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 59

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 59
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 59

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ILLIAM H. ABEL, an early settler of Madison Township, was born August 23, 1823, in Miami County, Ohio, where he spent his early life until he was fifteen years of age. Since that time he has lived on the farm he now occupies, hav- ing come to this county with his parents,

September 1, 1838. The previous June he and his father came to the county on horseback and selected land on several sections, then went to Fort Wayne and entered about 800 acres of land. On their way to that city they stopped for dinner with Peter Studebaker, who was living on the banks of the Wabash River, near New Corydon. Mr. Abel's father, Henry Abel, was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, October 3, 1793, where he grew to manhood and was married. At thirty years of age he removed to Carlisle, Ohio, where he accumu- lated considerable property. In a few years he exchanged this property for land, which he improved and sold for $1,800. With this he came to Jay County. Several years before his death he was engaged in the mercantile trade at Salamonia, and was keeping a hotel at that place at the time of his death, which occurred September 6, 1879. The mother, Sarah Ann (Franklin) Abel, was born October 28, 1792, in the same county as her husband, and died April 6, 1867.

RANCIS VINCENT GIGANDET, a Fac prominent and enterprising citizen of Wayne Township, was born in France, June 14, 1830, a son of Nicholas and Mary (Papon) Gigandet, natives of France. His parents came to America a few years after their marriage, when he was about one year and a half old, and first settled in Stark County, Ohio. They subsequently removed to Wheeling, West Virginia, and later to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, remaining there three years. They settled in Darke County about the year 1836 or 1837, where the father died in Octo- ber, 1847. He was a saddler by trade, and followed that avocation for several years after coming to America. F. V., the subject of this sketch, was reared a farmer, and received

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his education in the common schools of his neighborhood and by study at home. He was united in marriage, June 13, 1854, to Miss Mary Humbert, a native of France, and a danghter of Nicholas and Mary (Dodier) Humbert. Nine children have been born to this nion, as follows- William Eugene, Martha Isabelle, Hubert Amos, Emannel Isi- dore (born in 1863, and died in October, 1885), Walter Augustus, Anrelia Celina, Maria Flora, Francis Vincent and Lovina Ann. Mr. Gigandet continmed to reside in Darke Conuty nntil 1873, when he came with his family to Jay County, Indiana. He bought his farm in Jay County from Henry Ewing, almost unimproved. A few acres had been cleared and twenty acres deadened, and two log cabins and a log stable had been erected. He lias made good improvements during his residence on the place, making it one of the best farms in his neighborhood. His farm contains eiglity acres, of whichi fifty- two acres is cleared and nuder fine cultiva- tion. He has a fine, substantial residence, built in modern style, and considered one of the best in Wayne Township. In connection with his general farming le devotes some attention to 'stock-raising, his farm being divided into different fields for that object. In his political views Mr. Gigandet is a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce in 1852, and at all suc- ceeding presidential elections he has voted the Democratic ticket. Although an ad- herent of the Democratic principles, he be- lieves in a good, honest Government for the people; and in local elections where he is acquainted with the candidates, if his party nominates a candidate who in his judgment has not the qualifications of a good officer, able and willing to discharge his official duties in the interests of the people and the good of the country, lie does not hesitate to

look in the ranks of the opposing parties for an honest man, and if he finds him he votes without regard to party affiliation. Mr. Gigandet is one of the most active members of the Catholic church. In his religious views lie is not bigoted, but rather liberal, and is always ready to hold out the hand of friendship and hielp to his dissenting neigh- bors and friends, having no ill-feeling toward them because they do not believe as lie does. Nor has he any ill-will toward any man on account of his religions or political views, believing that all, let thiem be Jew or Gen- tile, Protestant or infidel, have rights which ought to be respected by all good citizens, and that if a man is honest and upright he should be welcomed in any neighborhood withont questioning his creed or political views. He believes that all have a right to worship according to the dictates of their own conscience. Mr. Gigandet took an active part in the building of his church, of which he was one of the first trustees, and is one of its inost liberal supporters. William E. Gigan- det, the eldest son of F. V. Gigandet, was born in Darke County, Ohio, August 7, 1855, where he was reared, coming to Jay County with his father in 1873. He was married April 30, 1880, to Miss Edna Ann Miller, a dangliter of A. Miller, of Wayne Township, Jay Connty. They are the parents of two children, named Agatha A. and Es- tella E.

