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 39

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 39
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 39

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OBERT R. JOURNY, farmer, resides on section 30, Noble Township, where he owns 120 acres of land. He came to this county September 15, 1849, with his parents and six children besides himself. The family settled on section 31, Wayne Town- ship. The father bought 200 acres of land, of which twelve acres were improved, having a log cabin of one room, where the family lived three years. The father died June 3, 1853, and is buried in Liber cemetery. The home was then broken up and the family divided. The father was born in the District of Columbia, April 4, 1790, and when a child his mother took him to Virginia near Jamestown, where he was raised and educated. He was married in his native city to Eliza- beth Green, who was born in the city of Washington, and died in Perry County, Ohio. Soon after his marriage he moved to that connty. She left two children-John and William; the former is living in Page County, Iowa, and the latter in Whiteside County, Illinois. The father was again married, his second wife, whom he married October 19,

1826, being Miss Anna Harkins, who was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1802. They lived there until 1849, then came to this county as before stated. Mrs. Journy dicd March 3, 1870, and is buried be- side the father. She left five children living, and two had gone before-James P. was born in 1829 and died in 1853; Juda Ann, born in 1827, died in 1869; Robert R., Joseph, Ste- phen, Susan J. and Thomas J. Robert was mar- ried February 10, 1856, to Emily Gillet. He was born September 15, 1831, in Perry County, Ohio, and when eighteen years old came with his parents to this county. Mrs. Journy was born in Steuben Connty, New York, August 17, 1837. When she was three years of age her parents removed to Noble Township, locating on the farm now occupied by herself and husband. Her parents, Joseph and Mary A. (Panl) Gillett were also born in Steuben County, New York, the father, August 29, 1810, died April 10, 1873; the mother, born January 6, 1816, died April 30, 1871. The father fell on a saw in a mill, and was cut asunder. Both are buried in Lancaster, Mad- ison Township. Mr. and Mrs. Journy have liad ten children, of whom seven are living --- Mary J., born January 5, 1858, died January 4, 1863; Joseph R., born September 15, 1859; Jolın A., born November 7, 1861, died January 12, 1863; Rachel E., born Novem- ber 10, 1863, married Frank Hanks; Ira T., born April 9, 1866; Adella A., born June 7, 1868; James E., born February 26, 1871, died February 5, 1873; Stephen B., born June 25, 1873; Susan A., born December 12, 1875; Phœbe B., born March 5, 1884. In the family of Mrs. Journy's parents were five children-Emily, wife of Mr. Journy; Ra- chel, born September 27, 1839, married Stephen Journy; Ira P., born April 9, 1842; Almira, born April 15, 1846, died December 23, 1862; Harriet L., born November 15,

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1847, died Jannary 10, 1863. Mr. Journy's grandfather, Jolm Journy, was born in England and came to America a British sol- dier of the Revolutionary war. His grand- mother, Elizabeth Journy, was born and married in England, and died in the District of Columbia. Ilis maternal grandmother, Juda Harkins, was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and died in Perry County, Ohio; she became lost in the woods and was frozen to death. His grandfather, Daniel Harkins, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylva- nia; he broke his thigh at Jolm A. Journy's barn-raising, and died from the effects. Mrs. Journy's grandfather, Joseph Gillet, was a native of New York, and died in Stenben County, that State. Her grandmother, Cath- erine Gillet, was born in Pennsylvania and died in New York. IIer maternal grandpar- ents, Mary and Ira Panl, were born and died in the State of New York; they were of Irish ancestry.

HARLES F. LOSCH, deceased, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Novem- ber 24, 1833, a son of Charles and Julia Losch, who came to the United States when Charles was three years of age and made their home in Darke County, Ohio, and in 1841 moved to Jay County, Indiana, and settled in Pike Township, where they both died. Of their eight children, but five are living-Abraham and Joseph in Pike Town- ship, and Elizabeth, Catherine and John in Illinois. Charles F. Losch was reared on a farm and became one of Pike Township's leading agricultorists. September 1, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Thirty-sixth In- diana Infantry, and after serving faithfully nine months was honorably discharged on ac- count of sickness. November 4, 1863, Mr.

