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 44

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 44
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 44

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LIJAH C. WRIGHT, deceased, was born in Wayne County, Indiana, Jan- uary 27, 1817, a son of David and Hepzabetlı (Coffin) Wright, who were natives of Guilford County, North Carolina, and of Irish and Welsh ancestry. 'His mother was a daughter of Libni and Hepzabeth (Star- bnck) Coffin, natives Nantucket, of English ancestry. His father being a farmer he was reared to the same avocation, remaining with his parents until he grew to manhood. He was married September 29, 1836, to Miss Rachel Vore, a daughter of Thomas Vore, a native of Pennsylvania. Three children were born to this union, of whom only one a daughter, Rhoda Ann, born November 22, 1840, grew to womanhood. Hannah Ellen and one unnamed died in infancy. In 1843 Mr. Wright came with his family to Jay

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County, Indiana, and settled on a tract of eighty acres of unimproved land which had liad been entered for him from the Govern- ment. He was bereaved by the deatlı of his wife, February 2, 1849. He was again mar- ried January 10, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth Coffin, a daughter of Nathaniel and Lydia (Bunker) Coffin, and three children were born to them-Paulina S., born December 27, 1851, is the wife of George F. Jones, of Richmond; Malvern Otis, born October 14, 1859, was married May 18, 1884, to Lydia A. Stanbury, and Francis E., born October 11, 1866. Mr. Wright cleared and improved the land on which he first settled on coming to Jay County, and there made his home un- til his death, which occurred January 13, 1879. He was reared in the Society of Friends. He was a zealous worker in the cause of temperance, was a Good Templar, and a member of the Sons of Temperance. He served one term as township assessor. His widow still survives, and is one of the oldest living residents of Penn Township.

ORNELIUS CORWIN, attorney at law, is a member of the firm of Corwin & Smith, one of the leading law firms of Jay County. He has been a member of the bar of Jay County since October, 1871, and was associated with James B. Jaqua in the practice of law until May, 1885, when the present firm of Corwin & Smith was formed in the fall of that year, J. M. Smith becoming associated with him. Mr. Corwin is a native of Jay County, Indiana, his father, William Corwin, having settled in Knox Township about 1840. The father was born in the State of New Jersey, July 17, 1778. He became a resident of Olio, where he lived many years in Knox and Columbiana counties. He was

twice married, his first wife dying in Ran- dolph County, where he first settled on com - ing to Indiana. To his first marriage four children were born. For his second wife he married Mrs. Mary (Gray) Hudson, widow of Joshna Hudson, who was one of the pio- neers of Jay County. To this union were born two children-Cornelius, the subject of this sketch, and Stephen, who is now living in Isadore, Worth County, Missouri. Will- iam Corwin was a pioneer Baptist preacher, and a member of the first Baptist Association formed in this section of Jay County. He was a blacksmith by trade. His death occur- red in 1847. His widow survived him until 1864. Cornelius Corwin, whose name heads this sketch, learned the tanner's trade in his youth with his half brother, William C. Hud- son, with whom he lived for a number of years. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting August 9, 1862, in Company E, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and served until after the close of the war, receiving his discharge July 19, 1865. He was taken prisoner with the whole of his regiment September 17, 1862; was paroled, and sent into General Buell's lines, and was exchanged November 17, following. His regiment was then ordered to Memphis, Ten- nessee, remaining there on garrison and picket duty until December, 1863. In January, 1864, he joined General Sherman on the Meridian expedition, and was on the Red River expedition; taking part in all the bat- tles of that campaign, including the battle of Pleasant Hill, where his regiment lost fifty- four men in killed and wounded. He returned with the army to Grand Ecore, where he was taken sick, but rejoined his regiment at Alexandria. He was at the battle of Yellow Bayou May 18, 1864, where his regiment lost fifty-one men, and here he was taken sick, and was transferred up the river to

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Vicksburg, and while on the way the regiment had a severe battle with the Confederate General Marmaduke. From Vicksburg he went to Memphis, Tennessee. He took part in the battle of Tupelo, and in the expedition to Oxford, Mississippi, against Forrest, and was under the gallant leader Thomas at Nash- ville, when the army of the Confederate Gen- eral Hood was broken and shattered. He then went Sonth to Mississippi, and partici- pated in the capture of Fort Blakely, and was innstered out at Mobile, Alabama. On his return from the army Mr. Corwin attended school at Liber for fifteen months, and for a time was engaged in teaching school. He began the study of law with James N. Temp- ler, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. For his wife Mr. Corwin married Miss Rachel E. Wood, a daughter of T. G. Wood, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, now living in Penn Township, Jay County. Mrs. Cor- win's ınaternal grandfather was one of the early settlers of Jay County. Mr. and Mrs. Corwin are the parents of one son, William Thomas, who was born in Jay County. In politics Mr. Corwin is a Republican.

