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 36

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 36
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 36

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OHN S. EMMONS, of the firm of Em- inons & Saunders, druggists, Pennville, is a native of Indiana, born in Delaware County, October 17, 1847, a son of Eli and Eliza J. (Clevinger) Emmons, who came from Ohio to Indiana in an early day. The father was born in Virginia, of Scotch descent, a son of Ephraim Emmons, whose father served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war for seven years. Eli Emmons was a farmer by occu- pation, in connection with which he followed the cooper's trade until 1857, when he re- moved to Wells County, Indiana, and pur- chased a farm of 160 acres of unimproved land, where he followed farming in connection with his trade. He served as magistrate for eight years. The mother of our subject was a daughter of John Clevinger who came from Ohio, and was of English descent. Of the eleven children born to Eli and Eliza Emmons ten grew to maturity, and seven are still liv- ing. The father died at his home in Notting- ham Township, Wells County, June 11, 1872, aged fifty-three years. In his political views he was an uncompromising Democrat. He was a member of the New Light church. Mrs. Eli Emmons was also a member of the same church. After the death of Mr. Emmons

she married Aaron Ball, and died in the year 1886. John S. Emmons, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm until seventeen years of age when he started out in life for himself, going to Randolph County, where he remained three years. In October, 1868, he went to Guthrie County, Iowa, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for one year. In 1870 he began teaching school, which he followed until 1872, when on account of his father's illness he returned to his home in Wells County, Indiana. For nine years he followed farming during the summer months in Wells County, and in the winter taught school. He was married January 18, 1873, to Miss Lucy J. McDaniel, a native of Wells County, Indiana, and a daughter of Alexander and Frances (Dawley) McDaniel, her father coming from Pennsylvania, and her mother from Ohio. They are the parents of three children-Edward Elbert, born in 1874; Os- car Orlander, born in 1876, and Fanny Pearl, born in 1878. In 1880 Mr. Emmons came to Pennville, Jay County, and engaged in the drug business, which he has since followed with success. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a meinber of Relief Lodge, No. 145, I. O. O. F., and also belongs to Pennville Lodge, No. 212, A. F. & A. M. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian or Disciple church, and among the respected residents of Penn Township.

AVID VAN CLEVE BAKER is one of the representative citizens of Jay County, and a prominent attorney of Portland. He is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born on a farm near Day- ton, May 30, 1839, the youngest child of David C. and Sarah Sophia (Van Cleve) Baker. His mother died October 18, 1839.

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She was a woman of rare intellect; possessed the Christian virtues in an eminent degree, and combined comeliness of person with ex- cellent qualities of mind and heart. David V. began attending school when a mere child. His father was a Whig and the political principles of that party were early impressed on the mind of the son, and in 1844, though but five years of age he was a boy admirer of Henry Clay, and advocated in his boy- hood way the election of the great commoner. In 1854, when the extension of human slav- ery was the great moral and political question of the day, he was a student at Liber College. Here in political discussions among the students he took an active and prominent part, and so ably defended the cause of the non-extension of slavery that he received the applanse and congratulations of his school- mates. At the close of his last term at Liber he was selected to deliver the farewell address. Three sessions at Liber College completed his school days, his father having met with financial reverses he was obliged to leave school and go to work. In 1853 his father moved to Indiana and located at Portland, where for four years he kept the principal hotel of the place. David was his chore boy and principal help, most of the hard work about the hotel and stable falling on him. In the spring of 1858 he began the study of law in the office of Hon. J. P. C. Shanks. Soon after he wrote his first newspaper article, and it was the first ever printed that named Gen- eral Shanks for Congress. A consultation was held in the office to ascertain who had written the article. At this meeting young Baker was present, but was intently poring over the pages of Blackstone, when he was astounded to hear Mr. Shanks tell his friends that " Dr. B. B. Snow wrote that article." Dr. Snow was a man of mature years and the leader of the Democratic party in Jay County,