ILLIAM P. BEARD, of the firm of Brake & Beard, general merchants at Salamonia, was born in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana, April 8, 1844, and was educated in the district schools of his township. He was reared a farmer, and after reaching his seventeenth year, Sep-

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tember 25, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company F, Fortieth Ohio Infantry, a three years' regiment. The company rendezvonsed at Camp Chase, and when organized Joli L. Reeves was the first Captain, Jonathan Cranor being the first Colonel, Jacob E. Taylor being the second Colonel of the Fortieth Ohio Regi- ment. The regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division and Fourth Army Corps, under General Stanley, the brigade commander being General Whittaker, and the division commander General Stedman. The battles of this regiment were Franklin, Shelbyville, Chickamauga (where the division lost 1,000 men in thirty minutes), Missionary Ridge, all the battles of the Atlanta cam- paigu, Jonesboro and Lovejoy. Mr. Beard was discharged at Shellmonnd, Tennessee, with his regiment, December 31, 1863, there not being a sufficient number of the Fortieth Ohio to hold their organization. While a member of Company F, Mr. Beard was first promoted to Corporal, Duty Sergeant, and later to Orderly. The Fortieth Ohio veteran- ized a year before the expiration of its term of enlistment, and was consolidated with the Fifty-first Ohio, Charles H. Wood being Colonel of the latter regiment. After the consolidation of the Fortieth. and Fifty-first regiments Mr. Beard was promoted to Second Lieutenant, and assigned to Company A, be- ing promoted over five Orderly Sergeants older than himself. On their return to Nash- ville, the regiment fought at Columbia on the Duck River, his regiment and brigade being the rear guard, fighting the rebels inore or less the day of the battle of Franklin, and also at the two days fight at Nashville. From the latter place his regiment was sent to Vic- toria, Texas, where it was mustered ont Oc- tober 3, 1865, Mr. Beard having participated in twenty hard fought battles and many skirmishes, He reached his home in Jay

County, in November, 1865, and the same month bought his store, and has ever since been engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Beard's parents were John and Emeline (Abel) Beard. The father was born in Preble County, Ohio, Jume 21, 1821, and when eighteen years old he and his parents came to Jay County, locating in Madison Township. The father now living in Pike Township. The mother was born in 1817, and died August 10, 1860, in Madison Township. The father was again married, his sec- ond wife being Lucinda Bowman. Our subject was married December 24, 1867, to Miss Martha J. White, who was born in Jay County, Noble Township, June 19, 1850, danghter of Thomas and Barbara (Hutchin- son) White. Her father was born in Greene County, Ohio, July 15, 1826, and died Sep- tember 13, 1875. Her mother was born September 21, 1830, in Little York, Miami County, Ohio, and is now living in Salamonia. By the first marriage of Mr. Beard's father were the following children - Melinda E., Catherine, Margaret, Eliza and Nancy L. In Mr. Beard's family were nine children -- Thomas E., Perry A., Henry C., James E., Cora E., John H., Lorenzo A., Blaine O. and Anna E. Mr. Beard has served as school trustee five years, two years as treasurer, and is now serving his third term as clerk of the incorporated town of Salamonia. His grand- father, Paul Beard, was born in West . Vir- ginia, near Wheeling, February 17, 1784, and died in Darke County, Ohio, at the age of ninety-three years. His grandmother, Eliza- beth Beard, was born in Virginia in 1774, and died February 8, 1845, aged sixty-six years. Both were of German ancestry. Mrs. Beard's grandfather, Joel Hutchins, was born in North Carolina and died December 23, 1875, aged seventy-seven years. Her grand- mother, Elizabeth (Cline) Hutchins, was born

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in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and died July 22, 1869, aged nearly seventy years. She was first married to Jacob Wagner, and they had the following children-Catherine, Elizabeth, Anna, John and Mary. By her second marriage were the following children -- Andrew, Rachel, Barbara, Alexander, Henry C., George, Susan, Levi and Sarah (twins). Her maternal grandparents, Thomas and Mary White, were born in Pennsylvania, the father dying January 23, 1855, aged sixty- two years, and the mother April 19, 1850, aged seventy-two years.

