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 51
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 51
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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
HARVEY WEAVER was born in Cen- ter County, Pennsylvania, son of Solo- mon and Julia A. (Zeigler) Weaver, also natives of Pennsylvania, who were for many years engaged in farming. The father was a wagon and coach-maker by trade, and had a shop upon his farm near Rebersburg. Their children were Cyrus, Calvin, Nathaniel and IIarvey, all of whom were born in Center County, and all came to this county except Calvin, who remained in Uuion County,
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Pennsylvania. The parents are both de- ceased. Cyrus married Ella Bunn, and is a carpenter, residing at Decatur, Indiana. Na- thaniel and Harvey both learned the trade of harness-making in Pennsylvania. Nathaniel arrived at Ossian in the autumn of 1877, and purchased the shop and stock of W. B. Mills. The next spring Harvey became a resident of the village, and in 1881 a partnership was formed which continued four years, when Nathaniel purchased his brother's interest and has since then condneted the business alone. Nathaniel married Miss Maggie Glass, daughter of John Glass, Sr., October 10, 1882, Rev. Ryder performing the mar- riage ceremony. They have one child - Maggie M. Harvey married Miss Wealthy G. Gorrell, daughter of John G. Gorrell, of this township, December 23, 1885. They have one son-Dent, whose grandfather is the oldest citizen of the county. Since dis- posing of his interest in the harness business our subjeet has given his attention to farm- ing. The brothers are representative busi- ness men, and are allied by marriage to two of the oldest and best families in Jefferson Township.
ILLIAM M. TWIBELL, farmer, Chester Township, was born upon the farm where now he resides, Novem- ber 14, 1847, son of Luther and Sarah (Bowman) Twibell. His father was born in Taylor County, Virginia, February 1, 1822, of Irish ancestry. He was reared to farm life in his native State, and removed to Henry County, Indiana, in October, 1834, thenee to Blackford County in 1840, traveling by team all the way. Luther remained with his parents until marriage, which occurred March 7,1841 Mrs. Twibell was born in Greene
County, Pennsylvania, and of Dutch descent. In October, 1841, they came to Wells County and purchased eighty aeres of land, which now comprises a part of the village of Key- stone. Everything was new. Neighbors were scaree and wolves were plenty. Wild game was also abundant. Here he made his clearing, and with the logs eut down he erected his first log cabin and necessary farm buildings, all of which have been torn down to give place to railroads. Their milling was done at Mnneie, and there was no regular road to travel over. There were only four teams in the whole neighborhood, and they were scattered over a territory embracing Chester and Harrison townships. He was not fond of hunting, and his time was de- voted to elearing and improving his land. Some idea of the experiences of those pioneer days may be formed, when it is related that three families, consisting of twenty-two pco- ple, occupied a house 16x18 feet. The first cook stove was purchased by his two sons, William and David, who sold the wheat they raised on a piece of laud set apart for that purpose. Their cabin was raised one day and the family moved in the next, and the furni- ture consisted of a table made by driving stakes in the ground and laying elapboards. When they removed to Wells County they moved into their house before even a hole was eut for the chimney, and the first fire was built in the middle of the room. Amid such scenes as these our subjeet was reared, and he has always lived on the old homestead. Ile was married June 7, 1868, to Miss Adelaide Gertrude Waugh, a native of Blackford County. She was left an orphan at the age of four years, and was reared by her grandmother and unele. Mr. and Mrs. Twibell have had six children, of whom one, an infant unnamed, is deceased. The living are-Eli Alexander, Levi Lewis, Sarah Ora, Mary Eva and Minnie
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Ola. Both are members of the United Breth- ren church, of which he is steward, and in poli- ties he is a Republican, as is also his father.
