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 51

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 51
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 51

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County, Ohio. He then came to Randolph County, Indiana, where he worked until the fall of 1838, when he came to Jay County, and here followed carpentering until 1844. He was united in marriage Jannary 1, 1843, to Miss Lydia Rowland, a daughter of Michael and Mary (Willett) Rowland, natives of Erie County, New York, who came to Jay County in the fall of 1836. In 1844, owing to poor health, Mr. Underwood returned to Ohio, and the next year he began working at his trade, which he followed for one year, when he en- gaged in the manufacture of threshing ma- chines for Barrington & Brother, and he inannfactured a grain separator which was the first one ever brought to Jay County. He returned to Jay Connty in 1848, and was engaged in dealing in stock until 1856, when in connection with his stock business he clerked for the firm of Shoaff & Horn for three years, when they disposed of their business, after which Mr. Underwood again devoted his entire attention to the stock trade. In April, 1860, he was nominated to represent Jay County in the Indiana State Legislature, and was elected at the fall election by thirty-six majority, serving one term of sixty-one days and a special term of forty days. On his return from the Legislature he engaged in the inercantile business at Pennville which he followed until the fall of 1864. In 1865 he and his brother became proprietors of the Main Street Exchange at Fort Wayne, and engaged in the hotel business. He subse- quently sold out that business and returned to Pennville and resumed his stock business. In the mean time he purchased 180 acres of land on sections 8 and 17, Penn Township, where he followed farming and stock dealing. Angust 30, 1867, Mrs. Underwood died at the age of forty-three years, leaving three children-Mary Amanda, now the wife of Daniel G. Shaffer, of Penn Township; and

Isaac Underwoox

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

William R. and Theodore W., living in Hutchinson, Kansas. One son, Willett Web- ster, died aged four years. Mr. Underwood was again married July 21, 1870, to Mrs. Martha J. Snmpton, a native of Ohio, widow of Charles Sumpton, and a daughter of Joshua and Elizabetlı Taylor. Of the three children born to this union two are living-Josephine and Charles E. A daughter, Lydia, died aged thirteen months. Mr. Underwood re- sided on his farm in Penn Township until 1870, when he removed to Pennville, and in June of that year he was appointed to fill an unexpired term of county treasurer, which position he filled abont six months, after which he engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he followed until the fall of 1875. In 1874 he was elected to represent the counties of Jay, Blackford and Grant, in the State Senate, serving four years, and during this time in two special sessions. In 1877 he became agent for the State of Indiana for the Champion Iron Fence Company of Kenton, Ohio, acting as such until 1882. He was a second time bereaved by the death of his wife April 1, 1881, she dying at the age of forty-three years. October 26, 1882, he was married to Mrs. Mary Ellen (Birdsell) Ed- mondson, widow of Thomas Edmondson. She is a native of Loudoun County, Virginia, a danghter of Jolin and Mary Birdsell, and came to Indiana in 1866. Mr. Underwood again engaged in farming, which he followed until he retired from active life in 1885. He and his wife are members of the Hicksite Society of Friends. In politics he was for- merly an old line Whig, but has been a Re- publican since the organization of that party. In 1866 he was treasurer of the Cincinnati, Richmond & Fort Wayne Railroad Com- pany, and during the war he furnished sup- plies to the soldier's families. He has been an active worker in the cause of temperance

since 1848. He was a member of the Sons of Temperance until 1867, when they dis- banded. In 1855 he united with the Good Templars, and for twelve years he has served as treasurer of the Grand Lodge. In 1875 he was elected a representative from the Grand Lodge to the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the world held at Bloomington, Illinois, and was a representative to the Right Worthy Grand Lodge at Topeka, Kansas, in 1881, and is the representative elected to tlie Grand Lodge to be held at Saratoga, New York. Mr. Underwood is also a member of Pennville Lodge, No. 212, A. F. & A. M.

ICHARD MATCHETT, farmer, resides on section 23, Madison Township, where he owns 170 acres of well improved land. He was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, February 26, 1821, and when thirteen years old, removed with his parents to Darke County, Ohio, where he lived until 1847. The family then located in Randolph County, this State, where our subject was married, and in 1849, came to Madison Town- ship, this county, locating on section 33. During the years 1861-'62, he followed the mercantile trade, at Salem, having purchased the interest of Enoch Field, who entered the army. The store was opened by Harvey Coon, who sold to Ezekiel C. Clough, who in turn sold to Alexander Cline. The store had several owners and finally was purchased by Mr. Matchett. He was married, August 24, 1848, to Miss Ahnira Wickersham, who was born in Wayne County, Indiana, April 5, 1832, and came to Randolph County when a child, where she was reared and married. Her parents are James and Rachel (Smith) Wickersham. Mr. Matchett's parents were Richard and Rachel (Van Dozer) Matchett.

