USA > Indiana > Jay County > Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana : containing portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Jay and Blackford Counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families and a concise history of Jay and Blackford Counties and their cities and villages. > Part 30
USA > Indiana > Blackford County > Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana : containing portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Jay and Blackford Counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families and a concise history of Jay and Blackford Counties and their cities and villages. > Part 30
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time. In his religious views he is liberal and progressive, not recognizing the Jewish ceremonies and ordinances as essential to salvation.
UDGE JACOB M. HAYNES, one of Jay County's early settlers, of whom none is inore favorably or more widely known, was born in Monson, Hampden County, Massachusetts, April 12, 1817. His father, Henry Haynes, was born in the same town in June, 1786. The Haynes family are of early New England origin. Our subject is a descendant of Walter Haynes, who emi- grated from England in 1636, only sixteen years after the landing of the pilgrimns on New England's shore. David Haynes, the paternal grandfather of Judge Haynes, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his father during the war of 1812 was engaged in the manufacture of fire-arms. His mother, Aclısalı (March) Haynes, was born in Mill- bury, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in October, 1792, and died in July, 1870, six years after the death of her husband. She was a relative of Bishop Chase, an uncle of Chief Justice Chase. The parents of our subject reared a family of twelve children, four sons and eight daughters, of whom Judge Haynes was the second son and third child. His father being a mechanic, he was engaged in his youth for a considerable time in assist- ing him at his work in the shop, but for three years he lived with his uncle on a farm. He received a good common-school education, and afterward took a classical course at Monson Academy, and later pursued a literary and scientific course of study at Phillips' Acad- emy at Andover, Massachusetts. He began the study of law with Hon. Linus Child at Southbridge, Massachusetts. In 1843 he
came west, and resumed the study of law at Muncie, Indiana, with Hon. Walter March, and in order to defray his expenses and fur- nishi the means for completing his legal studies lie engaged in teaching, having charge for a time of the Delaware County Semi- nary. He was admitted to the bar at Mun- cie, in March, 1844, and in December of the same year he came to Portland, where he now resides, and in the early part of 1845 he be- gan the practice of his chosen profession. He was married in Portland, August 27, 1846, to Miss Hilinda S. Haines, who was born in Clarksville, Clinton County, Ohio, in 1828, and died May 11, 1885, leaving eight chil- dren-Josephine; Susan, wife of Charles F. Headington; Walter M., cashier of the Peo- ple's Bank, of Portland; Sumner W., an attor- ney of Portland; Elwood, at present manager of the Portland gas works; Frank, Calvin H. and Edward. Judge Haynes' prominence as a lawyer, and his long experience on the bench have made his name well known throughout the State of Indiana. He lias held official positions since 1846, in whichi year he was appointed school commissioner to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Wilson Milligan. In August of the same year he was elected to that office, and served two years. In 1848 he was appointed school examiner, which office he filled four years. In 1856 he was elected judge of the Com- mon Pleas Court. In 1860 the district was enlarged so as to embrace the counties of . Randolph, Delaware, Jay and Blackford, for which district he was elected in that year. He was re-elected to this office in 1864, and again in 1868, and in 1870 he was made judge of the circuit court embracing the counties of Wayne, Randolph, Jay and Blackford. This term of office expired in 1877, he having served on the bencli for twenty-one years. In 1856 Judge Haynes
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began taking an active part in politics. Dur- ing the war of the Rebellion he made many speeches in support of the administration, taking a radical stand in favor of the prose- cution of the war. In early life he was a Whig, casting his first presidential vote for General Harrison in 1840. On the organiza- tion of the Republican party he identified himself with that political body, ardently supporting its principles, and sharing in its glorious achievements. Since 1875 Judge Haynes has given his attention to the banking business, having been president of the People's Bank since that time. The many sterling qualities of heart and mind possessed by our subject, have ever won for him the confidence and esteem of the people.
