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 32

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 922

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 32
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 32

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Nashville campaign. He was discharged at Nashville in June, 1865. He was united in marriage Marclı 23, 1866, to Miss Annie Peoples, of Randolph County. She was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, April 16, 1844, a daughter of Jonathan and Mahala (Norris) Peoples, both of whom died when Mrs. Davis was a child. Mrs. Davis is a sister of Cap- tain Norris Peoples, who was killed at the battle of Resaca. He was Captain of Com- pany E, Twelfth Indiana Infantry. The cir- cuinstances attending the death of this gallant officer were peculiarly sad and remark- able. He long had a presentiment that his death would occur in the first battle in which he should participate. As he was leading liis regiment just before encountering the enemy's fire he said to Sergeant B. F. Pierce, " I shall be killed in this battle, but I am ready." The line moved forward into the open field, and the Captain and the Sergeant lay down to- gether to protect themselves from the fire of the enemy, and while in the act of raising his head a ball struck him in the forehead, passing entirely through his head. The Ser- geant with others took him from the field, and at the solemn hour of midnight a grave was made ready for him, and not unlike the burial of Sir John Moore, the body of the gallant soldier was consigned to its narrow bed amid the broken utterances of grief from his comrades, and a heartfelt prayer for the loving wife who in her far-off home would wait in vain for the coming of her loved one. Dr. Davis, the subject of this sketch, has been a member of the medical profes- sion of Jay County since the winter of 1866- '67, at which time he located at Redkey, and began the practice of medicine. Althoughi Dr. Davis began his professional life in 1866 his preparation for his life work was by no means completed. In 1869, after attending a course of lectures at Cincinnati he received

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.

from the medical college the degree of M. D., and in 1873 he attended another course of lectures at Cincinnati, and in 1884 he went to New York, where he took a course at the Post Graduate College, thus preparing him- self in the best schools the country affords, for the practice of his chosen profession. He came to Portland in 1880, where he has since built up a large and lucrative practice, and gained the confidence and esteem of all who know hin. Beginning life a poor boy he has by his own unaided efforts attained a high rank in his profession, and has now a beau- tiful home, one of the finest residences in Portland. He has succeeded in spite of many obstacles, not the least of which is the result of a severe injury that he received from his horses running away, from which he has never recovered. Politically the doctor is a Republican. In 1878 he was elected by his party to the office of county auditor, which position he hield for four years, discharging the duties of the office with ability and fidel- ity. He was the only Republican elected' on the ticket. He has been a prominent Odd Fellow for many years, being at present Dep- uty Grand Master of District No. 222, I. O. O. F., of Indiana, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.

OHN HARDY, one of the prosperous agriculturists of Jackson Township, en- gaged in farming and stock-raising, is a native of Jay County, Indiana, born in Pike Township, September 29, 1839. His father, Curtis Hardy, was born in Preble County, Ohio, a son of Rev. John Hardy, a prominent pioneer minister in the New Light churchi. Curtis Hardy was married in his native county to Miss Rachel Dooly, and in 1837 came to Jay County, Indiana, settling in the

then woods of Pike Township where they ex- perienced many of the hardships and priva- tions incident to pioneer life. Nine children were born to them of whom only three sur- vive-John, the subject of this sketch; Mary C., wife of W. F. Smith, of Wayne Township, and Susan M., wife of Bennett Coyd, of Hast- ings, Nebraska. Those deceased are-Phebe; James D. was a member of the One IIun- dredth Indiana Infantry, Company H, and died in hospital at La Grange, Mississippi; Moses D. was a member of Company F, Seventy-fifth Indiana Infantry, and died at Nashville, Tennessee; Lorinda, wife of Eli Rines, died in Wayne Township; Curtis C. and Benjamin W., who died at the old homestead in Pike Township. The father died in 1868, the mother dying some two years later. John Hardy, whose name heads this sketch, was reared on his father's homestead to the avoca- tion of a farmer, being early in life inured to hard work. His education was obtained in the common schools of his neighborhood and at Li- ber College. He enlisted in the war of the Re- bellion, July 26, 1862, and was assigned to Company F, Seventy-fifth Indiana Infantry, and during his term of service he participated in fourteen battles. He was twice wounded, first at Chattanooga in the breast and shoulder by a piece of shell, and a second time at Kenesaw Mountain by a minie ball which fractured his skull above the left ear. He received an honorable discharge June 8, 1865, the war being ended. October 8, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah T. Griffin, the only child of Sumner and Levina (Cook) Griffin. Her parents came to Jay County in 1837, where her father died Febru- ary 21, 1876. Mrs. Griffin is now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Hardy. Mr. and Mrs. Hardy are the parents of seven children-Cady Oscar, Bertha Rosetta, Ver- ona V., Alda Irene, Curtis Walter, Fred S.,

