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 42
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 42
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BRAHAM POWERS, of Powers, is a representative of one of Jay County's pioneer families, his father, Abraham Powers, Sr., laving settled in Jefferson Town- ship, near the present site of Powers in Sep- tember, 1837, the county in that vicinity being then an unbroken wilderness. The father of our subject was born and reared to the age of eighteen in the State of Maryland, when he ran away from his home and entered the army, serving in the war of 1812. After the war he made his home in Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Rebecca Enocli, and there their five children were born-Mrs.Anna Morrical, now deceased; Abraliam, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Harriet Morrical, deceased; Mrs. Mary Coons, of Richland Township, Jay County, and Jep- tha, deceased. The parents died in Jay County many years ago. Abraham Powers, the sub- ject of this sketch was born September 30, 1819, and was reared in his native county, being eighteen years of age when he accom-
panied his parents to Jay County. Ile was married when twenty-six years old to Miss Rachel Flesher, a native of Virginia, a daughter of Joseph Flesher, one of the pio- neers of Jay County, now deceased. Mrs. Flesher, the wife of Joseph Flesher, is also deceased. Rachel Flesher was born Septem- ber 22, 1824. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Powers three are deceased. Rebecca Ann, wife of David Silvers, de- ceased, was born in Jay County, September 30, 1847; Absalom, deceased, was born in Jay County, April 25, 1852; also one son, born September 13, 1861, in Jay County, who died in infancy. The children yet living are-Sarah Jane, wife of Lewis Silvers, was born in Jay County, No- vember 6, 1849, and resides in Jefferson Township; James H., county sheriff, resid- ing at Portland, was born in Jay County, March 23, 1855; Dempsey, residing in Jef- ferson Township, was born in Jay County, April 20, 1858; Calvin, railroad agent at Powers, was born October 13, 1862; Arthur, residing with his parents in Jefferson Town- ship, was born in Jay County, March 27, 1866; Colwell, residing with his parents, was born in Jay County, September 6, 1868. In their political views, Mr. Powers and his sons affiliate with the Republican party.
RANCIS S. BUNKER is a native of In- diana, born in Rush County, December 22, 1838, a son of Thomas and Rebecca (Swain) Bunker, who were born in the State of North Carolina. When he was twelve years old liis parents removed to Wayne Connty, Indiana, where he grew to manhood, being reared on a farm and receiving his edn- cation in the common schools. He was mar- ried in 1858 to Miss Lurana Hunt, and to them
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were born four children-Alpharetta, Byron L., Thomas and Ira. He was engaged in farming until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. October 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-seventh Indiana Infan- try, serving his country until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge Decem- ber 3, 1865. While in the army he suffered Innch from exposure and hardships, from which he has never fully recovered. In the fall of 1866 he came with his family to Jay County, locating in Penn Township, where he still followed farming. His wife died in 1870, and in 1871 he was nnited in marriage to Angeline Johnson, daughter of Levi and Harriet (Rigby) Johnson. To this nnion was added six children-Lurana Alice, Harriet May, Evi, Myrtle, Orville and Garfield. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Bunker lost his second wife, and was united in marriage May 27, 1882, to Mrs. Elvira (Wright) Votaw, a daughter of Jesse and Dianna (Gardner) Wright, who was born in Wayne County, Indiana, January 22, 1838, and was married to Ellis Walton, a son of Abraham and Mary (Allison) Walton, January 22, 1859. To them was born, July 1, 1860, a daughter, Ida Amelia, who is still living and married to Arthur L. Paxson, son of Watson and Eva- line (Dugdale) Paxson. Ellis Walton was born December 31, 1837, and when twelve years of age removed with his mother to Jay County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood, and received lis education in the common schools. He was reared on a farm and fol- lowed farming until the fall of 1862, when enlisted in the Fifty-fourth Regiment In- diana Volunteer Infantry, and received a mortal wound at Vicksburg, and died Jann- ary 16, 1863. Mrs. Walton was again mar- ried May, 1866, to John M. Votaw, son of Benjamin and Rachel (Walton) Votaw, who was born March 4, 1837, and served his 25
country all through the war for the Union, receiving an honorable discharge at the close of the war. To Mr. and Mrs. Votaw were born two children-Ellis Ervin, March 10, 1867, and Emma Frances, September 16, 1868. Mr. Votaw being dissatisfied with his little family removed with his parents to Mis- sonri, and Mrs. Votaw lived alone with her little family about twelve years, when she was again married to Mr. Bunker. Francis S. Bunker departed this life May 14, 1887.