TESLEY HARVEY MADDOX, re- tired farmer, residing in Chester Township, was born in Highland County, Ohio, September 2, 1821, a son of Michael and Frances (Williams) Maddox, na- tives of Virginia, and of English and Scotch deseent respectively. Ilis paternal ancestors came to America about the time of the Revo- lutionary war. Michael Maddox . was twice married. Ile was first married in Virginia to a lady by the name of Fraley, by whom he had ten children. After his marriage he came, in 1795, to Adams County, Ohio, and later removed to Highland County, where his wife died. He was then married in High- land County, to Frances Williams, and in the fall of 1839 he removed with his family to Blackford County, Indiana, where he lived until his death September 10, 1845. In 1866 his widow went to Nebraska, and died in Richardson County, that State, December 10, 1874. Wesley II. Maddox, the subject of this sketeh, was reared till his sixteenth year in Highland County, when, in 1837, he came to Indiana, having a brother in Win- chester, Randolph County, with whom he remained from February till the following April, when he came to Blackford County, and after his parents came to that county, he made his home with them until after his father's death. In 1842 he and a half brother bought 160 acres of land on seetion 36, Ches- ter Township, his half-brother giving a horse in payment for his share. At that time lie had not a dollar, but at onee set to work hunting coon and deer, and at the close of the year 1844 had his eighty acres paid for,
and in 1845 he purchased the eighty aeres belonging to his half-brother, when he went to Wayne County and began working for $10 per month. After working four years in Wayne, Fayette and Union counties he had paid for his land, besides making a trip home every year, and going to Bluffton to pay his taxes. A log house, 18 x 24 feet, had been built on his land by the former owner, who had settled here in 1841. Mr. Maddox was married November 8, 1849, and on the 22d of November he and his wife settled on the place. It was then wild timber laud with only an acre cleared, and their joint posses -. sions consisted of a bedstead, a few dishes, two cows and two colts, but Mr. Maddox soon made a table out of black walnut, which he still has in his possession. Ile had been quite a hunter from the time he came to In- diana until he settled on his land, and from that time devoted his time to elearing and improving his place, remaining there until he moved to his present farm on seetion 24 of the same township, and from his small beginning he has accumulated 328 aeres of land, of which about 218 aeres have been cleared. Mrs. Maddox was formerly Miss Eliza Ann Grove. She was born in the State of Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Ann Grove, who came to Wells County, Indiana, in 1839, living in this county until their death. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Maddox, of whom seven are living-Leander E. (a physician), Mrs. Frances M. Leech, Joseph Collins, William MeKendree, Sarah Ellen (wife of Amaziah Shields), Wesley Harvey and Laura Belle. Thomas is deceased. Mrs. Maddox died May 9, 1874. In politics Mr. Maddox has been a Republican since the or- ganization of that party. IIe has held among other local offices that of township trustee. He takes an active interest in the affairs of his township, and in the advance-
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ment of the cause of education, and has given his children good educational advan- tages. llis wife taught the first school in Chester Township, on the land now owned by John Graves. Mr. Maddox has expe- rienced the privations as well as the pleas- nres of pioneer life, and has witnessed the surrounding country change from a state of nature into well cultivated fields and thriving towns and villages.
OIIN II. BENDER, farmer and stock- raiser, section 14, Rock Creek Township, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1840, the eldest son of John and Barbara (Mast) Bender. When he was ten years old his parents came to Wells County, Indiana, and after living in Bluffton six months, they located in Rock Creek Township, purchasing the farm on which our subjeet now resides in 1852. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer and received a common-school education in the schools of his neighborhood. ]Ie was early in life in- ured to hard work, his youth being spent in assisting his father clear his land. Ile en- listed in the late war August 15, 1862, and was assigned to Company B, One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry. He went through Kentucky and Tennessee, and participated in many hard fought battles, serving his country until the close of the war. He was honor- ably discharged August 24, 1865, when he returned to his home in Wells County, and for the following nine years he was engaged in running a threshing machine during the summer, and sawing wood and hnlling corn during the rest of the year. September 28, 1870, he was married to Miss Eliza Raver, a daughter of Joseph Raver, of Bluffton, and to them have been born eight children -- Cora
E .. John D. (died, aged three years), Della Jane, William II., Louis Nelson, Charles N., Ada Azora, and one who died in infancy. After his marriage Mr. Bender settled on his father-in-law's farm where he resided nine years. Ile then removed to the old Bender homestead in Rock Creek Township, which he purchased in 1881, and now owns about 120 acres of choice land well improved and under fine cultivation. Mr. Bender began life without capital, but with a determination to succeed, and by his own efforts has acquired his present farm, and by his honorable deal- ings he has won the respect of the entire community. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. lle and his wife are members of the Reformed church, in which they take an active interest. He was elected superintendent of the Sunday-school in 1885, '86 and '87, and under his management the average attendance of the school more than doubled.
