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 53

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 53
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 53

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1868 he bought the drug store of Dr. Dixon Milligan, at Fort Recovery, where he re- mained until 1879. In that year he sold liis drug business and came to Portland, Indi- ana, engaging in the furniture business. Mr. Cring was united in marriage in 1872 to Miss Martha V. Hanlin, daughter of James Hanlin, of Wayne Township. They are the parents of four children-Ella, Fannie, Addie and George. In politics Mr. Cring casts his suffrage with the Republican party.

ENRY WORGUM, an active and enter- prising agriculturist of Jay County, re- siding on section 15, Greene Township, was born in Darke County, Ohio, April 27, 1846, a son of Frederick and Elizabeth Wor- gum. In 1855 the parents removed with their family to Iowa, living in that State almost two years, and in 1857 came to Jay County, Indiana, settling in Madison Township, where the father died. Henry Worgum grew to inanhood in Jay County, where he has made his home since the year 1857. He was a brave and gallant soldier during the late war, enlisting in August, 1863, in Company B, Seventhı Indiana Cavalry. His regiment, under the command of Hon. J. P. C. Shanks, made a record of arduons service and gallantry, second to no organization in the State, being engaged in Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. Mr. Worgum was dis- charged at Austin, Texas, February 18, 1866, passing through the war unscathed by bullet or bayonet, but at Moscow, Tennessee, his spine was injured by an accident, which, although not necessitating his discharge, in- creased year by year until it became a perma- nent disability, and he now receives a pension of $50 a monthi. January 26, 1871, Mr. Worgum was united in marriage to Miss

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

Margaret Rants, a native of Mercer County, Ohio, born February 24, 1850, and a daugli- ter of Abraham and Mary Ann Rants, for- merly of Jay County. Her mother is now deceased, and her father is living at Fort Recovery. Mr. and Mrs. Worgum are the parents of six children-Nellie B., Ora E., Myrtle J., Marshall T., Annie D.and William H. Mr. and Mrs. Worgum commenced housekeeping in Madison Township, but now own and occupy a very fine farm property of seventy acres in Greene Township. The farm buildings are noticeably good, and on the land there is an excellent young orchard, in fact the entire surroundings show the care and thrift of the owner. Mr. Worgnm is a con- rade of the Grand Army post at Fort Recov- ery. In politics he is an ardent Republican. Two of his brothers, Eli and Frederick, are residents of Jay County.

ENJAMIN ALBERTSON, farmer and stock-raiser, Penn Township, Jay Coun- ty, was born in Henry County, Indiana, July 21, 1845, a son of William and Mary (Davis) Albertson. His father was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, September 4, 1814, a son of Benjamin and Margaret Albertson, and came to Indiana in his boy- hood. His mother was born in Henry County, November 5, 1823, a daughter of Nathan and Lydia Davis, who were of Welsh descent, and early settlers of Henry County, Indiana. His mother died October 12, 1849, and his father October 19, 1858. After the death of his mother his father married Rebecca Lawrence, with whom he lived a year after his father's death. He then went to work on a farın for Ansalem Johnson, who promised him $5 a month, but at the end of the year gave him $7 for meritorions conduct. He remained

with him two years, and while there attended school during the winter. He then went to Spiceland, where he attended school some tine, and was employed on what was the Indiana Central Railroad for over a year, then was employed as clerk in the drug store of J. W. Jolinson six months, when he became a partner in the business. A year and a half later he sold his interest and went to Minne- sota, where he remained until the following March, when he formed a partnership with B. F. Hinshaw in the drng and grocery busi- ness, which was continued two years. In 1870 he engaged in the manufacture of tile, and five years later, in April, 1875, he came to Jay County and settled on his present farm, which contained eighty acres of land, only seven of which was but partially cleared. This land he has cleared and now has it under a ligh state of cultivation. Mr. Albertson was married December 24, 1867, to Lenora L. Hinshaw, a native of Henry County, Indi- ana, born October 10, 1848, a daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Morgan) Hinshaw, the former a native of Guilford County, North Carolina, and the latter of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Albertson have five children-Du- mont, born August 7, 1873; Angie L., De- cember 27, 1874; Mary E., April 23, 1879; Florence, June 14, 1881; William F., August 26, 1883. In politics Mr. Albertson is a Republican. He is a member of the Society of Friends.

