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 41
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 41
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afterward an ardent supporter of the Repub- lican party. Two of his sons, Thomas B. and Barton, were soldiers in the late war, the former serving three years in the Eighty- fourth Indiana Infantry, and the latter a member of the Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry, serving five years. Henry Jenkins died De- cember 9, 1882, aged eighty years, and his wife died in March of the same year aged eighty-one years. Both were active and con- sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Henry Jenkins was formerly a member of the Friends society. Williamn Z. Jenkins, whose name heads this sketch, was a lad of eight years when brought by his parents to Jay County. Here he was reared, his youth being spent in assisting his father in the store, and in attending the early sub- scription schools, where he received a limited education. He remained with his parents until twenty years of age, after which he worked at the carpenter's trade for four years. He then purchased forty acres of unimproved land in Knox Township and engaged in farın- ing. He was married in July, 1850, to Miss Frances Jane Ransom, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Anderson) Ransom, who came from Guernsey County, Ohio, to Blackford County, Indiana, among the first settlers. Mrs. Jenkins died July 17, 1853, leaving one child, Elizabeth, who became the wife of William Hyde. After the death of his wife Mr. Jenkins sold his farm, and engaged as a dealer in stock, which proved a profitable undertaking, and he soon was the owner of a quarter section of land. In November, 1853, he went to San Jose, California, where he followed farming for one year, after which he was engaged in mining for six months, when he met with a serious accident by the discharge of powder while blasting, which deprived him of the sight of both eyes, and for eighteen months he remained in San Francisco trying
to have his eyesight restored but withont suc- cess. While in San Francisco he was en- gaged in selling fruits, and was said to be the only blind man there who was earning his own living. He then returned to Knox Township, Jay County, and after his return he went to the blind asylum in Indiana, where he learned broom-making and willow- work, which he followed about five years, after which he sold books for a while. In 1867 he engaged in the mercantile business, which he has since followed with success. Mr. Jen- kins was married a second time in June, 1874, to Miss Sarah Stults, a daughter of John and Susannah Stults, early settlers of Jay County, coming from Ohio in the spring of 1836. In politics Mr. Jenkins affiliates with the Republican party.
ILLER BUIRLEY, residing on sec- tion 4, Wayne Township, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, the date of his birth being July 25, 1833. His father, William Buirley, was a native of the State of Pennsylvania, where he was reared and married to Miss Elizabeth Kizer. They sub- sequently moved to Ohio, bothi parents dying in Shelby County, at an advanced age. They reared a family of eight children to maturity, of whom five sons are yet living. Two daughters and one son are deceased. Miller Buirley has followed farming and carpenter- ing all his life, and is now the owner of his farm on section 4, Wayne Township, which contains eighty acres of choice land. He has been a resident of Jay County since the spring of 1861, and since the year 1866 has resided on his present farm. He was married in Piqua, Miami County, Ohio, July 1, 1855, to Miss Mary Conner, a daughter of James and Anna (Putterbaugh) Conner, natives of
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
Pennsylvania, the father of Irish descent, and the motlier of German ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Conner removed from Pennsylvania to Miami County, Ohio, when Mrs. Buirley was about sixteen years old. Mr. Conner died in Shelby County, Ohio, in 1879, after which Mrs. Conner lived with her daughter, Mrs. Buirley, until her death. Mrs. Buirley was the eldest of nine children, and of these only four are living-Mrs. Buirley; Mrs. Rebecca Nash, of Portland; George, and Clara, the youngest who is also living at Portland. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Buir- ley eight are living-James W., Francis M., Annie J., Amanda E., Samuel M., Mary H., Sarah E., and Clara E. Alfred A., the young- est son, died in his eighteenth year.
ENRY KARNS, one of Jackson Town- ship's enterprising citizens, and a son of Henry Karns, Sr., is a native of Jay County, Indiana, the date of his birth being September 1, 1842. He was reared on the home farm, his youth being spent in helping his father with the work of the farm, and attending the common schools of his neighborhood, where he received a fair education. He enlisted in defense of his country October 22, 1864, in Company C, Twenty-third Indiana Infantry, and was with General Sherman on his march to the sea. He served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged, and returned to his home in Jay County, where he has since followed agricultural pursuits. He is now living on a fine farm of eighty acres, where he has a comfortable house, a good, substantial barn, 40 x 60 feet, and other improvements. His farm is divided into different fields for his stock and grain, and the entire surroundings show the owner to be thorough, practical farmer. Mr. Karns a
was married February 24, 1881, to Miss Nancy Ellen Leighi, a native of Ohio, who died July 12, 1881. His sister, Mrs. Tucker, lives with him, taking care of his home. She is the widow of I. D. Tucker, who died in 1876. She has two children named Emma E. and Otis A. Politically Mr. Karns is a Republican, being a strong adherent to the principles of that party.