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

and Jolin W. Mr. Hardy remained in Pike Township until 1878, when he bought a part of his present farm in Jackson Township, known as the old John Pingry farm, and con- sidered one of the best farms in Jay County. He also purchased a farm adjoining, and is now the owner of 551 acres of as good land as Jay County affords, being well improved and very productive. 360 acres of lis land is in Bear Creek Township, 191 acres lying in Jackson Township. His land is well adapted to stock raising, being well watered by Deer and Bear creeks. He is quite ex- tensively engaged in stock-raising and feed- ing, liis sales last year amounting to. 87,000. He las on his farm a very fine gravel bed, containing from fifty to seventy-five acres of gravel, with an average depth of almost nine feet. Mr. Hardy is the largest tax payer in Jackson Township, his tax on one pike alone amounting to $1,700. In politics he is a Republican, and is one of the leading men of his party in Jay County. Quiet, nnassuming, industrious and strictly honorable in all his dealings he lias gained the confidence and respect of the entire community.

E. ABEL, physician and surgeon, at Briant, was born in Jay County, April 16, 1860, son of G. W. and Esther (Reed) Abel, pioneers of this county. The parents had six children, of whom our subject is the fifth. He was reared in Madi- son and Pike townships, and completed his education at Ridgeville College. In 1882 he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Philip Dickes, of Boundary. In 1883 and 1884 he attended lectures at the Michi- gan State University at Ann Arbor, and in 1885 at Indianapolis, receiving his diploma February 26, 1885, at the Medical College of

Indiana. He at once located at Briant, where he has built up a good practice, and it is con- stantly increasing. His office is situated on the main street of the village. He was mar- ried, May 14, 1885, to Miss Ada Miller, of this county, and daughter of Daniel Miller, of Portland. They have one child-Claude Miller. The doctor is a member of Red Cross Lodge, No. 88, K. of P., of Portland.

AMUEL M. BRISCOE is the youngest child of Thomas S. and Margaret A. Briscoe. He was born on the 8th day of April, 1863, in Scott County, Iowa. When about one month old liis parents removed to Linneus, Linn County, Missouri, where his mother died. He was then with the other children, two girls, taken to Newark, Dela- ware, and resided with an aunt, Mrs. Mary E. Griffith, until he was eight years old. In May, 1871, he came to Hartford City, and lived in the family of Robert L. Kunkle, un- til August of the same year when his father re- married and then he lived with him. His first schooling was in the district schools of the State of Delaware. After coming to Hart- ford City he attended the graded schools and graduated in the class of 1881. When but twelve years old he commenced to clerk in the grocery store of S. R. Patterson & Co. He clerked during the summer and attended school during the winter. In February, 1879, he went to work in the clerk's office of the county, and held the position of deputy clerk from that time until January, 1883, except when in school. In January, 1883, he went to Indianapolis and during the session of the Legislature was assistant journal clerk of the House of Representatives. On the first day of May, he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the Citizens Bank, and ine

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

January, 1885, was elected assistant cashier of that institution, which position he still holds. The first of July, 1885, he purchased the Hartford City Telegram, and has pub- lished it since, never assuming entire editorial control of the paper on account of his posi- tion at the bank. His father does the princi- pal work on the paper, he (Sam) acting as publisher and business manager. Has traveled a great deal for a young man, through the south, east and some parts of the west.

OSEPH P. NIXON is one of the lead- ing citizens of Jefferson Township and a representative of one of its pioneer families. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 18, 1833, a son of Jolın and Hannah (Pennock) Nixon, natives also of Ohio, his grandfather, William Nixon, being a pioneer of Columbiana County, com- ing from Loudoun County, Virginia. The parents of our subject came to Jay County in 1835, and settled on section 15, Jefferson Township, and commenced to make a home in the dense forest. The father still lives within 200 yards of the spot where his rude cabin was erected. The mother died in 1866, after living to rear her family. They had a family of twelve children-Joseph P .; Sarah Jane became the wife of T. M. C. Lutes, and died in 1857; Rebecca Ann, deceased, was the wife of L. M. Doddridge; William, of Jefferson Township; Ruth, wife of L. M. Doddridge, of Michigan; Emanuel; Lucette, wife of Cyrus M. Stratton, and Matilda, wife of B. F. Van Skyock, of Jefferson Township; Eliza, deceased; Charlotte, wife of George Taylor, of Michigan; Lucinda, and Jolin, a physician at Farmland, Randolph County. Joseph P. Nixon was in his third year when his parents moved to Jay County, and with