and the student was therefore greatly sur- prised to hear his preceptor ascribe to the brain of Dr. Snow an essay which he himself had written. Mr. Shanks had taken up his pen to answer the article when the lad thought it was best to explain. Mr. Shanks was not only astonished but highly amused. He had met Dr. Snow many times, publicly, in debate, and now he had committed the error of ascribing to him an article written in his own office and on his own table by his young student. The lawyer did just what he was advised to do in the newspaper article and was elected to Congress in 1860, the successor of John M. Pettit. In 1862 he was defeated and the subject of this sketch then helped to defeat him. In 1866 Mr. Baker again came to the assistance of Gen- eral Shanks and again he was elected. In January, 1860, though not yet twenty-one years old, young Baker was selected by the Republicans of Jay County as a delegate to the State convention soon to meet in Indian- apolis. He took an active part in that con- test warmly advocating the nomination of Colonel Henry S. Lane for Governor over Oliver P. Morton. Lane was nominated by acclamation, and in the Bates House in Indi- anapolis on the night of his nomination was surrounded by his friends, Mr. Baker con- gratulated the successful candidate who re- marked to him, "Yonng man, when I am elected Governor of Indiana my first con- mission shall be to you; you shall go on iny staff as Colonel." The Legislature soon after elected Lane to the United States Senate bnt he fulfilled his promise, sending the com- mission to Mr. Baker, who however, had too much pride to present it to Governor Morton whom he had opposed. Baker wrote and spoke in the interests of the Republican candidate for President in 1860 and cast his first vote at that election. From that time

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until 1876 he did not miss being present at all Republican State conventions and in 1876 assisted in nominating the Republican ticket. He has ever been a warm admirer of James G. Blaine and was disappointed at his failure to get the nomination in 1876. In the sum- mer of 1876 Mr. Baker was nominated by the Republicans for circuit prosecutor in the district composed of Jay, Adams and Wells counties. The district being overwhelmingly Democratic there was no possible chance of his election and he was inch incensed toward the party that nominated him, regarding it as an insult, and as he had become dissatisfied with the leaders of the party he now took occasion to write a letter for publication in which he declined the nomination and de- clared that the Republican party needed re- buke at the hands of the people, and from that time on he would vote with the Demo- cratic party. He wrote and spoke in the campaign of 1876 for the success of the Democratic candidates. In 1878 he was a delegate to the convention at Fort Wayne that nominated Walpole G. Colerick for Con- gress. The convention was an exciting one and to Mr. Baker more than any one else was due the nomination of Mr. Colerick. Mr. McDonald, of Whitley County, had been Mr. Baker's first choice, and he had supported him for 100 consecutive ballots, and there was a complete deadlock. He saw no chance and after the 100th ballot gave his vote to Colerick, which broke the dead-lock, and on the 140th ballot thereafter Colerick was nomi- nated. Mr. McDonald, after Mr. Baker led the way, came to the support of Colerick with the solid vote of Whitley County, and the nomination was settled. In the convention of 1878, of which Thomas A. Hendricks was the honored president, Mr. Baker was one of the vice-presidents. He has had much politi- cal experience but has seldom sought favor

for himself. In 1862 he was candidate for common pleas attorney, and Jay County gave 500 majority, every township in the county, save one, voting for him. In 1872 the Re- publicans of Grant, Jay and Blackford conn- ties in district convention came within one vote of nominating him for the State Senate, and at that time a nomination meant an elec- tion. In 1878 the Democrats of Jay County in convention gave him next to the highest vote for clerk of the courts, and his friends named him for Congress. During President Lincoln's administration he was for two years postmaster at Portland. He has served suc- cessively as town attorney, conncilman and clerk. For four years he served as mail con- tractor on all the routes, except one, entering Portland, and for five years had charge of the county clerk's office. At the Democratic con- vention held at Decatur June 18, 1880, he was nominated to represent the counties of Jay and Adams in the State Legislature, and was elected, serving with mnch credit. As a citizen Mr. Baker has performed a good part, and has done inch toward building up the city of Portland. Early in his married life, being rather profuse in the spending of money and having considerable sickness in his family, he was reduced to straightened circumstances, but by good inanagement in later years, he has acquired a comfortable property. He has aided to the extent of his ability all the enterprises of public benefit about Portland. He is a prominent Odd Fellow and Mason. He was married July 17, 1859, to Jane C. Hawkins the eldest daughter of Judge Hawkins. They have had eight children, six of whom are living- Ida Henrietta, born Angust 8, 1860; Flora V. C., born April 5, 1864; David C., born January 3, 1867; Nathan Hawkins, born September 13, 1868; Sarah S. V. C., born July 30, 1871, and John Van Cleve, born