486

HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

The father was born December 11, 1783, probably in New Jersey, and died in Febru- ary, 1856, in Fort Jefferson, Ohio. The mother was born January 3, 1793, and died October 10, 1884, at the home of her son Richard in this county. The Matchetts were originally from Ireland and the Van Dozers from Holland.

ONATHAN FIELDS, retired farmer, is a native of Ohio, born in Pickaway County, January 22, 1820. His parents, Jonathan and Margaret (Grnbb) Fields, were natives of Pennsylvania, and were reared about twenty-five miles north of Philadelphia. They came to Ohio in an early day, in which State they were married. The youth of our subject was spent in assisting his father on the farm, and at his trade, that of a wheel- wright, and his education was obtained in the rude log cabin subscription schools of that early day. He was married August 25, 1839, to Miss Eliza Brant, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, a danghter of Joseph and Mary (Wheeler) Brant. To them were born five children-Margaret L., widow of Aaron L. Somers; Sarah M., widow of Eli Morrow; Otis B., of Penn Township; Calista S., wife of Jolın H. Barr, and Nelson M., of Dunkirk, Jay County. After his marriage Mr. Fields bought two acres of land on which he erected a log honse, and worked at the carpenter's trade, and various other occupations until he came to Jay County, Indiana, October 15, 1851, when lie located at Camden. The following January he removed to Bluffton, Indiana, where he engaged in saw-milling, which he followed in connection with car- pentering for two years. During his resi- dence at Bluffton his wife died, leaving him with a family of small children. She was a

member of the Lutheran church. After the death of his wife he returned to Camden, where he followed carpentering until 1861, when he purchased his present farm on sec- tion 28, Penn Township, which then consisted of eighty acres of heavily timbered land. He immediately began clearing and improving his land, still working at his trade a portion of the time, and in his various enterprises he lias met with snccess, and by his honorable dealing he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

UMNER HAYNES, a prominent mem- ber of the bar of Jay County, and son of Judge J. M. Haynes, was born in Portland, Jay County, Indiana, the date of his birth being August 15, 1855. His boy- hood was passed in working on his father's farm and in attending the public schools, and on attaining the age of twenty years he entered Earlham College at Richmond as a student, where he remained three years. After leaving college he followed teaching for one year, and at the same time studied law in his father's office. He entered the law depart- ment of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor in 1879, graduating from that in- stitution in the class of 1880, and since that time has been engaged in the practice of law at Portland. In October, 1883, he formed a partnership with Mr. Cox, which has since continned under the firm name of Haynes & Cox. Mr. Haynes was united in marriage to Miss America E. Hays, a daughter of Conrt- ney Hays, of Portland, formerly a resident of Fort Recovery. Mr. Hays was a soldier in the Mexican war. Mr. and Mrs. Haynes have two daughters-May Beatrice and Mabel Edna. Politically Mr. Haynes is of Repub-

487

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.

lican antecedents, but he now affiliates witlı the Prohibition party, his partner, Mr. Cox, also voting the Prohibition ticket.

B ENJAMIN W. HAWKINS, one of the old and honored pioneers of Jay County who is now deceased, was born in Preble County, Ohio, in the year 1815. The first settlement in America of the Hawkins family was during the first half of the eighteenth century, when four brothers, John, Samuel, Benjamin and James, emigrated from England and settled in the Shenandoah Valley in the Virginia Colony. These broth- ers were slaveholders, and were direct de- scendants of Sir John Hawkins, who was the first Englishman to establish the slave trade be- tween Africa and the American colonies. Of the four brothers mentioned above our subject was a descendant of Samuel. Samuel Haw- kins, the great-grandfather of our subject, took part in that memorable struggle which resulted in America's independence. He lived in Virginia until his death. His son, Samuel, the grandfather of Benjamin W. Hawkins, removed to what was afterward Bourbon County, Kentucky, when the immi- gration to Kentucky and the West com- menced, and is believed to be the pioneer settler of that county. In 1791 he was in St. Clairs army on an expedition against the Indians of the Northwestern tribes, where the former were so disastrously defeated at the present site of Fort Recovery. After Wayne's successful expedition and treaty opening new territory to settlement he became a pioneer settler near the present site of Eaton, Ohio, and is thought to have been the first white settler to cross the Miami River. His son, John J., the father of our subject, was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, the date of