the exception of the year 1857, spent in Missouri, has since lived in the county. His education was obtained in the old log school house at Mount Pleasant. He made his home with his father until 1861, working the few years preceding in different neighbor- hoods at the carpenter's trade. He was mar- ried in August, 1861, to Emeline Hite, a native of Jefferson Township, where her parents, William and Sarah Hite, settled in the spring of 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Nixon commenced housekeeping on their present homestead, and the fine building improve- ments have all been erected by him. The homestead contains 280 acres on sections 10, 15 and 16, about 200 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Nixon have had eight children. Their first-born, Cyrus, died, aged a little more than two years. Those living are-James G., of Como; Millard, Anna, Walter, Elmer, Jesse and Ida May. In politics Mr. Nixon is a Democrat. In 1874 he was elected Treasurer of Jay County and served two years. He has served twelve years as trustee and one term as assessor of his township.

OHN S. MCLAUGHLIN, farmer, section 30, Noble Township, was born Novem- ber 28, 1833, in Madison Township, this county, where he was reared to manhood and educated in the pioneer subscription school. His father, John Mclaughlin, was born in Bath County, Virginia, February 21, 1799, and removed to Meigs County, Ohio, wliere he was married in 1823. In 1833 he came to this county with his wife and four chil- dren, locating on section 4, where the father entered 155 acres of land and commenced to make a home in the wilderness. He had to cut a road several miles to get to his new

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home. The family lived with another family named Kline, while their cabin was being built. Here they lived may years. The father died in Lancaster, Madison Township, March 16, 1860. The mother of our sub- ject, Barbara (Spillinan) Mclaughlin, was born in Randolph County, Virginia, Decem- ber 2, 1805, and died January 20, 1873. The father was a great hunter, and the first win- ter he was here he killed fifteen deer. John S. Mclaughlin was married December 4, 1859, to Miss Catherine Davis, who was born in Darke County, Ohio, June 19, 1838, and when two years of age, in March, 1840, came to this county with her parents and seven other children, she being the youngest. Her parents, James and Elizabetlı (Zimmerman) Davis, were born in Baltimore County, Mary- land, the father, March 30, 1803, the mother, January 7, 1806. They were married in their native county in 1825. They were the parents of eleven children-Susan, John M., Robert, Nancy, Catherine Elizabeth; the de- ceased are-Mary, James, Elijah, a twin brother, Benjamin and William. The father died March 30, 1858, and the mother March 26, 1872. Mr. Mclaughlin's parents had eleven children-Jane, Elizabeth, who died in this county at the age of fifty-eight years; Hugh, William H., John S., Frank M., Fide- lia A., Rebecca, Hannah, who died at the age of two years, Wiley, who was a soldier in the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, and was killed at the battle of Franklin, and Henry, who died in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Laughlin have two children-Engene F., born September 24, 1860, a practicing physician at Fort Recovery, and Flora G., born September 29, 1872. Mr. Mclaughlin's grandfather, Hugh Mclaughlin, was born in Bath County, Virginia; was a blacksmith by trade; served in the war of 1812, and died in Bath County. His grandmother Mclaughlin was the daugh-

ter of Irish parents. His maternal grand- parents were born in Pennsylvania, of German descent, and died in that State. Mrs. McLaughlin's grandfather Davis died at the age of forty-five years, in Baltimore County, Maryland. Her grandmother, Nancy Davis, also died in Baltimore County, aged ninety- five years. The Davises are of English an- cestry. Her maternal grandfather, John Zimmerman, died in Baltimore County, Maryland, his father having come from Ger- many and settled in that county. Her grand- mother, Catherine Zimmerman, died in Baltimore Connty. Mr. Mclaughlin enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry. They camped at Kokomo until March, 1864, and were then assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps, Second Bri- gade and Second Division, General Schofield. He joined the corps at Chattanooga, was in . all the principal battles to Atlanta, Georgia. He returned with his corps to Nashville, thence to North Carolina. He was dis- charged September 20, 1865. In politics he is a Republican, casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont. His father voted the Democratic ticket until Van Buren's time, but he died a staunch Republican and all his sons are Republicans.

