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 37

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 37
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 37

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County, Indiana, born in Wayne Township, November 10, 1845, a son of Samnel K. Williams, a prominent citizen of Jackson Township. His early life was passed on liis father's farin, and his education was received in the common schools of the county. He was united in marriage Angust 25, 1867, to Miss Rhoda A. Gardiner, of Jay County, she being a daughter of William and Mahala Gardiner. Of the nine children born to this union six are living-Worthy C., Emily J., William, Rhoda, Lola and James Harrison. Samuel M., Wealthy E. and Nellie are de- ceased. Mrs. Williams died January 21, 1879, and September 2, 1879, Mr. Williams married Maggie Hoffman a daughter of John and Mary Hoffman. Genial in manner, a man of strict integrity, and honorable in all his dealings, Mr. ¿ Williams has gained the confidence of all with whom he has business or social intercourse.

LFRED ALEXANDER, one of the early settlers of Wayne Township, where he still resides on section 5, was born in Kanawha County, Virginia, in 1824, a son of Thomas Alexander. The father was born in Bedford County, Virginia, where he was reared and married to Miss Sallie Hud- dleston, who was also from Bedford County, Virginia. In 1826 they removed from Kan- awha Connty, where they had lived for a time, to Jackson County, Ohio, where they lived until their death, the father dying in his seventy-second year, and the mother in her sixty-eighth year. Nine children were born to them, eight arriving at maturity. Four of the family are yet living-Caleb, a resident of Jackson County, Ohio; Otey, in Greenup County. Kentucky; Andrew C., of Bates Connty, Missouri, and Alfred, who was the

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MIISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

youngest child. Alfred Alexander was but two years old when taken by his parents to Jackson County, and there he grew to man- hood. He started in life a poor boy, but by hard work and strict economy he accumulated the sum of $350, which he bronght with him to Jay County, Indiana, in February, 1849, and the same year he purchased a quarter section in Wayne Township, paying for the same $425. The two years following he divided his time between Jay Connty and Jackson County, Ohio. In October, 1853, lie was married to Miss Lavina Golden, who came to Jay County from Jackson County, Ohio, in September, 1849. She was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, February 7, 1832, her parents, James and Annie Golden, being natives of the same State. Her mother died when she was a child, and she was reared in the family of her maternal grandfather, James Adair, with whom she came to Jack- son Connty when seventeen years old. She came to Jay Connty with her sister, Mrs. Nancy J. Wilmore, who is now living at Warren, Huntington County, Indiana. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Alexander settled on their farm in Wayne Township, where they have lived for thirty-five years, and licre their seven children were born, of whom only four are now living-Jennie, born February 9, 1859, wife of John Chritman, of Bear Creek Township; Andrew Calvin, born June 17, 1862, married Nina Florence Milli- gan, a dangliter of Samuel HI. Milligan, and a granddaughter of Wilson Milligan, of Bear Creek Township; Alvin A., born November 9, 1864, and Thomas H., born August 10, 1867. Sarah Ann died aged six years; James B. died at the age of two years, and America Adella, who was the youngest child, died in 1875, aged three years. When Mr. Alexan- der settled on his farm it was in a state of nature, but by industry and good manage-

ment on the part of himself and wife, they have acquired a pleasant home, and gained a 'competence for their declining years. Their farm contains 229 acres of Jay County's best and, and everything about the place betokens the thrift and industry of the proprietor. In politics Mr. Alexander is a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for General Cass in 1848, and has voted for every Democratic candidate since that date. Mrs. Alexander is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Although a member of no church Mr. Alex- ander holds in respect all religious opinions, and is highly esteemed throughout the com- munity where he has made his home for so many years.

LWOOD M. HIATT, one of Jefferson Township's enterprising citizens, resid- ing on section 1, is a native of Indiana, born ncar Linnville, in Randolph County, May 22, 1841. That same year his parents, William and Martha (Jackson) Hiatt, made their home in Greene Township, Jay County, where they now live, and besides our subject, they have three sons and two daughters, resi- dents of Jay County-Jasper N., of Penn Township; Jahue E., William P. and Mrs. Mary A. Kinley, of Greene Township, and Mrs. Martha E. Strohl, of Knox Township. Elwood M. Hiatt has lived in Jay County since early childhood, with the exception of the time spent in the service of his country, and until his enlistment lived at the home of his parents. In 1864 he became a member Company F, One Hundred and Fortieth In- diana Infantry. He was in the second en- gagement at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and while in the Twenty-third corps under Gen- eral Schofield, he joined Sherman's army at Goldsboro, North Carolina, and was present