SRAEL MACKLIN, farmer, section 2, Bear Creek Township, was born in Fair- field County, Olio, April 30, 1837, son of Jacob Macklin. The family came to Jay County in 1838, and located on section 1, Bear Creek Township, in the wild, unbroken forest. Our subject was reared on the farm and received a limited education in the pio- neer subscription schools. September 15, 1861, he married Miss Lucretia Ann Rogers, born in Darke County, Ohio, February 27, 1841, and daughter of Byron C. and Alletta (Billis) Rogers. She came to Jay County in 1860. After his marriage Mr. Macklin lo- cated on the farm where he now resides, which was partly improved. During the late war he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-third Indiana Infantry, and served until the close of the war. While in the service he con- tracted a disease from which he has never re- covered. His first purchase of land was sixty- eight acres. He has since added to that amount until he now owns 380 acres of Jay County's best soil. He has a good story and a half residence, built in modern style and well furnished. His barn is 36 x 60 feet, and is one of the best barns in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Macklin have six children-Martha · Elizabeth, Susan Lucinda, Dora Alletta Jane, Ada May, Roger Culver and Jacob Israel. In politics Mr. Macklin is a Democrat. He
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never asked for office, but the citizens of his district saw fit to elect him supervisor several ternis. Himself and wife and four of their children are members of the Methodist Pro- testant elnirch, of which he has held all the official offices, and he has been elected dele- gate to the annual conference several times. He is a member of John P. Porter Post, No. 82, G. A. R., of Geneva, Adams County.
ENRY STONER, farmer, section 17, Madison Township, was born in Preble County, Ohio, April 19, 1810. His early life was spent in that county, and lie was married there October 9, 1830, to Miss Elizabeth Loy, who was born near Middle- town, Montgomery County, Ohio, July 8, 1811. She was reared and married in Preble County. Her father, Peter Loy, was born in Maryland and died in Madison Township, this county. Her mother, Catherine (Temple) Loy, was also born in Maryland. The par- ents were married in Montgomery County, Ohio, where they lived for some time, when they moved to Preble County, Ohio, near West Alexandria, where they lived until they came to thiis connty, in 1830. Their children were Michael, Elizabeth, Jacob, Adam, Sam- nel, John, Mary A., Margaret, Henry and Catharine. All came to this county except Mrs. Stoner, Jacob and Michael. Her moth- er died in this county at the age of eighty- four years. Mr. Stoner's father, Benjamin Stoner, was born in Maryland December 1, 1766, and died in Preble County, Ohio, in January, 1821. His mother, Keziah (Morris) Stoner, was born in Maryland in 1781. They were married in their native State and re- moved to Preble County in 1804, where they passed the remainder of their days. They were the parents of nine children-John,
Lewis, Charlotte, Nancy, Henry, Betsy, Frederick, Mary J. and Barbara. All are de- ceased except Henry and Barbara. Mr. and Mrs. Stoner have had ten children-Mary Magdalene, born Marclı 17, 1835, died April 24, 1860; David, born July 9, 1836; Jacob, born October 9, 1838; Catherine, born No- vember 23, 1840, died March 5, 1846; Lewis, born June 1, 1844; Francis H., born Novem- ber 2, 1846; Amanda E., born November 17, 1848, and three unnamed died in in- fancy in Preble County. Mr. Stoner was a great hunter and an excellent marksman. His ax and gun made him a good living in the early day. He removed to this county in 1849, locating on the farm he now occupies and owns. He built a hewed-log cabin, which is still standing sonth of his present house and is occupied as a store-room. His milling was done at Richmond and Green- ville, although there was a horse-mill near, that was owned and operated by Jesse Eblin, but the work was unsatisfactory. Ile came with sufficient means to pay for his land and that was all. He now has 156 acres of land on section 17, and also eighty-five acres of well improved land on section 7. Mrs. Stoner's maternal grandparents, Michael and Margaret (Heffner) Temple, were born in Maryland and died near Middletown, Ohio. Her paternal grandparents, Adam and Bar- bara Loy, were also born in Maryland, and both died in Preble County, Ohio. Mr. Stoner's first tax after coming to this county was $18. His taxes in 1886 were $137.65.
