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 57

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 57
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 57

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EWIS GRISELL, a retired farmer of Penn Township, was born in Jay County, Indiana, May 27, 1835, the youngest of twelve children of Samuel and Ann (Whit-

acre) Grisell. He was reared on his father's farm in his native township, and attended the early subscription schools, where he acquired a fair education, which has been augmented by reading and intercourse with the business world. He assisted his father in the work of the farm and mills until manhood, and then took charge of the homestead, his parents be- ing with him until their death. He has never married, but since his mother's death has lived with his sister, Mrs. Walling. He owns a good farm of 290 acres of improved land, and also village property in Pennville. He is a member of the Society of Friends, and a respected citizen of Penn Township.

OHN C. BAILEY, of Bear Creek Town- ship, has been identified with Jay County since 1850. He was born in York County, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1820, son of Charles and Jane (Davis) Bailey, who were natives of the same State. They were married in that county and reared seven children, John C. being the fifth child. When he was eleven years old his mother died, and two years later, his father removed to Ohio and located in Belmont County, where our subject was reared to manhood. His youthi was spent at farm work, and at the age of eighteen he learned the tailor's trade, which he followed several years. In 1842 he was married to Miss Orpha Stowe, a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of B. S. and Orpha (Holcomb) Stowe, and located in Monroe County, living there about eight years, thence to this county, locating on his present farm, which was then in its primitive condition. His first house was a log cabin. He afterward built a plank house, which is still standing. ITis present residence, a commodious frame, was built in 1875, and

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

he also has other good farm buildings. He has given considerable attention to stock- raising. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have had twelve children, five of whom are living- Theodore, Madison, John F., Laura V. and Sheridan. Theodore enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, and served with it until the close of the war. In politics Mr. Bailey is a Republican, and lias served as township clerk one term, four years as county surveyor, and as township trustee twelve years. He has always been an uncompromising temperance man, and is a consistent member of the Wesleyan Method- ist church. Mrs. Bailey's parents located in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1825, and in 1850 removed to Monroe County, thence to Jay County, where they lived until their decease. The father died at the age of eighty-six years, and the mother at eighty- five years.

ENRY V. WALLING, deceased, was born at Burrillville, Rhode Island, May 13, 1842, a son of Reuben Walling, a native of the same place as our subject, and died May 12, 1882, in his sixtieth year. Clark Walling, grandfather of Henry V. Walling, was born at Burrillville, Rhode Island, April, 1788, and died in 1881. He married Selanah Angell. They had seven children, namely-Mary, Reuben, Dexter, Amy Ann, Syrena, and Moses and Aaron (twins). Reu- ben married Polly Taft, who died when the subject of this sketch was five years old. He afterward married Amanda Staples. He was born July 22, 1821. Died May 12, 1882. Henry V. Walling was with Sherman's army during his memorable march to the sea. Henry V. Walling was reared to the avoca- tion of a farmer, his youth being spent in

assisting his father with the work of his farm. In the fall of 1861 he came to Indiana, and in July, 1862, he went in defense of his country, enlisting in Company F, Seventy- fifth Indiana Infantry. While serving in Sherman's army at Kenesaw Mountain he was wounded by the explosion of a shell, which was probably the cause of his death. He remained in the service until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Jay County, and engaged in farming. He was married September 28, 1865, to Miss Lydia Grisell, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, February 2, 1827, coming to Jay County when seven years old. To them were born two children-Lewis G., January 24, 1867, and Jenny May, May 30, 1872. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Walling settled on the old homestead in Jay Connty, where they resided until March, 1875, when he purchased twenty acres adjoin- ing the village of Pennville, beside which he owned 200 acres of land in Jackson Township. He died September 13, 1875, leaving his family and a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. His widow still resides on the property near Pennville, and in 1884 erected a fine, substantial residence. She is a mem- ber of the Society of Friends. In politics Mr. Walling was formerly a Democrat, but after enlisting in the late war lie affiliated with the Republican party.

