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 47

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 47
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 47

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

when he sold it and removed to what is known as the Davis farm, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1859. Robert W. Bowman, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood on his father's homestead in Penn Township, receiving such education as the subscription schools of that early day afforded. He was nnited in mar- riage, July 4, 1852, to Miss Martha Goodson, a daughter of Bennett and Priscilla Goodson, Mrs. Bowman being born in Penn Township, Jay County, Indiana. Mrs. Bowman died January 9, 1879, leaving at her death three children-Marshall M. W., John R., and Sa- mantha F., wife of Franklin Stont, of Jay County. Mr. Bowman was again married July 6, 1879, to Mrs. Leanora P. Pingry, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, coming to Indiana with her parents, John and Abigail (Watson) Replogle, in 1856. To this union was born one child, a daughter, named Sylvia G. After his first marriage Mr. Bowman returned to the old homestead of his parents, where he lived three years, then rented land for a time. In 1860 he purchased his present farm, and in 1865 he engaged in the nursery business, which he lias since followed with success. In politics Mr. Bowman affiliates with the Labor party. For twelve years he served as town- ship assessor, holding that office with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.

F. SPADE, a member of the firm of Wilt & Spade, manufacturers of and dealers in lumber, sash, doors, etc., South Portland, is a native of Ohio, born in Miami County in the year 1828. When he was in his ninth year his parents, John G. and Margaret Spade, came with their family to Indiana, and settled on what is now known

as the Wiggs farm, adjoining Liber. His inother died in 1847, at the age of forty-five years, his father surviving until 1879, dying at the age of seventy-two years. The father sold the farmn on which he first settled, and spent the latter years of his life in Portland. Our subject was early in life inured to hard work, his yonth being spent in assisting his father clear their frontier farm, but the lessons of persevering industry learned at that time have been of lasting benefit to him, fitting him for the.duties of life. In 1852 he was married to Miss Mary E. Miller, who was born in Maryland in 1831, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Fliegle) Miller. The children born to this union are-William El- lery Channing, born in 1853, a salesman in Cartwright & Headington's dry goods store, Portland, Indiana; Horace Mann, born in 1855, at present engaged in his father's mill, and Jacob, born in 1863, is the bookkeeper for the firm of Wilt & Spade. The eldest son was a student at the Union Christian Col- lege, and the Normal school, and graduated in the Commercial School at Keoknk, Iowa, and for a time was engaged in teaching school. Mr. Spade received forty acres of land from his father, located in Wayne Town- ship, Jay County, which he afterward sold and purchased eighty acres in the same town- ship. He improved this farm, and after re- ceiving more land from his father's estate, he sold again, and bought another farin in the eastern part of Wayne Township. Ile sub- sequently sold this farm, and placed the pro- ceeds in his present lumber business, yet still owns land in the West. He began dealing in hunber January 9, 1885, and since then his business has become one of the leading enterprises of Portland. Mr. Spade is one of the active and public-spirited citizens of Jay Connty, and has given liberally of his means toward helping the railroads through the

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county, and aiding in every enterprise calci- lated for the public good. He is a member of the Christian church, and since 1852 has been an ordained elder in his church. In 1870-'71 he was county commissioner of Jay Conuty. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Of his brothers, George Spade is a farmer of Wayne Township; William is a farmer, and also a minister in the Christian church in Jackson Township, and his sister, Sarah A. Jordan, is a resident of Wayne Township.

ILLIAM HILTON, one of the re- spected pioneers of Jay County, engaged in farming, on section 34, Wayne Township, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, October 8, 1830, a son of Luke and Ann (Pitman) Hilton. His father was born in Londoun County, Vir- ginia, his mother being a native of Columbi- ana County, Ohio. They reared a family of eight children to maturity. Our subject was a lad of eight years when his parents re- inoved to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and a few years later they removed with their fam- ily to Guernsey County, Ohio, and later to Morgan County, in the same State. In 1852 the family then consisting of the parents and seven children, came to Jay County, and located in the then woods of Pike Township, on section 10, where the father entered a tract of eighty acres. There they made their home for a number of years and improved the land, making it into a good farm, the father remaining on the land until his death. William Hilton, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to the avocation of a farmer, and was early in life inured to hard work. His educational advantages were very limited, attending the subscription schools of