his birth being September 25, 1789, and in his boyhood went with his father to Ohio, being reared without education. He was married to Miss Nancy Sellers, who taught him to read and write. He was a Lieutenant in the war of 1812, and later became a popu- lar and very efficient sheriff of Preble County, Ohio. Losing his property in Preble Coun- ty, he concluded in 1829 to move West, and the spot near the Little Salamonie which he had selected proved to be section 11 of Pike Township, Jay Connty, Indiana, and he was the first settler of the township and the third settler in the county. The family, consisting of the parents and six children, cut their way through the woods and arrived at their new home March 8, 1829, with but $3 in cash. All in the family who were old enoughi aided in clearing their land, and in the spring of their arrival had cleared and planted about seven acres, raising a fine crop of corn and garden vegetables. The first season they lived in a "half-faced camp," which was a rude shelter against a large log, entirely open on one side, the open side serving as door, window and fireplace. The following Sep- tember they erected a log cabin. In those days their corn was taken to Greenville, Ohio, or Richmond, Indiana, to be ground. Game of all kinds was in abundance, and the father was an excellent shot. The sale of skins and furs kept the family supplied with a little money, and by strict economy they managed to aecmmlate a little property. The father died March 15, 1832, from an injury he had received caused by the carcass of a deer fall- ing upon him while he was endeavoring to suspend it. His widow survived until 1868. She was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, June 4, 1789, of Irish descent. Her father, Nathan Sellers, was a Revolutionary soldier, and distinguished himself at the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. While in

483

HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

Kentucky he was made a magistrate, and was finally appointed sheriff, which office he re- signed because of the inhumanity of the laws he had to execute. A common mode of pun- ishing negroes in that State was to nail their ears to posts and then whip them. He was strongly opposed to slavery, and seeing no prospect of its abolition in Kentucky he left that State for Ohio in 1809. He died as he liad lived, a consistent Christian, in 1826. Several ancestors of Mrs. Nancy (Sellers) Hawkins served with Daniel Boone in the war with the Indians, and were victims to the tomahawk and scalping knife. The six children of Mr. and Mrs. Jolin J. Hawkins are as follows-Samuel, Nathan B., Benja- min (our subject), Avaline, wife of James Simmons, of Randolph County, Joseph C. and Caroline, wife of B. W. Clark. Benja- min W. Hawkins, whose name lieads this sketeli, was united in marriage July 20, 1837, to Miss Caroline Ensninger, a native of Washington County, Virginia, born Decem- ber 28, 1816, and of the eight children born to this union only three are now living- Nancy, wife of Curtis Clark, of Portland; Charlotte, wife of John Fidler, residing on the old Hawkins homestead, and James, who married Angie Davidson, and is now living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The names of tliose deceased are-Mary, Jane, Theodore, Philip and Nathan. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins commenced married life on the Hawkins homestead and subsequently removed to Portland, where they made their home for sixteen years. In politics Mr. Hawkins was in early life a Whig, and later affiliated with the Republican party. For nearly a quarter of a century he was in the public service of his country, serving eight years as sheriff and sixteen years as clerk. He was the county agent who laid out the town of Portland. In his earlier life he had many interesting ex-

periences while in the fur trade, carrying the mail and in other pioneer features of life. While fugitive slaves were passing through the country lie refused to betray them to their pursuers even when offered $1,000 as a bribe. He was a worthy member of the Baptist church, and among the highly respected citi- zens of Jay County. He died at his home in Pike Township, October 27, 1878, his death causing universal regret throughout the neighborhood where he had lived so long. He left an estate of 320 acres of valuable land. His widow still survives, and yet oc- cupies the homestead, and is one of the most prominent representatives of the pioneer days of Jay County. She is also a Baptist in her religious faith. Mrs. Hawkins enjoys noth- ing better than to entertain friends or strangers, her home being the abode of hos- pitality, and to tell stories relating to pioneer life in Jay County. The old home is pictur- esquely situated on the banks of the Sala- monie River, retired from the highway, and its surroundings and associations so inter- woven with the pioneer history of the county, the family buryground immediately in front of the residence containing representative members of the family, even one buried al- inost a hundred years ago, all help to make the homestead of great interest, even to the most careless visitor.