R. JAMES GILLUM is the oldest physi- cian now living in Jay County, Indi- ana, he having located in Bear Creek Township in the fall of 1839, and four years later removed to Portland, where he has since resided. He was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, in October, 1831, his father, Thomas Gillum, being a native of the State of Vir- ginia. The latter went to Coshocton County, Ohio, when quite young, and was there mar- ried to Mrs. Sarah (Davis) Black, widow of Jerry Black, and a sister of Jefferson Davis, ex-President of the Southern Confederacy. She was born in the State of Mississippi- To Mr. and Mrs. Gillum were born four sons and one daughter. Mrs. Gillum had five chil- dren by her first marriage, also four sons and one daughter. In 1839 the father came witlı his family to Jay County, Indiana, and settled on a new farm in Bear Creek Township, which he improved, living on his land until after the death of his wife, when lie came to Portland, making his home in this city until his death. James Gillum, the subject of this sketch, spent his yontlı in assisting his father on the farm and in attending the schools of Portland. He began reading medicine un- 33

der the preceptorship of Dr. Joseph Watson, one of the early physicians of the connty, who died here. He subsequently attended the Eclectic Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1858-'59 and '60, graduating from that institution in the year 1860. He then com menced the practice of his chosen profession at Portland, and being well skilled in the knowledge of medicine he has built up a large and lucrative practice, and during his long residence in the county has made many friends, and gained the confidence and respect of all who know him. For a time during the War of the Rebellion he was Assistant Sur- geon of the One Hundred and Thirty-eightlı Indiana Infantry. Mrs. Gillum is also a representative of one of the pioneer families of Jay County. Her maiden name was Eliza- beth Fislı, a daughter of Samuel Fislı, who came with his family to Jay County in an early day, and later removed to Marshall County, where he passed the remainder of his days. Dr. Gillum and wife have had born to them four children, three still living- Esther C., wife of Theodore Bailey, of Port- land; Kansas C., wife of Mont. Mahan, of Fort Wayne, and Stephen A. Donglas, a physician and surgeon of Portland. The doctor is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. Both he and his wife, in their religious faith, are Presbyterians.

EWIS N. METZNER, farmer and stock- raiser, Bear Creek Township, is one of the enterprising and influential citizens of Jay County. He was born at St. Louis- ville, Licking County, Ohio, November 3, 1848, a son of John Metzner, a prominent pioneer of Jay County. When he was eighteen months old, in the spring of 1850,

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

his parents moved to Jay County and settled in Noble Township, where hs was reared. His youth was spent on his father's farm and in attending the district schools, where he received the rudiments of an education. Ar- riving at manhood he began farming for him- self, and in 1876 settled on the farmn where he now lives, which is all under cultivation, and his improvements are among the best in the township. He has a good cottage, a com- modious barn and other buildings and a fine orchard of bearing trees. Mr. Metzner was married July 2, 1870, to Henrietta Weaver, danghter of Jeremiah Weaver, a prominent pioneer of Wayne Township. They have two sons-John Preston, born February 15, 1872, and Arthur Augustus, born March 6, 1879. Mr. Metzner is a member of the Free-Will Baptist church, of which he is the present clerk.

HARLES DOWNING, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Jackson Township, is a native of Henry County, Indiana, born October 9, 1845, a son of Jesse Downing, a well-known citizen of Jackson Township. He was reared on a farm, his yonth being spent in assisting his father and in attending the common schools, where he received the rudiments of an education. He lived in his native county until 1869, when he moved to Grant County, Indiana, where he lived until 1875, when he came to Jay County and located in Jackson Township, where he has since lived. He is one of the largest land owners in Jay County, his farm containing 340 acres of choice land, the most of it under a high state of cultivation. His residence is a good story and a half building, situated on a natural building site, and liis farm buildings are large and comfortable. A

modern wind-mill furnishes water to the stock at the barn, and a stream of pure water flows through the pasture. He makes stock- dealing a specialty and has been very success- ful in that enterprise. He is a sagacions business man and his acenmulations are the result of prudent management and good judgment. He was married in 1867 to Miss Sarah M. Lenington, of Henry County, Indi- ana, and to thiem have been born five children --- Harvey, Emily, John, Rosa and Joseph. In politics Mr. Downing is a Republican.

AMES A. SULLIVAN, hardware dealer, Dunkirk, was born in Ashe County, North Carolina, July 1, 1827, a son of James and Ailcy (Camp) Sullivan, who were also natives of North Carolina, the father of Irish and the mother of Scotch descent. In 1829 they started for Indiana, having but one horse, on which they placed an arrangement with large pockets on either side. In one of these pockets was placed our subject, then a child of two years, while the other pocket contained some bed clothing, the parents going on foot. The journey cost them bnt 373 cents, the sun paid for crossing the Ohio River at Cincinnati on the ferry. They located near Richmond in Wayne County, November 14, 1829, where they made their home a number of years, removing thence to Blackford County, where the father died in 1867. After living in Blackford County four years, the mother came to Jay County, where she died in 1869. Botlı parents are buried at Fairview, Randolph County. James Sullivan's father was a soldier during the Revolutionary war. James A. Sullivan, the subject of this sketch, grew to man- hood in Wayne County, and at the age of sixteen years began to learn the carpenter's