OUIS J. BRUNER, the military claim attorney of Portland, established liis business in December, 1884, and is the only exclusive military claim attorney the town has had. Before engaging in this business
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY
work in his line had been done by the attor- neys of the place. Mr. Bruner is very suc- cessful in pressing the claims of the old soldiers, and in 1886, including arrearages he recovered about 200 pensions. Mr. Bruner is a native of Indiana, born in Monroe Coun- ty, October 6, 1838, liis father, Elias Bruner, being one of the first pioneers of Monroe County, where he located as early as 1819. Elias Bruner was a native of Pennsylvania, and in early childhood was taken by his parents to Virginia, thence to East Tennes- see, coming to Indiana when a young man. He was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. For his wife he married Jency Tyrant, who died at the birth of our subject. They were the parents of six sons and two daugliters, all of the sons but Louis, who united with the Methodist Episcopal church at the age of seven years, becoming Methodist ministers, four of whom are still living. In 1852 Elias Bruner removed with his family to Texas, where he lived until 1869. Then moved to Arkansas and died in 1870. Louis J. Bruner, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native connty, and in his youth liad cominon school and collegiate advantages, being a student at Indiana Asbury University for three years. In 1862 he en- listed in Company H, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, in which he served three years, and had previously served a short time in Company E, Seventy-sixth Indiana Infantry. He was a gallant and faithful soldier, and was constant- ly with his regiment, participating in all its operations. The regiment of which Mr. Bruner was a member, did very effective service during the war, almost constantly marching and fighting, principally in the States of Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. It participated in twenty-two battles, and every day during the month of June, 1864, it was engaged in skirmishing with the enemy.
During its term of service it marched 2,400 miles, and was transported by water 1,000. It captured 640 prisoners. Thirty-four mem- bers of this regiment were killed in battle, thirteen died from wounds, 115 died in rebel prisons, seventy-four died in hospital, seventy- two were wounded in action, 497 were taken prisoners by the enemy, officers killed, one, and officers wounded, seventeen, the total casualties of the regiment being 829. At the close of the war Mr. Bruner returned to Indiana, and engaged in teaching school, which he successfully followed until 1883. In November of that year he came to Port- land, and engaged in the grocery business, which he followed nntil December, 1884, when he established his present business. Mr. Bruner, in his political views is a Repub- lican. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a comrade of the Grand Army Post at Portland.
ERNANDO H. LACEY, an enterpris- ing citizen of Jay County, engaged in farming and dealing in stock in Jeffer- son Township, is a native of Indiana, born iu Wayne County, Jannary 9, 1846, a son of John and Ann Eliza (Pennick) Lacey. John Lacey, the father of our subject, was a son of one of the earliest settlers of Wayne County, and in that county he was reared and married to Ann Eliza Pennick, a native of Jay County, Indiana. Her parents were amnong the early pioneers of Jay County, and helped clear the ground where Portland now stands. John Lacey died in Wayne County in 1848, and his widow subsequently married William Pearson. In 1854 the family came to Jay County and settled on a tract of eighty acres in Jefferson Township which had been bought by Mr. Pearson the year previous, the land
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at that time being nearly all covered with timber. Mr. Pearson is yet a resident of Jefferson Township. Fernando H. Lacey was but eight years old when the family came to Jay County, and here he grew to manhood. He commenced working for himself when seventeen years old, farming a part of his stepfather's land, receiving a third of the crop. He was thus employed until reaching the age of twenty-one years, after which he was variously employed until about twenty- five years of age, working out by the month at whatever he could find to do. During the last year he was also engaged in buying and trading in village lots in connection with his other work, and at the end of this time he had saved enough to buy a tract of 120 acres of land on section 27, Jefferson Township. His land was heavily covered with timber, and the first year he spent in clearing it, he lived with his step-father. He was then married, November 30, 1872, to Miss Sarah Bost, a daughter of William Bost, of Jay County. Immediately after his marriage he moved to his land, and here he lived until the death of his wife in June, 1875, when he returned to the home of his stepfather. About two years later he was married to Miss Nancy Ann Whaley, a native of Jay County, and a daughter of Levi Whaley, of Jay County, hier mother being deceased. Two children were born to this union-Luella and Laura. Mr. Lacey had two children by his first inar- riage of whom one died in infancy. A son, Oliver E., is still living. After his second marriage, Mr. Lacey again returned to liis farm, where he lived until settling on his present farm on section 22, Jefferson Town- ship, in December, 1881. Mr. Lacey is classed among the self made men of the county, having begun life a poor boy, and by his indomitable energy and good inanagement became one of the leading property holders
of Jay County. He is now the owner of 160 acres where he resides, another farm of 174 acres, a farm of 109 acres north of Mount Pleasant, a third interest in a tract of eighty acres, the above located in Jefferson Town- ship, and forty acres in Greene Township, making in all 510 acres, beside which he has town property in Geneva. Politically Mr. Lacey is a Republican. He is a member of Sugar Grove United Brethren church, and is class leader in the congregation.