ANIEL E. FAUL, of the firm of Pant & Buchholtz, proprietors of the Centen- nial Flouring Mills, Portland, was born in Alsace, France, in the year 1847. He was reared in his native country until reaching the age of eight years when he immigrated with his parents to America, landing at New York City, crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel. The family located at St. Mary's, Ohio, and there our subject grew to manliood, being reared to milling pursuits, his father, Jacob Faul, being a miller by occupation. On attaining the age of fifteen years he began life on his own account, following his trade in various places in Ohio, Indiana and Mis- sonri, and in 1875 returned to St. Mary's, Ohio, where he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Frederick Buchholtz, and en- gaged in the milling business eigliteen months. He subsequently removed to Spencerville, Ohio, where he operated a mill a year and a half. In 1878 Mr. Faul came to Portland, and pur- chased Mr. Ludlow's interest in the Centennial Flonring Mill, and in 1870 the present part- nership was formed, and under the firm name of Faul & Buchholtz, have since carried on a thriving business. Mr. Faul was united in marriage in 1874 to Miss Emma Sınitlı, a native of St. Mary's, Ohio, and a daughter of
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James B. Smith. Mr. Faul is a member of the Presbyterian church of Portland. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. During 1883-'84, he was a mem- ber of the town council of Portland. Quiet, unassuming, yet active in business, he has by his accommodating manners and honorable dealings, gained the confidence and respect of the entire community.
EVI JOHNSON, farmer and stock- raiser, Jackson Township, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, February 28, 1818, a son of Jesse and Frances (Swal- low) Johnson. He was reared a farmer in his native county, where he was given the benefits of a common-school education. In 1836 his father died, and the same year the mother and her children came to Jay County and located on section 19, Jackson Township. In the winters of 1837 and 1838 Levi John- son tanghit the first school in Penn Township, in a log school-house, each scholar paying $1.50 a term, and the teacher boarding around, and in 1839 he taught in Jackson Township, being the first school in Jackson. He continued to make his home on section 19 until 1876, improving the farm and making it one of the best in the township, and in the latter year moved to his present home, which was improved by Daniel Regis- ter. Mr. Johnson is one of the prominent men of his township, and has served in sev- eral positions of trust and responsibility. He first was township clerk under the old law two terms, and was a justice of the peace twelve years, and in all cases brought to him the advice was given in an impartial manner, and peace was restored with as little trouble as possible. He has been assessor of his
township five years, and in 1880 took the census. He is a member of the Christian church, to which he is devoted, working earnestly to promote the interests of his church. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Johnson was married March 2, 1845, to Har- riet Rigby, danghter of Seth and Delilah Rigby. To them were born six children- Arthur (deceased), Elma M., Phuna Adaline, Mary Angeline (deceased), Riley C. (deceased), and Amy Jane. Mrs. Johnson died June 26, 1859. Jannary 8, 1876, Mr. Johnson mar- ried his present wife. Her maiden name was Elvira Walton, a danghter of Abraham and Mary Walton. When she was seventeen years old she married Sylvester McCoy, who died December 24, 1860, leaving his widow with two children. The eldest, Marina M., died aged six years; Florence Geneva is living. January 15, 1870, she married Daniel Register, and to them were born two sons- Elmer E. and Wilbur L. She was again left a widow, and then became the wife of Mr. Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one of the pleasantest homes in the township, and their hospitable and cordial manners has gained for them many friends who are always sure of a welcome. Their benevolence and kindness to the poor has endeared their names to many, who will ever remember with grati- tude the favors received at their fireside.