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February 7, 1875. Franklin A., born August 31, 1862, died May 18, 1863, and Helen Hawkins, born December 13, 1865, died March 30, 1866. Mr. Baker is descended from historie aneestry. His maternal grand- father, Benjamin Van Cleve, entered the Gov- ernment service at the age of sixteen years, and served under St. Clair at Fort Recovery, being a survivor of that terrible massaere of November 4, 1791. His paternal grandfather, Aaron Baker, erected the first briek house in Dayton, Ohio. His father, David C. Baker, served as auditor, justiee of the peace, deputy eounty elerk and elerk of Jay County. Mr. Baker is of pioneer stoek, connected to the Booner, Benhams and Van Cleves, who first settled in Kentucky. John Van Cleve, his great-grandfather, a Revolutionary soldier, was killed by Indians at Cineinnati, Ohio, on the 1st of June, 1791, and Benjamin Van Cleve, his grandfather, fought as a soldier under Generals St. Clair, Wayne and Har- rison.

AMES CASTER, one of the old and hon- ored pioneers of Jay County, with whose interests he has been identified sinee 1841, is a native of Pennsylvania, born iu Allegheny County, June 29, 1809, a son of Gabriel and Catherine (Hoffman) Caster. Our subjeet was reared ou a farm in his native State, and in his youth received such education as the schools of that early day afforded. When twenty-seven years of age he went to Preble County, Ohio, where he was married February 8, 1837, to Rebeeca Wilkinson, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Evans) Wilkinson. They have four children living-William, Elizabeth Stuart, Henry and James R. Their son, Charles W., was a member of the One Hundredth Indiana Infantry, and died in the

service of his country at Bellefonte Station, Alabama, at the age of twenty years. Mr. Caster remained in Preble County until 1841, when he eame with his family, then consist- ing of wife and two children, to Indiana, making the journey by team. During his residence in the county he lias resided on the same farm on seetion 26, Wayne Township, a period of forty-six years, which is well improved and under good cultivation. He has been a consistent member of the United Brethren church for thirty years. In polities he is a strong adherent of the principles of the Republican party. He has always been a public spirited and enterprising man, and has been active in advaneing the interests of his township or eonnty, where he is classed among the most respected citizens.

RANCIS MARION MCLAUGIILIN, a representative of one of the pioneer families of Jay County, was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, April 9, 1837, a son of John Mclaughlin, who settled in Madison Township, Jay County, with his family, October 9, 1837. Our subject was but an infant when brought to Jay County, and liere he was reared on a farm, being early inured to hard work. His educational advantages were limited to nine months attendanee at a subseription seliool. He enlisted in the late war in October, 1861, in Company F, Fortieth Ohio Infantry, but was rejected on account of the loss of his right eye, which oeeurred by an aeeident when he was nine years of age. He however was accepted as a teamster, but being desirous of serving in the ranks he managed to earry a musket most of the time, and performed faithfully any duty lie was ealled on to do. IIe left the service in 1863. While in the

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army he contracted rhenmatism from which he has never recovered. After the war he engaged in farming, which he followed until 1870, when he was elected recorder of Jay Connty, a position he filled faithfully for eight years, and since the expiration of his official term he has been engaged in dealing in real estate at Portland. He has succeeded well in his varions business enterprises, and is now the owner of 500 acres of land loeated in Wayne and Grecne townships. He has a beautiful home in Portland, where he is highly esteemned by all who know him. Mrs. MeLanghlin was formerly Miss Susan Keck, a danghter of George W. Keek, who went from Ohio to California in 1849, remaining there until his deatlı, which occurred several years later. Mrs. Keek came to Jay County, Indiana, with her family, where several mem- bers still reside. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin-Charles W., George E., Jessic M., Orval C., Luln G. and Edith K. Politically Mr. MeLaughlin is a Republican, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860. Like his father he is independent in his religious views, believing that all slionld worship God accord- ing to the dictates of their own conscience. He is a strong advocate of the eanse of tem- perance, and a supporter of those principles which tend to elevate his fellowmen.

EORGE R. KENDRICK, junior mem- ber of the firm of Williams & Kendriek, was born in Licking Connty, Ohio, July 22, 1852, a son of Thomas and Mary E. (Reed) Kendriek, who were the parents of eight children, George being the third child. When he was a babe his parents removed to Cass County, Indiana, where he resided nntil

1874. He early learned the wagon-maker's trade, and that has been his occupation since he was nineteen years old. In 1874 he removed to Jay County, locating at Briant, where lic worked at his trade in a small way for three years. He then removed to West- chester and worked nntil 1883, then returned to Briant and formned a partnership with Mr. Williams, and established the Briant Wagon Works.