ENJAMIN L. WEBER, section 33, Wayne Township, was born in Catta- rangus County, New York, March 19, 1845. His father, Benjamin B. Weber, was born in Herkimer County, New York, Sep- tember 10, 1811, and was married in his na- tive county, August 13, 1835, to Julia Ann Lowe, who was born in Worcester County, Massachusetts, March 28, 1813, and removed with her parents to New York when a child. Soon after their marriage they moved to Cat- taraugus County, where Mr. Weber died in 1848. In 1853 Mrs. Weber moved to Liber, Jay County, Indiana, that her children might have the advantage of attending Liber Col- lege, with which her father, Jonathan Lowe, was prominently connected. She had three children-Harriet A., who is now the wife of Elihu Votaw, of Geneva, Ohio; Theresa R., who married Thomas Bosworth, and died in 1881, and Benjamin L. Mrs. Weber still lives at Liber. Benjamin L. Weber was reared from his eighth year in Liber, and was edu- cated in the college of that place. He was connected with the college nearly the whole of its existence either as student, clerk, librarian or trustee. Mr. Weber has a good farın of fifty acres on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 33. He married
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
Mary Wells, daughter of Jonathan R. Wells, an early settler of Jay County. They have two children-Elizabeth R. and Annie May. Mrs. Weber's father was born in Pennsyl- vania, and was there married to Sarah Men- denhall, and afterward moved to Ohio and thence to Indiana, living a short time in Randolph County, and then locating perma- nently in Jay County, in Jefferson Township, where he improved a farm, which he after- ward sold and moved to Liber, where he and his wife both died. They had a family of nine children, three sons and six daughters, but four are living-Mrs. Margaret Mills, of Missouri; Mrs. Melissa Faris, of Penn Town- ship; Mrs. Mary J. Weber, and Mrs. Annie La Follette, of Portland.
ILLIAM HAMMONS, who resides on section 9, Pike Township, has been identified with the interests of Jay County since 1852, and has become one of the leading men of his township. He was born in Old Virginia, November 23, 1829, a son of Robert M. and Harriet D. (Scott) Hammons, and from his sixth year was reared in the State of Ohio. The parents lived in Ohio until their death, the father dying in the year 1852, and the mother in 1855. In 1856 William Hammons returned to his old home in Jackson County, Ohio, to care for the younger members of his father's family, and on his return to Jay County, in 1860, lie was accompanied by two sisters, Harriet and Vir- ginia, and his brother, James E., his sisters being now deceased, and his brother living in Portland. One sister, Mrs. Susan Anderson, a widow, lives at Ridgeville; another sister, Mrs. Mary Riegle, is a resident of Jackson County, Ohio; his brother, Benjamin W., lives in Young County, Texas; Robert T.,
another brother, resides in Greene Town- ship, Jay County; one brother, Joseph, died in Ohio, and a sister, Mrs. Sarah Stiffler, died in Missouri. William Hammons, the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Broughman, July 2, 1861, who was born in Preble County, Ohio, but reared in Jay County, her parents, George and Delilah Broughman, being early settlers of Pike Township, where they lived until the year 1880, when they moved to Michigan. Of the ten children born to this union eight still survive-Adella, wife of Ernest Watson, of Portland; Winona, wife of John D. McDon- ald, of Blaine, and George W. F., Charlie B., Cora E., James S., Ella P. and John R. living at home. Ada L., the eldest child, died in infancy, and the youngest, Oscar G., died in his fourth year. Mr. Hammons was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in August, 1864, in Company F, One Hun- dred and Fortieth Indiana Infantry. He served in Tennessee in the Twenty-third Corps under General Schofield, and joined Sher- man's army at Goldsboro, North Carolina. He received his discharge in July, 1865, when he returned to his home in Pike Township, where he has since devoted his time to agri- cultural pursnits, and by industry and good management he has acquired 229 acres of choice land, 135 acres being cleared and un- der a high state of cultivation. After com- ing to Jay County Mr. Hammons intended to fit himself by good education for life's duties, and commenced attending Liber College, but the death of his mother changed his plans, and his dreams of a scholarship were dis- missed by the call to him for hielp from his younger brothers and sisters. Mrs. Ham- mons died February 13, 1878, at the age of thirty-eight years, and for his second wife Mr. Hammons wedded Mrs. Clarina (Hudson) Mitchell, a daughter of James and Mary
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Hudson, now deceased, who were formerly residents of Pike Township. By her former husband, William H. Mitchell, Mrs. Ham- mons has three daughters-Ilattie, Cora and Gertrude, who are yet members of her house- hold. Politically Mr. Hammons has affiliated with the Republican party since its organiza- tion. He is an active and public spirited citizen, and is always interested in any en- terprise for the advancement of his township or county.
