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 40

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 40
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 40

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hood, Mrs. Margaret McCartney and Samuel R. live in Pike Township. Henry and William (twins) are both deceased, the former dying in childhood and the latter aged thirty-five years. Sylvester died in childhood. After the death of his wife Mr. Wilkinson married Rachel Ashley, who still lives in Liber, and to them were born two children-Belle and Charles. Samuel R. Wilkinson was reared in his native township, where he has always made his home with the exception of two years spent in Preble County, Ohio, with his father. September 23, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundredth Indiana In- fantry. His first service was in Tennessee, and afterward he was with General Sherman in the Vicksburg campaign, including all the battles np to the capture of Vicksburg, and thence to the relief of Chattanooga, and the battle of Mission Ridge; then marched to the relief of Knoxville, and was in the campaign against Atlanta. At the battle of Jonesboro he was wounded and was sent home, where he remained six months, four months of the time walking with the aid of crutches. He then rejoined his regiment in time to participate in the grand review at Washington. After his discharge he re- turned to Jay County, where he has since lived. He now owns eighty acres of the old homestead, to which he has added eighty acres, making one of the best farms in the township. His building improvements are good, his fine large frame barn being one of the best in the neigliborhood. Mr. Wilkin- son was married April 21, 1866, to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Harriet Collins. She died from the effects of injuries received by a runaway team in April, 1884. Mr. Wil- kinson afterward married Mrs. Rines, widow of Lewis Rines, to whom she was married January 25, 1872. He was born in Colum- biana County, Ohio, December 16, 1846, a

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

son of James and Mary Rines. He died June 18, 1883, leaving [three children-Hazie A., Joseph G. and James E. His eldest son, Roland, died in infancy. He left his widow a good house on section 11, Pike Township, which she still owns.

ILLIAM A. CASTER, one of the enterprising agriculturists of Wayne Township, engaged in farming on section 36, was born in Preble County, Ohio, the date of his birth being July 15, 1839. Ile was but a child of two years when his father, James Caster, came to Jay County, and he was reared on the old homestead in Wayne Township, where his father still resides, his youth being spent in assisting on the farm, and attending the common schools of the township. He enlisted in defense of the old flag in October, 1861, in Company C, Seventy-fifth Ohio Infantry. His first en- gagement was at McDowell, Virginia, where he was wounded by a minie ball in the right leg. He was then taken to the hospital at Franklin, Pendleton Connty, Virginia, where he was confined two months, and during this time was taken prisoner but paroled. He rejoined the Union forces at New Creek Sta- tion, Virginia, and was sent to the hospital at Cumberland City, Maryland, and from there to Camp Clase, Ohio. Later he was granted a furlongh, and returned home for a time, and subsequently joined his regiment near Alexandria, Virginia. He took an active part in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettys- burg, and at the latter battle was again taken prisoner. He was then taken to Richmond, was in Libby Prison twenty-four hours, and in Belle Island nine days, and after one month's imprisonment he was exchanged and boarded a Government boat for Annapolis,

Maryland. His next engagement was at Gainesville, Florida. He was honorably dis- charged at Columbus, Ohio, in 1864. He was united in marriage in March, 1868, to Miss Adelaide Samantha Wilder, of Jay County, a daughter of Lucins E. and Emilie (Cook) Wilder. Mrs. Caster died in August, 1880, and Mr. Caster was again married May 9, 1882, to Miss Margaret Jane Miller, a daughter of William H. Miller, a pioneer of Jay County. They are the parents of three children, named-Eva Alneda, Charles Ellis and Harlin Austin. As a farmer Mr. Caster has met with success and is now the owner of 120 acres of land, which is well improved and very productive. He has a comfortable log-house, and a fine substantial barn 36x 60 feet in size, and other out-buildings noticeably good. Politically he is a staunch Republican. He is an active, public spirited citizen of Wayne Township, and is one of the most re- spected inen in the county.