OHN STULTS is one of the oldest pio- neers of Jay County, having been a resi- dent of the county for a period of fifty years. He was born in the State of New Jersey, near New York City, July 18, 1810, a son of Peter Stults. The father of our sub- ject was born in New York, his father, Peter Stults, being a native of Germany. Peter

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Stults, Jr., was married in New Jersey, and when our subject was six or eight years old he came to Licking County, Ohio, where the family resided some five or six years. From there they removed to Franklin County, Ohio, settling ten miles east of Columbus, and some two or three years later removed to Sandusky County, Ohio. John Stults was reared to the avocation of a farmer in the dif- ferent counties in Ohio, where he was reared. He was married March 25, 1832, to Miss Susannah Overmier, a native of Perry Coun- ty, Ohio, born June 15, 1810, a daughter of George and Eve Overmier. Mr. Stults re- mained in Sandusky County until 1837, when he came with his family to Jay County, In- diana, his father, his brother Joseph, and a brother-in-law, William Chenneth, coming to the county at the same tinie. Onr subject then located on the land where he has since made his home, at that time in a state of na- ture, entirely unimproved. He first built a log cabin, 18 x 18 feet, with clapboard roof and puncheon floor, and here he and his fam- ily passed through many of the trials and hardships incident to frontier life, but are now reaping the reward of their years of toil, the old couple being surrounded with all the necessary comforts of life, and enjoying the respect and esteem of the entire community. Both are worthy and consistent members of the Wesleyan Methodist church. Politically he is a Republican. Of the eight children born to them five are still living-Elizabeth, George, Peter, Sarah and Jolın. Joseph, Jemima and Susannah are the names of the children who are deceased.

R. EUGENE F. MCLAUGHLIN, of Fort Recovery, Ohio, was born Septem- ber 24, 1860, in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana, where he was reared to 32

manhood. At the age of seventeen he com- inenced teaching school, which vocation he followed three years, teaching during winter and attending Normal school at Portland during the summer. He completed his literary course at the State Normal at Valparaiso in the autumn of 1882, and the following spring began the study of medicine with Dr. J. W. Blizzard at Fort .Recovery, Ohio, remaining with him until September 1, 1883, when he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, from which lie graduated March 9, 1885. Returning home he formed a partnership with Dr. J. V. Richardson, of Fort Recovery, Ohio, with whom he was associated for two years, at the expiration of which time he embarked in the practice alone, and at the present time is practicing his pro- fession at Fort Recovery, Ohio. Dr. Mc- Laughlin was married April 29, 1887, to Miss Lonella Van Kirk, of Fort Recovery, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, Octo- ber 3, 1866.

UTPHEN STRALY, of the firm of Straly Brothers, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, March 13, 1847, a son of George Straly. The Straly family came to Jay County in 1854, locating in Wayne Township. Sutphen was reared a farmer and educated in the district schools of Jay County. At the age of nineteen years he commenced to work at blacksmithing, and followed that trade at Antyville eight years. He then engaged in a saw-mill in company with J. N. Milligan. That partnership existed three years, when Mr. Milligan sold his interest to Sammel Straly, and the partnership of Straly Brothers existed ten years. The mill was moved to its present location on section 31, at old Antyville, four miles north of Portland, in 1884, and is one

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

of the leading saw-mills in Jay County. The engine is thirty-five horse-power, with a ca- pacity of 5,000 feet per day and 500,000 feet per annum. Sutphen bought out his brother Samuel's interest in the mill August 20, 1887. IIe deals extensively in hard-wood lumber. The firm owns 116 acres of good farming land, where they reside, and forty acres in Wayne Township. It is one of best improved farms in the township. Eachı has a good modern residence, a large barn, 40 x 67 feet, and other good farm buildings. Mr. Straly was married May 7, 1870, to Miss Mary Jane Weaver, dangliter of Jolin J. Weaver, a for- iner resident of Bear Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Straly have four children-Theron G., John E., Jesse L. and Chauncey A. Mr. Straly commenced in life without means, but his industry and business faculty have en- abled him to acquire a good property.

ILLIAM MANNING, an active and enterprising citizen of Richland Township, is a native of Maryland, born in Carroll County, twenty-one miles from Baltimore, April 21, 1828. His parents, John and Harriet (Worrell) Manning, were born, reared and married in the same State, and bothı parents died within eleven days of each other, leaving our subject an orphan be- fore six years of age. In 1835 he was taken by his sister and their uncle, to Clarke County, Ohio, and in the fall of 1839 he came to Dela- ware County, Indiana. He lived at the home of his sister in Delaware County until he reached maturity, when he returned to Mary- land, and for six years was engaged in gar- dening in Anne Arundel County. Having thus obtained a start in life he returned to