AMES. H. DE TRAY, aresident of Liber, Jay County, Indiana, is a direct descend- ant of one of the noble families of France, being the fourth in direct line of descent from Connt Antoine Des Trees, an attache of the court of King Louis XVI, who introduced to that monarch Benjamin Franklin and his fel- low commissioners wlto concluded the treaty of alliance between France and the American colonies. The count's wife, and the mother of Marquis de La Fayette, and of Count Ro- chambean, were sisters. Antoine Perrin Des Trees, the connt's son, who was also a eonnt of France and nephew of King Louis XVI, accompanied the French expedition to America in aid of the struggling colonies as commissary general on the staff of General LaFayette's first expedition, and served gallantly through- ont the struggle for independence. He was wonnded in the grand assault on the works of Cornwallis at Yorktown, which resulted in the surrender of the British commander and the close of the war. He remained in this country after the war, the French revolution having overturned society in his native land, and his father with many others of the nobility had fallen a victim to the mob and guillo- tined Mareh 16, 1794. He settled at Provi- dence, Rhode Island, where lie established himself as a silk merchant, changing his name

Janes Ho De Gray Fourth cousin of the famous General. Marques De La Forge tte.

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sufficiently to conform to the language of his adopted country, being thenceforth known as Anthony Perrin De Tray. When La Fayette made his memorable visit to the United States in 1824, Anthony DeTray was among those who went to Woodstock, Connecticut, to re- ceive and do him honor, but he never returned from that visit, dying after a brief illness. He had a son, Anthony, who in 1820 removed to Crawford County, Ohio, where he followed agricultural pursuits. He died about 1847, aged fifty-seven years. His son, Jackson B., was the father of James II. De Tray, the sub- ject of this sketch. Jackson B. De Tray was born at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1816, some four years before his parents removed to Ohio, and in the latter State he grew to manhood, and was there married to Charlotte Wickham, a native of Tompkins County, New York, born in 1826, a daughter of David and Louisa Wickham, her father being a grand nephew of Martha Washington, and thus re- lated to the celebrated Lee family of Virginia. The father of our subject removed with his family to Michigan in 1855, and engaged in the boot and shoe trade at Grand Rapids. Later in life he gave up mercantile pursuits and retired to a farm in Kent County some miles from Grand Rapids, where he died in 1873, aged fifty-seven years. James H. De Tray, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, April 1, 1848, and was but two years of age when his parents removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and in that city he received good advantages both in the literary and commercial branches of edu- cation. From 1874 to 1876 inclusive he was deputy sheriff of Kent County. In 1885 he became a resident of Jay County, his mother coming here in the fall of 1886, and has since kept house for him in Liber village. In Oc- tober, 1881, while the preparations were going on at Yorktown in commemoration of the sur-

render of Lord Cornwallis, Mr. De Tray was favored with an invitation from James G. Blaine, then Secretary of State, as the American representative of the family of La Fayette, to attend the celebration. While at Yorktown he was the recipient of the highest favors; was an honored guest at the banquets given by Hancock and by the French admiral. To these exercises France sent five representa- tives, while Mr. De Tray was the only one from the United States. During 1883 and 1884 Mr. De Tray lived in the vicinity of Blunt, Dakota, where he still owns property. He has in his possession some highly prized family heirlooms; a memorandum and a Ma- sonic ritnal printed in French in 1743, both formerly owned by his great-grandfather, Connt Antoine Des Trees, would be highly prized in more than one national collection of valuable mementos. Mr. De Tray is a member of the'Masonic fraternity, belonging to Portland Lodge, No. 87, A. F. & A. M, and is also a member of Lodge No. 62, I. O. O. F., at Blunt, Dakota. Politically he is a Demo- crat.