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at the surrender of General Johnston and his rebel army. After receiving an honorable diseharge he returned to his old home in Jay Connty. In the year 1865 he was married to Miss Mary C. Laey, and to this union was born one son, William L., who died at the age of three years. Mrs. Hiatt died about four years after her marriage. She was an estimable woman, a devout Christian, being a consistent member of the Methodist ehureh. Mr. Hiatt was again married in 1875 to Mrs. Rhoda Taylor, a native of Randolph County, Indiana, and a danghter of John and Phœbe Taylor, now of Redkey, they being pioneers of Randolph County. By her first marriage with Ralph Wilson Mrs. Hiatt has one son, Elmer, who is now living in Illinois. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hiatt, five are living-John F., George M., William P., Anna May and Martha E. Their second child, Charles, died in his second year. Mr. Hiatt has resided on his present homestead in Jefferson Township since his marriage, commeneing on' a traet of eighty aeres of which but a few acres had been cleared. Ilis farm now consists of 130 aeres under good improvement and drainage, a fine residence erected in 1886, and good farm buildings, the entire surroundings showing care and thrift. Politically Mr. IIiatt is identified with the Republican party.

AMES HAINES, one of the leading agrieulturists of Pike Township, where he resides on section 3, was born in Clin- ton County, Ohio, December 21, 1833, a son of Granville and Rhoda Haines, who were natives of New Jersey and West Virginia, respectively. The father died several years ago, and the mother is still living on the old homestead in Westboro, Ohio. Of their ten

children only five are now living-James, who was the third child; Mordecai, living in Clin- ton County, Ohio; Mrs. Mattie Towl, now living with her mother Mrs. Naney J. Page, living in Des Moines, Iowa; and Mrs. Louisa Starr, living in Wayne Township, Jay County. Mr. Haines was reared to manhood in his native county, remaining under the home roof until twenty-one years of age. He then worked for others in Ohio, Illinois and Indi- ana for a few years. December 23, 1858, he was married to Miss Sarah R. Brown, a native of Clinton County, Ohio, born April 18, 1836, a daughter of James and Mary Brown. Her parents were married in Kentucky, and in 1813 settled in Ohio, where they eom- menced life in a small log-house. Their second residence was a hewed log-house, which in time was replaced by a fine brick residence. They reared a family of twelve children, Mrs. Haines being the youngest of the twelve children, of which only five are now living. The death of the father oeeur- ring in the year 1863, was the first death at the family homestead, oeeupied then fifty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Haines are the parents of seven children, all but the eldest living at home. The names of the children are as follows-Fernandas F., married Dona Silvey, danghter of James Silvey, and lives on and farms 160 acres of his father's homestead; Flora M., Amy E., George C., Rhoda L., Ivie E. and Bertha B. Mr. Haines sold his farm in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1865, eoming with his family to Jay County, Indiana, in February of that year, when he bought 120 acres, a part of the fine farin of 320 aeres now owned by him. His farm is now one of the best in Jay County, and his fine substantial brick residenee, built in 1884, is among the largest and best constructed farm-lionses in this part of the State. The 75,000 brick used in the construction of the house were

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made by Mr. Haines, and the front walls of the building are made of white stone and sand from the Gulf of Mexico. Part of the finish- ing material for the inside work was brought from New York City and Chicago. There are in this residence thirty-seven windows and twenty-four doors. This fine property has been acquired by the combined industry and prudent management of Mr. and Mrs. Haines, and they are now enjoying the fruits of their work. Their home is pleasantly situated, and beautified with the taste and care for flowers of Mrs. Haines and lier danghters, and few finer or more rare collections of plants-among which are twenty-two differ ent varieties of Cactus-are found in any farm- honse than are to be seen at their beautiful home. Mrs. Haines is a member of the Christian or Disciple church. In politics Mr. Haines has always cast his suffrage with the Republican party.

