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 45

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 45
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 45

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

later he located in Darke Connty, Ohio. He remained in Darke County until coming to Jay County, in 1863, and in April of that year settled on section 22, Greene Township, when he commenced to open a farm in the woods, residing on the same farm until 1870. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Banta went out as a recruit to the Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served one year, join- ing his regiment at New Orleans. He was discharged at Brownsville, Texas, in the fall of 1865. In politics he is a staunch Dem- ocrat. He has served his township as trustee. In 1870 he was elected treasurer of Jay County, and was re-elected to the same office, serving in that capacity four years, and during this time he resided in Portland. In 1874 he bought a farm on section 15, Greene Township, which he occupied until the spring of 1887, when he sold his farm on section 15, and purchased his present farm on section 22, Greene Township. Mr. Banta is classed among the public spirited men of Greene Township, and in every enterprise which is for the advancement of his township or county he takes an active interest.

ATHANIEL COFFIN, one of the old and lionored pioneers of Jay County, who is now deceased, was born in Guil- ford County, North Carolina, February 8, 1777, his parents, Libni and Hepzabeth (Starbuck) Coffin, being born on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, of English ancestry. Nathaniel Coffin was twice married. He was first married in Virginia to Miss Pheriba Dilliard, and to them were born two children, both dying in infancy. About the year 1812 Mr. Coffin came to Indiana with his wife, naking the journey to Wayne County on horseback. He subsequently made four or

five trips to Virginia and North Carolina on horseback, and returned from one of his trips with his mother, who was blind, bringing her in a wagon. His wife died some six years after coming to Indiana, and he was again married in Wayne Connty to Miss Lydia Bunker, about the year 1823. She was born November 22, 1785, in Guilford County, North Carolina, a daughter of Reuben and Judy (Macy) Bunker, who were also of Eng- lish ancestry, her parents coming from Nan- tucket with the Coffin family. Mr. Coffin was a wheelwright by trade, which he followed until August, 1838. He subsequently came to Jay County, and entered land from the Government, and followed his trade until within a few days of his death. His wife died in Jay County, October 26, 1846, at the age of sixty-one years. After the death of his wife, with the exception of three years spent with his eldest daughter in Iowa, Mr. Coffin made his home with his danghter, Mrs. E. C. Wright, in Jay County, until his death Sep- tember 15, 1859. By his second marriage Mr. Coffin had two children-Mary A., wife of William Sullivan, of Antelope County, Nebraska, and Elizabeth, who was born July 31, 1827, now the widow of Elijah C. Wright, living in Jay County.

ILLIAM S. FLEMING, clerk of the courts of Jay County, is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, born in Dayton, in 1837, a son of James W. Fleming. In 1839 his father reinoved with his family from Ohio to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is one of the well known pioneers of Allen County, where he still resides. He had a family of five sons who reached maturity- William S., thie eldest, is the subject of this sketch; Benjamin F., deceased; Thornton J., of

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Fort Wayne; James W. and Thomas H. The father being a farmer our subject was reared to the same avocation. On attaining the age of twenty-one years he began clerking in a general store at Fort Wayne, and subsequent- ly went to Logansport and engaged in the mercantile trade on his own account, which lias since been lis principal occupation. About 1867, on account of failing health he gave up his business at Logansport, and soon after joined an exploring party for the far West. They visited Wyoming, Dakota and Montana, this being the first party to explore that re- gion. Our subject was absent three years, when having regained his health he returned to Jay County, and resumed his mercantile pursuits at Bryant. He was accompanied on his western tour by his brother, Benjamin F., who died at. Helena, Montana. Mr. Fleming was associated in the mercantile business at Bryant with his brother, Thornton Fleming. In 1875 they purchased a stock of goods at Portland, Thornton Fleming taking charge of the business at this place. In 1880 William S. Fleming came to Portland, and in 1883 sold ont the business, his brother going to Fort Wayne. Mr. Fleming was first a can- didate for the office of clerk of the courts in 1878, but that election resulted in a tie, and at a special election was defeated by a small majority. In 1882 he was again nominated, and was elected, receiving a majority of 167 votes over his opponent, David Parker, of Dunkirk. Mr. Fleming was re-elected to the same office in 1886, receiving at this election 119 votes over his opponent, George W. Rey- nolds. His present term will expire in 1890. In politics Mr. Fleming affiliates with the Democratic party. Mrs. Fleming was for- merly Miss Jane P. Kendrick, a native of Licking County, Ohio, her father, Thomas C. Kendrick, having been one of the early mer- chants of that county. He subsequently

moved to Logansport, Indiana, where he car- ried on mercantile pursuits. He is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming are the parents of three sons and four daughters, the four younger children being natives of Jay County. Mr. Fleming is numbered among the representative citizens of Portland. He still owns the store building, which was erect- ed by him when he engaged in business with his brother, and is also the owner of the beau- tiful residence and grounds covering forty acres, formerly owned by General Shanks.