ILLIAM F. SMITH, an enterprising and progressive citizen of Wayne Township, engaged in farming on section 36, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, March 31, 1840, a son of Moses and Anna (Tanner) Smith. He was reared in his native county until eleven years of age, when the family removed to Randolph County, Indiana, settling near Bartonia, where they remained
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two years. In 1853 the family came to Jay Comity, and located on section 36, Wayne Township, on the farm still occupied by Moses Smith. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received his education in the district schools and at Liber College. In July, 1862, he enlisted in the defense of the Union, in Company F, Seventy-fifth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and a few days later, in December, 1862, lie was captured by the enemy. He was first imprisoned in Atlanta, Georgia, some three weeks, then was taken to Pemberton, and a week later was taken to Libby Prison, where he was confined for ten days. He was then taken to Belle Island, where he was held until March 12, and was then imprisoned in Andersonville until the end of the summer. From Ander- sonville he was taken to Savannah, Georgia, and from there was taken to Charleston, where witli 1,500 Union prisoners he was stationed in range of the guns of the Union forces bombarding the place. From Charles- ton he was taken to Florence Stockade in South Carolina, where he remained until paroled. He was then taken to Charleston, where he was put on board a Government boat, and taken to Annapolis, Maryland. When he was taken prisoner his weight was 185 pounds, and the horrible privations and sufferings he endured reduced him to ninety- seven pounds. Of the 100 men captured and taken to Atlanta, he was one of four who lived through their imprisonment in those rebel dungeons. After remaining in hospital at Annapolis for a time Mr. Smith was granted a furlough and returned to Jay County, remaining there several weeks when lie rejoined the Union troops a short tine before the close of the war. He was honor- ably discharged at Indianapolis at the close of the war, when he returned to his home in
Jay County, and resumed his farming opera- tions. August 16, 1866, he was married to Miss Mary C. Hardy, a daughter of Curtis Hardy, a prominent pioneer of Jay County, now deceased. They have one son-Albert Finley, born May 26, 1867. Mr. Smith located on his present farm in December, 1866, then a tract of heavily tim bered land, which he lias improved in a good manner. He now has 105 acres cleared and underlaid with about 400 rods of tile. The remaining fifteen acres of his farm is yet covered with timber. He has a comfortable hewed log house 20 x 22 feet in size, a large frame barn 34 x 50 feet, conveniently arranged for his stock, grain and hay, and his entire surronnd- ings show care and thrift. He is a worthy member of the Christian clinrch, and is a deacon in the same. In politics lie is a Republican, being a strong adherent of the principles of that party.
AMUEL STRALY, junior member of the firm of Straly Brothers, is a native of Ohio, born in Trumbull County, April 22, 1853, a son of George Straly, one of the pioneers of Wayne Township, who is now deceased. Our subject was a mere infant when his parents came to Jay County, set- tling in the then wilderness of Wayne Town- ship, where his boyhood was spent in working on the farm, and attending the common schools of the county. When seventeen years old he engaged in blacksmithing with his brother, in Bear Creek Township, following that avocation for seven years. From that time until 1887 he operated a saw-mill and dealt in lumber and being a man of enterprise and good business ability succeeded well in his business. Ile was united in marriage July 4, 1874, to Miss Rose E. Antles, a daughter
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of D. A. Antles, a prominent pioneer of Bear Creek Township. Mrs. Straly died October 29, 1881, leaving at her deatlı three children -Harry T., Blanche A. and Frank A. Mr. Straly was united in marriage a second time July 8, 1883, to Miss Caroline M. De Hoff of Bear Creek Township, a danghter of Jacob and Lydia (Wonderland) De Hoff. Her par- ents are deceased, her father dying in 1860 and her mother in the year 1882. Mr. Straly is classed among the leading men of his township, and is active in all enterprises for the advancement of his township or county. His residence is comfortable and convenient, and his barn is a large, substantial building, the entire surroundings of his place showing the care and thrift of the owner. He sold his interest in the mill to his brother Sutphen, Angust 20, 1887. He now owns two farms, one in Bear Creek Township of fifty-eight acres and one in Wayne Township of forty acres.
TACOB MACKLIN, deceased, was one of the early pioneers of Bear Creek Town- ship. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1800, son of Philip and Catherine Macklin, who were among the pioneers of Fairfield County, Ohio. He was reared on a pioneer farm, and that gave him a taste for pioneer life. When he was twenty-four years old he married Miss Elizabetlı Weist, and in 1839, with wife and four children, he came to this county with two horses, two cows, and about $5 in money. He settled on section 1, Bear Creek Township, which was then a dense for- est. His first house was a log cabin, 18 x 20, with puncheon floor, clapboard roof, and a chimney built of sticks. Mr. and Mrs. Mack- lin reared six children-Jacob, Philip, Cath- erine, Israel, Elizabeth and George W. Four
of them were born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and two in this county. Catherine resides in Missouri. Mr. Macklin resided on the home- stead until his death, which occurred in 1872. His wife survived until 1878.