EWIS BEARD, of Salamonia, was born in Madison Township, this county, May 27, 1840. He was reared in his native county and has since resided here. Septem- ber 25, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Fortieth Ohio Infantry, and veteranized Jan- uary 1, 1864. May 28, 1864, he was wounded in his right fore arm at Atlanta, Georgia, which necessitated an amputation above the elbow. He was taken to the field hospital, where the operation was performed,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

then went to Kingston, Georgia, thence to Chattanooga, thence to Nashville, where he received a furlough and reported at Colum- bus, Ohio. He was then sent to Camp Den- nison and was there transferred to the Second Battalion of the Invalid Reserve Corps. He was discharged January 31, 1865, at Colum- bus, Ohio, and then returned home. He was married October 31, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth A. White, who was born in Noble Township, Jay County, February 6, 1852, and reared in her native county. Her parents were Thomas and Barbara (Hutchins) White. Mr. Beard's father, George Beard, was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1812, and married in Dela- ware County, this State, in 1836. He came to this county in the fall of 1839, and re- moved to Richardson County, Nebraska, April 11, 1870, where he died January 25, 1871, of heart disease. He was a blacksmith by trade, and owned 160 acres of land in Madison Township, which he sold when he removed to Nebraska. The mother, Eliza (Clouse) Beard, was also born in Preble County, Ohio, November 7, 1819, and died March 5, 1887, in Richardson County, Nebraska. Their children were-John C., Lewis, Lid- dia, Richard, who died in infancy, George W., Sarah E., who died at the age of two years, Thomas B., Mary J., Allen, Levi P. Mr. and Mrs. Beard have had five children- Charles A., born January 21, 1873; Linus E., born September 9, 1878; William Gar- field, born September 15, 1882. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, and in politics Mr. Beard affiliates with the Republican party.

ULTON BROTHERS, dealers in hard- ware, stoves, tinware, agricultural im- plements, pumps, and gas and steam fixtures, paints, oils, etc., Portland. This is

one of the most extensive establishments of its kind in Eastern Indiana, and one of the most complete in its great variety of stock. The business was established at the present location, west side of Meridian street, the substantial brick building being erected by the present firm. It is two stories in height, the room on ground and second floors being 22 x 132 feet in size, and the average amount of stock carried by the firm is about $16,000. The members of the firm are Benjamin and James Fulton. The former came to Port- land in 1871, and for a number of years carried on the grocery trade. The Fulton brothers were born in Sidney, Ohio, and their father being a farmer they were reared to the same avocation. Their father, Isaac Fulton, was a pioneer of Shelby County, Ohio, and became one of the prominent citi- zens of that county. He was born in West- moreland County, Pennsylvania, and was of Scotch descent. He died in October, 1863. He was an Abolitionist in the days of slavery, and an opposer of wrong in all forms. He was the father of six children, of whom four survive, the three brothers already mentioned, and their sister Annie, who is now the wife of Dr. Orbison, of Sidney. Benjamin Ful- ton, the eldest of the three brothers, was born in the year 1849, and when sixteen years old began clerking in a hardware store. For three years he traveled as salesman for a Yankee notion house, and it was while thus engaged that his attention was called to Portland as a favorable business point. He has been prominently identified with the business interests and progress of Portland for many years, and has served as city clerk and in the city council. He has done much toward the building up of Portland, and dur- ing his residence here has erected some seven- teen buildings. He was one of the first to express the opinion that natural gas could be

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

found at Portland, and was one of the fore- most to push the enterprise of drilling, and has contributed freely of his means and inechanical skill to make the enterprise a success. He possesses great mechanical skill, and takes pride in doing what others fail to do, and his ability in that direction has been fully tested in the difficulties attending the drilling of the gas wells at Portland, where his skill has been in freqnent demand. Ben- jamin Fulton was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Hawkins, a daugliter of the well known pioneer, Judge N. B. Hawkins, and to this union have been born two children --- Ethan Allen and Jennie.