that early day but a few months. When about twenty-eight years of age he was married to Miss Eliza A. Brewster, of Noble Township, a daughter of John C. Brewster, a pioneer of that township. They are the parents of five children -John, Josie, Clarence, Anna and James. Mr. Hilton settled on his present farm in 1861, then a tract of heavily timbered land entirely unimproved, but by industry and persevering energy he has converted this tract into one of the best farms in the neigh- borhood. He has 120 acres where he resides in Wayne Township under good cultivation, a good residence, a commodious barn, 42 x 45 feet, and other valuable farm buildings, and a modern windmill furnishes pure water for house use and for stock, and in fact the en- tire surroundings show the owner to be a thorough practical farmer. Beside his home farm he yet owns his old farm in Pike Town- ship, where he has eighty acres of choice land. Mr. Hilton started in life without means, and his success is due to his own ef- forts, having acquired his property by his own persevering industry and good manage- ment, assisted by his excellent wife, and is now numbered among the substantial men of Wayne Township. In politics Mr. Hilton is a Republican, being a strong adherent of the principles of that party.

R. HART, of Bear Creek Township, was born in Highland County, Ohio, December 4, 1833, son of James and Mary (Lewis) Hart, who were natives of Del- aware and among the first settlers of High- land County. Our subject was the seventh of eight children. He was reared a farmer and educated at Delaware College and North Liberty Academy. At the age of nineteen years he commenced teaching school, and

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taught nearly thirty years. February 22, 1856, he was married to Miss Aletha A. Mendenhall, who was born and reared in Preble County, Ohio, and daughter of Mar- ınaduke Mendenhall. June 28, 1863, he en- listed in the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, serving for some time as commissary clerk. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war at Columbus, Ohio, and returned to his home. In 1866 he removed to this coun- ty, locating upon his present farm, which was then partly improved, and ten acres of clearing. A log cabin and stable were on the place. In 1883 he erected a two-story resi- dence, and lie also has other good farm build- ings. Mr. and Mrs. Hart are the parents of seven children-Margaret Jane Spade, Mary A., William A., David H., of Adams County, this State, James M., Orla E. and Charles C. William A. is preparing himself for the prac- tice of law at Portland. He commenced teaching school at the age of seventeen years, and taught fifty-five months. He has been successful in that vocation. Politically Mr. Hart is a Republican, and a worthy member of the Wesleyan Methodist church, and is at present superintendent of the Sunday-school. He takes an active interest in educational and religious matters, and is a liberal supporter of every worthy enterprise.

AMES H. LONGWITH, farmer, Noble Township, resides on section 21, where he owns eighty acres of land. He came to this county from Ohio in 1863, settling on the farm now owned by Fred Lenhart. He lived there a year then returned to Ohio, where he enlisted January 30,1865,in Company K, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Infantry, and was assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps, under General Schofield. He partic-

pated in the battle of Kingston, North Carolina, just before the surrender of General Johnston. He was discharged July 12, 1865, and re- turned to Jay County, where he bought eighty acres of land and built his round-log cabin in which he lived until he built his present house in 1875. He learned the carpenter's trade in early life and followed that trade for twenty-five years. Mr. Longwithi was born in Hancock County, Ohio, October 16, 1833, and was reared on his father's farm. His father, John Longwith, was born in Virginia in 1795, and reared in New Jersey. He was married in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1820, and removed to Hancock County in 1830, being one of the early settlers of that county. He died upon the farmn he liad entered from the Government, October 25, 1884. He was a member of the Baptist church for fifty-one years, and was respected by all who knew him. He was a kind and loving husband and father, and an obliging neighbor. The mother, Saralı (Cherry) Longwith, was born in Penn- sylvania in 1805, and when a child, came to Pickaway County, Ohio, where she was reared to womanhood. She died in 1881, at the age of seventy-six years. She, also, was a inember of the Baptist church for many years, and died with the hope of a glorious resurrec- tion. Mr. Longwithi was married October 5, 1861, to Miss Mary Bergman, who was born in Hancock County, Ohio, November 19, 1833. Her father, Christian Bergman, was born in Virginia, August 17, 1813. Her mother, Louisa (Houser) Bergman, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 26, 1817, and died in 1873, aged fifty-six years. The father is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Longwith have had nine children-William T., born July 20, 1862; Sarah L., born Novem- ber 16, 1863; died November 8, 1883; Rebecca J., born May 31, 1867; George H., born March 4, 1871; Elizabeth M., born