PHRAIM OVERMIER has been a resident of Bear Creek Township thirty- seven years. He was born in Perry County, Ohio, February 17, 1825, son of George and Eve (Hoffman) Overmier, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia. They were the parents of ten children, Ephraim being the ninth child. When he was four years of age his parents removed to Sandusky County, where he spent his youth in assisting on the farm and in at- tending the subscription schools of those days. He was married in Jackson Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, to Miss Sarah A. Walker, daughter of David and Sarah (Wright) Walker. Mrs. Overmier was born in Onondaga County, New York, at El- bridge, September 24, 1830, and when she

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was fourteen years of age her parents re- moved to Ohio. Both died in Jay County, Indiana. In the year 1850 Mr. Overmier removed to this county with his family, ac-

companied by his wife's father. He located on the land where he now resides, which was then covered with heavy timber. He has a well improved farm, a good hewed-log house and a commodious barn. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. Overmier are the parents of eight chil- dren-Sarah Jane, Emma Adaline, Channcy David, Clarisa Ann, Falora E., Mary Rosetta, Ida Ellen and Jolin Chester. Both are worthy and consistent members of the Chris- tian church. Mr. Overmier is a Republican in politics. He takes an active interest in religions and educational matters, and is a liberal supporter of the same. He is genial in disposition and his fair and honorable deal- ing has secured him many friends.

OHN BRANSTETTER, farmer and stock-raiser, Penn Township, was born in Barren, Kentucky, November 17, 1839, a son of John and Catherine (Amyx) Branstet- ter, who were natives of Virginia. The father was a son of Michael Branstetter, a native of Virginia, his father, Adam Branstetter, being born in New Hamburg, Ger- many, coming to America after the Revolu- tionary war. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Matthew Amyx, a native of Virginia, whose father, James Amnyx, came from Ireland. The parents of our subject were reared to maturity in Kentucky, in which State they were married, and to thein were born seven children of whom six are still living. The parents passed the balance of their days on the farm first settled on by onr subject's paternal grandfather. The

mother died aged thirty-nine years, and the father at the advanced age of eighty-six years. They were members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving under General Harrison and participating in the battle of Tippecanoe. In politics lie affiliated with the Whig party. John Branstetter, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to the avocation of a farmer on the farm of his parents, and in June, 1861, he was elected First Lientenant of Company G, Second Regiment of Missouri State Volun- teers, and led his company in the Boonville (Missonri) fight in July, 1861, and by his own request, he was transferred in October, 1861, to Company K, Thirteenthi Regiment of Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, and served as a private. In September, 1862, became commander of army scouts and detectives. Closed his military service in October, 1864. In his youth he received an academic educa- tion, and in 1866 began to study for the ministry, taking the theological course at the Green Hill Seminary, and in 1868 was ordained at Louisville, Kentucky, and his first charge was at Kinmundy, Illinois, where he remained two years. He was then at Salem three years, after which he was two years at Clay City, Illinois. He then re- turned to Salem, where he was in charge two years, and from there went to Gosport, Indiana, where he remained four years, being appointed Presiding Elder in 1875. IIe was also at Indianapolis for one year. He was nnited in marriage February 24, 1880, to Mrs. Mary G. (Bailey) Icenlower, a daughter of Lewis and Cassie (Householder) Bailey, natives of New York State, and among the first settlers of Blackford County, Indiana. They have an adopted daughter, Cassie B. Gregory, who is now a teacher in the graded schools. In October, 1881, Mr. Branstetter located at Pennville, Jay County, where lie

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

was engaged in mercantile pursuits until November, 1885, when he traded his stock of merchandise for the farm where he now resides. Here he has since devoted his atten- tion to farming and stock-raising, and has his 100 acre farm well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He is an active worker in the Master's cause, and still offici- ates as a local elder. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since twenty-one years of age, and belongs to Pennville Lodge, No. 212, of Pennville, and of Graham Chapter, No. 69, at Salem, Illinois, and a life member of Mother Lodge at Jerusalem.

ZRA MAYNARD, deceased, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, June 5, 1816, a son of Ezra and Hannalı May- nard, who had moved from Maryland to Ohio in an early day. His yonth was passed in Jefferson County, and his education was ob- tained in the schools of Canton, Ohio. While still a young man he left his native county for Indiana, locating west of Wheeling in Delaware County, where he taught the first school ever taught in Washington Township. His parents had previously settled in this locality, where they continued to reside un- til their death. In early manhood he stud- ied for the ministry; joined the Northern Indiana Conference of the Methodist Episco- pal church in 1845; was ordained deacon in 1849, and in 1852 he was ordained elder by Bishop Baker. His fields of labor were at Alamo, Greenfield, Decatur, Auburn, La Grange, Covington, Warren, Orland, Ban- bago, La Gro and Huntington, in the State of Indiana, residing at Huntington until 1855, when on account of failing health he was placed upon the snperannuated list, in which relation he stood for twenty-eight years. In