M. MINCH, general merchant, New Corydon, was born in Prussia, Ger- inany, Angust 12, 1855, and in 1866 came to America with his parents, three brothers and two sisters, the family settling in Wabash Township, this county, where the parents are now living, near the place where they first located. His parents, Mathias and Anna (Welch) Minch, were also born in Prussia. He was educated in the common schools of his father's district, and remained on his father's farm until lie was fifteen years old, when he commenced clerking for C. P. Beston, remaining with him four years. He then went to Cincinnati, thence to Dayton, Ohio, where he spent four years clerking. In 1880 he bonght the dry goods store of Reed & Mackenbach, and has been reasonably suc- cessful. He was married April 14, 1879, to Miss Minnie Walker, who was born in Fair- field County, Ohio, in 1857, daughter of Philip and Christina Walker, natives of Ger- many. The father is deceased, and the inother resides in Darke County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Minch have three children-Augusta E., Anna C. and Frank J. Mr. Minch is a member of the Catholic church, and in poli- tics he is a Democrat.
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ILAS A. MOREHOUS, farmer, resides on section 20, Noble Township, where . he owns 120 acres of good land; he also owns seventy-seven acres on section 29, making a total of 197 acres. He was born
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
March 6, 1846, in Noble Township, upon the farm where his father first located in Jay County. He obtained his early education in the common schools, and later attended col- lege at Liber about five terms. His parents were Wilbur and Susan (Patterson) More- hous, formerly of this county. He was married June 10, 1869, to Miss Mary A. Halfhill, born in Gallia County, Ohio, August 6, 1849. When she was five years old shie came with her parents to Jay County, the family settling in Madison Township. Her parents were John and Nancy (Darst) Half- hill. Her father was born in Pike County, Pennsylvania, November 10, 1817, and when he was five years of age came to Gallia County with his parents, and was there reared and married. Several years after his ınar- riage lie removed to Madison Township, this county, with wife. and eight children. The country was comparatively new, and his fam- ily lived in a neighbor's cabin while they built one for themselves. It was a hewed- log cabin, and is still standing and is occu- pied. It was considered a palace when it was built. Their children are-Saralı A., wife of Jacob Lemasters, now living in Val- ley County, Nebraska; Margaret, wife of William Lemasters, of Red Willow County, Nebraska; Milton, also living in Red Willow County; Emeline, a twin sister of Mrs. Morehous, and wife of Solomon Premer; Benjamin D., of Greene Township; Lucinda, wife of Jonas Hartzell, and living in Wayne Township; Samantha, wife of William Shultz, of Greene Township; Samuel, of Valley County, Nebraska. The children are all living. The mother of Mrs. Morehous was born in Gallia County, Ohio, December 9, 1822, and died when her youngest son, Samuel, was three weeks old, and is buried in Madison Township. Mr. and Mrs. More- hous have had eight children-a child un-
named died in early infancy, in 1870; Perry Albert, born December 30, 1871; Arthur E., born February 26, 1874; Sylvester, born September 8, 1876, died February 16, 1880: John W., born December 14, 1878, died April 26, 1880; Calvin, born January 23, 1881; Chauncey, born April 16, 1885; Roxy E., born January 23, 1887. The grandfather of Mrs. Morehous, Samuel Halfhill, was born in Pike County, Pennsylvania, and died in Gal- lia County, Ohio, November 8, 1884, aged ninety years. Her grandmother, Anna (Lemn- ley) Halfhill, was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Gallia County in the fall of 1839, aged sixty years. Both were of German an- cestry. Her maternal grandparents were born and died in Ohio, the grandfather at an ad- vanced age.
ANIEL MILLER, a representative of one of the pioneer families of Jay Coun- ty, is a native of Maryland, born De- cember 29, 1827, a son of Jacob and Mary Miller, natives of Maryland, the father born in Carroll County in May, 1789, and the mother born in the year 1795. They were married in Maryland, and to them were born eleven children, eight of whom grew to ma- tnrity. Seven are living at the present writing-Mrs. Margaret Whipple, a resident of Randolplı County, Indiana; John, of Wayne Township; Daniel, our subject; Mrs. Mary Spade, of Portland; Mrs. Ann Denney, also living in Portland; Mrs. Jane Whipple, of Wayne Township, and Jacob W., living in Bloomington, Indiana. Their son Samnel died in Wayne Township, aged twenty-three years. Jacob Miller left Maryland with his family in 1838, and settled in Preble County, Ohio, where they lived three years. They then came to Jay County, Indiana, settling in
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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.