J. STEWART, attorney, and one of the leading citizens of Dunkirk, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, December 14, 1832, a son of James and Sophia (Chew), Stewart, both natives of Berkeley County, West Virginia, the father born near Mar- tinsburg, of Irish parentage, and the mother born near Girardstown. They were married in their native county, and in 1814 went to Fayette County, Ohio. They made their home in Fayette County until the fall of 1856, coming thence to Delaware County. Both parents died in Delaware County, the father in 1874 in his eighty-sixth year, and the motlier in 1886, in her eighty-eighth year. J. J. Stewart, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood in Fayette County, and in his youth received but limited educational advantages, never attending school more than

six weeks in a year, but by reading and pri- vate study he acquired by his own efforts a fair education. In 1852 he came on a visit to friends in Jay County, and while here made arrangements to teach school in Rich- land Township, when he returned to Ohio, and after settling up his affairs, he again came to Indiana on horseback, and a couple of days after his arrival he started early in the morning on horseback for Portland, ar- riving at liis destination late in the evening; was examined by Judge Haynes the follow- ing day, and after receiving his certificate he returned to Richland Township, where he tanglit his first school in a rude log cabin with greased paper windows. Eight of the boys who attended his school that winter have since engaged in teaching school, and one of them is now principal of the schools in a leading Kansas town. Mr. Stewart was married May 26, 1854, to Miss Rachel A. Wilson, a native of Richland Township, Jay County, and a daughter of Joel and Sarah (Bromagen) Wilson. Her parents came from Greene County, Ohio, to Indiana, about 1829, and her father built the second log cabin in Richland Township. Although game of all kinds was in abundance Mr. Wilson was no hunter, but was a hard worker, and from the wilderness he made a good home for his fam- ily. He died April 1, 1873, but the mother of Mrs. Stewart still survives, living at Dun- kirk at the age of eiglity-two years. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Stewart only three are living-Alonzo C., marshal of Dunkirk; Minerva J. and Sadie S. Sadie has been engaged in teaching school in Dun- kirk for the last five years. Oliver P. and Earply Earle are deceased. At the age of twenty-three years Mr. Stewart was elected justice of the peace, serving as such one terin, and during this time he decided to study the legal profession, and for some time he fol-

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lowed farming and school teaching, beside at- tending to his official duties as justice, and studying law. He followed the teacher's profession until 1876, since which time he has devoted his attention to the practice of law. In the fall of 1876 he located at Dun- kirk, where he has since had a law office and has built up a good practice. He was ad- mitted to the bar of Jay County before Judge Bobo in 1878, and is now a member of the Jay County Bar Association. Mr. Stewart became a member of the Odd Fellows order at Fairview, Indiana, at the age of twenty- one, and was a charter member of Dunkirk Lodge, No. 306, in which he has passed all the chairs, and is also a member of the En- campment at Dunkirk. He has twice been a representative to the Grand Lodge of the State. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, in which he is a local preacher, and is at present steward of the class of Dunkirk congregation.

ATIIAN McCOY, an enterprising and progressive citizen of Penn Township, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, Au- gust 23, 1840, the eldest son of Patterson and Elizabeth (Bryant) McCoy, who were also natives of Ohio, the father of Scotch and Irish and the mother of English ancestry. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, where he remained until he enlisted in the late war, August 21, 1863. He was assigned to Company A, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, and served in the Army of the Cumberland in Kentucky and Tennessee until the close of the war. He received an honorable discharge September 25, 1865, when he returned to his native county, remaining on the home farm until March 5, 1875, when he was married to Miss Ella J. Lupton, a daughter of Adelina

and Eliza Lupton, of Jay County, Indiana. After his marriage he came to Jay County and purchased a farm in Penn Township, and there engaged in farming and dealing exten- sively in live stock. After coming to the county he contracted for the . building of turnpikes, which he still follows to some ex- tent, and during this time has built forty- three miles in Jay County, besides many miles in Adams County, and in Ohio. In 1882 he conceived the idea that a summer re- sort in the Allegheny Mountains in Tennes- see would be profitable, and the same year he erected a fine hotel at a cost of $40,000, which now is nnexcelled in the Sonth, and compares favorably with any in the East. To Mr. and Mrs. McCoy have been born three children, two still living named Effie Maud and Della May. Their second child, an in- fant son, died unnamed. Mr. McCoy is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belong- ing to Relief Lodge, No. 145, of Pennville. He is also a comrade of James Cartwright Post, No. 358, G. A. R.