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

February 15, 1875; Alberta A., born June 7, 1876; Emma B., born July 26, 1878; Charles W., born July 10, 1882; and Mary E., born March 28, 1884. Both parents are members of the United Brethren church, and in politics, Mr. Longwith is an independent Democrat. His grandfather Longwith, was probably born in Virginia and was of Irish descent. His grandmother Longwith was probably born in Germany; both died in Virginia. His maternal grandfather, Jesse Cherry, was born in Pennsylvania, and was reared, married and died in Wyandot County, Ohio. He removed to that county in 1828 and died in 1866, aged ninety-three years. His grandmother Cherry, was also born in Pennsylvania and died in Wyandot County, when our subject was a boy. In the family of Mr. Longwith's father were sixteen children-William, who died in infancy, .Cyrus, Martha, John C., George (deceased), Mary A., Catherine, James H., Adamn, who served in the army three years, Martin and Joseph, also soldiers, Hes- ter, who died at the age of two years, Ezra, a soldier, Harriet J., and Sarah E., who died after marriage, leaving six children. Mrs. Longwith's grandfather and grandmother Houser died in Fairfield County, Ohio. Her grandmother Berginan also died in Fairfield County, Ohio.

EWIS N. STEED, general merchant at Powers Station, Jefferson Township, was born September 12, 1862, on the old Steed homestead in the township where he now resides, a son of William W. Steed. In 1881 our subject engaged in business for himself, at Powers, then but nineteen years of age, and is perhaps the youngest merchant in Jay County. He carries a general stock, consist- ing of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes,

and by his strict attention to his customers, moderate prices and accommodating manners he has established a good trade, and gained the confidence and respect of the entire com- munity. Mr. Steed was united in marriage November 8, 1882, to Miss Flora B. Mann, a native of Randolph County, Indiana, born December 1, 1863, a daughter of Levi W. and Nancy Mann. She was left an orphan before three years of age, when she was taken to the home of her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Hollowell. When she was in her fourteenth year her grandmother died, when she went to live with John H. Hoppes, her uncle by marriage. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Steed, named Nellie G., born September 7, 1884, and Freddie L., born September 4, 1886.

ACOB GAUNT, section 26, Knox Town- ship, is one of the enterprising, public spirited farmers of Jay County. When he was ten years of age his father, Joseph Gaunt, moved from Ohio to Jay County, and located on section 24, Knox Township, where he was reared, his education from that time being obtained in the subscription schools. When they came to Jay County there were but six honses in Portland. When he was twenty years of age he began to teach school, and taught three terms in Greene Township. He remained on the old homestead until 1880, when he moved to the farm where he now lives, which contains 240 acres of Jay Conn- ty's best land, 160 acres being land entered from the Government by his father in 1837. His farm is well located on the Redkey and Camden pike, four miles north of the former town, and is under a good state of cultivation, and his building improvements are comfort- able and commodious. He has a good orchard

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of bearing trees and a quantity of small fruit, everything about his place testifying to the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Mr. Gaunt was married June 23, 1853, at Bluff- ton, Wells County, Indiana, to Malvina F. Bennett, daughter of David and Margaret (Byers) Bennett. To them have been born nine children, six of whom are living-David Clinton, a prosperous farmer of Knox Town- ship; Arthur Lee, Charles Dalton, George Wise, Harry Swain and Willard Warren. Viola V., Joseph R., and John F. are deceased, the two first named dying at the age of six- teen months, and the latter aged ten years. In politics Mr. Gannt is a Democrat. He has served his township as clerk, treasurer and trustee. He is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal church, and one of its most liberal supporters.

ONATHAN ELLIOTT, residing on sec- tion 16, Greene Township, was born in Randolph County, Indiana, in 1834, a son of Seth and Rachel (Addington) Elliott. Both parents are deceased, the father dying before the war, and the mother when our sub- ject was an infant. Jonathan Elliot was reared principally in Jay County . from ten years of age. He was united in marriage in 1858 to Barbara Ankrom, who was born in Vinton County, Ohio, February 20, 1839, a daughter of Richard and Tacy (Miller) Ank- rom, her mother dying when she was a babe. Her father settled in Greene Township, Jay County, in 1849, and died in 1876. Twelve chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, ten still living-Thomas, John W., Richard Andrew, Mrs. Esther E. Stone, William J., Annie Eliza, Rachel H., Mary M., Rebecca C., and Myrtle E. Two sons, Seth and James N., died in early childhood. Before the war