R. AUGUSTUS RALSTON, of Wa- bash Township, came to New Corydon, this connty, in April, 1880. He was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, September 1, 1845, where he remained until he was six- teen years of age. In 1861, when a mere boy, he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-third Ohio Infantry, for three years. After serv- ing two years he was transferred to the ina- rine service, and was on the B. G. Adams gunboat that ran up and down the Mississippi River and its tributaries. He was discharged in December, 1864, after having been en- gaged in twenty-two battles and skirmishes, including the siege of Vicksburg. He then commenced the study of medicine. He
graduated at the business college at Dela- ware, Ohio, and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated at the medical college in 1881. Dr. Ralston was a son of James and Mary Ann (Grubb) Ralston, the father a na- tive of Adams County, Ohio, and died in Greenup County, Kentucky, when his son
was quite small, leaving six children. The inother was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, and she also died young, leaving four chil- dren, the Doctor being the youngest of the family. He was married December 3, 1883, to Rosetta M. Adams, who was born in Jay County, March 27, 1860, and has lived in the county ever since. Her parents were David W. and Harriet (Johnson) Adams, the father born in Columbiana County, Ohio, October 28, 1837, and the mother in Mout- gomery County, same State, April 6, 1844; both are living in Wabash Township on a farm. Doctor and Mrs. Ralston have two children-William, born August 1, 1884, and Augustus, born October 19, 1885. Mr. Ral- ston's grandfather, Robert Ralston, was of Scotch-Irish descent; he came to this country and died in Adams County, Ohio, where he probably settled when he first came to Ameri- ca. His grandmother, Isabella Ralston, also died in Adams Connty. The Doctor first commenced his practice in Geneva, Adams County, remaining there one year, then re- moved to this county where he has a large and successful practice.
G. BARRICK, one of the active and en- terprising citizens of Wayne Township,
was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, February 20, 1829. His father, Isaac Bar- rick, was born in Londoun County, Virginia, and was of German ancestry. He was a sol- dier in the war of 1812. He married Mary Glass, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and to them were born twelve children. The mother of our subject is still living in Rice County, Minnesota, aged eighty years. I. G. Barrick, the subject of this sketch, was reared to the avocation of a farmer, and received his education in the subscription schools of that
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early day. He was united in marriage Janu- ary 23, 1850, to Miss Saralı Rish, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, April 7, 1831, a daughter of Simeon and Ann (Badger) Rish, her father being of German and her mother of Irish ancestry. They were also the parents of twelve children. To Mr. and Mrs. Barrick have been born six children- Ann Eliza, William B., John C., Charles R., Martha Jane and George M. Mr. Barrick remained in his native State until 1858, when he came with his family to Jay County, Indiana, and for a time lived on rented land. He subsequently bought forty acres of heavily timbered land in Wayne Township, which lie cleared and improved. In 1878 he settled on his present farmi, which had been improved before lie located there. In politics Mr. Barrick is a Democrat. He is a worthy and consistent member of the German Bap- tist church, in which he has served as min- ister in the second degree for many years, and has been an active worker in the cause of his Master. He is a inan of strict integ- rity, honorable in all his dealings, and is respected by all who know him.
ASHINGTON GRIMES, a worthy representative of one of the old pio- neer families of Jay County, and an enterprising farmer of Jackson Township, is a native of Frederick County, Maryland, boru December 5, 1831, his parents, John and Elizabeth (Miller) Grimes, being natives of the same county. They reared a family of four children, named Henrietta, John H., Mary Ann and Washington. In 1837 the parents left their native State with their family and settled in Preble County, Ohio, and in 1843 came to Jay County, Indiana, when they lo- cated on the farm which is now the home of
onr subject. The land at the time of the settlement in the township was covered with dense timber, and their first dwelling was a log cabin, 18 x 20 feet, with puncheon floor, clapboard roof, and stick and mnd chimney. Herë the father, assisted by his sons, cleared and improved their land until the Grimes farmi was considered one of the best in the neighborhood. Here the father lived until his death which occurred June 9, 1865. Mrs. Grimes died Angust 28, 1876. Washington Grimes grew to manhood in Jay County, being reared amid scenes incident to pioneer life. He began his education in Preble County, Ohio, and after coming to Jay Coun- ty he attended the schools of his district. He has always followed the avocation of a farmer, and the surroundings of his home- stead betoken the care and thrift of the owner. The old log cabin built in 1843 has disappeared, and in its place stands a fine two story residence, built in modern style, and comfortably furnished throughout, and the barn and out buildings are noticeably good. Mr. Grimes was married September 18, 1855, to Miss Mary Ann Priest, and to this union were born seven children of whom only four survive-James Newton, William H., John F. and George W. Two died in early child- lood, and a daughter, Martha A., died Jan- uary 27, 1885, aged twenty-two years. Mrs. Grimes died September 10, 1876. Mr. Grimes was married a second time, in Jay County, Indiana, April 18, 1880, to Mrs. Esther Ann (House) Stephenson, who was born May 27, 1843, a daughter of Edmond and Mary (Grafton) Honse. Mrs. Grimes was first married in Jackson County, Ohio, to James Stephenson, and to them were born three chil- dren-James N., Richard E. and Irena Jane. Mr. Stephenson died January 1, 1874. Po- litically Mr. Grimes affiliates with the Re- publican party. He has never sought official
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position, yet at the wishes of his friends, he accepted the nomination for the office of county commissioner, and was elected by a majority of 204 votes which shows his pop- ularity in the county. Financially he is munbered among the leading men of his township, and by his · honorable dealings he has secured the confidence and respect of the entire community.