1856 he moved to Albany, Indiana, where he engaged in the mercantile business, continu- ing therein for twelve years, and by strict at- tention to business and npright dealing, he won and retained the respect and confidence of a large circle of people, besides amassing considerable wealtlı. Soon after his removal to Albany he was appointed postmaster, which office lie held until 1869. During all the troublons times of the war he held his post, faithfully discharging the duties devolving upon him, and his place of business became and continued to be the center of interest in that inland town. He held numerous offices of trust, but not of a lucrative character, as political ambition was a thing entirely foreign to his nature. General and State elections were held at his place of business, and under luis supervision during the above stated period, as the most perfect trust was felt by men of all parties in his integrity and fidelity. As a business man he was cautious, careful and stringently honest, and to these traits his suc- cess is ascribed. On the 27th of June, 1852, lie was united in marriage to Miss Letitia English, a native of Columbia County, Penn- sylvania, a daugliter of Joseph and Mary (Johnson) English. The parents of Mrs. Maynard were natives of Pennsylvania, the father having been born in Bucks County, August 24, 1794, and the mother in Colum- bia County, April 5, 1798. They were mar- ried in their native State, and in 1844 left for Richland County, Ohio, and two years later removed to Steuben County, Indiana, where they resided until 1854, when they went to Fillmore County, Minnesota, where they passed the remainder of their days, Mr. Eng- lish having died January 4, 1875, and Mrs. English in November, 1868. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Maynard, of whom ' one died in infancy, their son Joseph Ross Maynard, the sole surviving child, being now

Eines Maynard

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twenty-two years of age, and engaged in busi- ness in Dunkirk, Indiana. In 1877 Mr. May- nard removed with his family to Dunkirk, Indiana, where he continued to reside until his death, November 8, 1883, and where his widow still resides. After his removal to Dunkirk, being somewhat of an invalid, he spent most of his time in and about his home, beantifying and adorning his house and grounds. As a benevolent and public spirited citizen he had few equals and no superiors, as even in the closest retirement he was never known to pass by unheeded a call for charity or benevolence. His health during the last few years preceding his death was such that he was forced to abstain from public enterprises or political discussions, but he surrounded himself with books and papers and kept pace with the times. His death caused universal regret throughout the community in which he lived. In his political views he was a Republican. In his family he was kind and affectionate; as a member of the church he was faithful, active and liberal. He liad none of that littleness which sets up individual opinion as the standard for all the world, but walked humbly with his God, content that other men should enjoy the same liberty he himself possessed.

DWARD BUTLER KIKENDALL, one of the representative citizens of Portland, and the oldest merchant in the town, was born in the State of New Jersey in 1818, his father, John Kikendall, being a native of the same State, and of Ger- man descent. When he was a boy his pa- rents removed to Pennsylvania, and a few years later settled in Stark County, Ohio, coming to Jay County, Indiana, in 1838, the family consisting of the parents and two

children-Edward B., our subject, and Cath- erine. An older son came to the county at a later date. Edward B. Kikendall is the only surviving member of his father's family. Ile was twenty years of age when he came to Jay County, and here he has since made his home, and has passed through the different phases of pioneer life, and has witnessed the many wonderful changes that have taken place during the past fifty years. Game of all kinds was abundant, and the first year he came he shot a deer on the city lot where his residence now stands. He made his start in life by hard work, chopping wood for 25 to 30 cents per cord. The year following his arrival in the county, he split 5,000 rails, for which he received twenty bushels of corn- meal, and at that time considered himself well paid. His first investment in real estate was the purchase of a lot located west of the present court-house, for which he paid $24, earning the money at labor at 40 cents a day. A young man who had come to the county with the family of Mr. Kikendall being in need of a suit of clothes, and having no money to pay for the same, our subject guar- anteed to pay for them. After getting his new suit the young man disappeared, and Mr. Kikendall having guaranteed the pay- ment, and having no money, he was obliged to give up his lot to meet the payment. Mr. Kikendall was then variously employed until 1848, when he and his brother-in-law, Frank Hawley, engaged in business with a combined capital of $300, commencing on a small scale in a log house on Water street. Abont four years after beginning business, our sub- ject bought out his partner's interest, and has since established an excellent trade, his busi- ness experience in Portland covering a period of abont forty years. Commencing life with 110 capital, but good health and a determina- tion to succeed he has, by persevering in-

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

dnstry and good business management, be- come one of Portland's wealthiest and most enterprising citizens, and has done much to- ward building up the town. Mr. Kikendall was married in June, 1855, to Miss Mary Jane Miller, a daughter of William Miller, one of the pioneers of Jay County. They have seven children, six sons and one daugh- ter. One son died in infancy. Mr. Kiken- dall has long been one of the leading mem- bers of the Masonic lodge at Portland.