Mr. Elliott had settled on section 9, Greene Township, and there he left his wife and three children to enter the service of his country, enlisting March 9, 1864, in Company B, Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry. He was en- gaged in the Gulf department, where his services were honorable and meritorious. He was discharged at Brownsville, Texas, Febru- ary 3, 1866. While in the army he con- tracted a disease of the eyes which baffled all medical skill, and has now resulted in almost total blindness. He receives a pension of $24 a month, which with the proceeds of his care- fully managed farm enables himself and family to live comfortably. Mr. Elliott con- tinned to reside on section 9, Greene Town- ship until 1874, when he removed to the farmn on section 16, where he has since made his home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are mem- bers of the United Brethren church. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

HARLES F. D. SCHRADER is a na- tive of Germany, born in Westphalia, sle- province of Prussia, November 27, 1828, a son of A. H. W. and Nana Sophia (Hagedorn) Schrader. He received his edu- cation in his native conntry, attending school until fourteen years old, when he began learn- ing the cigarmakers' trade, serving an ap- prenticeship of three years, after which he worked as a journeyman for two years. In 1849 he immigrated to America, landing at New Orleans May 5, after a voyage of four weeks. He remained in New Orleans for a time working at his trade, then went to New York, where he spent several years. On the breaking ont of the late war he enlisted July 17, 1861, in defense of his adopted country, and was assigned to Company G, Seventy-

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

second New York Infantry, and served in the Second Brigade, Second Division, Third Army Corps, in the Army of the Potomac. He par- ticipated in all the battles in which his regiment took part, and at the battle of Get- tysburg, July 2, 1863, he was severely wonnded in the left arm which disabled him from active duty for three months. He en- listed as a veteran December 27, 1863, and was honorably discharged July 8, 1865, at Hart's Island. While in the service he was transferred to the One Hundred and Twen- tieth Regiment, and later to the Seventy- third Regiment, with which he served until liis discharge. After the war he went to Norwich, New York. where he worked at his trade for nine months, after which he worked in various places until 1876. In that year he came to Jay Connty, Indiana, and erected a tobacco factory, where he engaged in raising tobacco and manufacturing cigars, a business he successfully followed nutil 1881. He then purchased thirty-two acres of land, and in 1886 added thirty acres to his original purchase, and since 1885 has devoted his at- tention to farming, and has brought his land under a highi state of cultivation. He is a comrade of James P. Cartwright Post, No. 358, G. A. R., and also belongs to Pennville Lodge, No. 212, A. F. & A. M.

OSEPH C. HAWKINS was born near Eaton, Preble County, Ohio, in 1818, a son of John S. Hawkins, one of the prominent early settlers of Jay County. When Joseph C. was a lad twelve years old his father moved to Indiana, and he grew to manhood on the homestead. He had but limited educational advantages, his attend- ance at school covering a period of only about

three months. His father died about two years after coming to Jay Connty, and there being a large family the boys were obliged to rely chiefly on their own exertions. In early life he was not very strong physically, but his pioneer life was the means of strengthening his constitution and he was quite robust in later life. Although deprived of the privilege of attending school he de- voted his leisure to reading and became well informed on all subjects of general interest. He married Sarah Bosworth, a daughter of Dr. Jacob Bosworth, and to them were born eleven children, two sons and nine daughters. The sons and eight of the daugliters grew to maturity. In 1857 his wife died and he was left to rear and educate his children alone. He was deeply interested in the canse of edu- cation and was one of the originators of Liber College, of which he was secretary, and the success of that institution was due to a large extent to liis exertions. Politically he was an Abolitionist, and was not afraid to express his views on the subject of slavery. When the question of the admission of colored pupils to Liber College was agitated in 1853, it was strongly opposed, and it was mainly through his influence that the qnes- tion was approved. When the war of the Rebellion broke ont he recognized his duty, and entered the field in defense of lis nation's honor. He enlisted in 1862 in Company H, One Hundredth Indiana Infantry, for three years, and served as long as his services were needed. He participated in many important battles of the war, including the battle of Mission Ridge, and all of Sherman's Atlanta campaign. At the beginning of the fight at Mission Ridge he acted as Color Guard, and when the Color Bearer, Abraham Griger, was shot, he caught up the colors and bore them bravely in the thickest of the fight; and when his regiment was ordered to change .

