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 46

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 46
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 46

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

been a strong adherent of the principles of that great political party. He is one of the progressive and public spirited citizens of Portland, and is ever ready to use his influ- ence toward advancing the best interests of his fellowmen.

EUBEN C. CROW, an enterprising and progressive farmer and stock-raiser of Penn Township, was born in Hunting- ton County, Indiana, the date of his birth being March 24, 1848. He is a son of Joshua and Plicbe (Bond) Crow, the father being a native of South Carolina, and the mother of North Carolina, and a daughter of Joshua Bond. The father of our sketch was tliree times married. The grandfather of our subject came to Indiana at an early day, and the father erected the first oil mnill at Rich- inond, Wayne County. They subsequently removed to Huntington County, and in 1849 came to Jay County, where the father died two years later. The subject of onr sketch was early in life thrown on his own resources, beginning to earn his own living at the age of fourteen years. He worked out by the montli until he was of age, and during this time he worked several years for Albert Grisell. He was married January 4, 1870, to Miss Harriet T. Gordon, who was born in Dayton, Ohio, a daughter of James Gordon, who settled in Jay County, Indiana, when Mrs. Crow was an infant. They are the par- ents of four children-Lewis, LeRoy, Ora and Albert. After his marriage he rented a farm of Albert Grisell, where he resided four years, then moved to the farm owned by Lewis Grisell, where he lived until 1882. In that year he came to Pennville and was engaged in the mercantile business for two years, when he removed to section 25, Penn Township, on

440

HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

a tract of seventy acres which he had purchased in 1881, and here he has since made his home, devoting his time to farming and rais- ing and dealing in stock. Beginning life a poor boy he has by his own efforts acquired his present property, the result of industry and good management, and by his fair and honorable dealings, he has gained the confi- dence and esteem of the entire community. In politics he is a Republican.

DWARD B. WOTEN, farmer, resides on section 15, Madison Township, where he owns 140 acres of land, ninety acres being improved. He was born in Jackson County, Ohio, September 21, 1823, where he lived until he was twelve years of age; his father then removed to Madison Township, locating in the woods on section 14. They had to ent roads to get to the farm. The father built a shed in which the family lived until a cabin could be built, and they thien moved to the new home, and lived the first winter without a chimney. Their fire-wood, which was cut ten feet long, was drawn into their cabin with a horse. They had no floor that winter, and in the spring the father built a mud-and-stick chimney and made a puncheon floor. The parents passed the remainder of their days in this cabin. The father, Samuel Woten, was born in Virginia, and died in 1846, aged fifty years. He served in the war of 1812, and got a land warrant for his ser- vices. His mother, Hethindar (Hughes) Wo- ten, was born in Kentucky, and died in 1855, aged fifty years. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom grew to maturity and became heads of families-Henry, Ed- ward B., Nathan, Hugh, Jane, Nancy, Heth- indar, Martha and Samuel. Hugh, Martha, Nathan and Nancy are deceased. Edward B. has a Bible that was purchased in 1815. It

was willed by his grandfather to the father, and by the latter to our subject. Mr. Woten was married May 24, 1848, to Miss Mary W. Porter, who was born in Randolph County, this State, in 1833. Her father, George Por- ter, was born in Virginia. The mother, Elizabeth Porter, died July 17, 1861, leaving four children-George, born March 30,1850; Elizabeth, born October 21, 1851, died in the fall of 1876; Sarah J., born October 5, 1857, died May 25, 1866; Isaac G., born March 23, 1860. Mr. Woten was married July 26, 1863, to Mrs. Mary M. Shephard, widow of John W. Shephard, her maiden name being Mary M. Hunter. She was born in Vermillion County, Illinois, March 7, 1832, and when eight years of age removed with her parents to Darke County, Ohio, where she lived until her first marriage, March 22, 1849. Her first husband was born November 14, 1827, in Miami County, Ohio, and died in Darke County, June 8, 1862, leaving five children -William H., born September 13, 1851; Elisha C., born May 10, 1853; Levi D., born September 26, 1855; Rosanna Maria, born May 15, 1858; Mary Amanda, born October 13, 1860. All are living and married, except Maria. Mr. and Mrs. Woten have had five children-Edward F., born October 21,1864, died November 12, 1871; Jolın W., born Oc- tober 14, 1866; Nathan B., born April 29, 1869; James H., born January 6, 1873; Flora B., born August 31, 1875. The parents of Mrs. Woten were Elisha and Rosanna (Houser) Hunter. The father was born in Natchez, Mississippi, September 25, 1798, and died December 24, 1874. The mother was born in Maryland, May 15, 1808, and died March 22, 1872. They were the parents of nine children-Henry, David, John, Mary M., Elisha, Elizabeth, Elijah, Rosanna and Lovina C. Her grandfather, Henry Hunter, and her grandmother, Anna Hunter, were born in