HOMAS S. BRISCOE was born in Kent County, Maryland, October 10, 1828, his parents being Samuel E. and Margaret Elizabeth (Frisby) Briscoe. Both his grandfathers were ministers, his paternal grandfather an Episcopalian, and his mother's father a Methodist. His father was a farmer, and died September 9, 1871, at the age of sixty-three years, at Galena, Kent County, Maryland, and his mother died at Center- ville, Queen Anne County, Maryland, in August, 1851, at the age of about forty-five or forty-six years. Mr. Briscoe was brought up to the hard work of the farm; but in the prime of young manhood he betook himself to the study of law, and was admitted to the bar November 4, 1852, at Centerville, Mary- land. The next year he emigrated West, locating in Lyons, Clinton County, Iowa, and practiced law there and at Clinton for ten years; in 1862 was mayor of Clinton. In 1863 he moved with his family to Linneus, Linn County, Missouri, and lived there until August 24, when his wife died. He next returned East, and in 1865-'66 was employed in the claim agency office of the noted S. S. Cox. During the latter year he came to Indiana and settled in Fort Wayne, where he practiced law four years. Next, in the employ of J. C. Bowser, he laid the ties on the railroad from Bluffton to Hartford City, completing the job
in September, 1870. Locating in this city, he practiced law until he took editorial charge of the Telegram in July, 1886. He was president of the board of trustees of Hart- ford City in 1873, and State Senator from 1878 to 1882. Althoughi brought up an Episcopalian, he is not a member of any church. Was made an Odd Fellow in 1854. Mr. Briscoe was first married April 14, 1854, to Margaret Auna Maclay, of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and daughter of Sam- uel and Elizabeth Maclay. (It is a coincidence worth noticing that both her and her hus- band's parents were named respectively Sam- uel and Elizabeth.) Mrs. Briscoe's grand- father, William Maclay, was at one time a United States Senator. The children by Mr. Briscoe's first marriage were-E. F. J. B., born in 1855, and Fannie Mary, both of whom are teaching school at Wilmington, Delaware; and Samuel Maclay, at present the publisher of the Hartford City Telegram. Mrs. Briscoe died, as already mentioned, and August 24, 1871, Mr. Briscoe was again married, this time to Miss Rachel A. Henley, of this county, and daughter of John M. Hen- ley, of Wheeling, Delaware County, Indiana.
B. WOODWARD, carpenter and con- tractor, of Briant, Jay County, Indiana, was born in Licking County, Ohio, June 10, 1833, son of Rhenny and Persis Abbott Woodward, who were natives of Vermont, and who were the parents of two children-A. B. and Orren. When our subject was five years old he lost his parents by death, and le was reared by his relatives and friends. He engaged in carpentering at eighteen years of age, and has followed that trade a greater part of his life. In 1862 he removed from Fairfield County, Ohio, to Jay County, In-
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diana, locating at New Corydon. Two years later he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry, serv- ing five months. He was honorably dis- charged at Lonisville, Kentucky, and re- turned home; then resided north of New Corydon in Adams County, and afterward was drafted in his former place of residence in Jay County. He with others raised a town- ship fund of $5,500, hired men to fill the draft. In this sum he gave $50. He was elected justice of the peace by the Democrats, but was always a Republican. In 1873 he moved to Briant, erected the first school-house, now used for a church ; he also built four school- houses in the township, and built the first business house in town for Messrs. Freeman & Bailey. He is an excellent workman and understands all the details of his trade. Dur- ing the winter season he has been engaged in clerking in the drug store of Dr. Miles. He was married November 27, 1872, to Miss Mary E. Wagner. Politically he has been a strong Republican, voting for all presidents the party ever had; but is now a member of the Union Labor party. He joined or be- came a member of Post No. 83, G. A. R., Geneva, Adams County, Indiana, in 1883, and was transferred to Post No. 488, Briant, Jay Connty, Indiana, and is and has been quartermaster ever since the organization.