Losch was married to Miss Melinda E. Heis- ter, who was born in Boundary, Indiana, Feb- ruary 26, 1843, a daughter of Daniel Heister, a pioneer of Jay County. The spring fol- lowing their marriage they went to house- keeping on the farm where the family still live. At that time they owned 120 acres, eighty acres being a present to Mrs. Losch from her father. Thirty acres had been cleared and a small honse had been built, and from this beginning they by industry made a good home, adding to their estate eighty acres, and at the time of Mr. Losch's deatlı 100 acres were under cultivation. Five chil- dren are still living under the home roof- Daniel J., Mary E., John II., Charles E. and Lonisa A. A daughter, Alice, died aged two years, and two children died in infancy. Mr. Losch died May 30, 1879. His life was a worthy and honorable one, and his name is worthy of mention with others who were in- fluential in making Jay County one of the best in the State. He was a consistent mem- ber of the German Reformed church, and in politics he was identified with the Republican party.

HARLES IIUGIIES, one of the pioneers of Jay County, and a member of the firm clo. of C. Hughes & Son, dealers in boots and 2 shoes, Pennville, is a native of Ohio, born in Warren County, January 19, 1822, a son of John and Susannah (Buchannon) Inghes, the father was born in Bucks County, Penn- sylvania, of English ancestry, and the mother, a native of Culpeper Connty, Virginia, and of Welsh ancestry. They were married in Bucks County, where they resided until after the birth of the fourth child, in 1819 or 1820, when they immigrated to Ohio, and settled in Warren County. They reared a family of six

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

children, three sons and three daughters, five of whom yet survive. The father was a car- penter by occupation. Charles Hughes was the fifth child in his father's family, and was but two years old when his mother died. He was then taken to the home of John Garret- son, where he lived until 1838, when he went to learn the shoemaker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of one year in his native county. He came to Jay County, Indiana, in July, 1839, and was engaged in clearing land until 1843, when he went to Richmond, Indiana, where he followed his trade during the sum- mer of 1843, and in the fall of the same year returned to his native county. He was married December 10, 1844, to Miss Cathe- rine Thayer, a native of Rhode Island, and a danghter of Allen Thayer, who was also born in Rhode Island. Mrs. Hughes died August 16, 1849, leaving at her death two children- Alonzo P. and Phobe E., now the widow of Morgan L. Gray. Mr. Hughes was again married February 25, 1851, to Miss Elnora Thayer, a sister of his deceased wife. IIe remained in Warren County, Ohio, until 1854, when in May of that year he returned to Pennville and engaged in the shoemaker's business, which he followed until the break- ing out of the late war. July 10, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Seventy-fifth Indiana Infantry, and during his term of service he participated in seventeen hard fought battles. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and was at the grand review at Washing- ton at the close of the war. He was honor- ably discharged at Indianapolis in June, 1865, when he returned to his home in Jay County, and has since been engaged in his present business at Pennville. In politics Mr. Hughes affiliates with the Republican party. For one year he held the office of constable. He has been a member of the Odd Fellows order since February, 1850,

joining in Ohio, and has filled all the chairs in the lodge, and is also a member of the Grand Lodge of the State. He now belongs to Relief Lodge, No. 145, I. O. O. F., of Pennville. He is a member of the Hieksite branch of the Society of Friends, and a worthy and respected citizen of Penn Town- ship. His son, Alonzo P. Hughes, who is associated with him in business, was born in Warren County, Ohio, August 30, 1845, and was nine years old when his parents came to Jay County, where his youth was spent in. working on the farm in summer and attend- ing the schools of his neighborhood during the winter terms. He enlisted as a soldier in the war of the Rebellion in April, 1864, and was assigned to Company HI, One Hun- dred and Thirty-eighth Indiana Infantry. IIc served in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment he was honorably discharged. After the war he returned to Pennville and has since been associated in business with his father. He is a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of Relief Lodge, No. 145, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs, and has represented his lodge in tlie Grand Lodge of the State. In politics like his father he is a Republican.

HARLES W. MACKEY, M. D., en- gaged in the practice of medicine at Portland in June, 1883, and during his residence in this city has establislied a good practice, and gained the confidence and respect of the entire community. Doctor Mackey is a native of Jay County, Indiana, born at Penn- ville September 7, 1858, a son of Lewis and Minerva (Robbins) Mackey. The father lo- cated at Pennville when a young man, and there practiced dentistry for a number of

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BIOGRAPHIICAL SKETCHIES.