Wayne Township, October 9, 1841, where the father entered eiglity acres of heavily timbered land on section 27. This land he cleared and improved, making a good home for himself and family where he lived until his death, July 28, 1871. His wife had died September 7, 1851. Both were highly re- spected throughout the community in which they lived, and were consistent Christian people. In early life they were Presby- terians, but there being no church of that denomination when they came to Jay County they united with the Christian church, re- maining members of that church until their deatlı. All their children are worthy mein- bers of the same church. Daniel Miller, whose name heads this sketch, was fourteen years old when he came with his parents to Jay County, and has yet distinct recollections of early pioneer days, coming here when the greater part of the surrounding country was covered with heavy timber, and wild game of all kinds was abundant. Where now are fine residences were to be seen the rude log cabin of the early settler, and the forest has been changed into well cultivated farms and thriv- ing villages. He relates an incident of those early times of how he and two other lads of about his own age went coon hunting one night, taking with them three dogs. Along in the night the dogs engaged in a terriffic contest with an animal which the boys concluded was a bear, the darkness of the night preventing them from discovering the true state of af- fairs. Fearing that the dogs would be over- come by Bruin, and that they would be attacked, each climbed into a tree for protec- tion. The fighting continued almost the rest of the night, and when daylight appeared they mustered up courage to make an investi- gation, and found lying on the ground a few rods away an immense buck, which had, after a terrible struggle, yielded his life from pure
exhaustion. Mr. Miller has resided in Wayne Township since coming with his father in 1841, and is numbered among the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of Jay County. His farm, which is located on section 28, contains 240 acres of Jay County's best land. Mr. Miller was married in 1851 to Miss Mary Whipple, who is now deceased. She was a native of Rhode Island and a daughter of David O. Whipple. For his present wife Mr. Miller married Miss Sophia Denney, a sister of Ira Denney, of Portland. Mr. Miller had six children by his first wife, of whom four are living - Albe D. married Mary Spence, and lives in Wayne Township; Sumner married Miss Anna Coalson, of Wayne, and lives in Wayne Township; Amy, wife of Hiram Moorman, of Winchester, Randolph County, and Ada G., wife of Dr. Oscar Abel, of Bryant, Indiana.
ARTIN L. WILLIAMS resides on section 34, Jefferson Township, where he has one of the best farms in this part of the township. His residence and fine buildings are noticeably good and his farın shows the thrift of its owner and the care and skill of his management. He is a native of Jay County, born in Jefferson Town- ship June 30, 1850, a son of Absalom and Leanna (Wise) Williams, his father a native of North Carolina, and his mother of Wayne County, Indiana, where they were married. December 3, 1847, his parents moved to Jay County and settled on eighty acres, of land which the father had previously purchased. He was quite a successful hunter, and game being plentiful, his family was always snp- plied with an abundance of mneat. He died January 7, 1852, and is buried at Fairview, Randolph County. The mother survived nn-
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til May 21, 1874, and is also buried at Fair- view. After the death of his father Martin L. accompanied his mother to Wayne County, where they remained until he was sixteen years of age, when they returned to Jay County, where he has since lived. September 28, 1873, he was married to Miss Louvernia G. Steed, daughter of William W. and Eliza J. (Heston) Steed, a native of Jefferson Town- ship, born January 14, 1857. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born five children, but four of whom are living-Bertha May, born July 2, 1877; Grace Lee, born April 6, 1883; Orel W. W., born July 18, 1885, and Chester Claton, born September 16, 1887. Mr. Williams is one of the prominent men in the Republican party, and his name has been frequently mentioned by his friends for offi- cial positions, he at one time being the candi- date of the party for auditor. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order.
AMES H. POWERS, the present sheriff of Jay County, is a native of Jay County, Indiana, born in Jefferson Township, March 23, 1855, his father, Abraham Powers, being one of the pioneers of that township. He was reared in his native township, his youth being spent in assisting his father on the farm, and in attending the public schools, where he received a fair common school edu- cation, and for a time was engaged in teaching. For six years he was station agent at Powers, Indiana, where he carried on a grocery in connection with his office as station agent. In 1886 he was the Republican nominee for sheriff, as successor to C. C. Wingate, who had served four years in that capacity, and his popularity is indicated by the fact that he was elected by a majority of 110 votes 'over his Democratic opponent A. T. Lynch. Mr.
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