OT COULSON, section 1, Greene Town- ship, is one of the best known mnen of Jay County. He was born in Colnm- biana County, Ohio, December 9, 1820, a son of Jabez and Anna (Van Horn) Coulson. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, of English and Irish descent, and his mother of New Jersey, of Dutch descent. His parents were married in Pennsylvania, and about six- teen years after their marriage moved to Ohio. They had a family of eleven sons and one daughter, onr subject being the youngest of the family. The children all lived to ina- turity, and all but two married and had fami-

lies. But three of the family are now living -Anson, Saul and Lot. Anson lives in Jef- ferson Township, Jay County, and Saul on the old homestead in Ohio. Lot Coulson was reared in his native county, remaining with his parents until twenty-seven years of age. He was married December 8, 1842, to Mary Walker, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, born June 10, 1820, a danghter of John and Sarah (Rodgers) Walker. Mr. Coulson continued to live on the old home- stead until 1848, and in October of that year moved to Jay County, Indiana, and located in Jefferson Township, where he lived six years. He then moved to section 35, Jackson Township, and he has since lived in that neighborhood, his residence for the past twen- ty-five years being on section 1, Greene Township. He has been an active, hard working man, and has cleared and owned a large tract of land, at present, however, own- ing bnt a small portion of it. In addition to attending to his farm he has gained quite a reputation as an auctioneer, and has sold more property, both real and personal, at auction than any other man in his part of the coun- ty. In politics Mr. Coulson has always voted with the Democratic party. In religion he accepts no creed or dogma, believing that to live uprightly is the duty of all men. Since 1861, with the exception of about eighteen months, he has served as one of the magis- trates of Greene Township, and the continued confidence of his fellow townsmen is ample proof of his faithfulness and honesty. Mrs. Conlson died February 10, 1887, after many years of great suffering, which she bore nn- complainingly. She was a mnost etsimable woman, a loving wife and mother, and a true friend and neighbor. To Mr. and Mrs. Coul- son were born eight children-Lucy Ellen, died aged three years; Gilbert E., died in in- fancy; Henry Walker, lives in Kansas; Maria

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Teressa, lives in Kansas; Emily Ruth, Mar- tin J., Trenton W. and Morgan A. are resi- dents of Jay County.

OSEPH B. HAWKINS, a representative of one of the best known families in Jay County, resides on section 34, Wayne Township. He is a native of Jay County, born October 31, 1855, a son of Joseph C. Hawkins. He was reared and educated in his native county, receiving the advantages of the public schools and Liber College. He has given his attention to agriculture since his youthı, and now has a fine farın, well im- proved, with good buildings and well stocked. He married Louisa Ertel, a native of Jay County, born in Jefferson Township, March 7, 1858, a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Ertel. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins have four children-Edith G., Sarah E., Benjamin Wade and Mary C.

HOMAS WELLS, a prominent citizen of Jay County, and one of the early settlers of Jackson Township, is a na- tiveof Maryland, born in Washington County, July 19, 1826. His parents, Isaac and Eliza- beth (Herring) Wells, had a family of seven children. When he was three months old they settled in Pickaway County, Ohio, and there he was reared to the avocation of a farmer, and was educated in the common schools of that county. On arriving at the age of manhood he began working at the car- penter's trade, which he followed many years. March 12, 1855, he was married to Miss Ly- dia Morris, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, a daughter of Jolin and Delilah (Bow- inan) Morris. Eight children have been born 26

to this union, whose names are-Elizabeth A., Rosa, Mary, Charles, Sophia, John M., Will- iam and Maud. Mr. Wells left Pickaway County in 1861, and since that year has made his home in Jay County, Indiana. On com- ing to the county he bought a farm from John Cooley, of which fifteen acres had been cleared, but no buildings had been erected. By perseverance and industry he has suc- ceeded in making his farm one of the best in Jackson Township. He has now a good resi- dence, built in modern style, and commno- dious barn and other buildings in good condition. His farm is well improved, and is divided into eight fields for the conven- ience of stock-raising, to which enterprise he devotes some attention. Mr. Wells has given his children the benefit of a good education, and three of them have become successful school teachers. Politically he is a Republi- can, and is a strong adherent of the princi- ples of that party. He is an active member of the United Brethren church, and gives liberally of his means toward the support of the same. He is at present trustee of his church. For four years he held the office of township assessor, serving as such in a very efficient manner.