ETER MINNICHI, an active and pro- gressive agriculturist, engaged in farin- ing on section 12, Jackson Township, was born in Wells County, Indiana, May 10, 1844, a son of Jacob and Christiana (Ebersole) Minnich, an old and honored pioneer of the county. Peter grew up to manhood amid the scenes attending the life of the early settlers, and passed his youth in assisting his father clear his farm, and in attending the rnde pole cabin school of his neighborhood, where lie received his education. Ile was married May 29, 1864, to Miss Martha Jane Clampitt, a native of North Carolina, a daughter of George and Mahala Clampitt. Her parents came to Indiana in 1858, and settled in Iluntington County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Seven children have
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been born to Mr. and Mrs. Minnich, of whom six are still living-Rosa Ellen, Emma Elsie, Nancy Catherine, Charles Emery, Nellie Dell and Perry Oscar. A son named George Ilill is deceased. Mr. Minnich made his home with his parents until three years after his marriage, when he bought eighty acres of the farm where he has since resided. It was then in a state of nature, entirely unimproved, and after elearing a small space he erected a frame honse, which is still standing. By in- dustry and good management he has added to his original purchase until his farm now contains 120 aeres of land, of which 103 aeres is cleared and improved. In politics Mr. Minnich casts his suffrage with the Repub- liean party. He is a member of the German Baptist church, and has been superintendent of the Sabbath-schools at Sugar Grove for four years.
ILLIAM WILKIN was born in HIar- rison County, Ohio, near Cadiz, son of Thomas P. and Mary A. (Poland) Wilkin, who were married in that county, and where the two oldest children were born -- William, and Mary A., now the wife of John Kleinknight. The death of the mother occurred when Mary was only seven days old, and the children were cared for by their grandmother Wilkin. She was left a widow when her son Thomas was a mere lad, and after his marriage, her home was with him, and came with him to this county to share the toils and hardships of pioneer life. Wil- liam was born April 8, 1833, and was four years of age when his father removed from Ohio to this county, stopping at Murray during the winter of 1837. The next spring Thomas came to the land now occupied by our snbjeet, which was entered by him Sep-
tember 13, 1839. The following year he entered another tract, both of which patents, bearing the signature of President Van Buren, are in possession of William Wilkin. The first year they built a log cabin and cleared a few acres. They experienced very hard times. The horses strayed away, and one was mired and died in the swamp. An- other one also died, and Thomas was left without a team to work his ground. A number of Indians were eneamped near the edge of Bear Swamp, remaining three or four years, hunting all the while through these woods. Game of all kinds was abund- ant, and bears were occasionally killed. Mr. Wilkins relates that the Indians killed a bear near his father's house one morning, and afterward brought him one of the hams. They also made maple sugar in the woods near by, and were upon excellent terms with all the white settlers, of whom there were but few. Game furnished most of the meat supply for several years. A few hogs were raised, but these were wild and comparatively valueless. Farming was conducted on a very sinall scale, and there was nothing that would bring money, and in fact there was nothing to sell except coon and deer pelts, and they only brought a trifle. The corn that was planted was preyed upon in the spring by squirrels and in the fall by raccoons, until there was seareely anything left for the set- tlers. Martin Perry settled near Thomas Wilkin, and for years they were the only ones in this immediate neighborhood. The fortunes of the newcomers improved very slowly, in fact money could hardly be ob- tained to pay taxes. Our subject was rapidly growing into manhood, and developed into a great hunter. Inured to forest life, and agile as an Indian, he, in company with Jo. Men- denhall, now of Liberty Township, hunted in partnership for several years, and during the