OHN M. HENRY, deceased, was born in County Down, Ireland, July 12, 1818, and came to America when eighteen years old, landing in New York. He learned the carpenter's trade in that city and then went to Zanesville, Ohio, where he followed his trade. July 1, 1841, he was married to Miss Jane Ann White, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Mr. Green. Mrs. Henry was born in Armagh, Ireland, June 2, 1823, and came to America when a child with her parents, the family locating in Muskingum County, Ohio, where her father died in less than a year after coming to America. Mrs. Henry's parents, George and Sally (Cardle) White, were born in Armagh, Ireland, and both died in Muskingum County, the mother in 1855. All of her grandparents were born in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Henry were the parents of seven children, five of whom are living -- George, Thomas M., Samuel, Flor- ence and Saralı. David died July 9, 1852, and Frederick June 11, 1859. All were born in Muskingum County. Mr. and Mrs. Henry removed to this county in 1868, and located on the farm now occupied by his wife and two sons. The family lived in a log house for a few months while the present

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

frame house was being built. The father also built a frame barn. At the time of his death he owned 440 acres of land on sec- tion 22, Madison Township. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and died September 7, 1885, in the hope of a blessed immortality. He is buried in Salamonia.

. HOMAS C. WHITE, M. D., proprietor of the drug store and the only practic- ing physician of Powers Station, is a native of Jackson County, West Virginia, born September 20, 1829, a son of James and Mary (Coleman) White, who were born and reared in West Virginia, living in that State mutil their deatlı. The doctor grew to man- hood on the home farm in his native county, receiving his education in the schools of his neighborhood. Although reared a farmer, he had no intention of pursuing that avoca- tion through life, and in 1853 lie began the study of medicine, to which he applied lıim- self diligently. February 20, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Bryan, of Jackson County, who was born in Dear- born County, Indiana, March 31, 1837, a daughter of Jonathan and Martha Bryan, na- tives of West Virginia, and they are the parents of two daughters - Lola, wife of Dempsey Powers, of Jefferson Township, and Sarah E. At the outkreak of the civil war the doctor went with his friends in the Con- federate army, where he served two years, but in March, 1864, he gathered together his effects and with his family left the State, and for a few months he made his home near Columbus, Ohio. He then settled in Mercer County, Ohio, living there until June, 1866, when he came to Indiana and engaged in the practice of medicine at Buena Vista, Adams

County. In a year, however, he returned to Ohio, where he resided until September, 1869. He then came to Jay County, Indi- ana, and established his residence at Powers Station, where he has resided ever since. He is one of the prominent and public-spirited citizens of Jefferson Township, and is active in promoting all enterprises for the advance- ment of his township and county. The doc- tor is a member of Doric Lodge, No. 362, A. F. & A. M., at Ridgeville. In politics he has always affiliated with the Democratic party. He is very fond of the chase, and tlie hunting season is apt to take him to the Peninsula of Michigan or other favored hunt- ing grounds, from whence he always returns with more vigor to attend to the more serious duties of life.

T. IIAMMONS, a prominent citizen of Jay County, and one of the leading agriculturists of Greene Township, re- siding on section 35, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, February 14, 1841. His par- ents, Robert M. and Harriet D. (Scott) Ham- inons, were natives of the State of Virginia, and about 1834 or 1835 removed to Ohio, in which State they lived until their death. Of their ten children our subject was the fourtli son and sixth child. He was reared to a farm life and has always followed the avoca- tion of a farmer. At the age of thirteen years he was thrown on his own resources by the death of his mother, his father having died two or three years earlier, and every dollar he has owned has been earned by himself. On President Lincoln's call for the three months volunteers Mr. Hammons enlisted April 24, 1861, in Company I, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and was discharged September 1,1861. He re-enlisted September 1, 1861,