441

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Germany, came to America, located in Natchez, Mississippi, removed to Vermillion County, Illinois, where they remained until death. Her maternal grandparents, Henry and Mary Honser, were also born in Germany. Her father served in the war of 1812. Mr. Wo- ten's grandfather, Bell Woten, was born in London, England, and came to America when a young man, being here during the Revolt- tionary war. Ile died in Madison Township at the house of Hugh Woten, aged ninety years. His grandmother, Jane (Gilliland) Woten, was born in Ireland, and came to America when a young woman. She was married in Gallipolis, Ohio, and died in Noble Township, Jay County. His maternal grandfather, Henry Hughes, was born near Richmond, Virginia, and fought through the Revolutionary war. He was wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Cowpens. He died in Jackson County, Ohio, at the age of eighty- four years and sixteen days. Mr. Woten has no knowledge of his grandmother Hughes. March 23, 1865, Mr. Woten enlisted in Com- pany E, Fifty-third Indiana Infantry, and was discharged August 4 of the same year. He joined his regiment at Alexandria, Virginia, and was discharged at Lonisville, Kentucky. He was at Camp Carrington when Lee snr- rendered, and at Bedloe Island when Johnston snrrendered. He was at Wabash, Indiana, when Lincoln was assassinated. He was an excellent hunter in an early day, and hunted coons one winter, from the sale of which he purchased sixty acres of land, which is the land he now lives on.

EORGE W. MACKLIN, one of the intel- ligent and enterprising citizens of Bear Creek Township, was born on the old home farm, May 22, 1845, son of Jacob Macklin, deceased, a prominent pioneer of the

township. His early life was passed in as- sisting at farm work, and his education was obtained in the common schools of Jay County. April 2, 1866, he was married to Miss O. P. Dougherty, born in Adams Connty, this State, daughter of Jacob and Nancy Dougherty. Mr. Macklin has resided on the old homestead all his life. The farm contains 172 acres of Jay County's best soil, and is in a good state of cultivation and well improved. He has a comfortable house, a commodious barn and other farm buildings. Besides his farming interests he is exten- sively engaged in buying and selling stock, with Granvil Phillips, of Jay County, Indi- ana, shipping to Buffalo, New York. They load their stock at Briant. From September, 1886, to April 15, 1887, they bought over 2,000 hogs and 500 sheep. They thoroughly understand their business and deal justly with all. Mr. and Mrs. Macklin are the parents of the following children-Jacob Perry, James Franklin, Noalı Elbridge, Nancy Elizabeth, Lucretia Catherine, Margaret Mahala, Rose Belle. Mr. Macklin is a Democrat in politics, belongs to the grangers, and is a member of the Protestant Methodist church.

L. RUPEL, who has been a resident of Jay County since 1854, was born in Darke County, Ohio, October 5, 1836, a son of James Rupel, deceased, who was one of the prominent citizens of Jackson Township. Our subject was reared to agri- cultural pursuits on the home farm, and in the common schools of his neighborhood he received his education. When eighteen years of age he accompanied his father's family to Jay County, Indiana, where he has since fol- lowed the avocation of a farmer, and during his residence in Jackson Township he has

442

HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

made many friends, and gained the respect of all whoknow him. Mr. Rupel was married Oc- tober 4, 1858, to Miss Jane Malınran, a na- tive of Indiana, born in Wells County, May 8, 1841, a daughter of Ebenezer and Eliza- betlı (Hardyshell) Malıuran, who became residents of Jay County. Mr. and Mrs. Ril- pel are the parents of eiglit children-Par- melia Hamma, born October 3, 1859; Clark, born July 20, 1861, is superintendent of the High School at Junction City, Lane County, Oregon; Charles, born March 23, 1864, is engaged in the mercantile business at Mon- roe, Benton County, Oregon; Effie, born Au- gust 8, 1867, a prominent teacher in Jay County; James, born December 3, 1872; Isaac, born April 9, 1874; Pearl, born May 10, 1877, and Johu, born December 1, 1879. Mr. Rupel has resided on his present farm since 1863, and in connection with his gen- eral farming he is successfully engaged in stock-raising. His farm contains 160 acres of well improved land, with good house and farm buildings in good condition. Politi- cally Mr. Rupel is an ardent Republican. He is a member of the United Brethren church, of which he is at present trustee. He is also superintendent of the Sabbath-school.