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SKETCHES.

trade. He was married January 5, 1850, to Miss Margaret Shaffer, a native of Wayne County, Indiana, a daughter of Jacob and Celia (Horner) Shaffer. Her parents were natives of North Carolina, removing thence to Oliio, and from Ohio came to Indiana, in an early day. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, of whom five are deceased -- Nathan L., Elizabetlı, Henry Bennett, John F. and an infant unnamed. Those yet living are-Sadie, wife of John W. Tucker; George R., who married Lydia Saulsbury; Mary Samantha, wife of Alvin Steele; Martha Alice, wife of G. M. Higman, a real estate dealer at Muncie, and James O., who is with his father in the hardware store. In the spring of 1853 Mr. Sullivan came to Jay County, and settled on a tract of 160 acres of land in Jefferson Township, which he had previously bought. This land was covered with dense timber, entirely unimproved, not a stick having been cut on the place. He lived in a rented cabin about a mile distant until he had cleared a space and erected a rough log cabin, into whichi he moved his family as soon as it was finished. He then commenced to clear and improve his land, and inside of two years he had forty acres under cultivation. In 1855 he sold this property and went to Fairview, Randolph County, where he was engaged in the general mercall- tile business about four years. He then returned to Jay County, and for eight years was engaged in the hotel business at Dunkirk, when he sold out his hotel and bought a farm in Richland Township, within the corporate limits of Dunkirk, and from 1873 until 1876 he followed agricultural pursuits, when he engaged in his present hardware business at Dunkirk, in which lie is meeting with success. Mr. Sullivan enlisted in the service of his country at Fairview September 8, 1861, and was assigned to Company E, Thirty-sixth

Indiana Infantry. His regiment rendezvoused at Richmond, from there went to Indianapolis, thence to Jeffersonville, thence to New Haven, Kentucky, and from there to Camp Wycliffe, where they joined the Fourteenthi Army Corps. Mr. Sullivan participated in a num- ber of hard fought battles, including the engagements at Pittsburgh Landing, Clicka- mauga, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, he being wounded in the back at the battle of Chattanooga while building breatsworks. He received his discharge at Bridgeport, Alabama, in May, 1864, and returned by way of Nash- ville, Louisville and Indianapolis, to liis home at Fairview, Indiana. He is a member of Dunkirk Lodge, No. 275, A. F. & A. M. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he was formerly a Whig but has been a Republican since tlie organiza- tion of that party. He hield the office of justice of the peace about seven years; was notary public four or five years, and for seven or eight years was a member of the town council, and in all these offices he served with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents.

M. BOSWORTH, a prominent physi- cian and surgeon of Pennville, is a native of Jay County, Indiana, born September 28, 1843, the fourth and youngest son of Dr. Jacob and Nancy (Westlake) Bos- wortlı. His youthi was spent in assisting his father clear and improve his farm and attending the schools of his neighborhood, completing his literary education at the Farmers' Academy. He remained with his parents until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when lie enlisted as a private in June, 1862, being mustered into the serv- ice August 28, in Company II, One Hun-

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HISTORY OF JAY COUNTY.

dredth Indiana Infantry. His regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division of the Army of the Tennessee, and November 11, 1862, left Memphis, Tennessee. He par- ticipated in thirty-four hard-fought battles, besides numerous skirmishes. He was in the siege of Vicksburg and in the engagements in that vicinity. Then went with Sherman to Jackson, where he remained until after the surrender of that place, July 11. He then returned to Memphis down the Lookout Valley and attacked General Bragg on the left, arriving at Chattanooga November 22 following. November 25 he was in the bat- tle of Mission Ridge. He was commissioned by Governor Morton inspector of hospitals, but deelined the position, remaining with his regiment. He was sent to Chattanooga and distributed the first thirty-two ear loads of rations after the fall of Chattanooga, in charge of the sanitary department. He re- mained in the sanitary department until after the fall of Atlanta, then served with his regi- ment until it was mustered out. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and took part in the grand review at Washington, D. C., at the close of the war. He was inus- tered out of the service July 16, 1865, and after the war he went to the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, and graduated from the medical department in 1866. He began reading medicine at the early age of fifteen years, under the preceptorship of his father, and after graduating he began prac- ticing medicine at his home, remaining there until 1868. He then came to Pennville, where he has since practiced his chosen pro- fession, and has established a successful and lucrative practice and gained an enviable rep- utation. Dr. Bosworth was married Angust 13, 1868, to Miss Harriet A. Hopkins, who was born in Owen County, Indiana, a daugh- ter of Hezekiah II. Hopkins, of Pennville,

who settled in Jay County when Mrs. Bos- worth was an infant. Mr. Bosworth died July 13, 1872, leaving one child-Bertha Beatrice. The doctor was again married An- gust 13,1874, to Miss Lillie Shoaff, a daugh- ter of Samnel A. Shoaff, and to this union four children have been born, named Hester Ann, Mary E., Thomas C. and Jacob. Mrs. Bosworth is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The doctor belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and is one of the charter member of James T. Cartwright Post. Politically he is an uncompromising Republican.