years. Later he removed to Preble County, Ohio, where he still lives. He was married in Pennville to Miss Minerva Robbins, whose parents, Amos and Mary Robbins, were pio- neers of Penn Township. Charles W. Mackey, the subject of this sketch, was reared to man- hood in Preble County, Ohio. His father was a teacher, which profession he followed many years, and his son, Charles W., also followed that avocation in order to defray the expenses of his education. He began the study of medicine in 1878 under the precep- torship of Dr. William Saylor, with whom he remained three years, and in March, 1881, he graduated at the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. Having exhausted his financial resources in securing his professional educa- tion, he resumed teaching after he had gradu- ated, which he followed about two years, when he located at Portland and engaged in the practice of medicine in 1883 as before stated. For his wife Dr. Mackey married Miss Ida M. Bernard, a native of Indiana, and a daugh- ter of John Bernard. They are the parents of one son, Verne. The doctor is a member of the State and county medical societies, and Secretary of the Delaware District Medical Society. He is secretary of the Portland Lec- ture Association, which he assisted in organ- izing in 1886, and also holds the position of secretary on the city board of health. He is a man of enterprise and public spirit, and takes an active interest in the advancement of his town and county.

ORENZO SHERMAN, residing on the northeast quarter of section 11, Wayne Township, was born in the State of Ver- mont in 1811, a son of Shubael and Phœbe Sherman. In 1839 the family removed to Licking County, Ohio, where the parents

spent the rest of their days. Our subject was married in Licking County, Ohio, to Miss Sophia P. Moulton. They have had born to them nine children, of whom seven are living-Warren S., Sophia, Emma, Annie, Celestia, Charles and Le Roy; Reuben, the third child, was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and died a prisoner at Anderson- ville, and Sarah, the second child, was the wife of Spencer Walters and died in Wayne Town- ship. Warren S., the eldest son, was born in Licking County, Ohio, April 21, 1842. He enlisted October 9, 1861, in Company B, Seventy-sixth Ohio Infantry, and served with his regiment until July 27, 1862. The first battle in which he participated was at Fort Donelson, and he also took part in the battle of Shiloh under command of General Lew Wallace. His experience in this battle was so severe that he was obliged to go to hos- pital, where he was confined about two months, when he was furloughed at Camp Denison and returned to his home. When his leave of absence had expired he repaired to Camp Chase, Ohio, for the purpose of being exam- ined, which resulted in his discharge on ac- count of disability. Ile gradually recovered his health, and in the spring of 1863 he entered the National Guard and was sworn into the State service early in 1864, and sent to Martinsburg, Virginia. Two companies of the Guard were sent to North Mountain Station, seven miles from Martinsburg, to guard the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, Mr. Sherman, then Second Sergeant, being a member of this force. Here, after three and a half hours of hard fighting a detachment of five regiments of General Early's command, they were com- pelled to surrender to greatly superior num- bers. They were then taken to Lynchburg, and after being detained there a week, were taken to Danville, and thence to the rebel prison pen at Andersonville. Here Mr. Sher-

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

man remained until the approach of General Sherman while on his march to the sea, when the prisoners without knowing why, were pushed on ahead of Sherman's army as far as Savannah, and when Sherman had passed they were sent back to Andersonville. At the close of hostilities Mr. Sherman with other prisoners, was transferred to Jacksonville, Florida, thencc by steamer to Annapolis, and from there to Columbus, Ohio, where he re- ceived his discharge June 2, 1865. He was a prisoner for ten months, lacking four days, and for at least seven months of the time was confined at Andersonville. He at one time made his escape with others from Anderson- ville hospital, but was captured by hounds when abont five miles from the prison. On seeing the dogs approach he had climbed into a small pine tree where he was recaptured. The others was also captured, and all were put into the stocks for a punishment, where they were kept three days and three nights. Considering the terrible sufferings and hard- ships he underwent, Mr. Sherman came out of Andersonville in fair condition physically, passing through the ordeal better than the majority. Renben Sherman, his brother, was with him in the One Hundred and Thirty- fifth Ohio National Guards, and was taken prisoner at the same time, and died in Ander- sonville prison October 9, 1864. Since the war Warren Sherman has been engaged in farming, and has lived several years on his farm on section 11, Wayne Township, where he has sixty acres of choice land. He was married in Wayne Township to Miss Mar- garet I. Spade, a daughter of William Spade, and they have seven children, three sons and four daughters. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. Lorenzo Sherman, whose name heads this sketch settled on his farm in 1865, which was then almost entirely unimproved. He has prospered in his agri- | years. In 1877 he was nnited in marriage to

cultural pursuits, and is now the owner of 100 acres of valnable land, seventy acres be- ing improved and under fine cultivation.