EORGE W. FARBER resides on section 4. Pike Township, his fine property con- sisting of 160 acres having been pur- chased by him in 1881. Since locating there in 1881 he has erected a fine two-story resi- deuce. 35 x 50 feet, which was built with a view to comfort and convenience, and his other building improvements as a whole are not excelled if equalled in Pike Township. Mr. Farber was born in Pike Township, Jay County, November 18, 1848, a son of Lewis S. and Martha (Clark) Farber, the father of our subject coming to Jay County, Indiana, with his father, Daniel Farber, in 1834. Daniel Farber entered 160 acres of land at College Corners, in Wayne Township, which he improved and made into a good home, re- siding there many years, becoming widely known and universally respected. He was prominent among the old pioneers of Jay Connty, and did much toward advancing the interests of his township or connty. He was the first postmaster of Jay County, holding the office at his honse at College Corners. He died many years ago while on a visit in Ohio. Lewis S. Farber, the father of our subject, assisted in the organization of this county, and was the first assessor of the county. He has given forty years of his life

to the canse of Christianity as a minister in the United Brethren church. In 1878 he removed to Kosciusko County, Indiana, where he still makes his home. He had a large family, of whom the following reached ma- turity-Mrs. Hannah Bricker, Benjamin L. (died in the service of his country during the late war), Mrs. Mary Ann Ryan, Mrs. Mar- garet Crawford, Curtis C., George W., Mrs. Martha C. McCreary, Angustus, Susannah E. (died in childhood), Mrs. Lncy E. Harter, David and Markwood. George W. Farber, whose name heads this sketch, began life for himself possessed of good education and good habits, coupled with ambition and a determi- nation to succeed. For the past fifteen years he has been engaged in dealing in sewing- machines, devoting liis profits to the purchase of real estate and improving his lands, and he now owns beside his homestead nearly 100 acres of well improved land located on section 6, Pike Township. July 27, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Finch, who was born in Henry County, Indiana, March 26, 1855, a danghter of Thomas and Sarah Finch. Six children have been born to this union-Sarah M., Lewis W., Thomas H., Benjamin C. (died aged twenty months), Grover, and an infant danghter yet unnamed.

ILLIAM RAYN, one of the early settlers of Bear Creek Township, and now deceased, was born in Maryland, in 1789, and when a young man removed to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he married Miss Timmons. To this union were born ten children-John, Nancy, Matilda, William, Edward, Lovisa, Cyrus, Ellen, Joseph and Elizabeth. His second wife was Jemima Crabb, of Pickaway Connty, and they had six chil- dren-John, Alexander, Fletcher, Gilley,

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Martha and Whitington. The family came to Jay County in 1852, coming by horse team and wagon. They located upon the farm now occupied by his son, Alexander, having purchased it of John Goff, who had built the house, at that time one of the best houses in the township. About fifty acres of the land had been cultivated. Here Mr. Rayn resided until his death, which occurred in 1872; his wife survived but a short time. He was a worthy and consistent member of the United Brethren church, and greatly es- teemed by all.

ILLIAM H. MCLAUGHLIN, resid- ing on section 16, Greene Township, is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Jay County, his parents, John and Barbara (Spillman) Mclaughlin, settling in Madison Township, Jay County, when our subject was but two years old. He was born in Meigs County, Ohio, May 19, 1831, and was reared in Indiana amid scenes incident to pioneer life. At that early day the county had not been organized, and bnt few people lived within its present borders, and then there were no roads, mills, markets nor schools. In the spring of 1834 the par- ents removed to St. Joseph County, and two years later to Kosciusko County, where they lived until 1837, when they returned to Jay County, and made a permanent home in Mad- ison Township, a half inile east of Lancaster, where the father improved a large farm. The father was a native of Bath County, Virginia, born in 1799, a son of Hugh Mclaughlin, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. He grew to manhood in his native connty, and subsequently settled in Meigs County, Ohio, where he was married, his wife also being a native of Virginia, born in Randolph County.