OHN MCLAUGHLIN, one of the re- spected pioneers of Jay County, was born in Bath County, Virginia, February 21, 1799, where he lived until reaching the age of twenty-two years. Although a native of a slave State he imbibed a hatred of slavery, and the cause of his leaving Virginia was the danger he had incurred for chastising a slave driver for illtreating a slave. After leaving Virginia he located at Meigs County, Ohio, where he was married to Barbara Spillman, a native of Randolph County, Virginia, and to this union eleven children were born, all but two who died infancy, reaching maturity. Four of the sons served in the war of Rebell- ion. The oldest, Jane, married Jonas Har-

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

ter, is living in Valley County, Nebraska, being a widow; Elizabeth married Nathan Woden, and died in 1855; Hugh is a resident of Wayne Township; William H., of Greene Township, was a member of Company F, Fortieth Ohio Infantry; Francis M., a resi- dent of Portland; John S. served in Company I, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana; Phi- delia married Joseph Wallace, who was a mem- ber of the Thirty-first Ohio Infantry, and died in the army. Sheafterward married Alexander Hutchins, who was severely wounded while in the service of his country in the war of the Rebellion, and died in 1885; Rebecca married William Stretchberry, of Weston, Wood County, Ohio; Wiley S. was a mnem- ber of Company B, Eleventh Indiana Cav- alry, and was killed at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee. Hannah and Henry are deceased, the former dying at the age of three years, and the latter aged two years. Mr. Mc- Laughlin continued to reside in Meigs County until 1833, when he came to Jay County, Indiana, and settled in Madison Township, his family then consisting of his wife, two sons and two daughters. On his arrival in the county Mr. Mclaughlin found that he had insufficient money to pay the entry fee on his land, and was consequently obliged to relinquish for the time the hope of securing land of his own. He therefore went to Kosciusko County, where he rented a farm on which he lived till October, 1837, when he returned to Jay County, and entered 160 acres of land on section 4, of Madison Town- ship. He improved his land inaking a good home for his family, and here he lived until his death, March 16, 1860. Mr. Mclaughlin was of Scotch descent, and possessed many of the lionest, sturdy traits of character peculiar to that nationality. He was ever a friend to the needy and oppressed, and assisted many a negro slave to reach the land of freedom.

In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but on the organization of the Republican party identified himself with that party, although he did not live to witness the full fruition of the hopes of his party, or rejoice in its grand achievements. He was a staunch temperance advocate, and never used liquor in any form, and it is said of him that he never uttered a profane word in his life. Mrs. McLaughlin is also deceased, her deatlı taking place in the year 1871.

OHN ROUSH, farmer, resides on section 26, Madison Township, where he owns 110 acres of good land. He came to this county with his wife December 13, 1851, locating on section 10, Madison Township, where he purchased forty acres of land, which had three acres of clearing, and a small log cabin. He lived there two years, then sold and bought eighty acres where he now lives. He was born in Gallia County, Ohio, May 6, 1824, and grew to manhood in his native county. He was married November 17, 1850, to Sarah Darst, and about a year later re- moved to this county. He lived on his pres- ent farm one winter before building his cabin, occupying a log school-house situated oppo- site his present residence. In the winter of 1855 he built the usual cabin with mud-and- stick chimney, and the following spring added a frame kitchen. He lived in this liouse until 1860, when he built his present home. He now has a good house and frame barn. His father, Paul Roush, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, May 12, 1790. When quite young he moved to Gallia County, Ohio, where he was reared and where he was married. He died in that county in 1871. The mother, Mary (Berry)

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...

Roush, was also born in Shenandoah County, Mareh 31, 1792, and removed to Gallia County when quite young, and died in that county, January 15, 1845. The Roushes and Darsts came to this comity together. Mrs. Roush was born in Gallia County August 17, 1829, where she was reared and married. Her parents, Josepli and Eleanor (Slater) Darst, were born in Shenandoah County, the father, October 15, 1792, and the mother, May 25, 1793. The latter died July 19, 1882, in Gallia County. They were the parents of ten children-Abraham, Will- iam, Mary, James, Charles, Sarah, Catherine and Rebecca, twins, Andrew J. and John. Catherine died at the age of one year. In the family of Mr. Roush's parents were ten children-George, Moses, Elisha, Elizabeth, Paul, Mary, Barbara M., Gideon, John and Lydia. The following are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Ronsh-Joseph W., born Oc- tober 30, 1852, married Jane R. Simmons; Haskell R., born September 13, 1854, mar- ried Lonisa Getinger; Mary E., born January 20, 1857, married Simon Vinnys; Drusilla D., born July 16, 1859, married Joseph Mark; William A., born June 5, 1861; Della L., born May 4, 1863; Lydia E., born January 3, 1867, married Bryant A. Shreeve; Sarah A., born December 25, 1868; John A., born January 3, 1871, died August 5, 1878; James A., born December 20, 1873; Samuel D., born August 23, 1876. Mr. Roush has been a life-long Democrat, and himself and wife are members of the Disciple church. Mr. Roush's parents were formerly Lutherans, but in later life joined the Disciple church. Mrs. Roush's parents were members of the Free-Will Baptist church. Mr. Roush has served as assessor four years and as justice of the peace sixteen years. His grandparents, Jacob and Barbara (Fox) Roush, were born in Pennsylvania and died in Gallia County, 23