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their position he could not keep up and car- ried the colors straight across the field to the place where they were ordered to take their position, and it was around his colors that his brigade rallied and rushed on to join in the victory of Mission Ridge. For his gallan't bearing on this occasion he was highly com- plimented by the officers of his regiment and received a vote of thanks. Being somewhat advanced in life when he entered the army, he received the sobriquet of " Old Joe Haw- kins," but he was not long in gaining the re- spect and affection of his fellow soldiers and the appellation was soon changed to " Uncle Joe," by which he was ever afterward known. Modest in his character he was never boastful of what he had done, but did his duty as he saw it, and was satisfied. On his return from the army he found his farm run down and himself a poor man, and was obliged to go to work at the shoemaker's trade to make a living. His many friends were determined that his services should not go unrewarded, and induced him to accept the nomination of sheriff on the Republican ticket. He was elected and re-elected four years later, serving eight years. In the meantime he bought a farm near Collett Station, on which he lo- cated at the expiration of his term and en- gaged in farming. In June, 1879, his hip was severely injured by his team running away, and he was never again able to walk without the use of crutches. He therefore moved to Portland where he died October 31, 1885. He was simple in manner and honest in every act, and left a record of which his children may well be proud. The following brief letter written by him when in the army to his son Joseph B., who was then but a lad, indicates the plain, honest character of the man: " Dear Josey: I have not forgotten you and would like to see you. I want you to be a good boy. Don't swear, don't steal,

nor do anything that you would be ashamed of. Take good care of yourself, mind your mother, learn to read and write, love your country, and obey its laws."

JOHN S. WILT, an enterprising business man and a member of the firm of Wilt & Spade, lumber manufacturers of South Portland, was born in Darke County, Ohio, in 1840, a son of Daniel and Martha (Edger) Wilt, the father born in the State of Ohio and the mother a native of Ireland. John S. was reared a farmer, which avocation he fol- lowed until thirty-five years of age. He was married in November, 1864, to Miss Martha Ivans, a native of Randolph County, Indiana, and a daughter of Edward and Sarah Ivans. They have three children living-Frank, who was born in 1867; Joseph, born in 1869, and Harry, born in 1880. Mr. Wilt resided in his native county until thirty-nine years of age. He followed the grocery business at Palestine, Ohio, for eighteen months, after which he was employed for a year in the Grangers' store. He then came to Portland, Indiana, where he arrived October 10, 1879, and here he engaged in the grocery busi- ness on an extensive scale. About two years later he began operating a saw-mill, which he followed over two years, when he sold it to D. R. Roberts. He then purchased 167 acres of land eleven miles northeast of Port- land, which he soon afterward exchanged for an interest in his present business. Mr. Wilt began life for himself with but small means, but by persevering industry and good man- agement he has prospered in his business en- terprises, although he has lost thousands of dollars by going security for failing friends, he is still numbered among the well-to-do citizens of Portland. He was reared in the

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

Friends Society, and still adheres to the faith of that religions denomination. IIe is a member of the Odd Fellows order. While living in Ohio he was master of a Grange for five years. He is a man of generous im- pulses, and gives liberally toward all enter- prises which have for their object the public good or the advancement of liis town or conuty.

AMUEL, CHARLES H. and JOSHUA ARMSTRONG, fariners, reside on sec- tion 2, Madison Township, where they own 200 acres of land, in a good state of cul- tivation. They came to this connty Novein- ber 1, 1865, locating on the farm they now own. A few acres had been improved, a sınall frame house had been built, and two log barns. They now have a well-improved farm, a good house and an excellent frame barn. The barn was built in 1872, and the house in 1875. Samnel, the eldest, was born in Licking County, Ohio, March 24, 1824; Charles H. was born February 15, 1833, and Joshna was born November 4, 1835. The family lived in Licking County until 1853, when they removed to Franklin County. In 1865 they came to this county, where they have since lived. Their parents are George and Alice (Vance) Armstrong. Samuel and Charles are unmarried. Joshua was married in Franklin County, Ohio, March 25, 1861, to Miss Emeline V. Trish, who was born in that county January 10, 1845, where she was raised and married. Her father, Adam Trish, was born in Germany in 1818, and came to America when seventeen years of age, with an aunt, settling near Tiffin, Ohio. He died July 1, 1885, in Franklin County. Her mother, Elizabeth (Shaffer) Trish, was born in France in 1825, and is living in Franklin

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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