Albany, Delaware County, Indiana, where he followed mercantile pursuits from 1855 until 1862, being associated in business with As- bury Alligree, and there he was also very successful. He was married May 16, 1858, to Mrs. Letitia Wilson, a native of Miami County, Olio, and a daughter of John and Mary (Northentt) Buckles, also natives of Ohio, the father born in Warren County, and the mother in Miami County. Her parents removed to Delaware County, Indiana, in 1841, where the father still resides, aged seventy-three years. Her mother died in Delaware County, March 6, 1887. Mrs. Manning was first married to James Wilson, who died June 24, 1853. One son, Jamies W. Wilson, was born to this union, he being deceased. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Manning only four are living-Lo- rena Dell, wife of H. Ward Buckles, living at Garnet, Anderson County, Kansas; Oscar Monroe, lives in Dunkirk, Indiana; John C., living at Garnet, Kansas, and Montareau. The names of those deceased are-Rowena Belle, Florence Emily, Orran Thomas, Mag- gie Glenola and Harold B. After dissolving partnership with Mr. Alligree, Mr. Manning removed to a farm in Niles Township, Dela- ware County, which he had previously bought, on which he remained until Jannary 1, 1868. He then came to Dunkirk, Jay County, and for several years was engaged in the mercan- tile business. He is at present devoting his attention to his farm in Niles Township, Delaware County, which contains about 100 acres of valuable land, all but about thirty acres being well improved and under fine cul- tivation. Beside his farm lie is the owner of two large brick buildings in Dunkirk, and also has a large interest in the brick block occupied by Sutton, Manning & Co. Mr. Manning is a member of the Dunkirk Natural Gas Company, of which he is vice-

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

president. In politics he has always affiliated with the Republican party, but is now a strong Prohibitionist.

AVID HARRIS, one of the old and honored pioneers of Jay County, is a native of Ohio, born in Carrolton, Car- roll County, July 4, 1818, the second son of Benjamin and Asenathı (Whitaker) Harris, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter a native of Ohio. The father of our subject was a son of Thomas Harris, who was also a native of North Carolina, settling with his family in Ohio when his son, Ben- jamin, was a young man. David Harris, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in his native State, remaining with his parents on the home farur until he reached his major- ity. He was married June 24, 1838, to Miss Eliza Caldwell, a daughter of William and Jane (Barkley) Caldwell. Her father was a native of Kentucky, and died in that State when Mrs. Harris was about six years old. Her mother was a daugliter of Hugh Barkley, and a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Harris was reared in Carroll County, Ohio, her mother settling there with her family when she was twelve years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris were born two children, of whom only one is living, a son named John. Their only daughter, Mary J., married Hiram Tewksbury, of Wells County, and died Sep- tember 10, 1875. In December, 1838, Mr. Harris immigrated to Indiana, and entered forty acres of wild land on section 4, Penn Township, Jay County, and after clearing a space he erected his log cabin, where he and his wife began housekeeping, passing through all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. There were but few settlers in the town- ship at that date, and the surrounding country

was in a state of nature. Their milling was done at Richmond, and wild game was their meat. Mr. Harris cleared and improved his land, and by hard work and close attention to his pursuits he has accumulated a fine prop- erty, being now the owner of a well improved and well cultivated farm of 200 acres. His land is well drained, and the by-paths through the woods have given way to turnpikes. Mr. Harris is a self-made man, having begun life without capital, and is now classed among the successful men of his township, and by his fair and honorable dealings he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him, In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party. John IIarris, the only son of David Harris, was born in Penn Town- ship, Jay County, the date of his birth being January 14, 1841. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer, his youth being spent in assisting his father to clear and improve their frontier farm, and in attending the subscrip- tion schools of his neighborhood. He made his home with his parents until his marriage, October 26, 1865, to Miss Isabel Maria Kim- ball, a native of Ohio, a daugther of Uzal and Rachel (McDonnell) Kimball, who came from Perry County, Ohio, to Wells County, Indi- ana, when their daughter was a child. After his marriage John Harris located on the farm where he has since resided, engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. To his original tract of fifty acres he has added thirty acres, his home farm now containing eighty acres of choice land, well improved and under a high state of cultivation, besides which he owns a tract of fifty acres in Wells County. Mr. Harris is one of the most enterprising citizens of Jay County, and takes an active interest in any undertaking which has for its object the good of the public, or the advancement of his township or county. He started a peti- tion to have a private gravel road built, and

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

by hard work he managed to get enough money to build a road running north a mile and a half, giving him a good pike, and im- proving his and his father's farm. In politics, like his father, he is a Democrat. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Five children have been born to them, of whom fonr are living-Sarepta Emeline, born September 4, 1866; Elwood, January 28, 1869; George W., Jannary 16, 1875, and William E., December 29, 1884. One child died in infancy.