EORGE N. EDGER, an active and en- terprising business man of Redkey, and a member of the firm of Cadwallader & Edger, bankers, was born in Deerfield, Randolph County, Indiana, June 8, 1852. His father was a merchant at Deerfield when that town was in a flourishing condition and a good business point. He died in 1863, thns leaving onr subject without the care and protection of a father in his eleventh year. He was then to a certain extent thrown npon his own resources. Shortly after the death of his father he made his home with his uncle, Joseph Edger, of Winchester, Indiana, at- tending school in the winters, and working for his uncle during the rest of the year. At the age of eighteen years he entered the office of the American Express Company at Winchester as a clerk, and was soon after ap- pointed agent for the company at Winchester. He subsequently began clerking in a boot and shoe store at Winchester, which position he relinquished for a clerkship in the post- office under F. M. Way, Postmaster, in which capacity he served until 1874. In that year, through the influence of friends, he received a position in the bank at Union City, and here he formed an extensive acquaintance, and by his genial manners and uniform courtesy he became popular. At the county convention of 1878 he was the Republican candidate for the office of county anditor, receiving the nomination by a majority of 140 votes over all competitors, and in the fall of the same year he was elected without opposition, and served faithfully throughout his term of four

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Miss Laura A. Woods, of Union City, In- diana. In July, 1883, he returned to Union City and entered the Citizens Bank, with which he was connected as manager, assistant cashier and also a director, and still retains luis interest in that bank. He now holds the position of manager of the bank at Redkey, and is also engaged in selling buggies at Redkey. He still owns land in Randolph County, and is a director of the Redkey Gas, Oil and Mining Association at Redkey. He became an Odd Fellow at Union City in 1876, and is still identified with the lodge at that place. He has taken all the degrees of the subordinate lodge, and is a member of the encampment.

HOMAS W. SIMMONS, farmer, sec- tion 26, Madison Township, was born in Miami County, Ohio, January 28, 1832, where he lived until coming to Jay County in 1849. His father, Charles Sin- mons, was born March 26, 1799, in Freder- ick County, Virginia, and in 1802 the family removed to Miami County, Ohio, where they lived a few months, tlien removed to Mont- gomery County, same State. He was mar- ried February 7, 1831, and died March 16, 1872. He was not a church member, but was a good moral man and a great reader of the Bible. The mother, Rachel (Wilkinson) Simmons, was born in Harrison County, Vir- ginia, September 10, 1797, and when twelve years of age removed to Champaign County, Ohio, with her parents, who located on a farm that had no improvements, but there was an Indian hut, constructed of cottonwood. In 1816 the family removed to Shelby County, where Mrs. Simmons was married. The par- ents had six children, five of whom are still living-Thomas W., William B., Isaac, Ja-

cob, Harriet A. By a first marriage Mr. Siminons had one child-John, who is now living in Douglass County, Kansas. The name of the first wife was Harriet Smith, who died in Miami County in 1829, Our subject was married December 28, 1856, to Miss Lydia Anu Cline, born in Gallia County, Ohio, August 24, 1836. In 1847 she came to Jay County with her parents, who settled on section 26, Madison Township, on the farm now owned by Robert Fisher's heirs. Both parents died on that farm. Her father died August 23, 1853, aged 106 years. The mother died in January, 1863, aged sixty-five years. The father was twice married. By his second marriage were seven children- Susannah, Cynthia A., Alexander H., Jeru- sha A., Lydia A., Jacob and Charles W .; the sons are deceased. Mr. Simmons entered the army October 24, 1864, and was assigned to Company I, Fortieth Indiana Infantry. Ile joined his regiment at Columbia, Tennessee, November 25, the same fall. His first skir- mish was at Spring Hill, Tennessee, and his first battle was at Franklin; he was also en- gaged in the battle at Nashville. IIis regi- ment and corps went to Huntsville, Alabama, and there went into winter quarters. In the spring the regiment was sent to Victoria, Texas, and was discharged at Victoria, Texas, October 22, 1865. Mr. Simmons' grandpar- ents, Jolın and Susannah Simmons, were born in Germany. His grandfather was sixteen years old when he came to America with his parents, who settled in Pennsylvania. His maternal grandfather, Thomas Wilkinson, was born in Frederick County, Virginia, and died in Shelby County, Ohio, af the age of sixty- nine years. His grandmother, Jane (Ander- son) Wilkinson, was born in Harrison County, Virginia, and died in Shelby County, Ohio, at the age of fifty-nine years. The Wilkin- sons were Irish and the Andersons English,