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HARLES C. WATSON, of Wayne Township, is one of the prominent citi- zens of Jay Connty, with whose inter- ests he has been identified for many years. His father, Brooks Watson, was a native of the old Granite State, born in the town of Ware, April 3, 1793. He married Abigail Caldwell, who was born in Franklin County, Vermont, September 28, 1798, the date of
their marriage being July 8, 1817. The children born to them are-George B., of Portland, who was born in Franklin County, Vermont, August 30, 1818; Mrs. Abby Rep- logle, born in Lower Canada, November 14, 1820, is now a widow, and resides in Port- land; Chiarles C., whose name heads this sketch, was born in Colchester, Vermont, September 24, 1822; Shuball, born in Ver- mout, Angust 15, 1825, and died before the family moved West; James, born in New York September 2, 1827, and died in Pekin, Tazewell Connty, Illinois, February 8, 1864; William H., born in Vermont October 14, 1830, is now living in Kansas; Samuel L., born in Vermont October 16, 1833, lives in Pekin, Illinois; Maryette was born in Fair- fax County, Vermont, March 14, 1836, and Ophelia was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 11, 1838. In 1837 the parents removed with their family from Vermont to Butler Conn- ty, Ohio, and in 1839 settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. They came to Jay County, Indi- ana, in 1849, and settled on a farm in Jackson Township, which had been bought by their son, Charles C., the year before. The father died in Jackson Township in 1857, and the mother died February 22, 1885, in .Wayne Township. Charles C. Watson, the subject of this sketch, remained with his parents until after they removed to Cincin- nati. When seventeen years old he re- turned to Vermont, and there served an apprenticeship of two years at the painters' trade. He then returned to Cincinnati, and for a time worked at his trade, when he en- gaged in boating on the Miami, Wabash and Erie canals. He followed the canals about nine years, attaining to the position of Cap- tain. In 1849 he came to Jay County, Indi- ana, and bought a farm in Jackson Township. He spent his time in boating during the summer months, returning to his farm in
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winters for several years. In 1857 he mar- ried Miss Mary Topping, who was born Feb- ruary 14, 1836, a daughter of Josiah HI. Topping, one of the old and honored pio- neers of Jay County. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson, two of whom are living - Frank V., born October 9, 1857, and Flora B., born July 9, 1860. Adah A. and Irvin L. died in infancy. After his marriage Mr. Watson settled with his wife on his farm and began making a home. He had already done much toward improving his land, and in 1855 he erected a fine residence at a cost of over $2,600. He purchased the material for the building of his residence at Grand Rapids, which was shipped to Fort Wayne, thence by wagon to Jay County. The cement used in its construction was bought at Lockport, New York. The Immn- ber was of the best quality, and 26,000 bricks were used to build the cellar walls and chimney. This was at that time considered one of the finest farm residences in Eastern Indiana. In the spring of 1858 he sold his farm to George W. Templar, the place be- ing now known as the Shafer farm. Mr. Watson then settled on his present farm on section 4, Wayne Township, where he has 129 acres of well improved land, on which he has 1,000 rods of tiling. His land is divided into convenient lots, well fenced. His residence which cost over $2,000, is situ- ated on a beautiful elevation seventy-two feet above the site of Portland, located on the State road abont two miles north of Portland. His barn and other out-buildings compare favorably with his residence. For about five years Mr. Watson has given much attention to the raising of fine stock, and in 1886 he began raising Holstein and Jersey cattle, and now has some very fine specimens of those noted breeds. The same year he purchased a Kentucky blooded horse. His stock is sup-
plied with water raised by windmill power from a never-failing source. Mr. Watson commenced life a poor boy, and his success has been attained by his own unaided efforts. He has always been a valuable cit- izen, contributing liberally of his means to the support of church, schools, and all pub- lic improvements. He is independent in his religious views, possessing a liberal feeling toward all religious denominations. He is an advocate of the canse of temperance and is a strict temperance man. In politics he has always affiliated with the Democratic party, casting his first vote for James K. Polk in 1844. Josiah H. Topping, the father of Mrs. Watson, was born in Connecti- cut, February 10, 1797, and when a child was taken by his parents to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He was there married April 3, 1834, to Belinda Mc- Cullough, a native of Sandusky County, born May 10, 1812. They came with their family to Jay County in 1837, Mr. Topping having come here prior to this time, and made his location. The family settled on section 4, Wayne Township, where he entered and im- proved a farmi of 200 acres, on which he lived until his death, which occurred April 21, 1873. His wife died four years after coming to Jay County, the date of her death being January 25, 1841. They were the parents of four children-Leroy, born February 16, 1835, was a resident of Wayne Township until his death June 25, 1886; Mary, wife of our subject, born February 14, 1836; John, born May 26, 1837, is now living in Colorado, and Thomas M. C., born July 12, 1840, died in infancy. Josiah H. Topping was a promi- nent pioneer of Jay County, and was esteemed for his many sterling qualities, and was in all respects a worthy representative of the grand old pioneer element that is fast pass- ing away. In politics he was in early life a
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Whig, later an Abolitionist, and on the or- ganization of the Republican party he be- came identified with it, affiliating with that party until his death. In early life he be- came a member of the United Brethren church, but subsequently severed his connec- tion with that church and united with the Presbyterian church, but on account of the views of that church, he withdrew his mem- bership, and joined the Congregationalists, being a member of that denomination at the time of his death.