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season, their receipts averaged from $10 to $40 per day. With the money thus obtained William aided his father and helped to save him from many inconveniences. Thomas married Miss Rhoda Sutton about 1848. Not agreeing very well, they separated three years later, and Thomas remained unmarried during the remainder of his life. Ile was elected to official positions but refused to qualify, and was averse to attending to any save his own business. He died November 19, 1873, after a long life of usefulness, hav- ing been one of the first settlers in the county. In the early day, when a stranger appeared, Thomas waited not for him to approach un- heralded, but always left his work and ran to make him welcome. William Wilkin was not well educated, in the ordinary sense of the word, as schools were almost unknown during his boyhood. He is a man, however, possessing good practical common-sense and judgment, and possessing much shrewdness, withal, being one of the best farmers in the neighborhood. He is making money easily and rapidly. His mind is stored with much valuable information regarding the early his- tory of the town and the historian is under great obligation for much that will appear in this work. February 21, 1856, he married Mary E. F. Trenary, daughter of Richard A. Trenary, one of the first settlers of Allen and Wells counties. He was known among the Indians as the " True Pale Face." Mr. and Mrs. Wilkin had nine children-Richard, Evaline, Naney, William A., Emma J., Alonzo D., Clarence V., Nelson S. and Gracie. The death of the wife and mother occurred November 19, 1874. Five of her children are living and one is married. Miss Laura J. Woodard became the wife of Mr. Wilkin, March 16, 1876, Rev. J. II. Me Mahon performing the marriage ceremony. They had one child-Cora S. A few years
later, Laura J. separated from her husband, and July 13, 1884, Mr. Wilkin married Miss Rachel A. Norton, and Rev. B. Howard, pastor of the Poneto Baptist church, per- forming the ceremony. Mrs. Wilkin's par- ents were W. Il. and Sarah A. (Huggins) Norton, whose parents were also early set- tlers, coming to Wells County in 1840. The mother is now a resident of Bluffton. The home of Mr. Wilkin is sneh as might be expected of a man who has wealth and am- bition. The courtesy of himself and wife is proverbial. Naney, the second daughter, married Marion Garton, a farmer and manu- facturer of tile in Lancaster Township. Al- though still a young man Mr. Wilkin has six grandchildren.
LIJAH HUFFMAN is a worthy repre- sentative of the Huffinan family, who have been closely identified with the development of this part of Wells County. He is a native of the State of Indiana, born in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, February 1, 1855, a son of John and Snsan- nah (Myers) Huffman. He grew to manhood on the old homestead in Salamonie Township, being reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has always followed. He was united in marriage November 17, 1878, to Miss Mary E. Hamilton, who was born in Wells County, Indiana, a daughter of Alexander and Anna (Wright) Hamilton. They are the parents of one child, a daughter, named Maud S. Mr. Huffman made his home with his mother in Iluntington County until two years after his marriage. Ile then, in the spring of 1879, bought forty aeres in Jackson Township, Wells County, part of which was cleared. Sinee coming here he has cleared ten acres and put 600 rods of tile on his original forty
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acres, and has added to this until his farm now contains eighty-one and a half aeres. Ilis farm is all cleared but three acres, and the surroundings of his place show him to be a thorough, practical fariner. Politically he is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.
ICHAEL C. BLUE, farmer, was born in Miami County, Ohio, April 16, 1836, son of Uriah and Rachel (Moore) Blue, who were among the earliest settlers of the Miami Valley. In March, 1840, Uriah Blue emigrated to this county with his family, and settled upon the north- west quarter of section 15, Lancaster Town- ship. He entered this land in 1836. The patent is now in possession of our subjeet, and bears the signature of President Van Buren. They had four children when they came to the eonnty-Mary, Lucinda, Michael C. and James. Their household goods were transported with teams, and a few cows were driven through. No improvements had been made upon the land, and the family pitelied their tent beside a great log. During the night a violent snow stormn came up, which almost covered both tent and wagons. Wolves howled on every side, and their snapping teeth, added to their dismal howls, drove the dog inside. Their first introduction to Wells County was anything but pleasant. Word was received by the neighbors who lived down the river that a new family had arrived, and in three or four days a number of them put in an appearance. They helped ent the logs, raise and cover the new cabin, and made the family as comfortable as possible. All were strangers, and Mr. Blue does not remember any of their names, as he was then only four years old. There was not a monthful of feed