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ILLIAM CURRENT, a progressive farmer and stock-raiser of Richland Township, is a native of Indiana, born in Henry County, December 20, 1848, a son of Samuel J. and Eliza G. (Hobson) Current. The father was born and reared in Monongalia County, and when a young man he accompanied his parents to Henry

489

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.

County, Indiana. He was there married to Eliza J. Hobson, a native of Henry County, Indiana, her parents coming from North Carolina in an early day. Samuel J. Current came with his family to Jay County, Indiana, in 1856, and located in Richland Township, immediately south of Redkey, on a tract of 160 acres, which he had previously bought. Some time after his parents came to Jay County and located on the same section. When he settled on his land but one or two acres had been cleared and the ground was wet and swampy. He immediately set to work to improve the place, and by hard work, and persevering energy he cleared and im- proved about 100 acres. He lived on this farm until his death, February 19, 1881. He joined the Methodist church in his boyhood, and was one of the early members of the Redkey Methodist church, and before the erection of a meeting honse, services were lield at his house. He was steward of that congregation during his connection with it. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but later in life affiliated with the Republican party. William Current, whose name heads this sketch, was only about four years of age when his parents settled in Jay County, and here he grew to manhood, his youth being spent in assisting his father on the farm and attend- ing the schools of his neighborhood. He remained with his parents until his marriage, when he located on a tract of forty acres which he had owned for some time, this being now the home of William Barnell. He subsequently traded this farm for land ou which the Redkey Tile Factory is now located, trading this land for his present homestead in Richland Township, in November, 1884. His farm is now cleared with the exception of some ten or twelve acres, and is well improved and under high cultivation. He has a good apple orchard on the place. He

has a fine substantial residence, surrounded by shade and ornamental trees, and his farm buildings are noticeably good, and everything about the place shows care and thrift. Mr. Current was united in marriage October 28, 1875, to Miss Emmaline Bell, a native of Jay County, Indiana, and a daughter of John and Levina (Kidder) Bell. They are the parents of four children-Jessie F., Oscar Russell, George and Watson Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Current have been life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and at present Mr. Current is steward and trustee of Redkey congregation. In his political views he is a Prohibitionist, and in 1886 he was the nom- ines of that party for the office of county commissioner.

EV. T. S. WALTER, one of the enter- prising citizens of Jackson Township, was born in Wabash Township, Jay County, Indiana, July 15, 1849, a son of Peter and Harriet (Montgomery) Walter. He was the third child and oldest son, and in his youth his services were required on the farm. He received his education in the com- mon schools, Liber College, and Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio. When he was seventeen years old he began teaching, and for ten years was one of the successful teachers of Jay County, standing in the front rank in that profession. His first salary as a teacher was $1.60 a day, which was later in- creased to $2.20 per day. When eighteen years of age he united with the Presbyterian church, and when twenty-three years old transferred his membership to the United Brethren church, and a year later was licensed to preach for that denomination. In 1879 he moved to Jewell County, Kansas, where he entered a homestead and improved a farm.

490

HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

In 1882 he was licensed to preach by the West Kansas Conference, and for four years was an efficient member of that conference, his fields of labor being Beloit Circnit, Man- kato Mission and White Rock Mission. In 1886 lie sold his Kansas property and re- turned to Jay County, and the same season bought his present farm, where he has since lived. His farm contains forty acres of good land, nearly all under cultivation, and his building improvements are comfortable and commodious. Mr. Walter was married in September, 1870, to Sadie Sherman, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, a daughter of Lorenzo Sherman, of Wayne Township. Mrs. Walter died in December, 1873, leaving two children-Iloward B. and Grace. July 27, 1877, Mr. Walter married Mrs. Effie L. (West) Walford, widow of J. H. Walford, who died August 3, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Walter have three children-Gertrude, Menie and Henry Spencer. Mr. Walter is a strong advocate of the principles of prohibition, and has been an earnest worker for the success of that party.

OHN R. COULSON, section 30, Wayne Township, resides on the farm where his father, John Conlson, settled in 1860. John Coulson was born in Columbiana Conuty, Ohio, March 30, 1816, and in 1842 married Rachel Rish, a native of the same county, born February 8, 1827. In 1846 they moved to Jay County, Indiana, and settled in Jeffer- son Township, and partially improved a farm, when on account of declining health he de- cided to give np farming. In the fall of 1850 he was elected auditor of Jay County, and in February following moved his family to Port- land. He was elected for a second term, serving in all eight years. He then settled