H. MILLIGAN, a worthy citizen of Bear Creek Township, son of Wilson Milligan, was born September 22, 1846, on the farmn where he now resides. He was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools of the county and at Liber College. When only seventeen years of age

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he enlisted, May 28, 1864, in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Infantry, serving 100 days, and was honorably dis- charged December 24, 1868. He was mar- ried to Miss Harriet A. Towle, of Liber, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Mont- gomery) Towle. In 1870, in company with his two older brothers, he engaged in operating a saw-mill, and remained a partner three years, then sold ont his interest and went to farm- ing. He is located on the old homestead where he passed the years of his boyhood. The farm is well improved and is in a good state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Milligan have eight children-Mrs. Nina Alexander, Orlan B., Wilson H., Ed T., Mary E., John B., Roydon R. and Carlton M. In politics Mr. Milligan is a Republican.

ACOB W. WHITELY, farmer and stock- raiser, Penn Township, was born in Henry County, Indiana, November 14, 1847, a son of Robert and Jane (Woolen) Whitely, natives of Maryland, of English descent, and pioneers of Henry County. Jacob W. Whitely was reared on a farm in his native county, living with his parents until nineteen years old, when he went to Benton County, Iowa, and remained a year. He then returned home, and soon after visited the early home of his parents in Maryland, and on his return to Indiana went to Hancock County, where he worked by the month until his marriage, when he rented land in that county six years. He then returned to Henry County and rented his father's farm, living there three years. In September, 1879, he came to Jay County, and settled in Penn Township, where he had previously entered sixty acres of heavily timbered land, on section 17. Ile rented land the first year and in the meantime

worked at clearing his land of timber, and in 1880 built his house and moved to his own farm. He has by hard work got forty acres of his land cleared and under cultivation and his building improvements are comfortable and convenient. Mr. Whitely was married August 25, 1870, to Nancy McCray, a native of Hancock County, Indiana, daughter of Phineas and Rachel (Fout) Mc: ray. Mr. and Mrs. Whitely have five children-Annie J., Flora May, Lawrence E., Elmer Clifford and John Cleveland. Mrs. Whitely is a mem- ber of the Christian church. In politics Mr. Whitely is a Democrat.

ESSE PHILLIPS, a pioneer of Jackson Township, was born in Waynesville, War- ren County, Ohio, March 21, 1815, a son of George and Ann (McCoy) Phillips, his father a native of York County, Pennsylva- nia, of English ancestry, and his mother of Scotch descent. His parents reared a family of four children, two of whom are living- George, of Grant County, Indiana, and Jesse. When Jesse Phillips was a lad of a few years, his parents moved to Lower Sandusky, Ohio, where he was reared, his youth being spent in assisting to clear the land from timber and prepare the soil for crops. He attended the early subscription schools when his services were not required at home, and there acquired a rudimentary education, which has been sup- plemented by experience which has fitted him for a practical business life. In 1836 he entered a tract of Government land in Jay County, Indiana, and in 1839 located on this land and commenced to make a home. He has passed through all phases of pioneer life, and has assisted materially in transforming the forests into thriving towns and prosper- ons farms. He still lives on the farm where

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

he first settled, which is now one of the best in the township, and his building improve- ments have been made with a view to comfort and convenience. In politics Mr. Phillips has been a Republican, but is now a Green- backer, his presidential votes for the past twenty-four years having been for Lincoln, Grant, Greeley, Cooper, Weaver and Butler. Mr. Phillips has been married three times. His first wife, Saralı Nye, died a few months after their marriage. His second wife was Mary Sumption, and to them were born two children-Austin and Granville. In 1855 he inarried Melinda Mills, a native of Clinton County, Ohio. They have two children- Cassius M. and Mary.

EORGE STRALY was one of the early settlers of Wayne Township, where he became well known and highly respected for his many good qualities. He was born in York County, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1815, and there he was reared. When a young man he removed to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Lydia Truesdell, who was a native of Trumbull County, and to this union were born six chil- dren-Sophia, Stephen, Susan, Sutphen, Sid- ney and Samuel. They remained in Trum- bull County until 1854, when in April of that year they came with their family to Jay County, Indiana, and located in Wayne Town- ship, where Mrs. Straly died the same year. Mr. Straly was united in marriage a second time to Miss Martha Prouty, who died about the year 1860, leaving two children, named Rebecca and Jane. For his third wife Mr. Straly married Miss Deborah Votaw, and this union was blessed with three children-James, William and Grant. Mr. Straly died March

2, 1887, his death causing universal regret throughout the community where he liad made his home for so many years.