EORGE F. MILLER, general merchant and grain dealer at Powers, Jefferson Township, was born in Highland County, Ohio, November 22, 1836, a son of Jacob and Sarah (Kesler) Miller, natives of Virginia and Maryland respectively. In 1847 the Miller family came to Jay County, Indi- ana, and settled on section 32, Jefferson Township, living in that county until 1857. They then removed to Randolph County, where the father died shortly after, aged about forty-five years. A few years after the

death of the father the mother returned to Jay County, and purchased a tract of forty acres on section 29, Jefferson Township, where she died in 1877, aged sixty-six years. Sixteen children were born to the parents of our subject as follows-Mrs. Maria Turner, deceased; Mrs. Mary Price, deceased; John, of Jay County; George F., our subject; Catherine died in early childhood; Mrs. Bar- bara McKenney, of Randolph County; Abraham, of Jay County; David and Andrew (twins), were soldiers in the Eighty-fourth Indiana Infantry, of whom Andrew died in the service, and David was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, dying from the effects of his wound in 1874; William, who was a member of the Fifty-fourtli Indiana, also died in the service; Jacob also died in the service of his country; Mrs. Ellen Boyer re- sides in DeWitt, Saline County, Nebraska; Isaac died in infancy; Eli lives in Jefferson Township; Mrs. Saralı Wilson, of Kansas; and Melinda who died soon after reaching maturity. George F. Miller, whose name heads this sketch, was united in marriage October 21, 1860, to Miss Matilda Ross, a native of Randolph County, Indiana, born July 23, 1842. At the time of her marriage, her parents who are now deceased, were re- siding on section 31, Jefferson Township. But one child had been spared to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Benjamin F., their first born. Their daughter, Cedora C., married Arden Mills, and died in February, 1880, three years after her marriage, leaving one child, George F., who is adopted by Mr. Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Miller commenced married life at Fair- view, Randolph County, where he followed blacksmithing until coming to Powers, Jay County in 1866. He became the pioneer merchant of Powers, erecting the first build- ing at this place which he immediately stocked with goods, and opened his doors ready for

443

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

trade Angust 10, 1866, and since that date has carried on the business, sometimes with partners, to whom the active management was left while he resided on his farm on sec- tion 29, Jefferson Township. Mr. Miller's first purchase on section 29 was forty acres, to which he has added eighty acres, and has placed his land under good improvement, and since his marriage he has spent almost half of his time on his farin, doing business at Powers. Beside his farm he owns his residence at Powers, and a warehouse and good business block. In politics Mr. Miller affiliates with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church.

ILAS H. DARBY, section 7, Pike Township, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, December 6, 1835, and is a son of James R. and Sarah (Garner) Darby, he and his sister, Mrs. Mary Beclidolt, being the only ones of ten children living. He was nineteen years of age when his parents came to Jay County, and here he was reared and educated. He assisted his father in his yonth in improving a pioneer farm and at the lat- ter's death inherited 112 acres of the home- stead including the residence. He also owns a farm of 102 acres on section 6, and one of eighty acres on section 17, which are im- proved and are carried on by tenants. Mr. Darby saw about seven months of service during the war of the Rebellion, a member of Company G, One hundred and Fifty-third Indiana Infantry. He was married in June, 1863, to Elizabeth Blazer, daugliter of George Blazer. Mrs. Darby died after bnt little more than a year of married life, and June 7, 1866, he married Laura L. Stratton, who was born May 22, 1847, a daughter of Henry 27

S. and Rebecca (Hedrick) Stratton, pioneers of Jay County, locating in Pike Township in 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Darby have four children -- Flora M., Cora L., Walter J., and Dora A. In politics Mr. Darby is a Re- publican. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.

ADWARD E. VANCE, residing on sec- tion 16, Greene Township, is a native of Indiana, born in Franklin Township, Randolph County, October 10, 1837. His parents, Jolin and Sarah (Kolp) Vance, were natives of the State of Pennsylvania, and were married in Montgomery County, Ohio. They were among the pioneer settlers of Randolph County, establishing their home there about 1827. In 1848 they removed to Jefferson 'Township, Jay County, being resi- dents of this county until their death. Of their eight children our subject was the fourth child. He was reared to manhood on the home farm in Jay County, coming to the county with his parents in the year 1848. He was married in Randolph County in 1860 to Miss Isabella Meek, a daughter of George and Mary Meek. She died about eighteen months after her marriage, and Mr. Vance was again married in December, 1862, to Mary Ann Meek, a sister of his first wife. They have five children living-George W .; John Sherman, married and living in Greene Township; Orange V., William A. and Della E. living at home. Their fourth child, Mary I., died in her fourth year. Mrs. Vance's parents immigrated from their home in Coshocton Connty, Ohio, to Ridgeville, Ran- dolph County, Indiana, among the early pioneers, where her father lived until his death. Her mother is still living. Mr. Vance has resided on his present farm since

444

HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

his second marriage. His farm has been cleared by himself, and now contains eighty acres of well improved and cultivated land. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Democratic party on national issues, but in local politics he votes independent of party ties. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vance are mem- bers of the Christian church.

