr. Gar- diner is now living in the quiet of his peace- ful home, with his wife, his son John, and his father-in-law, John Ogden. IIe has in . his life passed through many scenes of hard- ship and danger, having performed faithfully his duties to his God, his country, his parents and society. In the different ofliees in which he has served he has been a faithful publie
servant, enjoying at all times the confidence and esteem of all, irrespective of party. Ile has always been strictly temperate in his habits, of great liberality and fine social qualities. Being genial, generous and pub- lie spirited, he has also been known for his strength of character and straightforward- ness, always keeping in view right and justice.
ILLIAM CARGER, one of the pro- gressive farmers of Rock Creek Township, is a native of Ohio, born in Knox County, June 18, 1834, a son of Emannel and Margaret (Long) Carger. When he was a child his mother died, and after her death he found a home in the fam- ily of William Roberts. He came with Mr. Roberts to Wells County, Indiana, in 1850, remaining with him until his death, almost twelve years. After the death of Mr. Rob- erts he went to work for Jacob Shively, re- maining in his employ four years when he went to Warren, where he spent one year. Ile was married September 11, 1859, to Miss Margaret Sheets, a native of Huntington County, Indiana, and daughter of John Sheets. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Carger, of whom one son, Emanuel, is deceased. The names of those yet living are-Julia A., Mary C., John and William. After his marriage Mr. Carger bought 101 acres of land on section 6, Rock Creek Township, of which fifteen aeres were partially cleared. He cleared and improved this land, making his home there until 1874 when he traded his land on section 6 for 101 acres of his present farm on section 7, to which he has since added eighty-two acres, all of which is now cleared and under good cultivation. All his property has been made
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HISTORY OF WELLS COUNTY.
by years of toil and strict economy, and his first fifty-six acres were paid for with money he earned while working as a day laborer. Mrs. Carger died September 10, 1886. She was a worthy member of the Christian church. Mr. Carger is a member of the same church. Ile is an Odd Fellow, and belongs to Markle Lodge, No. 362. In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party.
ILLIAM B. MERRIMAN, a pros- perons eitizen of Lancaster Township, residing on seetion 21, has been identified with Wells County since 1851, in which year he settled on the land he still oe- eupies, buying at that time forty aeres from James Daily, a pioneer of Wells County. IIe owned before that an adjoining eighty acres, purchased by him in 1844, and has since added another forty acres, his home farm now consisting of 160 acres of well improved and cultivated land. Mr. Merriman is a native of Ohio, born in Wayne County, November 22, 1816. Ilis parents, Elijah and Mary (McCoy) Merriman, made their home in Wayne County only nine days before his birth, they coming from Fayette County, Pennsylvania, where they were born, reared and married. They spent the rest of their lives in Wayne County, the father dying at the age of forty-five years, and the mother in her seventy-ninth year. Of the eleven ehil- dren our subject was the fourth child and second son. Nine of them are yet living, their average age in 1857 being over sixty- seven years. James lives at Liberty Center, Wells County, where he settled in 1838; Thomas and Elijah live in Whitley County; John lives in Wayne County, Ohio; Mrs. Mahala Johnson is also a resident of Wayne County; Mrs. Sarah Griffith lives in Iowa; Mrs.
Eliza Muncy resides at Liberty Center; Mrs. Iluldah Wire lives in Huntington County, and the two youngest children died in child- hood. William B. Merriman, the subject of this sketch, spent his youth on his father's farm. At the age of nineteen years he be- gan learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed over thirty years, working at his trade in Wells County over thirty years. Ile was united in marriage, November 12, 1838, to Miss Elizabeth Knight, who was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1820, a daughter of Daniel Knight. Iler parents subsequently removed to Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1851 came to Wells County, both dying in Lancaster Township. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Merriman-Mrs. Lucinda Daily, residing in Arkansas; Mrs. Mary Ann Patte, of Jeffer- son Township, Wells County; Ezra, living at Murray; Mason, living in Arkansas; Mrs. Almira Davis, deceased, and William Henry, a resident of Bluffton. Mr. Merriman came to Wells County comparatively poor, but is now in good cirenmstances, surrounded by all the necessary comforts of life. Ile is a Democrat in his political views, having voted that tieket since casting his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren in 1836.
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