S TEPHEN JOURNEY, one of the lead- ing men of Jay County, engaged in farın- ing on section 35, Wayne Township, was born in Perry County, Ohio, February 10, 1836, a son of John A. Journey, who was of English parentage. The father was twice married, and by his first wife had two sons named John and William. For his second wife he married a widow, Mrs. Anna (Harkins) Brown, and to this union were born seven children-James, Robert, Joseph, Stephen (our subject), Thomas, Judy Ann and Susan. By her first marriage the mother of our sub- ject had one son named Benoni Brown, who died at Memphis, Tennessee, in 1849. Stephen Journey, whose name heads this sketch, was a lad of thirteen years when his father came to Jay County, Indiana, and located on a tract of forty acres on section 26, Wayne Township. The father also owned 160 acres of land on section 36 of the same township. The father being a farmer, our subject was reared to the same avocation, his youth being spent in assisting on the farmn and attending the common schools of his neighborhood. At the age of nineteen years he began working

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at the plasterer's and mason's trade, which he followed many years. He was married Sep- tember 27, 1857, to Rachel Gillit, a native of Steuben County, New York, and a dauglı- ter of Joseph Gillit, a pioneer of Noble Town- ship, Jay County. Mr. and Mrs. Journey have five children living-Anna, William, Ervin, Mary and Nevada. Three children are deceased; James died at the age of twenty- one years; Charles, aged eighteen months, and Robert, aged twenty-one years. Mr. Journey has made his home on his present farm since 1858, at that time entirely unim- proved. In that year he put up a log cabin, 18 x 20 feet in size, and began clearing his land. He now has a valuable farm of 140 acres, of which ninety acres are cleared and well improved, being underlaid with 500 rods of tiling. IIis primitive log cabin has been replaced by his present commodious residence, and a good barn 40 x 60 feet, and everything abont the place shows care and thrift. IIis farın is located on the pike road four and a half miles from Portland, church and school- house being conveniently near. Mr. Journey is a member of the United Brethren church, in which he has served as class-leader. In politics he is a Democrat, but has recently given his suffrage to the Prohibition party.

EZREEL DECATUR BARR, farmer, section 3, Knox Township, was born in Wayne Township, Wayne Connty, Indiana, Angust 9, 1834, a son of Robert K. and Leah (Hiatt) Barr, his father a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Wayne County, Indiana. IIis father died near Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, in 1847, of cholera, and his mother in Highland County, Ohio, March 13, 1855. After the death of her husband, she married Joseph A. Lupton. She had

four children, three by her first marriage and one by her second. After the death of his father Jezreel D. Barr was taken to the home of an uncle, and with him came to Jay Coun- ty, where with the exception of three years he has since lived. He owns a fine farm of 225 acres, where he lives and makes a special- ty of general farming. His early educational advantages were limited, as he attended school only eleven months after thirteen years of age, but by studying at home he acquired sufficient education to enable him to teaclı, and in 1853, when nineteen years of age, taught his first school. He has, with the exception of four years, devoted his attention to teaching in the winter season since that time. He takes an active interest in public affairs, and has served his township in several local offices. He is the oldest justice of the peace in the township in years of service, having held that office since 1866, with the exception of three years. He was in politics originally a Democrat, but since 1860 las affiliated with the Republican party. He united with the Masonic order in 1867, and is now a member of Pennville Lodge, No. 212, and Dunkirk Chapter. He has served two years as master of his lodge. Mr. Barr was married May 4, 1854, to Philadelphia B. Jenkins, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, September 28, 1837, and died Novem- ber 17, 1876. October 1, 1878, Mr. Barr married Mrs. Sarah E. Whetsel, a native of Delaware County, Indiana, born December 7, 1851, a daughter of James and Susanna Barnes, residents of Knox Township. She was first married February 16, 1871, to John F. Whetsel, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, March 3, 1846. In the spring of 1864 he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Thirth-eighth Indiana Infantry, in which he served until the following September. The same fall he again enlisted, and was assigned

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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