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in Company H, Second West Virginia Cav- alry, and November 2, 1863, his company was consolidated with Company C, of the same regiment. He served as a brave and gallant soldier until the close of the war, and passed unharmed through the many cavalry battles in the valley of Virginia and others. While serving under General Phil Sheridan, at the battle of Five Forks, he received a ter- rible wound in his right shoulder, which necessitated the amputation of the arm at the shoulder joint, the operation being performed in the hospital at Petersburg, Virginia, this being a very dangerous and painful operation. After his discharge he returned to Jackson County, Ohio, where he began life with no capital except what he had saved from his pay as a private soldier. IIis $600 saved from the army he used in maintaining him- self through the years following while regain- ing his health. In December, 1866, he came to Jay County, Indiana, where he has pros- pered beyond his most sanguine expectations. On coming to Jay County he engaged in the grocery trade in Portland, and in 1867 lie was appointed deputy auditor, under county auditor S. B. H. Shanks, serving as such three years. During this time, October 24, 1868, lie was married to Miss Mary E. La Follette, who was born in Jay County, Indiana, June 25, 1854, a daughter of Joseph and Charlotte (Stratton) La Follette. For four years Mr. Hammnons was trustee of Wayne Town- ship. Served as clerk of the Jay Circuit Court for eight years, two terms from 1875 to 1883, and at the second election in 1878 it resulted in a tie vote. The Governor then ordered a special election and against the same competitor, William S. Fleming, our subject received a majority of 135 votes. Mr. Hammons organized the Jay County Agricultural Society, and as superintendent and director he laid out its grounds and built

the driving park. In politics he is àn ar- dent Republican. He is a member of Omega Lodge, No. 281, I. O. O. F., and a comrade of Stephen J. Bailey Post, G. A. R., at Port- land.

OHN LA FOLLETTE, one of Pike Township's prominent citizens, and one of its early settlers, was born in Harrison County, Virginia, July 19, 1817, a son of Joseph and Elizabethi La Follette. The family in 1823 left Virginia for Kentucky, and three years later removed to Warren County, Ohio. There our subject grew to manliood, and was married to Miss Amy Mills Novem- ber 25, 1837. She was a native of Warren County, born May 28, 1819, a daughter of Rev. M. Mills, a minister of the Free Will Bap- tist church, who came to Jay County in the spring of 1838 and followed preaching the gospel until his death. He died in Jefferson Township after a life of great usefulness, at the age of seventy-eight years. The parents of Mr. La Follette came to Jay County, and settled in Pike Township in the fall of 1838, remaining only a year when they returned to Ohio. In the spring of 1842 they again left Ohio for Jay County where they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1868, and the mother some six years previous. Mr. and Mrs. John La Follette have had born to them nine children-Martha E., born in Ohio, now the wife of Major J. G. Crowell; Joseph W., a native of Ohio, was a member of Company H, One Hundredth Indiana In- fantry, and died in the service February 27, 1863, being buried at La Grange, Tennessee; Sarah E., wife of J. J. Rathbun, of Pike Township; Jesse J. M., of Portland, is a member of the bar of Jay County; Rachel J., wife of Henry Brosher, of Pike Township;

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

Lydia Ann, widow of Richard Crawford, lives with her parents; George W., a physician, residing at Yorkshire, Darke County, Ohio; Amy Frances, died in 1859, aged five years, and John F., attorney at law, in partnership with his brother at Portland. Mr. La Fol- lette came from Clinton County, Ohio, to Jay County in April, 1842, bringing with him his wife and two children, the rest of the family being born on the homestead in Pike Township. In that year he established his home on the ground where he yet resides, and May 1, 1842, he cut the first tree that was felled upon the site of his home. He came to the county without capital, but was a man of good education, and had taught school five years in Ohio. He became one of the pioneer and most efficient and popular teach- ers of Jay County, and followed his profes- sion in the county successfully for a period of thirty years. In politics he was in early life a Whig, but has affiliated with the Re- publican party since its organization. In 1844 he was elected clerk of Pike Township, which position he filled for eighteen years. In religious faith he is a Free Will Baptist, uniting with that church in early manhood.