OAH GOSS, of Bear Creek Township, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 3, 1832, son of George and Maria (Apt) Goss, who were natives of Swit- zerland and came to America when about twelve years of age, locating in Fairfield County. They were married in that county and reared three children-Noah, Mary Ann Huber, who resides at Fort Recovery, Ohio, and Mrs. Rose Ann Waggoner, who resides in Wabaslı Township. Noah attended school and worked on the farm during his youth,

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

and when eighteen years old commenced to work at the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed several years. April 22, 1858, he was inarried to Miss Lucinda Weist, danghter of Jacob and Catherine (Hostler) Weist, of Fairfield County, Ohio, and they resided in that county until they came to their present farm in September, 1867. A few acres had been broken and a log cabin stood on tlie place. He now has a well improved farm and good buildings. His barn is 30 x 50 feet and fifteen-foot posts. Mr. and Mrs. Goss are the parents of four children-Henry W., Eineline, Mary C. and Adam. George Jackson and J. Jefferson are deceased. Mr. Goss is a Democrat in politics, and a meni- ber of the Evangelical Association. He is one of the successful farmers of the township and is greatly esteemed by all.

ILLIAM WHITEMAN, of Bear Creek Township, was born in that township January 2, 1842, son of Jaines Whiteman, deceased. He was the yomigest child of his parents, and the child of their old age. His youth was passed at the hoine- stead, and in attending the common schools of Bear Creek Township. He completed his education at Liber College. After he at- tained his majority he taught school several winter terms, and was very successful in that vocation. He was married February 16, 1862, to Nancy Jane Willson, born in Clinton County, Ohio, and daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Hoblet) Willson, who resided several years in Jay County. Mr. Whiteman came to his farin in the fall of 1862. There were five or six acres cleared, but no buildings. He has 160 acres of good land, a modern residence built in 1880, and other commodi- ons farm buildings. Mr. and Mrs. White-

man have six children-Sarah Alıneda, Mary Elizabeth, Benjamin Monroe, Tilly Jane, Eliza Margaret and Isaac Willson. The de- ceased are Jolin, William, Andrew, Ivan, Lucy Ann and Warren Ross. Politically Mr. Whiteman is a Democrat, and has served as township assessor. He is a worthy member of the Christian church. James Whiteman, father of the preceding, was one of the first settlers of Bear Creek Township, having located on section 15, October 8, 1837. He was born in Pennsylvania, August 15, 1799, son of Christian and Hannah Whiteman, and when he was five or six years of age his par- ents removed to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood. He then removed to Fairfield Com.ty, where he mar- ried Mary North, who was born October 31, 1798, in Shenandoalı County, Virginia. They resided in that county until their removal to this county. There were at that time only fonr families in the township. He built a log cabin, 18 x 20 feet, withi clapboard roof, puncheon floor, etc. Here Mr. Whiteman lived and improved his farm until the Whiteman farnı was known as one of the best farms in the township. Mr. and Mrs. White- man had eight children-Sarah Ann, Han- nah, Susan, Barbara, Elizabetlı and Harriet, were born in Ohio; James N. and William were born in this county. Mr. Whiteman died March 28, 1873, and his wife April 1, 1884.

ESSE G. WICKERSHAM, farmer, sec- tion 32, Madison Township, was born in New Garden Township, Wayne County, Indiana, October 30, 1824. In the year 1832 he came with his father to Randolph County and settled in the woods, about two iniles northwest of where Union City now stands. He stayed with his father on the