R. D. T. SKINNER, physician and mer- chant, Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, December 27, 1838. He lived there and in adjoining counties until he was fifteen years old, then came to this (Jay) county with his parents, five brothers and three sisters, the family settling in Bear Creek Township. His early education was commenced in the district schools and completed at Liber College. Soon after leaving school the civil war broke out, and July 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry, his regi- ment serving in the West. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, battle of Iuka, then started through Alabama, but was flanked by General Bragg at Stevenson. They retreated to Louisville, Kentucky, wliere he met with a severe accident. A comrade poured a cup-full of hot coffee over his shoe, which so burned his foot that he was sent to the Soldiers' Home at Indianapolis. While on crutches, he was detailed in the military de- partment at Indianapolis, which was in charge of Colonel Simonson, as clerk. Here he was promoted to Second Lieutenant and sent on recruiting service. In six weeks he returned with sixty recruits. The company was then organized and he was elected Captain. The regiment was organized as a cavalry regiment and known as the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, with General J. P. C. Shanks as Colonel, who

is now living in Portland, this county. The regiment was assigned to the Mississippi De- partinent, and afterward to the Gulf Depart- ment. They first went to Cairo, Illinois, thence to Columbus, Kentucky, thence to Union City, Tennessee, thence to Colliersville, same State, where a raid was organized for Okalona, Mississippi. The raid was under General Sınith, and lasted forty days; but be- ing out-munbered, and after severe fighting, they retreated to Memphis, Tennessee. They remained in that city until they had supplied themselves with clothing and fresh horses, then went on picket and scouting duty. Dur- ing the summer of 1864 engaged in the Gun Town raid and battle under Sturgis. In August, 1864, they started across the Missis- sippi to head off Generals Marmaduke and Cable, marching to join General Price then raiding on Missouri, took the military road to Little Rock, Arkansas. This road was built by General Jackson. From Little Rock they went to Cape Girardeau, on the Missis- sippi River, and at Pilot Knob they liad a skirmish with a part of his forces. At Cape Girardeau they embarked on a steamer for Saint Louis, marched across the neck of land to the Missouri River, took steamer for Jef- ferson City, where landing, took the old over- land road to California, to defeat and destroy General Price's forces, who were in camp near Kansas City. They attacked and drove him from the city, pursued him to Fort Scott, fighting him all the way, where they again won a victory. From Fort Scott they fol- . lowed him into the Indian Territory, where he crossed the Arkansas River between Fort Gibson and Fort Smith. In this pursuit they entirely broke up Price's army, as an army. Dr. Skinner was in the charge that captured Generals Marmaduke and Cable, and Marma- duke was in his personal charge for half an hour. There being no field officer, the doc-

Propadfull

447

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

tor was in command of the regiment. There was, however, only a detachment of a regi- inent on that raid, but the doctor commanded from Brownsville, Arkansas, until the pursuit was abandoned. On this very day his eyes became sore, and in two days he became so blind that his horse had to be led, there be- ing no ambulances with the command until they reached Springfield, Missouri, when a special field order was issued by Second Division Cavalry Corps to Major Chitwood, Surgeon of the Seventh Cavalry Regiment, which read as follows: Headquarters of Sec- ond Cavalry Division, Springfield, Missouri, November 8, 1864. Major Chitwortlı, Regi- mental Surgeon of the Seventh Indiana Cav- alry, is hereby directed to proceed to St. Louis, Missouri, immediately, with Captain David Skinner, of the Seventh Cavalry, in order that the latter may procure suitable treat- ment for opthalmia. By order of W. H. Lusk, A. B. Fitch, Captain and A. A. A. General. Dr. Skinner remained in hospital at St. Louis until Febrnary 10, 4865, when the hospital surgeon declared him unfit for military duty and never would be again. With a feeling of regret that he could never again be of service to liis county, he resigned and returned to his home in Jay County. He lived on his farm a year, and as his eyes grew stronger he commenced reading medicine. The second year he went to New Corydon and studied with Dr. Hall, who now lives in Kansas. After one year he went to Cincin- nati and attended lectures, graduating at the Eclectic Medical Institute of that city in 1876. After taking one course of lectures he commenced practice in Salamonia, where he still continues. He was married October 25, 1863, to Susan Sage, born in Jay County June 15, 1841, and died June 19, 1876, leav- ing two children-Charley Vernon and Lulu Belle. August 5, 1877, the doctor married