They were the parents of eleven children- Jane, widow of Jonas Harter, resides in Ne- braska; Elizabeth, married Nathan Worten, and both died in Madison Township; Hugh; William H., the subject of this sketch, was born April, 1829; John S., living in Noble Township, was born in Madison Town- slip, and is the oldest person living in Jay County who was born within its borders; Francis M., ex-county recorder, is a resident of Portland; Fidelia Ann is the widow of Alexander Hutchins; Rebecca, wife of Will- iam Stretchberry, of Wood County, Ohio; Hannah died in infancy; Wiley S. was a member of the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry in the late war, and was killed in battle at Franklin, Tennessee, in December, 1864; Henry died in his third year. The father died in Madison Township, March 16, 1860. Although a native of a slave State, he was a man of strong anti-slavery principles, and ill fact his leaving Virginia was lastened by his befriending a slave. He was an Abolitionist before the Republican party was organized. He was a man of sterling worth and integrity, and was widely known and respected. He was always charitable to the unfortunate, and generons almost to a fanlt. He never attained riches, but always had plenty, and owned a good property. His widow survived until January 20, 1874, dying at the age of sixty- nine years. William H. Mclaughlin, whose name heads this sketch, was reared under the home roof until September, 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, Fortieth Ohio In- fantry. His first brigade commander was James A. Garfield, and his first battle was Garfield's first battle, that of Prestonburgh, Kentucky, at which battle the rebel General, Humphrey Marshall, was used up for the war. Mr. Mclaughlin also participated in the bat- tle of Chickamauga, when the brigade lost about fifty per cent. of its entire number.

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

During the four months campaign against the rebel army our subject was almost daily under fire, and was in all or almost all the important engagements from Resaca to Jones- boro. On account of the expiration of his term of service he left the army soon after the capture of Atlanta, being honorably dis- charged in September, 1864, with the rank of Sergeant. He was a brave and gallant soldier, and although only holding the position of Sergeant, lie became one of the regiment's best known men, being always ready for duty, and cheerfully enduring all hardships. He was married July 16, 1865, to Miss Catherine Caster, a daughter of James Caster, one of the early settlers of Wayne Township, where he yet makes his home. Mrs. McLanghlin died February 4, 1879, in her thirty-second year, leaving two children-Hattie E. and Rebecca J. Hattie was born February 2, 1866, and July 30, 1883, was married to R. C. Barnett, and they are the parents of two children-William A., who was born May 25, 1884, and James M., born October 21, 1885. The youngest daughter, Rebecca J., was born December 12, 1868. In politics Mr. Mc- Langhlin is a Republican, and one of Jay County's leading citizens. He was land ap- praiser in 1875, held the office of assessor in 1875-'76, and in 1880 was census enumerator. Ile takes an active interest in the welfare of old soldiers, and is commander of Stephen J. Bailey Post, No. 154, G. A. R., at Portland.

ILLIAM Z. JENKINS, merchant, Pennville, and among the earliest settlers of Penn Township, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1828, the eldest son of Henry Z. and Abigail G. (Bed- ford) Jenkins, who were also natives of Phila- delphia. David Jenkins, the grandfather of

our subject, was a native of Wales, coming to America with his brother at an early day. The mother of our subject was of English and Irish descent. Her father was a native of England. Henry Jenkins was reared in his native city, and followed the avocation of a carpenter. He was married in 1827 to Abi- gail G. Bedford, and to them were born eight children, three still living. In 1830 they immigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, crossing the mountains in a wagon. On arriving at his destination he posted notices for the Odd Fellows in that locality to meet him, to which about seven responded, and they established the first lodge of that order west of the Alle- gheny Mountains. After living there a short time the father removed with his family to Springboro, Ohio, where he followed his trade until 1836, when with his wife, five children and his mother, he came to Jay County, In- diana, making the journey by team, and set- tled in Penn Township, near the center of the present village of Camden, Mr. Jenkins assisting to build the first cabin in that village. The now thriving little village was then a dense wilderness. Henry Jenkins brought with him to the county a stock of general merchandise, and opened the first store in the village of Camden, and was one of the pioneer merchants of the county. He followed this business three years, and during this time he erected a saw-mill, which proved a disastrous enterprise. He then followed farming for a time, after which he lived in Portland about three years. He then settled in Knox Town- ship, where he followed farming until he re- moved to Camden in 1865, where he passed the remainder of his days. While living in Knox Township he served as a magistrate for sixteen years, and for seventeen years was postmaster at Camden. He was a member of the Odd Fellows order until his death. In politics he was in early life a Whig, but

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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