NDREW J. BARNETT, a farmer of Greene Township, was born in Mus- kingum Connty, Ohio, October 5, 1834, a son of George and Mary (Boyer) Barnett, natives of the State of Pennsylvania, the former of Irish and the latter of German de- scent. The family consisted of thirteen chil- dren, all but one of whom lived to rear families. Their names in the order of their birth are as follows-Valentine, now of Illi- nois; William died in Muskingum County in 1879; John lives in Bartholomew County, Indiana; George lives in Ross County, Ohio;

Thomas J. lives in Missouri; Audrew J., our subject; Mrs. Catharine Wood lives in Morgan County, Ohio; Mrs. Barbara Maines lives in Iowa; Mrs. Susannah Barnett died in Illinois; Mrs. Elizabeth Stevens lives in Missouri; Mrs. Sidney Ann Graves lives in Stark County, Illinois; Mrs. Mary Hodges in Montgomery County, Missouri; and one daughter died in childhood. The parents died in Vinton County, Ohio, the father in 1873, and the mother several years earlier. Andrew J. Barnett was reared in Ohio, removing with his parents to Vinton County when fifteen years of age, living there until 1865, when he moved to Ross County and from there in October, 1880, came to Jay County. He bought a farm on section 15, Greene Town- ship, and from there moved to the farm where he now lives on the same section, which con- tains seventy-five acres of choice land with good improvements. Mr. Barnett was mar- ried in Vinton County, Ohio, September 16, 1857, to Eliza Ankrom, a native of Vinton County, born September 11, 1838, a daughter of Richard and Tacy (Miller) Ankrom, both of German descent. Her father was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1815, and when sixteen years old went to Vinton County, Ohio, where he was married August 16, 1837, to Tacy Miller, and both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Barnett have had nine children, six of whom are living-Rich- ard Clinton, George M., Andrew J., Myrtie, Seymour, Tacy M. Three died in infancy.

DAM W. KENNEDY, druggist, Dun- kirk, Indiana, was born in Grant Coun- ty, Indiana, February 28, 1854, a son of Moses and Margaret (Schroff) Kennedy, natives of Brown County, Ohio, where they were married, removing thence to Grant

MAMMAN

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County, Indiana, in its early day, and there the father died May 20, 1882, the mother's death preceding his about two months. A. W. Kennedy was reared in Grant County, re- ceiving his education at Jonesboro. After leaving school he was employed by the rail- road company at $35 a month, at which he continued until 1882, when, with a capital of $35, he engaged in the grocery business at Jonesboro. In 1883 he removed to Dunkirk, and formed a partnership in the grocery busi- ness, the firm being Kennedy & Macy. In 1884 they disposed of their stock of groceries and embarked in the drug business, which Mr. Kennedy still continues, and in May, 1886, removed to his present location. April 22, 1887, Mr. Macy withdrew from the firm and Mr. Kennedy has since conducted the business alone. His stock consists of drugs, paints, oils, wall paper, stationery and drug- gists' sundries, valned at $3,000, his store room being 18 x 75 feet in dimensions. Thus from the small beginning of $35 Mr. Ken- nedy has by good management increased his capital and now has a good paying business, and is one of the prosperous citizens of Dun- kirk. He was married August 20, 1878, to Jennie Lelfridge, a daughter of John and Maude Lelfridge. They have two children- Otto and Fred. In politics Mr. Kennedy is a Democrat. He served one term as marshal of Jonesboro.

OLONEL JOHN W. HEADINGTON, one of the representative citizens of Portland, has been identified with the history of Jay County, since the year 1853. He is a native of Knox County, Ohio, born near Mount Vernon, December 13, 1833, a son of Nicholas and Ruth (Phillips) Heading- ton. His father was born in the State of

Maryland, December 25, 1798, and died February 6, 1865. He was a farmer by occupation. He served as a soldier in the second war with Great Britain. The mother of our subject was a woman of remarkable strength of mind, and moral courage. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and possessed all the Christian virtues in an eminent degree, and her pure Chris- tian life left a lasting impression on lier family. In his youth, Colonel Headington received such educational advantages as the cominon schools of his day afforded. In 1853 the family removed to Jay County, Indiana, where the subject of this sketch taught school for one term. In 1856 he began reading law under Judge Haynes, and in 1858 was admitted to the bar, and licensed to practice in all the courts of the State. He entered upon the duties of his profession at Portland, and soon established a large and Incrative practice. In 1858 he was united in marriage to Miss Nannie Bosworth, a daughter of Dr. Bosworth, one of the well known pioneer physicians of Jay County. When the war of the Rebellion broke out Colonel Headington did not hesitate to offer his services in defense of the Union, and in the summer of 1862 he raised a company of volunteers of which he was elected Captain. This company became a part of the One Hundredth Indiana Regiment, and was as- signed to duty in the Fifteenth Army Corps. He was a gallant and efficient soldier, and led his company or regiment in many of the severest battles of the war. The first reunion of the One Hundredth Regiment was held at Kendallville, Indiana, November 25, 1886, on the twenty-third anniversary of the cele- brated battle of Mission Ridge. Colonel Headington was the orator of the day on that occasion, and from his address, published in the Kendallville Standard of December 3,