C. THORNTON, a minister of the Orthodox Society of Friends, is a native of Indiana, born in Wayne County in 1832, a son of Willis and Lucy (Clayton) Thornton. His parents are both deceased, the mother dying April 10, 1861, and the father July 20, 1874, in his seventy-eighth year. Their son, John S., was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, serving his country three years. He is now living on the old homestead in Wayne County. E. C. Thornton, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm, and was educated principally at the boarding school at Richmond, Indiana, which subsequently became known as Earlliam College. He was married in 1853 to Miss Martha Bailey, a daughter of Robert and Lucy (Bangham) Bailey, Mrs. Thornton, being a native of Clinton County, Ohio, but reared in Wayne County, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton have no children of their own, but have an adopted son, Louis T. Brower, who has found a home with them since four weeks old. He is now about twenty-four years of age, a young man of bright intellect, and kindly disposition, but at present an invalid. After his marriage Mr. Thornton taught school for several winters, then followed photography for twelve years, learning the art in Rich- inond. He carried on a gallery at Harveys- burg three years, after which he traveled for a time. He then followed photography at Wilmington, Ohio, four years, then at Win- chester, Indiana, for a while, gradually engaging in other lines of business. Since 1880 he has been engaged in ministerial

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.

labors, and has taken an active part in establishing and reviving religious societies of Friends in this portion of Indiana, and being a man of great fervency and sympathy, he is well calculated to advance the work in which he is engaged. His wife, also a min- ister, is an efficient helper, taking the lead in many places. In 1882 they established the present Friends' church in Portland. Since the re-organization of the Jay County Sun- day-school Association in 1883, Mr. Thorn- ton has been president of the same, performing many ardnous duties in connection with the association without pecuniary reward. He holds the position of clerk of the monthly and quarterly meeting, and is assistant clerk of the annual meeting. Mr. Thornton is a zealous Prohibitionist, believing that it is not only a protection to society in general, but a kindness to drunkards, in helping them on the ladder of total abstinence enforced by law.

OSES SMITH, section 36, Wayne Township, is one of the honored and respected citizens of the township, who has been identified with Jay County thirty-four years. He is a native of Belmont County, Ohio, born September 29, 1815, a son of Willianı and Susan (Wood) Smith, his fatlier a native of Loudoun County, Virginia, and his mother of Philadelphia, Pennsylva- nia. His maternal grandfather once owned what is now one of the most valuable build- ing sites in that city. Moses is the eldest of eleven children, five of whom are living. He was reared in his native county, his youth be- ing spent on a farm, his education being ob- tained in the subscription schools. When he was nineteen years old he went to Morgan County, Ohio, and was there married when twenty-one years old to Ann Tanner, a daugh-

ter of John and Ann (Harry) Tanner. Mr. Smith lived in Morgan and Perry counties, Ohio, until 1852, when with his family he came to Indiana and lived in Randolph County a year, and in 1853 removed to Jay County, locating on the farm where he now lives. His land at that time was an unim- proved tract, but he has brought it under a good state of cultivation, and erected con- fortable and convenient farmi buildings. He has a good story and a half residence, sur- rounded with shade and ornamental trees, and a beautiful lawn, and his place denotes the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have nine children, seven sons and two daughters -Susan E., widow of Stephen M. Hughes; William F., Spencer, John T., Lydia (deceased), Ann, J. A. (one of the leading musicians of the State), George, Charles M. and Richard J. In poli- tics Mr. Smith and his sons are Republicans, and at one election father and seven sons de- posited eight straight Republican votes. Mr. Smith is a worthy member of the Christian church, and has served several years as super- intendent of the Sunday-school. He has always taken an active interest in the promo- tion of education and religion, and his chil- dren have been reared to lives of usefulness, and are among the inost respected and popn- lar young people in the township.