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farm till he was twenty-one, after which he taught thirty-eight months in the com- mon schools, served six years as township trustee, and then again turned his whole at- tention to farming. He was married March 22, 1848, to Miss Huldah Fields, born in Tennessee June 5, 1829. When she was about four years old she was brought by her parents to Randolph County, where she was reared and educated. Her father, Lansford Fields, was born in Tennessee in 1802, and was married to Miss Nancy Bragg. They were the parents of twelve children. Lans- ford died in 1868 and Nancy died in 1861. They were both interred in the cemetery a half mile east of New Pittsburg, Indiana. Mr. Wickersham's father, James Wickersham, was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 24, 1780. He was a descendant of one Thomas Wickersham who came across the ocean from England with William Penn in the first settlement of Pennsylvania. James walked from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and there found his wife. He was married to Rachel Smith, August 19, 1806. During the war of 1812 he was drafted, but was released on ac- account of physical disability. Rachel, the wife of James Wickersham, was born near Cincinnati July 29, 1785, and died Septem- ber 15, 1855. James lived till he was ninety- three years old, and died in this county October 7, 1873, and was interred in the Lisbon cemetery, three miles northwest of Union City. They were the parents of twelve children. The first two, Charles and Hannah, died in infancy. The following are the names of those who grew up to be men and women- James, William, Jolın A., Amos, Sarah, Jesse G., Gerard T. and Almira, five of whom are still living. Jesse Wickersham has three children-Henry C., born May 19, 1850, and married to Miss Bell Waters September 15, 1872; Eli L., born October 25, 1852, and

married to Hattie L. Spittler August 5, 1875; Enoch G., born March 25, 1860, and married to Miss Laura E. Gusler in Paulding County, Ohio, September 12, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Wickersham have reared one girl, Susan, who married Ezra Imel, and a boy, named Charlie McFarlin, who is now fourteen years of age. Mr. Wickersham owns sixty acres of land. Before dividing with his children he owned 180 acres. He came to Jay County in March, 1857, locating upon his present farm.

ENJAMIN F. MILLS, a prominent and public-spirited citizen of Jay County, residing on section 28, Jefferson Town- ship, was born in Frederick County, West Virginia, December 9, 1818, a son of William and Mary Ann (Frost) Mills, both of whom were natives of that State. After his father's death he immigrated with his mother to Ohio, they locating in Greene County, where he was married May 2, 1842, to Miss Louisa Aun Hodge, who was also a native of Fred- erick County, West Virginia, born September 11, 1823. With his family, then consisting of his wife and five children, he left Greene County for Jay County, Indiana, where they arrived in August, 1849. The father com- meuced improving an eighty-acre tract on section 4, Jefferson Township, which he sold, removing then to Greene Township, where he made his home until 1853. He then set- tled on section 23, Jefferson Township, where he purchased 120 acres, making most of the improvements on that farm which is now owned by Jesse Mendenhall. He disposed of that property in 1872, when he bought his present homestead. His wife died July 26, 1867. She was the mother of thirteen chil- dren, twelve of whom were living at the time

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

of her death. They are as follows-Mrs. Martha J. Stamper, deceased; James W., of Nebraska; John H., lives on his father's homestead; Mrs. Mary Ann Shyock, of Monnt Pleasant; Washington, died aged eighteen months; Mrs. Ruth Fouts and Mrs. Sarah Fonts, living at Redkey; Edwin D., living in Nebraska; Arden, living at Mount Pleasant; Mrs. Melissa Sharp, of Wayne County; Mrs. Isabella Bair, of Redkey; Ulysses Grant, of Nebraska, and Louisa A., who died at the age of two months. Mr. Mills was married a second time, May 3, 1868, to Mrs. Clarissa (Hults) Black, a native of Greene County, Ohio, born June 22, 1840, a daughter of Chester Hults. To this nnion have been born six children-Benjamin F., Jr., died at the age of fourteen years; Agnes A., Clarissa J., Oliver P. M., Arthur G., and Elmer, who died aged two and a half years. Mrs. Mills was married to Flavins M. Black, Angust 14, 1856, a son of Alexander Black. He was born June 22, 1833, in Clinton County, Ohio, and was reared in the town of Zanesville, where he learned the saddler's trade. He was among the patriots who responded to the call of President Lincoln for men to help the Union, going to the front in Company I, Seventeenth Ohio, in which he served nine months. He again enlisted in Company A, Eighty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and July 2, 1862, he was seriously wounded in the left leg at Kenesaw Mountain, which necessitated liis discharge. He was a gallant soldier, and served faithfully while in the army. He moved from Preble County, Ohio, where he was married, to Jay County, Indiana, in 1858, locating at Farmland. After the war he set- tled at Salem, and a year before his death he removed to Union City. He died at Union City September 27, 1867, leaving his widow with four children. They are Mrs. Adelaide Vaughn, of Randolph County; Mrs. Anna