Prudence F. Sage, who was born January 7, 1839, in Michigan, and removed to Jay County with her parents when a child. Dr. Skinner has held several offices in the town council of Salamonia, and other offices of trust. His father, Rev. Jolin C. Skinner, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and died at Adamsville, Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1885, aged sixty-one years. He was a minister of the Baptist church. The mother, Margaret (Tetrich) Skinner, was born in Ohio, and died in 1873, aged fifty-three years. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the doctor is the third child. The Skin- ners are of French ancestry and the Tetrichs of German ancestry. The Sages were formerly from New England. The doctor's two wives were sisters and were daughters of Ebenezer Sage.

OSEPH HICKMAN, farmer and stock raiser, Richland Township, was born in Greene County, Ohio, November 3, 1844, a son of Laban and Catherine (Price) Hickman. Laban Hickman was born in Greene County, Tennessee, in 1806, of Ger- man and English ancestry, and when he was a year old his parents moved to Greene Conn- ty, Ohio, where he was reared and was there married to Catherine Price, a native of that county, danghter of Peter and Hannah (Turner) Price, her father of German and her mother of English descent. In 1835 Laban Hickman and his wife moved to Peoria County, Illinois, where they lived three years, when, the country being unhealthy, they re- turned to Ohio, where they remained until September, 1855, when they came by team to Indiana, and located on 200 acres of land in Richland Township, Jay County, which Mr. Hickman had bargained for some time be-

MAAAAAAN

448

HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

fore. About 100 acres of their land had. been run over for clearing and on it was a poor one-story brick house and a one-story double log barn. In this house Laban Hick- man made his home until his death, which occurred January 7, 1878. His widow still lives on the homestead with her son Joseph. Both were members of the old school or Prinitive Baptist church, in Delaware Con- ty, although in early life Mr. Hickman was a member of the Protestant Methodist church. He was reared in the Democratic school of politics, and always gave his allegiance to that party. Joseph Hickman was but eleven years of age when his parents settled in Jay County, and was reared in Richland Town- ship, and is still living on the homestead of his father. He remained with his parents until his marriage, when, having bought the home place of his father in 1864, he assumed control of the farm and his parents made their home with him, his mother still being one of his family. In 1875 he replaced the old log barn with a handsomeand substantial structure, and the little brick house has been torn down and in its place is a large two- story residence, not excelled in the township. It is situated on a natural knoll, which has been graded, and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. Of his 140 acres, 100 are under cultivation. Mr. Hickman is one of the enterprising men of Jay County, his farin and improvements being sufficient evidence of his thrift and good management. He was married January 10, 1865, to Eme- line Boots, a native of Greene County, Ohio, daughter of Martin and Rhoda (Strong) Boots, natives of Virginia, who located in Randolph County, Indiana, in 1853, where the father died in 1873, and the mother still lives, being now in her eighty-fifth year. Mr. and Mrs. Hickman have had six children, one of whom died in infancy. Those living

are-Elba M., Luclla, Charles A., Lemmon Orville and Opal Mildred. In politics Mr. Hickman is a Democrat. He is a member of Fairview Lodge, No. 134, I. O. O. F., and Richland Grange, No. 316, P. of H., being secretary of the latter order. He is a mem- ber of Sugar Grove Methodist Episcopal Church.

OBERT W. BOWMAN, horticulturist, is a native of Ohio, born in Warren County, February 4, 1833, a son of John and Hester (Mckinney) Bowman, who were natives of Virginia, and of German and Irish ancestry. In 1837 a brother of our subject came to Jay County, and settled in Penn Township, and in 1839 the parents with our subject visited the county, remaining about four weeks, when they returned to Warren County. In 1842 they settled in Jay County, bringing with thein the first sheep brought to the county. There being no roads, they were three days in coming a distance of sixteen miles, camping out at night, arriving at their destination September 8. On arriving in the county the father bought seventy-four acres on section 25, Penn Township, on which somne little improvement had been made, and the second day spent in the county the father stood in his cabin door and shot two deer. Here the family experienced many of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. The surrounding country was in a state of nature, and the settlers were few and lived long distances apart. Game of various kinds was abundant. The mother of our subject died April 5, 1847, and the father was subse- quently married to Miss Mary Paxton, by whom he had three children. The father im- proved the farm on which he first settled in the county, residing on it for thirty years,

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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