EMUEL L. HOLMES, senior member of the firm of L. L. Holmes & Sons, mar- ble manufacturers, has been a resident of Portland since 1873, in which year he engaged in the manufacture and sale of monu- ments and cemetery furnishings in partner- ship with his sons. Mr. Holmes was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1817. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer, and fol-

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

lowed agricultural pursuits until 1838, when he settled in the then wild woods of Adams County, Indiana, three miles west of Geneva. There he improved a farm, and was engaged in farming and dealing in live-stock nntil 863, when he removed to Fort Wayne, and1 conducted the Exchange Hotel at that place about two years. He then engaged in the dry goods business at Bluffton, until the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad was put under contract, when he took contracts for building a large portion of the road be- tween Fort Wayne and Montpelier, which proved an unprofitable undertaking for him, he having lost heavily in this enterprise. Mrs. Holmes was formerly Miss Mary Meyers, and was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Holmes-Lida, now Mrs. Brown, re- siding in California; Fannie, wife of Rev. W. W. Roberts, now residing at Indianapolis; Nancy, wife of L. S. Kapp, of Bluffton; Car- rie, wife of J. D. Hale, of Decatur, Indiana; Sallie, wife W. J. Craig, the present editor of the Indianapolis Sentinel Emma, wife of David E. Studabaker, of Bluffton; Leander G. and Charles, who are associated with their father in business at Portland. Both Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

ILLIAM PENNINGTON BIRD- SALL, deceased, was born in Lou- doun County, Virginia, in March, 1817, a son of John Birdsall. The latter died when our subject was abont twelve years old, and he continued to live with his mother and take care of the farm until he attained lis majority. He then went to Ohio, remain- ing there for a time, and in 1841 came to Jay County, Indiana, and purchased 160 acres

of land on sections 9 and 10, Penn Township, and immediately began clearing a space for his house and orchard. He lived here alone about fourteen months, by which time he had a few acres cleared on which he raised his first crop. He was then married, in 1843, to Miss Ann P. Graves, a native of Pennsyl- vania, her parents, Nathan and Hannah Graves, being born in the same State. Mrs. Birdsall's mother died when she was eight years old. She resided with her father until 1837, when in the spring of that year she came with the family of John D. Jones to Jay County, the journey being long and tedious, walking the greater part of the way while the men cut the road. Soon after her arrival in the county she opened a school for the few children in her neighborhood, this being the second school in Penn Township. She tauglit about three terms before her mar- riage. Mr. and Mrs. Birdsall began house- keeping on a frontier farm, and passed through all the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life, going to Richmond over poor roads to do their milling and trading, and living on hominy and cracked corn in bad weather. Game was abundant, and supplied the meat for the families of the early settlers. Beside caring well for their own family, Mr. and Mrs. Birdsall generously gave what they could to help their neighbors. They were active and consistent members of the Society of Friends, and lived an honorable and up- right life, gaining the respect and esteem of all who knew them. Mrs. Birdsall died Oc- tober 10, 1870, aged fifty-three years, her husband surviving until June 2, 1880, dying at the age of sixty-three years. They were the parents of two children-Hannah, born in 1844, and died in the fall of 1861, and Nathan J. Their son, Nathan J., was born on the farm where he now lives, January 14, 1850, and was reared to manhood on the same

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

farmı. His education was received in the dis- trict schools. He was married September 30, 1873, to Miss Beulah Elma Worley, who was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, a daugh- ter of Louis D. and Hannah T. (Mendenhall) Worley, her father born in Baltimore, Mary- land, of Scotch and English ancestry, and lier mother born in Loudoun County, Virginia, of English descent. Mrs. Nathan Birdsall was reared in her native State, and was educated principally in Maryland. During the late civil war her mother and family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where her inother is still living. Nathan Birdsall is one of the respected citizens of Penn Township, and his well cultivated farm shows him to be a thorough, practical farmer.

EV. AARON WORTH is a native of Randolph County, Indiana, born April 9, 1836, a son of Thomas and Sally (Macy) Worth. His father was a native of Guilford County, North Carolina, a member of the Society of Friends. His mother was a daughter of Reuben Macy, of Nantucket. They were married in Wayne County, Indi- ana, and to them were born six children, two sons and four daughters-Eliza G., Aaron, Mary (wife of Rev. Ervin), David (who gave his life for his country during the war of the Rebellion), Mrs. Lucinda Hartup, and Mrs. Anna Puckett (deceased). Aaron Worth was reared on a farm, and his early educational advantages were limited. He made the best use of his time, and by study at home added to a short attendance at the Manual Labor College in Darke County, Ohio, and Liber College, Indiana, he acquired a good practical education. In August, 1852, he united with the Wesleyan Methodist church, and in May, 1853, was licensed to preach, and joined the