for the cattle, and during the spring they be- came very poor and a part of them perished before the snow was gone. To add to their vexations, the horses strayed away and re- turned to Miami County. Uriah went after them and was fortunate enough to recover them. The father was a cooper by trade, and was rather an unsuccessful farmer. He finally eleared forty acres, but his chief de- light consisted in hunting. Ile was very suceessful, and the larder was well supplied with wild meats. Hundreds of deer fell vie- tims to his unerring aim, and the products of the chase maintained his family alinost exelusively. Upon his arrival he had $5 in money, 84 of which was expended for four bushels of corn. Being the only cooper in the neighborhood, he made all the barrels, well-buckets and eront-tubs that were used for miles around. There were no schools in the neighborhood, and our subjeet was fifteen years old before he could read his first spell- ing-book, which was purchased with money from the sale of wild blackberries. Sallie Baldwin taught a "select" school at her home, and Michael was one of her first pupils. He early learned the mysteries of the chase, and he also became an expert hunter and trapper. In speaking of his school-boy costume, Mr. Blue says, "My pantaloons were made of dressed bnekskin; vest and eap of fawn skin, tanned with the hair on, while moccasins of deer skin orna- mented my feet." IIis father did not favor education in any sense, but Michael was de- lighted with books. He made barrels until money enough was earned to buy Ray's Third Arithmetic, and he frequently stole out to the woods, where most of his problems were mentally solved. At an early day they had neither lamps nor candles, and Michael would streteh himself on the floor in front of the fire, and with a pile of shavings, lighting
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one by one, pursued his studies. Ilis per- sisteney brought its reward, and when twenty- five years of age he attended one term at the Murray Academy, and later at Roanoke College. His proficiency entitled him to a certificate, and he taught school in Jackson Township, Huntington County, and later he taught eight terms in this eounty. While at Roanoke he studied Robinson's Principles of Surveying, and in 1867 was elected surveyor of this county. He has always been accounted very accurate in that profession, and has been on almost every section of land in the county. His commission bears the signature of Governor Oliver P. Morton and Lieutenant- Governor Conrad Baker. From the age of twenty-one until his term of auditor expired, Mr. Blue was kept continuously in office, first as eonstable, then assessor, notary public, surveyor, auditor, and now holds a notary's commission-perhaps does as much business in this line as any other man in the county. In 1570 he was the choice of the Democracy of this eounty for auditor, was elected and gave the highest satisfaction as an official. Ill-health caused him to seek the country as soon as his teri expired, and he has sinee paid special attention to farming. The eighty- acre tract upon which he resides was pur- chased with the products of his trapping while at home with his parents. At the time he was elected surveyor the office was un- solicited by him; but Joseph Meredith came out to his cabin, a log house, 12 x 14, and found our subject at home; told him they must make a canvass of the county, as elec- tion day was elose at hand. The house was small, and Michael disliked to ask his guest so step outside while he changed his clothes, so taking his clothes under his arm he retired to the cornfield near by, and soon returned transformed into a candidate for public favor. Borrowing a horse from Iven Richey, he
started with Meredith, and taking in Rock- ford and Bluffton, returned to his home the same day, and was elected by a handsome majority. Ilis marriage with Miss Rhoda A. Richey was celebrated May 1, 1866. Their children are-George Clement, Capolis Laird, Lola Z., Fred P. and Don I. After locating in this county, Mr. Blue's parents had five children-Kate, who became the wife of Jolm Mc Dowell; Uriah, a resident of Missouri; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Kunkle; John, de- ceased, and Melissa, wife of John Kunkle. The death of the father occurred in 1867, and that of his wife, Rachel, in 1877. Mr. Bine surveyed the village of Tocsin in 1882, gave it its name, and applied for a postoffice. Ilis addition adjoins the village on the west, and his farm is in close proximity to the vil- lage. The energy and enterprise of Mr. Blue has made him a wealthy man, and his children are given a liberal education. Innred to hardships from boyhood, he yet is one of the most industrious of men. A handsome residence will soon grace his broad acres, and will overlook the thrifty village he has been so largely instrumental in making.
ILLIAM J. PARKISON, son of Ebenezer and Isabella (Johnston) Parkison, was born in Wayne Conn- ty, Ohio, October 25, 1845. In September, 1847, he was brought by his parents to Wells County, they settling on section 4 of Laneas- ter Township. Ile was reared on the home farin to agricultural pursuits, remaining with his parents until attaining his majority. When twenty-one years of age he began life for himself. May 30, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Maddux, who was born in Wells County, October 28, 1845, a daughter of Jacob Maddux, who settled in
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