E. Stevens, of Powers Station; Ida Bell, died at the age of nineteen years, and Ulysses Sherman, who died in his nineteenth year. Mr. Black was a member of the Methodist church, and lived the life of a consistent Christian. Mr. Mills, the subject of this sketch, has led an active life, and by his in- dustrions habits and persevering industry has prospered in his agricultural pursuits. His homestead contains ninety-six acres of well improved land, with comfortable and com- modions residence, and other farm buildings correspondingiy good. He also owns eighty acres of land on section 28, White River Township, Randolph County, which is par- tially improved. Ile has bonglit and sold nnch land since coming to Indiana, and has done his full share in improving and develop- ing the resources of Jay County. Mr. Mills was reared in the faith of the Methodist church, and is in full sympathy with that de- nomination. In politics he was formerly a Whig, but since the organization of the Re- publican party he has been one of its most ardent supporters. Two sons of our subject, James W. and John H., were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion, the former serving almost three years in the Twenty-second In- diana Battery, and the latter a member of a one hundred days regiment.

ROBERT STEED, a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of Jay County, is a native of Virginia, born May 29, 1820, a son of John and Frances Steed. His parents removed from the State of Virginia to Warren County, and thence to Jay County, Indiana, in April, 1837, settling on a heavily timbered farın on section 18, Jefferson. Township, with their family which then consisted of three sons and one

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daughter. The father was a strong rugged man, and built a good home out of the forest, living on the old homestead until his death at the advanced age of eighty-two years. The mother survived him a few years, dying at the age of eighty years. Both were earnest mem- bers of the Christian church. They were the parents of the following children-Robert, our subject; William W., one of the leading men of Jefferson Township; Matilda Ann, wife of Cheyne Pyle, a prominent farmer of the same township; John T., was one of the best farmers of Jefferson Township where he died many years ago, leavinga family. Robert Steed was almost seventeen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Jay County, and being the eldest son, he helped his father with the work of the farm, assisting in clear- ing eighty acres, remaining with his parents until reaching manhood. He was married February 29, 1844, to Miss Leah Kunce, who was born in the State of Ohio, November 5, 1825. ller parents, Jacob and Mary Kunce were natives of Pennsylvania, and were married in Perry County, Ohio, where they remained until coming to Jay County, Indiana, in 1840. They made their pioneer home on section 19, Pike Township, where they cleared and improved a farm of 120 acres, on which they lived until called to their final home. They with their three daughters-Sarah, Mary Ann and Catherine, are buried in the family burying place upon the farm, where they lived so many years. Their son, Noah, gave his life to the nation in the late war. Mrs. Steed is now the only living representa- tive of the family. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Steed-William W., living near the home of his parents; Lucy Aun, wife of Thomas Barr, living near Harper City, Kansas; Mary Ellen, died aged three years; Frances, wife of Jacob Miller; Jane, deceased wife of Benjamin Sutton;

Rebecca, wife of Calvin Finch living near Ottawa, Kansas; John Newton, living near his parents in Pike Township; James F .; Sarah E., wife of Edward Ayers; Ruth A. and Robert Eliner, living at home. Mr. Steed has lived on his present farm since his mar- riage, his first land purchase being forty acres of dense timber. He began life here without capital but possessed of strong hands and a stout heart. By years of toil and strict economy on the part of himself and wife he has succeeded well in his agricultural pur- suits, being now the owner of a fine farin of 337 acres, two-thirds of it being cleared and under good cultivation.

OSEPH L. BANTA, a prominent citizen of Jay County, and one of the early settlers of Greene Township, was born in Preble County, Ohio, October 17, 1830, a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Brown) Banta, who were natives of Ohio and North Carolina respectively. His mother died in 1849, and his father in the year 1853. Of their chil- dren, two sons, William and Michael, and a daughter live in Iowa; one daughter, Sarah, resides in Preble County, Ohio; Martha A. is deceased. Joseph L., our subject, is the fourth child in his father's family. He was united in marriage, April 3, 1851, to Miss Jane Gard, a native of Preble County, Ohio, born December 27, 1833, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Sutton) Gard. Their children are-Ardilla, wife of L. M. Evelizor, died in February, 1875; William R., residing in Penn Township; Mary Elizabeth, wife of William P. Hiatt, and Eli, who is living at home with his parents. Soon after his mar- riage Mr. Banta moved to Bartholomew County, Indiana, but returned to Preble County with his family in 1857. Two years

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Author: Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 922

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 922