AMES S. McKENNETT, an enterprising business man of Redkey, was born in Akron, Olio, May 22, 1851, a son of John and Ellen McKennett, who were of Scotch-Irish ancestry. They were married in Belfast, Ireland, and on coming to Ameri- ca first settled in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. They subsequently removed to Lee County, Illinos, and later went to Minnesota, where the father accumulated a large property. He died in Minnesota in 1866, and the mother of our subject died in the year 1885. James S. McKennett left his home at the age of fourteen years and engaged in working in flax at Wooster, Ohio, he having worked at that pursuit since his tenth year. He re- mained at Wooster two years, when he went to Shellsburg, Iowa, and engaged in tlie same business on his own account, in the firm of McKennett & Snyder, they being burned out in 1874. Our subject then set up machinery in varions places in the West, and again en- tered in business for himself at Hagerstown, Wayne County, Indiana, in the spring of 1878. He remained in Hagerstown until August, 1880, when he came to Redkey, Jay County, and immediately engaged in the flax business, in connection with which he is now engaged in hay baling at Hartford City, Mill
Grove, Ridgeville and Redkey. February 27, 1887, his residence was destroyed by fire. Mr. McKennett was married in June, 1875, to Miss Mary B. Shelp, a native of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and they are the parents of one child-Clande S. Mr. McKennett has been actively identified with the Republican party since the age of twenty-one years, and for twelve years was a member of the Re- publican Central Committee. He is a direc- tor in the Natural Gas, Oil and Mining Company. He is also a member and presi- dent of the school board. He is a member of Masons and Odd Fellows lodges at Red- key, and belongs to the Knights of Honor lodge at Anderson, Indiana.
G. SIMS, M. D., one of the leading phy- sicians of Portland, is a native of the 50 State of Ohio, born Jannary 27, 1843, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Poff) Sims. The father was born, reared and married in the State of Ohio, and in 1856 came with his family from Fairfield County, that State, to Jay County, Indiana. He was a blacksmith, and followed that trade in Noble Township, Jay County, where he died in 1872. The mother of onr subject was born in the year 1807. She is still living, making her home with her son, Dr. Sims, of Portland. They were the parents of five children, of whom one son and a daughter are deceased. The three eldest sons are yet living-Hezekiah in Fairfield County, Ohio; Henry, also a resi- dent of Fairfield County, and I. G., the sub- ject of this sketcli. Dr. Sims was nine years old when he came with his parents to Jay County, and here he grew to manhood, re- ceiving his education at Liber College, and at the Ridgeville Free-Will Baptist College. He began the study of medicine at Ridgeville
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
in the spring of 1871, and graduated at the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, in the spring of 1875, when he engaged in the practice of his profession. In April, 1883, he came to Portland, where he has establislied a good practice, which is gradually increasing. He makes a specialty of diseases of the eye and ear, and has attained to considerable dis- tinction in the treatment of those organs. Doctor Sims was united in marriage to Miss Rosella C. Whipple, a daughter of Olney Whipple, of Bear Creek Township, and they are the parents of two sons, named Freder- ick Leon and Lester Paul. The doctor is a inember of the board of pension examining surgeons, and is also a member of the State, County and District Medical societies.
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