Ohio. His maternal grandfather, Malachi Berry, was born in Greenbrier County, Vir- ginia, and is supposed to have been killed by a bear, as his clothes and handkerchief were found in a piece of woods. His grand- muther, Barbara (Loudenback) Berry, died in Champaign County, Ohio. Mrs. Roush's grandparents, Abraham and Mary (McCarthy) Darst, were born in Virginia, the former April 1, 1773, and the latter the same date; both died in Gallia County, Ohio, Her ma- ternal grandfather, Johu Slater, was born in Pennsylvania, and died in that State. Her maternal grandmother, Susannah (Hook) Slater, was born in Pennsylvania and died in Tennessee. The Roushes and Darsts are of German ancestry; the Slaters and Berrys are of English-Irish descent.

R. HANLIN, proprietor of the Briant House, Briant, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, October 30, 1853, son of Samuel and Eveline (Stevenson) Hanlin, who were the parents of seven children, our subject being the youngest child. The family came to this county in 1854, locating on section 12, Wayne Township, where the father still resides. Mr. Hanlin passed his early life on a farın, and was educated in the common schools of Jay County, and at Ridgeville College and Valparaiso Business College, receiving a diploma from the latter school. IIe has taught school about ten years, then engaged in the music trade until 1884, at which time he settled in Briant. He was married August 17, 1882, to Miss Ida L. Hull, of this county, and daughter of John Hull, deceased, formerly of Perry County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hanlin have two children-Inez F. and Gladys. Mr. IIanlin is a Democrat in politics. He is a

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member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, Red Cross Lodge, No. 88, at Portland. The Briant House is the only hotel in Briant. It is a first class house in every respect. The host is genial and pleasant, and the traveler will always find good food and rest. There is also a first class livery barn in connection with the hotel.

EREMIAH WEAVER, who now lives on section 1, Wayne Township, is one of the pioneers of Jay County, settling here in February, 1839. He was born in Schuyl- kill County, Pennsylvania, in 1814, his father, George Weaver, having been born in the same county. When he was a year old he was taken by his parents to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was reared, and where his parents lived until their death. They had a family of eight sons and four danghters, all of whom reached maturity with the exception of one son, David, who was drowned at the age of seven years. Eight of the family are still living. Jeremialı, our subject, was rcared on a frontier farm in Ohio, and was carly in life innred to hard work, and the lessons of per- severing industry learned in his yonth have been of lasting benefit to him. He was mar- ried in 1836 to Miss Martha Miller, a dauglı- ter of Isaac Miller. Of the nine children born to this union six are living-William, who is now living in Pennsylvania; Isaac, a resident of Westchester, Jay County; Lucy Ann, wife of Thomas Hoch, of Bear Creek Township; Martha, wife of Josiah Renner, of Bear Creek Township; Harriet, wife of Lewis N. Metz- ner, also living in Bear Creek Township, and John, the youngest surviving member of the family, living at the homestead. Martin, George and Sarah Ann are the names of the children who are deceased. In 1838 Mr.

Weaver started West with his family, then consisting of his wife and their son William, who was then less than a year old, and was also accompanied by his father-in-law, Isaac Miller, who brought with him his wagon and team. The latter however did not settle in Jay County, returning soon after to his home in the East. At that time the country was very sparsely settled, and was nothing but a wilderness. Deer and other wild game was very abundant. Mr. Weaver on first coming to the county settled on section 7, Noble Township, on a tract of 120 acres which had been entered by his father-in-law, and seventy acres of this land lic cleared of heavy timber and put under improvement. He resided on this farm until the fall of 1860, intending to remove to Missouri, but the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion prevented him from doing so. He then purchased the farin where he lias since resided, which was also heavily covered with timber. He has always been a hard working, industrious man, and since coming to the county has cleared about 200 acres from the heavy timber. He has his farm now well improved, and good residence and farm buildings, the entire surroundings showing the care and thrift of the owner. Mr. Weaver was bereaved in the autumnn of 1880 by the death of his wife, who had shared with him all the trials and vicissitudes of pioneer life, as well as their pleasant home of later years.

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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