EORGE PARSONS, farmer. sections 21 and 22, Noble Township, came to Jay County with wife and two children March 27, 1855, settling on the farm where he now resides. He bought land of Samuel Noney, and forty acres of Jerry Walling. There was an old log cabin on the place, and forty acres had been plowed. He lived in that cabin two years, then built a small frame house in which he lived until he built his present fine brick house in 1872, at a cost of $2,000, besides his own labor. Ile built his barn in 1862. At one time he had one of the largest and best orchards in the town- ship; but the cold winter of 1882 injured his

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

trecs very materially. He now has 140 acres of improved land. Mr. Parsons was born in Perry County, Ohio, December 25, 1820, and when fourteen years of age went to Mor- row County, same State, where he lived ten ycars. Ife then went to Marion County, where he was married, and soon afterward went back to Perry County and worked on a small farm left by his father. He lived there nine years, then sold out and came to Noble Township, settling upon his present farm. During the late war he was drafted twice. The first time he procured a substitute and the second time lie was exempt. He was married January 1, 1845, to Miss Saralı IIolman, who was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1823, and when twelve years of age was brought to Wayne County by Christian Franks, where she was partly reared. She was a daughter of Daniel Holman and Rose (Johnson), who were born in Perry County, Pennsylvania. Her father died of cholera when she was quite small and was buried on an island in Lake Erie. The mother married, and died in Perry County in 1837. Mr. Parsons' parents were Joseph and Nancy (Flnckey) Parsons. The father was born in Highland County, Ohio, September 27, 1797. His mother died and his father again married, and he was bound out, and when old enough to learn a trade he was apprenticed to a blacksmith. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died in 1823 in Perry County, Ohio, leaving a wife and two children-George and Joshua; the latter died in Grant County, Indiana, in 1869, at the age of forty-six years, leaving a wife and eight children. The inother was born in Huntington County, Pennsylvania, in August, 1797, and when twelve years of age removed to Perry County, Ohio, where she was first married. Her second husband was Jolin S. Nixon, and they had five children-

Margaret, Catherine, Joseph, Sarah and Levi. Joseph and Sarah are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons have had eight children, only two of whom are living-Elnorah J., born November 28, 1845, died November 8, 1846; Julia A., born February 25, 1847, married Nicholas Money; Nancy E., born March 5, 1849, married Harvey Drake; Charles E., born July 25, 1851, died Angust 17, 1853; an infant, unnamed, died January 18, 1855; Sarah E., born October 7, 1856, dicd Septem- ber 18, 1860; Margaret J., born February 10, 1859, died September 10, 1860; Lola M., born July 20, 1861, died August 21, 1878. Mr. Parsons was elected township trustee two terms and served as township clerk six years under the old law. His grandfather, Joshua Parsons, died at Marion, Grant Coun- ty, Indiana, and his grandmother Parsons died in Highland County, Ohio. His grand- father Fluckey was born in Hesse, Germany, and came to America as a British soldier in the Revoluntary war, and deserted to the American army. He was married in Phila- delphia to Miss Margaret Stotz, who was born in Germany; both died in Morrow County, Ohio. He was ninety-six years old at his death and his wife was ninety-three. Mrs. Parsons' grandparents, William and Catherine Johnson, died in Perry County, Pennsylvania. The Johnsons were of Eng- lish ancestry.

ILLIAMS & KENDRICK, proprie- tors of the Briant Wagon Works, established this enterprise in 1883. They manufacture about 100 wagons per year, and employ five men. The wood department is under the supervision of Mr. Kendrick, who thoroughly understands all the details of that department. The iron

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department is managed by Mr. Williams, who is an expert workman. This firm also has a large horse-shoeing trade. The ware-room is a two-story building, 22 x 50 feet, the first floor being used for finished work and the upper room for lumber. The work shop is 24 x 64 feet, and is divided into different apartments. Three forges are in the black- smith department. They use none but the best material and all their wagons are war- ranted, being second to none in the State for hard service.

W. WILLIAMS, proprietor of Walnut Grove stock-farm, is one of the leading breeders and shippers of Poland China hogs in the State of Indiana, and since 1868 he has devoted his attention to this business. His stock is pure breed, and all recorded in the Ohio and Central Poland China Records. His orders to all points are promptly filled, and always give satisfaction. He has sold and shipped logs in every State in the Union and to Europe, and throughout the Union, wherever he has exhibited his stock he has carried off the leading prizes, until the name of J. W. Williams has become familiar in connection with fine swine and is a guarantee of pure stock. Mr. Williams is the pioneer in his business in Northern Indiana, and his success in life is due to his own persevering energy and good business management. He has resided on the same farm in Jackson Township since 1868, where he has 300 acres of valuable land, his land being well improved and highly cultivated. He has a large barn 48 x 64 feet, a large building for his hogs, and a comfortable residence. Everything about the place betokens care and thrift, and the farm is considered one of the best in Jay County. Mr. Williams is a native of Jay

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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