OSEPHI GAUNT, deceased, was one of Jay County's early pioneers, locating in Knox Township in March, 1837. He was a native of New Jersey, born August 2, 1799, a son of Jacob and Hannah (Holmes) Gaunt, natives of New Jersey, and a grand- son of Joseph Gaunt, who was a native of England. During the war of the Revolution, Jacob Gaunt was sent by his father with a message to General Washington, and was captured by the enemy and beaten with a sword to make him divulge the secret, but as he persistently refused to yield to their de- mands he was allowed to go home. Jacob Gaunt became a boat builder when he reached manhood, and in his early married life re- moved to Red Stone, Pennsylvania, and from there in 1805 to Columbiana County, Ohio, being among the early settlers of that county. There Joseph Gaunt was reared, living there until 1830, when he moved to Delaware County, Ohio, remaining there until Febru- ary, 1837, when he started for Jay County. He located on section 24, Knox 'Township, entering 160 acres of land on that section and 160 acres on section 26. He first built a log cabin, 16 x 16 feet in dimensions, all the men in his township, three in number, turn-
ing ont to help him raise the logs. In this log cabin was preached the first sermon in Knox Township, by Elder Tisdale, a Baptist minister. Mr. Gannt was married in 1819 to Phœbe Emily Severn, who was born in Bordentown, New Jersey, April 15, 1803, a daughter of Isaiah and Alkada Severn, her father being one of the first shoe manufac- turers of Salem, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Gaunt were born four children-Redden N., Hannah Holmes, Jacob and Elizabeth Ann. Redden N. enlisted in the war for the Union, a member of Company F, One Hundred and Fortieth Indiana Infantry, and died at Mnr- freesboro, Tennessee, in 1863, in the forty- second year of his age. Mrs. Gannt died March 13, 1870, and Mr. Gaunt November 8, 1875. He was in politics a staunch Dem- ocrat. He and his estimable wife were mem- bers of the Baptist church.
ILLIAM M'LAUGHLIN, deceased, formerly resided on section 34, No- ble Township, where he owned 186 acres of land. He was born in Bath Coun- ty, Virginia, March 23, 1803, and when a young man, removed to Meigs County, Ohio, where he was married, September 17, 1833, to Miss Rebecca Gray, who was born in Gal- lia County, Ohio, September 24, 1803. After his marriage Mr. Mclaughlin remained in Meigs County until 1839, when he came to this county and settled in Madison Township, entering eighty acres of land. He built a cabin and moved into it before the floor was laid, a chimney built or a door swung. They built a fire in the center of the house to cook their first meal. They removed to their present home in 1849, where Mr. McLaugh- lin built a cabin, and in which he lived until he built his present house in 1856. In the
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new house both parents passed the remainder of their days. The father died July 3, 1872, and the mother March 18, 1881; botlı are buried in Lancaster cemetery, Madison Town- ship. They were the parents of nine chil- dren-James G., born July 14, 1834; Mary A., born November 14, 1835; Leah, born May 28, 1837; Hiram, born May 9, 1839; Jolın G., born July 31, 1842; William W., born April 17, 1844, died June 28, 1872; George W., born July 9, 1846; Isaac G., born July 31, 1848; Jacob B., born June 13, 1850. All the children that are living, live in the vicinity of the father's farm. Mr. McLaughlin's parents, Hugh and Jane (Wiley) Mclaughlin, were probably born in Virginia. The father was a hunter and a gunsmith. Mrs. McLaughlin's parents were James and Hannah (Claypole) Gray. Both the MeLaughlins and the Grays are of Scoteli and Irish ancestry.
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