ACOB CLINGER, a pioneer of Bear Creek Township, was born near Lancas- ter, Fairfield Connty, Ohio, September 9, 1809. His father, Frederick Clinger, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was married in that State to Miss Mary Bookher, also a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and to them were born fourteen children, only six of whom lived to be grown-John, Samnel, Jacob, Benjamin, Daniel and Mary. A few years after their marriage they removed to Hocking County, Ohio, and later, to Fairfield County. Jacob was reared a farmer, and at the age of seven- teen years he went to learn the saddler's trade, serving the usual apprenticeship, at Lancas- ter; later, he worked at his trade at Baltimore, Ohio, then removed to Pickington, same county, and worked three or four years. He was married October 13, 1833, to Miss Re- becca McCollum, of Fairfield Connty, daugh- ter of Samnel and Nancy McCollum, and in 1838 they removed to this county, locating in the woods npon his present farm. Here he lived for forty-nine years. He built a log cabin 18 x 20 feet, puncheon floor, clapboard roof, and mud-and-stick chimney. In 1862 hie built his present house. His farm has been well improved, and his buildings are

good and comfortable. Mr. and Mrs. Clinger had eight children, three of whom lived to maturity, and two are now living-Samantha Jane and Mary Ann. Theophilus Wilson died at the age of twenty-eight years. Mrs. Cling- er died May 2, 1869, and May 15, 1870, Mr. Clinger was married to Mrs. Melinda Portins, née Shoemaker, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 25, 1833, danghter of Daniel R. and Elizabeth (Baker) Shoemaker. Mrs. Clinger had six children by her first marriage, two of whom are now living --- Rachel Ellen and George Allen. Sarah E., Daniel U., Emma C. and Minnie L. are de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Clinger have one child -- Schuyler Colfax. In politics Mr. Clinger is a Republican, and has served as township trustee. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has served as steward and class-leader. He is one of the best citizens of Bear Creek Township.

ETER STULTS, son of John and Su- sannalı Stults, is a native of Jay County, Indiana, born January 24, 1842. He was reared on the old homestead in Jackson Township, his youth being spent in assisting with the work of the farm. His education was received in the common schools of his neighborhood and at Liber College. He was married September 3, 1862, to Miss Saralı Ann Wilson, a native of Henry County, Indi- ana, born May 16, 1842, a daughter of John H. and Sarah (Stevenson) Wilson. Her father was a native of Scotland, born in the vicinity of Glasgow. Mr. and Mrs. Stults are the par- ents of five children-Aurie, Leora Priest, Agnes Lilian, Clarence W., William Oren and Charles Alphonso. Mr. Stults was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in defense of the old flag, May 9, 1864, and

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

was assigned to Company C, Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry. His regiment was after- ward mounted and called the Eighth Indiana Cavalry. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea. July 20, 1865, he received an honorable discharge, when he returned to his home in Jay County. In 1874 he settled in Liber, where he was engaged in the manufac- ture of tile about five or six years, after which he returned to his farm in Jackson Township, and has since devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. Politically Mr. Stults affiliates with the Republican party. He has always taken an interest in the cause of education. All his children have received good educational advantages, and two of them are fitted for teachers. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stults are members of the Wesleyan church, in which he has served as trustee and class- leader.

ICHARD M. STEPHENSON was born in Cabell County, West Virginia, June 8, 1812, and died at his home on section 10, Wayne Township, Jay County, Indiana, September 2, 1885. He was of Irish descent, his grandfather, John Stephenson, having immigrated from Ireland and settled in South Carolina in the early history of the country. Richard M. Stephenson was but three years old when he was taken to Jackson County, Ohio, and there he grew to manhood, and was married to Miss Anna Dempsey, who was born in Pennsylvania, November 8, 1813. To this union were born seven sons and one daughter, of whom two sons are deceased. James M., the eldest son, was married in Ohio, before the family came to Indiana, he coming at the same time, and settling on section 6, Wayne Township. He died in 1872, leaving two sons and a daughter. The