AMES HANLIN, one of the representa- tive citizens of Jay County, and an early settler of Wayne Township, where lie resides on section 2, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1820. He was reared in his native county, and when eighteen years of age went with his mother's family to Jackson County, Ohio, his father, James Hanlin, Sr., having died the year pre- vious. Onr subject was married in Jackson Connty to Miss Irena Stephenson, who was born in that county, a daughter of James Stephenson. Of the five children born to them, only three are living. Their only sur- viving son was born in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1852, and is now living on section 1, Wayne Township, Jay County. Their dauglı- ters are Virginia, wife of Jolin Cring of Portland, and Adeline, wife of Alfred Antles of Bear Creek Township. In 1854 Mr. Han- lin came with his family to Jay County when the country was in a wild state, and in the fall of the same year he settled on his present farm which he purchased from Jonas Votaw. No improvements had been inade on the place

when Mr. Hanlin settled on it, but by hard work and persevering energy he soon cleared his land and put it nnder improvement. His first purchase was 320 acres, but shortly after buying he sold eighty acres, and lately deeded eighty acres to his son Jolın A. He still retains 160 acres, which is now well improved and under a good state of cultivation. He lias done his share toward clearing up, and developing the resources of the county, and always takes an active interest in any enter- prise which has for its object the advancement of his township or county. In politics Mr. Hanlin is a Democrat, casting his first presi- dential vote for James K. Polk in 1844. Both he and his wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist church.

VAN EVANS, one of the active and prominent old pioneers of Jay County, was born in Highland County, Ohio, November 19, 1815, a son of John M. and Eve (Shroyer) Evans. The Evans family are originally of Welsh descent, and are noted for their longevity. The grandfather of our subject, whose name was also Evan, was born and reared in New Jersey, leaving his native county for Virginia, and later removed to Highland County, Ohio, where he was .among the first settlers. He was of Quaker ancestry, and was a member of the Friends Society until his death. He was living in either New Jersey or Virginia during the war of the Revolution, but being a Quaker he did not participate in that memorable struggle. He died in Highland County at the age of ninety-five years, and two of his sisters lived to attain a still greater age, one dying at the age of ninety-eight years and one aged ninety-nine years. John M. Evans, the father of our subject, was born in Vir-

.... .

Evan Evans

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ginia, going to Ohio with his parents, and spent the remainder of his life in Highland and Fayette counties. Ile was an indomitable worker, and although he lived to the age of eighty-four years, it is a fact that his death resulted from overheating himself in the har- vest field. Although a worthy member of the Friends Society, he yet served his country in the war of 1812. Evan Evans, the subject of this sketch, was thirteen years of age when his parents removed from Highland to Fay- ette County, and there the family lived many years, and finally returned to Highland County. Evan being the eldest son he was carly in life innred to hard work, and during his youth he attended and assisted in many log rollings. He was married in Fayette County, April 13, 1836, to Miss Rhoda Al- legre, a native of Fayette County, and of French descent. Her parents subsequently removed to Indiana, and both died near Al- bany, in Delaware County, the father about 1854, and the mother in 1872, the latter dy- ing at the age of eighty-four years. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Evans only four survive. James Wesley served three years in the war of the Rebellion, where he was three times wounded, and at the bat- tle of Shiloh was so severely shot that his life was almost dispaired of; Evan Asbury; Emma, wife of John Dunn, and John B. Lucinda Ann, their first child, died aged two years and three months; Calista, wife of William Currant, died September 7, 1882, and Mary Louisa, wife of Armenis Davis, died June 20, 1883. After his marriage Mr. Evans settled on land which had been entered by Lorenzo Allegre. His father gave him $100, which he gave in part payment for his land. The following year, 1839, he came to Indiana, and lived on rented land near Albany two or three years. He then came to

Jay County, and bought forty acres of wild land in Richland Township. Before settling here he made a sınall clearing and erected a round log cabin 14x16 feet in dimensions, and after this was completed he brought his family to their pioneer home. The first spring he planted a few apple trees in the woods where the brush was cut down. In the spring of 1887 he cut down one of the apple trees he had planted, which was over two feet in diameter. His land which he bought when first coming to the county is now one of the finest tracts in Jay County. He by subsequent purchases has added to his possessions until he now owns about 400 acres of choice land, all but about sixty-five acres cleared of the timber, and his log cabin has been replaced by a beautiful residence, and surrounded by shade and ornamental trees. In politics like his father Mr. Evans was an old line Whig, and has been a Repub- lican since the organization of that party. Ile has never songht after office although he lias served as school trustee, and built the first substantial school building in Richland Township. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in his youth, to which he has belonged over half a century, and always been among the prominent and active men in its councils. He was one of the trustees who had charge of the building of the Redkey Methodist Episcopal church, and contributed some $340 more than any other person toward its erection. He lias contributed toward the building of both the Panhandle and Lake Erie Railroads, and gives liberally of his means toward the advancement of any worthy object. The land on which the fairs and exhibitions of the Redkey Associa- tion are held is owned by him. No man has taken a more active interest or done more toward the advancement of his township or

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Author: Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 922

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 922