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1886, we make a few selections, which will give an approximate idea of the character of the service he performed for his country. The address begins as follows: "Comrades: After more than twenty-one years we have met to hold our first reunion, on the twenty- third anniversary of the great battle of Mission Ridge, one of the bloodiest battles fouglit on this continent, and the bloodiest in which we, as a military organization took part. It will soon be a quarter of a century since we left our farms, our offices, and our work- shops, and volunteered in the service of our country, to engage in battle with a powerful enemy, who were seeking to trail the dear old flag in the dust. In the month of August, 1862, ten companies of men, all prompted by a love of country, reported to the Governor of Indiana and tendered their services for three years, or during the war. These ten com- panies were soon mustered into the United States service for the term of three years, and organized into a regiment and given its num- ber as the One Hundredth Regiment Indiana Volunteers. After a few weeks drill, the regiment was armed and sent into a field of active duty, and became a part of the Army of the Tennessee, then under the command of General Grant. It was first assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division of the Six- teenth Army Corps, but later, on a re-organi- zation of the Army of the Tennessee, in the spring of 1863, it became a part of the Fifteenth Army Corps, and with that grand old corps served until the close of the war." The Colonel then in his address relates briefly the operations of the regiment down to the siege of Vicksburg, continuing as follows: " Early in June, 1863, the regiment embarked on transports and inoved down the river to join Grant's army in the siege of Vicksburg. On our arrival at the mouth of the Yazoo River on the 14th of June the investment of

the city was complete, but a large army under the Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston, was moving up to attack General Grant in the rear and raise the siege. Our division, then commanded by General William Sooy Smith, was therefore sent up the Yazoo River to Snyder's Bluff, where it landed, fortified, and held in check Johnston's army till the surrender of Vicksburg on the 3d of July. On the fall of the Confederate stronghold we started in pursuit of Johnston's army, which we overtook at Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, when a conflict ensued which lasted five days, but before the investment could be made complete, Johnston crossed the Pearl River in the night, and made his escape." Continuing his narration of the experience of the regiment down to the fight at Mission Ridge he says: "Early on the 25th, just twenty-three years ago, our bat- talions were formed in line of battle, prepared for the charge on Mission Ridge. Our line was formed about a fourth of a mile from the foot of the ridge under cover of the timber. The space between us and the ridge over which we had to charge was an open field and nearly level. As soon as we started on the charge the enemy let loose the dogs of war of all kinds, and from every possible direction. As we advanced through that open field the leaden hail flew all around us like rain drops in a heavy shower. Steadily our columns pushed forward, driving the enemy to and up the mountain. The slaughter of our men was terrific from the first, but as we neared the foot of the mountain the enemy opened upon us with grape and cannister which increased the slaughter. We pushed the enemy np the hill, and we advanced to the railroad, where we had some protection from the enemy's guns, and fighting them from that point until late in the evening, we retired to the cover of the woods, having as we now know, accom-

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plished what General Grant intended we should, that is, compelled the enemy to reinforce at that point, at the expense of a weaker point, which enabled General Thomas to take the latter. Onr loss in this battle was very heavy; our regiment lost one-third of the men engaged, and seven out of fifteen officers, in killed and wounded. When we look back over that bloody field we can hardly see how it was that we were not all killed." Further on in his address the Colonel speaks of the Atlanta campaign as follows: " On the 1st day of May, 1864, we started on that memorable series of events, known as the Atlanta campaign, which lasted four months. On that campaign we fought the battles of Dalton, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Chattahoochie River, Decatur, Atlanta, Cedar Bluffs, Jones- boro and Lovejoy Station, making fourteen battles in four months. The fighting however was almost continuous from the 1st of May till the 3d of September, some of the battles lasting several days." Further on Colonel Headington graphically describes the marclı to the sea, in which marchi the One Hun- dredth bore a conspicuous part. Altogether the One Hundredth Regiment was engaged in not less than twenty-five important battles, beside many of minor note. Captain Head- ington gradually arose in command, being promoted to Major, and later to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel of his regiment. Since the war he has enjoyed a Incrative practice in Jay and surrounding counties. Mrs. Head- ington died in 1874, leaving at her deatlı four children. She was a woman of superior ability, and a devoted Christian. In 1876 Colonel Headington was united in marriage to Miss Laura E. Haines, a sister-in-law to Judge J. M. Haynes. Politically Colonel Headington is a Republican, and has always

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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