on a farm on section 30. He was subse- qnently elected county treasurer, and served four years. He died on his farm October 1, 1873, aged fifty-seven years and six months. He was a man highly respected and possessed the confidence of his fellow citizens as is evidenced by his being called at different times to assume responsible official trusts. He was well educated, and was for some time engaged in teaching school. He left at his deatlı a widow, who still lives on the home- stead, and six children, five daughters and one son-Harriet (wife of Seth Jones), Mrs. Martha Winters, John R., Mrs. Mary Jane Cartwright, Ruth (wife of Charles S. Miller), and Annie (wife of Sumner B. Miller). John R. Coulson is the only son and third child of his parents. He was born in Portland May 17, 1851, and was reared on his father's farmn. He was for some time a student at Liber Col- lege, receiving a liberal education. He now owns seventy-two acres of the homestead, which is well improved, and his residence and farm buildings are comfortable and commo- dious. He married Miss Sarah Votaw, who was born in Wayne Township, Angust 6, 1851, a daughter of Jonas Votaw. They have one son-Glenn, born Angust 15, 1885. Mr. Conlson is a portrait and landscape artist of considerable merit, having some excellent specimens of his work in this art.

JONATHAN R. BRUBAKER, general merchant, Mount Pleasant, and an enter- prising citizen of Jay County, is a native of Ohio, born in Darke County, May 16, 1840, a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Butt) Brubaker. His mother died when he was young, and his father subsequently married Mrs. Elsie (Fowler) Mandhank. They came to Jay County, Indiana, and settled on section

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

491

2, Jefferson Township, where the father died about 1876. His widow still survives, and is yet living on the old homestead in Jeffer- son Township. J. R. Brubaker, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood in Ohio, and at the age of eighteen years began to learn the milling trade, which he followed until he volunteered in defense of the Union. He enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Ohio Infantry, his regiment being mustered for three months. After his discharge he re- enlisted in Company D, Sixty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and after two years service he re-enlisted as a veteran, his entire term of service covering four years and six months. Among other battles he participated in the battle of Naslıville, in December, 1864, when the Union army under General Thomas so completely annihilated Hood's army. After the war he returned to Ohio, and resumed work at his trade. June 10, 1866, he was married in Darke Connty, Ohio, to Miss Sally E. Mundhank, who was born in that county, a daughter of Daniel and Elsie Mund- hank. After the death of his first wife Mr. Brubaker married Miss Minerva Counterman, who is also deceased. She was a danghter of David Counterman, of Mercer Connty, Ohio. Of the five children born to his first marriage, four are living-Eva, Lnella, Jessie and IIazel. Augustus, the first born, died in infancy. By his second marriage he had one danghter. In 1869 Mr. Brubaker came to Jay County, Indiana, and in partnership with his brother bought the steam flouring mill at Mount Pleasant, which they sold out a few years later, after which J. R. was engaged in dealing in general stock for two years. In 1881 Mr. Brubaker engaged in the general mercantile business at Mount Pleasant, his first partner being P. K. Craig. He has been associated with different parties in busi- ness, but since 1884 has conducted his busi-

ness alone, in which he is meeting with fair success. In connection with his business he is also deputy postmaster of the village. Politically Mr. Brubaker affiliates with the Republican party.

AMUEL S. LANDES, farmer, section 10, Greene Township, has been a resi- dent of Jay County, and Greene Town- ship, since October 15, 1875. He was born in Hardy Connty, West Virginia, January 22, 1841, a son of John and Catharine (Buckley) Landes, natives also of Hardy County, where they died, the father in 1872, and the mother in 1877. Samnel S. Landes was reared a farmer and has always followed that vocation. He was well educated, attend- ing school several terms in Clarke Connty, Ohio, and when a young man taught for some time in his native county. Of loyal descent, when the war broke out Mr. Landes was a strong Union man, but was pressed into the Confederate ranks, from which he thought it no dishonor to escape after twelve days of involuntary service. He then left his native connty and settled in Greene County, Ohio, where he remained a short time. He was married in Fayette County, Ohio, February 18, 1863, to Hannah Susan Stonestreet, who was born in Pendleton County, West Virginia, October 29, 1842, a dangliter of Elijah and Elizabeth (Miller) Stonestreet. In 1865 Mr. Landes moved to Indiana and lived in Randolph County until his removal to Jay County, in 1875. He owns a good farm of eighty acres on section 10, Greene Township, which he bought in 1883. It is one of the best farmns in the township, and his improve- ments are all comfortable and commodious. Mr. and Mrs. Landes have had a family of ten children - Louis G. (died aged two

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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