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

Her great-grandfather, James Anderson, was born in London, was married in New Jersey, and died a violent death while he was sheriff, on the way between Winchester, Virginia, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Mr. Simmons had three uncles that served in the war of 1812. Mrs. Simmons' paternal grandparents, Conrad and Ann Cline, were born in Ger- many. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons have one child, Jane Rachel, born November 16, 1857, who is the wife of Joseph W. Roush. They have reared a boy, Alexander F. Cline, since lie was twelve days old. He is a son of one of Mrs. Simmons' brothers, A. H. Cline. Mr. Simmons had an uncle, Jolin Simmons, who was killed at the evacuation of Fort Dear- born, Chicago, during the war of 1812. His family, consisting of wife and two children, were with him when the attack was made. He and one of his children were killed, while his wife and the other child were taken prisoners and held by the Indians six months before they were released.

HEYNE PYLE, a successful farmer of Jefferson Township, and a representa- tive of one of the early pioneer families of Jay County, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1826, a son of George P. and Ann (Smith) Pyle, the father born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and the mother a native of Virginia. They immigrated to Clinton County, Ohio, in 1832, living there until the spring of 1838 when they came to Jay County, Indiana. They first made their home on section 35, Greene Township, where they lived in a rude log cabin about one year. The father was a poor man, unable to buy land. In 1840 he con- tracted for 120 acres on section 35 of the

same township, and during his three or four years residence at this place he made consid- erable improvements. He then exchanged this property for eighty acres on section 10, Jefferson Township, where the parents spent the remainder of their days, the father dying May 29, 1859, aged sixty years, and the inother July 2, 1863, at the age of sixty-four years. They were the parents of nine chil- dren-William living in Smith County, Kan- sas; Nathan died in Jay County, in 1880; Abel living in Greene Township; Cheyne, the subject of this sketch; Phæbe, deceased wife of William W. Steed; Elias, died Sep- tember 14, 1856; Eliza Ann, deceased wife of George Rliodes; George P., of Decatur County, Kansas; Curtis died many years ago aged fifteen years. Cheyne Pyle has lived in Jay County since his father first settled here nearly a half century ago. Here lie was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has made the principal avocation of his life. He was married February 16, 1851, to Miss Ma- tilda A. Steed, a native of Shenandoah County, Virginia, born October 1, 1827, a daughter of John and Frances Steed, who were among the pioneers of Jay County, settling in Jefferson Township as early as 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Pyle have had born to them fourteen children-Frances died aged fifteen years; George P. died aged twenty years; Jolin lives in Jefferson Township; Mrs. Mary Ellen Brandenburgh, a widow, now residing with her parents; Sarah, wife of Willis Steed of Jefferson Township; Lavinia died aged seventeen years; Jane, wife of Jonathan Green, of Jefferson Town- ship; Emeline, wife of David Brown, of Jefferson Township; James W. and Jasper N. at home; Munroe died in infancy, and Thomas J., Jesse R. and Cheyne R. living at home with their parents. Most of the family are members of the Disciples church.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Mr. and Mrs. Pyle commenced housekeeping in Jefferson Township April 15, 1865, they removed to their present home on section 14, Jefferson Township, this being the first land owned by Mr. Pyle. His farm now contains 130 acres of well improved land with good residence and farm buildings, the buildings and other improvements being his own work. In politics Mr. Pyle is actively identified with the Republican party. He has served his township as assessor with credit to him- self and satisfaction to his constituents. Mr. Pyle is fond of the chase, and in the early days of the county he annually secured many trophies of his skill. In later years he visits the peninsula of Michigan and northeastern Wisconsin every fall, and spends a few weeks deer hunting, always returning home im- proved in health, and bringing with him evi- dences of his skill as a marksman.

AMUEL R. WILKINSON, section 3, Pike Township, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Jay County. He was born on the homestead he now owns and occupies March 30, 1840, his parents, Charles C. and Sarah W. (Sayrs) Wilkinson, settling there in November, 1835. Ilis father entered 160 acres of Government land, which was covered with a dense growth of timber, and from a point nine miles south he chopped a road to his new home. Rugged and ambitions he lived to make a comfortable home and to enjoy it in his old age. He lived in Jay County nearly a half century, his death occurring in February, 1884. His wife died in February, 1877. They had a family of seven children. The eldest, John A., was born in Ohio, and now lives on sec- tion 5, Pike Township. The others were born in Jay County. Elizabeth died in child- 24

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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