Indiana Conference. He filled many impor- tant places, and in 1870 was appointed a presiding elder, holding that position five years. From 1875 to 1880 he had charge of the church at Albia, and in 1880 was again appointed a presiding elder, still serving in that capacity. Mr. Worth is a clear, forcible speaker, of pleasing address, and holds the attention of his andience from the beginning to the close of his sermons. He is of a genial disposition, cordial manners, and inspires the confidence and friendship of all he meets, which makes him one of the most useful and popular ministers of his denomination. He was married March 11, 1857, to Sarah E. Van Cleave) Ileywood, a native of Dayton,) Ohio, daughter of William and Eliza (Wright) Van Cleave, and widow of Alexander Hey- wood. She has one daughter by her first marriage-Auria E., wife of S. W. Read, of Jackson Township. Mr. and Mrs. Worth have one son living-Andian F. Their oldest, Ossian H., died in March, 1853. Mr. Worth lives on a good farm of 120 acres of well im- proved land, where he is surrounded with all the comforts of life, and enjoys the compan- ionship of his family and friends.

EANDER G. HOLMES, of the firm of L. L. Holmes & Sons, marble mann- facturers, Portland, is a native of Indi- ana, born on a farm in Harrison Township, Wells County, October 20, 1855, a son of Lemmel L. Holmes. He was reared in his native county until 1863, when his parents removed to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in 1865, settled in Bluffton, Wells County, where our subject grew to manhood, re- ceiving his education and learning the mar- ble cutters' trade. In 1872 he came to Port- land, Jay County, his father coming to this

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MAANMASA

HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

city in the fall of the next year, when the firm of L. L. Holmes & Sons became estab- lished. During the past two years Mr. L. G. Holmes, has also been engaged in ship- ping hay. He was married in the year 1880 to Miss Clara Creager, who was born in Darke Connty, Ohio, October 20, 1855, the birthday of her husband. She is a daughter of Lewis and' Sarah (Goodall) Creager, with whom she came to Portland, Indiana, in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are the parents of two children-Edith, born in Jannary, 1881, and Walter, born in January, 1883. Mr. Holmes was clerk of the town of Portland for three years, and is at present a member of the city council. He is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows order. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.

Z® ACHARIAS RAY, a worthy citizen of Jefferson Township, residing on section 2, near where he established his resi- dence in February, 1875, is a native of In- diana, born in Union County, October 17, 1824. He is the eldest son in a family of eleven children of Rev. Lewis S. and Jane (Lee) Ray, his father being born in New Jer- sey in 1794, and his mother born in the State of Virginia. They were married in Ohio, and immediately after their marriage immi- grated to Indiana. When our subject was a babe his parents settled in Fayette County, Indiana, and when he was six years old he was taken by them to Franklin County. He was early in life inured to hard work, assist- ing his father on their pioneer farm. In 1846 the family removed to Delaware County, where the father again began the work of making a home out of the wilderness, and here he died after a life of great usefulness,

November 9, 1872. His mother had preceded him to her eternal home a number of years before. Both were consistent Christians, the father being a minister in the Christian church. Zacharias Ray, the subject of this sketch, was married in Delaware County, to Miss Mary Jane Stow, a native of Clinton County, Ohio, born August 3,1833, a daughter of Hiram Stow. Only two of the children born to this union are living-Lewis H., who married Miss Elizabeth Frost, and John William, who mar- ried Miss A. Thomas, both living near the home of their parents. Those deceased are -Martha J., who died aged eleven years and seven months; Francis M. died aged ten years and ten months; Elizabeth died aged twenty-two months, and Sylvester died aged two months. Mr. and Mrs. Ray settled on his father's farm after their marriage, but later bought a tract of forty acres, which they improved from a state of nature, living there, until 1871. They then sold that property, and removed to the homestead of his father once more, remaining there until about two years after the death of the father. They then came to Jay County, and bought the land which they now own and occupy. This property had been quite well improved before Mr. Ray purchased it, but no buildings had been erected. He has since built two good houses on the land, one of them being occu- pied by his son, Jolın W. In politics Mr. Ray casts his suffrage with the Republican party. Both he and his wife attend the Chris- tian church.

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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