second son, William J., died in Ohio, aged nineteen years; John A., was born in Ohio in 1841; Ira, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, June 29, 1843, and married Miss Orodine Gillespie, a native of Kosciusko Connty, Indiana; Richard D., was born in Ohio, October 14, 1845, married Miss Sarah E. Huey, a daughter of Robert Huey, one of the well know pioneers on Wayne Township; Jeremiahı, born February 10, 1848, married Belle Kinsey, a daughter of Henry Kinsey; IIuldalı, the only daughter, was born July 17, 1854; Thomas C., was born December 22, 1856, he was twice married, his first wife being Lizzie A. Callahan of Jackson County, Ohio, who died December 2, 1878. For his second wife he married Mrs. Amanda C. (Giff) Hardy. Mr. Stephenson began life in Jackson County without means, but by per- severing industry and strict economy he met with success, and before leaving that county he had improved three farns. In 1862 he came with his family to Jay County, and settled in Wayne Township on the northwest quarter of section 10, entering 320 acres of land, part of which was on section 9. With the exception of eighty acres on section 10 this land is still in possession of his family. His object in coming to Indiana, was mainly to secure homes for his sons, who were then verging into manhood. Here he made liis home until his death, and here his wife also died, hier death taking place April 5, 1880. Beginning life entirely without capital he by his good management and persevering energy, acquired a competence and hewed out homes from the forest for himself and family. Politically he was in early life an old line Whig, and later was strongly attached to the principles of the Republican party. In his religions views he was liberal, and while he belonged to no church, he had a great respect for what he believed to be true religious

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

principles. He was a strong opponent of the liquor traffic, and always practiced total abstinence, a principle that all his sons have inherited. The six surviving members of his family are residents of Wayne Township, and all have homes of their own, and are numbered among the highly respected mem- bers of Jay County.

OHN H. WILHELM, an active and pro- gressive farmer of Wayne Township, is a native of Maryland, born in Baltimore County, September 16, 1842, a son of David and Margaret (Hoover) Wilhelm. John H. was the eldest in a family of twelve children. His father being a farmer he was reared to the same avocation, and his education was received in the district schools of his native county. At the age of twenty years he re- moved to Preble County, Ohio, and in No- vember, 1863, he enlisted in Company E, Ninth Indiana Cavalry. He participated in a number of engagements, including Wilson Pike, where 286 of the Ninth Cavalry were captured, siege of Nashville, Franklin, Spring Hill, Pulaski, and Sugar Creek. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war, when he returned to Preble County. Febru- ary 22, 1867, he was married to Miss Martha Baker, a native of Huntington County, Indi- ana, and a daughter of John W. Baker, a prominent man in the county of Huntington. To them have been born seven children --- George Emery, Henry Lawrence, Estella Florence, David Wesley, John Franklin, Charles Otho and Arthur Edwin. In 1868 Mr. Wilhelm removed to Wayne County, Indiana, and two years later located in Ran- dolph County, where he resided until 1873. In that year he came to Jay County and lo- cated on his present farm, where he owns 160

acres of as good land as the county affords. Since coming here he has cleared and improved 115 acres of his land, which he has underlaid with some 300 rods of tile. He has a good residence, commodious barn and out-buildings, and has on his land a good orchard. He is a worthy member of the United Brethren church. He has taken an active interest in the advancement of education and religion, and is a liberal supporter of the same, and is much respected throughout the community in which he makes his home.

DELMA LUPTON, one of the wealthiest citizens of Jay County, is a native of Ohio, born in Champaign County, Oc- tober 23, 1831, the eldest son of Joseph A. and Abigail (Green) Lupton, the father a native of Highland County, Ohio, and the mother born in New Jersey. Joseph A. Lup- ton was a son of Solomon Lupton, a native of Virginia, and of English ancestry, who was one of the first settlers of Highland County, Ohio, and later settled in Champaign County, of the saine State. The maternal grandfather of our subject, John Green, settled in Logan County when his daughter Abigail was a child, and his father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, being wounded at the battle of Yorktown, where he died. The parents of our subject were mar- ried in Champaign County, Ohio, and to them were born nine children, of whom only four are living at the present time. In 1838 the parents immigrated with their children, then five in number, to Jay County, Indiana, and settled in Camden, where the father engaged in blacksmithing. He was the first black- smith in the county, and followed that trade until his death. The mother of our subject died in 1849, and the father was subsequently

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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